AMA Plans Service Showcase - 2013/03

The 24-inch wingspan Beta Blue Chip Racer was a perfect design for Tom Derber when his Flying Aces Club (FAC) squadron decided to start a Goodyear and Formula 1 mass-launch event. He chose this racer because the full-scale airplane was not widely known, plus it had good proportions, substantial tail volume, and a structurally advantageous low-wing configuration.
Tom began the build by “prekitting” pieces such as the wing ribs, fuselage formers, and other sheet-balsa parts. The wings were constructed by pinning the LE and TE to the plans. The stabilizer and rudder were built directly over the plans with stiff, straight wood.
Tom noted that weight was a consideration and chose the wood carefully. The fuselage was built last. Two identical sides were put over the plans. He built up the fuselage box by cracking the fuselage sides at the cheek cowl location, pinning them upside down over the plans.
A landing gear “sandwich” was made by bending the main gear wire and laminating it between F12 formers. Tom used a Peck-Polymers 8-inch propeller fitted with a carved or spun balsa spinner. Main gear wheels were laminated from 1/8 cross-grain balsa. The wheels were sanded to shape, colored with a black Magic Marker, and silver paper hubs were added.
The entire framework was covered with nitrate dope and laminate tissue. The canopy was “plunge” molded from celluloid sheet. The registration letters were lightweight typing paper. The race number circle, checkerboard trim, and Blue Chip name were photocopied and sealed with clear Krylon on frisket film.
Tom used a braided rubber motor and clay ballast to balance the Blue Chip. He started power flights at low power and made incremental thrust adjustments. After the airplane was trimmed, it could fly in large, climbing, left circles and transition to the right for the glide, with flights of a minute or more.
Larry Kruse provided the text for Tom’s Beta Blue Chip Racer. It was featured in the May 2002 MA as AMA Plans Service listing 928 and is available for $5 plus shipping and handling. AMA members can access the magazine’s digital library on the AMA’s website to read more about it. See page ___ or go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information.