Build Log
SMOOTHIE – (Balsa Usa Kit)
Designed by Late Mr.Ron Busch in the 70’s

The golden age of R/C modeling!
 
This was the time when the “digital proportional” radio had finally come of age. The 2-stroke glow fuel engine reigned supreme at flying fields. “ARF” “ARF” was the sound that sea seals made then at the bay and ports of the world. And generally speaking things were right with the world!

Kit Manufacturers with names like Kiel kraft, Flair, Ripmax, Carl Goldberg, Dave Plat, VK Models, Aurora Models, Mercury Models etc., among others plied their produces in the pages of the numerous model magazines, and then the term “ internet” must have been referred to some kind of fishing gear!

We powered our models with engines provided by Enya, Frog, PAW, MVVS, Webra, Fox, K&B, Testor and Veco just to name a few. And controlled them with radios from Arcon, Ace, Canon, Cox/Sanwa, Ripmax, MRC, Orbit, Pro Line and of course Kraft!

We had just moved into the 72, 40 & 35 Megahertz band (a big improvement over the 27 megahertz CB radio channels we use to use then). 2.4 Gigahertz was kind of military radar frequency or something like that. 3D was what we watched at the movies with “funky” glasses and nobody knew what the word “spread spectrum” was.

Life of an aeromodeler was fairly simple.

Preamble:

This model is not a “re-make” or “re-design” it’s the same model that Balsa Usa sold back in the 70’s made with original dies, the original plans and the original four pages of type written instructions.
We got to realize that when first introduced it was assumed that anybody building a R/C model like this had come up through the ranks of Free Flight, Control Line, and had already mastered a basic R/C trainer. So they would already be an experienced builder and four pages of instructions would be adequate after all it was and still is the matter a pretty simple model!

Specifications:
Weight:  5 – 51/2 lbs.
Wing Span:  52”
Length: 43”
Engine:  0.46cu.in 2 stroke ( ASP .46 used )
Radio: 4ch – 5 servos
Rudder Throws : 1” Left and Right
Elevator Throws : 1/2 “ Up and Down
Ailerons Throws : 1/2 “ Up and Down
Incidence : 0-0
Engine Offsets: 1 to 2 degrees right thrust.

Items needed to complete this kit:
1 no - 8 oz. Fuel Tank (Du-Bro used).
1 pack – Pin hinges (Du-Bro Reg. Hinges pack of 15 used).
2nos – 3x2mm Carbon Fibre Tubes for Push rods (Elevator and Rudder).
1no - Cable or Piano wire for Throttle (Cable used).
1pair –  2 1/2 “ Wheels (Anderson Wheels used).
1no  - Tail Wheel 1” (Anderson used).
4nos – 5/32” Wheel Collars.
2nos – 3/32” Wheel Collars.
1no – Suitable Engine mount (Aluminium mount used)
4nos – 5mm Blind Nuts used for engine mount.
2nos – Thin CA (Metlok 700 used).
1nos – Thick CA ( Metlok 793 used).
1ft – Silicon tubing.
2/3mts – Covering (Solar film used).
2nos – 9” Extension cables.
5nos – Standard Servos (Sanwa used).
1no – Prop 10” x 6” (Bolly and APC used).

Waiting for the pictures    

great sanjeev uncle is this the model you had told to me on the phone that you were about to start

and the rds8000 works great i use it only these days thanks

subbu

Sanjeev -

Are able to post pictures using the "Additional Options" link when you create or edit posts ?  Do you need any further assistance with this ?

Very well said. and made me soo nostalgic.
Good life indeed it was ! Except that you had to get everything from Tower  !

Tools used for building the smoothie:

1.   25mm Soft board stuck on 12mm plywood sheet, this makes you construction board 3ft by 4ft size.
2.   Balsa Knife Aluminium handle with #11 scalpel.
3.   Retractable knife for cutting.
4.   Razor Saw Thin.
5.   Razor Saw Thick.
6.   Razor plane.
7.   Plastic Jaw clips.
8.   Small document clips.
9.   Jewellers hammer.
10.   Nose plier.
11.   Pins.
12.   Sanding Blocks.
13.   Pin Vice.
14.   Small Pin Drill.
15.   90 degree square.

Glossery of terms used throughout these instructions and on the plans:

BHD = Bulkhead or Former
FWD = Forward
L.G. = Landing gear
L.E. = Leading edge
T.E. = Trailing edge
SH. = Sheet
FUSE = Fuselage
STAB = Stabilizer
ELE = Elevator
M.M. = Motor mount
DIE = Dihedral
SQ. = Square

Also note all wood is balsa unless noted otherwise.

This is how she (Smoothie ) looks fully built , with that vintage R/C Look. The picture is taken from another builder of the Smoothie.

Reminds me of the GP SuperSportster series..

See how the lines are so evidently derived from CL 

Gaurav yes this has the similar line to the Great planes Super sportster .46.


yes Capt. you are right this was a C/L model kitted by VECO & Brodack before it became a R/C kit by Balsa USA.

The VECO C/L Smoothie was designed by Mr.Bob Palmer.

WING CONSTRUCTION:

1.   Pin a ¼ “x 3/8” strip on edge over the wing plan about 1/8” in front of and parallel to the trailing edge sheet to raise the aft end of the ribs of the plan.
2.   Pin the bottom spar in place over the plans using scrap 3/32” from the die cut stock to block up the spar 3/32” above the plan.

3.   Cut holes in the first 5 ribs from the root rib, so that you could pass the servo wires through it.
4.   Pin or place all ribs in place ,then place the top spar and trim to size on the plan.
5.   Glue the ribs in place and also glue the 1/4sq leading edge in place.
6.   Now glue the bottom trailing edge and the top trailing edge in place.
7.   Next glue the top leading edge sheet and then the bottom leading edge sheet.
8.   Follow step 1 to 7 to make the opposite wing in the same manner except put the tip and the root ribs on the opposite ends.

9.   When joining the two wing panels together block up the tip ribs ½” each for a total dihedral of 1”
10.    Now glue the 1/8” ply dihedral brace.
11.    Next we glue the tapered filler block for the wing bolts to the centre of the trailing edge.
12.   Now locate the center ribs trim and glue it to the wing.
13.   Glue the wingtip parts and the tip rib in place.
14.   Glue tip block in place and carve to shape.

I saw this when I had been to his place.

What stage of completion was it at ?

Same as the pics, I remember he had poured all his love in building it   But I bet, it had come out professionally. Even lazer cut wont be close. Iam not lying. The pics justify it 

I have seen Sanjeev's model, its come out great, as Vinay said Sanjeev has poured all his love in building it. I have seen him work on the model, he has worked in detail on this model. I think the model is almost complete.

You are right think it nearly complete, and also the Delta is nearly complete.

If any of these are nearly complete, then I hope further photos and details are posted here with photos from the various intermediate stages

It would be very good for the forum audience to know more about this (dwindling?) aspect of the hobby, and who are the people who can act as mentors !

The DELTA is simply amazing..........

Great going Mr shah