Vintage Carl Goldberg ‘Jr Falcon’ Plan - 37” Span
Here is the offer to bid on an unused reprinted restored kit plan for the Carl Goldberg ‘Jr Falcon’, which was a popular single channel RC sport model that originates in the early seventies. It was in production for a considerable length of time, but I believe it is now out of production.
Designed by kitted Carl Goldberg Models Inc. of America, the ‘Junior Falcon’ is one in the ‘Falcon’ series of simple to build, robust RC sport models. This is the smaller engined version that was designed for small field operation on a modest budget, with a small motor and cheap RC equipment. The ‘Jr Falcon’ is a shoulder-wing type design, originally designed for single channel operation.
The model features straightforward built up construction to provide a rugged airframe, well suited to club flying & even open moorland flying. The single sheet reprinted plan (23” x 35” Approx – crisp black print on white paper) is very nicely detailed, with full-size layouts of all the main assemblies (The right hand wing panel is shown in full, but needs a ‘cut & join’ operation on the plan – as per the original kit – OR mirror it from the left hand panel which is shown in full, without the need to cut & join the plan !). The wing ribs are to the same detail for the constant chord wings (The wing rib details can be determined from the fuselage cross section). The fuselage formers are mainly from strip & the details can be easily interpolated from the elevation & plan sections of the fuselage. The plan includes several ‘3-view’ sketches, with notes, of the various stages of construction of the airframe.
An experienced modeller will have no trouble replicating the ‘Jr Falcon’ airframe using the detail on the plan and their experience. That said it is not beyond the capabilities of a novice plan builder who has assembled a few ‘real’ kits in the past (Not just assembling modern ARTF airframes).
If you are a ‘retro’ enthusiast, and appreciate a bit of traditional building, then this plan set offers you the opportunity to replicate the Carl Goldberg ‘Jr Falcon’, and personalise it to suit your own preferences and flying style. Even today, it remains a pleasant and enjoyable sport model that is certainly not significantly disadvantaged by the age of the design, when compared to modern commercial compact sports offerings. This excellent design lends itself nicely to a little ‘modernisation’, which can enhance the performance envelope of this ‘classic retro’ machine. A great bit of nostalgia for modellers that have had, or flown, a Carl Goldberg ‘Jr Falcon’ (or one of the others in the range) in the past !
The recommended engine range on the plan is .049 to .074 cu in. It is no surprise to see a Cox motor on the plan ! Some of the later versions of the Cox motors have a throttle, which is a nice addition to these compact models.
You may even wish to consider an electric conversion. This is certainly feasible with either simple brushed motors (400/480) size on 7-8 Ni-Cad/Ni-Mh batteries OR 2S or 3S Li-Po batteries, or ‘hot-up’ with an Irvine brushed 400/480 (or similar) OR modern 400/480 brushless motors on similar batteries. (Potential for ‘Mild to Wild’ performance within those options ! ).
You are buying a plan set only – this is not a kit or an airframe !
This is a traditional balsa & plywood build that provides a comparatively quick to build airframe.
The fuselage is a simple box structure. The dorsal, fin & rudder are all sheet construction. The stabilizer is built from strip wood. It has a flat plate section, with (optional) elevators from sheet balsa.
The motor shown on the plan is radial mounted (traditional Cox motors), but the airframe could be readily adapted for beam mounted Cox ‘TD’ motors or similar power plants.
The wings are shown as individual built up panels. Sketches show the dihedral settings. The wings are shown as being fixed with rubber-bands, which offers a bit more ‘crash resistance’ if operating over rougher grass fields.
The model has a traditional ‘tricycle undercarriage’, with the main undercarriage mounted on the underside of the fuselage below the wings, and a nose-leg mounted on the firewall/front bulkhead. There is not a sketch for the undercarriage legs, but there is sufficient information to interpolate the necessary details for them. You could omit the undercarriage if you intend operating the model over open moorland (if you have permission to fly on such sites).
The Carl Goldberg ‘Jr Falcon’ built as shown on the plan has single channel ‘Rudder Only’ control, with the hint of an optional elevator control. (The plan shows a complex escapement to provide those functions via single channel RC …. It is amazing what was done in the past !) You can easily accommodate modern ‘mini’ proportional RC in this model to provide rudder/elevator and throttle (or ESC ! ) controls.
This design does not require any special, or custom made, parts, so all necessary items should be readily available from your local model shop.
The plan clearly shows the position for the centre of gravity, but no recommendations for the travel of the control surfaces.
The build is straightforward and would not present any problems to an experienced kit builder. It would even suit a novice plan builder. The model could also be used as a sport trainer if set up on reduced throws and used with a “buddy box” system and competent instructor.
Here is the chance to build a replica of the Carl Goldberg ‘Jr Falcon’ sport plane at a price much less than that of a comparable kit.
More work … but more satisfaction !
I would guestimate around £10-12 worth of balsa for this one !
Bidding starts at just £4.50 for this plan.
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