Supermarine Sparrow I 36”
Copyright© 2004-11 M.K. Bengtson All Rights Reserved Rev 07/11
Sparrow I 36”
Thank you for purchasing the Sparrow I model for
electric flight.
The new Supermarine Sparrow I was entered into the
1924 Daily Mail Two-Seater Light Aeroplane
Competition held in Lympne, Kent UK. The sparrow
was flown by Henri Baird on September 11. It's color
scheme included a dark blue fuselage bearing the
number 9 on an aluminum doped background. The
wings, struts, tail surfaces and engine cowling were also
an aluminum doped color. The aircraft sported full-span
ailerons on both wings. They could be drooped to
modify the camber of the wings in a flaps like fashion.
The Sparrow was plagued by chronic engine failures
and did not win the competition. In fact, it required a
second engine to finish the race and even that one
seized up on the approach to the finish line. Still, the
airframe is a classic and refitted as an electric flying
model, she is a delight to fly.
THE MODEL
A semi scale adaptation, this model is designed to be
easy to build and exciting to fly
.
Model Specifications:
More than 120 laser cut parts
Scale: ~10th
Channel R/E/T
Wingspan: 36"
Wing Area:
300 Sq in
Weight:
without battery is 10 oz. 16 oz with
8x1050 Kan nimh
Power
system:
Designed for Speed 300 Horst 4:1
gearbox.
Prop: 9x7
Air Foil:
Flat Bottomed
Wheels:
Balsa, plywood, Neoprene foam cord tires,
Cowl/Spinner: N/A/
BUILDING THE MODEL
FUSELAGE CONSTRUCTION
The fuselage is built as a unitized box structure, using
pre-cut side frames with pre-cut notches for the formers.
Building Of The Fuselage
Begin by connecting the fuselage frames and formers
over the top view of the fuse on the plan. Crack the
fuse sides as indicated by the marking on the fuse.
Lean them in and glue in the horizontal the motor mount
FT.
Add slight right thrust by trimming the right side of the
fuse before attaching F1 and the front balsa nose.
Down thrust is built into the Horst Gearbox.
Adding The Undercarriage Plates
Once dry, remove from the board and add the 1/8” x1/4”
bass wood crosspieces that serve as u/c plates.
