Cardboard 500 (oz9170)

About this Plan

Cardboard 500. Radio control sport model. Wingspan 50 in, for .40 engine.

Quote: "The advantages of cardboard as a construction material are numerous. The most important factors are the low cost and availability. Most clubs have some member who is connected with the container or packing industry, or other related businesses such as grocery or department stores, who can serve as a source of supply for cardboard.

All that's needed to cut out cardboard pieces is a sharp razor blade. Sharp corners or rounded edges are equally easy to cut, with no worry of cracking or splitting as with balsa wood sheets. In addition, since it comes in large sheets, large sections may be made from one continuous piece. The ease of cutting, combined with the large shapes which may be formed from a single piece of cardboard, have resulted in simplified design techniques and reduce building time to an absolute minimum.

The weight of cardboard varies considerably, but the lighter weight cardboard can be used to build models which are less than, or equal in weight to, models using standard balsa wood construction, while still maintaining adequate strength and durability.

Bob Miller, the designer of the Cardboard 500, has been building and flying cardboard radio control models for over 5 years. His interest was prompted by the introduction of the Paper Tiger kit, a cardboard model, which appeared over 5 years ago. This kit showed that cardboard could be used and be comparable in weight to standard construction materials.

Bob Miller has designed both high and low wing airplanes and single and twin engine configurations up to 75in wing span. He has supplied over 50 of his cardboard airplanes to fellow R/C club members who have flown them with satisfactory results. The largest was a 9-1/2 pound model powered by a .60 engine with a 1300 square inch wing area which flew realistically.

Experiments with various airfoil shapes were conducted, and the one chosen for the Cardboard 500 was picked for ease of construction, weight, strength, and overall flying qualities

The building techniques used in the Cardboard 500 were developed by Mr Miller. Three basic methods of construction were investigated: lap joint, slit scoring, and folding..."

Update 5/5/2024: Replaced this plan with a clearer copy, thanks to theshadow.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ, hlsat.
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