Dorand Ar.1
Looking for something a bit different for the FAC WWI mass launch? Try this little French reconnaissance plane!
By Tom Nallen II PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM NALLEN II T
he Dorand AR.1 was a little known, but widely produced WWI French reconnaissance aeroplane. By the end of World War I, hundreds of AR.1s had been manufactured, fitted with various engines and deployed in Escadrilles from the Western to the Italian Fronts. The Dorand is one of those rare modeling subjects; distinctive and unique, yet simple to construct and having all the right propor- tions for freeflight rubber scale. The plan for this model was drawn from 3-views and pho- tos in two main sources: Jane’s All the World’s Aircraft, 1919, and the Harleyford book Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War.
The model was designed to compete in
FAC Rubber Scale and World War I mass launch events. Mass launch events are among the most popular FAC events as they feature exciting shoulder-to-shoulder race- horse style launches and sequential flights until the last one down is declared winner. While my Dorand AR.1 model has competed successfully, I most enjoy flying it on calm evenings, watching it spiral upwards in wide right circles, then glide down to a gen- tle landing not far from where it was launched.
26 Construction
I constructed the model almost entirely with Ambroid glue thinned 30% with lac- quer thinner in a micro applicator. Start construction with the fuselage, which is a straightforward 1⁄16 square balsa box frame- work. It’s relatively simple since there are no wing saddles or intricate cabane mounts. Build two fuselage sides over the plan side view, one on top of the other. Select 1⁄16-inch square longerons that are a bit stiffer than you would normally use on an 18–20-inch wing span rubber powered model and your fuselage will be both strong and light. Moist- en the forward portions of the upper and lower longerons, so their curved shape is re- tained when you lift the frames from the building board.
After the first fuselage side is constructed and the cement has dried, remove the pins and tack down a sheet of plastic wrap over the frame. Build the second fuselage side directly over the first to ensure they are identical. When the cement has dried, lift both frames from the building board and separate careful- ly. I like to assemble the fuselage box by first adding the four top and bottom crosspieces at the cabane strut bays using 1⁄16-inch square balsa cut to length over the plan top view.
AT A GLANCE Type:
Construction: Wing span: Wing area: Length:
Weight w/o motor: Wing loading:
FAC Scale
balsa and tissue 25.75 inches 187 sq. in. 16.9 inches 36.1 grams
Motor: two 26-inch loops, 1
.26 gms./
sq.in. ⁄8
-inch rubber Using full strength Ambroid, cement
these crosspieces to the longerons at the proper locations and then pin the fuselage box upside down over the plan top view to aid alignment. View from the top and front to ensure the fuselage remains straight. When the glue has dried, draw the rear fuselage sides inward and cement the ends together at the tail post. Install the aft crosspieces and let the cement dry overnight. Next, remove the fuselage from
NOVEMBER 2012
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