Radio Rook (oz9929)

About this Plan

Radio Rook. Radio control sport model.

This is the plan Owe Carlson was looking for when he posted the Radio Rock Mystery in the Viewpoint section. The mystery was solved by Pit.

Quote: "Building a Radio controlled model aircraft.

THE use of a transistor in lieu of a normal valve is nowadays providing much lighter radio receivers, and one of this type is shown in Fig. 131, installed in the 'Radio Rook', which is the model to be described. The designer of this first transistor single-channel model receiver commercially obtainable in this country is Mr Honnest Redlich whose address is 148 Nelson Road, Whitton, near Twickenham, Middlesex.

Size of Model. Very large models, around 9 to 10 ft span and over, fly with great majesty and steadiness, ignoring minor disturbances and trim inaccuracies, but they are too large to build and keep in the average house. The middle sizes, around 8 ft. wing span, which are almost but not quite so steady in the air, in common with 7 ft and 6 ft models, are still a little large to keep in most homes.

The best all-round flying model for transport, housing, robustness and yet good flying ability is around 5 ft span. It is not as rock-steady as the larger models, but it has many excellent attributes, and can take single-channel as well as three-channel 'tuned reed' receivers, providing engine control as well as rudder.

The little 45-in span models have to be very light, with small radio batteries, demand considerable experience to build, and can be tricky to fly.

The 5 ft class Radio Rook is therefore chosen as being most likely to form a good all-comers' model, that can take a variety of engines and receivers. The model is exceptionally stable for its size and very robust. It is the ideal model for flying for fun and if a generous rudder movement is given it will be found a good stunter on single-channel, rudder only. The model climbs fast on a 3.4 cc E.D. diesel motor or, with the lighter receivers, flies excellently, powered by a 2.4 cc E.D. diesel or a 2.5 cc
Frog. A Frog 10-in. diameter, 5-in. pitch nylon propeller is used for the Radio Rook. The model is shown on the ground in Fig. 127.

Types of Commercial Radio Receiver. The model described is capable of using a wide range of receiver, including multi-channel three-reed. The latter type will give two-speed engine control as well as rudder as desired, whereas, of course, normal commercial single-channel can only provide sequence rudder right and left.

The Single-channel, Single-valve Receiver: This type of receiver is best for newcomers when fitted with a " hard" valve. The " soft" or gas-filled valve is inclined to change its charac-teristics too soon, and create difficul-ties for a beginner. The single-valve receiver is cheap to buy or it can be made up as described in Chapter 2. It is perhaps a little tricky to tune at times and does require a distance check by a helper as a rule between flights, if reliable results are to be obtained. However, if cheapness is important there is much in favour..."

Quote: "Hi again! Here comes my scanned images of plan (scale 1:5), fullsize ribs and formers. I also add some images of the model. Note: Radio Rock has changed name to Radio Rook after the original model by C.E. Bowden. Greetings, Owe"

Update: Added article. This is actually a chapter from the F.J. Camm book of 1958 (thanks to Pit). Complete 19 pages - large file. Includes complete (but not full scale) drawings and build instructions.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 14/01/2020: Added two later articles (Radio Rock 2, Can't stop the Rock), thanks to Pit.

Update 20/11/2023: Added article #4 from Practical Mechanics, Sept 1956, thanks to Pit.

Supplementary file notes

Article.
Article #2 (Radio Rock 2, RCMW 2017).
Article #3 (Can't stop the Rock).
Article #4 (PM 1956).

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