Got on a 1/2A kick for awhile. Building a Bluetail Fly (MAN 10/56) from plans.
I built several from magazine plans back in 1956/1957. The original was powered by either a Atwood/Wasp or a Cox Thermal Hopper. The plans show installation for both. I powered a couple with Thermal Hoppers and one with a Babe Bee (had to modify for that). Great little plane back then. Want to see if it is just as much fun now.
Anyone else ever built one? ...or even heard of it?

George

George,

I built several of them in the late 50s. I also thought they were good flying models. Really was an easy mod to move the firewall. I will be building 3 more for the trip grandchildren for christmas. theelmores have the plans copied full size from the mag. Here is the link:

http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/

I think I will make the wing a little thicker in chord. Although I remember it flying well, I don't remember it being able to turn that tight. I will however admit to being a lot sloppier builder in my teens.

Tight lines,

Tom Perry

Tom,

I think the low aspect ratio and the small (by today's standard) tail section limited its stuntability also.

I was fortunate enough to get the full-size plans when John Pond was still around. I checked Tony's site. That is very nice of him to post it. I think my the pages in my mag is as brown as his.

Mine will be powered by an Atwood Shriek .049 this time. Flush-mounting the Thermal Hopper is a pain in the...neck. The thermal Hopper made it balance well though, and it flew like a bat out of a cave.

I guess with its small size, any old .049 would be good. A modern one, TD (?), Norvel, etc. would be way too much. Moving the firewall back and powering with a Black Widow might work. Probably power equivalent to the Thermal Hopper.

George

If you are looking for a modern but tame .049 engine, the ok cub is still produced..for now..
[link=http://okengines.com/news.shtml]ok engine[/link]

Clint,
Thanks for the site reference. Last time I looked for them I looked under Mohawk and got only train information.

When I bought my last OK engines a couple of years ago, I got them from Brodak's. I have read posts that they were available in some hobby shops. I like OK engines for small sport planes. I currently have them in a Brodak Basic Trainer and a plan built Veco Scout.

The engines shown on the Bluetail Fly plans are Wasp and Thermal Hopper. I have never had my Ateood Shrieks in a plane so I chose to use one of those.

My Bluetail Fly is assembled, covered and primed. I am installing the tank currently, then I can close up the nose. We're getting there.

George

George,

Any progress on the "fly"?

I had the intention of building them for the grandkids for Christmas but 6 of them was too difficult.

I designed two different profile models instead. One with built up wing and one with sheet wing as a trainer. I ordered some parts and rebuilt 6 Baby Bees so each kid will get 1 engine and two planes.

I will probably upload some pictures and make the plans available later if anyone interested.

I discovered that only the first one is fun to build, then it becomes a chore!

Tight lines,

Tom Perry

Tom,

On the fly:

Needs wheels and trim paint. Haven't worked on it within the last month.

George