Flyingscalemodelsissue 268 March 2022
Flyingscalemodelsissue 268 March 2022
Flyingscalemodelsissue 268 March 2022
SEE PAGE 60
FOCKE-WULF Fw183
● ELECTRIC DUCTED FAN POWER TECHNIQUE
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INDOOR NIEUPORT 11
21.5” WINGSPAN
PULL-OUT PLANS
NEW SERIES
SCALE FROM
SCRATCH
BIPLANE FIGHTER ELEGANCE
ALBATROS
+ D.Va
● TYPE HISTORY ● FLYING COLOURS
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Formation...
FLYING SCALE MODELS - THE FIRST AND FOREMOST MAGAZINE FOR SCALE MODEL FLYERS
ON THE SWINGINGLOW!DarrinCovington’ssuperblyconstructedprototypeAlbatrosD.Vaisloadedwithscaledetail.
Fullyskinnedovalfuselageshapeandcurvy‘whale-tail’rearendmaketheD.Vaanoutstandinglyelegant
shaope among WW1 fighter aircraft type
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Jet Fighter
that never was!
FOCKE
WULF
An all-foam, 34.1/2” (875mm) span sport scale
WW2-era German jet fighter project, that finally got 183
off the ground in the form of John Rutter’s for electric
ducted-fan, design
J
et aircraft have a fascination
for me, but modelling them is
always something of a challenge
in the sort of size that I like to
play with. For me, early jets
seem more appealing than some of
the modern ones in that, when jets
were =in their infancy, designs were
often very ‘different’ because designers
were grapelling with aerodynamic
considerations that were entirely new
territory.
As early jet engines were often quite
bulky for the power they produced, such
aircraft were often quite tubby. What
fired my interest was the book ‘Secret
Projects of the Luftwaffe’ which included
descriptions of several advanced (for
the late WW2 period) jet aircraft, one of
which was the FW183 ‘Huckebein’ and
I subsequently bought a plastic kit (PM
Models PM-213) from the local model
shop.
Whilst Britain’s Sir Frank Whittle was
the first to produce a working prototype
jet engine, it was in Germany that a jet
engine first powered an aircraft, the
▼
1 2
3 4
1: Nose section halves; left-hand has cutting templates attached; right-hand has been hollowed. 2: Main fuselage section with formers and one half already cut
inside and out. 3: Fuselage nose section glued together and held with masking tape. 4: All the cut sections glued together ready for final shaping.
Heinkel He 178, followed by the first that had already caught my interest. The the root and tip chords.
t
operational jet fighter, the Messerschmitt shape lends itself to foam modelling, Be sure to build in at least 6mm
Me262. Those advances came thanks, which solved the question of how to washout. Cover the wing panels in
in Germany, to a more determined construct the wing and fuselage. obechi veneer before joining at the
support for the advancement of the But how do you get controls to the centre section with plenty of five-minute
technology, at time when Whittle spent tiny tail surfaces? Answer, you DON’T! epoxy - no dihedral - eventually you are
much time and effort countering official I used elevons for primary lateral and going to sacrifice the centre bit so weight
prevarication. longitudinal controls and found some of epoxy doesn’t matter. I used parallel-
The Focke Wulf 183 was a project distinct advantages in the arrangement. sided scrap pinned to the tip centre-lines
intended as a ‘next generation’ jet fighter It needed only two servos, no complex to ensure the tips are parallel to each
to supersede the Me 262. In effect it was mechanism to the tail and use of ‘up’ other; the centre join doesn’t matter.
a ‘desperation fighter’ to counter the late elevator automatically washes out the When set, the tip blocks can be added
WW2 Allied ‘round-the-clock’ strategic airflow over the tips, thus preventing and trimmed to roughly shape before
bombing campaign against Germany. tip stalling. What’s even better is that it cutting the ailerons free, allowing for
But it never reach further that the project works too! facings on the front of the ailerons and
stage before British forces overran the the rear of the wing. Add and roughly
Focke-Wulf factory in April 1945. The GET BUILDING shape the facings; I used top hinging for
project did however become the basis I started construction with the wings, the elevons, so the leading edge needs
for a jet fighter, post WW2, in Argentina, which I made slightly wider in chord than to be chamfered to allow for this but
but that is a separate story. true scale to give a little more wing area. I won’t be upset if you decide to use
Start by cutting two sets of templates for centre hinging.
THE MODEL the wing section (MH 60; a pitch-neutral I used micro servos (ballraced
At the time when my model was section designed for flying wings) for versions) that are permanently fixed
designed, electric ducted fan (EDF) scale wing root and wing tip positions and hot into the wings (cover them in masking
models were becoming increasingly wire cut the cores. I found it easier to cut tape and glue them in place with PVA
popular (a typical example of the period the sections as if the wing was straight after fitting the horns and checking that
was Kyosho’s all-foam injection moulded (unswept), cutting the sweep angle at they’re set up in neutral and working
Lockheed T-33), so I thought I’d give the root later so that’s why the templates okay), whilst extension leads are fitted
this type of model a go with the FW 183 shown seem a little short compared to into a slot that’s later covered in a balsa
7 8
5: These card templates were used to increase accuracy during shaping. 6: Close-up of the nose after final shaping; note the smooth intake.
7: Final fuselage shape. 8: Battery section cut away from main fuselage - it still has its foam middle section at this stage.
strip. The original plan was to have a Theory has it that the area of the intake to shape using card templates to aid
solid wing but this was just a bit too should be the swept area of the fan accuracy and try to make the intake as
difficult to fit neatly to the fuselage so excluding the fan centre body, so the smooth as possible, leaving the exhaust
plan ‘B’ is as follows. hole tapers from the front (intake) to the square. Use the off-cut pieces of the
Obtain some carbon fibre tubing (I back. Ideally, I suppose, the smaller area main fuselage section to hold the battery
used 5.5 mm arrow shafts) and some should go right back to almost the fan hatch templates and cut with hot wire.
aluminium tubing that will be a slide-fit face but this is more awkward to cut than The photos show the canopy section
over it. Cut slots in the wing just large just doing the nose section. cut away. This was done to allow for
enough to fit the tubing, then glue the Cut the nose section to shape using cockpit detail, but I thereafter glued
tubing in place and glue a balsa strip the nose template and a main template this section back on again when I
over it. When set, the strip is planed and with the additional ring taped in place realised that dressing up the cockpit
sanded flush with the wing. so that the internal diameter matches would prevent installation of the battery
That’s it for the wing at the moment. the internal diameter of the fan unit. sufficiently far forward.
Further progress will have to wait until The main section uses the same main Slots are then cut ac ross the fuselage
we’ve dealt with the fuselage. template set-up, but with one at each to allow the fitting of the wing joiner
end and also the battery cut out. tubing, (the bits you cut out of the centre
FUSELAGE Next, cut the tail cone to shape using section). The carbon fibre rods can be
Make up the fuselage templates as a main former and the tail former before fitted to keep everything straight but be
shown on the plan to the outside shape you remove the additional ring formers careful not to get glue onto them, cover
of the fuselage, in two halves before in order to cut the motor section, so over with either balsa or scrap foam. The
chopping it into sections for the front air that the external diameter of the fan fin is glued in place before covering the
intake, centre portion, motor and tail. shroud fits it - no battery cutout. Cut whole fuselage in lightweight GRP/epoxy.
I cut short lengths individually on the away enough of the tail section to allow
original but this way should be easier to the fin to be fitted and slice off where BACK TO THE WING
match up. Cut a length of styrene (the shown to allow access to the motor and Mark out the width of the fuselage and
original used pink foam because it’s fan. Carefully line up the bits and glue cut through the entire centre section with
strong than the white stuff. (A second together with minimal amounts of epoxy, a razor saw. If you can manage to cut at
fuselage and tail unit I made weighed all all held in place with tape until set. about 20 degrees you will have a pretty
of four ounces ready to cover!) Now, carve and sand the fuselage good fit on the fuselage sides, but do
▼
9 10
9: Detail of the tail end. 10: The top deck of the battery section, now with foam middle section removed.
be careful not to cut through the servo for the top veneer. The result was much
extension leads. Apply a small block of ARE ESSENTIAL, DO NOT OMIT THEM. neater. I also finished it differently and
ply into the ailerons for the control horn, Hinge the surfaces with Mylar, bent in used a vacuum bagging process. The
then fit the horn and push rods. I used the middle to keep things near neutral Vacuum bags, the primary use of which
a ‘Z’ bend on the servo end and a metal without straining the servos; glue with is for clothing storage were obtained
clevis on the threaded aileron horn end. thin cyano which will ‘wick’ into the quite cheaply from Argos.
Use a bit of tape as substitute for hinges balsa. The basic principle is that you cover a
to check that everything works in the To reduce weight on a second surface with glass and epoxy as normal,
right direction and that the controls move prototype I made the wings in more or then cover it with a shaped sheet of
without binding. Then finish shaping and less the same way, but put the spars, heavy-duty polythene (to even out
smoothing the wings. servo, leads, etc., into the wing after ripples) and put it in the bag. You then
At this point I covered the wings in veneering the bottom surface, filling the hook it all up a domestic vacuum cleaner
lightweight GRP and epoxy to give a subsequent slots with foam off-cuts and until maximum vacuum is obtained, close
very smooth and strong, but light finish. sanding the lot flush when dry and ready the valve (switch off the machine) and
Fuselage with tail and fin in place. The cut-away motor access section can be seen and the battery hatch has the canopy removed - this was later glued back on
and doesn’t need to be cut away. Holes for the wing joiners and servo leads can also be seen.
leave until set. Result - beautiful shiny 1/8” sheet, but the plan indicates 1/4” FINISHING OFF
wings requiring almost no rubbing down light balsa for the fin because that on The rear section of the fuselage, under
(only the edges will need looking at) the prototype model proved to be a the fin and behind the fan, is made
and the bonus of very little weight gain bit flimsy. The surfaces are shaped, removable so that easy access to the fan
because it’s only one application of resin. smoothed, joined with dihedral and is assured. It’s held in place by a couple
You will probably recover the cost of the covered in GRP as with the wing. Notice of bits of cocktail stick and some ‘magic
bag in the saving of resin costs over a the complete lack of control surfaces - tape’ when ready for flight. An alternative
few wings. Dead easy to do, too. the model uses elevons only and, in fact, would be hatch magnets.
flew quite nicely at one point without the I can’t think of any alternative finish
TAIL UNIT tail on it at all! that would do the job here but I found
The tail is very simple. Mine was all that the epoxy sticks better if the foam
11: Wing underside showing the grooves for the aluminium tubing (on top of the wing here) that will later house the carbon fibre spars. Also visible are the elevon t
servo leads and balsa capping. Note, too, how the wing is joined together at this stage; the centre is later cut away and discarded (though the tubing goes into the
fuselage) as in the next photo. 12: Wings with centre cut away and carbon fibre spars in place in the tubing.
11 12
14
15
The second prototype undergoing a top-up charge prior to flight. That colour scheme makes the model
difficult to see in the air!
16
happens, you Airborne! The 183 is reasonably manoeuvrable with a fast roll rate, but looks
should be able to and sounds best doing typical jet-type zooms and fly-pasts. Landings are
regain controlled long and fast.
flight unless you are
unlucky enough to get
it into a flat spin (seems behaviour. It will loop fan system, so be careful.
to happen if the c.g. is from fast level flight and it My finished first model weighed
too far aft. If you dont’t fit the will also turn quite tightly, but it between 41 and 46 oz. While this
fences, you’ll crash. Now I know why the looks and sounds best doing the typical seemed to be lighter than some
MiG 15 had lots of wing fences! (Some zoom and fast fly pasts that are typical equivalent commercial products I thought
aviation sources imply the MiG was of a jet. that I should be able to better this, hence
based, to an extent, on the FW183). When the battery starts to sag, then the second prototype mentioned. White
So it flies like a real dog, eh? Well, immediately plan your landing approach. foam reduced the weight of the fuselage,
no. The model is a very steady and Again, typical of a jet, this is after a long, with tail and fin, to four ounces ready to
convincing replica of the ‘projected’ low and quite fast approach, gradually cover and the weight of the complete
original once it is set up correctly and feeding in up elevator to keep the nose and covered wings to six ounces for the
it won’t stall nastily if this is done by high as it slows down. After a fair bit of pair - including the servos! Somehow
holding in up elevator (giving lots of flying I’ve discovered that it can help or other, despite seeming to use less
washout). So landings are fine, it just has to use a little throttle (even a ‘dead’ finishing materials, the weight of the
this funny stall at the top of a climb if the pack should have enough ‘juice’ left to lighter machine crept up, so that it ended
airspeed bleeds off too low. keep the nose high before letting the up only five ounces lighter ‘dry’ (no
Flight is fast and smooth, roll is pretty model settle down smoothly. A very battery but everything else in place) at 24
quick, if a little ‘barrelly’ with the c.g. hard landing can rip the hook out of the ounces as opposed to the original that
as shown, which is a bit forward of the bottom and the intake is easily damaged, was 29 ounces in similar condition. n
optimum in order to reduce that odd stall which then spoils the efficiency of the
BASKET CASE
JONATHAN RIDER PRESENTS HIS TECHNIQUE TO MAKE A WW1-ERA WICKER COCKPIT SEAT, STEP-BY STEP
well be that dressing up the cockpit which we are concerned here. I found
S
o we now have our we now
have our WW1-era scale needs to be undertaken either partially, a company that made replica seats for
model built to a stage that or maybe even completely, before the some museum projects and restorations,
requires some attention to model is finished. and they had full sized measurements
the level of detail with which Those aircraft of the WW1 period that and drawings to go by.
we might want to fit out the cockpit. accommodated the pilot (and observer So, armed with that information, I had
Depending on the aircraft you have if it was a two seater) often sat the what I needed to start making the seat.
chosen to model, this may require a operator(s) in wicker seats and it is this
degree of pre-planning because it may particular piece of cockpit furniture with
did a standard weave pattern - spread All the weaving now done, and the mat that forms the base is trimmed and fitted.
The author’s Sopwith Camel featured complete cockpit detail, made and trial installed prior to covering and finishing. The cockpit components were removable for
the covering and finishing stage and then re-installed. The cockpit seat now included the pilot’s seat thrap.
ALBATROS
PART 1:
A 1/6th scale for electric powered, designed by Peter Rake, with the
prototype model built and described by Darrin Covington
B
efore handing you over to D.III. All three used the same basic
Darrin who will lead you fuselage shape, with curved plywood
through the construction upper and lower decking, but with flat
of the model, there’s an sides.
important point to clarify. The slip with initial drawings
In an effort to save a little time while from which Darren worked to
drawing up the plans for this model, produce the prototype D.Va model
Peter Rake succumbed to the incorporated the flat-sided type rear
temptation to use the fuselage of his fuselage, rather than the true ellipse
earlier Albatros D.III, simply enlarging section that gave the D.Va such an
the fuselage to suit. In the process, outstandingly attractive appearance.
he rather forgot his aviation history Ever the master modeller that he
insomuch as he omitted to take into is, Darrin nevertheless managed to
account that the D.V and DVa were revise the rear end of the prototype
a straight-iine development that model during the construction stages,
commenced with the true biplane although what you may detect in the
Albatros D.I and D.II, followed by the photos here does differ slightly from
S D.VA
show the correct D.5/D.5a shape. These
changes have also been carried over
to the cutting files, for the Cut Parts set
available to accompany the plan, so you
will have a much easier time of it than
Darrin did.
Now, with that all explained, let’s hand
over to the man himself, for the start of
this two-part feature.
3 4
1: The top and bottom fuselage frames drying. The horizontal split means strut and undercarriage mounts can be fitted before the frames are joined. 2: The laminated
area above the lower wing is shaped before the sheeting process begins. 3: With each frame securely attached to MDF there is no risk of distortion as the sheet panels
are fitted. 4: Another advantage of the horizontal split; control linkage items can be installed while everything is easily accessed. Here you see the internal rudder
horn, elevator cable exits and the tailplane joiner tubes. 5: The two fully sheeted fuselage shells await any remaining internal work prior to joining. 6: Nose section,
showing the dummy Mercedes engine mounted above the electric motor. Darren vac-formed the cylinders.ylinders
I
▼
’ve now built several of Peter Rake myself with some curved shapes. I was fabric in unavailable, or just too heavy
designs with the typical ‘stick frame’ also interested in trying my hand at and I wanted to be able to print it on
fuselage used on most WWI aircraft, printing lozenge camouflage covering. my home printer, which would give me
but I was ready for something a little I didn’t want to paint the pattern as is maximum flexibility to adjust colours
different and wanted to challenge often done when the appropriate scale precisely and include stitched seams and ▼
5 6
BE A LITTLE
DIFFERENT!
fabric weave right in the printing process. fabric. It also gave me the chance to me a 1/6th scale Albatros D.Va, and in
▼
I’ve watched several Albatros builds apply faux wood graining to the fuselage. return I would document the build and
on the Internet message boards and I just don’t like the way balsa stains, and provide this article. It seemed like a more
thought the later D.Va would fit the I’ve used faux wood-graining techniques than fair trade, I soon had
criteria perfectly as it incorporated a in my work as a cabinetmaker, so didn’t plans in hand, and a
curvaceous, fully sheeted fuselage and see why it wouldn’t work here. With this short kit of laser cut
many schemes incorporating the lozenge in mind, I asked Peter if he would design parts on its way.
ALBATROS
Who can argue that this it was originally designed. The crowning
O
ccasionally, very
occasionally, a Warbird example of such longevity must surely be
aircraft was not the most appears that has the the Supermarine Spitfire that first entered
elegant shape among fighters development potential to military service in 1938 in its Mk.1
extend its service life for format. The development potential of the
of the WW1 era? either all, or most of the conflict for which type led to its final Mk.24 version, which
S D.VA
served with the Royal Air Force until well
after the end of WW2 in 1945.
Similarly, the Albatros D.V/D.Va had
defining shape which ran right through to
the final D.Va with a distinctive fuselage
construction that employed plywood skin
(deliveries of which began at the end
of 1916) these mouldings were applied
only to the rounded fuselage top and
its roots in the Albatros D.I that first panels pre-formed to shape in heavy bottoms, but on the following one-off
appeared in mid-1916. Both the D.I and male/female moulds after pre-steaming. D.IV and then the D.5/5a, this innovation
was extended to the fuselage side
▼
the D.II which quickly followed, had a On the D.I, D.II and subsequent D.III,
Without the benefit of radio communication while on patrol, distinctive individual fuselage colour schemes were a way of identifying individual pilots while airborne.
This is Lt. Ditlthey of Jasta 40 with is green/white Albatros D.Va during June 1918. Note simplified late WW1 national marking.
1
More AlbAtros D.V & D.VA Colour
sCheMes:
1: Albatros D.V of Jasta 4. Bare metal front fuselage
panels and spinner with natural wood fuselage and
white tail. Black thinly outlined in ochre ribbon wound
around fuselage, typical of this unit. Black/white tail unit,
including above and below horizontal surfaces. Five-
colour lozenge pattern on wing top surfaces, light blue
undersides.
2: Albatros D.V, Jasta 12. Natural wood fuselage with bare
metal nose panels; wings are mauve and green wavy
bands on top and light blue below. All rear fuselage and
tail in black. White spinner; black/white ‘star’ marking on
fuselage sides.
3: Albatros D.V, flown by Lt Dingel, Jasta 15. Red and blue
2
fuselage, with white band; red wheel centres. Green and
mauve wavy camouflage upper wings and horizontal tail
surfaces; light blue undersides to wings and tail.
4: Albatros D.V, D.4594/17, flown by Lt Paul Strahle, Jasta
18, early 1918. Fuselage in blue and red with undersides
in light blue; wings and tailplane covered in five-colour
lozenge fabric on top and painted light blue undersides.
White ‘axe’ marking on fuselage sides.
5: Albatros D.Va, D.2299 flown by Oblt. Bruno Loerzer,
Jasta 26. Black/white fuselage stripes, with all-black tail.
Horizontal tail surfaces are also black and white stripes.
Five-colour lozenge fabric above and below both wings
with white-outlined crosses in six positions.
6: Albatros D.Va D.5390/17, which is now in the Australian
3
War Memorial, as it appeared when it was shot down by
Lt Sandy and Sgt Hughes flying an R.E.8 of No 3 Squadron.
Large parts of the wooden fuselage, together with struts
and undercarriage legs, have been painted Green while
the metal areas of the nose are Brown. Mauve and Green
upper wing surfaces. All crosses with white border. Light
blue undersides; also Light Blue is the entire horizontal
tail, which has the outer tips in red.
7: Albatross Diva, believed to be from Justas 1, Italian
Front, 1918. Natural wood fuselage, red front metal panels
and spinner. Personal marking is red and white. Wings,
horizontal tail and rudder are in four-colour lozenge fabric.
-8: Albatros D.V, flown by Lt Fritz Rumey, Jasta 5, an
ace which claimed 45 victories before he died in action.
Neutral grey front metal panelling, red nose section, white
fuselage with black stripes. All tail is green with red
border, identification marking of Jasta 5. Wings are mauve
and green wavy pattern.
26 FLYING SCALE MODELS - MARCH 2022
4
▼
The dorsal headrest fairing at the rear of the cockpit rim identifies this as an Albatros D.V. Note the unusual lozenge patern fabric finish on the fuselage, which
indcates that the linen fabric has been applied over the bare plywood skin.
t
period, that when series production of April that year. With follow-on orders, the the Albatros D.V would provide a
the D.III type commenced, the Albatros total amounted to 900 examples. performance improvement sufficient to
Werke design team already had the Among the front-line pilots of the effectively combat the Sopwith Camel,
design for its successor underway, so Imperial German Air Service Jagdstaffeln, SE5a and SPADs of the Allied forces.
that the prototype D.V flew in early 1917, the expectation had been that when it But in fact, the D.V, using the same
with the first production order issued in entered service in the summer 1917, 160 hp Mercedes D.III engine as the
Lt. von Hippel with his Albatros D.Va, which sports a distinctive ‘lightning strike’ motif which would have immediately identified him to his Jasta 5 comrades.
Albatros D.III, gave little in the way of led quickly to the D.Va variant with higher Armistice in 1918.
extra ‘edge’. Airframe integrity worries, compression ratio engine that delivered The Albatros D.5a was not the last of
after a number of early lower wing 170-185hp, entering front-line service the Albatros Werke’s fighter series, but
failures during prolonged dives added in the autumn of 1917. Production of was by far and away the most numerous,
to the disappointment and quickly led to both D.V and D.Va continued to run in with more that 2,500 examples of the D.V
airframe strengthening. parallel and the type continued in front- and D.Va produced. n
The attempt to stretch performance line service until the November 11th
Albatros D.Va of Jasta 5 was the personal aircraft of Lt.Schlomer The Swastika motif on Lt. Billick’s Albatros D.V has nothing to do with the later
Nazi era. This aircraft, of Jasta 12, had a black fuselage and green/mauve
camouflage wing upper surfaces.
This captured D.5a was stripped down to bare airframe and exhibited in London Only a single example of the Albatros D.IV is believed to have been built. It was
During 1918. used as a test-bed for a special geared version of the Mercedes D.III engine the
profile of which allowed the engine to be fully enclosed with the fuselage nose
section.
HORIZONTAL TAILPLANE
HORIZONTAL TAILPLANE UPPER UPPER SURFACE, OF LT.
SURFACE ONLY, OF JASTA DEGELOW’S D.VA
BOELKE D,5 SHOWN BELOW.
INDOOR
NIEUPORT
David Deadman’s 21.5” (526mm) wingspan indoor free flight scale replica was created for CO2
power but electric power could equally well be applied for free flight, or micro R/C. Want it larger?
Just go to the photocopier!
The biplane offered the advantage of
B
iplane or monoplane? Prior to to central kingposts and multiple bracing
WW1, most lightweight single wires. Such expedients largely cancelled superior strength because each wing
seaters were monoplanes out the advantages and as engine power ‘cellule’ could be ‘trussed’, so that every
following the success of the and airframe weight increased, so did the bracing wire is at an optimum angle. For
Bleriot. But because they did wing loading, causing many structural a given wing area, the biplane produced
not know, at that stage, how to make failures that gave the monoplane a simpler, stronger and lighter structure.
a strong cantilever wing, the pioneer configuration a poor reputation, But there were also disadvantages –
‘flying machine’ designers had to resort particularly in Britain. the drag of the extra wing, and poor
downward view from the cockpit. quickly, making it handy in combat. The lower wing had only one spar, attached
single Lewis Gun fired, uninterrupted at the lower end of the ‘V’ interplane
ENTER THE SESQUIPLANE over the propeller from its mounting struts. In a steep dive, the lower wing
The idea of the Sesquiplane (literally over the upper wing. In contrast to could twist and flutter, causing failure. It
one-and-a-half-plane) was a French the German Fokker fired through the was a problem only partially solved with
innovation either by Franz Schneider propeller arc using an interrupter gear a stronger lower wing spar applied to
who was designer at the Nieuport Works, that prevented propeller damage, but the later Nieuport 17. After the problem
or from Gustave Delage who replaced with inevitable reduced rate of fire – but persisted even with the Albatros D.V, the
Schneider at Nieuport in 1914. gave the advantage being able to point later D.Va had small auxiliary struts at the
By placing the upper wing level the whole aircraft at the intended target lower end of the ‘V’ struts.
with the pilot’s eyes, the view upward while firing.
was improved, while by substantially THE MODEL
reducing the chord of the lower wing and PLAGUERISM IS THE GREATEST The prototype model was built to
positioning it somewhat to the rear, the COMPLIMENT… represent an Italian Macchi constructed
view downward was also better; an all- Good ideas do not stay secret for long Nieuport 11. The scale of the model was
round distinct improvement. and in the case of aerial warfare, little not ‘chosen’, but simply dictated to suit
The first Nieuport to adopt the longer than the loss of aircraft, behind the power and size of a Telco CO2 unit; it
Sequiplane layout was the Nieuport Type enemy lines, that embody that idea. works out at 21.5mm: 1ft – or just under
10 two-seat reconnaissance aircraft. Those in German aviation circles were 1:14.2, resulting in a wingspan of 20.75”
The Type 11 single seater armed ‘scout’ much impressed by the new Nieuport (526mm). Unusual yes, but you’ll never
followed in 1915 and quickly became Scout, taking advantage of a ‘downed’ know the difference when you’re building
affectionately known as the ‘Bebe’ example to create a full set of plans. it!
(Baby). With 80 hp Le Rhone rotary These were circulated among German It features working rigging, with ‘crash-
engine, it weighed 1,058 lbs (481 kg) – aircraft manufacturers, one of which, ability’ and a sprung undercarriage.
342 lbs (155 kg) lighter than the main the Albatros Werk revised their true- The prototype, designed and built well
enemy at the time, the Fokker E.III; also biplane configuration D.II scout type, to before the current plethora of electric
faster by 10 mph – not much but an produce their Sequiplane D.III, thereafter power systems, had two tanks side by
advantage well worth having back then! subsequently applied to their D.V and side behind the firewall. The model is
With the engine, fuel, pilot and D.Va. eminently suitable for alternative electric
single forward-firing machine gun all But all, including the Nieuport 11 power, while some might also like to
concentrated close to the centre of suffered from the basic weakness of consider rubber motor power. Wings
gravity, the Nieuport 11 was able to turn the design layout, in which the narrow have scale rib spacing, using sliced
▼
up-and-over ribs as the plan shows, CHOOSE YOUR SCALE the 1/16” x 1/32” diagonals and sheet
t
the lightweight structure being such as When the prototype model was drawn back of the cockpit, noting the trapezoid
produce a 2.5 oz (70g) airframe. up and built, size was dictated by the shape in cross section. Pull the fuselage
power of the CO2 motors then available. sides at the rear, then add remaining
FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE CO2 power for indoor scale models has spacers.
One-piece scale biplanes tend to be largely now given way to electric power Make the front cabane, which extends
highly vulnerable to the effects of with lithium batteries, and also Micro at the top into a socket in the centre
‘encounters’ with walls and other indoor radio control systems. Consequently sections while the bottom goes to the
obstructions, so wings that ‘give’ on there is an opportunity to build bigger, floor. Make the inverted ‘V’ rear cabane,
impact without damage are preferable. simply using a photocopier to enlarge and fix it well, inside the fuselage with
The upper wing should properly be the drawings presented here as a basis. gussets. The pointed end will fit a
made in one piece, without dihedral, but Thus at 1:13 scale, with wingspan would socket in the centre section. (Check for
by making a fixed centre section with be 22.6” (574mm) or 24.5” (622mm) for 3 degrees incidence). Fit the front top
plug-in panels the required flexibility was 1:12 scale. decking over tight formers, the rear deck
achieved, with the bonus of being able to For indoor R/C, the Nieuport should be has five stringers, 1/32” x 1/16” Bass, on
alter the dihedral if necessary. a practical choice. The lack of dihedral edge.
Rubber bands across the centre on the upper wing is compensated by Undercarriage is Bass, joined at the
section and fuselage retain the wings on the sweepback on both wings and the 4 base by a 1/64” ply plate slotted for the
short dowels at the roots. The landing degrees of dihedral on the lower panels. axle. The tops of the front legs are joined
wires are of fixed length, but the wings Tail areas are adequate and the control by a wire yoke, which is glued to F1A
are tensioned by a band at the centre. surfaces could be operated via closed and sandwiched with a 1/16” balsa plate,
The interplane’V’ struts are held in place loop servo links as per the full size. while the rear legs are allowed to ‘work’
by the tension in the flying wires, while in slots under the floor.
dihedral of the lower wing is determined A BUILDING GUIDE A CO2 power installation is shown on
by the length of the landing wires. In a This is obviously a “builder’s” model the plan, but you may well have your
crash, the wings then swing back and and not for beginners, so this guide is own ideas and may prefer the alternative
up, while the ‘V’ struts pop out, thus limited to a few vital notes. Build two power sources previously mentioned.
avoiding severe damage. fuselage sides in 1/16” square Bass. Add Whatever, keep heavy components
the reinforcements for the lower wing, well forward as close as possible to the
t
firewall to achieve the required fore/aft fit the camber of the ribs. dihedral, and could certainly be set that
▼
balance point. Glue top ribs in place; add solid ribs way for micro R/C.
The cockpit can be fitted out with to the roots; fit laminated tips, which are
floorboards, control column, instrument also curved to follow the top curve of COVERING
panel and a seat. The dummy Le Rhone the wing. Add the sheet reinforcements Old-fashioned Jap Esaki tissue was used
can be made using Williams Bros for strut sockets and make/fit small wire for the prototype model. Lightweight
cylinders and moulded plastic tube for rigging hooks. The lower wing panels are heatshrink material could be used, but
the inlet pipes. similarly constructed. such would require careful attention to
Sheet fill under the tailplane and make Note here about the rib spacing: some avoid warps and in that case, pinning the
the hollow block skid fairing, as light photos of the full size aircraft appear to parts down, just as would be the case
as possible, bearing in mind that it is show riblets on the Type 11 wings (as with tissue and shrinking dope.
positioned at the extreme rear. The leaf used on the Type 17) but others do not. The finish of the prototype model was
spring is let into the front. thinly sprayed matt Humbrol white, to
TAILPLANE which was added a spot of Tan and a
WINGS This is a simple 1/16” square structure little black, all thinned with cellulose
Use solid ribs for the centre section with laminated corners. The rudder is thinners. The red and green panels of the
where the cabanes will be slotted in. laminated outline with 1/16” square Italian colour scheme were also sprayed,
Also provide hard points for the front spars. Rounded the edges to represent while roundels were applied using a
mountings. Study the aileron bellcrank metal tubing. spring bar ink compass loaded with
systems of the full size and replicate slightly thinned enamel, then brush-filled.
these to work in slots through the centre RIGGING ANGLES The black outline on all components
section. The pushrods are made from Be sure to get 3 degrees incidence on is a bit of a chore to do, and was done
plastic dowel, while the bellcranks were both wings. The original model ended with an ink spray bar pen, with dark grey
fretted from 1/32” ply. up with about 1 degree downthrust and enamel, worked against a bevelled ruler
Wings should be built in the following 1.5 degrees of right thrust plus a little to establish a line and then filled in with
sequence:- right rudder. Upper wing dihedral on a brush.
Slice up wing rib tops as shown on the the free flight prototype was resolved at The red and green Italian scheme makes
plan and cut the bottoms out of 1/16” approximately 1.5 degrees; non-scale a nice alternative to all the silver Nieuports
square; lay down the leading edge; lay yes, but very helpful for stability. With applied to the French and RFC machines
down the trailing edge; lay down the more skilful trimming and more wing and is well worth the extra work. ■
trailing edge; glue in the rib bottoms; washout, it would probably be possible
glue down spars chamfered at the tip to to set the upper wing to a true scale zero
AeroDetail series ONL
Y
Making a scale model? £
Finding the detail needed to finish
a scale model can be difficult and
12 .99
(INC
. P+P
getting full size images is not always )*
Monocoupe CD108 Luton Minor CD68 Hawker Hart & Hind CD60 Gloster Gladiator CD53
The Monocoupes were side-by-side two-seat Just one example of this light aircraft, to A combo collection featuring the RAF The Royal Air Force’s last biplane fighter, star
lightplanes of mixed wood and steel-tube which the owner has added many mods and Museam’s Hart bomber and Hart Trainer, plus of late 1930s air shows and flown in combat
basic construction with fabric covering. A variations. (32 images) Shuttleworth’s Hind . (115 images) during early WW2, including Battle of France,
braced high-wing monoplane with fixed Battle of Britain, Mediterranean operations
tailskid landing gear, and the reverse curve Luscombe Silvaire CD67 Hawker Fury CD59 and North Africa. (50 images)
rear fuselage lines that were to become one The elegant late 1940s U.S. light aircraft. No authentic example now exists, but the
of the signature identifier features of the Several examples provided, with much close- accurate replica photographed in extensive Fokker D.VIII CD52
Monocoupes. 55 photos up detail for modellers. (74 images) detail in this collection is as good a guide The Fantasy of Flight Museum’s example of
as can be found of this elegant 1930s RAF the late WW1 Imperial German Air Service
Miles Magister CD73 Kawasaki Ki100 CD66 fighter. Includes some general arrangement monoplane fighter, in full detail. (69 images)
A firm favourite with scale modellers, this A study of the late WW2 radial engined pictures authentic to the period. (55 Images)
extensive collection of images depicts two ‘emergency’ development of the Japanese Ki Fokker D.VII CD51
examples in different Royal Air Force training 61 Hien (Tony) that provided an unexpectedly Grumman FM-2 Wildcat CD58 The most famous of all the German fighter
colour schemes. (100 images) superior performance for the squadrons of the First of Grumman’s highly successful line of aircraft of WW1. The collection depicts the
Imperial Japanese Air Force during the closing prop-driven ‘Cats’, the Wildcat, in guises from RAF Museum, Hendon’s authentic, restored
Messerschmitt ME109G CD72 stages of the Pacific war. (60 images) F4F-3 to FM-2 held the line after the Pearl example. (44 images)
The ‘Gustav’ saw Luftwaffe service from Harbour attack and served from then until the
late 1942 onwards. Subject version of this Junkers Ju87G-2 Stuka CD65 end of WW2. It was idea for operations from Focke Wulf FW 190A CD50
collection is a tropicalised G-6. (110 images) The aircraft that defined the term the small escort carriers. (90 images) Germany’s ‘butcher bird’ fighter of WW2,
active on all combat fronts from 1941
Messerschmitt Bf109E CD71 Hawker Typhoon CD109 Grumman F8F Bearcat CD57 onwards.
The ‘Emil’ was the version of this WW2 fighter The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat Hottest of Grumman’s prop-drive fighters – it
that was the mainstay of the Luftwaffe fighter fighter bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. arrived too late for action in WW2 but was Fieseler Storch CD49
force during the Battle of Britain in 1940. (150 While the Typhoon was designed to be a standard ship-borne fighter equipment in the Arguably the first military STOL aircraft,
images) medium-high altitude interceptor. 117 images immediate post-WW2 era. (90 images) this storky looking aircraft has long been
a modellers’ favourite. Two examples are
Me 410A – 1/U2 CD107 Hawker Tomtit CD64 Grumman F7F Tigercat CD56 represented, the machine at the Fantasy
For those who fancy a twin, but something Mid 1930s RAF biplane trainer aircraft, from The awesome twin engine long range fighter of Flight Museum in Florida and the RAF
outside the ‘normal’ favourites, consider the the era open cockpits of silver dope and of the late WW2 era operated by US Navy and Museum Cosford’s example. ( images)
Luftwaffe’s final ‘destroyer’ heavy fighter that polished metal. (140 images) US Marines. (60 Images)
packed a powerful punch 79 photos Fairey Gannet ASW1 & T.2 CD48
Hawker Tempest Mk 2 CD63 Grumman F6F Hellcat CD55 The Royal Navy’s post-WW2 anti-submarine
Martin B-26 Marauder CD70 The final development of Hawker The US Navy’s most important, and most workhorse, that also served with a number
The Fantasy of Flight Museum’s example, successful fighter of WW2, photographed, of other air-arms. Most images are of Mk.T.2,
photographed pre-restoration, soon after Hawker Sea Fury FB XI CD62 close-up, from nose to tail and wing tip to that was more-or-less the same as the ASW.1.
it was flown into the Museum site, thus in Hottest of all the piston-engine fighter aircraft, wing tip. Example shown is part of The Fighter (110 images)
original, unrestores condition. (100 images) the carrier-bourne Sea Fury is also admired Collection, based at Duxford. (90 images)
for its elegant profile. (140 images) Fairchild Ranger CD47
LVG C.VI CD69 Grumman F3F CD54 Elegant U.S. high wing light aircraft in full
The sole survivor of its type from the WW1 Hawker Hurricane A study of the faithfully replicated example of detail. Two examples shown. (60 images)
era, photographed in extensive detail. This MK1 & MKIV CD61 the 1930s U.S. Navy biplane as seen at the
is the machine house at and flown from the Two versions of the famous ‘Hurri’ – one a true 2001 Flying Legends Show. (34 images) Erco Ercoupe 415 & Avalon
Shuttleworth Collection airfield, Old Warden Battle of Britain survivor painstakingly restored Ercoupe CD46
and now in storage, awaiting display at the to perfect authenticity, plus the cannon-armed, The elegant twin finned light/sport aircraft.
RAF Museum. (110 images) Mk.IV ‘tank buster’. (170 images) Both original Type 415 and later Alon
resurection examples. (115 images)
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SURVIVING FREE
FLIGHT SCALE
PART 6: ANDREW HEWITT LOOKS AT OTHER POWER SOURCES FOR SCALE...
evening with a light scale model flittering 24” wingspan or less, often structurally
R
ubber powered scale free
flight models for the great around your local park is quite hard to complex - and therefore heavy. For
outdoors require a very beat for simple enjoyment. Free flight example, the typical World War II fighters,
different approach to design rubber and glider models are the only which entice the young beginner into
than the IC-powered scale ones allowed in most parks today - often total failure - dozens of tiny fiddly bits
free flight models on which I have attracting a group of interested admirers, need to be cut out of (usually) rock hard
previously concentrated. Success can be rather than complaints about noise. balsa suitable only for packing cases.
far more elusive, unless basic principles Although there are kits available, these By far the best kit there has been for
are adhered to. are nearly all of the terminal variety, near guaranteed success, is the West
The attraction of using rubber power designed with flying as the last priority. Wings Piper Cub. At 36” span, with
is hard to describe, but a calm summer They are generally much too small, at machine cut parts, it made an excellent
well they can fly, from this launch it promptly went OOS!
CLUTCH
t
FINISHES
The model needs to be covered in
something very light and strong to
give the required airframe rigidity. For
this we use ‘Jap’ tissue, or lightweight
‘Modelspan’ tissue. Very sparing use BRASS TUBES
of dope, thinned 80% with thinners
- and only two coats - will prevent
warps. For colouring, we use coloured
tissue, or a very light sprayed finish of
dope, enamels or acrylics. You must
focus on minimising weight, so apply
finishing materials sparingly. The same
is is especially true of the scale details, the moveable tail surfaces for a smooth Hurricane can easily be converted to CO2
wheels, dummy engines etc; glide, all powered trimming should be power and successfully flown. Hence,
done on thrust line adjustments, and many unsuitable subjects become
RUBBER: HOW MUCH TO USE? by tiny movements of the tail surfaces. possible, especially the short nose length
Many rubber scale models appear to A right-handed flight pattern should be subjects such as WW1-era Sopwith
fail because of a lack of motive power, the aim, usually achieved by slight right Camels or Pups, Fokker fighters and any
resulting in low-powered, stall-prone thrust and right rudder. For a scale flight of the structurally more complex - and
flights at low level, with consequent pattern, then plenty of down thrust will hence heavy - World War II subjects. All
risk of damage. Generally, the amount be required. Alternatively, by using less the difficult subjects are now much more
of rubber to be used has to be at least down thrust and more power, a high feasible.
25% of the model’s total all-up flying climbing flight pattern will result. The For both CO2 and Electric power, the
weight and, for maximum performance, motor should be well lubricated with conversion is simply the addition of a
50% of the all-up weight. Thus, if your Castor oil or Glycerine, which helps the ply-faced former with the appropriate
completed airframe weighs 8oz, then knots to evenly distribute themselves and fixtures to accept the power unit, tank
2 to 4oz. of rubber are required. This hence prevent bunching or batteries. Do not forget to incorporate
mass of rubber needs to be made into a some down and right thrust, with
multi-strand motor about 1.5 times the HISSES AND SPARKS provision for more alterations later, in
length between the noseblock and rear At the start of this article, I may have line with my recommendations on flight
peg. This can then be pre-tensioned been a little critical of the majority of trimming in my first two ‘survival’ articles.
to fit the fuselage. I prefer to use multi- small scale kits available. To make If you prefer the sparks to the fizzes,
stranded motors of 1/8” x 1/20” section, amends, it is fair to say that these kits then the scope for converting the larger
rather than the usual 1/4” x 1/20” do make good CO2 or Electric model rubber scale kits into electric subjects
section rubber, as the thinner variety conversions. Such power sources are is completely feasible. The best unit
tends to knot smoother during winding, compact and light and can often reduce on the market for these is the KP Aero
while breaking a few strands is not so the all-up weight of one of these Keil Models KP O2 motor, which is suitable
catastrophic. Kraft-sized models, since the mass of for models up to 40”, span if built lightly.
the unit can be concentrated where you The beauty of this product is that you can
FLYING require it. For example, the perennial buy a complete flight system - charger,
After initial glide trimming, adjusting favourite of an early mark Spitfire or batteries and motor - and easily operate
Derek Knight’s dream combination! A Tiger Moth, powered by one of his KP Lindsey Smith enjoys the challenge of difficult-to-trim prototypes. His Hawker
electric units - and doesn’t it fly well! Tempest is seen here during a trimming session at Old Warden.
it with very limited prior knowledge; two tanks with a balance pipe. It is easy O1 motors powered this, and after much
simply follow the instructions - an to balance the engine revolutions by badgering and coaxing, Brian entered
excellent British modelling product. simply listening to their ‘beat’. It is not several competitions and won nearly
Otherwise, you could cobble together necessary to have opposite propeller them all! This model could claim a 25%
your own system, if you have the rotation - it is far easier to introduce scale flight bonus for competitions
knowledge and soldering experise. down and right thrust, as you would any and with its superbly realistic flight
If you would like to design your own single engine subject. performance, it was very difficult to beat
scale models, the basic principles for the Electric power gives the better scope with a conventional single engine model.
smaller (under 24” span models) follow for multi-subjects. In recent times, there The plan for this model still available
very closely that of scale rubber models, have been few built and flown, despite from Sarik Hobbies (plan no. 1742)
as already described, i.e. keep it light an attractive flight bonus. One brave and is well worth examining if you are
and true, but don’t put the rubber motor contender was Mike Smith who built and contemplating building a ‘multi’. Brian’s
peg in! For electric-powered models, flew an Airspeed Ferry trimotor, which model was 44” span, weighed 12oz.
you can afford to beef-up the structure won the CO2/ Electric cup at the British ready to bomb and required 3 x 270 mAh
at key areas since you have more power Nationals several years ago. This was a cells for power. All the engines rotate in
available. This is especially true for large 1/12th scale airliner of about 60” the same direction, no problems were
the larger models where construction span, built along diesel-powered lines, encountered provided each engine had
techniques can be similar to those used from spruce and balsa. some down and right thrust to counter
for diesel-powered models, as already The flying weight was a mammoth the torque.
described in earlier parts of this ‘survival’ three pounds. The motors were two In more recent times, Steven Glass
series. standard geared 360s with a hot 360 came to the forefront in free flight
direct-drive in the top central nacelle, the multi-engine scale, with his superb EDF
TO BOLDLY GO… battery load being eight pencells. Despite models (electric ducted fan), notably the
CO2 and Electric power sources are sounding like a flying hair salon, this Vickers VC10 and Gloster Javelin. Mr KP
ideal for multi-engined subjects. CO2 model was an awesome sight to behold Aero himself, Derek Knight had success
is a little trickier, since the power in the air, and was very competitive. also with a Boeing B-17 powered a la
sources available are short on power Another pioneer in the scale electric Waterland, powered by of his KP01s.
and hence, smaller models have to be multi scene was Brian Waterland and his The power sources are becoming
built. However, success can be achieved memorable Avro Lancaster, built long more diverse, but the building and flying
without the worry of one engine stopping ago in the mid 1990s and published as techniques remain the same, however,
before the other, by running the two a construction feature in AeroModeller build light, build true - and trim carefully!
motors from one tank, or by linking the magazine March 1944 issue. Four KP ■
MODELLING
THE P-35?
Typical of an era when Air Forces and aircraft manufacturers were striving for performance targets that
were difficult ot achieve, the Serversky P-35 exuded much shapely as a subject for scale modelling.
Col. Art Jognson’s 1/5th model captered the ‘character’ of the type
T
he Seversky P-35 seems never rendition, the full construction details Built to a scale of 1:5, Art Johnson’s
to have been mainstream and a four-sheet plan set for which P-35 model had a wingspan of 86.4”
scale modelling fare. In fact, a appeared in the June 1992 issue of the (2195mm). The prototype model weighed
sweep of the Internet revealed American magazine RC Modeler, the in at 22 lbs (10 kg) and was designed for
only one of any substance. publication of which has long since an engine range of 1.5 – 2.5 cu.in.
This is Col. Art Johnson’s really excellent ceased. Col. Johnson was in the happy
SEVERSKY P-35
A mid-1930s era fighter aircraft introduced during the transitional period from biplane to monoplane.
It lacked much of what was really required, but pointed the way to better things to come
O
ne of the features of the the Imperial Russian Naval Academy, his
earliest aviation pioneers fascinating reading. Here is one of them. father had already taught him how to fly.
is surely what a diverse Born in Russia in1874, Alexander de Graduating in 1914 with an engineering
collection of individuals they Seversky was of of noble parentage. His degree, when World War I commenced
were, coming from wildly father was one of the the first Russian the young Lieutenant Seversky then
different backgrounds and with very aviators to own an aircraft, a modified served at sea with a destroyer flotilla.
different tenacities that enabled them to Bleriot XI. As with many of Imperial Given his pre-WW1 pilot training, it is
forge the basics of aeronautical success Russia’s minor nobility, the young no surprise that Seversky was quickly
that have brought aviation to where it is Alexander received his education at selected for duty as a naval aviator,
today. a military school from age 10 and by and after completing a postgraduate
The stories of the steps by which these the age of 14, when he moved on to program on aeronautics in 1914–15, he
The only USAAC unit to receive the Seversky P-35 was the 1st Pursuit Group, based at Selfridge Field, Michigan. This is one of the aircraft used by the 27 th Pursuit
Squadron, part of the 1st P.G. The Group received the full production run, save for a few retained by Seversky.
SEVERSKY AIRCRAFT
CORPORATION
Using the $50,000 fee he received from
the sale of the rights to his bombsight to
the U. S. Government, in 1923 Seversky
founded the Seversky Aero Corporation.
Concentrating on making aircraft parts
and instruments, the small company was
unable to survive the stock market crash
of 1929, but less that two years later,
in 1931, Alexander’s persuasive nature
gained the financial backing for the
reincarnation of his organisation in Long
Island, New York, the primary assets
of which were more that 360 Seversky The prototype P-35, carrying full military insignia, airborne after revision of outline to the engine cowl and
patents accumulated over previous vertical tail surfaces, also revealing the wing underside fairings that fully enclosed the main undercarriage.
years, including the first patent for air-to-
air refuelling, back in 1921.
Resolved to invest in research and
design rather than relying on licence-
manufacturing, Seversky engaged
Russian aircraft engineer Alexander
Kartveli, also a Russian émigré, as his
chief designer and embarked on the
creation of an advanced all-metal, multi-
place monoplane amphibian, the SEV-3.
This ground-breaking design would, in
various stages of development, go on
to set numerous speed records at the
U.S. National Air Races over the period
1933–1939, often piloted by Seversky
himself, who was the company's greatest The first production P-35, seen with front and rear main undercarriage fairings that only partially enclosed
"pitchman". the wheels in the retracted state. The rear fairing attached to the wing underside skin, while the front
On September 15, 1935, flying at a fairings lifted rearward with the undercarriage legs.
speed just over 230 mph, Seversky set
a world speed record for piston-engine
amphibious aircraft and later, in 1938, set
a transcontinental speed record.
the damaged entry into a single-seat failed to deliver its rated power and the
A pair of EP-106s of the Royal Swedish Air Force, that gave their own J9 designation to the type. Among the WW2-period duties of the type, for the country that
maintained strict neutrality throughout the 1939-45 war years, was the escorting of battle damaged Allied bombers forced to divert to Sweden on their return
journeys from raids into Germany.
t
SEV-1XP only reached 289 mph rather being completed in August 1938. To an performance proved poor even by
than the 300 mph (483 km/h) predicted, extent, the size of the order reflected contemporary standards and, although
so the Wright engine was discarded in the isolationist sentiment of U.S. politics USAAC aviators appreciated the aircraft's
favour of the Pratt & Whitney two-row of the time, but in a concurrent drive ruggedness, it was already obsolete by
R-1830-9 Twin Wasp powerplant to extend the Company’s fortune that the time deliveries of the P-35 ended in
The P&W also failed to deliver its perhaps alludes the his personality, 1938, the entire production run going to
rated power and top speed was again Alexander Seversky secretly and without the 1st Pursuit Group.
somewhat below 300 mph. While more reference to fellow Directors, contracted
expensive than the Curtiss design, the the sale of 20 2PA two-seat aircraft to the FURTHER DEVELOPMENT
Seversky was a clear winner of the Japanese Navy, a move that went down Meanwhile, Seversky continued to
Air Corps' competition, with an order badly in official U.S. Government circles, develop the design in the hope of selling
for 77 P-35 fighters plus spare parts so that when the USAAC wanted further more aircraft both to the Air Corps and
equivalent to eight complete aircraft fighters in 1937, the US Army Air Corps, to civillian and export customers. The
being placed in mid-1936 at a cost of unhappy with both the slow delivery of prototype SEV-1XP was modified into
$1,636,250. Modifications from SEV-1XP the P-35, and the Japanese Navy sale, a single seat racer, the Seversky S-1
to production P-35 standard included ordered 210 Curtiss P-36s. and entered in the 1937 Bendix Trophy
partial instead of complete mainwheel The first unit to receive P-35s race, where it finished in fourth place.
fairings and seven degrees of dihedral to was the 1st Pursuit Group stationed The competition was won by a sister
the outer wing panels. at Selfridge Field in Michigan. To save example, the S-2, a similar aircraft
Deliveries of P-35s to the US weight, the aircraft, in its production purpose built for Frank Fuller of the Fuller
Army Air Corps began in May 1937, form, used a ‘wet’ wing in which sealed Paint Company. The S-2 then went on
preceded by a company owned pre- sections formed the fuel tanks and to further successes, placing 2nd in the
production aircraft and demonstrator, the ground personnel quickly learned about 1938 Bendix and winning in 1939.
AP-1. Only 76 P-35s were built, delivery the persistent fuel leaks. The P-35's Both of these one-off racers, though
based on the P-35, featured lengthen GOING WEST Such was the haste for expansion,
fuselages and more powerful engines, Meanwhile, the war in Europe that that flight instruments of production
and became the basis for a development commenced in September 1939, P-35A aircraft were metric, and both their
of a higher performance fighter aircraft, prompted hasty reappraisal of American labeling and flight manuals came written
designated EP-106 (Export Pursuit) as an military capability leading to hurried in Swedish! Of these, three aircraft were
export type for overseas sales, powered expansion of its military aviation. To help kept in United States as instructional
by Pratt & Whitney R-1830-45 Twin Wasp hasten this expansion, United States airframes for mechanics, while six
radial engine. declared an embargo against exporting were supplied to Ecuador to form that
In early 1939, Seversky secured a weapons to any nation other than the country’s first combat unit.
production order for this from Sweden, United Kingdom. Thus a third order from The remainder were sent to
for an initial supply of 15 aircraft to a Sweden for 60 EP-106 fighters, was the American Far East Air Force in
specification that included an armament taken over by the USAAC as the P-35A. the Philippines, beginning in February
of 7.9 mm (.311 in) machine guns in These aircraft were re-armed to 1941. Eventually, all pilots of the three
the cowl and two 13.2 mm (.52 in) American standards with a pair of pursuit squadrons on Luzon, the main
machine guns in the wings - double that 0.30 in machine guns that fired through island of the Philippine chain, transitioned
of the original P-35. Sweden’s second the propeller, but retained the Swedish to the P-35A from the decidedly vintage
order for 45 EP-106s was placed later specification of a 0.50 in machine gun Boeing P-26. The P-35As were used
that year. mounted in each wing. primarily as gunnery trainers by all three
▼
For the 1939 ‘Bendix’, Frank Fuller returned
with his SEV S-2 in metallic green finish, with
yellow trim. With 1,200 hp Pratt & Whitney
engine installed, Fuller won again at an
average speed of 282 mph.
September 1938, the company had
t
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TECHNIQUE
SCALE FROM
SCRATCH
PART 1: SELECTING SIZE AND ACHIEVING ACCURATE PLAN OUTLINES
WANT TO TAKE A STEP BEYOND KITS AND
ARTFS? KEN SHEPPARD COMMENCES
A SERIES TO ENCOURAGE OWN-DESIGN SCALE
MODELS
I
’m pretty sure it is a fact that any where and how to start. The aim of this really aiming at the popular .60 to 1.20
aeromodeller who has progressed series feature is to give you some idea size of model that should be within the
from learning to fly R/C from a trainer about how it is possible, practical and reach of most modellers who have built
through to a low wing aerobatic ultimately satisfying to get the ultimate one or two models from scratch, either
machine - will have, at some point, ‘buzz’ of seeing your own design take to from plans or kits. Most of my model
wished that they could design, build and the sky - and fly well. scale aircraft designs have been based
fly a scale model of their own favourite First of all, I’m not talking about on the “…it works, so why change
aircraft type. This is often as far as they large models that cost the earth, need it…?” theory and follows some really
go, because they are discouraged by the Planning Permission to assemble and sound aeronautical design principles.
apparently unassailable problems like special transport to move around, I’m Nor am I talking about a super-scale,
two or three year build type of model always a bonus! incidence datums and motor thrust lines
- I know my limitations and I have I started by saying that the object was as the basis for your model - but before
no real desire, or ability, to build F4C to show you how to design a practical we go too far down that path, let us first
competition standard models - I just scale model of your favourite type. It’s consider the optimum size of the model
want to make it look like the real thing, here where we meet our first set of that we are planning.
take just a few months to build - and fly criteria.
well. The choice of the prototype to be START WITH SIZE
Over the years, I have built to a modelled will dictate many things - the The ‘bible’ that I used when first
standard that I am very happy with speed of the aircraft, for example, will planning my designs, over 20 years ago,
and, at the same time, developed a bit define the range of airfoil sections that is Gordon Whitehead’s book ‘Radio
of a reputation for choosing the more can be used and the optimum wing Control Scale Aircraft - Models for
‘unusual’ subjects to model and of the loading that we want (lightly loaded Everyday Flying’. Unfortunately it has
dozen own-design projects or so to date, aircraft can fly slower - thicker airfoil long since gone out of print, but Gordon
all have been very successful, with the sections slow an aircraft down, too) subsequently expanded and updated
exception of two types that definitely and the power-to-weight ratio of a slow the original work as a 27-part series that
were, I admit, a ‘step too far’. But - flying, lightly loaded biplane will need ran more recently in this magazine from
nothing ventured nothing gained - and less power to fly it than a fast flying August 2019 to September 2021 issues.
although the results of those two projects monoplane of the same scale. Do your best to get hold of either a copy
weren’t 100% satisfying, I certainly A good starting or reference point is of the original book or those FSM issues,
learnted a lot along the way, which to let someone sort out the problems for because it covers all the aspects of
you! Get hold of a published and proven practical scale model design and in great
plan of a the same sort of prototype that depth.
you fancy - a WW1 biplane of similar In that book and in the magazine, it
format (single bay, parallel chord wing, gives a chart of optimum wing loadings
for example), or a WW2 fighter with a and power loadings for a given engine
similar speed range and wing planform range, based on different model aircraft
(double taper, for example) and use types – e.g. WW1 biplanes and WW2
the same wing section, wing and tail fighters (see Table 1), which gives a good ▼
The transferred image (done in marker pen for clarity). The two arrows indicate the half span of the
proposed model. The port wing was drawn by reversing the transparency (see text).
TECHNIQUE
t
model can be built. weekend. With the advent of the laptop relation to the tip point on the horizontal
First of all, you need to find an computer and plasma screens, overhead drawn line - no, they won’t line up, I
accurate three-view line drawing of the projectors could well be virtually guarantee it! If the image is too short,
aircraft you wish to model. Now there redundant, so look for second hand move the projector further away from
are any number of publications available bargains! the wall until the image and the tip
where three-views can be obtained - a Project your three-view onto a wall point match exactly - you’ll have to
look at a good aviation bookshop, or using the printed transparency and re-focus the image, too. If the image is
even the local library could very well position a strip of wallpaper lining paper too large, move the projector closer to
provide you the goods. The ongoing horizontally, so that the half span of the the wall - again, refocusing the image
‘Subjects for Scale’ series that regularly wing planform lines up along the length as necessary. When the root and tip
appears in this magazine is another of the lining paper (use strips of masking of the image line up exactly with the
source which often covers aircraft that tape to hold the lining paper in place). datum lines and the half span points,
are not among the mainstream subjects Draw a horizontal line along the centre leave everything alone, as the set-up
regularly modelled and is thus an option of the paper and mark two points on it is complete and you’re ready to start
if you want a scale subject with a bit so that the distance between the two drawing.
of individuality. Buy a plastic kit of the points equals exactly half the span of Now, using a straight edge (the longer
aircraft, if you can - it’ll contain an the model size you have selected. Make the better) and a nicely sharpened pencil,
accurate outline, full panel and detailing one end the wing root and the other end draw along the image lines, transferring
information - and give you a colour the wing tip, and draw a second line at it to the paper. When finished, you can
scheme, too! 90° to the drawn line (vertical) at the root tape up another strip of paper, move the
Once you have a three-view, enlarge end. Now, adjust the overhead projector transparency around on the projector
it so that it fits on an A4 sized piece of so that the image is in focus on the wall/ plate so that another view fits the paper
paper, then get your local photocopy paper, making sure that the projector is and draw round that too.
shop to transfer the image onto an A4 exactly square with the wall (otherwise Repeat until you have pencil drawings
clear transparency sheet. Ask around the image will be distorted). Next, move of all the outlines and other details
your colleagues, mates, club members the transparency around on the projector (aileron/flaps, fairings, cockpit, canopy
and find out who has access to a plate so that the centreline of the wing windows, undercarriage position, etc).
portable overhead projector (it shouldn’t plan lines up with the vertical line drawn A good tip here - the original drawings,
be hard to source one) and ask to borrow on the paper. if small, may not be accurate, so if
t
it for a couple of evenings, or over the Check where the wingtip image is in you want both wing panels or tailplane
Two views of the constructional techniques used on the author’s nine feet span Consolidated B-24 Liberator. Conventional balsa/ply frame, clad with blue foam sheets.
halves, draw around one side only, move the projector back away from the
then turn the transparency over on the wall so that the motor fits within the cowl centre of the rounded leading edge and
projector and draw round the same wing line - then move the transparency to the centre of the trailing edge, and the
panel image or tail half (now reversed) - check the increase in wing span hasn’t tailplane section neutral points. These
then you are guaranteed that they are the grown more than the maximm 10%- two lines give the decalage of the wing
same size! 15%. and tail (the difference in incidences)
Another way to get the engine to - these lines should be reproduced in
CHECK THE ENGINE FIT fit is to cheat! There will be more on your model, so that the model has the
Something else to consider at this point ‘acceptable cheats’ later on, but we can same ‘sit’ in the air as the full-size did.
is the cowl/engine fit. Given that we can slightly increase cowl size to suit the As a rough guide, the difference should
increase the size of our model a little engine - and leave everything else the be between + 2° to +3° (wing relative to
without affecting the performance too same! Only a scale fanatic will be able to tailplane) for faster flying types and as
much (only a little, mind you - say, 10- tell the difference! much as +4° to +5° for the slower flying
15%), before drawing - but after having types.
positioned the projector to match up the WING –T0-TAILPLANE
wingspan points - move the transparency INCIDENCES FINAL CHECK
so that the fuselage side view shows Having finally made any size So now we have an outline of our
along the paper. You can now hold the adjustments, draw round the image planned model at the right size and also
engine over the image to see how it will as already stated. When drawing the accurate - or is it? What next? Well,
fit in the cowl - if the aircraft has a radial fuselage side view, draw a datum line we have to check that the three views
cowl, then a 10% increase in size could that passes through the engine spinner we have drawn match one another
well bring the engine completely inside centre and is at 90° to the rudder hinge exactly - e.g. is the root wing chord the
the cowl, for instance. If that is the case, line. If possible, draw a line through same in both the wing plan view and the
fuselage side view? (Two-dimensional
drawings are not guaranteed to be as
accurate as we need them to be to make
a three dimensional model). Also, we
have to make some decisions regarding
our model’s flying surface sizes. Some
full-size prototypes, for example, had
very small tail surfaces and to create a
model with such a ‘scale size’ taiplane
may make the aircraft very sensitive to
pitch, due to the effects of Reynolds
number (if you don’t know what that
means, look it up before next month’s
issue...). Similarly, the scale ailerons may
be a bit on the small size, which would
reduce the model’s roll response - so to
produce a practical flying model, we may
have to make some concessions to scale
accuracy... all of which we talk about in
Part 2 next month. n
Traditional build techniques were used on the author’s own-designß- Shavrov seaplane (for .25 power).
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