Small-Field Flying
Paul Bradley | [email protected]
A personal tribute to Dave Robelen
DAVE ROBELEN, you will be missed. As I write this, the news of MA “Micro-Flying” columnist Dave Robelen’s passing is still fresh.
It is hard to know where to begin commenting on the extensive list of contributions Dave made to the hobby. I think one of the more significant aspects of his modeling career was that he was doing micro RC models before most of us knew how to spell “micro.”
Dave’s published work in the area started in the 1960s. I remember reading his articles back then and being amazed at his accomplishments, and that never changed.
Throughout the years I developed a tremendous respect for his innovation, skill, and willingness to help anyone who asked a question. His many designs not only cover the micro realm but offer some great models in larger sizes. They are all excellent fliers with nice handling qualities.
I was privileged to meet Dave at the first National Indoor Remote-Control Aircraft Council (NIRAC) Championships in 2003. As one of the main people behind the event, he was busy with many of the normal details that must be addressed at such a gathering. But Dave always made time to chat with the participants and offer his comments regarding their many questions.
As is the case with so many of the notables in this hobby, he was an exemplary gentleman as well as a top-notch model-airplane builder. Dave will certainly be missed by the model-aviation community.
We are fortunate to have the legacy of his many published articles and plans. Rest well, Dave. We appreciate all you contributed to our hobby.
In reflecting on Dave Robelen’s wonderful designs, I am reminded of another major designer who has also left this world. As did Dave, Carl Goldberg developed great designs that were large and small. In the small category were his wonderful all-sheet-balsa, rubber-powered free-flight models. They were sold by Top Flite as the Jigtime series and in a series from his own company: Carl Goldberg Models. These airplanes appeared from the 1950s through the 1970s. A number of issues back I shared with you my love of these old models and my efforts to develop reproductions of each airplane in both series. I have been fortunate to acquire each old kit. They have been used to develop computer-based drawings of each set of parts that can be employed to develop a reproduction. All the drawing packages are in Adobe PDF format and can be downloaded free from my Web site at www.parmodels.com. Visit the site and go to the plans section to find all the old Top Flite Jigtime and Goldberg Models all-balsa, rubber-powered models.
This is my long-winded way of introducing the work of Richard Cox. He used the plans/parts drawing package from my Web site for the Goldberg Ranger 21 and developed a nice electric-powered RC rendition of that classic model. The Goldberg-designed Ranger 21 makes a nice RC small-field flyer. Richard used a GWS IPS motor and blue gearbox to power a GWS 6 x 5 propeller. He noted that the gearbox had to be trimmed to fit the nose of the model. He used a two-cell, 220 mAh Li-Poly battery pack.
Two Falcon servos handle the rudder and elevator functions, and a Spektrum 6100 spread-spectrum receiver provides guidance. The all-up flying weight of this 21-inch-wingspan model is 52 grams. Richard reports that it cruises nicely at half throttle.
Good work! It sure is great seeing these classic designs used for modern small-field models.
It is amazing how the cycle of life seems to unfold. We said goodbye to Dave Robelen and at roughly the same time I learned that Pat Tritle accepted the position of columnist for Flying Models' "Small Talk" column.
Unless you're a newcomer to this column, you know that Pat has been a huge contributor to the world of small-field models. Photos of his wonderful designs have graced these pages many times.
It's nice to hear that his knowledge and great way with the written word will be shared through the pages of Flying Models. If you haven't looked at that magazine for a while, I encourage you to do so. You will find reading Pat's column worthwhile.
Pat continues to turn out one fantastic new model after another. I have two of his new models mentioned below.
You may recognize the UC-78 from its civilian equivalent that was produced by one of the mainstream general-aviation aircraft manufacturers (that old copyright problem keeps me from mentioning the name). The old television series Sky King featured one of the civilian versions of the airplane.
Pat's model is a nice electric-powered twin. It sports a 43-inch wingspan and has a flying weight of slightly less than 17 ounces—not bad for a twin.
- Power: Two GWS IPS drives with a gearing of 2.6:1, turning 9 x 7 propellers.
- Battery: Single two-cell, 1320 mAh Li-Poly pack.
- Controls: All functional control surfaces and fixed landing gear.
- Notes: Pat reports the UC-78 is a great flier and handles well on the ground. Because the model uses full-size scale ailerons, it needs some rudder input to maintain coordinated turns. The UC-78 is scheduled to be released as a Dumas kit in the latter part of this year.
Pat's other new model is a nice 1/8-scale rendition of the Aeronca L-16A Champ. With a 53-inch wingspan, it is nearly the size of the old Comet with its 54-inch wingspan. Pat's prototype is powered with an outrunner motor that has a 1,000 rpm/volt rating (kV).
- Battery: Two-cell, 1320 mAh Li-Poly pack.
- Flying weight: 15 ounces.
- Controls: All flight controls.
- Flight characteristics: Pat had one hour of instruction in a full-scale L-16A. He wrote:
"The Champ flies like the full-scale airplane and requires large amounts of rudder to counter the adverse yaw provided by the scale-size ailerons. It's been said that Aeronca invented adverse yaw then spent the next 20 years perfecting it. In spite of that, the model turns beautifully and is completely controllable throughout its entire speed range. The Champ is a docile flier and actually flies and lands at true scale speeds. With the 14% thick, high-lift airfoil, and the wing loading at 5.6 ounces per square foot, the stall speed works out to 4.8 mph which in 1/8-scale equals 38.8 mph."
The Champ will be offered as a short kit from Manzano Laser Works. See the source listing. Thanks to Pat for sharing these two models.
New Products from Bob Selman Designs
When looking at the smaller side of our small-field models, we have a great supplier in Bob Selman Designs (BSD). Bob is always looking out for new products and opportunities to bring us the latest indoor or backyard flyers.
He recently added several new models to his line-up. The 13-inch-wingspan model of the British World War II Mosquito shown was the result of a cooperative design effort by Bob and Chris Fouweather. Adding to the design effort were Bob's associates Gary Jones and Ken Spenser.
The model uses two of the orange Super Slicks model-car motors in a direct-drive configuration powering 2.25-inch propellers. Control functions are rudder and elevator handled by two magnetic actuators connected to a Plantraco receiver. The receiver's built-in speed control can handle both motors.
Another new model from Bob is a rendition of the Brad Shepherd Chips design. Gary Jones and Ken Spenser contributed to this model as well.
This micro Chips has a 13-inch wingspan and uses the Gary Jones 7mm 4:1 gear drive coupled to a blue Super Slicks motor powering a GWS 5 x 3 propeller. Control comes from a Plantraco receiver and two magnetic actuators driving ailerons and elevator.
Both new BSD models are reported to be great fliers.
In addition to new airframe kits, Bob is selling small brushless outrunner motors. These 1.5-gram additions to the Mighty Midget line bring brushless power to the small models we like to fly indoors and outdoors in confined spaces.
The motor is diminutive, but its size does not mean small power; it is big power for its size. My brother Ralph has been doing some airframe-development work using one of the prototype motors and early results look promising.
Contact information is provided at the end of the column. Bob's Web site will have the latest information on the new models and micro brushless motors.
As always, don't be bashful about sending in a picture or two of your latest project. In addition to the E-mail address in the column masthead, you can reach me via regular mail at:
32238 Spinnaker Run Magnolia, TX 77354
Sources
- Pat Tritle's UC-78:
Dumas Products Inc. 909 E. 17th St. Tucson, AZ 85719 (520) 623-3742 Fax: (520) 620-1329 www.dumasproducts.com
- Pat Tritle's Aeronca Champ:
Manzano Laser Works 1 Hawks Rest Rd. Tijeras, NM 87059 (505) 286-2640 [email protected] www.manzanolaser.com
- Bob Selman Designs:
Bob Selman Designs 9054 Gum Rd. Carthage, MO 64836 (417) 359-9521 [email protected] www.bsdmicrorc.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
