David, an R/C combat pilot from the Humber
Valley Hawks club, brought in one of
his old 1/2A models which he plans to bring back to life for next springs action
at Centennial Park.
January 2012 Meeting
This meeting featured
further discussion on events of interest, including a revival of Jim Walker with
new rules and
projected new Speed events including 1/2A Proto Speed and F2D Proto Speed. Here
are the most detailed details from our
secretary par excellence, Rob Pringle. He has included many links that can
provide people with motors for these events.
Oh, by the way Dimitre
Valkanov is holding a Combat contest at the Buffalo (New York) site.
Saturday July 21 is 80 mph and Sunday July 22 is F2D. I will post this on the
Contest Page also. Just writing the word July
makes me feel more toasty already!
Minutes of the BBMFC January 11, 2012 Meeting
Business meeting opened: by President Chris Brownhill at 7:45 pm
Present: 15 members/guests were present
Minutes of previous meeting: acceptance moved by Jack Humphries, seconded by Len Bourel, carried
Treasurer’s report: by Treasurer Bill Bowmer - $1,521.50
Proceedings:
· President Chris Brownhill reminded members that the annual “Glider Bash” would be held at the next meeting and outlined (with some input from the peanut gallery) the rules and some essential tips and tricks:
o To be made of one sheet of 3/32”x3”x36” balsa (can be sanded thinner but the contest and the associated “1-point” landings can take a toll on the aircraft)
o He suggested “longer fuselage”, “larger size (~20” span)” and “larger rudder” were potentially good design objectives but stopped short of taking responsibility for ensuring success if these objectives were met
o He suggested CA was an essential accessory at the contest
o It was generally stressed that the glider must fly “on the wing” and that “missiles” or “darts” whose trajectory is solely dependent on the energy imparted by human hand were frowned upon and the pilots of such non-aircraft risked severe censure
o My personal experience and observations suggest that attempts to be too “aerodynamic” or too “conscientious about design” do not necessarily translate into success.
o Chris emphasized that this event was hotly contested
· Chris invited the members to participate in “pre-meetings” which are held at the “Hare’n’Firkin” (aka Freakin’ Firkin’) at approximately 6 pm before regular club meetings. An alternative suggestion for monthly Sunday noon get-togethers was also tabled and murmurs of agreement were heard although no specific plans were made at this time.
· Len Bourel asked if the contest dates announced at the previous meeting were unchanged or if any had been modified due to schedule conflicts. Chris responded that as far as he knew, nothing had changed.
· Chris reminded members that the $30 club membership and MAAC membership for 2012 were now due.
· Chris invited interested members over to his house (63 Savona Drive, Toronto) at 7 pm on Jan 18 to have a discussion on possible new events. He stressed that the only way for events to “fly” was for people to build airplanes and come out to fly the event. (This meeting was later postponed to January 25th due to the expectation of inclement weather).
· There being no new business, the business portion of the meeting was concluded.
Post meeting activities:
· Chris had liberated some 2-56 machine screws and invited the members to take 10 (or so) each. Bill Huckins provided some small plastic envelopes to transport them in.
· A “Show’n’Tell” session was held:
o Chris showed and told about his Jim Walker “Fireball”, which was likely the first control-line kit to be produced, in the known world anyway. Jack had provided the kit, a 1950’s version, and Chris had supplied his builder’s skills. The model features a Cameron .23 engine with an ignition system where the spark advance lever is close enough to the prop to almost guarantee frequent finger-whacks. The hardware, including a bushed fibre bellcrank, is all original except for the addition of a pushrod fairlead. Chris mentioned that installation of the canopy required some gymnastics (he didn’t specify what type but he looked none the worse for wear). It was also mentioned that the carved fuselages resulted in frequent 5-ton truck loads of balsa sawdust exiting the American Junior facility. Chris mentioned that the engineering was very clever in the way that the parts fitted together and was heard to suggest that the Fireball allegedly could “stunt”.
o Dave (a guest and prospective member) - showed his own 1/2A (allegedly from his youth) based on the venerable Top Flite Flitestreak. He recounted that his foot once became entangled in the stooge release line, resulting in him releasing more than the stooge – the plane actually, which became an instant “free-flighter” until becoming caught up in some power lines. This prompted a swapping of historic “uncontrolled control-line aircraft” stories including a Flitestreak (courtesy of Ross Melhuish) that emulated Amelia Earhart and went OOS over Lake Ontario and Al Baker’s aircraft that zoomed along the CNE Midway, miraculously missing thousands of incredulous spectators, and finally came back to earth on the only small patch of uninhabited grass for miles around (there were no kilometres in Toronto in those days).
· Chris hosted a Balsa Beaver’s version of “Storage Wars” – he had collected a box of mystery goodies that was to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Although potential bidder’s were invited to view the box (a Bosch headlight box that had antique value in its own right), they were not allowed to disturb the contents, preserving the air of mystery. It was apparent, however, that there were several “elderly if not antique” wooden propellers hiding in the box and that they still had at least one blade attached. Announcing that any money raised would be donated to the club coffers, Chris opened the bidding at $1. A hotly-contested, back and forth bidding war ensued between John McFayden and Len Bourel until the bidding reached the limit of their weekly allowance ($10). John asked if VISA was accepted but before he could get an answer, Ted snuck in and scooped the box with a final bid of $11 and a cooperative and rather suspiciously expeditious “goinggoinggone” from Chris.
· John McFayden presented the results of his research into potential speed events that might be tried by the club. He had been in contact with Joe Matheson, a speed “guru”, who provided information and the benefit of his experience. John reported that:
o The key factors in speed are the engine, propeller, and fuel delivery system.
o Concerning the 1/2A proto event, one website talked about the conversion of the Picco .8cc (displacement greater than the maximum .0504 cu.in.) - this involves a new cylinder head, shorter conrod to reduce stroke and displacement, needle-valve assembly etc. and costs about $125 on top of the engine cost of $49. The line length is 42 ft. and 10 laps are flown for a total distance of ½ mile. Although most of these planes fly around 75 mph, 100mph speeds have been reached.
o Another event that has had some success is F2D proto (an unofficial event that originated in the NW US, involving aircraft that have a F2D-legal engine with muffler, a minimum 100 sq.in. wing area, a rudder, canopy, landing gear etc. The event is timed from a standing start. Often, older model or slightly worn F2D combat engines are obtained at reduced cost and used for this event. The speeds for this event are typically higher than 1/2A proto and John was advised that it is not difficult to “get behind” the plane due to the speed. This event has been reasonably successful due to the availability of used F2D combat engines.
· Chris mentioned the .21 proto speed event as a possibility. Also mentioned was the Musciano speed event which is limited to Musciano “hollow-log” aircraft and specific 1/2A engines, not including the “hot” engines.
· It seems the critical factor in “growing” participation in speed events is the availability of suitable engines (unless engines are restricted as is done with the LA .25 sport race event). A quick internet investigation (not exhaustive) yielded the following commercially-available engines potentially useable for the 1/2A, F2D proto, and .21 proto events, along with current (approximate) prices and the website for at least one source. Some of these engines may be more competitive than others. The engines are typically not cheap but neither are good engines (including rework) and electric motor systems for other events. On the other side of the coin, speed aircraft are probably cheaper than most to build. It remains to be seen what sort of availability and prices are associated with used combat engines that still have some life in them.
.15 engines
Cyclon F2D - $140 - $190 http://www.rusengines.ru/?lang=en
Nelson - $320 http://www.the-printer.net/DookCat.html#cyclon
Fora - $220 - $279 http://www.technohobby.com.ua/online-shop/en/engines
http://www.hobbyclub.com/index.php?cPath=44_165
Profi - $217 - $225 http://www.technohobby.com.ua/online-shop/en/engines
http://www.flycontrolline.com/Profi%20F2D.htm
CS - $169 http://www.csmodelengine.com/?a=productlist&cid=3
Yuvenko/MS - $215 - $245 http://yuvenko-f2d.com/index.php/engines-and-engine-parts/engines-for-f2d-combat/new-engine-ms-2011-for-f2d.html
http://www.clubtamaran.com/combate.htm
Novarossi (not F2D?) - $189-$229 http://www.planethobby.com/home.php?cat=30
MVVS (not F2D?) - $62 http://mvvs.nl/
PARRA - $135 - $180 http://www.clubtamaran.com/parramotorING.htm
OS CVA (not F2D?) - $115 http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/os_engines/osmg0715.html
.049 engines
Cyclon F1J/F1P - $235 - $285 http://www.rusengines.ru/?lang=en
http://www.the-printer.net/DookCat.html#cyclon
Profi - $135 - $145 http://www.technohobby.com.ua/online-shop/en/engines
http://www.flycontrolline.com/Profi%20049%20.8cc.htm
CS - $149 http://www.csmodelengine.com/?a=productlist&cid=5
VA - $69 http://bz.llano.net/kit/
.21 engines
Fora - $260 http://www.technohobby.com.ua/online-shop/en/engines
Novarossi - $149 - $395 http://www.planethobby.com/home.php?cat=27
K&B (DF engine) - $240 https://shop.mecoa.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=28
MVVS - $90 http://www.hobbyclub.com/index.php?cPath=44_69
· The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm, with Bill Huckins (or was it Bill Bowmer) moving and John McFayden seconding the adjournment.
Here are the results of a survey
conducted by Rob on the interest in different events.
You will need to Have Microsoft Word loaded to open it.
2 Old Timers for the price of 1
Stay tuned - The Great Glider Gala is next month ( .... I THINK!!!)
Some of the Great Glider Gala contestants from last years event.
Photography:
Diamond John McFayden
and file photo from Stunt Stu Henderson