Plane Simple (oz8842)

About this Plan

Plane Simple. Radio control sport trainer model, for single channel RC and motorised actuators.

Quote: "Originally named 'Plane Jane' as the pictures here show. MA Garland's model was renamed to avoid confusion with a 'Plane Jane' already in our plans range. Model is ideal for single channel motorised actuator systems and installation showing RMK Dynamite and Dynamo actuators, with MacGregor Supermac receiver can be seen bottom left.

PLANE Simple arose out of the desire to build a compact model yet having enough room to install a single channel superhet receiver and two servos. Originally it was powered by an OS 10 motor and performed excellently. Unfortunately this engine eventually wore out and being unable to obtain another OS.10 I purchased a Webra Sport Glo and modified the OS.10 throttle to fit the Webra.

Plane Simple has safe flying characteristics yet is highly manoeuvreable and can be flown near the ground in tight turns, without the fear of suddenly dropping her nose. The model is easy to trim and with the centre of gravity 1/2 inch in front of the spar, and the incidences as per plan it flew without any alterations.

The receiver chosen was the MacGregor Supermac and two Orient servos, which were mounted with the receiver, on a plywood tray. I personally experienced trouble with this set up, in the form of the motor servo changing speed on its own in the air, but working perfectly on the ground!

The servos were then changed to RMK Dynamo and Dynamite and this problem disappeared. As the RMK servos are a little larger, I was forced to mount the motor servo on its side directly to the fuselage and the rudder servo as before on the plywood installation tray.

The receiver aerial terminates at the 18 swg brass bush, fitted to the fuselage side and an 18 swg piano wire whip aerial, cut to the correct length is then soldered into the bush. When not in use, the end is bent back and slipped into the slot from which the servo push rod emerges.

Construction: The fuselage construction is quite straightforward and presents no problems. Evo-Stik resin-W glue was used throughout and provided the nose blocks are fitted accurately to the first former, a really strong body results.

Wings: After cutting out the ribs, the leading and trailing edges are laid on the plan and positions of the ribs marked, prior to slotting. I find that if one uses a 1/16 in flat needle file, the slots are easily formed. The trailing edge is then pinned to the plan and also the lower spar. The ribs are then glued and fitted and also the leading edge and upper spar. Now add the wing tips and leave to set. When the wing halves have set the 1/16 sheet webs can be inserted between the ribs remembering to fit them with the grain vertical..."

Plane Simple, RCM&E, November 1968.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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