Earliest Airliner, Miniaturized to Fly 100 Years Later!

Earliest Airliner, Miniaturized to Fly 100 Years Later!

Final Build Photos

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Submitted By
Scott Kruize
Tukwila, WA, United States
Build Information
Build Type Original design
Manufacturer/Brand Name
Aircraft Category Scale
Model name, number, and/or variant Dornier Merkur
Wingspan/Rotor span (inches) 32
Scale 1/24th
Construction Type Built up (wood/covering)
Propulsion Type Prop
Power System Electric
Electric Motor Brand and Model HobbyKing 1200KV 12g brushless outrunner
Speed Control Brand and Model HobbyKing 10A UBEC
Battery Brand and Model Zippy Compact 2S 850ma
Propeller (if applicable) 5D x 4P
Radio System Brand and Model Spectrum DX5e
Number of channels utilized 4
Channel functions Throttle, Rudder, Elevator, Ailerons
Retracts or Fixed Gear

Fixed gear: trike, 1 3/4 inch diameter wooden toy craft wheels

Cockpit/Interior Details

Sport-scale: original had enclosed cabin; model has no internal details visible

Paint, Covering or Graphics

Covering is Aluminum MicaFilm® from Coverite®. Painted, printed, and cut-vinyl graphics all homemade. Representing Dornier Merkur operated on commercial service with Swiss airline ‘Ad Astra Aero’, from 1921

Scale Accessories
Light System
Smoke System
Sound System
Other Features or Options

Scratch-built; all-balsa; from my own plans, derived from 3-view and period photographs

Further Description/Back Story

Built to hang overhead to attract the eyes of Seattle Museum of Flight patrons, to the NorthWest Scale Modelers Club’s recent Display: ‘All Aboard! Early Airliners’. Not yet flown, but should do well with 1 1/4 square-foot wing area and 65 watts power to carry 12 ounce overall weight


Build Process Photos


1 Comment

Add a Comment
  1. Nice job! Cool to see such a unique subject. I’d like to see some pictures of it in the air.

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