A British racer inspired this rubber-powered Blue Chip
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, it had good proportions, substantial tail volume, and a structurally advantageous low-wing configuration.
Prekitting and wings
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 leading edge and trailing edge to the plans. The stabilizer and rudder were built directly over the plans from stiff, straight-grained wood.
Tail and fuselage
Weight was a consideration, so Tom chose the wood carefully. The fuselage was built last. Two identical sides were formed over the plans. He built up the fuselage box by notching the fuselage sides at the cheek-cowl location and pinning them upside down over the plans.
Landing gear and wheels
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-inch cross-grain balsa, sanded to shape, colored with a black Magic Marker, and fitted with silver paper hubs.
Covering and finishing
- The entire framework was sealed with nitrate dope and covered with laminate tissue.
- The canopy was plunge-molded from celluloid sheet.
- Registration letters were printed on lightweight typing paper.
- The race-number circle, checkerboard trim, and Blue Chip name were photocopied and sealed with clear Krylon on frisket film.
Power, trimming, and flight
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.
Credits and availability
Text provided by Larry Kruse. The Beta Blue Chip Racer was featured in the May 2002 Model Aviation (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 at www.ModelAviation.com to read more. See page 147 or go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
