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Some images and facts about the development of the aerobel Connie model.
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Precise drawings showing the aircraft from three sides and photos such as this one of the original aircraft constituted the basis for building our model.
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Our search on Internet for accurate blueprints of the Super Constellation failed. The only choice left to us was to design the whole model from scratch. We actually wanted to build a single model originally but then the reactions from model makers and specialized shops were so enthusiastic that we decided to build the Super Connie in series.
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Maintenance work on the original aircraft gave us the opportunity to shoot pictures which were precious for building our model.
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After four months of computer work, the building plans were complete and we were able to start the production of the parts for the prototype by using our laser cutting machine.
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A close look at our laser cutting machine. It is fascinating to see how, at high speed, the machine cuts out of the plywood board the different parts which we need to assemble the Super Connie.
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The model kit of the Super Constellation consists of more than 500 plywood parts which must all fit together perfectly. It is therefore not surprising that three sets of parts had to be cut out by laser and assembled by hand before everything fitted perfectly and the prototype was able to go up in the air.
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Producing the first serial model, each step was photographed for the purpose of writing a detailed construction plan. The photo on the left shows the front section of the body where¨the battery pack and the nose gear will be housed.
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Every laser-cut part will be properly marked so that together with the illustrated construction plans no error can occur when assembling the parts.
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The curved dolphin shaped body of the Super Connie was a particular challenge. We had to use a somewhat uncommon technique which allowed us to build the body in a simple, reliable way without having to use special tools.
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One of the two central parts of the wings. These central parts link together the wings and ensure at the same time their connection to the body.
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A view of the still unfinished tail unit (empennage). The entire tail unit can be removed from the finished model in order to facilitate transportation.
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The improvised photo studio in our workshop. This simple equipment is very useful for creating the documentation of the model while assembling it. In the background you see the first airworthy prototype which, at that time, was still equipped with a double blade propeller.
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In the foreground, an assembled wooden hull of our Connie, still without bodyshell. The bigger modules next to it belong to the gentleman who you can see in the background and who is building a Connie double the size of ours, with a wing span of 185 inches (4.7 meters). What a sight once it takes off!
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A partly finished model of the Super Connie in the hangar with the original aircraft of this type on the top. This was the first presentation of the prototype which soon after went up in the air without any problem and did a perfect flight.
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Already when we built the prototype, we found it difficult and tedious to do the covering of the nacelles in balsa wood. In order to simplify the construction, we therefore decided to make an injection moulding for producing this part in plastic, a solution which was then adopted when we went into serial production.
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The cowlings of the engines are also made of plastic with a reinforcing on the inside for easy removal. This facilitates the access to the engines and their controls.
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Two different types of propulsion come into consideration for the Super Connie with a wing span of 185 inches (4.7 m). If we want to stick closely to the original, four radial engines must be our choice but an electric drive with equivalent power is also possible. In the meantime we have opted for the radial engine version.
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A wing of the pre-series ready for polishing. In the final version, the end of the wing which is fixed to the hull has been rounded as is the original.
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A pre-series model being painted. The white base coat is about to be completed by a lateral blue stripe on the side of the hull.
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This is another step of the painting process. The front edges of the wings and the empennage (tail unit) have just been painted in black like the original. In every construction kit, you will find the necessary stencils which will facilitate the painting process.
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On this photo you see a complete set of engines and suitable controls. The Connie kit has been designed for modern external brushless rotor motors giving sufficient thrust in combination with lithium polymer cells.
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We have largely produce ourselves the mechanical components for the undercarriage and the landing flaps. On the photo, you can see a set of steering gear for the landing flaps. To insure a perfect functioning, all the bearings and linear guidings have been equipped with appropriate sliding bushings.
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The first prototype of the Landing Gear under production. The undercarriage is completely electrically driven (jackshafts) in order to keep the weight low and to simplify assembly.
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One of the main undercarriages about to be mounted. Since they are electrically driven by jackshafts, they are easy to mount, thus ensuring reliability and low weight.
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The first airworthy prototype. It is a purely functional model, without ornamental painting and without and without retractable landing gear. The cowlings were not mounted either at this stage since they were only produced for the serial production.
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The first test flights took place in June 2006 under perfect weather conditions and with the presence of a representative of HOPE Model Shop, the most important distributor of model aircrafts in Switzerland. We received valuable advice from this company right from the start and all along the production process of our Super Connie.
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Our model aircraft a few seconds before take-off. We were all very excited and of course enthusiastic when the Connie touched down again after a perfect flight.
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The prototype flying by at low speed. Comments of the test pilot: "This model aircraft is a simple and as problem-free to fly as a taxi from Graupner" (a leading model maker Company from Germany).
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The above appreciation is justified as the first landing was perfect already and not the slightest problem had occurred before and during the flight. The landing flaps which we have built in the meantime and which are available as an option are in fact not really needed. They are meant for freaks who want the model to be a perfect copy of the original. In other words, the model can fly easily at low speed without landing flaps and can also land at very low speed.
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As soon as the model proved airworthy during the test flights, we went into production of the first pre-series. We were now constructing a completely equipped model which would again have to prove its airworthiness.
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The finished model as it was presented to the photographer for the first time on a sunny winter day.
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The retractable Landing Gear as well as the nacelles for the engines are in place. Only the engines themselves and the three-blade propellers suitable for the Connie are still missing.
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The engine test runs of our Connie are about to take place. The power of the 4 motors of 250 Watt each revealed sufficient for flying but obviously did not feature much extra power. So we decided to use 350 Watt motors. This power is now perfectly sufficient.
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The completed model of our Connie. Time has come to present it to a limited public. Here you see the model with the idling propellers.
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"The queen of the air" . Here you see her taking off with her elegant nose up. A dream becomes true. The Super Connie is in the air.
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The Super Connie about to land. A perfect landing thanks to the ideal shape of the aircraft and its capability to fly at low speed.
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The design engineer and the test pilot talking shop, the Super Connie having proven its airworthiness.
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