Full Size Printed Plan & Building Notes FAI combat ship *BUMBLEBEE* Wingspan 44 1/2" Engine .15

Full Size Printed Plan & Building Notes

No material plans only

*BUMBLEBEE*

An FAI combat ship with a wicked sting.

FULL SIZE PLANS PRINTED ON a SHEET 44" x 30"

FIVE PAGES OF PHOTOS, and CONSTRUCTION NOTES

by Phil Cartier

The Bumblebee FAI is the latest of my FAI designs, and is a compromise between a lot of conflicting requirements. Here is what I compromised in this design, and why.

Size vs. speed: A bigger plane can always turn more tightly because it has more area to lift each ounce of weight. The Bumblebee carries 22 square inches per ounce of flying weight‑which is a bit on the low side, but I wanted to use a proven wing and a force setup that I knew worked. The turns can be improved markedly by building to a 13­ounce flying weight.

Weight vs. strength: Stronger is heavier, which is bad. Lighter is weaker, which is bad if you go too far. The classic aeronautic dictum is: "Build in lots of lightness, then beef it up where it breaks until it just holds together." This is great for maximum performance until a ham‑handed pitman grabs the plane in the wrong spot. The Bumblebee is built like a brick outhouse. If you mess up in the air and lose, club your opponent with it after the match. Later I will tell you where to save this "extra" weight‑but if you go the super tight route, just be sure to land gently.

General layout; I like my planes to be quick through the maneuvers and have a nice, stable feel to the controls. The relatively long span gives a reasonable span loading to reduce the speed loss in maneuvers

Thank you or looking Rose