Shrinking a Plan Down

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

The topic "Big Plane to Small Plane" got me thinking again about something I have wondered for awhile.  I am definitely a 48"-50"ws kind of guy, but some planes like Mr.Rabes Bearcat, etc., are just so beautiful, but just too big.  I have always thought about shrinking the plans down to my size, but have always wondered if that would affect how the plane flies.  ie....would the rib profile still work at a reduced size.  The plane is designed to fly at a certain weight, with a certain motor, etc., how would that be affected?

Any thoughts, ideas?

[RC Storick]

The topic "Big Plane to Small Plane" got me thinking again about something I have wondered for awhile.  I am definitely a 48"-50"ws kind of guy, but some planes like Mr.Rabes Bearcat, etc., are just so beautiful, but just too big.  I have always thought about shrinking the plans down to my size, but have always wondered if that would affect how the plane flies.  ie....would the rib profile still work at a reduced size.  The plane is designed to fly at a certain weight, with a certain motor, etc., how would that be affected?

Any thoughts, ideas?

I have done it many times.

[Tim Wescott]

If you're just going down from, say 65 inches to 50, then the airfoil, moment arms, & whatnot will all be pretty good.  You'll need to be wise about when to reduce wood sizes and when not, and you'll need to select the correct engine for what will be basically an entirely new plane.

When you're done it'll fly like a 50 inch plane not a 65 inch.

Aside from that -- I think you'll have good success.