Abstract Ant (oz8981)

About this Plan

Abstract Ant. Rubber sport model. "Ant" as in Antoinette-inspired.

Scan from DBHL, cleanup by theshadow.

ref DBHL-5400.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 11/11/2024: Added article, thanks to theshadow.

Quote: "How's this for a neat little indoor flier - simple to build and inexpensive. Abstract Ant can provide hours of fun, and under calm conditions even outdoor flying could be contemplated. This is the historic Antoinette monoplane simplified to the maximum degree, but no matter how hard one tries to simplify, the charming character of this classic still remains.

Bill Hannan's Ant has made take off ground flights of over 25 seconds, all from a mere 12 in wing span!

Choose the lightest possible wood you can find and make sure the density is as even as possible. The is 1/32 sheet wing halves only have one rib and this is also from 1/32 sheet, positioned at the root to help join on the fuselage the rest of the wing forming its own camber. Next, cut the 1/32 sheet tailplane sections and cement edges together with the grain directions as shown.

Make up the engine from 3/32 sheet, with 1/8 in diameter cylinders, then use a hollow aluminium rivet as the propeller shaft bearing, bending the shaft from 20 swg piano wire with a hook at one end for the propeller hub and a loop at the other for the rubber band motor. Bend the undercarriage legs and nose skid from 20 swg piano wire, attach acetate and sheet cardboard wheels as shown, then shape the king post with a bend to clear the motor.

Select firm and light 3/32 sheet for the fuselage. Rub down to a smooth finish then glue on engine/propeller unit, wing halves, tailplnIane, undercarriage and 1/32 sheet fin above and below fuselage. Sand smooth all over. Press rear rubber motor hook into fuselage, in front of fin, and kingpost directly in line with undercarriage attachment point.

Lightly dope or Indian ink the radiator lines, engine unit and fuselage number, then add thread rigging as shown. Alternatively, the racing number and radiators may be drawn on thin tracing paper and glued to fuselage.

All that now remains is to get Abstract Ant into the air. For a motor either use 1/16 square rubber strip or a suitable elastic band and wind the motor from the rear then replace onto the hook."

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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