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Fouga Magister

We started this project back in June 2000. The goal was to create a unique precision scale jet model, setting new standards in scale modelling. The model is perfectly suited for both IJMC Jet World Masters events and F4C scale competitions. We chose the scale of 1/4.5 with a wingspan of 2.7 metres giving the right size for super detailing while still allowing easy transport and handling.

The model is designed around the latest generation of 90N (20 lbs) thrust class turbines like the Graupner G-Booster 80, the EvoJet Booster 90 or the Wren Supersports. These are all compact and lightweight turbines which are perfectly matched for this airframe and provide plenty of power (more than twice the thrust to weight ratio of the full size).

First kits available as from July 2010

photo of full size (courtesy Wim Houquet)

Design philosophy

From the beginning, it was decided not to make any concessions to scale, even if this means a lot more work (for me, the designer).

All documented dimensions were respected to a tenth of a millimeter, resulting in outlines which are as true to scale as humanly possible. This includes the typical glider airfoil with its very thin trailing edge. All panel lines and fastener detailing is authentic. The landing gear is scale in all respects and we have taken special care to get the air intakes right.

We decided to go for a traditional kit, so with built up wings and stabs. In fact, this was the only way we could also reproduce the internal hinging of the ailerons and the scale hinging of the ruddervators (mixed rudders and elevators) with their respective counterbalances, the gear door geometry and especially the demanding fowler flap setup on curved tracks (rather than the easy to reproduce offset hinges seen on more recent full size jet trainers).

As a consequence, the model is aimed at the modeller with a minimum of experience in traditional building of flying RC models. The precision scale version (kit PA600A) is the first to be available. We will probably also develop a simplified version (kit PA600B) of the built up wings for the less experienced modeller. The latter version will have simplified flap hinging and external linkages for flaps and ailerons.

Although the flying surfaces are built up, assembly is straightforward because of the precision interlocking CNC routed parts. Built up is also lighter, and lighter means a better flying model. If a repair is needed, you will know how to do it. Spare parts are available. Finally, satisfaction is greater when you have built your own model.

A comprehensive set of vacformed scale details is included with the kit!

photographs of unfinished prototype model

design view of the nose wheel with scale details, nose strut and gear door

All the experience of 40 years of modelling and 22 years of business were used to create this model. It would not have been possible to achieve the precision required without the modern CAD/CAM software and the CNC tools available at our workshop.

More background to the design of this model can be found on the IJMC website where I submitted this PDF file.

Early stages

building stages of the fuselage moulds

Traditional kit

epoxy fibreglass fuselage

The wings are sheeted with 3 mm balsa, except the area of the flaps and the ailerons which are sheeted with precision CNC cut 0,4 mm plywood. The modeller then needs to apply a durable covering to the wings, preferably a lightweight glass cloth (49 g/m2) with epoxy resin. The stabs are finished in a similar way.

interlocking parts with large building tabs make assembly easy

note the pinned down wood strip on the right hand side: it is a CNC cut template to hold the aft end of the ribs and subribs with flap rails at the correct angle and of course, this is included in the kit!

All balsa, plywood and FGB (fibreglass board) parts for the wings and stabs are precision CNC cut. Even the shear webbing (vertical grain balsa between the spruce spars) is already CNC cut to size. Only the strip wood and 3 mm balsa sheeting will need cutting to size.

With this kind of prefabrication, framing up a wing goes surprisingly fast.

view of a completed wing panel just before adding the bottom 3 mm balsa sheeting; all servos are installed and the leads are neatly routed through cardboard tubes which are included in the kit; additional leads for tiptank navigation lights are installed on this wing (not included)

Internal linkages

No concessions to scale: all linkages to the ailerons, ruddervators, flaps and airbrakes are internal, exactly as on the full size. The fowler flaps run on ball bearings inside CNC machined dural tracks. This produces exactly the same geometry as offset hinges but it is quite more difficult to reproduce. The original designers of the Fouga did not want to compromise the clean lines of the aeroplane for maximum efficiency. The geometry is indeed very complex but thanks to the interlocking CNC machined parts, the assembly is straightforward for the modeller. The hard part (designing all the parts) has been done for you!

internal aileron linkage on the left side, flap tracks with ball bearings on right side

flaps raised                                                      flaps lowered

Even the aileron compensators (servo tabs) are standard in the kit. Again, all interlocking CNC machined parts make building this characteristic scale detail a breeze.

servo tab on aileron

Scale hinging

scale hinging on butterfly tail

Lightweight epoxy fibreglass components

The fuselage is made from epoxy fibreglass with strategic carbon reinforcements. The nose cone is moulded separately to allow easy installation of the vacformed clear section. A landing light can be added at the modellers' discretion.

The complete fuselage measures over 2,20 metres long and still, we managed to keep the weight down to only 1870 grammes! Yes, this is the weight of the complete fuselage as pictured below...

some photographs of the assembled epoxy fibreglass fuselage

Also the tiptanks are lightweight: approx. 85 grammes each, including the 8 mm plug in carbon shaft and the 4 mm anti rotation carbon shaft. The nose cones of the tiptanks are moulded separately to allow easy installation of the vacformed clear section. Navigation lights can be added at the modellers' discretion.

pair of tiptanks with carbon shafts installed

The clear epoxy fibreglass internal fuel tanks are approx. 95 grammes each, including the aluminium neck for the fittings.The capacity is 1400 ml each, so the total capacity including hopper tank is close to 3 litres, which is plenty for this low drag airframe. The fuel tanks are very close to the Centre of Gravity, so no trim changes are needed following fuel burn off.

pair of internal fuel tanks, capacity each 1400 ml

Carbon reinforcements

forward fuselage carbon tape reinforcements

nose section carbon tape reinforcements

carbon cloth reinforcements are applied in the area of the scale vent holes and air scoop holes (to avoid weakening of the fuselage structure when cut out)

carbon cloth reinforcement in the area where the butterfly tail attaches to the tail section

main hatch carbon roving reinforcements (similar reinforcements on nose hatch, forward canopy and aft canopy)

overview of all the gray gelcoated epoxy fibreglass parts in the kit

Surface detailing on epoxy fibreglass components

All panel lines, grilles and the the most prominent rivets and fasteners are integrally moulded in the surface of the epoxy fibreglass components.

Every surface detail has been thoroughly researched and measured from the full size. On the model, they are the correct scale size and have been placed in the correct scale location. This kind of precision is seldom seen in the model jet industry!

panel line and grille detail on the aft canopy section

panel line and fastener detail on right hand intake section

panel line, grille and fastener detail on nose

panel line and rivet detail around canopy frames

panel line and rivet detail on fuselage bottom

panel line, scale vent holes and fastener detail on aft fuselage

Vacformed scale details

overview of all the vacformed parts included with the kit (shown here already cut and assembled)

vacformed details on top of aft fuselage

vacformed details on top of forward fuselage

pitot and windshield de-icer details

vacformed details on bottom of aft fuselage

Air intakes true to scale

This is an area where others usually get it wrong. The air intakes should have a nice rounded edge, called intake lip and this is faithfully reproduced on our model. The full size Fouga has a splitter plate to capture the boundary layer air. This air is then vented through slots on the top and bottom of each air intake. These slots are also authentically reproduced. This kind of scale fidelity was only possible by moulding the air intakes separately.

air intake on first production fuselage (splitter plate not yet installed)

air intake on first prototype fuselage with splitter plate and intake liner installed

Ease of transport

During the design stages, it was decided to make this Fouga model easy to transport, so all flying surfaces are completely removable.

The wings are one piece panels from fuselage to tiptank and use 35 mm dural tube plug in joiners. The tiptanks are removable as well. A couple of air line quick disconnects take care of the pneumatic connection issues associated with wing mounted retracts.

The stabs (butterfly tail) are plug in using 16 mm dural tube joiners.  The entire tail section of the fuselage including the tailpipe is removable for transport as well. Only six screws need loosening and two servo leads need disconnecting and the tail section comes off.

Kit contents (PA600A)

precision scale version

Kit contents (PA600B)

simplified version

Same as PA600A but with simplified external flap and aileron linkages.

please be advised that this simplified version is still under development

Fouga Magister landing gear

For more details on the Fouga landing gear options, click here.

• PA604 retracts set (2 main retracts, 1 nose retract and 1 tail bracket)
• PA605 set of scale oleo struts (2 main struts, 1 nose strut)
• PA606 set of scale wheels, tyres and brakes (2 main, 1 nose, 1 tail wheel , includes brake pneumatic support set)
• PA607 set of landing gear resin cast scale details (for struts, wheels and doors)
• PA608A pneumatic support set type A (scale landing gear and doors + moulded doors + hardware)
• PA608B pneumatic support set type B (scale landing gear only, no doors)

Fouga Magister scale and other accessories

For more details on the Fouga scale options, click here.

• PA609 airbrakes kit
• PA610 replacement clear front canopy section (supplied with airframe kits)
• PA611 replacement clear aft canopy section (supplied with airframe kits)
• PA612 replacement vacformed scale details (supplied with airframe kits)
• PA613 set of airframe resin cast scale details (periscope, antennae, pitots etc.)
• PA614 cockpit interior kit (vacformed tub, seats and resin instrument panels)
• PA615 waterslide decal set MT-48 solo display
• PA616 vinyl lettering set upgrade MT-48 solo display
• PA617 vinyl insignia set upgrade MT-48 solo display
• PA618 combo waterslide and vinyl set MT-48 solo display

PA601 Fouga wing & stab building board

Specifications

Scale: