Witchcraft
A sport twin designed around .90-size engines
Design
Twin-engine aircraft not only have an unmistakable sound as the power plants hum in unison, but they also look cool. John Tanzer set out to design a sport twin with fairly simple construction and the ultimate goal of being easy to fly.
The Witch Craft has a tapered wing for increased lift and a symmetrical airfoil to improve aerobatics. The tail is slightly oversized to provide greater authority and to aid in controlling the aircraft if one engine stalls in flight. Wing nacelles are spaced far enough apart to accommodate propellers as large as 17 inches. Nacelles are available from Fiberglass Specialties to simplify construction.
Specifications
- Wingspan: 84 inches
- Engines: Designed for two .90-size glow engines (example: two O.S. Max .90s)
- Flying weight: Approximately 17 pounds (with two O.S. Max .90s and standard-size servos)
- Propeller clearance: Nacelles accommodate up to 17-inch props
Landing gear and handling
Plans show the Witch Craft with fixed gear. John Tanzer experimented with rotating retracts and found them successful. He noted the aircraft required no rudder input while on the ground, was stable in the air, and offered impressive aerobatic capability. Takeoffs and landings were reported to be easy.
Publication and plans
The Witch Craft was featured in a construction article published in the October 1994 Model Aviation. Members can access the magazine digital archives on the Academy's website to read more.
This design is AMA Plans Service listing 770, available for $22 plus shipping and handling. See page 163 of the magazine or go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
