Author: Red Scholefield
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/11
Page Numbers: 99,100,101
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Accepting electric-powered flight

Red Scholefield | [email protected]

WHEN IT COMES to how some people are accepting electric-powered flight, I am reminded of the comments of the father of W.W. Greener, author of the classic work, The Gun and Its Development (1910). Greener Sr., the gun expert of the day, wrote in 1858:

"There is no possibility of a breech-loader ever shooting equal to a well-constructed muzzle-loader; the gun is unsafe, and becomes more and more unsafe from the first time it is used; it is a costly affair, both as regards the gun and the ammunition."

Sound familiar? It would appear that in every instance of technical advancement there are those who don't share the enthusiasm. I recall when glow plugs first came out—same story. Likewise, when MonoKote was introduced to the hobby, it had its share of those who would never touch it much less give it a try.

I will give them their due however, as there is nothing nicer than a model with a good silk-and-dope finish. I guess it is the nature of some to resist change at all cost. I suppose every club has at least one or two individuals, bent on saving us from our follies, to contend with. All that I can say is that if you haven't tried it, don't knock it.

When I watch the frustration of newcomers to the hobby who have been led down the gas- or glow-engine road, I have to wonder. It seems to have been forgotten that running these engines in models is a science learned throughout the years. Back when people actually built models from scratch, engines were the only practical power system we had available after we graduated from rubber bands.

Modeling then was a learning experience. Nearly every aspect took patience to get it right: basic construction, covering, finishing, trimming, and then if you got that far, actually flying it and getting it trimmed out. Then along came radio control. Most of us involved then had to build the equipment, which was another tedious learning experience.

Passing engine information to a new modeler takes time and much patience on the part of both the mentor and the newcomer. Wouldn't we be doing the hobby a service if we directed new modelers toward electrics? Let him or her learn the aspects of flying before loading that person down with the burden of the caring and feeding of a glow/gas engine.

Building and Flying Your Own

This poignant piece, found on the Society of Antique Modelers' (SAM) forum by Karl Gies, captures the feelings of building and flying your own model:

"What endures in this hobby of building model airplanes are your feelings about your work and creations. You would not trade your models for anybody's, not even the best models ever made because they were made by someone else. To buy a model implies that I would have to trade my life for his which means living a whole new complex of pain and joy. One of those per lifetime is enough.

"I remember the late Joe Macay entering an old time rubber stick model with a one-bladed folder (help me here — it was designed by Charlie Werle) in the Concours d'Elegance at Muskogee. He showed it to me and as I looked at it he read my thoughts. (Joe was not a pretty builder, but a person I will never forget. Joe let it all hang out and was a totally honest person.)

"Joe said to me 'I know that it will not win but to me it is the most beautiful model in the world because I gave it my all and I am entering it for myself.' Later on, he flew it for me. It was a great performer and a Jonathan Livingston Seagull moment for both of us.

"As we struggled to get it out of a downwind tree, Joe said, 'Isn't this just great.' I recognize being a builder of intermediate skills in all respects, but I can narcissistically stare at a model that I have built over and over. This would never happen with a model that I did not build. I will admire another's model analytically trying to learn from it and be motivated by the craftsmanship. But it will never be mine at rest or in the air, and my spirit will never soar with it."

Love Aviation History?

Remember those fantastic Paul Matt scale drawings that appeared in some of the model magazines for years? Now they are available in two volumes. There are 325 pages covering 124 airplanes, vintage to modern, and some are quite rare. There is enough information from which an accomplished modeler can draw plans and build.

Secure that 2.4 GHz Antenna

When I switched to 2.4 GHz, I was glad to get rid of that bothersome antenna, particularly on smaller airplanes, but the question became how to position the 2.4 GHz antennas to keep them at the prescribed 90° separation? At first, masking tape served, but it would sometimes become unstuck and allow the antenna to find its own place.

I have modified all my airplanes now, using a couple of 1-inch pieces of inner goldenrod epoxied in the correct position. This makes moving your 2.4 GHz receiver from airplane to airplane easier in case you don't have enough receivers to equip each airplane in your hangar. I have a couple that I only use once or twice a year for Vintage R/C Society (VR/CS) or Society of Antique Modelers (SAM) events, so dedicating a 2.4 GHz receiver to each seems like a waste of my modeling funds.

Single-stick transmitters

Single-stick transmitters are rare, but still in demand. The picture I posted in my July 2011 column (page 90) of John Castronover's ducted-fan Drenalyn received many comments, but not about the Drenalyn. People were interested in the single-stick radio he was holding. I was clueless about what John had gone through to keep this relic alive and convert it to a 2.4 GHz module, so I sent John the queries. He responded with the following:

"I converted an old Futaba FT-8ASSP single-stick transmitter to 2.4 using an Extreme Power Systems (XPS) Futaba module. Before I did the conversion to 2.4, I had the Futaba guts removed and replaced them with Gordon Anderson's Micro Star 2000. These guts are an improvement on the Ace Micro Pro 8000.

"As you might know, the Futaba FT-8ASSP was a 512 PCM TX. As far as I know no 2.4 module will work with a PCM TX. It has to be FM or PPM.

"After the conversion I have used just about every after-market 2.4 module without any problems. I still have the old Futaba 72 MHz module and it works fine also. So far I have used XPS, Spektrum, Corona, and Fly RC 2.4 modules without a hitch.

"I love my SS TX and have since converted an old JR PCM 9 SS to 2.4. I used old JR 387 guts to be able to get FM modulation. Of course I have to use JR Modules as the Futaba modules will not work with JR."

One interesting aspect of John's single stick is that it has linear trims, not digital. During a maiden test flight of one of John's recent creations, he called for someone to help him adjust the trim. Holding this transmitter is like holding a porcupine; it seems as though it has switches and knobs in every conceivable spot.

Not knowing it wasn't digital, his helper pushed the trim (once he found it) all the way for just a second as you would do with digital trims. It was an interesting test flight for a couple of minutes until the mistake was recognized.

Of course most of John's maiden flights are interesting. He has created more different and unusual models than the rest of our club members put together. John still putters with galloping ghost radios he has. This probably accounts for him being referred to as "John the Entertainer" by modelers in our area.

Can you top this? — Bob Clark's Radical RC Lucky 13

Shown below is Bob Clark's Radical RC Lucky 13. The motors are all brushed Speed 300s.

The model is good fun and is supposed to be a novelty/conversation piece. The extra motor is on the left for right thrust—at least that is his story and he is sticking to it. The propellers all turn conventionally, and there's only a fraction of extra thrust on one side. When people look at it, they naturally count motors on half the wing, double it, and get the wrong number every time. With all the motors, the uneven count isn't noticeable.

The model looked like it had good power. Bob didn't get around to removing the propellerless glow motor (donor fuse) so the actual flight weight is roughly 10 pounds, 10 ounces. Yikes!

I'm sorry to report that shortly into the flight, the rudder servo failed and after approximately 10 minutes of circling, trying to work it over the field with throttle and elevator only, he gave up before it got too far away and it made an off-field landing in a thicket. It might be a month or longer before this wounded soldier is refurbished.

This model will be the subject of a future RadicalCast. There is no "in-the-box-thinking" employed for Lucky 13's setup. It's merely a 10-pound, 10-ounce model flying low voltage—so low you won't believe it.

Yes, we really do get some of the most interesting things through the door at our shop.

This does it for this month. It's hard to think you will be reading this in late October when I'm sweating away in Florida's July heat and humidity while writing it. Don't forget to pull those battery packs from your airplanes and transmitters if you are shutting down your flying for the winter. MA

Sources

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.