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U-Control Model Plane
October 1952 Popular Mechanics

October 1952 Popular Mechanics
October 1962 Popular Mechanics - RF Cafe[Table of Contents]

Wax nostalgic over early technology. See articles from Popular Mechanics, published 1902 - 2021. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

When I first saw this "U-Control Model Plane" article in a 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine, I expected it to have been written by one of the Stanzel brothers. Long after their entry into the model airplane manufacturing world,  Joe and Victor created their line of battery-powered, electric motor-driven control line models in 1958. It eventually included a helicopter, a monoplane, and a flying saucer, amongst other craft. The Stanzels, BTW, invented the Monoline control line system which was adopted by U-control (aka control line) speed modelers because it created much less aerodynamic drag, facilitating higher airspeeds. Maybe this article was a motivation for the Stanzels since it predates their product line. I personally had both the ElectroMic Tethered "Flash" airplane and the ElectroMic Tethered "Copter" helicopter back in the late 1960s. Anyhoo, this would make an interesting project for your kids.

U-Control Model Plane

U-Control Model Plane, October 1952 Popular Mechanics - Airplanes and RocketsBy Kai M. Klemm

Powered by a novel electrically driven remote-control unit, this tiny plane will fly level, zoom and loop on a circular course in a small living room. The control unit, which also supplies power, is housed in a mailing tube about the size of an ordinary flashlight, except that it is slightly longer to accommodate four flashlight dry cells and a tiny electric motor. The motor drives the propeller through a "flexible shaft" of fine piano wire, the length of the wire depending on the radius of the flight space available. Because of the constant speed of the left-hand prop and the connection of the flexible shaft to the fuselage at its center of gravity, the plane maintains level flight without any tendency to nose down due to torque.

All parts of the plane are made of balsa-wood, except, of course, the angle drive and the landing gear. Sheet balsa, 1/16 in. thick, is used for all parts except D, E and F in the details on the following page. The sides of the fuselage are made first, then the bulkhead, A, is glued in place. Next, both the sides are glued together at the tail and cowl block, C, is glued in place. The landing-gear frame is bent to fit inside the fuselage and must be cemented in place before the bottom is put on. The inclination of the frame is shown by dotted lines on the details. After gluing on the bottom, the fuselage is sanded to contour and sides are slotted for the stabilizer. Now make the wing, stabilizer and fin, but do not attach the wing until the angle drive is in place.

U-Control Model Plane Drawing, October 1952 Popular Mechanics - Airplanes and RocketsThe details on the opposite page show the assembly of the angle drive and how it is placed in the plane. The drive housing consists of two pieces of 1/16-in. o.d. brass tubing held at right angles by a brace of brass wire to which the housings, or sleeves, are soldered. The piano-wire shaft from the motor is passed through the short sleeve so that the end projects. A thin metal disk about 3/16 in. in dia. is soldered to the end of the wire. Then a length of the piano wire is inserted in the long sleeve, cut to required length, and a 3/16-in. metal disk is soldered to the end. The flexible connector between the two shafts is made as in the right-hand center detail on the opposite page. The drive is made through a fine coil spring of the type and weight found in camera-shutter releases. The ends of the spring are soldered to short bushings cut from 1/16-in. o.d. brass tubing and the outer ends of the bushings are soldered to the metal disks at the ends of the flexible shafting. Before soldering the bushings to the metal disks, pass a length of spring-brass wire through the bushings and the coil spring and bend to a uniform curve, cutting to length as required. When the assembly is made and all parts have been soldered in place, the spring and bushings turn on the curved-wire guide. In this manner power from the flexible shaft is transmitted at right angles without buckling the spring. Care must be taken in assembling to assure that the curved wire is free at the ends and that the metal disks do not bind against the ends of the short and long sleeves. Adjust the unit by bending the wire brace until it turns freely.

The angle-drive unit is assembled in the fuselage as in the upper detail on the opposite page. First glue part B in place, then cement the long sleeve, or propeller shaft bearing, to it. Note that a part of the brace and the short sleeve project from the opening in the side of the fuselage. Next, sand the wing to the airfoil indicated in the detail and cut out and hinge the ailerons with lengths of fine copper wire. Cement the wing in place on the fuselage with a 3-deg. angle of incidence. Then add the rear cowling, E, the windshield and headrest fairing. As the final step in this assembly, bend a bracket bearing from sheet brass and drill a hole for the piano-wire shaft near the end of one arm. Then slip the bracket over the wire and cement it to the underside of the wing as shown.

U-Control Model Plane Plans, October 1952 Popular Mechanics - Airplanes and RocketsThe power unit, shown in the lower details on page 188 consists of a mailing tube divided into two compartments, the smaller housing the motor, with its shaft projecting through an oversize hole in the cardboard disk which is cemented or taped to the end of the tube. A coil spring about 1 in. long and of the same general characteristics as that used in the angle drive is used to form a flexible connection, or universal joint, between the motor shaft and the piano-wire shaft. In order to make the connection it will be necessary to solder a suitable bushing to the end of the piano-wire shaft as shown in the detail. Then the spring is slipped over the bushing and soldered. It is not soldered to the motor shaft, as a tight fit is sufficient to transmit the full power of the motor.

The battery compartment of the tube is closed at the lower end with a friction cap made of sheet brass. Two terminals and a compression spring are fitted in the cap and the positive terminal is insulated from the metal. After wiring and installing a switch and dry cells, test the assembly for smooth operation without the prop. If there is any tendency toward vibration, the cause must be found and corrected before the assembly will operate satisfactorily. Cut the prop to the size indicated from thin sheet aluminum, give it a left-hand twist and mount on the prop shaft with a small disk of sheet metal to which a short length of 1/16-in. brass tubing has been soldered to form a hub. If available, a small gear wheel from a clock is just the thing. Fit the prop with a balsawood spinner as in the details.

Flying the plane is quite simple. Once in the air it is controlled by arm movements. Successful maneuvers depend on the application of power at the proper time and also in the guidance of the hand and arm. Experimentation with elevator and aileron settings will be necessary.

 

 

Posted August 31, 2024

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