1/29/09

McGuire Quadraplane



Several readers asked us for plans and information regarding the quadraplane pictured in this blog. The model in question belongs to George Benson. It is called the McGuire Quadraplane, a fantasy flyer designed by MAC member Jason McGuire in 1998.

George has provided the plans, available to download here, with this explanation:

Attached is the original small plan of Jason's Quadraplane. Possibly drawn by Thayer?

Also, my enlarged plan to 12 inch span for the first model I built with chord of 1-13/16 inch.

The revised wing plan shows a 2-3/16 inch chord, and this, plus the stabilizer and fin was treated to a scalloped trailing edge, in WW1 fashion.

My first model flew away OOS at Lakeville, with a model pilot and a good set of wire wheels. My second model flies well with increased chord. I decided to increase the wing area for no real reason, except I believe more area is good. I also scalloped the trailing edge of wing, fin and stabilizer to match the pseudo WW1 color scheme and roundels of RAF.

I use only one wing strut each side, approx 1/2 x 1/20 to tie the wings together, in a simple jig, then slid the assembly on to the fuselage and glued the lower two wings to the fuselage.

Prop is a 6 inch plastic, rubber is 15 inch loop of 1/8 inch. Flying weight is 26.5 grams. Model flies well indoors and outdoors. Somewhat beat up now due to impact to the gym walls.




More pictures and information about the McGuire Quadraplane can be found on Thayer Syme's excellent website, Free Flight Fantasies.

1/22/09

Westland P.12 Lysander Delanne

By George Benson


The peanut scale Lysander Delanne model has a 9-inch body length, allowing a 17.5-inch wing span.

The P.12 Lysander Delanne was developed in 1941 after the Westland company had visited France in 1940 to inspect a Delanne 20 T light aircraft with similar tandem wing layout. Westland took a production Lysander, shortened the rear of the fuselage, designed a tandem wing/ lifting tail to allow a gun turret to be added. Twin fins avoided damage from the guns in the turret, though the prototype's turret was not operational.


Westland Lysander Mk III

The design objective was to develop an aircraft suitable for strafing beaches if the Germans invaded England. Test flights were satisfactory, and in fact the prototype was looped safely on the first flight. The plane had a very wide CG range. But the need for such a design had passed by the time testing was completed, and the design was abandoned.



My peanut flew quite satisfactorily, though it was rather heavy with nose weight, spats, struts, dummy turret, so flight times were limited. I have thought of a larger version, which has appeal for outdoor, but a lot of lead in the nose is needed despite a lifting tail. This is where an electric version would by appropriate with the weight in the nose, minimizing the need for ballast necessary to compensate for a tail-heavy rubber-powered model. I am hoarding a 48-inch Easy Built kit in case I do decide to build a large outdoor model.

1/18/09

Mystery Plane Revealed

The Maurice Farman Shorthorn was designed and built in France by Farman Brothers in 1914. Several variants were produced; France and Britain used them in reconnaissance and light combat roles. The Shorthorn is reputed to be the first armed aircraft to engage in aerial combat in World War I. The Shorthorn MF 11 below is in the Royal Museum of the Army and of Military History in Brussels.


Contest winners, in the order their answers were received, are:

Howard Funnell - U.K.
Flyin' Brian - Santa Rosa, Calif.
Ray Bazurto - Novato, Calif.

This month's Mystery Plane was not the easiest to identify. The guy who thought it was a Farman Longhorn wins the Agent 86 Award (Missed it by that much.)

1/12/09

Name The Plane Contest



Can you identify the Mystery Plane?

The contest winner(s) - everyone to answer correctly by 18:00 PST on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - will be immortalized here in the blog.

Email you answer here.