OKAY, PRETTY it’s not! But sometimes beauty is in the
function of a model design and not in line or form, as with Bob
Underwood’s Thingamabob.
Extremely easy to build, this model disguises a wide envelope
of flight possibilities. It can be used as a basic three-channel RC
trainer, an aerobatic trainer, a tethered RC model, or even a CL
model—with no significant changes!
Originally designed for .25-size glow
engines or geared 05 electric motors, the
51-inch-span Thingamabob features a flatbottom
wing that builds up accurately on a
flat workbench. The boxlike fuselage is
made from simple sheet balsa. The tail
feathers are also crafted from sheet balsa,
making this a simple first-time project for
those who are interested in making their
own models.
If you want to exercise your aesthetic
talents, add a canopy and maybe curved
tips for the flying surfaces. It doesn’t have
to be ugly, you know!
Plans—set 649—are available through
the AMA Plans Service. See page 183 for
ordering details. As an AMA member,
you can access the Thingamabob
construction article via MA’s Digital
Archives. It was published in the April
1990 issue. MA
September 2008 145
AMA Plans Service Showcase
A multimode
trainer for .25
glow or electric
power
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 145
