Looking for a source of the '60 -'70s classical pattern aircraft kits. Particularly looking for foam cores for the Phoenix VI.

I believe that Wing MFG. may have the cores for your P-6.

-Robert

I just did a search for Don Lowe's Phoenix on a hunch. This turned up.

Were any of the Phoenix's in the 60's category? My inspiration came from reading a Don Lowe column in a 1983 issue of RCM that just turned up in my hands.

I'm looking for any history on the variants of the Phoenix, and in particular, plans for anything in the .60 engine range.

Can anyone help me with that?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

All the Phoenixes were for .60 size engines except maybe for the very first and the last. There are several threads here (Classic Pattern) on these planes. There are plans available, full glass/foam kits and short kits avilable. I don't have all this saved but a search or two for Phoenix V, VI, VII or VIII will surely bring results.

Terry in LP

This was posted by Don's son Jon a few months back. Unfortunately, he doesn't give any dates for each design. Maybe someone who has the info can fill in the dates of design or publication.

Bob Cox
SPA #374

Phoenix 1 was published by RCM. Was kitted with fiberglass fuselage, but I never saw one of these kits. Originally powered by a Super Tigre .46, then a .51, then a .56 as they became available.

Phoenix 2 was a Phoenix 1 with less sweep, about 15 degrees. Not published. One built.

Phoenix 3 was somewhat larger, similar sweep as Phoenix 1 One built, not published. Airplane still exists.

Phoenix 4 was a new design, less sweep, one built, not published.

Phoenix 5 used the wing and tail from the Phoenix 4, more side area for knife edge, published by American Modeler magazine. Kitted with fiberglass fuselage, foam wing by numerous people. Also a 40 sized version was kitted with a fiberglass fuselage. TONS of these were built. Wing Manufacturing has the molds and is kitting them.

Phoenix 6 was somewhat smaller. Was kitted with a fiberglass fuselage/foam wings. Kit wasn't very good, and was heavy.

Phoenix 7 was a very minor departure from the Phoenix 6, primarily done for another fiberglass kit seller for something different. High quality kits produced by Joe Bridi, but sold under another name.

Phoenix 8 was somewhat larger. Kits allegedly still available from PAC, but haven't tried to get one. I know the molds exist.

Phoenix 9 was a departure from previous thinking and designed for turnaround pattern. Swept leading edge, straight trailing edge. Larger overall, two piece wing, specifically designed for a muffled tuned pipe. The late Bob Godfrey (of TOC fame) built some of them up for various people. I have one, with an OS .61 RFP ABC, and pipe. Not published.

Phoenix 10 was essentially a Phoenix 9 with a longer fuselage (2 inches?). One built with a Hanno .61. Plane still exists. Last in the series.

Jon Lowe

Phoenix Info - Here are some pictures, a VI under construction, Don Lowe with someone holding a P-10, a picture of an 8 fuselage, another picture of a 5 and 6 fuselage's. A P-7 is included. In these pictures: 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 10 The 7 is the last one in a box with cores. The plans may be the original Phoenix, or from that era.

Crankpin

The someone holding the plane is Jon Lowe.

Boy, I stirred up some great history and photos! I'd like to put something like this on my to-do list, so I think I might keep looking around. The fiberglass fuse is an attractive option to get the build going.

In the history that Bob Cox sent in Post #5, Phoenix's 2 & 4 had less sweep in the wing but were never published. I suppose I'm just a bit antsy of building a swept foam wing - I see that the Phoenix 8 was published in RCM in August 1965 and it still called for a .61. One of today's 61's would really make that spool up.

I'll keep looking around for the plans/plane and maybe even score a kit with a fiberglass fuse on eBay...

If yo have any more info to add, please, keep it coming!

Thanks,

Bob

Just start with a new kit Phoenix V from Wing Mfg. Around $200.00 range, shipped. If you want to stay nostalgic, you can always find Rom-Air's on E-Bay, and old NIB engines from that age. Build light and an OS 55 would be perfect. This would be a good start.

Crank

Hi Crank,

I didn't see any links to a Phoenix on the Wing MFG page, but I sent an email. I'll let you know what Wing says about the Phoenix.

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

That was the Phoenix 1. The 8 was much later.

Ray

Hi ray,

You're absolutely right... I read the title too fast at RCM... I thought that the Phoenix 8 would have been later, but I read too fast. The "8" that I saw in the RCM Plan Index indicated that it was a Category 8 plan, not the 8th in the series.

Mea Culpa... thanks for pointing that out.

Bob

The plans that crankpin showed are actually the plans for the Phoenix five from the magazine: American Aircraft Modeler. I'm not sure what the date was but it was in the early 70's.

Lazor Works has the same plans (I sent them to Brian) so they could cut the wood parts and Eureka Aircraft should now have the templates for the cores so they could cut you the foam wing and stab cores if anyone was to decide to build one. I had the plans out a couple of days ago thinking about building one. It's actually a bit smaller than the six.

Bob Cox

http://www.earlyrcmodels.com/id16.html

I have the P6 short kits, cores etc. shoot me an email if you need more info.

Don

I think I have a picture of the elusive "fiberglass Phoenix 1" that I took in 1965 at the WORKS field west of Dayton, OH. 40 years later I built a model of it (although modified somewhat).

Great looking models. I love those old 60's shots. How long ago did you build the replica?
Chris...

I built the Phoenix 1 in 2005, it's unfortunately now deceased, but it was a great flying model!

Here is an original photo of Don Lowe's Phoenix 1 taken in 1965. I think Eureka has a kit of this model, and RCM plans are available.

Note the old transmitters, and the original sewn hinges...everybody did this back then.

Duane

Duane, thanks for the photo. I remember sewing hinge's, and dowels for rubber banding the wing on, #64's.

Vince

Notice the "F-86" influence which was the basis for the Phoenix designs.

Orlando

I have recently aquired a Don Lowe Phoenix VI with blue print. Ihave not had a chance to go thru the box to see if everything is there.
I just glanced at it.
But I believe the balsa ply to be missing. Ihave no interest in building this kit and was wondering if anyone would be interested in buying it.
As this posting is the only thing that I have found on the net. With info on this rare plane.
I'm open to reasonableoffers.

It will make a nice bird for you. Not sure if you will get much for it, you should build it. Here is a Phoenix 6.

Crank