Plans Showcase - 2012/03
A CL Precision Aerobatics tribute to a world‑champion pilot
Tom Dixon’s interest in CL Precision Aerobatics grew to an international level following the 1986 and 1988 World Championships. He was fascinated by Anatoly Kolesnikov’s KA‑10 — the Kolesnikov Aerobat 10cc — and by the method Kolesnikov used to shut down the engine exactly two laps after the last maneuver with only a quick pull on the lines.
After obtaining drawings and data, Tom was intimidated by the intricacy of the KA‑10’s spring‑loaded bellcrank system and decided not to use that method on his own model. He still wanted to pay tribute to European and World Champion Anatoly by building a 60‑inch wingspan version.
Design and construction
Tom kept to what he calls a “typical US style,” using built‑up construction and a simple, solid 3/8‑inch stabilizer and elevator.
Wing construction:
- Root and tip rib templates made of plywood or aluminum.
- Twelve blanks of 1/16" balsa stacked between templates, then carved and sanded to shape.
- Wings covered twice with silkspan using Walt Pyron’s technique, finish sanded, and sealed.
Fuselage and other structure:
- Fuselage covered with 0.56‑ounce glass cloth applied with Hobby Poxy Smooth'N'Easy.
- The plans suggested 5/32" wire landing gear; Tom used a custom 1/8" aluminum wire version available from BJ’s Manufacturing and also made a carbon‑fiber option.
- Wheel pants were mandatory; built from balsa and covered with fiberglass because Tom felt the airplane would not look right without them.
Finishing:
- After covering, surfaces were coated with Hobby Poxy Smooth'N'Easy, heated and wiped off to leave a thin epoxy seal.
Powerplant and equipment
The KA‑10 was designed for a reworked SuperTigre .51 engine, but Tom received a lightweight Vorobiev .60 engine from Russian Team Race engine builder Oleg Vorobiev, which fit perfectly in the SuperTigre mounts. Other equipment used:
- 13 x 5 B‑Y&O propeller
- Sig RC plug
- Tom Muggleston lightweight muffler
- Taffinder “P.A.” fuel (5–10% nitro)
Acknowledgments and coverage
Tom thanked Anatoly for providing “an interesting, inspirational experience.”
Tom’s KA‑10 was featured in the October 1997 issue of Model Aviation. Members can access the magazine’s digital archives on the Academy’s website to read more about it.
Plans and ordering
- The plan is AMA Plans Service listing 841.
- Price: $14 plus shipping and handling.
- See page 161 of the issue or order at: www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
