Cardboard CL model of an obscure WWII fighter
The LaGG-3 was named after its three designers: S.A. Lavochkin, V.P. Gorbunov, and M.I. Gudkov. It was one of a trio of modern aircraft the Soviet Union produced before and during World War II to replace obsolete fighters. At this time, the Soviets had difficulties obtaining aluminum and other alloys, so the fighter was made from a technology called "delta wood," which was layers of birch strips glued cross-grained and plywood laminated with a Bakelite lacquer.
Chuck Felton simulated this construction on his CL Sport Scale model by using 1/8-inch corrugated cardboard as the primary material, making it simple and inexpensive to build. Making use of cardboard's unique features in the design, he used large folded sections of the material.
The wing was built from two large pieces of cardboard with cardboard ribs and a single spar, and the tail surfaces and fuselage were primarily cardboard, with little internal bracing required.
With a 65-inch wingspan and 58-inch length, the model also featured an airfoil with a flat bottom and a curved upper surface. An engine with .40 to .50 displacement could be used, with an 11 x 6 propeller and 3-1/2-inch spinner.
Tail wheel gear was made from 3/32-inch diameter wire and main gear from 5/32-inch diameter wire. Leadouts were external and went through a line guide attached where the wing meets the wingtip.
Chuck painted the LaGG-3 with modeling paints in a color scheme of medium and dark green for the upper-surface camouflage, with light blue for the undersurface. MonoKote was used for the lettering and insignia, as well as the canopy and aileron outline. A sidebar within the article gave special tips about the best ways to glue, fold, waterproof, finish, and cover the edges of the cardboard.
The Lavochkin LaGG-3 was featured in the February 2004 MA as AMA Plans Service listing 952 and is available for $24 plus shipping and handling. AMA members can access the magazine's digital library on MA's website to read more about it. See page 152 or go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx for ordering information.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
