Free Flight Scale - 2008/09
Atomic Workshop: Zombie (FFS Power) and Voodoo motor
The future of FF Scale (FFS) power has arrived from the Atomic Workshop in Norfolk, England. The breakthrough is the Zombie, a device that lets you preprogram the power profile for electric models. Simply dial in the power and duration before flying, and the unit will control those aspects of your FFS power model.
Some FF purists may object to the Zombie as a step toward RC modeling, but the device only controls motor/engine power and run duration. Comparable techniques have long been used—limited fuel, tick-off timers, and other devices—to limit engine runs. The Zombie is a technological advancement that limits the power run; it does not attempt to control the model's flight with movable control surfaces. It is still possible to lose a Zombie-controlled FFS model to a thermal, but the unit gives the modeler a better opportunity to limit duration while keeping the model free-flying.
The Atomic Workshop provides detailed instructions for installing and using the Zombie, including methods for regulating power and time and for flight trimming. For example, you can set the Zombie, place the model on the ground, walk away, and the unit will start at idle, increase to takeoff power, reduce to cruise, and gradually decrease so the model returns safely to earth.
In keeping with the Zombie, Atomic Workshop also markets the Voodoo: a lightweight (5.3 grams) motor with a 127 mm propeller. It should be able to fly an aircraft that weighs up to about 50 grams. Literature shows installations in several models, including:
- 26-inch-span Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless
- 20-inch-span Piper Super Cruiser
- 25-inch-span Douglas TBD-1 Devastator (1/24-scale kit by Dave Diels)
- 17.5-inch-span Brewster Buffalo (1/24-scale kit by Dave Diels)
Shorty’s Basement is currently marketing these two items in the U.S. For further information about the Zombie and Voodoo, see the source listing at the end of this column.
Shelf model and Ronald Bishop
The picture of the small wooden shelf model published in the June 2008 MA delighted Ronald Bishop. He sent a photo of a Stearman biplane he built from plans published in the July–August 1983 issue of Hands On (a bimonthly magazine sent to ShopSmith machine owners). The plans were by Norm Marshall; the Stearman is one of several models Ronald has built. He offered to send copies of plans for a Curtiss P-40 and a Ryan Spirit of St. Louis. These are not FFS models but may inspire future modelers. If you are interested in copies of these plans, E-mail me at the address in the column header or contact Air Ace Models (contact information is at the end of this column).
Adjusting stabilizer incidence on small FFS models
Bruce Pike asked about methods for adjusting stabilizer incidence. Two suggestions:
- Make the fuselage slot for the stabilizer a bit wider than necessary. This allows you to temporarily raise or lower the stabilizer with shims during flight trimming. Once the correct incidence is found, lock it in by filling the slot with sheet-scrap.
- Hinge the stabilizer with small bits of soft twist wire so you can raise or lower the rear portion to obtain the correct incidence. One drawback is added weight to the stabilizer, which may require nose ballast and could reduce the model’s performance.
FAC projects and photos
Flying Aces Clubsters (FACers) produced several handsome projects this year. A few highlights:
- Mike Issermann — Martin MO-1: 23-inch span, 26 grams. A strong contender in Interwar Military Mass Launch events.
- Chris Starleaf — Pomilio PE: 22-inch span, 48.5 grams.
- Andrew Ricci — Arado Ar.440: 30-inch span, 60 grams; multiengine model with substantial nacelles.
- Tom Hallman — Koolhoven F.K.55: 18-inch span, contrarotating propeller unit designed by Keith Sterner, weight 19.45 grams.
- Mike Stuart — Jumbo Armstrong Whitworth Argosy: photo received; not finished but promising for FAC competition.
Many thanks to Rich Weber for locating these photos on the Internet.
In memoriam: Charles L. Tracy
Charles L. Tracy died earlier this year at age 91. He was fascinated with flight from a young age after attending the 1929 Cleveland National Air Races. He became a pilot at 19 and took flying lessons while reporting for the Toledo News-Bee, where he wrote a column called "Flying with Tracy." He joined the Cleveland Press in 1939 and 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. Like the late Earl VanGorder (star FFS columnist for Flying Models magazine), he flew C-46s in the CBI Theater.
Charles built model airplanes throughout his life and wrote extensively about local model-aircraft activity for the Cleveland Press. He became Squadron Leader with the Ohio National Guard after the war and flew A-26s with the 112th Light Bomb Squadron at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. He continued flying models with the Cleveland Free Flight Society until relatively recently. He championed model aviation for decades and will be remembered fondly.
FAC events and Lin Reichel
Tom Hallman reminded readers that the annual two-day FAC contest in Wawayanda, New York, is scheduled for October 25–26, 2008. The event is regarded as the final big blast of the FAC flying season. This year there will be 17 events during the contest—everyone is encouraged to come ready to fly and make reservations early.
Lin Reichel, commander-in-chief of the FAC, passed away the evening of Monday, June 16, 2008. Lin led the FAC since 1980 and grew it from a small group to an organization of more than 1,500. Those who knew him respected his gentle but firm leadership. The FAC has set up a GHQ Council to take charge of the organization; the Council ensured the FAC News was mailed promptly. The 2008 FAC Nats will take place as scheduled in Geneseo, New York, July 16–19, and all other scheduled FAC contests will be held as announced. Fitting tributes to Lin will be presented at the FAC Nats.
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
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
