Scarpface (oz9611)

About this Plan

Scarpface. Radio control aerobatic slope soarer, for 3 functions.

Quote: "This model was designed in an attempt to combine the flying qualities of thermal and fully acrobatic soarers into one model. The aircraft was also to be easy and cheap to build, and easy to fly. As everyone knows, this ideal combination is impossible, but Scarpface certainly fulfils most of my original objectives.

The model can be built for a cost of £5 or £6, the simple curved upper decking and wing fairing produces a very pleasant looking aircraft, without resorting to the very expensive, hollowed-out block construction or glass fibre fuselages used on some designs. To combat the lack of lift from the almost symmetical wing section, the model should be kept light, between 2 and 2-1/2lb. If this is done, Scarpface will soar in all but the lightest of breezes.

The wing section is my own, and resulted from combining everything I could read up about wing sections, plus my eye for a pleasing curve! The profile is very thin and almost fully symmetrical, and seems to work very well inverted whilst giving the model an incredible turn of speed! The parallel chord wing is used for simplicity of construction, and to avoid tip stalling problems. It also uses 2in wide sheeting - which over four lengths saves quite a bit of money compared to wider material. Even without tapered wings Scarpface falls into perfect spins, and the rolls are nice and axial, so I feel justified in using this rather simple wing.

The name of this aircraft has its origins in my 'bang-bang' single channel days when I flew an Eric Clutton design Shark-face (oz4416). This gave me so much pleasurable flying I would like its memory to linger on in the skies. Designed around my excellent Horizon radio, Scarface should be suitable for all modern miniature equipment. A little fiddling may be required to fit a larger servo into the wing, but this should not be beyond the average modeller's inventiveness. My Horizon radio has always given good service.."

Scarpface, RCM&E, September 1974.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, thanks to RFJ.

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