Half-A Train (oz9574)

About this Plan

1/2A-Train. Free flight power competition model for Cox Tee Dee .049 power.

Quote: "THE ORIGINAL 1/2A-Train was designed and built early in 1962 as a simplified, scaled down derivative of my 'Night-Train' FAI power models, hence the odd name. After having spent several years on unsuccessful FAI power models I struck lucky in 1960-61 with the Night-Train design, so a similar layout for my first own design 1/2A model was an automatic choice.

However, unlike the FAI model concept, simplicity of construction, lightness and ease of handling were primary considerations, hence no gadgets - not even an auto-rudder. Neither was an under-cambered wing-section considered necessary, since with a wing area of 250 sq in and an anticipated total weight of 6oz or less the wing loading should be quite low enough to enable an 8-9 percent flat-bottomed wing airfoil to produce a slow floating glide, apart from the low climb-drag advantage and ease of construction of the flat bottomed wing.

The original model ready to fly weighed under 6oz with a Cox Tee Dee .049 and KK 3-blade nylon prop. After an increase in fin area suggested by expert Dr Michael Gaster to cure a flattening tendency in the early stages of the climb pattern, it proved to be quite docile, a real 'fun' model.

Most gratifying was the discovery that it behaved so much like its big brother in flight pattern, and being a lightweight, out-performed them. Several other 1/2A-Trains have been built by friends, including two built by juniors. These have performed on a par with my original model which I suppose suggests that the model is not too difficult to build or handle. I cannot remember ever having pranged my model, despite trimming mistakes causing wayward flight patterns.

An auto-rudder instead of tailplane-tilt for glide circle would probably improve power-to-glide transition which has been inconsistent with this model, but I have never considered the occasional height-loss caused serious enough to justify the complication of such an addition..."

Half A Train, Aeromodeller, January 1969.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 23/12/2017: Replaced this plan with a re-scaled version at 45-1/4in wingspan (correcting the original mis-printing of the plan by Aeromodeller magazine back in 1969) many thanks to Circlip.

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