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Specifications
Wingspan 126"
Length 96"
Weight 17lbs (8 Kgs)
Finish Coverite/Nylon and two part epoxy paint
This model of the De Havilland Beaver has got a long and interesting story.
First thing to mention is that it is the oldest model on the island still flying. Although I have got no precise records, it appears that the model was built in the late fifties by an unknown British modeller who was at the moment stationed in Malta. From what I could gather, he must have been closely connected with aircraft because the model was built from the actual manual of the real aircraft which is now also in my possession.
At that time, very limited radio equipment and hardly any engines existed to suit this size of model. Nevertheless, the builder nearly finished the job, less engine and radio. It turned out that he was transferred from the island and he obviously found some difficulties to transport this monster. It was eventually passed half built on to a club member who is still very active today, Mr Joe Cassar. At that time we only flew single channel with rubber powered escapements and valve transmitters and receivers and used small diesel engines.
When the larger engines (Merco 61 Twin plug!!) came on the market, Mr Cassar was the first to acquire one, but he still had a problem with the actuator for the single channel equipment we used to operate with - we used rubber driven sequential actuators and he was very apprehensive to use it on such a large model. Then the motorised actuators came on the market - I had bought one and he was quick to aske me for it. I was very anxious to see if this "big" model could fly and so I sold it to him.
I will never forget that day. With only a couple of inches of propellor (16 by 4) extending beyond the huge cowl, the poor Merco 61 screamed away and the model started moving. The first attempt did not succeed as there was not enough lift off speed and the model had no elevator. Some fiddling with the tailplane incidence took place and the huge carcass rumbled down the runway, but to no avail. Further adjustments to the elevator incidence were made and once again Joe let it go. As it gathered a bit of speed, Joe gave a left rudder and the right wheel detached itself from the ground - as soon as he let go it fell back - he then gave right and the left wheel took off! When he realised this he throttled back and recommenced the take off run. This time he started give left and right rudder signals until the model started balancing itself on either the left or right wheel. After about two hundred yards it took off!! Very slowly it gained about thirty feet altitude, but by this time it was quite far off!! Joe kept his wits about him, however, and let it gain some more height before attempting any turn. Good thing the model was large! With the Merco screaming its lungs out, he brought it lumbering back towards us, at a good height and those moments were the most beatiful we had ever experienced! The landing was nothing to write home about and given that there was no elevator control, and hence no flare, the model landed a bit heavily and one wheel actually burst with a loud bang! (The wheel consisted of a small plastic beachball pressed by two halves of home made hubs!
The model was eventually passed on to another club member, Mr Louis Gatt, who was the first to install elevator and proper throttle control with the new proportional equipment, together with a brand new OS 80 rear induction engine. Performance was still poor, however, and although it was flew with great elegance and scale like manner, it was not seen frequently. It was at this stage that I came in the picture - we were bartering goodies one afternoon and Louis mentioned the Beaver - I always had the wish to own this model and so I took the opportunity and swapped it for an HP61 Austrian engine which I had bought. The original colour of the model was a very ugly sky light blue. I looked up some references and found an aircraft based in Germany (Army) which I liked very much. Green and brown camouflage and day glo panels - perfect. The picture shows the model in flight - as can be seen the dihedral is not scale due to the fact that the model has no ailerons.
Click
over picture to see full size
The model was flown quite often, used as a camera carrier as explained in my projects, and as a toffee bomber in open days. The engine was changed to a more powerful OS 91 two stroke which now heaved the model up with moderate ease. What is so beatiful about this model is that it has a very near scale flight envelope and control with rudder and elevator is perfect, even after the dihedral was reduced substantially.
To continue with my story, the model suffered a crash entirely due to my fault - I forgot to tighten the bolts holding the left wing strut and the wing folded up on take off. Damage was quite extensive, it being such an old model. I took it home and it was left lying for about six months, after which I decided to repair and refurbish it. As can be seen it now sports a white colour and the registration C-GAJU belongs to a full size aircraft based somewhere in Canada and still flying. I also put in some cockpit detail using the full size manual to copy the instrument panel, column, seats, etc. It is a pity that the interior cannot be enjoyed by a viewer due to the limited window areas.
Click
over picture to see full size
In the meantime, I had the opportunity to review a kit by Airsail of the same aircraft - my article appeared in British Model magazines around three years ago. It was much smaller and much less stable. But I ended up with a 'father' and 'son' situation!
That about rounds it up, except that credit must be given to the original builder of the model, who although he had no engine or radio for the model, managed to complete the model and make a very good job of it. The wings, in fact, are still in their orignal silk and dope covering!
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