The Pete'n Poke model as I built it.

The Pietenpol Air Camper plane flying

The Pete'n Poke is modeled loosely on the 1920s-era, Model "A" Ford engine-powered Pietenpol Air Camper homebuilt and the popular Great Planes Slow Poke.

The Pietenpol Air Camper is a two place, tandem seat, open cockpit plans-built monoplane. A Ford Model A 4 cylinder engine converted for flight powers the aircraft. This is a wood aircraft constructed from spruce and plywood. All fittings are fabricated from steel flat stock. The motor mount, landing gear and wing struts require welding. The Air Camper was intentionally designed to be simply constructed with a minimum of tools. The wings are covered with fabric and varnished. Bernard Pietenpol designed the plane so that the average person in the 1930’s could build and fly it from almost any off-airport field. Even after seven decades, there are still loyal followers of the Pietenpol designs, building and flying low and slow open cockpit aircraft and having a great time doing it.

Video of the real Pietenpol Starting here. And if you want to fly it, this is the link to click.

The Pietenpol Air camper is a very historical airplane, and you can read more about the planes and the Pietenpol family.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 59.5 in (1510 mm)
Wing Area: 809.2 in² (52.2 dm²)
Weight: 5.75 lb (2.6 kg)
Wing Loading:16.4 oz/ft² (50 g/dm²)
Length: 47 in (1195 mm)
Engine: 2-stroke .40-.46 cu in (6.5-7.5cc) or 4-stroke .40-.52 cu in (6.5-8.5cc)

The Pete 'n Poke kit will be the one I plan to fly the most. The plane offers smooth, slow flight with the potential to perform all basic aerobatics. Its versatility is matched by vintage aircraft looks - including easy-to-install cabane struts - for a distinctive "Sunday" model that's a treat to fly ANY day of the week.

A video of the flying model can been seen here too!

The Pete'n poke will be equipped with a OS FS 52 Surpass engine.

Click to see pictures and my review of this model.

The AkroTech Giles G-202 is a serious aerobatic aircraft, flown by top competition pilots worldwide. This two seat variant is based on the single seat G200 that was first produced in 1992.

Built of advanced carbon fibre materials, the fuselage contains no welded steel components at all, and this makes the aircraft relatively light. Even with a simple four cylinder Lycoming IO-360 engine, the top speed is 253 miles per hour, with a cruise of around 200.

One pilot has described the G202 as "reckless abandon capable: It's a plane that doesn't limit the pilot in anyway."

Lloyd Beaule, a former Canadian National Aerobatic Champion said of the Giles: "I had to look under the cowl and make sure there are were four cylinders under there! The performance of the airplane is absolutely amazing. The controls are so well harmonized, it leaves you speechless. This is a wonderful aerobatic airplane...

The Giles 202 is an acrobatic plane capable of almost everything.
This video shows the real plan in the hands of a skilled pilot. The plane is a quick pylon racer, whith very cool sound and looks. The plance looks and sound really excellent on low passes.

Some of the videoes above is of the Inverted Downunder airplane, and I like the color combination of it.

Specifications:

Wing Span: 72 in (1830 mm)
Wing Area: 960 sq in (6194 cm²)
Length: 60 in (1520 mm)
Weight: 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg)
Engine: 1.08 - 1.50 2 - stroke (17.7 cc - 24.6 cc 2 - cycle)
           1.20 - 1.80 4 - cycle (19.7 cc - 29.5 cc 4 - cycle)

The Giles 202 is an acrobatic plane, maybe not perfectly suitable for 3D flying. It is on the heavy side with its 5.7kg.

My plan was to fit a Supertigre G4500 which I already own to it. The engine is heavy, and the plane is already heavy so it seems to be a bad choice. I have been back and forth about using the 45cc Supertigre G4500 and have come to the conclusion that the 45cc will have to go in favour for a 24cc Supertigre G-2300 instead.

I like the rather HUGE 45cc on the shelf, but I have to admit, there will not be build any planes in this house where this beast of an engine would fit...

The plane performs excellent on a O.S 1.60 tho, And it looks nice in the air with a smoke system as well!

What colors to use on the plane? Since I like Scale Planes, I think it will be covered as the "Inverted Down Under" plane as linked to the left, and as shown in the image of the real plane to the bottom right.

Click to see pictures and my review of this model.

Micro Pitts model from the rear.

Curtis H. Pitts began the design of the Pitts Special in 1942 in Jacksonville, Florida. The first Pitts Special aircraft, powered by a 90 hp Franklin engine, flew in 1944. For the following 25 years, the Pitts Special was constructed as a homebuilt only. During this period, the design was continually refined to improve aerobatic performance. By 1962, the standard engine had been increased to 180 hp, and in 1966 a symmetrical airfoil was added to make inverted flight characteristics similar to normal upright flight characteristics.

In 1970, a manufacturing operation known as Pitts Aerobatics was started in Afton, Wyoming. The first Pitts Special S-2A was produced in Afton in 1971. During the 1970's, most Pitts Special versions were Type-Certified under the requirements of FAR Part 23 in the Acrobatic Category. Since then, the Pitts Special S-2B has received Type-Certification and has become the most popular version of the Pitts Special line in current production.

Specifications:

Weight: 23 gram
Wingspan: 300mm
Engine: Miniature Brushelss

This Micro Pitts was very tempting to build when i found Chris O'Rileys plan for the micro Pitts Balsa model.

I have however built the plane in Depron since it is a wee bit more crashsafe.

Click here to see the model in flight.

Click to see pictures and my review of this model.

BluBaby before first flight.

The BluBaby was developed for a specific reason; to provide a platform that anyone actually fly inside an armoury without bringing home a bag of parts after every flying session.

Enter the Blu-Baby. She is a 3-channel high wing monoplane of 33.5” span. She sports oversize tail surfaces for exceptional stability, moderate dihedral for tight turning and spiffy looks, a 4-40 undercambered airfoil wing with generous area for slow speed performance and pleasant stall characteristics and a simple taildragger gear with a rear landing skid.

The BluBaby was designed to be a slow trainer with indoor possibilities. It comes with plans in various sizes from 25inch to 68inch wingspan.

Specifications:

Weight: 116 gram + 16 gram battery
Wingspan: 25 in (625 mm)
Engine: 9 grams brushless with 10A ESC


The flying qualities of this mini model is good. Here is the same with floats flying on a sunny day.

Click to see pictures and my review of this model.

Extra 300 Depron model after getting a new body

As the worlds most successful certified sport, performance and unlimited category aerobatic aircraft, the Extra 300 series remains unrivaled in its class. Its proven performance in international aerobatic competition, combined with its docile handling and dependable stability, translate into a comfortable cross-country touring machine. For pure power, handling and performance, nothing matches the EA-300L. Its the two-seater that takes exhilaration to the extreme.
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See the Extra 300 live in flight here in this video.

Specifications:

Weight: 320 gram
Wingspan: 90 cm
Engine: Dualsky XM2826 (46 gram)

The size of the control surfaces makes this plane very agile. Yet it is actually resonably stable. I use it as a trainer, since it can be crashed a lot, but it can also do acrobatics with ease.

Click to see pictures and my review of this model.

Bristol M1 model flying

The Bristol M.1C monoplane was an ultra-modern design that was truly ahead of its time. Unfortunately, precisely because of its design, it was relegated to obscurity and it served only in small numbers in the Macedonian and Middle East theatres where its excellent performance remained relatively unnoticed. The prototype M.1A was completed in the summer of 1916 and quickly demonstrated that it was highly maneuverable and possessed first class handling characteristics. An impressive top speed of 132 mph, an excellent climb rate of in excess of 1,000 ft per min plus an operational ceiling of 20,000 ft coupled with overall excellent pilot visibility all should have ensured its rapid introduction in service on the Western Front. Instead, the "radical" monoplane design was saddled with an officially stated assessment that the landing speed of 49 mph was too high ensured that only 125 were produced for service in less vital theatres.

Several images of old Bristol M1 can be found online. The airplane was used by the english, canadian and french air force before 1920.

Specifications:

Weight: 6 to 6-3/4 lbs (2,94 kg)
Wingspan: 60 in (1506 mm)
Wing Area: 650 Sq. In. (41,9 dm²)
Engine: .40-.60 2-Stroke .46-.90 4-Stroke
Length: 44½ inch (111.7 mm)

The flying qualities of this WWI model are excellent. Slow, graceful flight and lazy aerobatics is where the Bristol is at it's best. The wing features a scale undercambered airfoil with ailerons. The round type fuselage is built using formers and stringers over a rectangular crutch which is simple to build, yet gives the illusion of complex scale construction.

This model looks good flying! Click the link and look at the video.

The Bristol model will probably be will be equipped with a OS FS 40 or a OS FS 52 Surpass engine.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 41.5 in (1041 mm)
Wing Area: 328 in² (21 dm²)
Weight: 2.37 lb (1,07 kg)
Length: 35 in (878 mm)
Engine: 2-stroke .10-.25 cu in

I have two plans for this model. One has a wingspan of 104 cm and one has a wingspan of 130 cm.

A great flying plane, Easy to fly, tracks straight and looks simply great in the air.

Here is a link to a video of a 1/4 scale Mr. Mulligan flying

My 130 cm wingspan version will sport a OS Max 46 2 stroke engine where the 104 cm wingspan version will have the OS MAX 10 2 stroke engine which have been hiding away in my RC stuff in 15 years! If I build both planes, or which one if not is yet to decide.

The Gee Bee Model Z Sportster from the side

Gee Bee Model Z Sportster plane from the side

Gee Bee Model Z Sportster RC Model built

SEPTEMBER 7, 1931. Eight racing aircraft, some of the fastest land planes in the world, were lined up for the start of the Thompson trophy race at Cleveland, Ohio. The field consisted of Lowell Bayles in a Gee Bee Model Z, Jimmy Doolittle in his Laird "Super Solution", Jim Wedell in a Wedell-Williams Special, Ben O. Howard in his Howard "Pete", Dale Jackson in a Laird "Solution", Bill Ong in a Laird Speedwing, Ira Eaker in a Lockheed Altair, and Bob Hall in a Gee Bee Model Y. The Thompson was a ten lap race of 100 miles and was the climax of the National air races.

As the starter's flag dropped, all conversation was lost in the roar of the eight powerful engines as the entries blasted toward the first pylon one mile away. Doolittle was the first pilot to make the turn but soon his "Super Solution" began trailing black smoke from a broken piston. Gamely he tried to hold his position. On the second lap, Bayles in his Gee Bee Z, "City of Springfield", took the lead. Dale Jackson had a narrow escape from tragedy as he brushed a tree, but he continued to race. Bayles continued to extend his lead. On the seventh lap. Doolittle was forced to retire. Bayles roared across the finish line at an average speed of 236.2 mph, culminating a week of triumphs for the Gee Bee team. Bob Hall finished fourth in the Model Y at a speed of 201 mph. The Gee Bees had nearly dominated the 1931 National air races and the Model Z had won every contest in which it was entered.

The film Rocketeer had an opening sequence where the Gee Bee Z was flying. Sorry for spanish dubbing on this clip, but the airplane is excellent nevertheless! This film clip shows you the scale of this little pylon racer and also the rather high speed needed for takeoff.

The similar look alike plane Gee Bee R1 in flight here.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 71,5 in (1794 mm)
Weight: 12 lbs (approx 5300 g)
Length: 47 in (1180 mm)
Engine: .91-1.08 cu in (15-18 cc) 2-str or a 1.20 cu in (20 cc) 4 str

The drawings of this very nice plane is in scale 1/4 made by Henry Haffke.

The model need a radial engine, both for sound and for looks. And the Saito 5 cylinder engine engine or a7 cylinder Robart R780 Radial might fit.

Or maybe it will be a 3W twin engine? The Gee Bee Z model need an engine which complement it with a proper sound I think.

RC model Gee Bee Model R1 in flight here. The R1 and R2 racers were very similar to the Z model in looks.

They say this plane is the most difficult to fly. And they might really be correct. I have tried to fly it in the RC simulator, but it really needs so high landing speed that there is a very definitive chance of total crash if flown. So it might be built, but never to be flown.

The Gee Bee Model E Sportster from the rear

Gee Bee Model E Sportster RC Model from the rear

Gee Bee Model E Sportster RC Model beeing built

Granville Brothers Aircraft was an aircraft manufacturer in operation from 1929 until their bankruptcy in 1934. They were located at the Springfield Airport in Springfield, Massachusetts. The Granville Brothers, Zantford, Thomas, Robert, Mark and Edward are best known for the production of the three Gee Bee Super Sportster air racers. The small, flashy Granville Brothers Aircraft E Sportster embodies the spirit of sport aviation in the early 1930's. Over a period of just four years, the five innovative Granville brothers of Springfield, Massachusetts, led by chief designer and oldest brother Zanford Granville, went from building simple biplanes to producing highly advanced race planes that set world landplane speed records.
The Gee Bee Sportster offered their pilots the thrills of a high-performance aircraft, without the high costs or dangerous flight characteristics of a specialized race aircraft. Advertised as having "no rivals in performance, maneuverability or beauty," the brothers marketed their Gee Bee Sportster's with a number of different engines for a cost of less than five thousand dollars.
Scott Crosby built the Museum's Gee Bee E Sportster replica. The construction process lasted eight years and two months. Crosby was able to obtain the same FAA registration number for his Gee Bee replica once assigned to the first Granville Brothers E Sportster.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 71.6 in (approx. 1800mm)
Fuselage Length: 47in. (approx. 1180mm)
Weight: 5334 gr
Motor Size: 0.90cu.in. - 1.10cu.in. 2-str / 1.20 - 1.60 4-str
RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons

The drawings of this very special model is in scale 1/4 made by Henry Haffke.

The model need a radial engine, both for sound and for looks. And the ASP FS400AR engine or a Saito FA-90R3 Radial might fit.

Or maybe it will be a OS FS 120 with a Müller spark ignition module? With this ignition module and a rimfire spark plug does make the sound better when run in high revs.

RC Gee Bee Model E Model in flight here.

The Westland Lysander from the side

P.Kriz Westland Lysander Plan

The British Westland Lysander was a slow-flying high-wing two seat monoplane, lightly armed, and designed pre-war to cooperate with ground forces. No.225 Squadron was reformed on the 11th October 1939 from No..614A Squadron. Its Lysanders were mainly used in Army excersises except for some coastal patrols conducted from June 1940. They were easy targets for German fighters and suffered heavy losses in France and Belgium. They were soon relegated to second line duties where the STOL capabilities of the aircraft was used to their full potential

The first Lysanders entered service in June 1938 equipping squadrons for "Army Co-operation" and were initially used for message-dropping and artillery spotting. When war broke out in Europe, the earlier Mk Is had been largely replaced by Mk IIs, the older machines heading for the Middle East. Four regular squadrons equipped with Lysanders accompanied the British Expeditionary Force to France. These were put into action as spotters and light bombers. In spite of occasional victories against German aircraft, they made very easy targets for the Luftwaffe unless escorted by Hurricanes. Almost half the Lysanders operating in and over France were lost and, with the fall of France, the type was quickly withdrawn from its army co-operation role. Back in England some went to work operating air-sea rescue for RAF pilots in the English Channel. Fourteen squadrons and flights were formed for this work during 1940/1941, dropping dinghies to downed pilots.

Video of the real Westland Lysander fly by here. The Westland Lysander can be looked at in detail here in this link.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 76in (approx. 1900mm)
Fuselage Length: 46in. (approx. 1160mm)
Weight: 2100gr
Motor Size: 0.60cu.in. - 0.90cu.in. 2-str / .91 - 1.20 4-str
RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons, Flaps

The drawings of this WW2 model was made by P. Kriz, and it is a large airplane in 1/8 scale.

The model need a radial engine, both for sound and for looks. But what about a 2cylinder V-Twin from Enya engine?

The plans for this model is really awesome. The plane is big and looks really excellent. The wing shapes and size of this plane indicates it is a plane which can fly at really low speeds. And maybe with flaps on it will even be able to land at scale speed?

The real Sopwith Camel from the side

Sopwith Camel Plan

Sopwith Camel RC model from the side

Intended as a replacement for the Sopwith Pup, the Camel prototype first flew in December 1916, powered by a 110 hp Clerget 9Z. Known as the "Big Pup" early on in its development, the aircraft was armed with two .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine guns mounted in the cowl, firing forward through the propeller disc. A fairing surrounding the gun installation created a hump that led to the name Camel. The top wing was flat - but the bottom wing had dihedral, so that the gap between the wings was less at the tips than at the roots.

The type entered squadron service in June 1917 with No. 4 Squadron of the Royal Naval Air Service, near Dunkirk. The following month, it became operational with No. 70 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. By February 1918, 13 squadrons were fully equipped with the Camel. Approximately 5,500 were ultimately produced.

Video of the real Sopwith Take off here. Sopwith Camel fly by with a Fokker here in this link. The Engine of the Sopwith Camels are running on full throttle all the time, and speed is controlled by the ignition magneto. This is very audible in both videoes.

This is very much audible in this video where you get the speed control and the engine explained, with some very very cool clips and flying scenes. (A must see!!)

Specifications:

Wingspan: 56.5 in (approx. 1410mm)
Fuselage Length: 40in. (approx. 1000mm)
Weight: 3200gr
Motor Size: 0.50cu.in. - 0.70cu.in. 2-str / .71 - .90 4-str
RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons

Here is a Sopwith Camel in 1/6 scale flying.

The model is rather small, and perhaps a small 4 stroke engine like the Saito FA 30S or the Saito FA 45S will fit best. Scale planes flies the best with 4 stroke engines I think.

This is one of the most interresting planes I have plans for. The original plane is so well known and also a very special plane with some really interresting technical solutions and details.

The real Fokker D VIII from the side

Fokker D VIII RC model

During the closing weeks of the first World War there appeared over the front lines a nimble little monoplane that is generally credited as being the finest fighter of its day. This was the famous Fokker D-8 of the German Imperial Air Force. Powered by a rotary Oberursel engine of 110 horsepower, the D-8 had a speed of 115 m.p.h. It climbed at a rate of 1,500 ft per min. and could ascend over four miles. In the ability to maneuver and dive it was unexcelled. So superior was the performance of this ship that it would have been a tremendous blow to tile Allied air forces had any, great number been completed before the war's end.

The Fokker E.V was a parasol-monoplane fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz and built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. It entered service with the Luftstreitkräfte in the last months of the First World War. Dubbed the Flying Razor by Allied pilots, it had the distinction of scoring the last aerial victory of the war. After several fatal accidents due to wing failures, the aircraft was modified and redesignated Fokker D.VIII.

In early 1918, Fokker produced several rotary-powered monoplane designs. Of these, Fokker submitted the V.26 and V.28, small parasol-winged monoplanes with his usual steel-tube fuselages, for the second fighter trials at Adlershof in May/June 1918. The V.28 was tested with both the 145 hp Oberursel UR.III and 160 hp Goebel Goe.III, though neither of these engines were ready for operational service. The V.26 utilized the standard Oberursel UR.II engine, producing only 110 hp. While this engine was obsolete, the V.26's low drag and light weight meant the V.26 was nevertheless quite fast. The Fokker designs were only barely beaten by the Siemens-Schuckert D.III with the complex contra-rotary Siemens-Halske Sh.III engine.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 57 in (approx. 1430mm)
Fuselage Length: 40in. (approx. 1000mm)
Weight: 1800gr
Motor Size: 0.40cu.in. - 0.60cu.in. 2-str / .40 - .70 4-str
RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons

The model is in 1/6 scale and will probably fly the best with a small sized 4 stroke engine, maybe a O.S 26 FS or the old O.S FS 40 which I have.

The Fokker DVIII is to be built from free flight plans from 1941. I am thinking about alterer this set of free flight plans into RC control. These plans can be downloaded from these two pages: page1 and page2. if you think about doing the same yourself.

Also visit this link where this model is built and explained by Ed Hamler if you think about looking into these drawings.

Here is a clip, showing a similar size Fokker DVIII on its maiden flight. Or this clip with a slightly bigger model.

The real Culver Cadet from 1941 sideview

The full size Cadet with remote control ordered by the US army

Culver Cadet as a RC Model

The Culver Cadet was the brainstorm of Al Mooney. Walter Beech was the Culver plant manager during it's inception,this explains why the Culver Cadet was one of the fastest airplanes in its catagory, the two-place Cadet was a favorite amoung sportsman pilots who demand extra speed and performance.

In August 1940, the U.S. Army Air Corps issued a requirement for a small radio-controlled aircraft for use as a target for anti-aircraft gunnery practice. Culver submitted a drone variant of their Cadet LFA sports plane, which was subsequently ordered by the USAAC in two versions, the A-8 powered by a Franklin O-200 piston engine, and the A-8A with a more powerful Lycoming O-290. In June 1941, the A-for-Aerial Target category was dropped because of possible confusion with the A-for-Attack series. The A-8 and A-8A became the PQ-8 and PQ-8A, respectively, and the prototype of the Cadet target was designated as XPQ-8. The PQ category designated targets with a provision for manned flight, and because PQ-8 was the first allocation in the series, numbers PQ-1 through -7 remained unassigned.

Read more about the Culver Cadet on this magnificent webpage.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 58 in (approx. 1450mm)
Fuselage Length: 38 7/8in. (approx. 948mm)
Weight: approx 2000gr
Motor Size: 0.40cu.in. - 0.60cu.in. 2-str / .40 - .70 4-str
RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons

The model is in 1/6 scale and will probably fly the best with a medium sized 4 stroke engine, maybe a O.S FS 40 or similar.

The plans for this plane is traditional and is based on balsa and plywood, drawings is by Frank Capan. The fuselage is simple and boxy but the elliptical wing is really sleek and pretty which makes for an interesting contrast.

The Cadet was used by the US army as a RC plane in scale 1:1 as target practice. So this might be the ultimate remote controlled model!

The real F4u Corsair in flight.

F4u Corsair in Marine Colors.

Corsair as a RC Model in US Army Colors.

The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was an American fighter aircraft that saw service in World War II and the Korean War (and in isolated local conflicts). Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and Brewster-built aircraft F3A. The Corsair served in some air forces until the 1960s, following the longest production run of any piston-engined fighter in history (1940 - 1953). During World War II, it was the fighter the Japanese feared the most. The US Navy counted the average kill-rate as for every F4U shot down, 11 enemy aircraft were shot down. It had a turbocharged engine, which made a whistling sound when it was in the air. The Japanese nicknamed it "Whistling Death".

The Corsair started life as the result of a U.S. Navy requirement for a carrier aircraft which could match the performance of the best land and carrier-based fighter planes. Designed in 1938 by Rex Biesel, the first prototype Corsair designated XF4U-1 first flew on 29 May 1940. When flown in 1940, the XF4U-1, powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine, became the first U.S. single-engine production aircraft capable of 400 mph (640 km/h) in level flight. It was a remarkable achievement for Vought, as compared to land-based counterparts, carrier aircraft are "overbuilt" and heavier to withstand the extreme stress of deck landings.

F4u Corsair start up video, and a video of a Corsair Fly By.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 56 in (approx. 1400 mm)
Fuselage Length: 47in. (approx. 1170 mm)
Weight: approx 2000gr
Motor Size: 0.35 / 0.46 two stroke or 0.48 / 0.70 four stroke
RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons, Flaps

The model is in 1/8 sport scale and for sound, a 4 stroke engine will suit the best in my opinion.

The plans for this plane is traditional and is based on balsa and plywood, drawings is by Michell Faizandier.

RC F4u Corsair flying, But why go RC? Make a 1/2 Scale F4u Corsair and fly it yourself!

Ryan FR-1 Fireball awaiting restoration.

A Ryan Fr-1 taking off from USS Ranger.

Ryan FR-1 Firebird in Navy Colors.

The FR-1 "Fireball" was designed in early 1943 for the US Navy, from a proposal by Admiral J McCain for a composite powered fighter in December 1942. At the time this was seen as the way ahead for the US Navy as early the jet engines had sluggish acceleration which required a long take off run, which was fine on dry land, but understandably gave rise to some concern when using aircraft from carriers. On the 1/2/1943 The Ryan Aeronautical Company was awarded a contract for three prototypes and one static airframe for testing. The first aircraft was ready for it's maiden flight on the 25/6/1944, however it was only powered by it's piston engine for the first two flights with the General Electric I -16 turbojet engine being fitted a few days later.

The XFR-1 had excellent performance from it's first flight, with few serious problems being encountered at first. But a shadow fell over the aircraft when on the 13/10/1944 the first prototype disintegrated in midair, when in it's final phase of testing. The problem was traced to the wing rivets, this was over come by doubling the amount of rivets. But the other two prototypes also crashed in testing before they could be modified.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 60 in (approx. 1500 mm)
Fuselage Length: 48in. (approx. 1210 mm)
Weight: approx 3300gr
Motor Size: 0.35 / 0.46 two stroke
      or 0.48 / 0.70 four stroke + electrical ducted fan
RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons

The model is in 1/8 scale, and the plans for this plane is traditional and is based on balsa and plywood, drawings is by W. A. Octzell.

The most interresting feature of the Ryan FR-1 is that it has double engines. One radial engine up front and a J-31 jet engine in the back. I guess having a glow engine in the front, and an electrical ducted fan set up in the rear would provide quite a few excellent fly by's with apparent dead stick when engine up front is turned off!

The original DH88 Comet "Grosvenor House".

The DH88 Comet as a model.

In 1934 Sir MacPherson Robertson offered a prize of £10,000 for the winner of an air race from England to Australia to mark the centenary of the foundation of the State of Victoria. Most entrants for the race were in existing aircraft designs, however de Havillands wanted to win the race and so designed an aircraft for this purpose, work starting in February. The DH88 was designed, built and flown in a total time of nine months to enter and win the MacRobertson Air Race in October of 1934. Three orders for DH88s were received: G-ACSR was painted green and raced by Owen Cathcart-Jones and Ken Waller on behalf of Bernard Rubin; G-ACSP was painted black and gold and was named 'Black Magic', it was owned and raced by Jim and Amy Mollinson; the third Comet to be entered was G-ACSS painted scarlet and named 'Grosvenor House' it was entered by the hotel's managing director A. Edwards. For the race the pilots of G-ACSS were C.W.A. Scott and Tom Campbell-Black. In the race G-ACSS arrived first in Australia and qualified for both prizes, one for fastest speed and one for the handicap race; however the race rules prevented both prizes being awarded to the same aircraft and so G-ACSS only received the main speed prize. Of the other Comets G-ACSR finished fourth and left for England as soon as it arrived carrying news-reels of the event. On its return it had set a new out-and-back record arriving back at Mildenhall thirteen and a half days after it left at the start of the race. G-ACSP retired from the race with engine trouble.

The DH Comet G-ACSS Grosvenor House survives, it is in the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden in Bedfordshire, England. It is talk of it flying again.

Original footage from 1934 from the race, a must see. Listen to the sound of the engines in this Comet take off!

Specifications:

Wingspan: 93 in (approx. 2330 mm)
Fuselage Length: 47.5 in. (approx. 1190 mm)
Weight: approx 6800gr
Motor Size: Two engines: 0.46 / 0.70 two stroke
                  or two 0.60 / 0.90 four stroke
                  Electrical set up also possible

RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons, Flaps

The model is in 18% scale, and the plans for this plane is traditional and is based on balsa and plywood, drawings is by Joe Coletti.

The DH88 is known to be a handful to fly. So also with the model apparently. Here is a link from a maiden flight with a electrical setup Comet. A similar plane can be seen here. But equipped with double glow engines is my favourite.

This model is large enough to sport goodies like retractable wheels. And the engine pods are more than big enough to hide both wheels and have hatches. In the nose of the Comet, orginally there was a landing light. If or when I build this model, this light will ofcourse have light inside. This airplane makes a hansome and very special looking model. And the history behind the plane is very interresting. Iin the mid 30, flight speed records made a frenzy all over the world. Everyone was talking about flight innovations and speed records. And this airplane was specially made in order to take one special speed record, which it achieved.

About engines, maybe a double set of O.S AX 46 or two O.S 46 LA will do.

A Norwegian De Havilland DH 100 Vampire in flight

The Vampire har parked

The De Havilland DH 100 as a model.

The Vampire began as an experimental aircraft, unlike the Gloster Meteor which was always specified for production. Under specification E.6/41, design work on the DH-100 began at the de Havilland works at Hatfield in mid-1942, two years after the Meteor.

Originally named the "Spider Crab," the aircraft was entirely a de Havilland project, exploiting the company's extensive experience in using moulded plywood for aircraft construction, as used in the Mosquito bomber. It was the last time composite wood and metal construction was used in high performance military aircraft. It had conventional straight mid-wings and a single jet engine placed in an egg-shaped, aluminium-surfaced fuselage exhausting in a straight line. To reduce the losses caused by a long jetpipe the designers used the distinctive tail with twin booms, similar to that of the Lockheed P-38.

Geoffrey de Havilland Jr, the de Havilland chief test pilot and son of the company's president, test flew prototype LZ548/G on its maiden flight 20 September 1943 from Hatfield. The flight took place only six months following the Meteor's maiden flight. The first Vampire flight had been delayed due to the need to send the sole remaining flight engine to Lockheed to replace one destroyed in ground engine runs in the prototype XP-80. The production Vampire Mk I did not fly until April 1945 with most built by English Electric Aircraft due to the pressures on de Havilland's production facilities, busy with other types. Although eagerly taken into service by the RAF, it was still being developed at war's end, consequently the Vampire never saw combat in the Second World War. A total of 3,269 Vampires were built in the UK, and about 1,100 in other countries although there is some uncertainty about the numbers built in Italy. There were 15 versions, e.g. a twin seated night fighter, trainer and carrier-based aircraft.

It was used by some 31 air forces. Of the major Western powers, Germany, Spain and the US were the only ones not to use the aircraft type.

Here is a link to a Norwegian Vampire doing low passes and acrobatics at an Air Show in Ski 1992. The Vampire had very poor acceleration and this is visible in this film where the take off length is rather long.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 38 in (approx. 966 mm)
Fuselage Length: 30 in. (approx. 750 mm)
Weight: approx 1100gr
Motor Size: Electrical ducted fan

RC- Functions: Rudder, Throttle, Elevators, Ailerons

The model is in 1/12 scale, and the plans for this plane is traditional and is based on balsa and plywood, drawings is by Howard Boyd.

The DH100 was in it's days rather underpowered. The model will not be with a ducted fan setup. Here is a link to a similar airplane, taking off from a RC field. The De Havilland DH 100 and DH115 (two seater) is very nice models with a rather different looks than most planes. Here is a video of Radio Controlled airplanes, including a Vampire ending a local airshow.

The Vampire I will make will be a very scale model from the norwegian plane in the top pictures of this plane.

The Vampire it unusual in design, and when the first mass produced aircraft flew in 1946, this plane was considered very modern and state of the art.

The photos of the Norwegian Vampire LN-DHZ / PX-M is taken by Tom A. Paulsen. The pictures are of an extreme quality and very well made. I have cropped the images to fit the design on my page.