HPA

Scale Free Flight Forum => Scale, Indoor (F4D, F4E, Kitscale) => Topic started by: Robert McKellar on Apr 28, 2026, 01:52 AM

Title: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: Robert McKellar on Apr 28, 2026, 01:52 AM
So here's my take on the Miles M5 built from Walt Mooney's plan OZ1193.

 I printed the plan at 1/20 scale which gives a span of 16.8". I drew my own wing and Htail plans to build over as the drawing was a little wonky and not quite symetrical.

 I raised the wing in the fuselage a little bit to better match photos which show the fuselage protrudes below the wing. The fin shape was tweaked again, to better match photos.

 The tail features a built up airfoil cross section and I used scale rib spacing on all flying surfaces. The wing uses the Dave Reese style construction with 1/20 square ribs. The upper ribs were laminated from two layers of 1/20 x 1/40 balsa.

Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: Robert McKellar on Apr 28, 2026, 01:57 AM
And here's some shots of the wing construction.

 This model will have seperate control surfaces mainly because I like the scale look. The spar joiner is 1/64 ply.
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: dputt7 on Apr 28, 2026, 06:36 PM
Nice work.
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: TheLurker on Apr 28, 2026, 06:49 PM
Very nice work. 
Take it you've found a fairly easy way to reduce image file sizes.
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: g_kandylakis on Apr 28, 2026, 07:50 PM
A very nice and light construction!
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: Robert McKellar on Apr 29, 2026, 07:00 AM
Thanks for the kind remarks!

 Here's the model all framed up and at this point it weighed 8.8g

Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: cvasec on Apr 29, 2026, 11:22 AM
That is lovely!
Ron
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: malc on Apr 29, 2026, 06:11 PM
What he ^ said!
Sounds very light for the size.
M.
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: Robert McKellar on Apr 30, 2026, 02:37 AM
 For covering I use Asuka tissue with nitrate dope and sanding sealer over the bare balsa sections. Just needs a windscreen, paint and I'll be building a section of a dummy cylinder to fit in the nose. It will need some nose weight so might as well be scale detail!

 The weight after covering is 12.33g which I'm very pleased with.

Cheers!

Rob
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: OZPAF on Apr 30, 2026, 03:03 AM
Very impressive work and interesting structure topped off with a neat covering effort.

Good luck with it.

John
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: Robert McKellar on Apr 30, 2026, 04:37 AM
Quote from: OZPAF on Apr 30, 2026, 03:03 AMVery impressive work and interesting structure topped off with a neat covering effort.

Good luck with it.

John

 Thanks! I'll be one nervous chap on flight day!
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: gravitywell on Apr 30, 2026, 09:16 AM
Beautiful model of a beautiful airplane.
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: lincoln on Apr 30, 2026, 10:49 PM
Some people are more patient than I am.
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: Stunthenk on May 01, 2026, 01:04 PM
It looks as if you've used a flat bottomed wing section. Correct?
Title: Re: Miles M5 Sparrowhawk
Post by: Robert McKellar on May 01, 2026, 07:36 PM
Quote from: Stunthenk on May 01, 2026, 01:04 PMIt looks as if you've used a flat bottomed wing section. Correct?

 Yes, I did use a flat bottom airfoil.

 They perform better than conventional airfoils at low Reynolds numbers and it makes building a lot easier.