SE5 (oz9257)

About this Plan

SE5. Rubber scale model WWI fighter. Wing span 28 in, wing area 270 sq ins. Plan shows oil-filled reduction gearbox. Scale is 1/12.

Quote: "A 1 inch to 1 foot flying scale SE-5, by LS Little.

Tail areas have been increased slightly but otherwise the model is an exact miniature of the actual machine except of course the propellor. I wish to point out that although the structure has been kept fairly simple it is by no means a beginner's model; but anyone that has constructed two or three duration models should find no difficulty.

Construction. Fuselage: First build two flat sides as per elevation, remove from building board and add frames 1,5,6 and 9 also adjacent cross pieces, tue up and allow to set. Fit remaining frames and cross pieces, also the top centre stringer from nose to cockpit and 1/16 stringers from frames 6 to 9. Fix all diagonals and gussets, also head rest, tail block and tail skid, cover with 1 /32 sheet where stated and sand down well with 00 sandpaper. Please note that where parts of great stress are encountered obechi is substituted for Balsa.

Tail Unit. This is quite straightforward, but care should be taken to ensure that it is absolutely free from any warps, to prevent accidental damage it is advisable to fix fuselage after assembly of other parts.

Main Planes: These are of orthodox construction - and need no comments.

Undercarriage: Construction is clearly shown on plan, basic wire structure being bound to obechi cross pieces in fuselage with wire (to be fixed after assembly of wings.)

Gearbox: This unit which is of the oil bath type was found to function extremely well on the test model. Anyone useful with soldering should be able to make it in an hour. The original was made from 24G Brass but should this prove hard to get an ordinary cocoa tin will suffice. There is no need to emphasize about fixing the gears securely to the shafts because that is obvious, I would add that 'Bakers Fluid' was used throughout the original. The gear box is secured to the noseblock by pushing the propeller shaft bearing tube through the noseblock and soldering a small plate to same, this being hidden by the gauze forming the radiator.

Rigging: This operation must be performed with great accuracy so go slow and take care. First cement plywood dihedral braces either side of lower port wing main spar, when set push through holes in fuselage and cement lower starboard wing to port wing, cut out card templates as detailed on plan and use these to get correct position of wings, cement when correct position is obtained and leave to set. Obtain position for inter-plane and fuselage struts and cement, the latter being bound with wire as indicated. All that remains now is for the top wing to be placed on the templates and cemented. The flying and handing wires are made from 5 or 10 amp fuse wire.

Covering: Doping and Colouring: The fuselage is covered with heavyweight tissue, the wings with mediuM, and the tail and fin with lightweight. Waterstretch everything and give one coat of clear dope and one coloured. The upper surface of the wings and tail are dark green, also the fin and top and sides of the fuselage, the under surfaces are Chrome Yellow. All fittings, guns, exhausts, etc., are matt black, engine cowl-ing may either be black or silver, propeller blades, silver birch, hub mahogany. (Precise details of colouring squadron markings, etc may be found in 'Camouflage of 1914-18 Aircraft').

Fittings: Guns and windscreen and exhausts should be fitted after final doping.

Flying: The power required for flying the model is two skeins of 1 in x 1/20 rubber each consisting of 6 strands. The flying speed is in the region of 13 to 14 mph so it is advisable to check the position of gravity before attempting to launch, the C of G should be found approximately 5/8 in front of the lower wing main spar, it should balance correctly as no weight was required fore or aft on the original. Should the model stall under power add 1/16 down thrust packing, there should be no need to add that all initial testing should be carried out over long grass. Full size plans, price 3/-, are available from the Aero-m.odeller Plans Service, Allen House, Newarke Street, Leicester. In conclusion I shall be glad to answer any queries upon construction or flying of the model, sent to me c/o, the Editor."

Scan from DBHL, cleanup by theshadow.

ref DBHL-6131.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 02/10/2017: added article, thanks to RFJ.

Supplementary file notes

Article.

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