In the spring of 1980, Julie Abel decided she wanted to enter
and fl y in the Nats, since her family had already planned to
travel to the event and participate. She asked her father to
design a simple and straight-lined Nesmith Cougar, and she built
it in roughly three weeks.
With this model, she took fi rst place in the Nats Junior CL
Scale. Two years later, Julie decided to build a larger Nesmith
Cougar, which resulted in another fi rst-place Nats championship
in Junior CL Scale.
The larger, 41-inch wingspan model had a straightforward
structure. The basic fuselage was made from 1/4 square balsa and
the fi rewall was cut from 1/4 plywood. The engine mount and
fuel tank tray consisted of a box of 1/4, 1/16, and 1/64 plywood,
assembled and epoxied to the fi rewall. The cowling was a 1/4-
inch balsa box with a 1/16 plywood carburetor scoop added to
the bottom. The Nesmith Cougar’s wing was built as separate
right and left panels, with the builder having the option to install
A CL Scale model that shows simplicity at its best
the panels permanently or make them removable.
Julie used an HB .21 PDP engine in the model. The aircraft
was covered in Super Coverite, and had many realistic details
including rib stitching and taping. After covering and detailing,
the aircraft was sprayed with one coat of Hobbypoxy primer,
which was sanded off, then fi nished with an automotive acrylic
lacquer containing a fl ex agent to retard cracking.
Julie used her fi rst fl ight as a test, but said her second fl ight of
the Nesmith Cougar proved that it was a stable and responsive
model. “Although not being overpowered by any means, it is
capable of attaining and holding 45° fl ight.”
The Nesmith Cougar was featured in the June 1984 issue of
MA as AMA Plans Service listing 445, and is available for $19
plus shipping and handling. AMA members can access the MA
digital archives on the magazine’s website to read more about
it. See page 159 or go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for
ordering information
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 97