134 M ODEL AVIATION
I hAve receIved many letters and
questions regarding a previous column about
the Du Pont™ ChromaSystem™ paint, and
its ability to withstand model fuel.
I have learned from a local boat racer
that the paint does handle highnitromethane
fuel very well, providing you
apply two coats of clear instead of the
normal one coat. This should provide
ample protection for as much as 70% nitro.
F2c Thoughts: F2C models are usually
purchased from the former soviet bloc countries.
Rest assured that just buying the model is no
guarantee of success. When the airplane arrives,
fine-tuning is needed to get it race-ready.
For those who choose not to buy a model,
one option is to build it yourself. Kenny Perkins
recently completed a new F2C aircraft; he has
built several, and he sent photos of the latest.
The model was built with a Vorobiev
wing, which was covered in Kevlar™. The
Kevlar™ makes the wing extremely stiff.
The fuselage is from a Walt Perkins kit,
which are available through me.
Kenny makes a front crutch from
hardwood that provides a good base on
which to mount the engine, and it keeps
vibration to a minimum. It not only gives a good place to mount the
engine, but it also helps stabilize the wing. This is a must-have for
success in making a good-performing model.
Kenny used an identical model to record a good time of 3:26 at
the 2000 Nationals.
You can have an F2C model for a minimal investment. Although
it may not be state of the art, it will certainly be a good model to
practice with and to compete with in the United States.
racing in Portugal: Local racers Pat Matson, his son Scott, and I
recently attended the Tournament of the Millennium in Santrém
CONTROL LINE RACING
Dave McDonald, Box 384, Daleville IN 47334; E-mail: [email protected]
Kenny Perkins’ finished F2C model, showing the engine and tank
mounted. Power is provided by a Mazniak engine.
Dennis Ward of the United Kingdom provides a quick pit for Jùlio
Isidro during Fox Racing in Portugal.
Jùlio Isidro and Scott Matson fly in Santrém, Portugal. Notice the banner in the
background from one of the event’s many corporate sponsors.
February 2001 135
Portugal. If you have ever thought of going
to a contest overseas, this one is a must-do.
Portugal has some marvelous people
who are very friendly and support
aeromodeling. It is a beautiful country.
We spent most evenings there
talking with our friends from the United
Kingdom about modeling and general
hangar flying. You will not find
friendlier people anywhere.
The event was flown during three
days. One round of heat races was
flown on each of the first two days, and
the finals were on the third day.
The contest featured many events. The
Americans would like Fox Racing and Quickie
Rat. Other divisions included B Team Race
and F2C National, which I thought had merit
when I first saw it two years ago.
F2C National aircraft are profile F2C
models, and they must use older engines
with steel piston/liner assemblies. Airspeeds
are generally in the upper-19-second bracket.
This event provides an excellent
opportunity, and a relatively inexpensive
way, for those interested in F2C to learn.
It’s an excellent starting point to learn
about diesels and how to fly an F2C model.
No trick-filling equipment is needed;
most competitors use a fuel bottle and some
sort of fast-fill. The dominant engines are the
older Nelson Team Race variety, but some
Rossis also proved extremely good.
F2C National models can be purchased
as kits from Thomas Mejzlik, and they
come with a tank and all the hardware.
They only require the wing to be glued into
the fuselage before they are ready to fly.
These models fly extremely well; I
purchased one a couple of years ago,
and can attest to it.
Since there is a wave of interest in F2C,
136 M ODEL AVIATION
why not start out simple? These models can
be ready to race for minimal investment,
while providing a great platform for
learning a complicated event.
Fox Racing is being promoted in
Portugal, and it was well-received. Many
competitors suffered from inexperience,
which showed. Tank problems and new
engines caused many difficulties.
It was business as usual for the
Americans. Scott Matson turned quick
time at 5:50, and I posted a 5:52. We both
decided to run on our times, and not fly in
the second heat race. Jùlio Isidro was
third-fast qualifier at 6:15.
The American contingent had two
airplanes in the final, but was forced to
pull one out, which allowed a second
Portuguese team in.
It became apparent that the final race
was between Jùlio Isidro, whom Dennis
Ward of the United Kingdom was assisting
in the pits, and Scott Matson. Scott and Pat
have practiced to the point where this
event is second nature.
The friendly cries of “Smash the
Americans” did not have that result, and
Scott Matson won the first Fox Race
held in Portugal.
Quickie Rat was very popular with
the crowd and the competitors. The
English fliers loved the event, because
the engines are a good size and they
provide a good sound, but they are not
too fast for the average flier.
The British even asked me to send the
rules to them for possible inclusion into
the BMFA (British Model Flying
Association).
The crowd was very vocal with its
approval of the fast pit stops and 1/2-lap
shutdowns. The Americans turned the two
fastest heat times; I had a 2:59 and Scott
Matson recorded a 3:14.
British flier Matthew Hart and his
father recorded the third quick time.
Matthew is 14, and he is a very
accomplished pilot; I would not be
surprised to hear his name at future
World Championships.
With two airplanes in the final, one of
the US entries was withdrawn. Scott
Matson was relegated to the sidelines,
which put fourth qualifier Jùlio Isidro
into the final.
The finals provided some extremely
close racing, but Pat Matson proved his
metal in the pits with a one-flip initial
start and three one-flip pits. With service
like this, a good time is almost assured.
One advantage was apparent; the
Americans used a 1/2-lap shutdown, and
the other two teams utilized a full lap to
shut their airplanes down.
The crowd became quite animated
during the pit stops. Taffy Bollin of the
UK came over after the race, and he could
not believe the speed of the airplane and
the speed of the pit stops.
The team of Matson and I had a 6:29,
Matthew Hart was second at 7:00, and
Jùlio Isidro was dropped to third place
after a postrace inspection showed a
problem with the lines.
There was much talk about the current
US rules for B Team Race. Without
exception, the competitors think we are
doing the right thing with the event to get
people involved; an old-design model has
no sentimental value to most people.
As the Brits said, it may not be
vintage, but it is the way to get new
people interested in the event and it
should make the event better.
I believe it was Taffy Bollin who had
a beautiful take-apart Veco Redskin,
which made it easier to transport to
modeling events. The wings were bolted
on, the top of the fuselage came off, and
the tail could be removed.
Although this made the airplane
heavier, it was a great piece of
innovation and workmanship.
goodyear Propellers: Steve Eichenberger
(2102 W. Western Dr., Chandler AZ
85224) sent me a Goodyear propeller and a
1⁄2A propeller he is making. They are both
of good quality.
The Goodyear prop measures 4.9
inches in pitch; at approximately six
inches in length, it should work well on
most engines.
Steve has other propellers available.
Mouse II: The Cyclone engine made its
first appearance en mass at the 2000
Nationals. Since then, many questions
have risen regarding the exhaust length
and the use of spring starters.
According to the officers of the
National Control Line Racing Association
(NCLRA), exhaust lengths will be
measured at the 2001 Nationals.
Review the Mouse II rules, and make
sure your model’s exhaust length is
correct. The current rule allows for a .5-
inch exhaust length when measured from
the face of the piston.
Don’t be concerned about the loss of
power from cutting the exhaust. Vic Garner
and others have reported trimming their
exhausts with no ill effects on performance.
Join up: Are you an NCLRA member? If
you’re not and you would like to be, dues
are $10 US, $12 outside the US. Send
dues to Dick Lambert 4651 Ridgewood
Ave., Port Orange FL 32127.
I would love to share modeling events
from your area; all you have to do is send
action photos, i.e., people flying and
airplanes being pitted. Please make sure
the pictures are on glossy paper and have
no writing on the back.
If you have a special project or information
about an event, send that too. Remember, this is
your column; help make it better.
As always, your comments are solicited
and appreciated. MA
