Stuka JU-87, 70

Hey guys, ever since the fine pictures were posted from the last Tucson meet, the pictures of a fellow with a super fine Stuka gull wing stunt, I've been really drooling! I'm ordering a Great planes Stuka JU-87 ARF gull wing, 70" for the .60 to .75 2 stroke engine class from Tower. Am I (crazy when I propose) to remove the skin on all kit components, and create from scratch, using the Great Planes kit as a blue print only for a smaller version stunt kit? To be precise, duplicating a strong design gull wing. How far would I need to reduce the size of the new kit for an truly effective stunt ship? Also, would a true gull wing design be suitable for PA? And, could I reduce all demensions of the original in equal proportions? Any Ideas?

there are plenty of gull wing design Stukas out there....the Hi Johson one being the most popular....I have plans for 3 different Gull wing stukas if you are interseted in seeing what I mean....even one for 1/2a sized motors with 37 1/2 inch span.

Apparently the gull wing is REALLY stable in flight.....but this is just what I have heard.......
others will have opinions....

I had a Corsair that was stable in flight. Much prettier than any old Stuka.

>I had a Corsair that was stable in flight. Much prettier
>than any old Stuka.

Oh, now, don't say that, Ty. Actually there was a Corsair at the Nats a few years back with full working flaps on both sides of the gull wing. He had a home made linkage that was very friction free. The plane appeared to fly quite well in the air.

So, your biggest problem is going to be what, if anything, are you going to do with moving flaps? Some will just put moving flaps on the inside of the gull, but that isn't much. If you go for a scale-like wing platform you will also find yourself using very narrow wing tips. This will not give you a lot of room for adjustment for the leadout guide, but should be adequate if properly (and logically) placed.

The gull wing, just like dihedral, will not affect things on a tethered plane so long as you have the vertical center of gravity properly located. I would say, "go for it." Get that design on paper. Work out the kinks. Then we can build one.

Yes, I would like to see the plans, possibly acquiring a copy of them if possible. Thanks to Leonard, yourself and others that responded I'm going to go ahead with the project. I've learned in my own still budding experience that concentrating on just a few designs leads to greater results, for example my love for the Nobler and spin-off versions. The JU-87 is a great design as well. Maybe in time, I'll have something to contribute to CL in a truly meaningful way. Thanks All.

Hi Gang, Does anyone know which version of his Stuka did Jack Sheeks bring to Tucson? I know he had drawn up two different ones. Thanks in Advance, Mike

Mike and William B --

Spoke w/Jack at VSC about the bigger (looking, anyway) desert tan camo Stuka he flew. I found a page plan for this one in the photo gallery on PAMPA's website - STUKA 70. Jack also published a skinnier fuselage inverted gull wing Stuka in 1963. Both may have been in Flying Models (I don't recall the big one, tho) He said the skinny aft fuse version vibrated more than he liked. The Stuka 70 name may refer to publication date: it flew prior to the Classic cutoff. Jack, wouldn't fake on a thing like that.

Anyway, I downloaded the Stuka70 image, and it printed well enough to consider KINKO-type machine blow-up. It's a lot more scale than the earlier, skinny one. Didn't get to see it fly, but you'll notice on the image that flaps and elevators look WAY small. Flaps only operate from the fuselage to the 'elbow' where the outer panels go to dihedral. He did the same with his earlier JU57, his Corsair and his Shiek -- all inverted gull layouts.

Hi Lou, Thank you very much for the info on the Stuka. All the Best, Mike