Most of the information on this page was sent to me by Bill Turner,
son of one of Hal (Pappy) DeBolt's flying buddies.
As always, clicking on any pic will bring it up, full size, in a new window.
| The Dmeco Models LiveWire Champion, designed by Hal DeBolt, has gone through some changes over its long and storied lifetime. Basically, there have been 4 major versions of the Champ. There was the original 1954 prototype, then the 1955 production version - which is now referred to as the Mark-1. The 1967 version, now referred to as the Mark-2 or "New Champ", contained some improvements - most notably the solid-sided fuselage and horizontal stabilizer repositioned at the top of the fuselage. The 1980 Midwest Products Co, kit, now referred to as the Mark-3, was the final version. Below are a few pics of early Champs, along with the original specifications, as compiled by Bob Gardner of VRCS on January 15, 2004. PROTOTYPE . |
As originally designed in 1954 by Hal DeBolt, the prototype plane's most immediately recognizable feature was the
bottom-mounted stabilizer. Only the prototype featured this and all known pics that were used for production runs (kit box tops,
photos on plans, advertisements) are actually of the prototype.
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bottom-mounted stabilizer. Only the prototype featured this and all known pics that were used for production runs (kit box tops,
photos on plans, advertisements) are actually of the prototype.
.
Mark-1 Specifications . |
The pic above shows the original 1954 prototype (# N1520 on wing) and DeBolt's original Cruiser (#27 on vertical stabilizer).
The photo was taken by Tommy Walton at a meet in Greenboro NC in 1955. Clicking on the pic will bring it up, larger and much
clearer, in another window.
Pics below are of a couple Champs belonging to Mr Turner, re-sized from the original plans. Notice the fuselage top-mounted
stabilizer and open fuselage behind the wing. Power is .10-size engine, wingspan is about 40".
Model Airplane News published an article on this particular version of the Champ in December 1995. I want to thank
"spaceworm" at RCUniverse.com for his thoughtfulness in providing me a copy.
Click the lines below to bring up the 4 pages in .pdf format in new windows.
Champ10-man-dec95-1.pdf (1.54MB)
Champ10-man-dec95-2.pdf (2.23MB)
Champ10-man-dec95-3.pdf (1.72MB)
Champ10-man-dec95-4.pdf (2.11MB)
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Livewire Champion from Dmeco Models, Copyright 1955, Williamsville, NY
Plans - 2 sheets 28"x40"
Building instructions & radio box shown on sheet 2
3 isometric fuse views shown facing right
For .15 to .29 engine, wingspan 56"
Fuselage 4" wide
Prop driver to wing L.E. - 6.25"
Fuselage - 1/8" sheet balsa sides & bottom with open area aft of wing
Tail fin built-up & sheeted
Conventional landing gear with tailskid
Inverted or upright engine shown on plans
Fuse side view faces right on plan
Built-up & open stab, top mounted on fuselage
Elevator uses wire & dowel joiner
Wing rib spacing - 4.25"
2 wing L.E. triangular spoilers, 5" long
Left wing only shown on plan
Wing spars 3/16" square top & bottom
Wing T.E. uses 1/16"x2" balsa sheet top & bottom
.
Plans - 2 sheets 28"x40"
Building instructions & radio box shown on sheet 2
3 isometric fuse views shown facing right
For .15 to .29 engine, wingspan 56"
Fuselage 4" wide
Prop driver to wing L.E. - 6.25"
Fuselage - 1/8" sheet balsa sides & bottom with open area aft of wing
Tail fin built-up & sheeted
Conventional landing gear with tailskid
Inverted or upright engine shown on plans
Fuse side view faces right on plan
Built-up & open stab, top mounted on fuselage
Elevator uses wire & dowel joiner
Wing rib spacing - 4.25"
2 wing L.E. triangular spoilers, 5" long
Left wing only shown on plan
Wing spars 3/16" square top & bottom
Wing T.E. uses 1/16"x2" balsa sheet top & bottom
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Mark-2 Specifications . |
Usually referred to as the "New Champ"
Livewire Champion from Dmeco Models, copyright 1967, 3833 Harlem Rd. Buffalo, NY 14215
Ref – American Modeler Magazine, June 1967, P57 & Sept 1967, P46
Plans – 1 sheet 41x54”
Building instructions spread over plans
3 Isometric fuse views shown facing left
For .15 to .29 engines, wingspan 56”
Fuselage 3 ¾” wide
Prop driver to wing LE 6 ¾”
Fuselage – 3/32” sheet balsa sides & bottom with no open area & 2 less stringers
Tail fin ¼” sheet balsa
Conventional landing gear with steerable tail wheel, or provisions included for trike gear
Inverted or upright engine shown on plan
Fuse side view faces left on plan
Built up & 1/16” balsa sheeted stab, top mounted on fuselage
Elevator uses 3/16”x1/2” pine joiner
Wing rib spacing 4 ¼” - same as original
2 wing spoilers omitted
right wing only shown on plan
wing spars 3/32” full depth balsa sheet
wing TE uses tapered balsa stick & 1/16 x 2” balsa sheet bottom
wing center section sheeting is tapered to meet LE & TE sheeting
wing plan shows 3 isometric sketches
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Livewire Champion from Dmeco Models, copyright 1967, 3833 Harlem Rd. Buffalo, NY 14215
Ref – American Modeler Magazine, June 1967, P57 & Sept 1967, P46
Plans – 1 sheet 41x54”
Building instructions spread over plans
3 Isometric fuse views shown facing left
For .15 to .29 engines, wingspan 56”
Fuselage 3 ¾” wide
Prop driver to wing LE 6 ¾”
Fuselage – 3/32” sheet balsa sides & bottom with no open area & 2 less stringers
Tail fin ¼” sheet balsa
Conventional landing gear with steerable tail wheel, or provisions included for trike gear
Inverted or upright engine shown on plan
Fuse side view faces left on plan
Built up & 1/16” balsa sheeted stab, top mounted on fuselage
Elevator uses 3/16”x1/2” pine joiner
Wing rib spacing 4 ¼” - same as original
2 wing spoilers omitted
right wing only shown on plan
wing spars 3/32” full depth balsa sheet
wing TE uses tapered balsa stick & 1/16 x 2” balsa sheet bottom
wing center section sheeting is tapered to meet LE & TE sheeting
wing plan shows 3 isometric sketches
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Mark-3 Specifications . |
Livewire Champion from Midwest Products Co - Kit - copyright 1980
Much closer spaced ribs than 2 previous versions
Narrower fuselage
Instruction booklet included with kit
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Much closer spaced ribs than 2 previous versions
Narrower fuselage
Instruction booklet included with kit
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| Champ's Front Page Chronicles of The Champ Early Versions and Specifications Champ, Mark-II windshield (jpg) . |
| I want to thank those at the VRCS Yahoo group for providing the fabulous rendition of the original DMECO decal, which I actually made and presently resides on the wing of the Champ. The VRCS Yahoo group also made available the original Midwest plans for the Champ. Click this line to bring it up in pdf format. File is 1.87MB, so be prepared for it to take a bit to load And the RCUniverse Champ forum made the original LiveWire Champ advertisement available. Click this line to bring it up in jpg format. . |
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