Zonda (oz9315)

About this Plan

Zonda. RC Sport model, 50in span for 4 functions and .29 to .40 engines.

Quote: "Z0NDA was designed around the remaining wing panels of an earlier model, purely as an economic exercise in getting my old Merco 35 into the air. I had tried only once before to design a model; unfortunately my veteran reed equipment would not allow my creation to grace the skies for more than three flights, and the disastrous end had left me with a dampened ego, and the outer panels of each wing. I stuck the two panels together and put them in the loft to give my ego a chance to recover. About a year and a half later the wings were rediscovered when clearing out the loft, and I decided to draw up a fuselage to go with them. The design of the fuselage was influenced by two factors: the rear-end by some of my experiments using a much modified Gangster, and the front end by the urge to produce an aeroplane with a bit of character and out of the 'flying thing' class. I soon had the model finished and I was quite pleased with the visual results, but the real test was yet to come. On its first flight, Zonda frightened me to death but, after about four minutes of over-controlling (caused by trying not to over control) I began to get the feel of it, and I really started having fun. When the time came for landing, I had a pleasant surprise. I found that with the relatively high wing loading, landings were easy, no float, but plenty of elevator movement to check the sink. These characteristics suited my style of flying admirably and before long touch-and-go's were the order of the day. Since that first flight Zonda has had many hours of flying, including some display work at local fetes. If you are interested in having some fun with a model which is a little different, then get cracking. A word of warning though: I would not recommend this model for a beginner, or as a progression from a Super 60, as you have got to push the sticks the right way first time or else."

Zonda, Radio Modeller, August 1973.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction