Plan Download Page
Douglas F4D Skyray
This little Skyray flies well with a Rapier L2 motor, and gets up quite a turn of
speed. I reckon you could build it slightly larger (say about 1" bigger span) and still have enough
power.
I am happy to say the plan is now in a format where it will be rather easier to print off full size.
You have three options. There is a full size one-piece plan in bitmap format, four
smaller bitmaps for printing off on A4 paper with large overlaps, and a pdf file that will
print out four sheets to be joined together.
To read and print the pdf file you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which
is a free download from www.adobe.com
The pdf sheets should print off full size if you set your printer settings in Acrobat Reader to A4 paper, even if it has got different
sized paper in the printer, and page scaling to "none" (or 100%) . If in doubt, check against the scale on the plan.
The small bitmaps in the zip file are all 1000 x 1600 pixels, and scanned at 150 dpi. So if you print the images
with a page width of 6.67 inches (1000/150) they should come out full size.
Click
here to download the plan as a four page pdf file (528 KB)
Click
here to download the plan as zipped bitmap files (492 KB)
Click
here to download the plan as one large bitmap file (zipped) (228 KB)
Some notes on construction:
Fuselage formers are split horizontally - build a top half first using FK1, FK2, FK3,
WRU and the upper formers. Add the central upper stringers plus the curved piece
that runs through the cockpit area. Remove from board, add the bottoms to all of
the formers, and start adding stringers, alternating top and bottom to avoid distortion.
Add motor tube before you get too many stringers on.
I lined the motor trough with three pieces of paper - it has a double curve so you can’t
do it in one piece. Don’t forget to add the self-adhesive aluminium foil over the paper
- I do this after covering.
I built the wings by splitting all the ribs - constructing a top half flat on the
board, then later adding the bottoms of the ribs and lower spar. You could do it
by blocking up the LE and TE on the building board and using the ribs whole. The
separate elevons are a pain to make, but necessary for stability. Make sure the
wire hinges are relatively stiff, otherwise the elevons could blow flat when the
speed builds up!
Wing dihedral shown agrees with my model - not easy to measure - I did it on the
"that looks about right" principle!
Let me know if you have a go at building the Skyray (photos would be welcome) -
also please get in touch if you have any queries about the design or construction
methods.
Click here to find out more about Jetex and Rapier powered models, and how to trim them.