I have read through many posts and responses about WAR plans and have built several, scaled WWII aircraft mockup cockpits. My conclusoion is that 50% is just a bit small especially when you consider the size of most of us. Redrawing plans based on upscaled RC models requires lots of engineering.
How about upscaling a set of WAR plans a modest amount, say 10% - 15%? Some engineering would still be necessary, but going to the next size hardware, say from AN3 to AN4 bolts or from 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch plywood increases the structural strength by factors of 1.8 to 2.25. Attention would have to be paid to weight control , but it's all doable. The upside is the cockpit seating gets 2 - 3 inches wider and 4 to 6 inches taller. Also, the wing area goes up by 15% to 30% reducing the wing loading considerably (assuming you watch the build weight). It is my undersrtanding that aircraft stability increases with upscaling
The easiest way to accomplish this is to get the plans in a digital format and import them into a suitable CAD system. If digital isn't available the drawings for components, such as bulkhaeds and wing ribs, can be enlarged by your local blueprint shop. That's how I made the plans for all three of the mockups I built. The P-39 plans started out as a Pepino giant scale RC model and a trip to Kinkos produced the mockup plans. The ME-262 and B-25 were also giant scale RC plans and were imported into Draftsite or Progecad, rescaled and patterns were printed. One downside is that any parts such as canopys, cowlings and fuselage/wing parts would have to be made in the larger scale thus increasing the build time for such a project.
Vince Homer
How about upscaling a set of WAR plans a modest amount, say 10% - 15%? Some engineering would still be necessary, but going to the next size hardware, say from AN3 to AN4 bolts or from 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch plywood increases the structural strength by factors of 1.8 to 2.25. Attention would have to be paid to weight control , but it's all doable. The upside is the cockpit seating gets 2 - 3 inches wider and 4 to 6 inches taller. Also, the wing area goes up by 15% to 30% reducing the wing loading considerably (assuming you watch the build weight). It is my undersrtanding that aircraft stability increases with upscaling
The easiest way to accomplish this is to get the plans in a digital format and import them into a suitable CAD system. If digital isn't available the drawings for components, such as bulkhaeds and wing ribs, can be enlarged by your local blueprint shop. That's how I made the plans for all three of the mockups I built. The P-39 plans started out as a Pepino giant scale RC model and a trip to Kinkos produced the mockup plans. The ME-262 and B-25 were also giant scale RC plans and were imported into Draftsite or Progecad, rescaled and patterns were printed. One downside is that any parts such as canopys, cowlings and fuselage/wing parts would have to be made in the larger scale thus increasing the build time for such a project.
Vince Homer