|
| Question 1
- "Can
anybody identify this hi-legged beastie", I asked on #39, after
seeing several models like this one at Wings & Wheels Model
Spectacular.
Well, Zdenik
Drbal from Czech Republic
contacted me to say, "The yellow model with the sign OK-ARJ is of
the Czech agriculture plane Z-37 "Cmelak" ("Bumble
Bee").
He goes on to say that it is a one-seater,
compact, low-wing plane of all-metallic construction. It has an
all-metal wing with very effective flaps and "unmoved slot"
(I'm not quite sure what Zdenek means, there). The fuselage is
constructed from steel tubes and it is covered with a special
chemical-resistant material. The 700-litre tank for chemicals is located
at the back of the cockpit. Gear is classical. The standard colour of
the plane was yellow with red trim and black markings.
| Specification:
Wingspan - 12·22 meters
Lengh - 8·25 meters
Mass of empty plane - 985
kilograms
Engine - M-462 RF
Power - 232 kW
Ceiling - 4040 meters
Range - 640 kilometers |
Zdenik's model |
Meet Zdenik on personal
profiles
|
| Question 2
- "Does anyone know where I
can find a free plan for a model stand," asked Ashir Qureshi on ModelFlight
#40.
Geoff Graham comes up with the
answer, not in the form of a plan but clear instructions and good
pictures that serve equally well. These thumbnails are giant size so you
can see enough detail here, but click on each one for an even closer
look.
One of your readers
asked about field support for models. Well, as you would expect,
my solution is home brewed and the pictures show:-
1. Stand, together
with present range of "tops"
2. What I would
call my "universal" top
3. My Tiger Moth
DH71 top - a/c is rigged upside down as wing attaches from below.
This stand is very
simple to make and has the advantage that it folds practically flat
taking up very little space in my tiny Puma car. The universal
top will adjust, as do many stands, simply by swivelling the two sets of
prongs to grip various fuselage widths.
The stand is made up
from 2"x1" planed timber from a builders' merchant with
one short piece of 3"x1" for the top. The most
difficult thing to achieve for the less-skilled woodworker is
planing a face on the one edge of that top section as it has to be
glued on to one of the sets of legs presenting at more or less than
90 deg (depending on which way you view the joint). The hinges
are then attached to the opposite edge carrying the folding half.
The easiest way to achieve accuracy would be to use a bench sander
with angled fence but I don't have one. I therefore have to
master the skill required and after nearly 50 years of practice I am
getting there.
4 shows the angle I mentioned. The top piece must be
planed to give the angle between the fixed side and top. It
can be pulled up using screws and glue - no need for cabinet work
here! Pic 5 shows the hinges. 6 shows the dowel holes
and the captive thread. 7 shows typical top revealing the
very simple method of construction. This uses MDF, butt
jointed and with a simple square piece of timber in the right
angle between the base and the ends for strength.
Using a couple of 9mm
dowels there is need for only one, central, fixing bolt and that of
course goes down into the captive thread. The stand is very
convenient on the field being easily customised for each model.
Furthermore, if you need to anchor the whole thing say for an
engine run, you can lay some heavy item across the base of the A-frame legs - or even use a screw-in ground spike plus luggage
elastic for same purpose. This saves the old back a deal of
suffering and keeps the ageing knees dry!!
Should you have
aircraft which have strange shapes or are "upside down" then a
special top can be quickly made up from MDF or ply. The DH71 is
such an aircraft as the servos are only accessible from below in the
wing bay being, as they are, mounted upside down. The radio and
battery are also in this bay making it essential to be able to
securely hold the aircraft upside down for that access. Having
connected the aileron leads the wing can then be rigged. As this
particular model has a pronounced engine and streamlining fairing
running right along the top of the fuselage it was also necessary to
be able accommodate that safely and securely. Hence the odd
shape of the rests seen on this DH71 stand top.
Thanks for that, Geoff.
I must admit that when Ashir asked
the question, I immediately thought of Geoff as an almost certain source
of the answer! |
| Air
space is here
for anything you might like to write up of model flight interest. Tell
us about your particular branch of the hobby, d-i-y projects, review a
kit, or pass on your modelling hints and tips for instance. Have a go and get your work on the
web! |
|