I shouldn't be building anymore planes.
With so many models flyable (or only requiring slight repairs/replacement and giving the Fokker Triplane to a new home), I shouldn't be building.
Would I be flying more often if I have a model that I like to fly repeatedly? And so much so that I shall not buy, build or fly another model?
This model shall:
- Use existing motors, esc, propellers, prop savers/adapters, servos and receiver which I have a lot of.
- Be interesting either in looks or flyability or difference.
- Be durable (crashable).
- Be quick (and simple) to build, finish and install.
Blackburn Monoplane: 1912 flyer with rounded top triangular bottom fuselage. This may be the ideal tissue cover balsa sticks with papier mache/ plastic moulding top and built up wings and tails? I think wing warping is too complicated and ailerons so far off, so it would be a rudder elevator throttle model. The wing planform might have to be simplified, then again, maybe not as it is distinct. Ought to be ideal for low wind condition (hardly any here). The attraction is to fly slow and low, and that means to build light because low mass promotes survivability.
Caproni Stipa: Novel ducted fan from the 1930's. Rolled up foam board with removable top. Internal ply structure for motor, esc, battery, 2 servos and landing gear. How will it fly? Colourful and full of character. Not so good chance to survive crashes.
Comper Swift: Lightplane from the 1930's. Popular with British modellers, especially for rubber free-flight and is known to be a good beginner flyer. The real plane's wing has no dihedral, so it is simple to construct although if following Veron's 18", the fuselage looks like a lot of strip wood, could be simplified to use 1/16" balsa sheet, but the struts is mandatory as the wing seat is narrow. Can add details like the Pobjoy engine or that depicted in Veron's 18". Colourful and full of character. Good chance of surviving crashes.
Flying Flea: This would be my second attempt. I can salvage the wings and maybe the tail from the first Flying Flea. Maybe a simple flat profile fuselage from 1" blue foam with cutouts for my equipment, but must have rigging wires. Can I make it fly (variable incidence wing design)? Good chance of surviving crashes.
Rockwell OV10A Bronco: I've not have a twin before. Can be made durable because the layout is simple and the wing has no dihedral (not only is it easier to construct the wing, the booms are easier too). The bulbous canopy would be an interesting challenge. Can be built simply with either foam or balsa and it has simple colour scheme and sufficient equipment space. Good chance of surviving crashes except for the high tail.
The Wittman DFA aka Little Bonzo is a homebuilt racing aircraft designed to compete in midget racing in the 1950's. Rectangular shoulder wing and no dihedral, flat sided fuselage and windscreen, so it is simple to construct. All yellow except for blue spinner and landing gear. The full size spans 15'4", so if the model spans 25.x", it is ca 1/7 scale, can add details in the cockpit! Flying should also be good with the low aspect ratio wing. Good chance of surviving crashes.
Sopwith Pup: Beautiful British biplane but too much work and least chance of surviving crashes.
Savoia S13: Schneider Trophy Racer, rise off grass? More struts than the Sopwith Pub. Least chance to survive crashes especially the motor which is mounted below top wing which would rip off the entire top wing.
