Brodak (PDQ) Yak-9 & F-51

[Ed Neuzil]

Is there an error in the dimensions for
these planes as listed on the Brodak website?

The Yak is listed as wingspan 40" &
length 38".

The Mustang is listed as wingspan 38" &
length 38 3/4".

That doesn't seem right. Is that a
misprint for 28" and 28 3/4" respectively?

[David Miller]

I have both kits: The Yak-9 box say WS 40" and length 38.75"
F-51 Mustang says: Ws 38" and length 38.75"
Hope that helps! Dave Miller

[Sam Laughery]

I did both sets of plans for those kits and although the plans say the length is 38+ they are actually just shy of 29".  The web site is wrong because of what I put on the plans.  I don't know where Those lengths came from.  It is definitely a mistake on my part.  I just pulled up the plans to make sure.  I will let the folks at the factory know on Monday.  Good catch. 

Sam

[Sam Laughery]

Correction-the Yak plans were actually drawn by Barry Baxter and modified by me at the factory.  I drew the Mustang plans from scratch.

Sam

[Ray]

The Yak is listed as wingspan 40" &
length 38".

The Mustang is listed as wingspan 38" &
length 38 3/4".

Curiosity bump tickled . . what major difference was there, old-timers, if anything substantial, between Sterling's and PDQ's pair of warbird kits ?  Both pairs were from the same designer, right ?  Incidentally, EJ, I would have guessed that the Brodak versions were more likely to be based on Sterling's Matt Kania kits, if the web site didn't name any origins.  I haven't second-guessed here, I really haven't visited the Brodak web site in quite some time, and never to look at this twosome. 

[Sam Laughery]

Both the Brodak YAK and the Mustang were designed by Mat Kania for Sterling.

Sam

[Joejust]

While the Brodak site shows the planes as being from PDQ and the catalog shows the same info, the instruction manuels show the words Sterling. I am in the process of building one of each. The mustang will be set up as a combination Profile Carrfier/OTS ship. The Yak will be a combination Sport racer/OTS ship. Both of these projects will be possible new articles in CLW in the future. The Mustang article is already at the editors desk, the Yak just needs a few hours of work to complete the aticle.
Joe

[john e. holliday]

Just seen the Yak by Sterling on the bay and wing span shown is 38 inches.  If I remember right when I built them backin the early 60's both the Mustang and Yak were 38 inch wing span.  DOC Holliday

[Ray]

Actually, I do recall 40 " for the Yak-9 in the 70's, when I built one.  There a Sterling Yak-9 in the kits collection I can dig through, so if I remember, next time I have the chance to check, I'll see if my memory is working right. 

 

[Mike Keville]

The Sterling S-3 kit Yak-9 was 40" span; their S-2 Mustang was 38" span.  Neither of the current Brodak kits is accurate, owing to re-designed wing construction...which violates the OTS rule about modified airfoils.

Mike Keville
Tucson, AZ

[Phil Spillman]

In so far as the Brodak versions of the Yak-9 and the Mustang P-51/F-51 are concerned both are direct copies of the original Sterling Models Kits as issued. There may be misprints of dimensions on their boxes and plans but the final products result in absolutely OTS Legal model airplanes! The Original Old Time Stunt Rules as codified by John Miske stated that structural changes INTERNALLY to any model were and are permitted as long as the external dimensions of the models retain the original measurement of the models. This has been once again confirmed by John Brodak himself with John Miske. Therefore to avoid any farther misrepresentation and confusion of the true facts, the Brodak new issues are OTS Legal!

Phil Spillman

[Balsa Butcher]

Joe: Looking forward to your Mustang carrier article. I did one those back in the early 70's. It may inspire me to do the Yak 9 to Airabonita conversion I drew up many moons ago. 

[Mike Keville]

...structural changes INTERNALLY to any model were and are permitted as long as the external dimensions of the models retain the original measurement of the models...

Phil Spillman

Phil is absolutely correct, in that INTERNAL changes are permitted -- by both GSCB and PAMPA rules.  Assuming that the updated wing construction has not altered the originally-designed airfoil (which apparently it hasn't), my comment regarding eligibility was hasty and out-of-line.  Thus I publicly apologize to Phil and to John Brodak for my earlier remarks.

[Andrew Borgogna]

Uncle Mikey
Question about both the Yak and Mustang.  I built a couple of each back in the day and on some of them I glued the flaps in place.  Frankly I could not tell the difference between flapped and non-flapped version when I flew them.  Would it matter to the OTC people how the flaps were installed?  If I was to build one today I would glue the flaps in place.  I have a copy of Barry's plans for both and may build one someday. 
Andy Borgogna

[Mike Keville]

Andy:

Since the original Sterling plans showed both flapped & NON-flapped options, each is legal for OTS.  Same with the PDQ Super Clown.

[Mike Lauerman]

Always was peculiar to me that Sterling picked up the Mustang and Yak9, yet ignored the Super Clown. (was the Super Clown too similar to its rival Ringmaster?)

I always liked the profile of the Clown in flight...very pleasant lines, fuse flowed nicely with the spinner, canopy blended gracefully...

[Bill Little]

Uncle Mikey
Question about both the Yak and Mustang.  I built a couple of each back in the day and on some of them I glued the flaps in place.  Frankly I could not tell the difference between flapped and non-flapped version when I flew them.  Would it matter to the OTC people how the flaps were installed?  If I was to build one today I would glue the flaps in place.  I have a copy of Barry's plans for both and may build one someday. 
Andy Borgogna

HI Andy,

definitely build with out flaps for OTS contest use.  10 bonus points!  And neither the Mustang nor Yak will benefit enough from flaps to make up the difference.

Big Bear