Polecat P30 - rubber powered RC version.

Here's an RC P30 I've been having some fun with. Topics: the first plan is for the Tubular Bustard P30 (I accidentally call it the Tubestake!), next the Polecat P30, notes on rolling a balsa tube with a doped interior, doping on fiberglass cloth (to save weight, I'm now using Esaki tissue), 1/4 and 1/2 mil Mylar, notes on using carbon fiber rib caps and some precautions, rubberized CA, a demonstration of the Gizmogeezer prop, half-tube with Piserchio hook, Uhu glue stick, Design Master Floral paint, pivoting rudder, Gizmogeezer winder. I also made cardboard cutout panels to test the paint on the Mylar and would recommend doing that. A typical (10 gram) motor for this length motor tube consists of 6 strands of 1/8" rubber about 20" long; the long motor version uses 4 strands of 1/8" rubber about 30" long. For sport flying, add an extra loop of 1/8" and use an 8 strand 20" motor!
Here's a video of this P30 flying:
• Polecat P30 rubber RC ...
For lots of pictures and informative discussion, see:
www.hippocketaeronautics.com/h...
For some comments on flying the P30 shown here see:
www.hippocketaeronautics.com/h...
Yet more pictures and designs are available in a P30 issue of Free Flight Quarterly (2010):
freeflightquarterly.com/wordpr...
The planes shown here:
The Polecat:
pearlfreeflight.com/
The Tubular Bustard P30:
www.jimoreillymodelplans.com/
The gizmogeezer prop and winder:
www.gizmogeezer.com/free.htm
volareproducts.com/BUY/index.p...
Here are some other nice kits I've had my eye on:
CB Model Designs: Monarch and Boomer Full/Short kits
cbmodeldesigns.com/
Some nice P30's built, partial, and kits:
starlink-flitetech.com/
www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk/
The Ikara Pee-Wee:
www.ikara.eu/index.php?nid=625...
The 'Perfect 30' (Ikara) in RTF form, the 'Speckled P30', the 'Kiwi P30': www.faimodelsupply.com/?produc...
There are many other suppliers of P30 kits/plans in addition to the above.

[@robertbrunston5406]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing all your build tricks they are a big help for me!

[@CahnDalan310]

Bagus p30 nya

[@oneand-only3815]

So I’m building a polecat at the moment and I had a question about the Mylar adhesion. Did I hear correctly that you use a UUH Glue stick? (That’s commonly used to attach tissue). I’m new to Mylar covering and didn’t like using the thinned contact cement option

[@domoremath]

Yes, I just use UHU, it has more than enough stick, even for undercambers. I also don't like using contact cement (and the toxic thinner), I think you can get a better job with UHU because you can pull it up and re-position it if need be.

[@65616larry]

Vantastic build, what size propeller was used and whats the normal wing cord on a P 30 ? i am guessing 5 inches I have built a few smaller rubber powered planes but now with the advantage of micro rc gear i really want to build a 30 inch wing span rubber up glider for fun , high five on your great work

[@domoremath]

Thanks, the P30 uses a 9 1/2" plastic prop, the Polecat's wing chord is about 4 1/4", my "Hell's Kitchen" chord is 4 1/2". I think P30 is perfect for rubber RC, you can get really nice flights, good luck!

[@erdalvolkan9026]

Thank you for the presentation, where can I buy this product?

[@domoremath]

You can get a short-kit for the Polecat from here: pearlfreeflight.com/

[@patriotrob7066]

I picked up a p30 climax at a swap meat. The prop shaft is bent. Do I make one. Or can I buy one?? Thanks

[@domoremath]

You'll probably have to make one, just get some music wire.

[@waterfordrs22]

Not sure if you are still rolling balsa tubes or using other materials........ Have you tried Tyvek on the inside a la Don Ross? Struck me as a good material for that application.

[@domoremath]

I'm not rolling the tubes anymore for P30, I really like the carbon fiber tubes, stronger and lighter, can get nice and slippery on the inside, and there is no doping! I compare balsa tubes to the carbon fiber tubes about a minute and a half into my Hell's Kitchen video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKjGZJh9i7ygY9E

[@domoremath]

Should probably mention, as far as balsa tubes are concerned, my bias at this point is not to use any material on the inside, 3 coats of dope on the balsa seems to do the trick, that seals it and it worked really well on this plane, which is still flying nicely after 4 years, and the balsa tube is fine, so I'm not sure I see any point to putting anything additional on the inside.