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Outdoor Free Flight Forum => Old Time Rubber => Topic started by: chris46 on Mar 11, 2026, 04:35 PM

Title: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: chris46 on Mar 11, 2026, 04:35 PM
Jimmie Allen models are virtually unknown in Switzerland. I can't say why this is the case, even though these models are very attractive and good flyers. After building the Parasol and the Skyraider, I have now started building the Yellow Jacket. It is a mid-wing aircraft with a wingspan of 25 inches.
Bamboo strips are intended for the edge finishes of the wings, rudder, and stabilizer. This material is very stiff and difficult to bend, especially at tight radii. In my collection of craft materials, I found rattan. This is easy to work with and bend without breaking. So I used rattan instead of bamboo.
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: chris46 on Mar 11, 2026, 04:37 PM
To attach the wings to the fuselage, a complicated wire construction with rubber bands is required, as far as I understand. I have fitted the wings with dowels so that they can be attached to the fuselage.
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: chris46 on Mar 11, 2026, 04:40 PM
I also modified the fuselage, which has space for two cockpits. I left out the rear cockpit. The reason? I only have one pilot figure left!
In my opinion, the plans show a strange-looking nose cone. My model will have a hood for a 12-cylinder engine with clearly visible exhaust pipes.
Chris

To be continued
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: gravitywell on Mar 12, 2026, 01:22 AM
I love all the Jimmy Allen models.  Your rendition looks very nice and "fightery?". LOL 8)
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: OZPAF on Mar 12, 2026, 02:01 AM
The wing and tail look strong and light with their thin rattan curved tips.

Does the rubber motor actually run over the top of your wing joining tubes?

Very clean build.

John
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: chris46 on Mar 12, 2026, 11:22 AM
Dear John
Yes,the minimum clearance between the backrest of the pilot's seat and the upper edge of the wing attachment is 1.5 cm. (0.6 inches) This should actually be sufficient for the rubber bands. This would also dampen any swinging of the rubber.

Chris
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: OZPAF on Mar 13, 2026, 02:26 AM
Thanks Chris. It looks very neat from that rear overhead shot.

John
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: chris46 on Apr 03, 2026, 04:11 PM
I have now covered the model. For the covering, I used a lightweight paper from Eze weighing just 14 g per square meter. I then applied three coats of dope. Finally, I airbrushed the entire model with a yellow base coat.

To be continued, Chris
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: OZPAF on Apr 04, 2026, 04:24 AM
Very nice, Chris. It would not have been right to have it any other colour :)

Happy trimming.
John
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: gravitywell on Apr 04, 2026, 10:15 AM
I don't know what it is about the entire Jimmy Allen series, but I find all of them so beautiful.  Your Yellow Jacket is a prime example of this.
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: JWHall on Apr 04, 2026, 03:23 PM
VERY Nice! :o
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: chris46 on Apr 06, 2026, 12:20 PM
@ John, gravitywell and JVHall: Thanks for the « flowers »

I'm thrilled to announce the rollout of the Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket" today. The model is now ready for its first test flights.
The propeller shown in the pictures is for display purposes only. According to FAC regulations, a 10-inch propeller is required for flight. The total weight of the model is 74 grams. This results in a wing loading of 10.4 g/dm² for the wing area, not including the elevator.

Chris
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: MKelly on Apr 06, 2026, 04:49 PM
That is absolutely magnificent. Very nice work, love the exhausts and rocker covers. Good luck with your flights!

Mike
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: OZPAF on Apr 07, 2026, 03:46 AM
The black trimming and scallops on the wing really set it off Chris. The Curtis Hawk front end really suits it.

Great effort - good luck with it.

John

Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: rgroener on Apr 07, 2026, 03:11 PM
Hey Chris
An other great looking Jimmie Allen plane.
Ready for the July meeting...
Can't wait to see it in the air.
Roman
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: ZIP.58 on Apr 08, 2026, 05:38 PM
If the model had been photographed on a closely mowed lawn or on asphalt, you might wonder, "Is that the model or the real thing?"
As always, great work, great model—just like Chris!
Congratulations, Pete
Title: Re: Jimmie Allen "Yellow Jacket"
Post by: dputt7 on Apr 08, 2026, 05:52 PM
Very nicely built and well finished off, a credit to you.