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Andy Reynolds' Vought XF5U
Designed by Andy Reynolds.
Free plans from Winter 2013 Park Pilot.
The XF5U was an experimental design by Vought during World War II. The flat, round-shaped body led to the nickname “Flying Flapjack.” The entire body is the lifting surface, and its design resulted in low takeoff and landing speeds, but a high top speed.
After some “interesting” prototypes, the final version of the XF5U flies well. It’s fairly quick and maneuverable, yet can slow down nicely. I set the elevons for as much throw as I could manage. This isn’t really needed for normal flying, but it does allow for some tight maneuvering.
One of my favorite moves is to pull vertical, and apply full throttle and full aileron at the same time. The XF5U keeps going up for as long as I like, rolling all the way. Land it under power; it doesn’t have much of a glide, but will settle to the ground nicely with a touch of throttle.
If you have any questions or comments, or would like to see additional images of the build, please visit my RCGroups blog at rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1761066.
Read the entire build article inside the Winter 2013 issue of Park Pilot.
From any angle, the Flying Flapjack’s unique appearance commands the attention of every one who sees it. The best part is that the model flies well, so the attention has its reward.
The length of 1/4-inch bass or 4mm carbon-fiber tube runs from nacelle to nacelle, providing rigidity.
Andy’s XF5U is on the wing. Care to guess how the “Flying Flapjack” nickname came to be?
Click here to download your free Vought XF5U Build It Plans.
Article:
10 comments
FPV
I'm wonder if I go on a bigger scale and install some solar cells on it maybe it can be the perfect FPV plane for long range, what do you think?
flapjack
Interesting plane, sure to generate comments at the field.
looks like a lot of fun
looks like a lot of fun
CG ?
What is the CG location.
CG
Hi John,
You can learn more about the build process in our Winter 2013 print issue of Park Pilot. You may also find the following article about CG helpful from our sister publication Model Aviation - http://www.modelaviation.com/dealingwithcg.
If you would like to subscribe to our print magazine, please visit http://theparkpilot.org/subscribe or call 1-800-435-9262.
CG Location
Look on the plans, it's clearly marked on the upper half of the body. Look for a circle with black and white "pie-cuts".
XF5U
Looks very intersting, I'm going to build it; Are the Fuslage, eng. nacel, Vert & Horz Stab all 1/8 ply?
Also trying to invision the servo connection.
XF5U
Hi Jack!
Hi John,
You can learn more about the build in the Winter 2013 print issue of Park Pilot.
If you would like to subscribe to our print magazine, please visit http://theparkpilot.org/subscribe or call 1-800-435-9262.
Flew today
I finished the XF5U last week and was able to fly it today. Mine is built from Dollar Store foam 3mm.
I have v tail mixers on both the elevons and the twin motors. Had the increase the elevator throw due to poor up elevator throw. Also had to resync the motors so both were at the same power on throttle up.
It then flew fine and was able to land it fine.
Model Airplane News Jan 1947
I found a dozen or so Model Airplane News issues from late 40s - early 50s. The one from Jan 1947 has a cover story about this plane.
I can't see how to add scanned images to this. Please let me know how or where to put them. I took pictures of the whole article.
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