Rubber-Powered Fairey Barracuda

[AndyB]

The fin mount is now resolved and stringers are installed. I always seem to screw up a few stringer position and former shapes slightly. I'm sure this is perfectly normal...

As things stand, the parts weigh about 30 grams. There's some to be sanded off that, but there's also some infill required to the nose, a tailwheel and a canopy with at least one crew member; I have some suitably-coloured tissue from Wind-it-up Enterprises (thanks to The Lurker) so the finish shouldn't be too heavy, but there is a suspicion that my final weight target (45 grams) may be at risk.

[TheLurker]

Two peg positions?  This is a Barracuda & not a Gannet, yes?

Nice bit of joinery old chap.

[OZPAF]

What a neat looking truss structured fuselage.

John

[THB]

Great aeroplane - following with interest. many years ago I built the Earl Stahl version - a great flyer. The Barracuda has perfect proportions for a flying model

[Prosper]

The Barracuda has perfect proportions for a flying model

I agree, except for the ludicrous 21% thickness-to-chord at the wingroot.

I hope these changes don't change the character of the model too much - they'll probably pale into insignificance when set next to the much-thinner-than-scale airfoil that I've had to use.

I don't blame you for modifying it for 'simplified scale'.

I've always liked the look of the Barracuda - a kind of sullen menace about it.

Stephen.

[AndyB]

Two peg positions?  This is a Barracuda & not a Gannet, yes?
...

That's because I want the longest possible motor and I don't know what I can get away with as far as rear peg position is concerned - if there's too much noseweight with the rear position, the forward position should work.

... except for the ludicrous 21% thickness-to-chord at the wing root.

"Ludicrous" is a good description for the thickness of the original Barracuda wing

Quick update today. After spending quite a bit of time getting it to the stage where it can be assembled; amazingly, alignment was nearly right first time, requiring a just small amount of fettling. Lots to do still, it needs crew, canopy, tailwheel, flap mounts, prop/spinner and exhausts.

Oh, and it still needs the tailplane breaking for the D/T, the rear half will have to pop to about 90 degrees to get the required effect (might have to use stitched hinges), and I must remember to mount the D/T mechanism (viscous rotary timer) somewhere before steaming on with the covering.

[TheLurker]

Not 'alf bad that.

[Squirrelnet]

Beautiful building Andy

[OZPAF]

It has a nice well balanced look Andy - very neat construction as well.\

John