Smuggler (oz8880)

About this Plan

Smuggler. Sport model for radio control with .40 power. Twin boom design.

Quote: "After weeks of pondering the wonderful, meticulous workings of my newly purchased 0.S.-FS-20 4-stroke engine, I realized I didn't have a plane to put it in. Several of the aircraft in my hangar would accept the new 4-stroke, but none really filled the bill. I wanted an aircraft designed around this engine rather than one altered to accommodate it.

With ruler and pencil in hand, I headed for the drawing board. This was a good opportunity to try out some new ideas I'd been considering. Through a combination of engineering prowess, experience, and 'That looks about right' emerged Smuggler.

A glance at the construction photos and one can quickly see the originality of this craft. With a little care in the construction phase, the fuselage and booms will align themselves, naturally, eliminating a common problem with twin boom aircraft (warped airframes). The design also allows easy access to the huge radio compartment. The wing and tail surfaces are of strong conventional design.

The aircraft is a rugged fun flier, capable of full three channel aerobatics. Control of Smuggler is not difficult but I would not recommend it to the neophyte. Make sum you have one or two basic trainers under your belt before attempting to build or fly this aircraft.

If you plan to use a 4-stroke engine, build the Smuggler according to the plans. If using a 2-stroke, you can build according to the plans and add nose weight later, or alter the design slightly to allow the craft to balance without added weight. This can be accomplished by locating the firewall further forward, leaving just enough room for the smaller 2-stroke engine. This will also leave enough room to locate the radio equipment further forward. Since the aircraft was designed for the heavier 4-stroke engine, I cannot guarantee that this procedure will eliminate the need for added nose weight, but it should at least reduce the amount needed.

As an added note before I begin the construction notes, I have flown Smuggler with a .20 2-stroke engine. Although the horsepower rating was higher than that of my 4-stroke, it did not have nearly the pulling power. I attribute this mainly to prop size..."

Hi Steve - Here is James A. Kerchum's Smuggler from RCM magazine issue 01-92.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages.

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