This is a really cool-looking and beautiful plane! The elliptical wings and tail feathers give it that Golden Age look. Designer Thornton Hoffman’s build article appeared in the August 1958 Model Airplane News. The 56-inch-span model, dubbed “Conquistador II,” was originally intended as a control line “stunter” and was powered by a .35 diesel engine.
To convert it to a modern RC, electric plane, there were two challenges: weight and the absence of a battery hatch. Most of these older designs are heavy, with lots of 3/32-inch sheeting and silk, dope, and paint covering. To make a good plane, you need to make it light and strong enough. This plane isn’t going to be doing 100 mph snap rolls!
THE FUSELAGE
To build the fuselage, I just use the lighter stick method instead of formers and sheeting. I used 1/4-inch-square longerons at the top, above the wing and at the bottom of the fuse, 3/16-inch-square uprights, and 1/8-inch-square diagonals. Since they are recessed, you don’t need to worry about sanding them.
Build one side, sand both sides of it, flip it over, cover with
