Mojave (oz9034)

About this Plan

Mojave. A/2 Nordic towline model. Wingspan 84in, wing area 522 sq in.

Quote: "Exotic it is not, but then your circle towing technique is less than splendid too. Practice together on a simple A/2. The Mojave A/2 Nordic, by Dick Mathis

It has been a long time since I did much Nordic work, but this last summer the urge hit along with a streak of beautiful weather. Being a participant in the Glamorous Model Airplane Kit Manufacturing Game (G.M.A.K.M.G.), I figured if it took over two days to build the airplane, it would never get finished, since the last thing a model airplane manufacturer gets to do is build an actual device he can fly himself.

My usual approach in designing a model is to decide what parameters need special emphasis, such as: will it be a windy weather deal, super rugged, beautiful, simple, etc? Once I have a rough idea of the aerodynamic layout and general aesthetics I consider the structure and how to fabricate the whole deal. These latter two considerations usually necessitate a thorough rearrangement of the first layouts, since I greatly prefer an airplane that will last more than 3-1/2 flights and can be built without leasing McDonnel-Douglas experimental model department.

My main design emphases were to have it go together fast and be sturdy enough to learn to circle tow. This last point is probably of most interest to the average reader because he too would like to learn to circle tow. Since now the trick thing is circle towing, and circle towhooks are generally available and cheap, everyone will be doing it without really knowing why they are doing it.

My big reason was it seemed kind of cute, but I knew it would require a crash resistant device for me to learn with if I were to spend more time flying than re-pairing. Anyway, I built the Mojave in a few days and the tests went alright using a conventional straight tow, except for the late evening (still air) performance, which was revolting. I had Nordics in 1954 that would beat this one and in 1954 we didn't even know what auto rudders were. After clever trimming, I worked the Mojave up to 90 seconds, which was a little under the expected 150. Turns out it was a short tow-line, a permanent downdraft at the new field I was flying on (vortex over hill) and a center of gravity location too far forward.

Anyway, we made it to a contest that weekend, maxed out still straight towing and got stomped in a flyoff with Young Don Chancey, 1975 Nordic Team Member, who put on the first really meaningful demonstration of circle towing in varied conditions I had seen (and I had seen about everyone who is anyone try to circle tow although not in the last year). My attempts to con him out of his trick Czech towhook proved fruitless (I couldn't figure it out then and still can't, even though I now have one and am using it). I sulked off to cover the Nationals as a reporter..."

Mojave, Flying Models, June 1977.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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