Stunt Wagon - Suspended Plan (oz14472)

Suspended Plan

This plan has been suspended from Outerzone. No longer available to download.

About this Plan

Stunt Wagon. Radio control sport model. WIngspan 50 in, for .25 to .40 engines.

Quote: "Dear Fellow Modeler, Thank you for your purchase of a Florio Flyer Stunt Wagon! The Stunt Wagon is a very radical design concept with conventional construction. The Stunt Wagon is not a beginners aircraft and not for the 'faint of heart!'

Because the Stunt Wagon is not a beginners aircraft, we are assuming you have built a variety of aircraft so this will not be a step-by-step instruction manual. But, we will cover our unique construction features as well as the necessary procedures you will need to complete the model.

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The prototype Stunt Wagon was flown using a Futaba 7UAF radio system as well as an OS .32 engine. The plans are set up around this equipment. If you are going to substitute equipment please modify the radio and engine installation to suit the equipment used. For best results do not modify the general force arrangement of the design.

Using a computerized radio, the prototype was set up much like a U-control stunt model with flaps and elevator coupled with their travel in opposite directions (ie up elevator - down flaps, down elevator - up flaps). Spoilers were also used - both ailerons moving in an upward position coupled with your low throttle stick movement. The prototype was set up with the optimum amount of surface travel available. This makes for wild handling yet because of the aircraft's design it will remain controllable and quite stable. I advise a 50% low rate setting to test the model and as you get comfortable with its performance be as daring as you wish to be.

When using a conventional 4 channel system follow the same rule of surface travel as with computerization. I have found when flying my Stunt Wagon with just 4 uncoupled channels, I had to limit the amount of elevator throw slightly. Due to its size, the plane will tend to snap during looping. Some of the coupling we have mentioned can be achieved with mechanical sliding devices and are up to the individual modeler to install.

Although these notes on control surface throws may seem rather vague the design seems to be able to handle even the most radical movements, so feel free to experiment.

WING: Cut the wing plan from the drawing that does not show the aileron plan. Join the 2-wing plans at line X-X. Cut 2 pieces of 1/4 sq strip spars to size shown on plan and join at center line of wing. Cut one piece from cut-offs to 8-1/4 in. Place over the spar junction so that ends will abut the first 1/16 wing rib (see note on drawing). Insert all ribs over the spar at proper locations..."

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Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 4/4/2023: Added kit review from Flying Models, June 1992, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "FM Product Review: Florio Flyer Company's Stunt Wagon. By Guy Snyder. What do you like, a tiger or a pussycat? This R/C design offers either, depending on where you set the transmitter rate switches.

What's in a name? Well, if you've ever had the opportunity to see this plane fly, you'd know why the folks at the Florio Flyer Company call it the Stunt Wagon. It is truly an outrageous performei, capable of just about every maneuver in the book. Couple the Stunt Wagon with a computer radio and an expert pilot, and you'd better keep your eyes on the plane; you won't want to miss any portion of the show!

Put a standard 4-channel radio in this bird, and it's a natural for a novice or low-time pilot. With the dual rate switch on, this bird is docile enough to be an excellent trainer with its very slow landing speed. Switch off the dual rate, and this one turns into a fun-fly machine, capable of incredible roll rates.

The original Stuntwagon (oz1711) was a control line stunt design by the legendary Hal 'Pappy' deBolt. It was unique in its time, with a very large and strong 'D' tube type wing coupled to a minimal fuselage with short moments. The emphasis was on performance. I'm sure Pappy would approve of the use of the name for this model which captures many of the same attributes for radio control stunting.

The Stunt Wagon has a wingspan of 48.75 inches and a chord of 15.5 inches, yielding an aspect ratio of 3.14. That's low! With a wing area of 755 square inches, and weighing only 3-1/2 pounds, the result is a very low wing loading, and an airplane that is very easy to roll and loop.

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Building the kit: The Stunt Wagon is an all balsa kit with the exception of the plywood firewall and landing gear blocks, spruce spars, and maple motor mount rails. All of the parts are band sawn from high grade balsa, and the parts fit is generally excellent. Pre-bent music wire landing gear is included. There was not too much in the way of supplied hardware, but most modelers have their own preference in this area anyway.

The wing is built flat on the bench; there is no dihedral in this design. Begin by setting up the plans for the 50-inch wing. Pin down the full length spar and the inboard spar doubler. Set in all the ribs, including the two inboard 3/16 ribs, then add the other spars. You'll have to deepen the spar slots in the ribs for the doublers. Add the leading edge and trailing edge. Decide which side will be the top (no dihedral, remember) and sheet the areas indicated on the plans. Glue on the wing tips, and cut out the servo pockets if you are using the version with separate aileron servos. Carefully block sand the wing to even all the sheeted areas. This makes for a smoother covering job later on.

The ailerons are built-up assemblies which are also assembled over the plan. The fin and stabilizer are sheet balsa components, with built-up rudder and elevators from the strip stock provided.

The fuselage is very easy to construct. It consists of two sides and seven formers. Once the basic assembly of sides and formers is achieved, the landing gear blocks, motor rails, tank floor and walls are added. Next comes the nose block, servo rails, hatch block and bottom sheeting. Plot the path of the pushrods and install the housings, and you're ready for the installation of the stabilizer and fin..."

Supplementary file notes

Instructions.
Review.