Topic: Poppet Biplane free plan.

I have dug out a copy of the Poppet Biplane free plan from one of the mags about 10 years ago. It seems an attractive little aeroplane, and will make a nice Winter flyer for me. I notice the Poppet has an excellent pedigree (jointly designed by a certain Brian Cooper) so I know it'll be a good 'un.

As Brian often frequents this forum, I'd like to ask if there's anything I should/shouldn't do before I start cutting wood, or indeed even while I'm cutting wood?

I'm going to use one of the very few two strokes I still own, an Irvine .39.

Hi Brian, build it as per the plan, it is a really good aeroplane ( built two ) !!
Regards as always
Chris.

Thanks for that Chris. The Poppet doesn't look like a huge investment in either wood or time, so It ought to be good.

I just found another engine I could use, a Thunder Tiger GP42. The Irvine might be the better option though.

Keep it light 

I over engineered mine and it was an "interesting" flyer.

Thanks for that half throttle. 

What might be a good target weight? There is no info on the plan regarding auw.

Not sure of its AUW

I put a radial cowl on mine and it looked the mutt's.     LA .46 powered

I've got some old fashioned cardboard photos somewhere, I'll see if I can dig them out and scan one or two

Lovely looking plane.

I think I may have one of these in my loft that I bought at a swap meet !.I have no info on it and any suggestions for engine size would be greatly appreciated !.I may be able to photograph it and put some piccies on for you !..... Simon

It's intended for a .30 to .40 size engine Simon, and was jointly designed by a chap named Brian Cooper, who just happens to be a regular on this forum.

A .46 LA wasn't too powerful.

Found the photos, SWMBO scanning them now.

Voila

Just remembered, don't make the interplane struts until you've got it rigged.

IIRC they're the wrong length on the plan.

Nice pics HT. 

I'll bear your comment about the interplane struts in mind!

The most important think you shouldn't forget is the building thread starting with the pictures of the pieces you are cutting! 

Yup, I am (jointly) guilty for designing this one.   
The original was designed by Maurice Ashby, father of Graham and David Ashby of RCM&E fame, but his original plans were too dilapidated to be of any use. 
So, working from photos and a few scraps of drawings, I drew up the new design.

Yes, be careful with the interplane struts --- they were copied wrongly by the artist and, consequently, they are wrong on the plan. 

It was a pleasant performer, but it soon showed that it craved a bit more power than the MVVS .40 which I had in mine – bi-planes soak up power ---   So I changed it for an MVVS .49.  This was a useful improvement. 

Keep it light and try not to under-power it.
It flies best with a four aileron set-up. 

The Poppet shown in the mag had many uneventful flights and was eventually given to Maurice as a prezzie. 
As far as I know, he has probably still got it. 

B.C.

Yes, be careful with the interplane struts --- they were copied wrongly by the artist and, consequently, they are wrong on the plan. 
B.C.

Brian

I think the copyist drew it off the side view at the fuselage end, forgetting that there's dihedral on the bottom wing 

Paul

Thanks for the info Brian as I knew very little about the plane.I saw it and loved the look of the plane and its in a1 condition !Just in the process of moving into the shed as other half fed up of planes everywhere, and this will be my next project

Yes Brian, info appreciated.  

Perhaps my Irvine .39 might be a bit light on grunt?  I think I'll go with an Irvine .46 (an OS made one) I also have.

I'll make card patterns for the interplane struts before I make them from liteply.

The four aileron set-up is also noted!

Just thinking Brian, what about 30 to 40% larger for a .90?

Yes Brian, info appreciated.  

Perhaps my Irvine .39 might be a bit light on grunt?  I think I'll go with an Irvine .46 (an OS made one) I also have.

I'll make card patterns for the interplane struts before I make them from liteply.

The four aileron set-up is also noted!

Just thinking Brian, what about 30 to 40% larger for a .90?

The main problem with the interplane struts was the artist didn't allow for the sweep on the top wing. 

Yeah, a larger Poppet would be great.   It would also be in keeping with the latest trends for larger models.   Go for it.     But be mindful of how bi-planes soak up power.  You might want a bit more than a .90

B.C.

B.C.

Here's the Poppet in its bare bones.
And a piccie of it with a couple of my kids, Daniel and Rebecca.

Daniel used to like to fly the model.
The "pilot" was a doll nicked borrowed from Rebecca's dolls' house. 

B.C.

Cheers Brian

Ah yes, I remember the colour scheme from the mag article now. I lost the mag years ago but kept the plan, just in case....

Mmm, I see what you mean about the 4 ailerons. Still, it comes as no surprise as I've read your test reports!   

What a beautifull little aircraft, Can anyone point me in the right direction of a set of plans.
My next build i hope

What a beautifull little aircraft, Can anyone point me in the right direction of a set of plans.
My next build i hope

JWH; PM me your address and ill send you a set, i think Ive still got it.

I think I have 1/2 the plan somewhere, it came in wings one month, fuz in next.

No it didn't NFG, it's all one the one sheet. Fuselage plus other bits on one side, wings on the reverse.

JWH; PM me your address and ill send you a set, i think Ive still got it.

Got the plans mate cant thank you enough, I can see it souring over the blyth field as i type this Wey aye man