Flying for Fun

DB Mathews 1y7L1JJ ? 2Z1L1J CHEAP THRILLS Last month chatted about fun flying really small Free Flight FF models comments directed primarily K&B Infant 020 reproduction Bob Langelius selling appeal sport FF lies large amount fun available very low equipment material costs availability flying fieldsmany playgrounds athletic complexes suitable Its difficult fly aerobatics least deliberately sport FF models beauty aircraft following commands wind gravity can very rewarding saddens realize readers have never experienced thing pure beauty theyre missing out some modelings very special moments Building flying smallish rubber-powered sport Scale models really cornerstone hobby built models type have always popular strong revival has taken place during last decade rubber-powered kits available now time since 1940s modern quality far exceeds anything previously available However some skills techniques involved rubber power discourage younger modelers reason surge interest small Electricpowered models apparent Electric-powered FF models hardly new concept sons has National Free Flight Society Electric FF trophy 1974 Nationals What new exciting 13-25-inch designs made possible recently available incredibly small affordable Electric motors kits designed rubber CO2 power can easily converted miniElectric can magazine plans nothing else replacement rubber strip Electric power certainly reduces potential blown motors far less technique-sensitive power source eliminates messy rubber lube dont need able count higher 100 Simple Fun years Ive carried correspondence Dick Gibbs York PA years several older flying buddies have tradition gathering early Saturday mornings flying tiny electric-powered sport FF models local sports complex Dicks delightful accounts adventures misadventures evidence have great thing going fly until stomachs growl loudly enough annoy other retreat nearby pancake place breakfast Dont assume guys have never progressed Radio Control RCsome get testy presumption bunch used fly RC became bored hassles moved challenges mini-Electrics RS Special June 1997 Flying Models features Dick Gibbs mini-Electric construction article describes over grown Peanut powered tiny Kenway geared KR-l motor spans 15 inches weighs 26 grams full tank fuel article informative design delightfully simple construction well within nearly anyones skills project would excellent entry point world micro-electric flying Progress James Rice New Port Richey FL another modeler has progressed Electric sport FF built flew ruhber-powered models gliders 1940s Control Line 1950s-1960s RC 1980s-1990s About five years ago Jim looking through back issues Model Aviation found October 1987 article written Don Srull mini-Electric FF Jim decided give try has hooked ever since words doesnt get better walk across open field watching plane doing lazy circles sky see glide landing eight 10 feet away September 1997 75 James Rice launches Buzzer 100 Powered HiLine Mini 6 motor four 80 mAh Ni-Cds has 5 x 2 plastic prop Most scratch designs enlarged magazine three-views Clockwise top Theoradical Hoosier Hotshot Buzzer Cosmo Clipper Nuts Bolts What power plants models Electric FFers using What does need get started Are special skills needed photos material Jim has provided give quick overview simplicitys sake manufacturers addresses will appear end column Photo shows Jim launching Buzzer 100 built March 1996 Model Builder plans model spans 30 inches has 120 sq area weighs three ounces powered HiLine Mini 6 motor four 80 mAh milliampere-hours Ni-Cd Nickel Cadmium cells uses S x 2 plastic propeller Photo D shows Thistle two sizes March 1994 Model Aviation larger model uses ST-2 motor three 50 mAh cells move 23-inch-span 113 sq aircraft Photo E Sitting beside original enlarged version Buzzer larger version has 40-inch span 240 sq area weighs eight ounces has its own drawings Power MM-i motor four 150 mAh cells enlarged Buzzers covering novel Its Reynolds brand food wrap Trim green Japanese tissue Jim holds wrap Balsa-Loc says covering durable moisture resistant difficult apply Photo G Most group scratch designs have enlarged magazine three-views Some appeared Old-Timer columns Clockwise starting top model Theoradical Its 32 inches 45 ounces has Radio Shack motor four 80 mAh cells Trammels classic 1950 RC Hoosier Hot Shot spans 32 inches 110 sq four ounces Radio Shack motor four 80 mAh cells previously-shown Buzzer Cosmo Clipper scaled June 1952 Flying Models Its 31 inches 150 sq three ounces ST 3 motor four 80 mAh cells Jim uses field charger EMPS has adjustable time rate charge running off 72 volt 1200 mAh pack other firms can provide chargers switches charging jacks etc mini-Electrics Jim charges three minutes rate will provide about minute motor run way can fly retrieve model other charging Photo T Comet Clipper scaled down /2A version published July 1986 Model Aviation has 29-inch span 140 sq weighs 25 ounces has four 80 mAh Ni-Cds Radio Shack motor pretty photo should get interested hope words pictures get some charged up pun intended about mini-Electrics Build some send photos go fly fun ay Micro Flight Box 889 Hackettstown NJ 07840 Tel 908 850-9571 EMPS Box 134 Robesonia PA 19551 HiLine Box 11558 Goldsboro NC 27532 Bob Langelius 32 Clinton St White Plains NY 10603 Model Builder plans Bill Northrop 2019 Doral Court Henderson NV 89014 Tel 702 896-2162 76 Model Aviation rged version Buzzer next original has 40-inch span 240 sq area 8 ounces own drawings Power MM-i motor four 150 mAh cells Comet Clipper July 1996 MA has 29-inch span 140 sq 25 ounces Four 80-mAh Ni-Cds Radio Shack motor Thistles March 1994 MA Larger has ST-2 motor three 50-mAh cells move photos James Rice