I liked the way the vagabond looked and flew, so i built another one - scaled up 50% to 112" span.

It is covered in doped chiffon over a mylar type film just like my 75" version, only I wanted a red one. The cerise red looked nice on the web so I sent for that. Its not so much red as pink but on the model it looks good and when the sun shines thru the frame on low flypast, you can really appreciate it.

It came out heavier than planned - used old balsa stock which was heavy - and CG came out about 50% with either 2 of 3000 3 cell or a 5000 4 cell lipos. The 3 cell gives about 500W while the 4 cell takes the emax 2826.06 motor up to 700W on a 14 x 6 zinger prop. I fly it on about 400W.

Some photos below with details of the model in the build log here

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...s-design/page3

Photos include one showing breakdown of the wings for transport. 1/4" carbon rods used as joiners, the central ones going thru the fuselage so no rubber bands on show except for thin ones holding on tailplane.

The maiden flight was on a windy morning but I needed a proving flight before going to a flyin. Mick Butler took the video, seen here.

Johns Vagabond SNR Maiden (7 min 26 sec)

Enjoy - PS, its still got a bit of a dutch roll despite increasing the fin area 10%

My model for the TBD build is Bill Winter's 75" span Vagabond. Build is based on both his original 1949 plan and his revisit to the plan for RC in 1981.

Some photos attached below with details of the model in the build log here

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...s-design/page3


the maiden flight on youtube is here

Johns Vagabond (6 min 52 sec)

I have started a build log of the Cloud Cruiser. Original span is 72" but I have scaled it up 25% to 90" for an old ( but hardly run ) Laser 60 four stroke. It wont be overpowered but it will fly with style

Build log here
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=2259039

Some details and photos of my latest build, Ben Shereshaw’s 1937 design, the Cumulus.

Covered in polyspan - any colour as long as its white - with red modelling tissue for trim. Two coats of 50/50 nitrate dope/thinners

Essentials stats are - Span 96” and a finished weight of 4 lbs 12 ozs giving a wing loading of 10 ozs/sq ft

Power is an Emax brushless motor BL2820/07 which gives about 500W on the 3300 3S Lipo battery.

Build thread here

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...2018738&page=3

Maiden flight video here - Mick Butler's Cumulus also features. Mick's videos of vintage models are well worth watching.

Maiden Flight Of Johns Cumulus (7 min 0 sec)

Some static photos showing the Cumulus and its colour scheme off nicely. I appear in one to lend scale to the size of the model. Mick's Cumulus also features. The flying photos are stills from Mick's video

Some details and photos of my Eaglet and references to video and short build blog


essentials --

Span 48" ( X2 original KK rubber model )

Covered in doped polyspan ( only white availabel ) with blue modelling tissue for trim.

weight 20 ozs - approx 9 oz/sq ft

motor KEDA Thrumrun 2826/22 1450 Kv rated at 95/240 watts on 2/3 lipos

Lipo 2 cell 1300Ma

both motor and battery excessive but the weight needed for CG which was bang on at 30%.

Build thread here
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1384841

Middle Wallop video shows short clip of eaglet flying at about 1 minute into video

thats me having a sandwich break with the eaglet, my Majestic Major and the Southerner 60 scaled to 72" span

Vintage Model Flying (7 min 46 sec)

Vic Smeed's Debutante scaled up from 40" to 60" span for electric motor and RC - motor, rudder and elevator.

Covered in doped tissue over mylar - all up weight incl 2S 1300 Lipo battery is 2 lbs giving a wing loading of 9 oz/sq ft. Motor is 200Watt on 3S and 100 Watt on 2S lipo. On the 2S lipo, cruise about on 50 Watts Prop is 10 x 6 electric. I use a 3S lipo for more power in windy conditions.

NB Use Low shrink or no shrinking dope.

Build thread can be seen here https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1793504

Maiden flight can be seen here

Maiden flight of Debutante (3 min 9 sec)

Another of Mick's videos with the Debutante included.
shown here

Vintage model aeroplanes. (6 min 34 sec)

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Restored Seabee seen at Oshkosh

Southerner 60 scaled to 72" span

I thought I would post a few photos of my new Southerner 72" span. Based on Vintage1's plan with reference to the Ben Buckle plan also.

To get the CG right I extended the nose 2" - I think the original had a longer nose ?? - and also put in a slightly more powerful motor than necessary.

Photos show the uncovered frame, then covered and finally a flying shot. The framework shot shows a 12" rule for size comparison

It flies nicely, but needs a lot of elevator in the turn to keep the nose up. It flies better in lighter winds with a hint of thermals to save on battery power.

I was going to go for the polyhedral wing but I made a reasonable job of steaming the curved L/Edge and T/Edges, that I couldn't bear to cut the wings in half. I think the resulting unbroken curve of the wings looks better in the air.

Essential statistics are -

Span 72" , weight 3.5 lbs, wing loading approx 12 oz/sq ft

motor - Emax BL 2820/07 - approx 400 watt motor - power to spare but the CG is right with the 2250 3S lipo loaded in thru the nose. I used Vintage1's battery hatch as access to servos and Rx.

Covered with doped polyester dress lining and tissue trim. The dress lining had a sheen finish which helped to keep the yellow strong with just enough transparency to show the framework

video of Southerner here

Southerner (3 min 21 sec)

The 88" span Majestic Major showing off its red antique solartex covering to great effect.
Overpowered by the OS Surpass 70, it purrs along at idle. Very relaxed flying in light winds, but will handle windier conditions.
Weight just over 8 lbs

Utube video of the Majorwith relxing music can be seen here

Johns Majestic Major, vintage model aeroplane (2 min 33 sec)

Deweyville Special built from an American Orline kit. 74" span with an Irvine 61 upfont.

My version of Vic Smeed's 38" free flight Mamselle scaled to 108" with a 90 4 stroke up front. 18" chord and weight 10.5 lbs dry
Ignore the wire bacing on the wings which shows in one of the photos. I dont put them on now since to date the model loops without the bracing and the steel rod joiners are OK for the stress.

Original 38" span shown with an Albon Dart 0.5cc diesel - still flying freeflight after 35 years. Also shown with my 2 and 3 times scaled up versions. All still flying after many many moons

video of an early flight back about 1990 here

Johns Mamselle (9 min 15 sec)

Video of the recovered Mamselle in 2012 here

Mamselle (5 min 26 sec)

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