SMALL 2013 dates announced
Paul Bradley
The cover date of this issue is June, and that means it is time for the annual gathering of the Small Model Airplane Lovers' League (SMALL). The 2013 event will be held May 30 through June 2, near Little Rock, Arkansas.
I love attending this fun event. It is for any type of model aircraft powered with nothing larger than .26 glow-fuel engines, or the equivalent in electric motors. Multiple engines are welcome, and the turnout always produces a fantastic array of types, sizes, and creativity. See the "Sources" listing for contact information for SMALL 2013.
Pat Tritle's Jim Walker
To whet your appetite for SMALL 2013, take a look at one of the latest offerings from Pat Tritle, typical of the type of model seen at SMALL. It is a larger version of the classic Jim Walker American Junior 404 Interceptor glider.
Pat's 30-inch wingspan version has an E-flite Park 180 in the nose, so it doesn't need the rubber catapult to launch. It also has a radio, two servos, and a two-cell, 250 mAh LiPo battery pack buried in the fuselage. The all-up flying weight is 3.3 ounces. See the "Sources" listing for Pat's Custom Models.
More Models from Ron Sims
You may recall that Ron is one who sees other airplanes hidden inside some of the popular RTF models.
Ron has developed several new models. The first is his rendition of the de Havilland Vampire. Ron has a ParkZone de Havilland Mosquito. Its forward fuselage shape reminded him of the Vampire, so he purchased a Mosquito replacement fuselage and was off to the races.
Using a 27mm EDF unit from Aero Electronic Operations, a 16.5-inch foam wing made from Bob Selman Designs (BSD) panels, 1/32-inch plywood core foam booms, and foam tail surfaces, he developed the Vampire you see in the photos. The model uses a two-cell LiPo pack. The ESC and Delta*ng receiver are sold by BSD. For more information about Aero Electronic Operations and BSD, see "Sources."
Another model from Ron is a reduced-size version of the 1960s Phil Kraft-designed Kwik Fli III. Ron and his father built Kwik Fli IIIs from kits. Because he enjoyed that model so much, he decided to develop a micro version for today's small-field flying.
Ron's foam and balsa Kwik Fli III has a 20-inch wingspan that supports 75 square inches. It is powered by an E-flite Park 180, getting energy from a two-cell, 200 mAh LiPo pack. The propeller is an E-flite 5 x 2.75 that has been cut down to a 4-3/4-inch diameter. The all-up flying weight is 79 grams. Each aileron has its own servo. Ron says the micro Kwik Fli can do all of the maneuvers that the original model was capable of performing.
Reduced-Size Kwik Fli III
The Kwik Fli trend continues. MA Technical Editor Bob Aberle also has some fond memories of building and flying a Kwik Fli III when it was popular.
Given Bob's interest in reduced-size models and his warm memories of his Kwik Fli III, it is no surprise that he also developed a smaller version of the design. Bob's 28-inch wingspan Kwik Fli III has a wing area of 150 square inches. The structure is built-up balsa, similar to the original.
For power, Bob chose the E-flite Park 300 and an 850 mAh three-cell LiPo battery pack. Similar to Ron's version of the Kwik Fli III, Bob also has independent aileron servos. Its all-up flying weight is 13 ounces.
Small-Field Flying
Paul Bradley
of performing all of the original's maneuvers. A nice construction article and plans for Bob's reduced-size Kwik Fli III are included in the January 2013 issue of RC Micro World (see "Sources").
Glen Allison's Vintage Model
Before closing, I would like to share an excellent vintage model built by Glen Allison. I have written about several of Glen's models in past editions of this column. It is the Claude McCullough Gnat that appeared in the October 1947 issue of Model Airplane News. Glen noted that he purchased the magazine when it was current.
Glen slightly lightened the structure and installed an AXI 2204-54 motor in the nose. With a three-cell 730 mAh LiPo pack and the electronics onboard, the 40-inch span model has a flying weight of 11½ ounces. It seems like a perfect small-field model to me. Thanks, Glen.
This brings me to the end of this installment. As always, let me know what you are up to in your small-field modeling world. ✈
SOURCES:
SMALL 2013 Bobby Moran [email protected]
Pat's Custom Models (505) 296-4511 www.patscustom-models.com
Aero Electronics Operations [email protected] www.aeorc.com/english
Bob Selman Designs (417) 358-9521 www.bsdmicrocr.com
RC Micro World www.fullsizeplans.com
Paul Bradley 10201 Scotleat Dr. Independence KY 41051 [email protected] www.parmodels.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
