"The Flying Aces Super R.O.G. - Article & Plans
May 1934 Flying Aces

May 1934 Flying Aces Table of Contents These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

If you are looking for a simple stick and tissue model airplane to build, the Flying Aces Super R.O.G. fits the bill. The fuselage is a stick like the (former) dime store Comet wind-up rubber band models, and the empennage components are built up from 1/16" square balsa. Interestingly, the wing ribs are made from thin bamboo strips that are bent to an airfoil shape, which results in a high lift undercambered cross-section. You can probably substitute medium to hard 1/16" square balsa if bamboo is not available. If you want to stick with the original construction, bamboo shish kebab or chop sticks are pretty cheap at Walmart. Covering is Jap tissue. The R.O.G.'s wingspan is about 16".

The Flying Aces Super R.O.G. - Article & Plans

By Julius Unrath

Build this model according to specifications - and then watch it tear cobwebs off the ceiling! This month we present the Flying Aces Super R.O.G., a flying model that will grab height like a Boeing pursuit and soar to heights like a stratosphere balloon.

Here is a model that can be built by beginners and yet it will provide a real thrill for experts. Snappy in performance, possessing exceptionally clean lines, the Flying Aces Super R.O.G. flies 1 1/2 minutes consistently. It grabs altitude like a Boeing pursuit, and soars to heights never seen by a stratosphere balloon. All you Flying Aces fans start building right away and have a real model for any competition.

Motor Stick and Landing Gear

The motor stick, a hard piece of balsa, 1/8" x 3/16" x 12", is cut to the correct size and shape, then given a coat of dope and sanded smooth. The fittings are then made of No. 8 piano wire and cemented in place. The landing gear is made of No. 10 piano wire and cemented firmly to the motor stick.

Two interesting views are provided of the Flying Aces Super R. O. G., the high-flying model which we present this month. Notice the exceptionally clean lines of this snappy performer.

Tail Surfaces

The tail surfaces are built of balsa, with bamboo tips. The leading and trailing edges are 1/16" sq. balsa, while the ribs are 1/32" x 1/16" balsa, and the tips are 1/32" sq. bamboo. The stabilizer is covered on the bottom only and cemented to the top of the motor stick. The rudder is covered only on the left side, and cemented to the top of the stabilizer, with the trailing edge offset to the left about 3/32 of an inch.

Follow these directions carefully.

Wing

The leading and trailing edges are 3/32" x 1/8" hard balsa, while the ribs and tips are 1/32" x 3/64" bamboo. A novel method is employed for making and fitting the ribs. Two pieces of 1/4" x 1/32" x 3 1/4" bamboo are bent to the shape of the rib. The bamboo is then split into ribs 3/64" wide. These ribs are then fitted by measuring from the leading edge of the rib and cutting off that part of the trailing edge that protrudes beyond the trailing edge of the wing. This will automatically give the wing the required taper. The wing clips are next cemented in place, and the wing covered on the upper surface only.

Propeller

The propeller is cut from a piece of hard balsa 3/8" x 3/4" x 7" to the shape shown in the drawing, then carved so that it will turn counter-clockwise, therefore making it a right-hand propeller.

Covering and Doping

The covering is superfine, which, due to its lightness, is excellent for this model. Instead of using a nitrate or acetate dope - with the probability of warping the surfaces - steam is applied, which, when dry, will tighten the covering sufficiently. The wing is attached to the motor stick by means of the wing clips. The model is then glided after two strands of 1/8-30 rubber have been strung between the propeller shaft and rear hook.

Super R.O.G. Plans

Posted June 5, 2021