Old-Timers
Bob Angel | [email protected]
The SAM Champs is coming!
The 2009 SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) Champs will be held the week of October 5–9. The site is the vast, dry lake bed incorporated in Boulder City, Nevada. With Las Vegas just down the road, why not plan a week's vacation?
For non-SAM members who've built an Old-Timer and would like to participate, I strongly recommend that you join and acquire a SAM rule book beforehand. Many Old-Time aircraft-and-engine combinations aren't suited or legal for particular classes of SAM competition, but they can usually be modified slightly to fit the rules.
Complete information is available on the SAM website.
I answer mail directly because of column space and lead-time limitations, but I want to review a few letters I've received since I began writing the column in August 2007. Maybe this will encourage more questions, comments, tips, and quality photos.
Q-and-A with Bruce Augustus
Bruce Augustus, a past editor of the SAM house organ SAM Speaks and a skilled free-flight enthusiast, raised some questions about getting started in SAM RC. I answered him at the time, but some of the information might be useful to others. Following is our Q-and-A session, edited for brevity.
Q: "I'm writing for some advice on RC models. The travel required to fly FF is becoming exorbitantly expensive and fatiguing. I'm restoring four old models. My 72 MHz RC gear is roughly 25 years old, but has been gold-stickered. The models are all heavy so I want to reduce weight. Are the micro receivers and servos usable in 6-foot SAM models? Do they have the range and torque required?"
A: Yes, as long as the micro receiver is full-range, not the park-flyer variety, and has the "out of sight" range. Many use standard-size servos (rated at roughly 45 inch-ounces or more) on the flying surfaces of the larger models with big ignition .60s and B&C glow engines. We use either mini servos (rated at 30 inch-ounces or more) or electronic switches for the shutoffs. Smaller aircraft and gliders can use the smaller servos.
Q: "Can you tell me where to get an electronic switch to shut off the ignition in a SAM RC model? I want to remove the ignition servo and microswitch if possible."
A: I tested and reported on the latest units in my June 2008 column. For RC, it's nearly a necessity to use a transistorized ignition system for radio-frequency suppression, and one of the new units combines that system with the cutoff. It is available from Marvin Stern. See the Sources list for his contact information.
Q: "Are people using Li-Poly batteries for the receiver and servo power? If so, do they use a voltage regulator or some other device to get 4.8 volts, or can you run the old receiver and servos on one or two Li-Poly cells without a regulator?"
A: I have no direct experience with this for every application, but published articles recommend voltage regulators. I'm using NiMH batteries on some receivers for weight reduction and in transmitters for higher capacity. I fly some electrics with Li-Polys, but so far I've stuck with Ni-Cd or NiMH for radio use. You can get regulators and advice from Tony Stillman (see Sources).
Q: "Should I just trash the old RC gear and buy modern equipment? Most of my flying will be with just a few local guys, so interference won't be a big factor."
A: You'll be fine with gold-stickered equipment as long as it passes the engine-running, ground-range check. Some experts might disagree, but practical experience has shown AM modulation to be just as good as FM for rejecting radio-frequency noise caused by spark-ignition systems. If you do encounter an ignition interference problem, three of us in my flying group found a simple solution: we bought a modern 2.4 GHz Futaba set (FASST 6EX transmitter and receiver), plugged everything into the new receiver, and were in business with problems fixed. The receiver is tiny and lightweight, and it installs easily without a long antenna. You could do the same thing with other brands of 2.4 GHz systems as long as the servos and connectors are compatible.
Lanzo Bomber
Jack Juechter wrote to me about the popularity of the Lanzo Bomber:
"As a former member of SAM 7, I agree with you that the Bomber is a great model. I've had three: the 7-footer, a Leisure Bomber, and a 1/2A size. Flights of half an hour in still air are virtually routine."
Timing correction
In April 2008, I made an awkward error while describing the simple act of advancing an ignition timer. My friend Larry Davidson was the only one to gently point this out. He wrote:
"Great job in the latest MA column. One question though. You stated 'to advance the timing, move the timer in the same direction as the rotation.' I move the timer clockwise, looking at the front of the engine, or opposite of the rotation to advance. Am I missing something?"
Larry caught my mistake. Actually, I had written "into the direction of rotation," but that phrasing could still be unclear. I had pictured moving "into" the rotation (like moving into the wind), but I didn't translate it well in writing. The correction was published in the June 2008 issue, but a subsequent typo there mistakenly reiterated the original unclear phrasing.
A further note: the "opposite the direction of rotation" rule also applies to advancing a rear-mounted timer found on engines such as the OK .60, Fox .59 long-shaft, RB Special, Thunderbird, Pacemaker, and a few others.
Larry later quipped, "I missed the word 'into' and read it as 'in' so it was confusing to me. Now I know that you are human."
Realistic tires
Tandy Walker asked on the SAM Talk Forum:
"I've turned a set of laminated balsa wheels for a rubber-powered J-3 Cub I'm building. I want to paint them black, probably flat black, so it will look like a rubber tire. What kind of paint is best for this application? Should I paint the raw balsa or should I seal it first?"
I've had good results using the product commonly used to dip tool handles for grip and insulation: Plasti-Dip. It's available at Harbor Freight Tools and other hardware stores. It comes in colors, but I use black most often as a sealant on the Dave Brown foam tires after shaping them. The product thins with camp-stove gas for brushing. It's flexible and leaves a slightly shiny, rubber-looking finish. It shouldn't require a presealer on balsa. It still looks good on my Kloud King tires after several years of use.
Ceramic mugs as trophies
High-quality, decorated ceramic mugs are available from Bob Holman Plans. My SAM chapter has used these as contest trophies, and they've been well received. Bob uses a firing process called sublimation to decorate the mugs with any clear picture or text you supply. The glazed finish is completely dishwasher-proof.
You can get a single custom-decorated mug for $15 plus shipping. If you order a quantity, there will probably be a price break.
In memoriam: Don Blackburn
Don Blackburn passed away from cancer on April 24. He was one of the nice guys of SAM and a skilled craftsman who was one of our main sources for restoring and tuning new and antique engines.
Don's daughter, Mo Wassell, has graciously informed us that if you've sent an engine or engines to Don for repair, please contact her directly to identify the item(s), and she'll return them as soon as possible. Mo asks that you contact her by mail—not by telephone or at Don's address—since it's a difficult time for the family. See the Sources listing for her contact information.
MA
Sources
- SAM
Box 542, Jonesboro, LA 71251 www.antiquemodeler.org
- Marvin Stern
(732) 928-0884 [email protected]
- Tony Stillman
(912) 242-2407 www.amadistrict-v.org
- Bob Holman Plans
(909) 885-3959 www.bhplans.com
- Mo Wassell
Box 643, Perkins, OK 74059 [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
