Wonwings diary-The American Gyro Company AG-4 Crusader-Part 2.

[wonwinglo]

There is enough information here to build your very own Crusader,it will be a challenge to get that beautiful shape,Art Deco lovers will want one of these hanging from their ceilings,I also have an early American diecast model of her,plus the pressed tin toy seen below,she is quite unique and comes from a period in aviation when designers were not afraid to experiment,there has even been a book published about her.





Easy does it,the little relic is placed onto the workbench for a bit of TLC and a dust,X14429 was the American test registration of that period for the Crusader.



I also built a solid model from this 1930's plan,once again there is enough information here to build a modern electric flying model.



Wrinkled and crinkled,note the cellophane cockpit and two laminations of 1/32nd balsa wheel pants,those awful plastic props need to come off,the original handed balsa props which have been lost need re-carving.



If you build one then dont forget to make opposite handed propellers to eliminate the torque effect of twin motors,these are not the original props shown here.



The original orange box green grocers tissue has survived very well,and that is real red dope ! the registration letters were note paper cut out with nail scissors and doped on.

Example of 1930's tin toy model of the Crusader AG-4,you have to admit this machine has real class.

[Guest]

Reminds me of a blimp gondola with wings, Flash Gordonesque.

Pretty though.

BTW, thats on hell of an aircraft heaven you got there.

[Guest]

Very nice Barry.....I`m "stormed-off" work today,blizzard, and your post got me inspired (again) ! How about a couple of little GWS motors and a Lipo in your Crusader ? Colour plate in my book shows it to be bronze metallic finish. I spotted a near match in B&Qs spray cans amongst the golds, silvers and brass range but cant remember the brand.

[wonwinglo]

Yes the wall insulation works very well,I am only happy when surrounded with my models,it is only a tiny den which is my winter quarters,as soon as spring arrives it is out in the garden shed with the doors wide open,the birds a singing and lots of building going on with the messy jobs.

I had not thought of Flash Gordon,how right you are !

[wonwinglo]

Duncan,Gold finish now that is interesting ? she must have had a colour change sometime in her life,yes agree on the twin GWS motored version it would solve all that rubber in the boom storage,you have got me going now as I have been doodling some drawings,we could get this one to fly I am sure,may just do some quick chuck gliders to experiment with the fin sizes it would not detract too much with its looks.

[Guest]

Some submarine modellers extend thier fin surfaces with thin acetate sheet. This gives more a much more controllable model but does not detract from the "scale" look of the boat.

A similar approach may be worth a play.

[wonwinglo]

Wonwings diary-Den shots,lets see your own heaven ?

Well if you like busy workshop den scenes you may as well see the rest tigertc,and yes I do know where everything is,that is unless I clear up ! we did a workbench competition and Bunkerbarge won hands down for tidyness -

[wonwinglo]

Richard,yes that is one idea to play around,we also use this on monoplanes that have been built with insufficent dihedral angle,by placing a clear sheet bridge between the struts extra stability can be achieved,I think that my first Crusader was a bit on the heavy side so a bit of weight reduction would not come amiss,those old plans used lots of timber in them.

[Guest]

I fancy a hollowed-out blue foam "gondola" to give the smooth panel-beaten finish. The colour is more of a bronze than gold Barry. Dont you dare publish my workshop pictures again, hangs head in shame.:emo10:

[wonwinglo]

Duncan,ok how about hollowed blue foam fuselage with a balsa central spine say,then built up conventional lighweight wings,booms could be lamination of balsa core with blue foam either side,well sanded and finished as per the recent tutorial,fins could be clear sheet as Bunkerbarges suggestion,carefully trimmed down to limits as test flying results,sounds good to me.

Promise that I will not do a retake on the workshop pics,but they looked fine to me,a proper working environment.

[Guest]

Yep , thats exactly what I was planning. Most of it conventional balsa, built-up wings, sheet L.E. only. Sheet box booms, maybe all sheet tail. Just gondola in foam for easy smooth finish (brown paper). Cheat on size of fins, wont be competion standard, none of mine are ! Got two 18 size glo engines so that will decide size. 40" to 50" span sound OK ?

[wonwinglo]

Sounds just great Duncan,I endorse your comments about competition standard,I build for personal enjoyment not to waste time with polish,how it flies is more important,size is just perfect for those motors.