Two things. (Well, a few more.)
First, it has recently been brought to my attention that the PAMPA plans for the Mo'Best
have an error in the chord length of Rib 1. It is off by either 1/8" of 1/4". How embarrassing!
Second, the Brodak Mo'Best, when it finally appears, will be an ARC/ARF version. I will likely
submit plans to Brodak for sale as well.
There are numerous slight differences in the ARC/ARF version. For example, the wing root
chord is exactly 10" now, a slight increase. The wing uses equal length panels, and the total
wingspan is 57", an inch shorter. The wheelpants, wing tips, and control rod exit fairing are
all planned to be molded fiberglass. The adjustable leadout guide is mounted on an added
rib mounted on standoffs from the left tip rib R1. The leading edge is one piece molded, no
leading edge spar. The top, bottom, and trailing edge spars are all laser cut, with locating
slots for the ribs and the trailing edge has precut hinge mounting pocket and control horn
mounting relief areas.
The stab has a laser cut triangulated balsa core with 1/16" surface planking; its trailing
edge has precut pocket areas for the hinges and control horn mounts, clearance.
The fuselage has been altered in construction slightly to mimic the popular Cardinal Profile
ARC/ARF; it also uses the Brodak Engine clamp system instead of the New Mexico Universal
Engine Mounting Plate. It can be configured for 3, 4, or 5 ounce fuel tank, and Brodak will
manufacture a metal tank with the overflow relocated for the recessed mounting. The
engine mounting block is now made from 3/8" plywood, the fuselage core is also 3/8" wide
(balsa), the tailwheel mount is changed to be similar to the Cardinal Profile ARC/ARF.
I've carried the new design about as far as I can in the profile configuration. I'm applying
many of the same techniques and laser cutting templates to a full fuselage design called the
Mo'Beast, which can be built with assymetrical or symmetrical wing panels (58" and 59"
total span, respectively). This ship has the engine and wing aligned and very close to the
same side view profile as the Mo'Best. However, it is very slightly longer, uses the full fuselage
techniques from my Special Effects design; this includes all molded top and bottom blocks,
include the nose, convex curvature of the fuselage sides, geodesic canted (60 degree)
aft fuselage laminated formers (balsa "plywood"). Provision for 4" conventional bellcrank
in either classic or Rabe (reversed) position; ditto for 4" expocrank, also provision for
horizontal or 7 degree canted bellcrank mounting.
The full fuselage ship is designed for OS .46 LA or similar (say ST .51) engines, and has NO
space in the fuselage for a pipe, in fact the engine hangs out of the bottom of the nose in
the breeze quite a bit. Needle nosed spinner is used and the top of the nose has an added
scoop, different from Mo'Best.
That's what I'm up to, will get back to shortly just as soon as I do the finishing details on
a laser cut Continental for Bill Sawyer.
ALSO NOTE: Anyone who is building a Mo'Best from original PAMPA plans, you can email
me and request a set of 1-1 scale PDF drawings for the laser cut rib set for the newest ARC/ARF
design. Also, will be happy to provide similar drawings for the new fuselage. For those actually
going for laser cutting, I'll happily provide some DXFs for the Rib Set (remember, no LE spar,
one piece molded LE). This wing can be built with conventional 1/4" square balsa stock for
top/bottom/trailing edge spars.
Also, John Brodak has expressed interest in a regular kit for the Mo'Beast, but a few of them
need to be prototyped and perhaps tweaked slightly before I'm prepared to release plans to
John. (When I do, I will likely have a detailed construction article for the Mo'Beast in CLW.)
Whew. That's it. I've pretty well revealed all my latest construction techniques and ideas for
the laser cut and/or factory built stunters here. Email me for any questions, comments,
discussions. (I'm always delighted to steal someone's good ideas.)
My email is: larry@cunningham-designs.com.
Apologies for taking so long to get everything done on the Mo'Best series; I've been sick,
still fighting a few problems from last year's health episode. Plus, I'm SLOW!
Best regards,
L.
EDIT to add PS:
PS - I forgot to mention that I want a molded fiberglass cowl for the Mo'Beast, although the
initial ones will be hand built from balsa. So, there is a great deal to learn there for me. Append
this subject to your "Cunningham would like to talk about", OK?
"Dear Lord, the gods have been good to me. As an offering, I present these milk and
cookies. If you wish me to eat them instead, please give me no sign whatsoever... thy
will be done (munch munch munch)." -Homer Simpson
Topic: Mo best plans (Read 2972 times)
