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I’ve been considering building the Ramrod 250 and have two sets of plans for this model.
I have one plan that my dad had from years ago. It appears to be hand drawn and has June 1956 M.A.N. referenced on it. The other plan is a recently purchased Berkeley plan from the kit.
There are a few rather substantial differences in the two plans. The “hand drawn plan” indicates built up ribs for the wing and stab, with the exception of solid ribs in the wing centre section and poly breaks. This plan also shows the firewall immediately at the base of the pylon, as oposed to a 1″ snout on the berkeley plan. I suspect if the plan was from the 60’s the “no snout” would accomadate a TD with the tatone or similar tank? Also some of the fusalage sheeting is showing different thicknesses.
The Berkeley plan is far superior, but was wondering if the original was more along the lines of the hand drawn plan (MAN 1956) . What is the standard for the Ramrod in Nostalgia Gas?
If I go ahead with this I’m also looking for input regarding engine and fuel tank. I know to compete in nastalgia gas..I need a nastalgia engine, but would be looking just a good, reliable,reasonable power plant, as I would only expect to be able to fly it a couple of times a year.
I’ve always liked the Ramrod. I understand it is good flyer and hope it’s easy to trim…Have not done free flight for a long time. RC sailplanes mostly these days.
Thanks guys,
Rob
Rob,
You are in luck, as the Ramrod 250 is next year’s One Design model. The Berkley plans or the MAN plans are OK. See the NFFS Web site under Competition/One Design.
Lee Campbell makes the kits and has the plans. The MAN plans show the “sliced” or “built-up” ribs, and probably makes up into the lightest version.
The nose length will depend on the engine and mount used; varied to make the CG come out right.
Hopefully, a thread on Ramrods will ensue.
I just started a RR250 and if I’m lucky, it will be ready for the 2008 One Design.
One of the other differences between the orig. (MAN) and the Berkeley is the raised leading edge on the orig. stab. The result is a semi symetrical airfoil.
As for the extended nose. The origional shows a Thermal Hopper mounted on an extension to clear the rear venturi. The extended nose would probably be used with a Killer Bee or product motor. In any case the instructions say the pylon should be glued in after all other parts are finished. Slide the pylon back or forward untill the CG is correct.
The complete MAN RR article was reprinted in the 1/93 NFFS Digest.
– Norm
Good day to all! I finished the 250 Ramrod from the Campbell’s kit which by the way is an excellent kit. I built the plane from all the supplied woods and tissue and with engine tank, ready to fly without fuel came in at 6.6 ozs. I used 3 coats of Nytrate dope thinned 50%, than 3 coats of butyl. thinned 50%. Engine cox medallion with 4 exhaust ports and an aluminum round take from the sixties, I don’t know who made in at the time but it is mechined from solid stock with a cover on the back. With this setup CG came out exactly perfect. I did not have to add weight any where. In order to get a great flat glide added 1/32 to trailing edge of stab and that was it. After just four test flights I was at full throttle. Just came back from the Atlanta Thermal Thumbers monthly contest and impressed the crowd with it. Can’t wait to drop a TEE DEE on it to see what happens. I’d add a picture of it but can’t figure how to get the pic. below 100KB. I will be at the Nat’s next year with it!
Scott
Portland, TNDid you build in the 10 degrees downthrust? I always thought that angle was to give a consistent VTO, and have considered using about half that amount.
My Minnie Pearl, a decidedly different design, has no downthrust, and only a little left thrust.
If you used the full 10 degrees and it flew well, it must be OK.
Built it just like the plans state, w/10 degress down thrust. I haven’t tried the VTO yet but I launch at about a 70 degree angle and there’s absolutely hesitation at all. 🙂 I tried on another plane I think it was a Spacer not putting the designed down thrust in and it was a disaster 🙁 So I pretty much follow the plans now days. Of course the Spacer disaster was when I was 14-15 years old and that was about 38 years ago. 😆 Love my Ramrod 😀
Scottl0413
For what it’s worth, I built and flew a 600, with ETA.29, some 40 years ago … no downthrust, performed fine.
Well gang, I just flew the Ramrod with a late 60’s vintage Tee Dee and it was very exciting. I had forgotten how much difference there was between the Medallion and the Tee Dee 😯 . Let’s say that the plane leterally leaped from my hand and in less than 6 seconds. it had climbed another 50-60 yards further than the Medallion. As far as changing the trim, I just tweaked the rudder slightly to the left, my thinking was due to the faster speed that it would be quicker on the trim. Any way it handled the extra power with no problem. Thermal Thumbers contest this weekend in Atlanta, we’ll see how it performes there.
Scott
Way back when, I built all of my Ramrods with extended noses and 10 degrees down thrust per plan. All flew great.
Later in 1967 a Ramrod 600 with the same. Just retired that model, but may build a new fuselage for it as the wing and stab ain’t too bad.
In 2003 built a 750. Modified motor mounting with beam mounts. Flew that model in a contest last weekend along with 2 others from our club flying the same.
On the bigger ones, beef up the center section with very hard balsa and whatever else.
As far as I know, Ron St. Jeans one succesful design. Design transition from the Sailplane, to the Zeek to the morphed Ramrod. Ugly as can be, but flys great, only pretty in the air which counts for alot! The Satellite is a prettier Sailplane transition, but of course not NOS legal…yet.
My experience at the Thermal Thumbers meet was ok! Picking air was more of a challenge than previous trips. Only maxed out twice, ended up second to a Maverick what a great glide they have! 😮 I’ll try and list the pics. again after down sizing them. Jim Mosely did the honors for me.
Scott
Portland, TN
Scott,
Your Ramrod looks great! Congrats!
You may or may not know, I built the very first Ramrod, other than
Master St. Jean himself.
That was in 1955, a 750 for Torp 35.
Then I sized the orig 3 vu per his area rules/instructions for various sizes.
They all flew great and trimmed out quickly.
The 250s were especially good, I felt.
I ALWAYS used the upswept LE stab, sliced rib setup, for all sizesas Norm F stated in his post.
I am quite sure it is important to do so.If you have access to NFFS Digests, go to Jan 2003 issue for the article
on how the first Ramrod drawing and build occured.
The callow youth on the cover is 17 year-old ME! 🙄Ciao,
LeeIf someone has a copy of the MAN article from the 1/93 NFFS Digest (Always Capitalize). I would appreciate a copy. Will pay expenses. 🙂
Soooooo, Mr Lee. Do you intend to get a RamRod ready for next years NATS? A new one isn’t necessary. If need be, I’ll loan you some fuel and a starter battery.
@Dan Berry wrote:
Soooooo, Mr Lee. Do you intend to get a RamRod ready for next years NATS? A new one isn’t necessary. If need be, I’ll loan you some fuel and a starter battery.
Well Dan’l B,
THX for your kind accessories offer. Time will tell if I build a Ramrod for 2008 or not! 😉
I have none anymore, so it would be all new for me again, after 50 years away from my last power FF action! 🙄Ciao,
Leeper
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