Winter build project: Wolfgang Matt’s ATLAS

I had got my heart set on making an Aurora, but the design might require quite a bit of modification to conveniently electrify it, which would add to the complexity and as this will be my first build I decided a more straight forward design would be a more sensible choice.

The Blue Angel looks wonderful, but we’ve already got one of them, so what about the model that won the World Champion in 1975, Wolfgang Matt’s Atlas. I’ve not attempted anything like this, so there is likely to be a lot of fumbling in the dark and me asking lots of questions of you all. Oh and it'll probably take me ages to build!

Plan: www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=551
Article: ukcaa.org.uk/Articles/Atlas_RCME-Jun1976.pdf

Initially I felt it lacked the graceful lines of the Blue Angel, particularly around the tail, but after looking at the plans & photos, as well as reading the RCME article it has grown on me and fancy giving it a go. Although I’ll not be going down the oily 2 stroke road, but instead I’ll go with an electric motor.

I’ve mentioned to a couple of people that I was thinking of building an old school pattern plane and I know there has been a lot of admiration of Mike’s Blue Angel, so I am curious if anyone else is interested in building the Atlas?

Quote "Oh and it'll probably take me ages to build!" End Quote

Don't worry Chris, you would have to go some to beat Dave B.... :evil:

Hi Chris

Arrow would be a great choice, it comes from the same period as the Curare. At the time Wolfgang Matt and Hanno Prettner the 2 designers/ pilots were the top men in F3a.

By the way, Wolfgang retired from F3a at this years Euro Champs having flown at every World and Euro Champs since the late 60's :ohmy:

Electric would be a good choice as the original had a rear exhaust engine and internal tuned pipe, a tricky build and recipe for blown exhaust couplers!

Check out this very recent build thread

look forward to your build thread

www.modelflying.co.uk/forums/postings.asp?th=99791

Edit: Just realised I have my Wolfgang designs mixed up, you said Atlas, my brain read Arrow! Therefore ignore most of my comments above :lol:

However the Arrow would still be a great project as well!!

JonTappin wrote: ignore most of my comments above

That should be your forum signature..... :silly:

Hi Jon,

I looked hard at the Arrow it's got a few things gong for it, like the removable pipe enclosure, this would be great for battery access, it's also a slightly later design with a different wing profile. It is however a more complex build, having both flaps and spoilers. But the main thing that went against it for me, is that I just think the fuselage looks all wrong with that pipe enclosure... it looks... Russian as in bolted on with little regard to aesthetics. (I'm sure I'm doing the plane and Wolfgang Matt a huge disservice with that comment)

From the small pics I've been able to find I think the Granat looks like a more aesthetically pleasing design, which was his next plane.

If I enjoy the build and like the way it flies, I doubt this will be my last plane of this type, I've already got a few on the list!

Go for the Atlas Chris, absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Never heard of the Granat, not one of his well known designs, maybe it was rubbish!

DaveBright wrote:

JonTappin wrote: ignore most of my comments above

That should be your forum signature..... :silly:

That's an outrageous comment :ohmy: , where would you be without my sound guidance over the years (probably best that you don't answer that )

JonTappin wrote:

DaveBright wrote:

JonTappin wrote: ignore most of my comments above

That should be your forum signature..... :silly:

That's an outrageous comment :ohmy: , where would you be without my sound guidance over the years (probably best that you don't answer that )

Jon, I've just had a thought, when I've built it we could have a little old school pattern flying competition, you can fly your Curare, Mike his Blue Angel and I'll fly my Atlas, I can practice my maneuvers on the Wot4... it could be a close run thing :whistle:

It don't look that 'ard: ukcaa.org.uk/Articles/1978-FAI-Schedule_RM-Feb1978.pdf

I know that Chris has given it a lot of thought trying to decide what to build and the Atlas appears to be a great choice and I'll certainly have a go at building one to complement my Blue Angel. The advantage of the pre tuned pipe designs is that they have plenty of room in the fuselage to accommodate the battery if you are making an electric conversion. The straight wing and tail of the Atlas also make it a little easier to build compared to the Blue Angel, especially if doing a built-up wing. And if you believe the blurb in the Wolfgang Matt interview, it doesn't need to be flown as fast as the swept wing models.

Having successfully made a foam wing and tail for the BA, I will do the same for the Atlas. If anyone else decides to build the Atlas I will happily cut cores for you (or help you to cut your own cores from my templates).

Mike