I’ve been thinking about doing some Musciano hollow log models, or at least ordering a couple before you can’t get them anymore from Blackhawk Models.  I finally got around to ordering three models, but before I decided on which ones I wanted, I was thinking about the American Boy design that I had looked at a while ago.  It seemed pretty easy to scratch build, so I went for it.  Like I didn’t already have enough models waiting for their test flights. But, what the hell, it’s been raining here.

I got the plans from Outerzone here:
http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=4046

They’re simple and straight forward, as it’s just a profile plane.  The plans call for a fuselage made from 3/16” balsa sheet, but all I had on hand is ¼”, so that’s what I used.  Also, for some reason, the fin to fuselage joint is overly complicated.  Seems like it should just be a simple slot in the rear of the fuse, so that’s what I did.  I also saved some time and effort by using a Brodak 1/2A engine mount.  If I did another one of these, I’d probably just go ahead and use the plans version of a firewall and save the 4 dollars.  The wing is just an 18” section of SIG 3” airfoil shaped balsa.  


Bare bones:





And finished up:








Total weight is 5.3 ounces.  Minus engine, total cost was about ten dollars.  When I get a chance, I will test run and tune the engine, then do a test flight of the plane.

The American Mark

Awesome job there.  Looks great, and I am sure it will fly equally well.  One day I hope that something of mine could come out like that.

How capable are those? 

How forgiving as a trainer? 

I have some nephews who are going to need something better than coroplast soon, and that looks good.

Phil

The one that you built is the late model, the early American Boy had a shorter fuselage.  The early one had a 1/4" thick fuselage.  We kit the early model and an improved version called "Army Scout".  Your model looks very nice, well done.

Larry
Black Hawk Models

Nice American Boy. My first flying model was one in the early fifties. I still have one with the same engine, a Spitzy .045(not the same plane). I've also built a slightly larger one which currently flying with E power. Watch out for tail heavy balance, with that short nose.

Phil, I haven't flown one of those exact models, but judging by the 1/2-A planes I have flown it should do well.  As long as it's not too heavy, and as long as you've got enough power in the nose (Baby Bee-ish), then it should do wingovers, inverted, and round loops.  I don't think I ever tried overheads with mine, and a flat-wing plane won't handle square loops very well at all -- or at least I've never had any luck.

Something like a Sig Skyray (1/2-A) may be better for someone who already knows how to fly, and who wants a plane that goes where you point it.

My nephews can do circles, well, 2 can the other two were not as interested last summer, and frequently run out the baby bee on the man-win wing.  (it is amazing what type of beating coroplast can take!)  I am sure with a better trimmed airplane they can do more.  My coroplast man-win is quite touchy and reacts poorly to extreme control input.   I think that building would be good for them too.  I have enough parts to set up some engines already. 

I have a 1/2a Skyray.  I started messing with TD engines and probably didn't give it a good enough shake.

Phil

My coroplast man-win is quite touchy and reacts poorly to extreme control input.

I have a 1/2a Skyray.  I started messing with TD engines and probably didn't give it a good enough shake.

Phil

Try setting up your Manwin with a 3" bellcrank and a standard 1" long control horn.  Run the pushrod in the inside hole at the bellcrank, and the outside hole in the control horn.  With a control system like a full size model, it won't be nearly as twitchy or hard to control. 

The Manwin like the Skyray will fly nearly any maneuver in the pattern, you just have to fly them really big and accept that it's NOT a stunt plane, but rather a nearly indestructible trainer/sport plane.  Better stunt performance is had by building a 1/2A stunter.  However, given the current state of things, there is not much economy in 1/2As that isn't found in something larger and easier to deal with.  A 15 size plane, or for that matter a 35 size plane is probably a much more rewarding plane to fly once basic flight is under control.