www.ModelAviation.com March 2012 Model Aviation 97
electrics
Greg Gimlick
[email protected]
A CL Precision Aerobatics tribute to a
world-champion pilot
plans showcase
Tom Dixon’s interest in CL
Precision Aerobatics went to an
international level following the
1986 and 1988 World Championships.
He was fascinated by Anatoly
Kolesnikov’s KA-10—the Kolesnikov
Aerobat 10cc—and the method he used
to shut down the engine exactly two
laps after the last maneuver, with only a
quick pull on the lines.
After obtaining drawings and data,
Tom became intimidated by the
intricacy of its spring-loaded bellcrank
system, and decided to pass on using this
method on his own model. However, he
still wanted to pay tribute to European
and World Champion Anatoly by
building this 60-inch wingspan model.
Tom stuck to what he calls “typical US
style,” with built-up construction, using
a solid 3/8-inch stabilizer and elevator on
his model for simplicity. For the wings,
root and tip rib templates were made
of plywood or aluminum, with twelve
blanks of 1/16 balsa stacked in between
and carved and sanded to shape. The
wings were covered twice with silkspan
using Walt Pyron’s technique,
finish sanded, and coated with
Hobby Poxy Smooth’N’Easy
which was heated and wiped
off, leaving a thin epoxy seal.
The fuselage was covered
with .56-ounce glass cloth,
applied with Hobby Poxy
Smooth’N’Easy. The plans
suggested 5/32 wire landing
gear, but a custom aluminum
1/8 wire version was available
from BJ’s Manufacturing, as
well as a carbon-fiber version
from Tom. The mandatory
wheel pants were balsa
covered with fiberglass; Tom
felt the airplane would not
look right without them.
The KA-10 was built to use
a reworked SuperTigre .51
engine, but Tom happened
to receive a lightweight Vorobiev
.60 engine from Russian Team Race
engine builder, Oleg Vorobiev, which
fit perfectly into the SuperTigre engine
mounts. A 13 x 5 B-Y&O propeller, Sig
RC plug, Tom Muggleston lightweight
muffler, and Taffinder “P.A.” fuel (5-10%
nitro) were also used.
Tom thanked Anatoly at the end of his
article, citing that Anatoly provided “an
interesting, inspirational experience.”
Tom’s KA-10 was featured in the
October 1997 issue of MA. Members
can access the magazine digital archives
on the Academy’s website to read more
about it. The plan is AMA Plans Service
listing 841, and is available for $14 plus
shipping and handling. See page 161 or
go to www.modelaircraft.org/plans.aspx
for ordering information.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/03
Page Numbers: 97