THE FUTURE of FF Scale (FFS) Power has
arrived from the Atomic Workshop in
Norfolk, England. This exciting new
breakthrough is in the form of the amazing
Zombie, which allows you to preprogram the
power profile for electric models. Simply dial
in the power and duration before flying, and
the unit will take control of these important
aspects in your FFS Power model.
Some FF purists may object to the Zombie
as being a step away from FF toward the
slippery slope of RC modeling. But this is not
the case if you think about it.
The device essentially controls the power
and duration of a motor or engine in an FF
model. A number of methods have been used
in the past to achieve the same goal. Limited
amounts of fuel, tick-off timers, and other
devices have been employed for decades to
limit engine runs.
A variety of techniques have been devised
to control the duration of powered FF models
once the power is exhausted. The Zombie is
merely a technological advancement that
produces the same result by limiting their
power run. No attempt is made to control the
model’s flight by movable control surfaces.
It is possible to lose a Zombie-controlled
FFS model to a thermal, but at least the
modeler using the unit has an opportunity to better limit duration. The model remains able
to fly free, as we would have it.
However, models with completely
programmed flights exist. These are not FF
airplanes and they are not RC; they are
preprogrammed flying robots.
The Atomic Workshop provides you with
detailed instructions for installing and using
the Zombie. Also explained are methods of
regulating both power and time.
For instance, you can set the Zombie,
place your model on the ground, walk away
from it, and the unit will start your power at
idle and increase it to takeoff power, reduce it
to cruise power, and gradually decrease power
so the model returns safely to earth.
Instructions are also given for flight trimming.
In keeping with the innovative Zombie,
the Atomic Workshop also markets the
Voodoo: a lightweight (5.3 grams) motor with
a 127mm propeller. It should be able to fly an
aircraft that weighs as much as 50 grams. The literature accompanying the Voodoo
shows installations in several models
including a 26-inch-span Douglas SBD-3
Dauntless, a 20-inch-span Piper Super
Cruiser, a 25-inch-span Douglas TBD-1
Devastator, and a 17.5-inch-span Brewster
Buffalo. The latter two are 1/24-scale kits by
Dave Diels.
For further information about the Zombie
and Voodoo, contact Atomic Workshop via
the information in the listing at the end of this
column. Shorty’s Basement is currently
marketing these two items in the US. Contact
information for that company is also at the
end of this column.
The picture of the small wooden shelf model
that was published (on page 157) in my
column in the June 2008 MA delighted
Ronald Bishop. He sent me a picture of a
Stearman biplane he built from plans
published in a 1983 July-August issue of
Hands On, which is a bimonthly magazine
sent to ShopSmith machine owners.
The plans were by Norm Marshall, and the
Stearman is one of several models Ronald has
built. He offered to send me a copy of the
plans for a Curtiss P-40 and a Ryan Spirit of
St. Louis.
These are not FFS models, but they may
serve as an inspiration for future modelers.
If there is any interest in obtaining copies of
these plans, please E-mail me at the address
in the column header or drop me a line via
Air Ace Models. That contact information is
at the end of this column.
Bruce Pike wrote asking about methods for
adjusting stabilizer incidences on small FFS
models. I gave him a couple suggestions.
The first was to make the fuselage slot for
the stabilizer a bit wider than it should be.
This permits you to temporarily raise or lower
the stabilizer with shims during flight
trimming. Once you obtain the correct
incidence, you can lock it in by filling the
fuselage slot with sheet scrap.
Another suggestion for making an
adjustable stabilizer is to hinge the stabilizer
with small bits of soft twist wire. This will let
you raise or lower the rear portion of the
stabilizer to obtain the correct incidence.
One drawback to that method is that weight
is added to the stabilizer, which may require
ballast to the nose. This additional weight may
bring down the model’s performance.
Flying Aces Clubsters (FACers) have
produced an array of handsome new projects
this year, and a few of them are shown with
this column. Even though “a picture is worth a
thousand words,” these beautiful models
deserve extra comment.
Mike Issermann’s Martin MO-1 spans 23
inches and weighs 26 grams, making it a sure
contender in any Interwar Military Mass
Launch event and a tasty offering for the everpresent
Hung (the gobbler of FFS models in
summer skies).
The legendary Chris Starleaf has
completed his 22-inch-span Pomilio PE. It
weighs in at 48.5 grams and will no doubt be
a contender despite its mass.
In the multiengine department, Andrew
Ricci has completed his 30-inch-span Arado
Ar.440. It weighs 60 grams and, from the look
of its nacelles, should pack plenty of power to
assure that Andrew has nice, long retrieval
romps.
In the realm of the exotic, I have received
photos of Tom Hallman’s 18-inch-span
Koolhoven F.K.55 propelled by a
contrarotating propeller unit that Keith Sterner
designed. Despite its complexity, the model
weighs only 19.45 grams and is sure to be
competitive.
I have received a photo of Mike Stuart’s
Jumbo Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, which,
although it’s not finished, is sure to turn heads
in FAC competition.
Many thanks to Rich Weber for finding
these photos on the Internet for us.
Charles L. Tracy died earlier this year at the
age of 91. There have been many notable
deaths this year, and his life is worthy of
being remembered.
He became fascinated with flight as a
youngster, when he attended the 1929
Cleveland National Air Races with his father.
Charles became a pilot at age 19 and took
flying lessons as part of his reporting for the
Toledo News-Bee, where he wrote a column
dubbed “Flying with Tracy.” He joined the
Cleveland Press in 1939, for which he wrote
about aviation and model aviation for more
than 40 years.
During World War II, Charles served in
the Army Air Forces as a pilot with the Air Transport Command in the China Burma
India Theater of Operations. The late Earl
VanGorder, star FFS columnist for Flying
Models magazine, was also a C-46 pilot in the
CBI Theater. I do not know if they ever met,
but they were certainly similar.
As did Earl VanGorder, Charles Tracy did
wonders for model aviation. He built model
airplanes throughout most of his life and
wrote extensively about local model-aircraft
activity for the Cleveland Press.
As a young man, Charles knew many
leaders both of model and full-scale aviation.
For decades, he championed model aviation
in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and was a
mainstay of the fabulous Higbee (a large
Cleveland retail store) model-airplane shows.
After the war, Charles became a Squadron
Leader with the Ohio National Guard and
flew A-26s with the 112th Light Bomb
Squadron that was based at Cleveland
Hopkins International Airport. He was a
friend of mine, and he regaled me with many
happy stories of his experiences, both as a
modeler and as a nationally prominent
aviation writer.
Charles retired from the Cleveland Press
in 1981, but he continued flying models with
the Cleveland Free Flight Society until
relatively recently. He touched the lives of
millions of readers, and he championed the
cause of model aviation with grace and skill.
We were blessed to have a man of his caliber
and dedicated champion for our hobby.
The multitalented Tom Hallman wrote in to
remind us that the annual two-day FAC
contest in beautiful Wawayanda, New York,
is scheduled for October 25 and 26, 2008.
The event has come to be regarded as the
final big blast of the FAC flying season
before the chills of autumn and winter begin
the FAC building season. Last year’s
gathering was a record setter.
This year there will be 17 events during
the contest, and everyone is encouraged to
come ready to fly. Pass the word on to all
who would be interested, and be sure to
make your reservations early. The rooms are
likely to fill quickly at that time of year.
To learn more about this event, please see
the source listing for contact information.
Lin Reichel, commander-in-chief of the
FAC, passed away the evening of Monday
June 16, 2008. He had been the driving force
behind the FAC since 1980, when he took
over leadership from co-founders Dave Stott
and Bob Thompson. Under Lin’s capable
leadership, the FAC grew from a small,
dedicated group of FFers to an organization
that numbers more than 1,500 and is
growing.
Those who knew Lin respected his gentle
but firm way and his total commitment to
making the FAC the joy it is. He will be
missed, but his leadership has given the FAC
an inspiring model by which to continue his
excellent work.
Mindful of our mortality, the FAC wisely
set up a GHQ Council, which is now taking
charge of the organization. Upon learning of
Lin’s passing, the Council saw that the latest
issue of the FAC News was mailed out
promptly to the membership. The publication
comes out bimonthly, and members are
assured that it will continue to be on time.
It is also important to know that the 2008
FAC Nats will take place as scheduled in
Geneseo, New York, July 16-19. All other
scheduled FAC contests will be held as
announced.
Fitting tributes to Lin and his excellent
work will be presented at the FAC Nats. Our
hobby was greatly enriched because of his
selfless devotion and hard work.
Keep ’em flyin’! MA
Sources:
Air Ace Models
(216) 631-7774
[email protected]
Atomic Workshop
44 (0) 1493 369317
www.atomicworkshop.co.uk
FAC contest in Wawayanda NY
CD Tom Hallman
(610) 395-5656
CD John Houck
(610) 488-6235
Shorty’s Basement
(740) 225-8671
www.shortysbasement.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 124,125,126,128
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 124,125,126,128
THE FUTURE of FF Scale (FFS) Power has
arrived from the Atomic Workshop in
Norfolk, England. This exciting new
breakthrough is in the form of the amazing
Zombie, which allows you to preprogram the
power profile for electric models. Simply dial
in the power and duration before flying, and
the unit will take control of these important
aspects in your FFS Power model.
Some FF purists may object to the Zombie
as being a step away from FF toward the
slippery slope of RC modeling. But this is not
the case if you think about it.
The device essentially controls the power
and duration of a motor or engine in an FF
model. A number of methods have been used
in the past to achieve the same goal. Limited
amounts of fuel, tick-off timers, and other
devices have been employed for decades to
limit engine runs.
A variety of techniques have been devised
to control the duration of powered FF models
once the power is exhausted. The Zombie is
merely a technological advancement that
produces the same result by limiting their
power run. No attempt is made to control the
model’s flight by movable control surfaces.
It is possible to lose a Zombie-controlled
FFS model to a thermal, but at least the
modeler using the unit has an opportunity to better limit duration. The model remains able
to fly free, as we would have it.
However, models with completely
programmed flights exist. These are not FF
airplanes and they are not RC; they are
preprogrammed flying robots.
The Atomic Workshop provides you with
detailed instructions for installing and using
the Zombie. Also explained are methods of
regulating both power and time.
For instance, you can set the Zombie,
place your model on the ground, walk away
from it, and the unit will start your power at
idle and increase it to takeoff power, reduce it
to cruise power, and gradually decrease power
so the model returns safely to earth.
Instructions are also given for flight trimming.
In keeping with the innovative Zombie,
the Atomic Workshop also markets the
Voodoo: a lightweight (5.3 grams) motor with
a 127mm propeller. It should be able to fly an
aircraft that weighs as much as 50 grams. The literature accompanying the Voodoo
shows installations in several models
including a 26-inch-span Douglas SBD-3
Dauntless, a 20-inch-span Piper Super
Cruiser, a 25-inch-span Douglas TBD-1
Devastator, and a 17.5-inch-span Brewster
Buffalo. The latter two are 1/24-scale kits by
Dave Diels.
For further information about the Zombie
and Voodoo, contact Atomic Workshop via
the information in the listing at the end of this
column. Shorty’s Basement is currently
marketing these two items in the US. Contact
information for that company is also at the
end of this column.
The picture of the small wooden shelf model
that was published (on page 157) in my
column in the June 2008 MA delighted
Ronald Bishop. He sent me a picture of a
Stearman biplane he built from plans
published in a 1983 July-August issue of
Hands On, which is a bimonthly magazine
sent to ShopSmith machine owners.
The plans were by Norm Marshall, and the
Stearman is one of several models Ronald has
built. He offered to send me a copy of the
plans for a Curtiss P-40 and a Ryan Spirit of
St. Louis.
These are not FFS models, but they may
serve as an inspiration for future modelers.
If there is any interest in obtaining copies of
these plans, please E-mail me at the address
in the column header or drop me a line via
Air Ace Models. That contact information is
at the end of this column.
Bruce Pike wrote asking about methods for
adjusting stabilizer incidences on small FFS
models. I gave him a couple suggestions.
The first was to make the fuselage slot for
the stabilizer a bit wider than it should be.
This permits you to temporarily raise or lower
the stabilizer with shims during flight
trimming. Once you obtain the correct
incidence, you can lock it in by filling the
fuselage slot with sheet scrap.
Another suggestion for making an
adjustable stabilizer is to hinge the stabilizer
with small bits of soft twist wire. This will let
you raise or lower the rear portion of the
stabilizer to obtain the correct incidence.
One drawback to that method is that weight
is added to the stabilizer, which may require
ballast to the nose. This additional weight may
bring down the model’s performance.
Flying Aces Clubsters (FACers) have
produced an array of handsome new projects
this year, and a few of them are shown with
this column. Even though “a picture is worth a
thousand words,” these beautiful models
deserve extra comment.
Mike Issermann’s Martin MO-1 spans 23
inches and weighs 26 grams, making it a sure
contender in any Interwar Military Mass
Launch event and a tasty offering for the everpresent
Hung (the gobbler of FFS models in
summer skies).
The legendary Chris Starleaf has
completed his 22-inch-span Pomilio PE. It
weighs in at 48.5 grams and will no doubt be
a contender despite its mass.
In the multiengine department, Andrew
Ricci has completed his 30-inch-span Arado
Ar.440. It weighs 60 grams and, from the look
of its nacelles, should pack plenty of power to
assure that Andrew has nice, long retrieval
romps.
In the realm of the exotic, I have received
photos of Tom Hallman’s 18-inch-span
Koolhoven F.K.55 propelled by a
contrarotating propeller unit that Keith Sterner
designed. Despite its complexity, the model
weighs only 19.45 grams and is sure to be
competitive.
I have received a photo of Mike Stuart’s
Jumbo Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, which,
although it’s not finished, is sure to turn heads
in FAC competition.
Many thanks to Rich Weber for finding
these photos on the Internet for us.
Charles L. Tracy died earlier this year at the
age of 91. There have been many notable
deaths this year, and his life is worthy of
being remembered.
He became fascinated with flight as a
youngster, when he attended the 1929
Cleveland National Air Races with his father.
Charles became a pilot at age 19 and took
flying lessons as part of his reporting for the
Toledo News-Bee, where he wrote a column
dubbed “Flying with Tracy.” He joined the
Cleveland Press in 1939, for which he wrote
about aviation and model aviation for more
than 40 years.
During World War II, Charles served in
the Army Air Forces as a pilot with the Air Transport Command in the China Burma
India Theater of Operations. The late Earl
VanGorder, star FFS columnist for Flying
Models magazine, was also a C-46 pilot in the
CBI Theater. I do not know if they ever met,
but they were certainly similar.
As did Earl VanGorder, Charles Tracy did
wonders for model aviation. He built model
airplanes throughout most of his life and
wrote extensively about local model-aircraft
activity for the Cleveland Press.
As a young man, Charles knew many
leaders both of model and full-scale aviation.
For decades, he championed model aviation
in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and was a
mainstay of the fabulous Higbee (a large
Cleveland retail store) model-airplane shows.
After the war, Charles became a Squadron
Leader with the Ohio National Guard and
flew A-26s with the 112th Light Bomb
Squadron that was based at Cleveland
Hopkins International Airport. He was a
friend of mine, and he regaled me with many
happy stories of his experiences, both as a
modeler and as a nationally prominent
aviation writer.
Charles retired from the Cleveland Press
in 1981, but he continued flying models with
the Cleveland Free Flight Society until
relatively recently. He touched the lives of
millions of readers, and he championed the
cause of model aviation with grace and skill.
We were blessed to have a man of his caliber
and dedicated champion for our hobby.
The multitalented Tom Hallman wrote in to
remind us that the annual two-day FAC
contest in beautiful Wawayanda, New York,
is scheduled for October 25 and 26, 2008.
The event has come to be regarded as the
final big blast of the FAC flying season
before the chills of autumn and winter begin
the FAC building season. Last year’s
gathering was a record setter.
This year there will be 17 events during
the contest, and everyone is encouraged to
come ready to fly. Pass the word on to all
who would be interested, and be sure to
make your reservations early. The rooms are
likely to fill quickly at that time of year.
To learn more about this event, please see
the source listing for contact information.
Lin Reichel, commander-in-chief of the
FAC, passed away the evening of Monday
June 16, 2008. He had been the driving force
behind the FAC since 1980, when he took
over leadership from co-founders Dave Stott
and Bob Thompson. Under Lin’s capable
leadership, the FAC grew from a small,
dedicated group of FFers to an organization
that numbers more than 1,500 and is
growing.
Those who knew Lin respected his gentle
but firm way and his total commitment to
making the FAC the joy it is. He will be
missed, but his leadership has given the FAC
an inspiring model by which to continue his
excellent work.
Mindful of our mortality, the FAC wisely
set up a GHQ Council, which is now taking
charge of the organization. Upon learning of
Lin’s passing, the Council saw that the latest
issue of the FAC News was mailed out
promptly to the membership. The publication
comes out bimonthly, and members are
assured that it will continue to be on time.
It is also important to know that the 2008
FAC Nats will take place as scheduled in
Geneseo, New York, July 16-19. All other
scheduled FAC contests will be held as
announced.
Fitting tributes to Lin and his excellent
work will be presented at the FAC Nats. Our
hobby was greatly enriched because of his
selfless devotion and hard work.
Keep ’em flyin’! MA
Sources:
Air Ace Models
(216) 631-7774
[email protected]
Atomic Workshop
44 (0) 1493 369317
www.atomicworkshop.co.uk
FAC contest in Wawayanda NY
CD Tom Hallman
(610) 395-5656
CD John Houck
(610) 488-6235
Shorty’s Basement
(740) 225-8671
www.shortysbasement.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 124,125,126,128
THE FUTURE of FF Scale (FFS) Power has
arrived from the Atomic Workshop in
Norfolk, England. This exciting new
breakthrough is in the form of the amazing
Zombie, which allows you to preprogram the
power profile for electric models. Simply dial
in the power and duration before flying, and
the unit will take control of these important
aspects in your FFS Power model.
Some FF purists may object to the Zombie
as being a step away from FF toward the
slippery slope of RC modeling. But this is not
the case if you think about it.
The device essentially controls the power
and duration of a motor or engine in an FF
model. A number of methods have been used
in the past to achieve the same goal. Limited
amounts of fuel, tick-off timers, and other
devices have been employed for decades to
limit engine runs.
A variety of techniques have been devised
to control the duration of powered FF models
once the power is exhausted. The Zombie is
merely a technological advancement that
produces the same result by limiting their
power run. No attempt is made to control the
model’s flight by movable control surfaces.
It is possible to lose a Zombie-controlled
FFS model to a thermal, but at least the
modeler using the unit has an opportunity to better limit duration. The model remains able
to fly free, as we would have it.
However, models with completely
programmed flights exist. These are not FF
airplanes and they are not RC; they are
preprogrammed flying robots.
The Atomic Workshop provides you with
detailed instructions for installing and using
the Zombie. Also explained are methods of
regulating both power and time.
For instance, you can set the Zombie,
place your model on the ground, walk away
from it, and the unit will start your power at
idle and increase it to takeoff power, reduce it
to cruise power, and gradually decrease power
so the model returns safely to earth.
Instructions are also given for flight trimming.
In keeping with the innovative Zombie,
the Atomic Workshop also markets the
Voodoo: a lightweight (5.3 grams) motor with
a 127mm propeller. It should be able to fly an
aircraft that weighs as much as 50 grams. The literature accompanying the Voodoo
shows installations in several models
including a 26-inch-span Douglas SBD-3
Dauntless, a 20-inch-span Piper Super
Cruiser, a 25-inch-span Douglas TBD-1
Devastator, and a 17.5-inch-span Brewster
Buffalo. The latter two are 1/24-scale kits by
Dave Diels.
For further information about the Zombie
and Voodoo, contact Atomic Workshop via
the information in the listing at the end of this
column. Shorty’s Basement is currently
marketing these two items in the US. Contact
information for that company is also at the
end of this column.
The picture of the small wooden shelf model
that was published (on page 157) in my
column in the June 2008 MA delighted
Ronald Bishop. He sent me a picture of a
Stearman biplane he built from plans
published in a 1983 July-August issue of
Hands On, which is a bimonthly magazine
sent to ShopSmith machine owners.
The plans were by Norm Marshall, and the
Stearman is one of several models Ronald has
built. He offered to send me a copy of the
plans for a Curtiss P-40 and a Ryan Spirit of
St. Louis.
These are not FFS models, but they may
serve as an inspiration for future modelers.
If there is any interest in obtaining copies of
these plans, please E-mail me at the address
in the column header or drop me a line via
Air Ace Models. That contact information is
at the end of this column.
Bruce Pike wrote asking about methods for
adjusting stabilizer incidences on small FFS
models. I gave him a couple suggestions.
The first was to make the fuselage slot for
the stabilizer a bit wider than it should be.
This permits you to temporarily raise or lower
the stabilizer with shims during flight
trimming. Once you obtain the correct
incidence, you can lock it in by filling the
fuselage slot with sheet scrap.
Another suggestion for making an
adjustable stabilizer is to hinge the stabilizer
with small bits of soft twist wire. This will let
you raise or lower the rear portion of the
stabilizer to obtain the correct incidence.
One drawback to that method is that weight
is added to the stabilizer, which may require
ballast to the nose. This additional weight may
bring down the model’s performance.
Flying Aces Clubsters (FACers) have
produced an array of handsome new projects
this year, and a few of them are shown with
this column. Even though “a picture is worth a
thousand words,” these beautiful models
deserve extra comment.
Mike Issermann’s Martin MO-1 spans 23
inches and weighs 26 grams, making it a sure
contender in any Interwar Military Mass
Launch event and a tasty offering for the everpresent
Hung (the gobbler of FFS models in
summer skies).
The legendary Chris Starleaf has
completed his 22-inch-span Pomilio PE. It
weighs in at 48.5 grams and will no doubt be
a contender despite its mass.
In the multiengine department, Andrew
Ricci has completed his 30-inch-span Arado
Ar.440. It weighs 60 grams and, from the look
of its nacelles, should pack plenty of power to
assure that Andrew has nice, long retrieval
romps.
In the realm of the exotic, I have received
photos of Tom Hallman’s 18-inch-span
Koolhoven F.K.55 propelled by a
contrarotating propeller unit that Keith Sterner
designed. Despite its complexity, the model
weighs only 19.45 grams and is sure to be
competitive.
I have received a photo of Mike Stuart’s
Jumbo Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, which,
although it’s not finished, is sure to turn heads
in FAC competition.
Many thanks to Rich Weber for finding
these photos on the Internet for us.
Charles L. Tracy died earlier this year at the
age of 91. There have been many notable
deaths this year, and his life is worthy of
being remembered.
He became fascinated with flight as a
youngster, when he attended the 1929
Cleveland National Air Races with his father.
Charles became a pilot at age 19 and took
flying lessons as part of his reporting for the
Toledo News-Bee, where he wrote a column
dubbed “Flying with Tracy.” He joined the
Cleveland Press in 1939, for which he wrote
about aviation and model aviation for more
than 40 years.
During World War II, Charles served in
the Army Air Forces as a pilot with the Air Transport Command in the China Burma
India Theater of Operations. The late Earl
VanGorder, star FFS columnist for Flying
Models magazine, was also a C-46 pilot in the
CBI Theater. I do not know if they ever met,
but they were certainly similar.
As did Earl VanGorder, Charles Tracy did
wonders for model aviation. He built model
airplanes throughout most of his life and
wrote extensively about local model-aircraft
activity for the Cleveland Press.
As a young man, Charles knew many
leaders both of model and full-scale aviation.
For decades, he championed model aviation
in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and was a
mainstay of the fabulous Higbee (a large
Cleveland retail store) model-airplane shows.
After the war, Charles became a Squadron
Leader with the Ohio National Guard and
flew A-26s with the 112th Light Bomb
Squadron that was based at Cleveland
Hopkins International Airport. He was a
friend of mine, and he regaled me with many
happy stories of his experiences, both as a
modeler and as a nationally prominent
aviation writer.
Charles retired from the Cleveland Press
in 1981, but he continued flying models with
the Cleveland Free Flight Society until
relatively recently. He touched the lives of
millions of readers, and he championed the
cause of model aviation with grace and skill.
We were blessed to have a man of his caliber
and dedicated champion for our hobby.
The multitalented Tom Hallman wrote in to
remind us that the annual two-day FAC
contest in beautiful Wawayanda, New York,
is scheduled for October 25 and 26, 2008.
The event has come to be regarded as the
final big blast of the FAC flying season
before the chills of autumn and winter begin
the FAC building season. Last year’s
gathering was a record setter.
This year there will be 17 events during
the contest, and everyone is encouraged to
come ready to fly. Pass the word on to all
who would be interested, and be sure to
make your reservations early. The rooms are
likely to fill quickly at that time of year.
To learn more about this event, please see
the source listing for contact information.
Lin Reichel, commander-in-chief of the
FAC, passed away the evening of Monday
June 16, 2008. He had been the driving force
behind the FAC since 1980, when he took
over leadership from co-founders Dave Stott
and Bob Thompson. Under Lin’s capable
leadership, the FAC grew from a small,
dedicated group of FFers to an organization
that numbers more than 1,500 and is
growing.
Those who knew Lin respected his gentle
but firm way and his total commitment to
making the FAC the joy it is. He will be
missed, but his leadership has given the FAC
an inspiring model by which to continue his
excellent work.
Mindful of our mortality, the FAC wisely
set up a GHQ Council, which is now taking
charge of the organization. Upon learning of
Lin’s passing, the Council saw that the latest
issue of the FAC News was mailed out
promptly to the membership. The publication
comes out bimonthly, and members are
assured that it will continue to be on time.
It is also important to know that the 2008
FAC Nats will take place as scheduled in
Geneseo, New York, July 16-19. All other
scheduled FAC contests will be held as
announced.
Fitting tributes to Lin and his excellent
work will be presented at the FAC Nats. Our
hobby was greatly enriched because of his
selfless devotion and hard work.
Keep ’em flyin’! MA
Sources:
Air Ace Models
(216) 631-7774
[email protected]
Atomic Workshop
44 (0) 1493 369317
www.atomicworkshop.co.uk
FAC contest in Wawayanda NY
CD Tom Hallman
(610) 395-5656
CD John Houck
(610) 488-6235
Shorty’s Basement
(740) 225-8671
www.shortysbasement.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 124,125,126,128
THE FUTURE of FF Scale (FFS) Power has
arrived from the Atomic Workshop in
Norfolk, England. This exciting new
breakthrough is in the form of the amazing
Zombie, which allows you to preprogram the
power profile for electric models. Simply dial
in the power and duration before flying, and
the unit will take control of these important
aspects in your FFS Power model.
Some FF purists may object to the Zombie
as being a step away from FF toward the
slippery slope of RC modeling. But this is not
the case if you think about it.
The device essentially controls the power
and duration of a motor or engine in an FF
model. A number of methods have been used
in the past to achieve the same goal. Limited
amounts of fuel, tick-off timers, and other
devices have been employed for decades to
limit engine runs.
A variety of techniques have been devised
to control the duration of powered FF models
once the power is exhausted. The Zombie is
merely a technological advancement that
produces the same result by limiting their
power run. No attempt is made to control the
model’s flight by movable control surfaces.
It is possible to lose a Zombie-controlled
FFS model to a thermal, but at least the
modeler using the unit has an opportunity to better limit duration. The model remains able
to fly free, as we would have it.
However, models with completely
programmed flights exist. These are not FF
airplanes and they are not RC; they are
preprogrammed flying robots.
The Atomic Workshop provides you with
detailed instructions for installing and using
the Zombie. Also explained are methods of
regulating both power and time.
For instance, you can set the Zombie,
place your model on the ground, walk away
from it, and the unit will start your power at
idle and increase it to takeoff power, reduce it
to cruise power, and gradually decrease power
so the model returns safely to earth.
Instructions are also given for flight trimming.
In keeping with the innovative Zombie,
the Atomic Workshop also markets the
Voodoo: a lightweight (5.3 grams) motor with
a 127mm propeller. It should be able to fly an
aircraft that weighs as much as 50 grams. The literature accompanying the Voodoo
shows installations in several models
including a 26-inch-span Douglas SBD-3
Dauntless, a 20-inch-span Piper Super
Cruiser, a 25-inch-span Douglas TBD-1
Devastator, and a 17.5-inch-span Brewster
Buffalo. The latter two are 1/24-scale kits by
Dave Diels.
For further information about the Zombie
and Voodoo, contact Atomic Workshop via
the information in the listing at the end of this
column. Shorty’s Basement is currently
marketing these two items in the US. Contact
information for that company is also at the
end of this column.
The picture of the small wooden shelf model
that was published (on page 157) in my
column in the June 2008 MA delighted
Ronald Bishop. He sent me a picture of a
Stearman biplane he built from plans
published in a 1983 July-August issue of
Hands On, which is a bimonthly magazine
sent to ShopSmith machine owners.
The plans were by Norm Marshall, and the
Stearman is one of several models Ronald has
built. He offered to send me a copy of the
plans for a Curtiss P-40 and a Ryan Spirit of
St. Louis.
These are not FFS models, but they may
serve as an inspiration for future modelers.
If there is any interest in obtaining copies of
these plans, please E-mail me at the address
in the column header or drop me a line via
Air Ace Models. That contact information is
at the end of this column.
Bruce Pike wrote asking about methods for
adjusting stabilizer incidences on small FFS
models. I gave him a couple suggestions.
The first was to make the fuselage slot for
the stabilizer a bit wider than it should be.
This permits you to temporarily raise or lower
the stabilizer with shims during flight
trimming. Once you obtain the correct
incidence, you can lock it in by filling the
fuselage slot with sheet scrap.
Another suggestion for making an
adjustable stabilizer is to hinge the stabilizer
with small bits of soft twist wire. This will let
you raise or lower the rear portion of the
stabilizer to obtain the correct incidence.
One drawback to that method is that weight
is added to the stabilizer, which may require
ballast to the nose. This additional weight may
bring down the model’s performance.
Flying Aces Clubsters (FACers) have
produced an array of handsome new projects
this year, and a few of them are shown with
this column. Even though “a picture is worth a
thousand words,” these beautiful models
deserve extra comment.
Mike Issermann’s Martin MO-1 spans 23
inches and weighs 26 grams, making it a sure
contender in any Interwar Military Mass
Launch event and a tasty offering for the everpresent
Hung (the gobbler of FFS models in
summer skies).
The legendary Chris Starleaf has
completed his 22-inch-span Pomilio PE. It
weighs in at 48.5 grams and will no doubt be
a contender despite its mass.
In the multiengine department, Andrew
Ricci has completed his 30-inch-span Arado
Ar.440. It weighs 60 grams and, from the look
of its nacelles, should pack plenty of power to
assure that Andrew has nice, long retrieval
romps.
In the realm of the exotic, I have received
photos of Tom Hallman’s 18-inch-span
Koolhoven F.K.55 propelled by a
contrarotating propeller unit that Keith Sterner
designed. Despite its complexity, the model
weighs only 19.45 grams and is sure to be
competitive.
I have received a photo of Mike Stuart’s
Jumbo Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, which,
although it’s not finished, is sure to turn heads
in FAC competition.
Many thanks to Rich Weber for finding
these photos on the Internet for us.
Charles L. Tracy died earlier this year at the
age of 91. There have been many notable
deaths this year, and his life is worthy of
being remembered.
He became fascinated with flight as a
youngster, when he attended the 1929
Cleveland National Air Races with his father.
Charles became a pilot at age 19 and took
flying lessons as part of his reporting for the
Toledo News-Bee, where he wrote a column
dubbed “Flying with Tracy.” He joined the
Cleveland Press in 1939, for which he wrote
about aviation and model aviation for more
than 40 years.
During World War II, Charles served in
the Army Air Forces as a pilot with the Air Transport Command in the China Burma
India Theater of Operations. The late Earl
VanGorder, star FFS columnist for Flying
Models magazine, was also a C-46 pilot in the
CBI Theater. I do not know if they ever met,
but they were certainly similar.
As did Earl VanGorder, Charles Tracy did
wonders for model aviation. He built model
airplanes throughout most of his life and
wrote extensively about local model-aircraft
activity for the Cleveland Press.
As a young man, Charles knew many
leaders both of model and full-scale aviation.
For decades, he championed model aviation
in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and was a
mainstay of the fabulous Higbee (a large
Cleveland retail store) model-airplane shows.
After the war, Charles became a Squadron
Leader with the Ohio National Guard and
flew A-26s with the 112th Light Bomb
Squadron that was based at Cleveland
Hopkins International Airport. He was a
friend of mine, and he regaled me with many
happy stories of his experiences, both as a
modeler and as a nationally prominent
aviation writer.
Charles retired from the Cleveland Press
in 1981, but he continued flying models with
the Cleveland Free Flight Society until
relatively recently. He touched the lives of
millions of readers, and he championed the
cause of model aviation with grace and skill.
We were blessed to have a man of his caliber
and dedicated champion for our hobby.
The multitalented Tom Hallman wrote in to
remind us that the annual two-day FAC
contest in beautiful Wawayanda, New York,
is scheduled for October 25 and 26, 2008.
The event has come to be regarded as the
final big blast of the FAC flying season
before the chills of autumn and winter begin
the FAC building season. Last year’s
gathering was a record setter.
This year there will be 17 events during
the contest, and everyone is encouraged to
come ready to fly. Pass the word on to all
who would be interested, and be sure to
make your reservations early. The rooms are
likely to fill quickly at that time of year.
To learn more about this event, please see
the source listing for contact information.
Lin Reichel, commander-in-chief of the
FAC, passed away the evening of Monday
June 16, 2008. He had been the driving force
behind the FAC since 1980, when he took
over leadership from co-founders Dave Stott
and Bob Thompson. Under Lin’s capable
leadership, the FAC grew from a small,
dedicated group of FFers to an organization
that numbers more than 1,500 and is
growing.
Those who knew Lin respected his gentle
but firm way and his total commitment to
making the FAC the joy it is. He will be
missed, but his leadership has given the FAC
an inspiring model by which to continue his
excellent work.
Mindful of our mortality, the FAC wisely
set up a GHQ Council, which is now taking
charge of the organization. Upon learning of
Lin’s passing, the Council saw that the latest
issue of the FAC News was mailed out
promptly to the membership. The publication
comes out bimonthly, and members are
assured that it will continue to be on time.
It is also important to know that the 2008
FAC Nats will take place as scheduled in
Geneseo, New York, July 16-19. All other
scheduled FAC contests will be held as
announced.
Fitting tributes to Lin and his excellent
work will be presented at the FAC Nats. Our
hobby was greatly enriched because of his
selfless devotion and hard work.
Keep ’em flyin’! MA
Sources:
Air Ace Models
(216) 631-7774
[email protected]
Atomic Workshop
44 (0) 1493 369317
www.atomicworkshop.co.uk
FAC contest in Wawayanda NY
CD Tom Hallman
(610) 395-5656
CD John Houck
(610) 488-6235
Shorty’s Basement
(740) 225-8671
www.shortysbasement.com