1909 Demoiselle (page 2)
Superb semi-scale electric RC airplane kit for indoor flying!
Chickadee RC indoor airplane from CAD model plane plans
If you like the Demoiselle, build a Chickadee! The Chickadee has very similar flight characteristics to the Demoiselle, yet a much easier build. Anyone can be flying in a weekend. Build log and flight video here. FREE PLANS for Chickadee RC model are available here.
FREE PDF download sample of Chickadee fuselage plans here!
Front view of Demoiselle plane cockpit, showing pilot seat and the NiCad battery pack
The Finished Sig Demoiselle RC Airplane Kit Model
At left is a view of the "cockpit" of the Demoiselle RC model airplane kit, with the pilot's seat just behind the nickel cadmium (NiCad) rechargeable battery (white shrink wrap with wires coming out to the right). The NiCad battery provides power for the Demoiselle's electric motor and radio receiver and control servos.
Demoiselle geared electric motor
Close up to right of the Demoiselle's electric motor, geared to drive the 10" plastic propeller. A geared power arrangement is the key to successful flight for a lightweight, indoor radio control model airplane. The 7:1 gear ratio on this transmission provides a surprising amount of thrust, but at a lower airspeed ideally suited to the flight parameters of this high drag, light wing loaded design. Aluminum tubes used to support the wing dowels can be seen just below and to the right of the motor.
Demoiselle kit top view showing tail control servos
Note the simulated flight rigging wires. Rigging wire was a structural necessity on the original full scale Demoiselle (as well as today's ultralight's), providing support for the frail aircraft structure while keeping weight to a minimum. Rigging on the model is for appearance only, and is actually black elastic thread.
This top view of the fuselage also shows the flight radio control system near the wing trailing edge. Control components include two servos, used to control the all-moving tail for aircraft pitch and steering, as well as an electronic speed control and radio receiver. The Demoiselle is a great way to build your own RC plane.
You will see several examples of the Demoiselle at the annual E-Fest airplane show; do check it out!
Demoiselle Kit Ready for Flight
Top rear view of the Demoiselle RC airplane kits
The finished Demoiselle RC airplane kit, with battery, weighs less than ten ounces. The airplane is perfectly balanced with its geared electric motor and GWS 10 X 5 propeller for normal flight, but must be flown indoors, or outside with no wind. The large, lightly loaded wing surfaces are unable to counter the wind gusts normally handled by faster, heavier aircraft.
Demoiselle RC airplane taking off
The Sig Demoiselle kit flies unlike most other model aircraft. Due to the aircraft's large wing surfaces, light weight and low power, the Demoiselle model RC airplane kits has a very narrow speed range between full power and a normal cruise motor setting. However, this is very effectively handled by the all-moving tail surface, which provides extremely positive and precise aircraft pitch and steering control ideally suited to the large, geared propeller.
Connecting battery for an RC airplane kit flight
The aircraft takes off quickly on its large airplane wheels in a matter of a few feet at full power, and starts a slow climb to its normal flight altitude of about 10 - 15 feet above the ground. The Demoiselle flies at the pace of a fast walk, and is positive and crisp in response to flight commands. You will soon get very comfortable with actually "watching" the effects of your flight inputs. The Demoiselle flies slowly, close in, and maneuvers readily. This provides great training for other early aircraft such as a Fokker Eindecker.
The Demoiselle is not an airplane to learn to fly RC with, but can be flown after practice with other indoor RC flyers such as the line of ParkZone aircraft.
Battery chargers for indoor RC electric flight
Landing the Demoiselle is easy as well. A slight reduction in throttle starts the descent, and the model seems to "drive on" to the landing, with full control to touchdown provided by the large tail surfaces and fairly high power setting. Sig's instruction manual is superb with specialized flight training techniques for this one of a kind model.
The Sig Demoiselle model airplanes kits is an interesting, attractive and well designed model airplane for the intermediate to advanced builder and flyer. The model faithfully replicates the design considerations of the full scale aircraft through its light wing loading, all-moving tail surfaces and low power engine efficiently geared to a large prop. In short, this model RC airplane kits is a fascinating link to flight at the dawn of manned aviation.
Full scale Demoiselle flying replica maintained at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
A flight worthy replica of the 1909 Demoiselle can be found at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome airplane museum in Rhinebeck, New York. This aircraft has a wingspan of 18 feet 6 inches, flies at a top speed of 56 miles per hour, and is powered by a 35 horsepower engine.
Note the two cylinder engine, and brass fuel tank on top of the wing. The wings droop under their own weight while the aircraft is on the ground, and go to their normal, positive dihedral position when in flight, held safely in place by the flight rigging wires.