October 2006 157
THE PATH TO success in RC flying starts with a good, reliable,
stable, easy-to-fly trainer. The trouble is that most trainers actually
look like trainers! They are not too exciting by nature. Wouldn’t it
be nice if our trainers looked more like World War II fighters or
perhaps modern jet fighters?
Jeff Troy felt that way when he designed the Tamecat, which
was featured as a construction article in the June 1990 MA. His 66-
inch-wingspan creation was a basic flight trainer/sport model that
was inspired by the shape and character of
the Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
Disguised beneath that sleek exterior
was a .40-.50 two-stroke or .46-.61 fourstroke-
powered aircraft that was easy to
build and fly. A constant-chord wing and a
practical upright-mounted engine didn’t
seem to detract from the jetlike appearance
at all.
The long nose moment arm added to the
illusion while allowing the RC equipment
to be mounted in the spacious aft fuselage
for balance. The twin fins and the tricycle
landing gear completed the aesthetic
package.
Beginners finally had a model they
could really enjoy looking at while they
were learning to fly. That concept holds up
just as well today, and the Tamecat would
be right at home at any RC field.
Full-size plans for this model—which are number 654E— are
available from the AMA Plans Service. (See the advertisement on
page 127.) When you order the plans for this model, which are
printed on four sheets, you will also receive a bill of materials.
AMA Plans Service Showcase
A jet-style RC trainer without trainer looks
Tame cat
You can find the construction article for the Tamecat (or any
other favorite MA design) by searching AMA’s Digital Archives,
which is a Members Only feature of the AMA Web site (www.model
aircraft.org). MA
10sig5.QXD 8/24/06 1:25 PM Page 157
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/10
Page Numbers: 157