A CL Scale model that shows simplicity at its best
In the spring of 1980, Julie Abel decided she wanted to enter and fly in the Nats, since her family had already planned to travel to the event and participate. She asked her father to design a simple, straight-lined Nesmith Cougar, and she built it in roughly three weeks. With this model she took first place in the Nats Junior CL Scale.
Two years later, Julie built a larger Nesmith Cougar, which resulted in another first-place Nats championship in Junior CL Scale.
Construction
The larger model had a 41-inch wingspan and a straightforward structure:
- Fuselage: basic structure built from 1/4" square balsa; firewall cut from 1/4" plywood.
- Engine mount and fuel-tank tray: assembled from a box of 1/4", 1/16", and 1/64" plywood, epoxied to the firewall.
- Cowling: 1/4" balsa box with a 1/16" plywood carburetor scoop added to the bottom.
- Wing: built as separate right and left panels; the builder could install the panels permanently or make them removable.
Julie used an HB .21 PDP engine in the model.
Covering and finishing
The aircraft was covered in Super Coverite and featured many realistic details, including rib stitching and taping. After covering and detailing, the model was sprayed with one coat of Hobbypoxy primer, which was then sanded off. The final finish was an automotive acrylic lacquer containing a flex agent to retard cracking.
Flight performance
Julie used her first flight as a test, but said her second flight of the Nesmith Cougar proved it to be a stable and responsive model. "Although not being overpowered by any means, it is capable of attaining and holding 45° flight."
Plans and availability
The Nesmith Cougar was featured in the June 1984 issue of MA as AMA Plans Service listing 445, and plans are available for $19 plus shipping and handling. AMA members can access the MA digital archives on the magazine's website to read more about it — see page 159 or go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
