Help me find this "UFO" design

[Red]

Hi Guys

I'm looking for a plane I saw in Flying Models I think some years back. It looks like a 1930's sci-fi space ship blimp without wings and curved tail surfaces. It looked to be 3 channel with a lifting body.

Sorry I don't have more details. Does this ring a bell with anyone?

Thanks
~Red

[Sparky Paul]

Roy L Clough Jr. did the first one a long time ago in "American Modeler".
It may have been a free-flight way back when.

[AndyKunz]

Red,

I'm in the process of building one called "Flying Saucer" from a 1950's-era Air Trails. I'll try to get you some pictures tonight.

The original design was 13" span, 20" long. It had a "vent" near the center for stabilization, flew on an 020 free flight. This is a Roy Clough design. I would consider it a flying wing.

My father built one at 200% but it crashed with an engine failure. We did an .049 version at 100% that we flew for ages. The one I'm building now is 150% for brushless Speed 400 power.

There was another that was shaped more like a blimp, with windows and all. A true lifting body - they went into explanation of how it worked in the article.

I have that issue, so I'll try to dig it out as well.

Andy

[Red]

Thanks Sparky, I believe that is the one I'm thinking of. Any idea where I can find more info? Pics?

Thanks
Red

[Red]

Hi Andy

Sounds cool, I would love to see pics, but I don't think that is what I'm wanting. The one I'm thinking of is not a saucer. It has a fat faceted teardrop sort of fuselage with a semi conventional tail, and vanes (?) along each edge of the facet lengthwise.

Thanks
~Red

[Sparky Paul]

The original name was "Martian Space Ship".. I've seen other versions of it over the years..
Don't recall the publications, but "Flying Models" might have it in their plans archive.
Clough was one of the most innovative minds in model aviation..
Here's his biography, and list of publications..
http://www.modelaircraft.org/museum/bio/Clough.pdf
The first publication was in April '54, "AirTrails"

[Red]

Thanks for the lead Sparky.

~Red

[AndyKunz]

Sparky's right.

I have the plans. It's an early 1950's one, and is the second one I described (or tried to).

Just have to dig them out.

Pictures of my current project are below. They are 1.5M each for the big version (click link).

http://www.montanadesign.com/transient/DSCF0759.JPG
http://www.montanadesign.com/transient/DSCF0760.JPG

Andy

http://www.montanadesign.com/transient/thumb_759.jpg

http://www.montanadesign.com/transient/thumb_760.jpg

[AndyKunz]

OK, I got the article out. April '54 as Sparky said. It's only a 2-page article and the plans are tiny, but certainly workable.

Here are thumbs of it.

http://www.montanadesign.com/transient/thumb_at5404p28.jpg
http://www.montanadesign.com/transient/thumb_at5404p29.jpg

Andy

[Sparky Paul]

Ah, yes, one of those nifty Zaic drawings..
I saw a Clough saucer for control-line a few years ago.

[Red]

Andy yes that is the one! How about I make you a deal you can't refuse. I have a laser cutter......PM me for the rest.

Thanks
~Red

P.s. Cool looking saucer!

[AndyKunz]

Ah, yes, one of those nifty Zaic drawings..
I saw a Clough saucer for control-line a few years ago.

The very next issue had a 1/2A version of the "Sassy Saucer" which I think was .19 powered. Didn't check. It's just a flat plate with an elevator and fuselage with engine up front. Super simple.

There was another design which was based on a paper plate.

I don't think either would RC too well.

Area 51 before they locked the doors ;)

Andy

[Red]

Think there would be any interest in a kit? I can do it!

~Red

[BMatthews]

Red, there was a faithful double size copy a few years back designed and made for a 25 and 3 channel RC just as you saw. It was by Skip Ruff and I believe the plans came out in RCM or Flying Models..... or it may have been Model Aviation.... or maybe Model Airplane News..... have I missed any?.... :D Sorry but I believe it was one of the first two.

The original is for an 020 or something similar and I doubt if the minimal lift from the lifting body and side strakes will stand for much weight. Skip Ruff's larger one was something like 18 inches in diameter or therabouts.

[Red]

Hi Bruce

I think I saw the one you were thinking of. I was defiately going to scale it up some. Something for brushless power out of foam first then a traditional built up kit.

Thanks again for all of your guy's help.

~Red

[BMatthews]

If you go electric and foam watch the weight. Foam ain't that light if you use a LOT of it. Best of luck with this unusual direction.

[Bob Hartford]

The "UFO" appeared in "Air Trails" (a logn defujnct publication) in about 1950 and was designed to be powered by a K&B .020 "Infant". The aspect ratio of the entire planform is 2/3, but in reality the aspect is 1.0 as there is a slot 2/3 of the way back from the leading edge with the result the the forward part is a reflex airfoil and the rear part functions as a horizontal stabilizer. As viewed from the side the total airfoil is symmetrical and is 12%-15% thick. There is vertical fin with an adjustable rudder tab.

I built one my freshman year in high school in 1950 or 1951 and it flew quite well. I built another with a Tee Dee .049 around 1970. On its fourth flight it cought a thermal and has never been seen again.

I've still got copies of the "Air Trails" article, but they're packed up in anticipation of a move.

Cheers,

Bob

[AndyKunz]

Bob,

Is that like the one in my photographs above? That sounds like the description of what I have.

I forget which issue it's from, fortunately I scanned at hi-res the plans. Hopefully it rains all weekend so I can finish it up to test fly on Monday.

It certainly is a quick build! If it flies well I would like to redraw the plans in CAD and make another one laser cut and lighter.

Andy

[Bob Hartford]

I just found the article and it wasn't packed up after all.

The "UFO" was described, with plans, in an article by Roy L. Clough, Jr. in the August 1952 issue of the now defunct "Air Trails". It was designed to be powered by a K&B .020 "Infant" (the first, I believe, 1/2A engine). I built one in '52 or '53 and it flew quite well. I built another around 1970 and powered it with a Tee Dee .049. It flew too well and went OOS on a thermal on the fourth flight.

I have the plans and article and am willing to copy them, but I'm unsure of copyright laws. Does anyone have any ideas on that?


Andy: It looks like you've got the right model!


Cheers,

Bob

[rhokita]

I have a poor copy of a construction article for an rc OS25 version of Clough's 1954 Spaceship . It was in Model Builder 1991 August. Only have part 1 of 2. Perhaps there is an archive for the full size plans? Bob

[BMatthews]

Bill Northrop, the old owner and editor, is still selling all the full sized plans AFAIK. Not sure about the address and I know he does not have a web site but if you google for "northrop model builder plans" I'm sure it'll turn up.

Model Builder was certainly the Golden Age of magazines for my lifetime. It's a shame they folded.

[AndyKunz]

Bill Northrop advertises in FM. As I recall, he's in Henderson, NV.

Andy

[Red]

Hi All

Many thanks to Andy for sending me CD's containing hi-res scans of the above article. This is why I like E-zone so much, lots of helpful people.

Andy asked for nothing in return, but I sent him a little PP surprise.

Thanks again Andy

~Red

[AndyKunz]

Surprises are always nice!

I hope you can open those files. If not, I can change the format.

Thank you!

Andy