Fall S.M.A.L.L projects

I don’t know if I will be able to attend Fall S.M.A.L.L., but in the hopes that I will be able to, I am going to start on three, possibly four projects.  They’ll all be RC, as I have too many control line planes as it is.  

Last year at a swap meet, I got a deal on two sets of Ace foam wings and a Simple Cub kit.  One wingset was the non-tapered wings, and the other wingset was the pre-cut/pre-beveled wingset for the Ace Whizard.  Back when the RCM articles first came out in the mid 80’s for the Simple Cub (OZ Plan) and the Simple Citabria (OZ Plan), I ordered the Ace wings and built one of each.  They were really fun to fly and were always a big hit at the field when I brought them out.  I eventually gave them both away when I moved.

At the just past S.M.AL.L. there was a guy with a Simple Cub.  I assume he will bring it again, so I don’t want to build one and be a copycat.  Other people should copy me….  So I’ll build the Simple Citabria.  I liked it better of the two anyway.  As an aside, I looked at the American Champion Aircraft website today to see if there were any new paint schemes, but they are all the same old ones.  But, I decided to look at the price of a base model Citabria like I used to own 30 years ago.  The base model with no options is currently selling for $279,000!!!!!  I have plans for an equivalent homebuilt, and even with a new engine it wouldn’t cost me more than $40,000-$50,000 to build.  Of course, I’d opt for a used, rebuilt engine and used instruments.

I was never a big Whizard fan (OZ Plan), and never really considered building one, but since the wing panels are precut and shaped for the Whizard, I might as well build one.  Should make for a nice, relaxing flyer that doesn’t take too long to build.

The third plane will be a conversion.  At a swap meet somewhere I got an electric Super Sportster (Kit) that was in pretty good shape.  I think I bought it for $30 or so.  I think I’ll convert it to a slimer.  At 48”, it’s the same wingspan as the glow Super Sportster 20, but only 383 sq.in. versus the plans article quoted 400 sq.in. area.  I don’t know if I have any RC carbs for the OS LA-S .25 engines I have, but I’m sure I’ll be able to dig something up before October.

The fourth project depends on whether Willy Nillies does another wing contest.

I’ll keep this thread updated as I go along. Besides, I learned that my RC flying skills are pretty rusty and I need to re-trim the RC planes that I brought this time around.

The Anticipatory Mark