RC Model Plans

[Clive Douglas]

Hi Everybody

 

I've just joined this forum and hope I'm in the right place to get some help.

 

I'd like to get some plans to build a radio controlled Long EZ or Cozy, around 60"-80" wingspan. I have found a place that sells plans for a GRP (Fibreglass) model but this is a method of building I have never used. I would hope to get some plans for a more conventional build i.e. foam/Obechi covered wings and a balsa fusalage.

 

Plan sales are big business in the model aircraft world so maybe the makers of the full sized plane could move into this market. Afterall most of the design work is already on a PC.

 

Any help is most greatly appreciated.

 

Regards

 

Clive Douglas

[Jon Matcho]

Clive, welcome!

 

You touched upon a nerve here

 

I built RC models before I ended up where I am now -- building my biggest one yet. I recall two things as a model builder:

• I never did anything that was plans-built only, and
• I thought fiberglass would be difficult to work with
• Vacuum bagging was a mystery to me

Now that I've had the chance to do the first 2, I can look back and tell you how easy it is to work with this stuff. It's a joy. Unlike balsa, you can really lean into the stuff, and still be light. To top it off, I'm about to begin using a technique known as 'low pressure vacuum bagging'.

 

I know there is a Long-EZ model kit as well as a Velocity model kit. There are also 1 or 2 canard type kits, not modeled after any plane specifically. I built one of these (see attached pic) and have the other still in the box.

 

Another member on this forum, Marshall Adams, is big into modeling and I believe looking to do the same thing as you. I asked him to check this thread out, so expect a response in a day or two from him.

 

Be sure to keep us posted going forward!

[Clive Douglas]

Hi Jon

 

Thanks for your quick response.

 

It looks like I'm heading down the same road as several others after their first sight of a Rutan Long EZ. There's something about these planes that gets under your skin.

 

GRP & vacuum bagging are still a mystery to me but after reading your posting they're no longer a worry, I'll have a go at just about anything.

 

If you have any info about Long EZ and Velocity kits I'd appreciate any info/links you may have. I forgot to mention that I'm in the UK and I'm not aware that these kits are available over here.

 

I'll keep you up to date on any developments.

 

Best Regards

 

Clive

[Jon Matcho]

Clive,

 

Here's a Long-EZ kit: http://www.geocities.com/rclong_ez/index.html

 

These guys have a Velocity XL kit: http://www.rchomebuilts.com

 

You used to be able to get a Long-EZ kit from Fusco, but I understand there was some sort of fiasco between the designer and the company. Here's another link related to that kit I believe: http://homepage.mac.com/mikejames/rc_reviews/berkut01.html

 

Here's a Vari-Eze kit (in the UK): http://www.rchobby.co.uk/canard_artf_plane_varieeze.html

 

And an almost-canard aircraft, the Piaggio Avanti: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/piaggio.htm

 

Now that I'm building a 1:1 scale plane, I'm amazed at how many of my model building tools and skills are useful.

 

I forgot to mention that I'm in the UK...

Have you caught the electric craze over there?

 

Let us know what you do and post pics when you're done!

[Rob Wright]

I have thought about scaling down my plans to build a model... but then I think it would be alot of work and i should just put that into my airplane and forget the model... you see the conundrum I am in.

[Jon Matcho]

I have thought about scaling down my plans to build a model...

Depending on where you're at, this is not a bad idea at all. If you look into the process by which planes become airbourne, you'll find that models are an integral component.

 

Flying is also fun too, even though I'm limited to models and X-Plane right now. Still, in just 40 hours or less you can be flying a canard. If you were thrilled with that experience, you can move on to the full size model.

 

On the other hand, if you KNOW you love building, have the space, time, money, and support, then jump in!

[Clive Douglas]

Hi John

 

Thanks a lot for all these links.

 

The geocities site show a great model built from plans but unfortunately is to ambitious for me as it is skinned in GRP. I don't quite understand the pricing of the plans ? Do they mean $48 per plan set or per sheet (P.P. meaning per page) i.e.

 

PRICE

 

Printed plans : US$ 48 P.P. Folded

 

Raster image file : US$ 30 sent by e-mail

 

It is certainly worthy of a future project once I get some experience working with GRP.

 

The link to the Velocity kit is great, what can I say. This is one beautiful model. A little to expensive for me at the moment but certainly one to keep an eye on. The only drawback I can see with this model is it's take of run of around 200 feet. I the club I have just joined (and the only one in my local area) have a strip only 60 yards (180 feet) long. By all accounts the farmer who gives his permission won't allow anything any longer. They are negociating with a local engineering company who have a nearby airstrip to see if limited access may be possible in the future.

 

Such a shame about the Fusco fiasco but these things occasionally happen. Maybe they can sort something out in the future.

 

The link to the Vari EZ was a supprise as I had not found any info about canard models in the UK. I guess I need to sharpen up my search engine skills. The shop that sells them is around 100 miles from me so next time I traveling that direction I'll look in and check it out.

 

The electric craze is becoming more and more popular over here. I guess the huge improvement in battery technology over the last few years has help improve flight times and performance.

 

I have never learned to fly anything yet but I do have three models in various stages of build. A friend has advised me it would be better to learn with a nice gentle glider and then move on from there. I have therefore just bought an EPP foam glider from the German maker Robbe, called a Ranger. I had my second lesson yesterday and thing are going great. Just about all of the UK is having a lousy summer which means I'm trying to learn in pretty stiff winds when I'd prefer something a little easier to start off with.

 

My other models are a Robbe Calibre, a 2mtr glider which I hope to have finished in about 4-6weeks. When that is complete I will be finishing of another long standing project which a Precident T240 a rather large 2.4mtr high wing plane much like a Piper Cub. Third in the line up is something I bought via an advert in a magazine from a plans company and the picture was about the size of a big postal stamp. When the plans arrived I immediatly dropped everything and eagerly pored over them and my heart sank. I was no where near good enough to build this model. It is called an Optica, full name the Edgely Optica. An unusual yet very attractive plane (well I think so) with a large helicopter type bubble canopy at the front and a large ducted fan unit immediatly behind it. You can see some picture of the model here:-

 

http://www.flyelectric.ukgateway.net/optica.htm

 

This version is electric with a larger span than mine and the builder has made extensive use of GRP. The plans I have sent me down the all Balsa/Ply route. It is around half complete and I'm struggling to to understand how to carve the canopy structure. Needless to say all these problems are at the bottom of the pile until I get all the other models finished and flying.

 

I will post pics as soon as I can.

 

Hi Rob

 

If you ever do decide to scale down your plans could you please let my know. I know time is tight with many people and I agree with you that your time would be better spent bulding the full size version. Maybe one day in the future you may be getting a little bored over the winter months and this little project might just fill your quiet time.

 

I've just got back from an Model Air Craft Rally at RAF Woodvale just north of Liverpool and what a great show. The best model by far was a B52, 26 foot span and 8 working jet (or gas turbine) engines. Some great demonstration and lots of large models lined up to look at. Unfortunately there were not so may trade stands, only about 30 and prices were no cheaper than normal magazine ads. Despite that it was a good day out and very, very hot.

 

Just briefly getting back to the electric craze, one of our club members said he had heard about a new type of battery that will be coming to the market. He thinks they were called Saf-Ion, have you any info on these new type of batteries?

 

That's all for now, take care everybody

 

Clive

[Jon Matcho]

The geocities site show a great model built from plans but unfortunately is to ambitious for me as it is skinned in GRP.

I thought the same thing when I was modeling, but I'm telling you -- you can do it. It really isn't that hard, and also is great training for the real thing.

 

I don't quite understand the pricing of the plans ? Do they mean $48 per plan set or per sheet (P.P. meaning per page)...

I can't imaging the plans cost more than $48 total. Maybe 'P.P.' is just a repeat of 'printed plans'.

 

It is certainly worthy of a future project once I get some experience working with GRP.

It is your experience waiting to happen. :-)

 

The electric craze is becoming more and more popular over here.

In my neck of the woods, there's practically nothing going on. I love electrics -- quiet, and no mess.

 

http://www.flyelectric.ukgateway.net/optica.htm

That is cool. I have a large ducted fan still in a box, because I was afraid to start the fiberglass (but not scared enough to buy it).

 

What does GRP stand for?

[Clive Douglas]

Hi John

 

GRP (in the UK) stands for Glass Reinforced Plastic which is just an acronym for fibre glass.

 

In hindsight I agree that the plans must be $48 all in. As you can get them emailed for $30, I may be tempted. There is a plan print & copy shop in town so I'll check with them to see if they can handle tiff image files.

 

I'm supprised that your lagging behing us in electric flight. Practically every model shop in the UK now carries stock of electric models and equipment. A good friend of mine has been using electric models for around two years now and he is probably the most knowledgeable guy in the club. Many of his models have been set up with brushless motors & you wouldn't believe the performance. He has a 2.5mtr glider that he can hand launch into a near vertical climb and it excellerates as it goes up. Very impressive with a price tag to match. Another German company, Multiplex, has come out with several electric models and one of the nicest is the Sonic Liner, http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/ParkFliers/parkflier_HP_SFS.htm

 

It flies well and it's twin electric motors have an almost distinctive whine of a jet engine.

 

I'll try to get some pictures next time I see him flying it. Our club is based just outside the Lake District National Park in the North of England in the county of Cumbria. If the pictures work out ok the background will be very scenic although the weather of late is lousy. As I write this it is absolutely poring down, great for gardens but precious little else.

 

Time to get on with some DIY, I'm renovating a house ready to put out to rent. Hopefully it should be complete before the years out. Now where did I put those overall's (called coverall's in the states, I think).

 

Best Regards

 

Clive

[Jon Matcho]

...Glass Reinforced Plastic...

I see. That's what my EDF IA-63 Pampa is (still in box). Again, I was afraid of fiber glass and epoxy, but now I'd be all over that stuff. Maybe in the winter...

 

I'm supprised that your lagging behing us in electric flight.

IF I can find stuff on electric modeling here, it's usually imported or in one of those crazy-sized magazines from the UK.

 

http://www.multiplexusa.com/models/ParkFliers/parkflier_HP_SFS.htm

More cool stuff!

 

Now where did I put those overall's (called coverall's in the states, I think).

We call them overalls, and probably something else that escapes me right now.

 

Do post those pics when you can. Cheers!

[Clive Douglas]

Hi Jon

 

I'm suffering from a chronic lack of will power, or as a friend says "won't power".

 

Despite the fact that I can't yet fly anything (properly) and have several models part built I couldn't help myself chasing up the plans for the Long EZ from the geocities site of Son Model.

 

In the return email to my enquiry the guy said I would have to pay by Western Union money transfer and no other payment method would be accepted. He is based in Indonesia. Here the UK there have been numerous reports in the media that many people had been ripped off by unscroupulous sellers on ebay using the Western Union system. Now this is not to say this guy is doing the same thing but why do these people insist upon a payment system that offers the buyer no type of security or traceability during the puchase process. Surely if they where a reputable organisation they would at least have a Paypal account, or similar.

 

Has anyone bought these plans (from Son Model - http://www.geocities.com/rclong_ez/index.html), or indeed know of anyone who has done so.

 

Any help or experiances you have had/know about regarding this matter would be gratefully received.

 

Best Regards

 

Clive

[Jon Matcho]

Surely if they where a reputable organisation they would at least have a Paypal account, or similar.

I tend to agree. If you're not comfortable with putting your money entirely at risk, then offer PayPal or nothing.

 

You might also want to consider asking here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/index.php?topic=air-elec

 

(BTW, anyone who thinks this or the CAI forum is "active" should check out how many users are online at that forum at any given minute in the day. )

[hattend]

I can't imaging the plans cost more than $48 total. Maybe 'P.P.' is just a repeat of 'printed plans'.

 

 

The $48 PP means $48 Postage Paid

 

If anybody buys these plans, I would be interested in your experience (good, bad, fast or slow shipping)

 

Don

[maerobat]

I have just completed 1/4 scale Cozy, weight 11 pounds, YS63 on a 14x6 prop. It will not unstick from a 50m grass patch. Correct canard incidence and CofG are not clear from the drawing I have: ie the drawing shows 0/0 but the spec. says +3 degrees. Anyone got the correct info please? Photos available if you e-mail me at maerobat@aol.com. Thanks.

[raiki]

I have a 1/5 scale RC model LongEZ by St Croix. It has foam core wings with a balsa/ply fuse (very conventional). It is not finished being built yet.

 

It is very scale except in the canard/elevator. The Elevator is actually about 50% canard chord but the outside dimensions are scale. St Croix said they had tried a scale elevator but that didn't have enough power to rotate the nose.

 

The plans that came with it are ok for the kit, but I don't think I'd try and scratch build from them.

 

As far as I know this kit hasn't been manufactured for years so you can no longer buy it. I only posted to brag that I had one.

[bferrell]

It's not a Cozy, but I've got the 1:4.6 scale Velocity from rchomebuilts.com I could take some dimentions of it's elevator if that's what you're curious about.

[frankenfoamy]

I have about everything you want to know about the Optica.

rcguy.tripod.com

I have Jack Bale plans which I have yet to build.

I have seen magazine samples of plans but yet to see the real thing.

You will see a testbed called the Frankenfoamy and a mini Optica on my site.

Both fly very well. There is a short clip of the Full Scale Optica on the mini Optica page. ( from the movie SlipStream)

 

Hi John

 

Thanks a lot for all these links.

 

The geocities site show a great model built from plans but unfortunately is to ambitious for me as it is skinned in GRP. I don't quite understand the pricing of the plans ? Do they mean $48 per plan set or per sheet (P.P. meaning per page) i.e.

 

PRICE

 

Printed plans : US$ 48 P.P. Folded

 

Raster image file : US$ 30 sent by e-mail

 

It is certainly worthy of a future project once I get some experience working with GRP.

 

The link to the Velocity kit is great, what can I say. This is one beautiful model. A little to expensive for me at the moment but certainly one to keep an eye on. The only drawback I can see with this model is it's take of run of around 200 feet. I the club I have just joined (and the only one in my local area) have a strip only 60 yards (180 feet) long. By all accounts the farmer who gives his permission won't allow anything any longer. They are negociating with a local engineering company who have a nearby airstrip to see if limited access may be possible in the future.

 

Such a shame about the Fusco fiasco but these things occasionally happen. Maybe they can sort something out in the future.

 

The link to the Vari EZ was a supprise as I had not found any info about canard models in the UK. I guess I need to sharpen up my search engine skills. The shop that sells them is around 100 miles from me so next time I traveling that direction I'll look in and check it out.

 

The electric craze is becoming more and more popular over here. I guess the huge improvement in battery technology over the last few years has help improve flight times and performance.

 

I have never learned to fly anything yet but I do have three models in various stages of build. A friend has advised me it would be better to learn with a nice gentle glider and then move on from there. I have therefore just bought an EPP foam glider from the German maker Robbe, called a Ranger. I had my second lesson yesterday and thing are going great. Just about all of the UK is having a lousy summer which means I'm trying to learn in pretty stiff winds when I'd prefer something a little easier to start off with.

 

My other models are a Robbe Calibre, a 2mtr glider which I hope to have finished in about 4-6weeks. When that is complete I will be finishing of another long standing project which a Precident T240 a rather large 2.4mtr high wing plane much like a Piper Cub. Third in the line up is something I bought via an advert in a magazine from a plans company and the picture was about the size of a big postal stamp. When the plans arrived I immediatly dropped everything and eagerly pored over them and my heart sank. I was no where near good enough to build this model. It is called an Optica, full name the Edgely Optica. An unusual yet very attractive plane (well I think so) with a large helicopter type bubble canopy at the front and a large ducted fan unit immediatly behind it. You can see some picture of the model here:-

 

http://www.flyelectric.ukgateway.net/optica.htm

 

This version is electric with a larger span than mine and the builder has made extensive use of GRP. The plans I have sent me down the all Balsa/Ply route. It is around half complete and I'm struggling to to understand how to carve the canopy structure. Needless to say all these problems are at the bottom of the pile until I get all the other models finished and flying.

 

I will post pics as soon as I can.

 

Hi Rob

 

If you ever do decide to scale down your plans could you please let my know. I know time is tight with many people and I agree with you that your time would be better spent bulding the full size version. Maybe one day in the future you may be getting a little bored over the winter months and this little project might just fill your quiet time.

 

I've just got back from an Model Air Craft Rally at RAF Woodvale just north of Liverpool and what a great show. The best model by far was a B52, 26 foot span and 8 working jet (or gas turbine) engines. Some great demonstration and lots of large models lined up to look at. Unfortunately there were not so may trade stands, only about 30 and prices were no cheaper than normal magazine ads. Despite that it was a good day out and very, very hot.

 

Just briefly getting back to the electric craze, one of our club members said he had heard about a new type of battery that will be coming to the market. He thinks they were called Saf-Ion, have you any info on these new type of batteries?

 

That's all for now, take care everybody

 

Clive

[Strider]

Here is a 2 minute video (Quicktime, 32 MB) of a canard RC model that I designed in X-Plane, and built and flew back in 1998. It was the first test prototype of my own SuperTandem design:

 

http://www.vigilanceaero.com/SuperTandem1stFlight.mov

 

RC model plans sales are actually an active industry, huh? ... hmmmm ...

[Jon Matcho]

Neat, nice model. I think you need another underpowered electric version w/twin pushers to better simulate the real deal.

 

RC model plans sales are actually an active industry, huh? ... hmmmm ...

I think people want to pay much less than $50 for plans, but still prefer kits. Sound familiar? There are more RC builders than homebuilt/experimental builders, but in the big scheme of things I think it's still a highly competitive market.