AMA Plans Service Showcase Super Bug - 2010/04

April 2010 105
AMA Plans Service Showcase
Super Bug
D.B. Mathews’ adaptation of
a classic Walt Good design
THIS DESIGN PAYS
homage to both the 1948 Rudder
Bug and the 1954 Royal Rudder
Bug. D.B. Mathews’ intention with
the Super Bug was to improve on the
Royal Rudder Bug, while trying to
remain true to the original design.
To do that, he enlarged the wingspan to 75 inches, added
elevator and throttle controls, converted to a steerable nose wheel,
and reworked the aerodynamics and structural integrity.
Even with the changes D.B. made and the additional radio gear
required, the Super Bug weighs less than the rudder-only version
of the model that he had built 42 years earlier.
The Super Bug employs Walt Good’s “crutch construction”
technique for the fuselage. Once the bottom of the structure is
complete, the preassembled cabin sides and top formers are added.
The wings are fabricated using the four-spar method, with both
full and half ribs and a sheeted center-section.
D.B. made the Super Bug’s power requirement a .40-
.50 four-stroke engine or a .25-.35 two-stroke.
According to him, his model was so simple to fly that it
ranked up there with any modern sport trainer—with a
little nostalgia thrown into the mix. Extra elevator and throttle
controls made it possible for the airplane to fly gracefully and be
capable of multiple takeoffs and landings from his feet.
The Super Bug was featured in a construction article in the
March 1998 MA. AMA members can access the magazine’s
digital archives on the Academy’s Web site to read more about
this design. AMA Plans Service has this set listed as item 849C,
available for $15 plus shipping and handling. See page 159 or go
to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information. MA
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