Frequently Asked Questions - 2010/11

November 2010 85
clevises are visible from the outside. This
imparts zero drag, making the aircraft clean in
flight. Although Harley uses this system on
his sailplanes, it could easily be applied to
Scale models and Pylon racers, whose
appearance and drag can be crucial.
The article and the Web site I mentioned
feature many more photos and excellent
diagrams that will clearly show how the RDS
works and how it can be installed in your
airplane. I urge you to look at all of the
information and carefully study the details.
Q470: “I noted in a recent magazine column
a photo of Joe Wagner’s Sioux, a free-flight
design from the fifties that had been
converted to single channel RC and was
powered by a tiny diesel engine. I’d like to try
something like this. Can you start me in the
right direction?”
A470: This is dear to my heart, since my first
model, in 1950, was Joe’s famous Dakota
biplane. Joe designed several other FF
aircraft, including the Sioux, the Navajo, and
the Comanche, at roughly that time.
I think Joe still sells plans for those
aircraft. (He writes “The Engine Shop”
column for MA.) I’ve listed his e-mail address
under “Sources.”
I believe that the
Sioux that you
referred to was
controlled by a
single-channel ACE
RC pulse
proportional radio
system. This setup
used an Adams
magnetic actuator to
provide rudder-only
control. That’s the
way we did it in the
1950s and earlier.
Aeromodelers
Invisible control system
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Tiny diesel engines can be fun when flying rudder-only vintage RC aircraft, as was done in the
1950s. Shown (L-R) is a 0.1cc (.006 cu. in.) AE diesel, a Cox Tee Dee .010 glow engine (for
size comparison), and a McCoy .049 diesel, which was used for both RC and FF in the ’50s.
A close-up of the RDS servo coupler that Walt Dimick of I.R.F.
Machine Works will supply. Output couplers are included to fit
popular servo brands.
Showing how the new RDS coupler connects
a servo output shaft to a control surface
such as an aileron, flap, or spoiler. Rotary
servo motion lifts or retracts the control
surface. The advantage is that all control
linkage is internal to the model, eliminating
drag on the outer surface.
PLEASE WRITE in with your questions;
that is the only way we can keep this column
format going. When referring to published Qs
and As (for follow-ups), provide the number
as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites are
placed in a group, separate from the text, at
the end of this column under “Sources.” I am
including a new feature in this column, called
“Tips.” They are numbered in the same
sequence as the questions and answers.
Q469: “I have heard for many years
references to so called ‘invisible control
systems’ for model aircraft where the control
linkage is all internal to the structure.
Recently I read on one of the nets that
someone was in the process of producing and
marketing an invisible control surface system.
Do you know if this actually happened?”
A469: Yes! Harley Michaelis, noted RC
sailplane designer and author, has submitted
to MA a “how-to” article titled “The Invisible
Control System and What It Can Do for
You.”
Many aeromodelers have fashioned such
control systems throughout the years, but it
was done on an individual basis. Harley has
developed a special setup that is called a
“Rotary Driver System” (RDS).
This product is being mass-produced by
Kimbrough Products and will be distributed
by Walt Dimick, a modeler/machinist who
does business as I.R.F. Machine Works. I’ve
listed Walt’s Web site in the “Sources.”
The RDS consists of several mechanical
components that allow connection to the
output shaft of any standard RC servo. The
rotary motion of this coupled output arm is
then translated into a rocking-type action,
which can raise or lower an aileron or flaptype
control surface.
The entire RDS is installed inside the
model’s wing, so no control rods, horns, or
today are revisiting rudder-only control,
strictly for the fun of it. Members of the
Vintage R/C Society do a lot of this type of
flying. Although long out of production, you
might be able to purchase an ACE RC singlechannel
system on eBay or one of the various
model forums.
Also included in this column:
• Small diesel engines
• Scale pilot heads
• ParkZone Vapor landing
gear replacement
• Programmable ESCs
86 MODEL AVIATION
A micro 2.4 GHz spread spectrum
receiver, such as the Spektrum AR6110,
along with a single microservo and a suitable
Li-Poly battery pack would make for an
excellent single-channel micro RC system.
When using single-channel control, you
have no control over your motor or engine. In
the old days we flew around until the engine
ran out of fuel and then glided in for a
landing. This is where the diesel engine fits
into the discussion.
Many small diesel engines were available
back then that started easily and ran well, but
most had no type of throttle control. But that
fact isn’t important for our single-channel RC
control. Run the little diesel until the fuel tank
is empty.
These small diesel engines are relatively
quiet and, as a result, generally do not even
need mufflers. They run on what is known as
“compression ignition,” so no glow plug or
spark plug is required. Merely fuel the engine
and flip the propeller, while adjusting the
compression lever located on top of the
cylinder head, until the engine starts.
In the early 1990s Dave Larkin, a
Canadian modeler, sold me several small
diesel engines that AE Diesels produced. The one shown is a 0.1cc
(.006 cu. in.), which is tiny. If I wanted to use that size of power plant,
I would likely have to reduce the original size of the Sioux design.
I also own a new McCoy .049 diesel, which I purchased using the
Swap Sheet of the Model Engine Collectors Association (MECA). This
organization has been around for years and is extremely active,
between issuing the monthly Swap Sheets and coordinating local sales
conventions called “Collectos.”
I’ve listed the MECA Web site in the “Sources.” The McCoy .049
diesel would be perfect for the original-size Sioux.
Bob Davis of Davis Diesel Development sells diesel conversion
heads for many standard small glow engines. Eric Clutton, known as
“Dr. Diesel,” sells a variety of diesel engines and, most important, sells
diesel fuel, which is a specialty item. I’ve supplied contact information
for Bob and Eric in the “Sources” section.
Another avenue to consider is Bob Valentine’s custom-made diesel
engines and replicas. As you might expect, these specially fabricated
power plants come at a high price, but they are quality items. I’ve
listed Bob’s Web site under “Sources.”
If any of you follow up on these suggestions concerning singlechannel
RC and diesel power, please write in and share your
experiences with us.
Q471: “Years ago a company called Williams Brothers Model
Products sold a line of plastic scale like pilots heads or busts. They
came in many types and sizes. Is that company still in business and do
they still offer these pilot figures?”
A471: If you ever have a question about whether or not a company
exists or sells certain products, first try one of the Internet search
engines. I used Google and searched for information about scale pilot
heads or figures. One of the first references that popped up was a shop
in Connecticut called “RC Hobbies and More.”
At the time I conducted this search, I was in the process of finishing
a small replica of a 1950 RC model called the “Electron.” I needed a
1/12-scale pilot head.
The RC Hobbies and More Web site was selling a Williams
Brothers Pilot Figure (item 18200) for a reasonable $2.65 plus
shipping and handling. I’ve listed the Web site address in the
“Sources” section. I suggest you visit; the company’s hobby inventory
is extensive.
When my pilot head arrived, I realized that it was new stock;
therefore, Williams Brothers Model Products must still have been in
business. I went back to Google and searched for “Williams Brothers
scale pilot heads.” I quickly obtained the Web site address for the
company, which is now a division of Brett Industries.
Below: Bob used
this 1/12-scale pilot
head in his new
1950s Electron
repl ica. He was
rushed during the
painting process.
Take your time
and do a good job;
it adds a lot to any
aircraft.
Above: Williams Brothers Model Products
is still in business and still sells an extensive
line of pilot heads and other accessories.
The plastic head halves are cemented
together, and then paint can be applied.
Gordon Johnson, an indoor RC expert, made this laser-cut plywood
replacement for the ParkZone Vapor landing gear. It can be
obtained from BSD Micro RC.
Castle Creations’ new Field Link ESC programming card allows the
user to program a Castle ESC without connecting to a PC. One of
the functions is motor direction (forward and reverse), which means
that you don’t have to swap motor wires to reverse motor rotation.
I found all of the old Williams Brothers
accessories on the Web site, including vintage
wheels, scale engine parts, and full assemblies
such as dummy radial engines.
I’ve included photos of my pilot’s head. I
rushed the painting. The job should be done
with much more care, using paints intended
for plastic and fine brushes.
MA Editor Emeritus Bob Hunt produced a
video a few years ago titled How to Paint
Pilot Figures. Noted Scale modeler Don
Typond narrated the production. Bob sells this
video in DVD format for $19.95 plus $4.95
shipping and handling. See “Sources” for his
contact information.
Q472: “I have a ParkZone Vapor RTF indoor
RC model aircraft. This plane is a delight to
fly, even in small size gymnasium type
facilities. The only problem I’ve had with this
aircraft involves the landing gear.
“Mine has broken several times. In each
instance I was able to purchase a replacement
gear, but this problem continues and is
annoying. Have you heard of other modelers
with this same difficulty and if they found any
solutions?”
A472: I had heard about this landing gear
problem. It is not a major item, but I have a
solution.
Gordon Johnson, noted indoor RC expert,
has devised a laser-cut plywood landing gear
bracket replacement specifically for the
Vapor. It can also be adapted to similar-size
profile-fuselage models. All necessary parts
are contained on a small sheet of plywood.
Bob Selman at BSD Micro RC sells this
product. See the “Sources” for contact
information.
Q473: “You recently talked about
programmable ESCs and how you can set
some of the electric motor parameters to suit
your particular motor and battery pack. You
liked in particular the Castle Creations Castle
Link interface and software because it
included Motor Direction (forward or reverse)
function.
“To use this link it must be hooked up to a
PC. Do any of the programming cards (that
operate without the need for a PC) offer the
motor direction capability?”
A473: Yes. Castle Creations has released
an inexpensive Field Link programming
card. As shown in the photo, it has motor
direction as a function and many other
control choices. MA
Sources:
I.R.F. Machine Works
www.irfmachineworks.com
Joe Wagner
[email protected]
Vintage R/C Society
www.vintagercsociety.org
Model Engines Collectors Association
www.modelenginecollectors.org
Eric Clutton (Dr. Diesel)
(931) 455-2256
www.cafes.net/doctordiesel
Davis Diesel Development
(203) 767-1131
www.davisdieseldevelopment.com
Ronald Valentine Engines
Box 368
La Crosse FL 32658
www.ronald-valentine-engines.com
Williams Brothers Model Products
(512) 352-9346
www.williamsbrothersmodelproducts.com
RC Hobbies and More
(860) 738-7534
www.rchobbiesandmore.com
Bob Hunt (Robin’s View Productions)
Box 68
Stockertown PA 18083
(610) 746-0106
BSD Micro RC
(417) 358-9521
www.bsdmicrorc.com
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com