Free Flight Scale-2007/12

The 2007 FAC Non-Nats was a big success!
[[email protected]]
Free Flight Scale Dennis Norman
Also included in this column:
• Gearboxes: worth the effort?
• Multiengine mass launch at
the 2008 FAC Nats?
• Holiday shopping subscription
guide
Fliers at a recent Cleveland Free Flight Society contest. Lad Plachy
(seated second from left) is 93; Pete Norman and his cousin, May,
are 3. A 90-year span of FF Scale enjoyment!
Part of Wayne Perry’s 30-year model-airplane kit collection. The
best part of the hobby for him is “the hunt, trading with other
collectors, and making new friends.” Perry photo.
Nancy Kapitanoff’s The Comet Model News documentary comes
with a replica of a 1942 cardboard lighter Comet produced.
Patrick Norman photo.
THE 2007 FAC [Flying Aces Club] Non-Nats saw a gathering of 113
contestants who flew in 36 events (including 11 mass launches) and
turned in a total of 605 timed flights with 50 maxes. That’s not a bad
set of statistics considering that the event began with a day of rain and
was followed by a day of wind.
As always, the best part of the contest was the warmth and
congeniality of those who gathered. The weather may have been
inclement, but those present had the opportunity to hangar-fly,
reminisce with old friends, and enjoy the company of first-time event
attendees.
Of particular delight was the Snow Owl contingent from Quebec,
Canada. Squadron leader Ronney Goesslin brought his lovely 11-yearold
daughter, Molly, as a first-time visitor. She spoke only French but
impressed everyone with her enthusiasm and charm.
The Snow Owls sponsored a unique “French Design” event, which
drew 10 contestants. Tom Arnold won flying a Republic F-84F in
French markings. It seemed odd that an American design won this
contest; maybe it should be renamed the “French Markings” event.
Another quirky competition was the FAC Contra-Prop Scale Mass
Launch that John Regalbuto sponsored. There were eight entries, and
the winner was a Koolhoven flown by the legendary Jack McGillivray.
Rich Weber (flying an Arsenal VB 10) and Ronney Goesslin (flying a
Republic XP-69) finished second and third respectively.
A fun flyoff was FAC Fiction Flyer Scale, which drew only six
entries but saw a photo finish between winner Rich Weber (flying a
Booth Ranger) and Dave Niedzielski (flying a Mystery Tailless). Rich
had 133 total points and Dave had 132.
The most popular of this year’s events were FAC Rubber Scale (78
entries), FAC Dime Scale (60 entries), FAC Embryo Endurance (47
entries), Two Bit Old Time Rubber ROG (38 entries), and GHQ
Peanut (33 entries). Blue Max Medals (for 16 first-place wins) were
awarded to Ralph Hudson, Bob Moulton, Mike Welshans, and Mark
Houck.
Ed Pelatowski received congratulations for having reached the 100-
Kanone milestone. Ralph Kuenz was applauded and received the
prestigious Vic Didelot FAC Spirit Award.
154 MODEL AVIATION
Oh Spree Speculative Monograph 21 is a spurious effort filled with
full-color Mystery Tailless schemes. It represents FAC humor at
its best. Patrick Norman photo.
CAMCO’s latest offering is a 16-inch-span Dime Scale Pitcairn
Fleetwing that Dave Stott designed. Walt Kornich built this
prototype. Lin Reichel photo.
Remember that 2008 is an official FAC Nats year. Have fun and
keep building!
Joe G. Joseph E-mailed me with questions about a model I mentioned
in the June 2007 column. He wrote:
“In the article you mentioned Derrick Knight’s ANEC was rubberpowered
with a five inch propeller using a gear box. I have often
pondered the use of such gearing in rubber-powered models. It seems
to me that the application is not the same as using a gear system in, for
instance, an automobile.
“I assume that Knight is trying to make a prop turn faster because
of its smaller size. If a step-up gear system with a 1:5 ratio is put
between the prop and rubber motor the prop may turn faster, but the
output would stay the same because of prop stall and frictional forces.
It has been a long time since I worked problems like this and I have a
feeling that I am missing something, which is not unusual for a person
at my stage of life.
“I have always had the feeling that gearing motors to make up for
prop size is an exercise in futility and is impractical. The friction loss in
the gears adds to the problem.”
Thanks for the E-mail, Joe. It raises some interesting questions. I
have always been a “direct-drive” person, but it would be interesting to
hear from the readers on this point. I am contacting Derrick Knight and
Jack McGillivray for their thoughts and will share them when I receive
them.
Returning to the topic of the 2008 FAC Nats, serious consideration is
being given to creating a multiengine mass-launch event. There has
been an enthusiastic growth in multis in the last few years.
The mysteries of asymmetrical thrust, opposite-turning propellers,
launching technique, etc. are being solved, and the results are
impressive. Chris Starleaf recently obtained a flight of 69 seconds on a
four-engine, rubber-powered B-24J, and numerous others have been
reporting maxes flying twin-engine subjects.
All this has led GHQ to give serious thought to the multi masslaunch
event. I hope the thought will become reality in 2008.
Wayne Perry is a collector’s collector in Bath, Maine. He has shared
more photos of his unique collection with us.
In doing so he claimed that the best part of this hobby, in his view,
is having old friends and making new friends with which to share and
be enthusiastic. In his 30 years of collecting model-airplane kits,
Wayne has also managed to collect a rich sampling of personal
contacts, which are priceless.
At this time of year it is appropriate to think of making lists for holiday
shopping. I offer the following to you regarding potential Merry
Christmas picks.
1) The 2008 FAC calendar: The popular Flying Aces Calendar
series continues. A baker’s dozen of beautiful color photos shows some
of the finest models built by FAC members today. Send $20 (postpaid)
to the FAC.
2) Oh Spree Speculative Monograph 21: A hilarious spoof of the
real Osprey series of booklets about aviation subjects, this tongue-incheek
effort is devoted to the popular Mystery Tailless offered by Easy
Built Models. It treats the subject as though it had been an actual fullscale
aircraft.
This 28-page publication is filled with striking full-color depictions
of Mystery Taillesses that were supposedly flown by many nations in
the 1930s. It is a complete parody and an outstanding example of FAC
fun at its best. The authors are Michael Heinrich, Rich Weber, and
Clive Gamble (aka Hepple, Whitworth, and Twosheds).
These booklets were going for $5 at the 2007 FAC Nats, but you
will have to add postage if ordering via mail. You can obtain details
from Rich Weber.
3) New Pitcairn Fleetwing from Classic Aircraft Model Company
(CAMCO): This 16-inch-span biplane designed by Dave Stott qualifies
for FAC Dime Scale, FAC Scale, and Golden Age events.
The kit includes full-size rolled plans, building and flying
instructions, printed balsa, hand-picked balsa strip wood, clear plastic
for the windshield, rubber motor, propeller, wheels, and Easy Built Lite
tissue in black and yellow. Send $22.25 ($15 for the kit and the rest for
postage) to CAMCO.
4) Universal Fuselage Building Fixture by RockyTop Models:
Designed by Buzz Trabbic, this unique fixture enables you to build
straight medium-size (up to 24 inches long) “half-shell” fuselages. Cut
1/4 plywood pieces assemble into a sturdy fixture that will serve you for
years.
Go to the RockyTop Models Web site for a detailed and wellillustrated
set of assembly instructions. This is definitely a hot item and
is well worth the $28.90 price (postage included).
5) NS Wheels: For those of us who build from published plans or
from scratch, obtaining details such as spoked wheels can be a
challenge. There are articles about how to make spoked wheels, but if
you do not have them or do not have time to make them, NS Wheels
can help.
This new manufacturer sells 16 sizes of spoked wheels that range in
diameter from 1/2 inch to 11/2 inches. A choice of wheel thickness
should enable you to get a lovely pair of spoked wheels for your next
antique masterpiece. A pair of wheels costs $30 plus postage.
6) The Comet Model News: Whether you are simply nostalgic or a
student of model-airplane history, the 15-minute DVD documentary by
Nancy Kapitanoff is a delightful must for your library.
I took a copy to the 2007 FAC Non-Nats and played it repeatedly
for several hours. Numerous modelers commented on the professional
Talented photographer Fred Wunsche, in front of the camera for
a change, shows his 16-inch-span, stick-and-tissue, rubber-powered
Jack Rabbit Greve Racer designed by Tom Nallen.
John Regalbuto’s scratch-built, 22-inch-span, 45-gram Henschel
P.87 is powered by six strands of 1/8-inch rubber driving counterrotating
pusher propellers. Fred Wunsche photo.
December 2007 155
quality of the story and watched it repeatedly
during the show.
Many purchased copies from Shorty’s
Basement for $19.95 each. The DVD is also
available from Hannan’s Runway or you can
order it directly from Nancy Kapitanoff.
7) Products from A2Z Corporation (Tim
Goldstein): A2Z Corporation purchased Peck-
Polymers in December and moved it to
Colorado in early January. The company is
now converting the Peck kits to laser-cut. The
Peck line is being restocked and expanded.
If you are looking for the new laser-cut
Peck-Polymers kits, Japanese yellow
checkered tissue, a small needle cap to use
when applying cyanoacrylate kicker, exquisite
quality Indoor balsa, and many more highquality
items, contact Tim Goldstein.
8) A subscription to an outstanding club
newsletter: The FAC is blessed with several
excellent newsletters that add much to the
enjoyment of our hobby. If you do not already
subscribe, following are a few publications
that will enrich your 2008.
• Crosswinds: The Cleveland Free Flight
Society’s quarterly publication routinely sets
forth new plans and documentation, gives
club news, etc. Subscriptions are $16 per year
(US) and $18 per year (foreign). Contact Russ
Brown.
• MaxFax: The D.C. Maxecuters’ bimonthly
journal is filled with excellent articles, historic
advertisements, plans, and photos.
Subscriptions are $20 per year (US, Canada,
and Mexico) and $25 per year (all other
countries). Write to Stew Meyers.
• Tailspin: This bimonthly pamphlet from
New England contains good plans and
intelligent discussions about FF Scale topics.
It is $10 per year (US) or $20 per year
(foreign). Write to Mike Nassise.
• Thermalier: The Pensacola Free Flight
Team’s bimonthly newsletter contains
numerous how-to articles and scholarly
coverage of FF Scale subjects. The cost is $10
per year (US). Write to George White.
• The Windy Sock: This monthly publication is
available (except in December) for $1.50 per
issue ($1.75 foreign) or $12 per year (US),
$15 per year (Canada and Mexico), or $20 per
year (other countries). Write to Joe G. Joseph.
Season’s blessings to all of you and a happy
2008! MA
Sources:
A2Z Corporation/Tim Goldstein
(720) 833-9300
www.peck-polymers.com
CAMCO
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
(814) 833-0314
Flying Aces Club
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
George White
5928 Hermitage Dr.
Pensacola FL 32504
Hannan’s Runway
(530) 873-6421
www.hrunway.com
Joe G. Joseph
8311 Babe Ruth St.
San Antonio TX 48240
Mike Nassise
22 Greenfield St.
South Easton MA 02375
Nancy Kapitanoff
125 S. Croft Ave. Apt. 2
Los Angeles CA 90048
www.cometmodelnews.com
NS Wheels
(906) 638-3636
www.nswheels.com
Rich Weber
[email protected]
(440) 884-2987
RockyTop Models/Buzz Trabbic
(615) 452-4127
www.rockytopmodels.com
Russ Brown
4909 N. Sedgewick
Lyndhurst OH 44124
Shorty’s Basement
1036 Bexley Ave.
Marion OH 43302
[email protected]
Stew Meyers
8304 Whitman Dr.
Bethesda MD 20012
Wayne Perry
44 Middle St.
Bath ME 04530