140 MODEL AVIATION
FREE FLIGHT SPORT: Flight is the
endgame in this hobby. I was reading a Flying
Aces Club (FAC) newsletter and saw a flighttrimming
article by Al Likely. Al believes that
in addition to science, there is a “feel,” a
“touch,” and an “art” involved in trimming. I
hope it is not an art. My high-school English
teacher told me she thought there was a little
poetry in everyone until she read my poem.
My artistic ability is on roughly the same level
as my poetry.
I like to think that trimming involves skill;
skill can be developed. Maybe “touch” and
“feel” are a part of skill. Al’s article is
informative. You would do well to check out
some of his advice: build often, build light,
build straight, make notes for each model,
create and use a checklist, take advice only
from someone who is flying, and don’t give
advice unless asked.
I like the advice to build often. If you build
often, you will trim often, and that is one of the
ways you learn. Many experienced modelers
will not give advice unless asked. Ask them
preferably when they are not winding a rubber
motor or about to put up an official flight.
Then listen.
Embryos I Have Known: Dave Stott and/or Bob Thompson created
the Embryo event in the early days of the FAC organization. The
fuselage must be able to enclose a 1.25 x 1.50 x 3.00-inch space, and
the maximum wing area is 50 square inches. Bonus points are added
for wheel pants, simulated exhausts, and a cabin or windshield/cockpit.
See the FAC rules book for other details.
To join the FAC and get six issues of its bimonthly newsletter, send
$15 to FAC-GHQ, 3301 Cindy Ln., Erie PA 16506. There are usually
four or five Scale stick-and-tissue-model plans per newsletter, as well
as club news and modeling tips.
Gene Smith, 1401 N. Husband St., Stillwater OK 74075; E-mail: [email protected]
FREE FLIGHT SPORT
Carl Perkins and his family attended the Free Flight meet in June at the Kansas
Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. His granddaughter Whitney flew his Sparky.
Earle Thompson built his Pacific Ace from plans his sister
obtained in 1942. This version is electric-powered.
Don DeLoach winds his Embryomatic at the FAC Nationals using
a compact ground-mounted stooge.
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:53 am Page 140
February 2004 141
One of the first models I built for indoor flying was the Hornet
Embryo kitted by Micro X. Although it was designed to fly outdoors, it
was easy to adjust to fly in the confines of the Oklahoma City Armory
with its stock plastic propeller.
Endurance was not the goal. The Hornet made neat ROGs (rise-offgrounds)
and smooth landings. A great training model, it gave me a lot
of enjoyment. Once I figured out the correct rubber motor and number
of turns, the Hornet would make flight after dependable flight. Make
no mistake; Embryos are capable of out-of-sight flights. But they can
also be used for small-field flying if you downsize the rubber motor.
The Hornet plans include the rules for the Embryo event and good
tips for trimming the model for flight. I know of three other Embryo
kits: the Prairie Bird by Peck-Polymers, the Debut by EZ Built
Models, and the unique Scimitar by Campbell’s Kits.
A neat thing about models this size is how easy it is to “design”
your own. Take a wing from one model, make a slight change in the
Designed by the Cactus Squadron’s Dave Smith, the Saguaro
Speedster is a great-flying, low-wing Embryo design.
The long nose on the El Coyote Embryo model allows for a long
motor. The motor peg could be one bay farther back.
The Mis-Adventure designed by Ross Mayo hooked Jane
Schlosberg on Free Flight. She lost her first one out of sight.
FIBER- FILLED MOTOR MOUNTS•VIBRA-DAMP ISOLATION MOUNTS•SOUTH ERN
PRO RETRACTS•MICRO-BALLOONS•SOUTHERN’S SORGHUM•TX-POSER•HUSH-CLAMP PIPE MOUNT•STRABILIZER TX TRAY•FIBERGLASS PUSHRODS•CORDLESS STARTER PACK•FLEX-ALL•CARBON
FIBER TAPE•CARBON FIBRE STRIP•TRIMSEAL•SKYLOFT•C/APPLICATOR SIX SHOOTER FUEL PUMPS•HOLSTER•POUR’N’PUMP FUELING SYSTEMS•LITE FLITE WHEELS•TREADED LITE FLITE WHEELS•LECTRA LITE WHEELS•TREADED LECTRA LITE WHEELS•BIG LITE WHEELS•TREADED BIG LITE WHEELS•R/C
FLIGHT SIMULATORS FOR IBM COMPUTERS•TUNED PIPE MOUNT•VORTECH SPINNERS
4560 Layhigh Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013
513.738.1576 • www.dbproducts.com
Look outside - its cold, windy and the ground is
covered with snow. If you miss flying as much as
we do, you’ll want to check into our cure for the
winter blues.
Our RCFS2001 Flight Simulator is
just the ticket to keep your skills
up and be a better pilot for the
start of the flying season.
Whether you fly 3 channel
trainers, turbine powered jets,
electric gliders, extreme fun-fly
aerobats, helicopters or 3D
aerobatics, RCFS2001 has you
covered.
After a quick installation, RCFS2001 will immerse
you into a graphicly rich 3D environment. Choose
your model, your field, and even the wind
conditions!
Who knows? With all of RCFS2001’s available
features, you just might find yourself
flying better than you did last year
- and flying circles around your
buddies!
For complete information on
how RCFS2001 can keep the
winter’s rust from effecting your
flying, see your local dealer, visit
our web site or give us a call.
RCFS2001 comes with
airplane/helicopter software
and our Simstar controller.
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
WALSTON RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
725 Cooper Lake Rd., S.E., Smyrna, GA 30082
770-434-4905 800-657-4672 Fax 770-431-0119
Visa • MC • AmEx • Disc
e-mail [email protected]
Call Now.
PO BOX 11558, GOLDSBORO, NC 27532
Rubber-Power Free Flight Kit
NFFS “Model of the Year” 1998
A Dave Rees design
Competition model for FAC flying in Golden Age or Jumbo Scale
events. The kit complies with FAC rules, including “builder of the
model” rule.
An example of the latest lightweight construction, the kit is for
experienced modelers who enjoy building Rubber Power Free Flight
scale airplanes.
Kit includes turned balsa wheels, pre-formed balsa nose block, Esaki
tissue, plastic prop, adhesive graphics for blue and yellow color
scheme.
$35.00
Please add $6.00
postage/handling
General “Aristocrat” Kit
Span: 36” • Weight: 2.0 oz.
Wing Area: 200 sq. in.
SEND $1
FOR
CATALOG
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:54 am Page 141
fuselage and tail from another model, and
presto! You have your personal design with
little effort.
Bob Schlosberg sent me photos of three
Embryos that he and his wife Jane built, all
from different designers. Resplendent in red
and white, the Saguaro Speedster is one of the
cutest Embryos I have seen. It needs exhaust
stacks for maximum bonus points.
Dick Howard has been a prolific designer,
and the El Coyote is one of his many greatflying
Embryo designs. Ross Mayo designed
the Mis-Adventure many years ago. It would
not be legal under current rules, which require
at least a 30° slant of the windshield on cabin
designs. The model needs wheel pants for
maximum bonus points.
Don DeLoach designed a high-aspectratio
Embryo that he dubbed the
“Embryomatic.” It was published in the
August 1990 Model Aviation. If you don’t
save your Model Aviation magazines, find a
friend who does and read the article. It is
informative.
(Editor’s note: You can also use the
Model Aviation Digital Archives at
http://modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm to
find this piece.)
Don flew the Embryomatic to a tie for first
place in the 2002 FAC Nationals but came in
second in the flyoff. The plans—number
661—are available from AMA for $3.75 plus
$3.95 shipping and handling.
Memories: I received a nice letter from Earle
Thompson explaining the E2 50 lettering on
the fin of the Pacific Ace shown in one of this
month’s photos. Earle and his sister Mida
built models when they were kids. Years later
she was cleaning out an old trunk when she
found plans from a Pacific Ace kit she had
purchased when she was a child. “Purchased
March 16, 1942, completed March 23, 1942”
was written on the plans.
Mida sent the frail, yellowed plans to
Earle, who made a copy and built the model
that is shown in 1992—50 years after his
sister built it. It was his second electricpowered
aircraft. Thanks for sharing, Earle.
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Tail:
Monday at the 2003 Free Flight Nationals
(Nats) was wet. Rain showers began at
approximately 9 a.m. and continued until
early afternoon. Many of us put up flights
between and during the showers.
My Ramrod 750 had a good first attempt.
The second flight was okay but looked a bit
overelevated (too much negative in the
stabilizer). On the third flight the model was
definitely overelevated, and it stalled to the
ground.
Inspection revealed that the balsa shim
under the rear of the stabilizer had swollen in
the rain and raised the rear of the stabilizer 1⁄16
inch, which is enough to ruin the trim of the
model. Lesson learned.
While at the Nats I visited Muncie Model
& Hobby, which is next to the AMA flying
site. It is well stocked with model supplies
and has an excellent selection of Free Flight
models available via the Web site at
www.munciemodel.com.
I was strolling through the Internet one day,
in the merry, merry month of February ...
Actually I was looking for a source for the
Sleek Streak. A Google search turned up the
Sleek Streak on the Guillow’s Web site—
www.guillow.com—and a nice Web site it is.
Many modelers have derided Guillow’s
kits, but there are some gems in its offerings;
the most notable is the Fairchild 24. A few
years ago the Flying Aces Club added a
Guillow’s Fairchild 24 event to its contest
schedule. The event has been a great success.
I began building one of these models for
the FAC Nats in July 2000 but finished it in
an untimely manner—in February 2001.
Using most of the kit wood, the Fairchild
came out at 41 grams empty. The motor was
three 30-inch loops of 1⁄8-inch rubber
weighing 16 grams. The model sported a
Peck-Polymers 9.5-inch propeller. Balance
was as shown on the plans.
Preflight adjustments were 1⁄16 inch of
washin of the right wing, 3° downthrust, and
3° right thrust. First low-power test glides
resulted in dives. I raised the back of the
stabilizer until the model showed a little float
in the glide. It took a 3⁄32-inch shim.
During the Fairchild’s first opportunity to
fly at the flying field, winds were added and a
right-right pattern was present. No further
trim adjustments were required. The model is
a joy to fly; just wind it up and let it go. It
does a minute, 10 seconds in dead air and will
ride lift. I hope you build one and it gives you
tons of enjoyment.
Where Can I Get This Stuff? If you have to
mail-order supplies such as propellers, rubber,
and kits, a great source I have not previously
mentioned is Peck-Polymers. Peck and Penn
Valley Hobbies advertise regularly in this
magazine. Check out their catalogs and/or
Web sites.
Flying at the Speedway: In June I had the
pleasure of flying with the Kansas City,
Kansas, Free Flight group, the Heart of
America Free Flight Association. Its flying
site is unique in that it is located near the heart
of a large metropolitan area; it is the parking
lot of the Kansas Speedway.
The flying area is large enough for a
Category III event, at least if the wind isn’t
too strong. There are no concrete parking
barriers—just grass, with gravel and blacktop
access roads. Bike retrieval was a snap. If you
live in the Kansas City area, check out the
Web site: www.sunflower.com/~edwiley/. MA
142 MODEL AVIATION
F A I
MODEL SUPPLY
www.faimodelsupply.com
POLYSPAN, AIRSPAN, LITESPAN,
MICROLITES, MYLAR, TOMY TIMERS
F A I TAN SPORT RUBBER
1⁄4", 3⁄16", 1⁄8", 3⁄32" 1⁄16", .042 THICK
1 lb. box $2350, 10 lb. box $16600 Post Paid (USA).
TAN SUPER SPORT RUBBER
1 lb. box $2700, 10 lb. box $19100 Post Paid (USA).
• Made in U.S.A. •
“Superdog” AFR $22.50, “Hangar Rat” ARTF $25.00,
Bulldog ARF $20.00, electric lighters $6.00. Front
ends, winders, stooges, Books, Czech P30
props, Slick Lube, CROCKETT hooks, “Butterfly”
RTF indoor $20.00, “Super Butterfly” $21.00, huge
bunch of great FF kits, and Zona Saws.
COUPE & WAKEFIELD
PARTS, KITS, RTF
F.A.I. Model Supply
P O Box 366
Sayre, PA 18840-0366
Phone/Fax: 570-882-9873
Basic
Catalog
$3.00
Hi Tech
Catalog
$1.00
Planned Giving to AMA
You may make gifts to AMA of:
or with a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
• Immediate income tax deduction
• Lifetime income for you and your spouse (or other
beneficiary)
• Reduction in estate taxes
• Money for your favorite charities
Interested? Contact AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager at
(765) 287-1256, extension 200.
Cash
Securities
Insurance
Gems
Real Estate
Etc.
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:54 am Page 142
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/02
Page Numbers: 140,141,142
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/02
Page Numbers: 140,141,142
140 MODEL AVIATION
FREE FLIGHT SPORT: Flight is the
endgame in this hobby. I was reading a Flying
Aces Club (FAC) newsletter and saw a flighttrimming
article by Al Likely. Al believes that
in addition to science, there is a “feel,” a
“touch,” and an “art” involved in trimming. I
hope it is not an art. My high-school English
teacher told me she thought there was a little
poetry in everyone until she read my poem.
My artistic ability is on roughly the same level
as my poetry.
I like to think that trimming involves skill;
skill can be developed. Maybe “touch” and
“feel” are a part of skill. Al’s article is
informative. You would do well to check out
some of his advice: build often, build light,
build straight, make notes for each model,
create and use a checklist, take advice only
from someone who is flying, and don’t give
advice unless asked.
I like the advice to build often. If you build
often, you will trim often, and that is one of the
ways you learn. Many experienced modelers
will not give advice unless asked. Ask them
preferably when they are not winding a rubber
motor or about to put up an official flight.
Then listen.
Embryos I Have Known: Dave Stott and/or Bob Thompson created
the Embryo event in the early days of the FAC organization. The
fuselage must be able to enclose a 1.25 x 1.50 x 3.00-inch space, and
the maximum wing area is 50 square inches. Bonus points are added
for wheel pants, simulated exhausts, and a cabin or windshield/cockpit.
See the FAC rules book for other details.
To join the FAC and get six issues of its bimonthly newsletter, send
$15 to FAC-GHQ, 3301 Cindy Ln., Erie PA 16506. There are usually
four or five Scale stick-and-tissue-model plans per newsletter, as well
as club news and modeling tips.
Gene Smith, 1401 N. Husband St., Stillwater OK 74075; E-mail: [email protected]
FREE FLIGHT SPORT
Carl Perkins and his family attended the Free Flight meet in June at the Kansas
Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. His granddaughter Whitney flew his Sparky.
Earle Thompson built his Pacific Ace from plans his sister
obtained in 1942. This version is electric-powered.
Don DeLoach winds his Embryomatic at the FAC Nationals using
a compact ground-mounted stooge.
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:53 am Page 140
February 2004 141
One of the first models I built for indoor flying was the Hornet
Embryo kitted by Micro X. Although it was designed to fly outdoors, it
was easy to adjust to fly in the confines of the Oklahoma City Armory
with its stock plastic propeller.
Endurance was not the goal. The Hornet made neat ROGs (rise-offgrounds)
and smooth landings. A great training model, it gave me a lot
of enjoyment. Once I figured out the correct rubber motor and number
of turns, the Hornet would make flight after dependable flight. Make
no mistake; Embryos are capable of out-of-sight flights. But they can
also be used for small-field flying if you downsize the rubber motor.
The Hornet plans include the rules for the Embryo event and good
tips for trimming the model for flight. I know of three other Embryo
kits: the Prairie Bird by Peck-Polymers, the Debut by EZ Built
Models, and the unique Scimitar by Campbell’s Kits.
A neat thing about models this size is how easy it is to “design”
your own. Take a wing from one model, make a slight change in the
Designed by the Cactus Squadron’s Dave Smith, the Saguaro
Speedster is a great-flying, low-wing Embryo design.
The long nose on the El Coyote Embryo model allows for a long
motor. The motor peg could be one bay farther back.
The Mis-Adventure designed by Ross Mayo hooked Jane
Schlosberg on Free Flight. She lost her first one out of sight.
FIBER- FILLED MOTOR MOUNTS•VIBRA-DAMP ISOLATION MOUNTS•SOUTH ERN
PRO RETRACTS•MICRO-BALLOONS•SOUTHERN’S SORGHUM•TX-POSER•HUSH-CLAMP PIPE MOUNT•STRABILIZER TX TRAY•FIBERGLASS PUSHRODS•CORDLESS STARTER PACK•FLEX-ALL•CARBON
FIBER TAPE•CARBON FIBRE STRIP•TRIMSEAL•SKYLOFT•C/APPLICATOR SIX SHOOTER FUEL PUMPS•HOLSTER•POUR’N’PUMP FUELING SYSTEMS•LITE FLITE WHEELS•TREADED LITE FLITE WHEELS•LECTRA LITE WHEELS•TREADED LECTRA LITE WHEELS•BIG LITE WHEELS•TREADED BIG LITE WHEELS•R/C
FLIGHT SIMULATORS FOR IBM COMPUTERS•TUNED PIPE MOUNT•VORTECH SPINNERS
4560 Layhigh Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013
513.738.1576 • www.dbproducts.com
Look outside - its cold, windy and the ground is
covered with snow. If you miss flying as much as
we do, you’ll want to check into our cure for the
winter blues.
Our RCFS2001 Flight Simulator is
just the ticket to keep your skills
up and be a better pilot for the
start of the flying season.
Whether you fly 3 channel
trainers, turbine powered jets,
electric gliders, extreme fun-fly
aerobats, helicopters or 3D
aerobatics, RCFS2001 has you
covered.
After a quick installation, RCFS2001 will immerse
you into a graphicly rich 3D environment. Choose
your model, your field, and even the wind
conditions!
Who knows? With all of RCFS2001’s available
features, you just might find yourself
flying better than you did last year
- and flying circles around your
buddies!
For complete information on
how RCFS2001 can keep the
winter’s rust from effecting your
flying, see your local dealer, visit
our web site or give us a call.
RCFS2001 comes with
airplane/helicopter software
and our Simstar controller.
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
WALSTON RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
725 Cooper Lake Rd., S.E., Smyrna, GA 30082
770-434-4905 800-657-4672 Fax 770-431-0119
Visa • MC • AmEx • Disc
e-mail [email protected]
Call Now.
PO BOX 11558, GOLDSBORO, NC 27532
Rubber-Power Free Flight Kit
NFFS “Model of the Year” 1998
A Dave Rees design
Competition model for FAC flying in Golden Age or Jumbo Scale
events. The kit complies with FAC rules, including “builder of the
model” rule.
An example of the latest lightweight construction, the kit is for
experienced modelers who enjoy building Rubber Power Free Flight
scale airplanes.
Kit includes turned balsa wheels, pre-formed balsa nose block, Esaki
tissue, plastic prop, adhesive graphics for blue and yellow color
scheme.
$35.00
Please add $6.00
postage/handling
General “Aristocrat” Kit
Span: 36” • Weight: 2.0 oz.
Wing Area: 200 sq. in.
SEND $1
FOR
CATALOG
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:54 am Page 141
fuselage and tail from another model, and
presto! You have your personal design with
little effort.
Bob Schlosberg sent me photos of three
Embryos that he and his wife Jane built, all
from different designers. Resplendent in red
and white, the Saguaro Speedster is one of the
cutest Embryos I have seen. It needs exhaust
stacks for maximum bonus points.
Dick Howard has been a prolific designer,
and the El Coyote is one of his many greatflying
Embryo designs. Ross Mayo designed
the Mis-Adventure many years ago. It would
not be legal under current rules, which require
at least a 30° slant of the windshield on cabin
designs. The model needs wheel pants for
maximum bonus points.
Don DeLoach designed a high-aspectratio
Embryo that he dubbed the
“Embryomatic.” It was published in the
August 1990 Model Aviation. If you don’t
save your Model Aviation magazines, find a
friend who does and read the article. It is
informative.
(Editor’s note: You can also use the
Model Aviation Digital Archives at
http://modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm to
find this piece.)
Don flew the Embryomatic to a tie for first
place in the 2002 FAC Nationals but came in
second in the flyoff. The plans—number
661—are available from AMA for $3.75 plus
$3.95 shipping and handling.
Memories: I received a nice letter from Earle
Thompson explaining the E2 50 lettering on
the fin of the Pacific Ace shown in one of this
month’s photos. Earle and his sister Mida
built models when they were kids. Years later
she was cleaning out an old trunk when she
found plans from a Pacific Ace kit she had
purchased when she was a child. “Purchased
March 16, 1942, completed March 23, 1942”
was written on the plans.
Mida sent the frail, yellowed plans to
Earle, who made a copy and built the model
that is shown in 1992—50 years after his
sister built it. It was his second electricpowered
aircraft. Thanks for sharing, Earle.
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Tail:
Monday at the 2003 Free Flight Nationals
(Nats) was wet. Rain showers began at
approximately 9 a.m. and continued until
early afternoon. Many of us put up flights
between and during the showers.
My Ramrod 750 had a good first attempt.
The second flight was okay but looked a bit
overelevated (too much negative in the
stabilizer). On the third flight the model was
definitely overelevated, and it stalled to the
ground.
Inspection revealed that the balsa shim
under the rear of the stabilizer had swollen in
the rain and raised the rear of the stabilizer 1⁄16
inch, which is enough to ruin the trim of the
model. Lesson learned.
While at the Nats I visited Muncie Model
& Hobby, which is next to the AMA flying
site. It is well stocked with model supplies
and has an excellent selection of Free Flight
models available via the Web site at
www.munciemodel.com.
I was strolling through the Internet one day,
in the merry, merry month of February ...
Actually I was looking for a source for the
Sleek Streak. A Google search turned up the
Sleek Streak on the Guillow’s Web site—
www.guillow.com—and a nice Web site it is.
Many modelers have derided Guillow’s
kits, but there are some gems in its offerings;
the most notable is the Fairchild 24. A few
years ago the Flying Aces Club added a
Guillow’s Fairchild 24 event to its contest
schedule. The event has been a great success.
I began building one of these models for
the FAC Nats in July 2000 but finished it in
an untimely manner—in February 2001.
Using most of the kit wood, the Fairchild
came out at 41 grams empty. The motor was
three 30-inch loops of 1⁄8-inch rubber
weighing 16 grams. The model sported a
Peck-Polymers 9.5-inch propeller. Balance
was as shown on the plans.
Preflight adjustments were 1⁄16 inch of
washin of the right wing, 3° downthrust, and
3° right thrust. First low-power test glides
resulted in dives. I raised the back of the
stabilizer until the model showed a little float
in the glide. It took a 3⁄32-inch shim.
During the Fairchild’s first opportunity to
fly at the flying field, winds were added and a
right-right pattern was present. No further
trim adjustments were required. The model is
a joy to fly; just wind it up and let it go. It
does a minute, 10 seconds in dead air and will
ride lift. I hope you build one and it gives you
tons of enjoyment.
Where Can I Get This Stuff? If you have to
mail-order supplies such as propellers, rubber,
and kits, a great source I have not previously
mentioned is Peck-Polymers. Peck and Penn
Valley Hobbies advertise regularly in this
magazine. Check out their catalogs and/or
Web sites.
Flying at the Speedway: In June I had the
pleasure of flying with the Kansas City,
Kansas, Free Flight group, the Heart of
America Free Flight Association. Its flying
site is unique in that it is located near the heart
of a large metropolitan area; it is the parking
lot of the Kansas Speedway.
The flying area is large enough for a
Category III event, at least if the wind isn’t
too strong. There are no concrete parking
barriers—just grass, with gravel and blacktop
access roads. Bike retrieval was a snap. If you
live in the Kansas City area, check out the
Web site: www.sunflower.com/~edwiley/. MA
142 MODEL AVIATION
F A I
MODEL SUPPLY
www.faimodelsupply.com
POLYSPAN, AIRSPAN, LITESPAN,
MICROLITES, MYLAR, TOMY TIMERS
F A I TAN SPORT RUBBER
1⁄4", 3⁄16", 1⁄8", 3⁄32" 1⁄16", .042 THICK
1 lb. box $2350, 10 lb. box $16600 Post Paid (USA).
TAN SUPER SPORT RUBBER
1 lb. box $2700, 10 lb. box $19100 Post Paid (USA).
• Made in U.S.A. •
“Superdog” AFR $22.50, “Hangar Rat” ARTF $25.00,
Bulldog ARF $20.00, electric lighters $6.00. Front
ends, winders, stooges, Books, Czech P30
props, Slick Lube, CROCKETT hooks, “Butterfly”
RTF indoor $20.00, “Super Butterfly” $21.00, huge
bunch of great FF kits, and Zona Saws.
COUPE & WAKEFIELD
PARTS, KITS, RTF
F.A.I. Model Supply
P O Box 366
Sayre, PA 18840-0366
Phone/Fax: 570-882-9873
Basic
Catalog
$3.00
Hi Tech
Catalog
$1.00
Planned Giving to AMA
You may make gifts to AMA of:
or with a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
• Immediate income tax deduction
• Lifetime income for you and your spouse (or other
beneficiary)
• Reduction in estate taxes
• Money for your favorite charities
Interested? Contact AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager at
(765) 287-1256, extension 200.
Cash
Securities
Insurance
Gems
Real Estate
Etc.
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:54 am Page 142
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/02
Page Numbers: 140,141,142
140 MODEL AVIATION
FREE FLIGHT SPORT: Flight is the
endgame in this hobby. I was reading a Flying
Aces Club (FAC) newsletter and saw a flighttrimming
article by Al Likely. Al believes that
in addition to science, there is a “feel,” a
“touch,” and an “art” involved in trimming. I
hope it is not an art. My high-school English
teacher told me she thought there was a little
poetry in everyone until she read my poem.
My artistic ability is on roughly the same level
as my poetry.
I like to think that trimming involves skill;
skill can be developed. Maybe “touch” and
“feel” are a part of skill. Al’s article is
informative. You would do well to check out
some of his advice: build often, build light,
build straight, make notes for each model,
create and use a checklist, take advice only
from someone who is flying, and don’t give
advice unless asked.
I like the advice to build often. If you build
often, you will trim often, and that is one of the
ways you learn. Many experienced modelers
will not give advice unless asked. Ask them
preferably when they are not winding a rubber
motor or about to put up an official flight.
Then listen.
Embryos I Have Known: Dave Stott and/or Bob Thompson created
the Embryo event in the early days of the FAC organization. The
fuselage must be able to enclose a 1.25 x 1.50 x 3.00-inch space, and
the maximum wing area is 50 square inches. Bonus points are added
for wheel pants, simulated exhausts, and a cabin or windshield/cockpit.
See the FAC rules book for other details.
To join the FAC and get six issues of its bimonthly newsletter, send
$15 to FAC-GHQ, 3301 Cindy Ln., Erie PA 16506. There are usually
four or five Scale stick-and-tissue-model plans per newsletter, as well
as club news and modeling tips.
Gene Smith, 1401 N. Husband St., Stillwater OK 74075; E-mail: [email protected]
FREE FLIGHT SPORT
Carl Perkins and his family attended the Free Flight meet in June at the Kansas
Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas. His granddaughter Whitney flew his Sparky.
Earle Thompson built his Pacific Ace from plans his sister
obtained in 1942. This version is electric-powered.
Don DeLoach winds his Embryomatic at the FAC Nationals using
a compact ground-mounted stooge.
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:53 am Page 140
February 2004 141
One of the first models I built for indoor flying was the Hornet
Embryo kitted by Micro X. Although it was designed to fly outdoors, it
was easy to adjust to fly in the confines of the Oklahoma City Armory
with its stock plastic propeller.
Endurance was not the goal. The Hornet made neat ROGs (rise-offgrounds)
and smooth landings. A great training model, it gave me a lot
of enjoyment. Once I figured out the correct rubber motor and number
of turns, the Hornet would make flight after dependable flight. Make
no mistake; Embryos are capable of out-of-sight flights. But they can
also be used for small-field flying if you downsize the rubber motor.
The Hornet plans include the rules for the Embryo event and good
tips for trimming the model for flight. I know of three other Embryo
kits: the Prairie Bird by Peck-Polymers, the Debut by EZ Built
Models, and the unique Scimitar by Campbell’s Kits.
A neat thing about models this size is how easy it is to “design”
your own. Take a wing from one model, make a slight change in the
Designed by the Cactus Squadron’s Dave Smith, the Saguaro
Speedster is a great-flying, low-wing Embryo design.
The long nose on the El Coyote Embryo model allows for a long
motor. The motor peg could be one bay farther back.
The Mis-Adventure designed by Ross Mayo hooked Jane
Schlosberg on Free Flight. She lost her first one out of sight.
FIBER- FILLED MOTOR MOUNTS•VIBRA-DAMP ISOLATION MOUNTS•SOUTH ERN
PRO RETRACTS•MICRO-BALLOONS•SOUTHERN’S SORGHUM•TX-POSER•HUSH-CLAMP PIPE MOUNT•STRABILIZER TX TRAY•FIBERGLASS PUSHRODS•CORDLESS STARTER PACK•FLEX-ALL•CARBON
FIBER TAPE•CARBON FIBRE STRIP•TRIMSEAL•SKYLOFT•C/APPLICATOR SIX SHOOTER FUEL PUMPS•HOLSTER•POUR’N’PUMP FUELING SYSTEMS•LITE FLITE WHEELS•TREADED LITE FLITE WHEELS•LECTRA LITE WHEELS•TREADED LECTRA LITE WHEELS•BIG LITE WHEELS•TREADED BIG LITE WHEELS•R/C
FLIGHT SIMULATORS FOR IBM COMPUTERS•TUNED PIPE MOUNT•VORTECH SPINNERS
4560 Layhigh Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013
513.738.1576 • www.dbproducts.com
Look outside - its cold, windy and the ground is
covered with snow. If you miss flying as much as
we do, you’ll want to check into our cure for the
winter blues.
Our RCFS2001 Flight Simulator is
just the ticket to keep your skills
up and be a better pilot for the
start of the flying season.
Whether you fly 3 channel
trainers, turbine powered jets,
electric gliders, extreme fun-fly
aerobats, helicopters or 3D
aerobatics, RCFS2001 has you
covered.
After a quick installation, RCFS2001 will immerse
you into a graphicly rich 3D environment. Choose
your model, your field, and even the wind
conditions!
Who knows? With all of RCFS2001’s available
features, you just might find yourself
flying better than you did last year
- and flying circles around your
buddies!
For complete information on
how RCFS2001 can keep the
winter’s rust from effecting your
flying, see your local dealer, visit
our web site or give us a call.
RCFS2001 comes with
airplane/helicopter software
and our Simstar controller.
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
Beep
WALSTON RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS
725 Cooper Lake Rd., S.E., Smyrna, GA 30082
770-434-4905 800-657-4672 Fax 770-431-0119
Visa • MC • AmEx • Disc
e-mail [email protected]
Call Now.
PO BOX 11558, GOLDSBORO, NC 27532
Rubber-Power Free Flight Kit
NFFS “Model of the Year” 1998
A Dave Rees design
Competition model for FAC flying in Golden Age or Jumbo Scale
events. The kit complies with FAC rules, including “builder of the
model” rule.
An example of the latest lightweight construction, the kit is for
experienced modelers who enjoy building Rubber Power Free Flight
scale airplanes.
Kit includes turned balsa wheels, pre-formed balsa nose block, Esaki
tissue, plastic prop, adhesive graphics for blue and yellow color
scheme.
$35.00
Please add $6.00
postage/handling
General “Aristocrat” Kit
Span: 36” • Weight: 2.0 oz.
Wing Area: 200 sq. in.
SEND $1
FOR
CATALOG
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:54 am Page 141
fuselage and tail from another model, and
presto! You have your personal design with
little effort.
Bob Schlosberg sent me photos of three
Embryos that he and his wife Jane built, all
from different designers. Resplendent in red
and white, the Saguaro Speedster is one of the
cutest Embryos I have seen. It needs exhaust
stacks for maximum bonus points.
Dick Howard has been a prolific designer,
and the El Coyote is one of his many greatflying
Embryo designs. Ross Mayo designed
the Mis-Adventure many years ago. It would
not be legal under current rules, which require
at least a 30° slant of the windshield on cabin
designs. The model needs wheel pants for
maximum bonus points.
Don DeLoach designed a high-aspectratio
Embryo that he dubbed the
“Embryomatic.” It was published in the
August 1990 Model Aviation. If you don’t
save your Model Aviation magazines, find a
friend who does and read the article. It is
informative.
(Editor’s note: You can also use the
Model Aviation Digital Archives at
http://modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm to
find this piece.)
Don flew the Embryomatic to a tie for first
place in the 2002 FAC Nationals but came in
second in the flyoff. The plans—number
661—are available from AMA for $3.75 plus
$3.95 shipping and handling.
Memories: I received a nice letter from Earle
Thompson explaining the E2 50 lettering on
the fin of the Pacific Ace shown in one of this
month’s photos. Earle and his sister Mida
built models when they were kids. Years later
she was cleaning out an old trunk when she
found plans from a Pacific Ace kit she had
purchased when she was a child. “Purchased
March 16, 1942, completed March 23, 1942”
was written on the plans.
Mida sent the frail, yellowed plans to
Earle, who made a copy and built the model
that is shown in 1992—50 years after his
sister built it. It was his second electricpowered
aircraft. Thanks for sharing, Earle.
Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Tail:
Monday at the 2003 Free Flight Nationals
(Nats) was wet. Rain showers began at
approximately 9 a.m. and continued until
early afternoon. Many of us put up flights
between and during the showers.
My Ramrod 750 had a good first attempt.
The second flight was okay but looked a bit
overelevated (too much negative in the
stabilizer). On the third flight the model was
definitely overelevated, and it stalled to the
ground.
Inspection revealed that the balsa shim
under the rear of the stabilizer had swollen in
the rain and raised the rear of the stabilizer 1⁄16
inch, which is enough to ruin the trim of the
model. Lesson learned.
While at the Nats I visited Muncie Model
& Hobby, which is next to the AMA flying
site. It is well stocked with model supplies
and has an excellent selection of Free Flight
models available via the Web site at
www.munciemodel.com.
I was strolling through the Internet one day,
in the merry, merry month of February ...
Actually I was looking for a source for the
Sleek Streak. A Google search turned up the
Sleek Streak on the Guillow’s Web site—
www.guillow.com—and a nice Web site it is.
Many modelers have derided Guillow’s
kits, but there are some gems in its offerings;
the most notable is the Fairchild 24. A few
years ago the Flying Aces Club added a
Guillow’s Fairchild 24 event to its contest
schedule. The event has been a great success.
I began building one of these models for
the FAC Nats in July 2000 but finished it in
an untimely manner—in February 2001.
Using most of the kit wood, the Fairchild
came out at 41 grams empty. The motor was
three 30-inch loops of 1⁄8-inch rubber
weighing 16 grams. The model sported a
Peck-Polymers 9.5-inch propeller. Balance
was as shown on the plans.
Preflight adjustments were 1⁄16 inch of
washin of the right wing, 3° downthrust, and
3° right thrust. First low-power test glides
resulted in dives. I raised the back of the
stabilizer until the model showed a little float
in the glide. It took a 3⁄32-inch shim.
During the Fairchild’s first opportunity to
fly at the flying field, winds were added and a
right-right pattern was present. No further
trim adjustments were required. The model is
a joy to fly; just wind it up and let it go. It
does a minute, 10 seconds in dead air and will
ride lift. I hope you build one and it gives you
tons of enjoyment.
Where Can I Get This Stuff? If you have to
mail-order supplies such as propellers, rubber,
and kits, a great source I have not previously
mentioned is Peck-Polymers. Peck and Penn
Valley Hobbies advertise regularly in this
magazine. Check out their catalogs and/or
Web sites.
Flying at the Speedway: In June I had the
pleasure of flying with the Kansas City,
Kansas, Free Flight group, the Heart of
America Free Flight Association. Its flying
site is unique in that it is located near the heart
of a large metropolitan area; it is the parking
lot of the Kansas Speedway.
The flying area is large enough for a
Category III event, at least if the wind isn’t
too strong. There are no concrete parking
barriers—just grass, with gravel and blacktop
access roads. Bike retrieval was a snap. If you
live in the Kansas City area, check out the
Web site: www.sunflower.com/~edwiley/. MA
142 MODEL AVIATION
F A I
MODEL SUPPLY
www.faimodelsupply.com
POLYSPAN, AIRSPAN, LITESPAN,
MICROLITES, MYLAR, TOMY TIMERS
F A I TAN SPORT RUBBER
1⁄4", 3⁄16", 1⁄8", 3⁄32" 1⁄16", .042 THICK
1 lb. box $2350, 10 lb. box $16600 Post Paid (USA).
TAN SUPER SPORT RUBBER
1 lb. box $2700, 10 lb. box $19100 Post Paid (USA).
• Made in U.S.A. •
“Superdog” AFR $22.50, “Hangar Rat” ARTF $25.00,
Bulldog ARF $20.00, electric lighters $6.00. Front
ends, winders, stooges, Books, Czech P30
props, Slick Lube, CROCKETT hooks, “Butterfly”
RTF indoor $20.00, “Super Butterfly” $21.00, huge
bunch of great FF kits, and Zona Saws.
COUPE & WAKEFIELD
PARTS, KITS, RTF
F.A.I. Model Supply
P O Box 366
Sayre, PA 18840-0366
Phone/Fax: 570-882-9873
Basic
Catalog
$3.00
Hi Tech
Catalog
$1.00
Planned Giving to AMA
You may make gifts to AMA of:
or with a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
• Immediate income tax deduction
• Lifetime income for you and your spouse (or other
beneficiary)
• Reduction in estate taxes
• Money for your favorite charities
Interested? Contact AMA Executive Director Joyce Hager at
(765) 287-1256, extension 200.
Cash
Securities
Insurance
Gems
Real Estate
Etc.
02sig5.QXD 11/25/03 9:54 am Page 142
