I want to discuss two approaches to
small-fi eld models based on Vintage
Pattern designs. If you ever spend
time looking through the pages of
old model airplane magazines, you’ll
notice many designs devoted to models
intended to fl y aerobatics, especially
those used in competition.
Although I have never participated in
such competitions, I enjoy performing
casual aerobatics when fl ying suitable
models. I’m not referring to current-day
3-D fl ying, but the style of aerobatics
associated with the earlier days of
Pattern fl ying. I have looked at many of
the Vintage Pattern model designs as
possible candidates for a small-fi eld fl ier.
My goal is to fi nd a model that will be
capable of basic maneuvers in the hands
of a casual pilot when fl own in the style
of the earlier Pattern models.
I’ll share several small-fi eld models
based on earlier Pattern designs. The
fi rst comes from my friend and MA
“Frequently Asked Questions” columnist
Bob Aberle. Bob’s model aviation
experience is rich and he has a number
of original designs published. One is a
Pattern-type model that appeared in the
December 1977 issue of Flying Models.
Bob’s ACE 310 was designed as a
Pattern trainer. It appears to be a perfect
candidate for a current-day small-fi eld
model that will perform the type of
aerobatic maneuvers I have in mind.
Bob put his original 240-squareinch
ACE 310 design in his shrinking
machine and came up with an electricpowered
150-square-inch version. The
original model was powered with a
tuned pipe Webra .10 and weighed 32
ounces. It is not something we would
want to fl y in a small space. The smaller
version is powered with an E-fl ite Park
250 outrunner motor and weighs 8.2
ounces. Now these are small-fi eld model
specifi cations.
Bob reports that this
version of the ACE
310 fl ies as well, if not
better, than the original
and is at home in small
fi elds performing the
old-style aerobatic
maneuvers. Full-size
plans for this model are
available to subscribers
of RC Micro World. See
the “Sources” listing for
contact information.
Bob’s ACE 310
shows that a Vintage
Pattern-style model in
the 150-square-inch
range can be great for
fl ying in small-fi eld
venues. There are several benefi ts to his
chosen size. The model can be powered
with inexpensive motors and battery
packs. It is also lightweight with a
comfortable fl ying speed in small spaces.
As my opening remarks may suggest,
I have been dabbling with small-fi eld
models that are based on Vintage Pattern
designs. My models are slightly larger
than Bob’s ACE 310 with wing areas
in the 200- to 225-square-inch range—
roughly half the size of the original
designs. This produces a heavier model—
approximately
16 ounces—that
has a faster fl ying
speed.
A photo of my
most recent smallfi
eld model, based
on a Vintage
Pattern design, is
included for your
review. It is a halfscale
version of the Dave Platt Duelist
Mk III. It sports a 35-inch wingspan and
is powered with two Himax 2208-1260
motors turning 6 x 5 propellers.
Although my models are bigger and
heavier than Bob’s ACE 310, I fi nd all
of these models are well suited to smallfi
eld fl ying. One of the sites that I use for
fl ying is slightly larger than a soccer fi eld.
I am able to fl y each model comfortably
in that space. Larger areas are nice, but
unnecessary.
You can have a lot of fun with smallfi
eld models that are based on Vintage
Pattern designs. BMJR Model Products
offers several kits for half-size Vintage
Pattern models that are suitable for small
fi elds. See the “Sources” listing.
When Memories Are Reborn
As suggested by my comments about
Vintage Pattern model designs, those
of us who have been involved in the
hobby for some time develop special
attachments to past models. This is
certainly true for reader Mike Cramer.
Roughly 30 years ago, he built his fi rst
.020 glow-powered Littlest Stick.
Mike enjoyed the model so much he
built a second one when the fi rst model
became too fuel soaked to continue. Although he still has that second Littlest Stick he
built all those years ago, he decided to build a third model using a current-day electricpower
system, equipment, and materials. The result is presented in the photos.
Mike’s latest Littlest Stick is powered with a Hobby King 18-11 2000 Kv motor
driven by a 370 mAh two-cell battery pack. It is lighter than his earlier glowpowered
models and features rudder, elevator, and throttle-control functions. Mike
says the new Littlest Stick is a blast to fl y but does demand the pilot to keep up.
Great work, Mike. It is nice to keep some model memories current.
A Different Approach
I am a fan of modelers who see different
ways to approach a problem or model
airplane function. Such innovators help us
see new ways to do things. More than once
a new idea or approach has been just the
thing I needed for one of my projects.
A regular contributor, John Krouse, has
shared a number of models with which he
has explored different or nontraditional
ideas. He latest effort pulls my “that’s so
cool” chain. This time he has taken on the
core function of getting a model to turn.
A movable rudder has been the
foundation of that function since
the beginning. RC systems of recent
years have opened the door to turning
multimotor models with differential
thrust. Some have been using articulated
motors to either augment a model’s
turning ability or to provide all of the
turning forces.
John has stepped in with a model that
rotates the wing to generate turning forces. When the wing is rotated, the model
will turn away from the advanced wingtip. If the wing is rotated so the right tip is
forward, the model will turn to the left. No messy control surfaces—just rotate the
wing.
John provided several photos of his model that is set up with the rotating wing.
The 17-inch foam wing is mounted to the fuselage with a single 4-40 bolt that also
serves as a pivot. Control is provided by an AR6400 receiver. The 28-gram model is
powered with a 6mm brushed motor from a ParkZone Cessna. John says the model
is stable and responsive when the wing pivots.
Very cool indeed, John.
Ron Sims Works Magic
In past columns I have had the
opportunity to share with you some of
the nice models created by Ron Sims
that started life as different ready-to-fl y
airplanes. Ron’s creativity is not limited to
the world of RTF models. He also sees the
hidden spirit buried in a kit-built model.
To be specifi c, Ron has worked his
magic on a Ken Spencer-designed Micro
Triton kit sold by Bob Selman Designs.
Built per the kit, the 16-inch wingspan
Micro Triton is a nice model. In its stock
form it has a single pylon-mounted
tractor motor and is set up for fl ying off
water or a smooth surface.
When Ron received his kit, he saw
a model with two motors set up in
a tractor/pusher confi guration. The
landing gear was tucked inside apparent
water-operation sponsons. In the photos
you can see Ron’s fi nished model as
compared with the original, and how he
set up the landing gear. Although not as dramatic a
transformation as some of his other
works, it shows the potential for adding
a personal touch when building a model
from a kit.
As usual, nice work, Ron. See the
“Sources” listing for Bob Selman Designs.
This is a wrap for now. I hope your flying
season is going well. Why not share a
few photos for us to enjoy? My contact
information is in the “Sources” listing
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 81,82,83
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 81,82,83
I want to discuss two approaches to
small-fi eld models based on Vintage
Pattern designs. If you ever spend
time looking through the pages of
old model airplane magazines, you’ll
notice many designs devoted to models
intended to fl y aerobatics, especially
those used in competition.
Although I have never participated in
such competitions, I enjoy performing
casual aerobatics when fl ying suitable
models. I’m not referring to current-day
3-D fl ying, but the style of aerobatics
associated with the earlier days of
Pattern fl ying. I have looked at many of
the Vintage Pattern model designs as
possible candidates for a small-fi eld fl ier.
My goal is to fi nd a model that will be
capable of basic maneuvers in the hands
of a casual pilot when fl own in the style
of the earlier Pattern models.
I’ll share several small-fi eld models
based on earlier Pattern designs. The
fi rst comes from my friend and MA
“Frequently Asked Questions” columnist
Bob Aberle. Bob’s model aviation
experience is rich and he has a number
of original designs published. One is a
Pattern-type model that appeared in the
December 1977 issue of Flying Models.
Bob’s ACE 310 was designed as a
Pattern trainer. It appears to be a perfect
candidate for a current-day small-fi eld
model that will perform the type of
aerobatic maneuvers I have in mind.
Bob put his original 240-squareinch
ACE 310 design in his shrinking
machine and came up with an electricpowered
150-square-inch version. The
original model was powered with a
tuned pipe Webra .10 and weighed 32
ounces. It is not something we would
want to fl y in a small space. The smaller
version is powered with an E-fl ite Park
250 outrunner motor and weighs 8.2
ounces. Now these are small-fi eld model
specifi cations.
Bob reports that this
version of the ACE
310 fl ies as well, if not
better, than the original
and is at home in small
fi elds performing the
old-style aerobatic
maneuvers. Full-size
plans for this model are
available to subscribers
of RC Micro World. See
the “Sources” listing for
contact information.
Bob’s ACE 310
shows that a Vintage
Pattern-style model in
the 150-square-inch
range can be great for
fl ying in small-fi eld
venues. There are several benefi ts to his
chosen size. The model can be powered
with inexpensive motors and battery
packs. It is also lightweight with a
comfortable fl ying speed in small spaces.
As my opening remarks may suggest,
I have been dabbling with small-fi eld
models that are based on Vintage Pattern
designs. My models are slightly larger
than Bob’s ACE 310 with wing areas
in the 200- to 225-square-inch range—
roughly half the size of the original
designs. This produces a heavier model—
approximately
16 ounces—that
has a faster fl ying
speed.
A photo of my
most recent smallfi
eld model, based
on a Vintage
Pattern design, is
included for your
review. It is a halfscale
version of the Dave Platt Duelist
Mk III. It sports a 35-inch wingspan and
is powered with two Himax 2208-1260
motors turning 6 x 5 propellers.
Although my models are bigger and
heavier than Bob’s ACE 310, I fi nd all
of these models are well suited to smallfi
eld fl ying. One of the sites that I use for
fl ying is slightly larger than a soccer fi eld.
I am able to fl y each model comfortably
in that space. Larger areas are nice, but
unnecessary.
You can have a lot of fun with smallfi
eld models that are based on Vintage
Pattern designs. BMJR Model Products
offers several kits for half-size Vintage
Pattern models that are suitable for small
fi elds. See the “Sources” listing.
When Memories Are Reborn
As suggested by my comments about
Vintage Pattern model designs, those
of us who have been involved in the
hobby for some time develop special
attachments to past models. This is
certainly true for reader Mike Cramer.
Roughly 30 years ago, he built his fi rst
.020 glow-powered Littlest Stick.
Mike enjoyed the model so much he
built a second one when the fi rst model
became too fuel soaked to continue. Although he still has that second Littlest Stick he
built all those years ago, he decided to build a third model using a current-day electricpower
system, equipment, and materials. The result is presented in the photos.
Mike’s latest Littlest Stick is powered with a Hobby King 18-11 2000 Kv motor
driven by a 370 mAh two-cell battery pack. It is lighter than his earlier glowpowered
models and features rudder, elevator, and throttle-control functions. Mike
says the new Littlest Stick is a blast to fl y but does demand the pilot to keep up.
Great work, Mike. It is nice to keep some model memories current.
A Different Approach
I am a fan of modelers who see different
ways to approach a problem or model
airplane function. Such innovators help us
see new ways to do things. More than once
a new idea or approach has been just the
thing I needed for one of my projects.
A regular contributor, John Krouse, has
shared a number of models with which he
has explored different or nontraditional
ideas. He latest effort pulls my “that’s so
cool” chain. This time he has taken on the
core function of getting a model to turn.
A movable rudder has been the
foundation of that function since
the beginning. RC systems of recent
years have opened the door to turning
multimotor models with differential
thrust. Some have been using articulated
motors to either augment a model’s
turning ability or to provide all of the
turning forces.
John has stepped in with a model that
rotates the wing to generate turning forces. When the wing is rotated, the model
will turn away from the advanced wingtip. If the wing is rotated so the right tip is
forward, the model will turn to the left. No messy control surfaces—just rotate the
wing.
John provided several photos of his model that is set up with the rotating wing.
The 17-inch foam wing is mounted to the fuselage with a single 4-40 bolt that also
serves as a pivot. Control is provided by an AR6400 receiver. The 28-gram model is
powered with a 6mm brushed motor from a ParkZone Cessna. John says the model
is stable and responsive when the wing pivots.
Very cool indeed, John.
Ron Sims Works Magic
In past columns I have had the
opportunity to share with you some of
the nice models created by Ron Sims
that started life as different ready-to-fl y
airplanes. Ron’s creativity is not limited to
the world of RTF models. He also sees the
hidden spirit buried in a kit-built model.
To be specifi c, Ron has worked his
magic on a Ken Spencer-designed Micro
Triton kit sold by Bob Selman Designs.
Built per the kit, the 16-inch wingspan
Micro Triton is a nice model. In its stock
form it has a single pylon-mounted
tractor motor and is set up for fl ying off
water or a smooth surface.
When Ron received his kit, he saw
a model with two motors set up in
a tractor/pusher confi guration. The
landing gear was tucked inside apparent
water-operation sponsons. In the photos
you can see Ron’s fi nished model as
compared with the original, and how he
set up the landing gear. Although not as dramatic a
transformation as some of his other
works, it shows the potential for adding
a personal touch when building a model
from a kit.
As usual, nice work, Ron. See the
“Sources” listing for Bob Selman Designs.
This is a wrap for now. I hope your flying
season is going well. Why not share a
few photos for us to enjoy? My contact
information is in the “Sources” listing
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/08
Page Numbers: 81,82,83
I want to discuss two approaches to
small-fi eld models based on Vintage
Pattern designs. If you ever spend
time looking through the pages of
old model airplane magazines, you’ll
notice many designs devoted to models
intended to fl y aerobatics, especially
those used in competition.
Although I have never participated in
such competitions, I enjoy performing
casual aerobatics when fl ying suitable
models. I’m not referring to current-day
3-D fl ying, but the style of aerobatics
associated with the earlier days of
Pattern fl ying. I have looked at many of
the Vintage Pattern model designs as
possible candidates for a small-fi eld fl ier.
My goal is to fi nd a model that will be
capable of basic maneuvers in the hands
of a casual pilot when fl own in the style
of the earlier Pattern models.
I’ll share several small-fi eld models
based on earlier Pattern designs. The
fi rst comes from my friend and MA
“Frequently Asked Questions” columnist
Bob Aberle. Bob’s model aviation
experience is rich and he has a number
of original designs published. One is a
Pattern-type model that appeared in the
December 1977 issue of Flying Models.
Bob’s ACE 310 was designed as a
Pattern trainer. It appears to be a perfect
candidate for a current-day small-fi eld
model that will perform the type of
aerobatic maneuvers I have in mind.
Bob put his original 240-squareinch
ACE 310 design in his shrinking
machine and came up with an electricpowered
150-square-inch version. The
original model was powered with a
tuned pipe Webra .10 and weighed 32
ounces. It is not something we would
want to fl y in a small space. The smaller
version is powered with an E-fl ite Park
250 outrunner motor and weighs 8.2
ounces. Now these are small-fi eld model
specifi cations.
Bob reports that this
version of the ACE
310 fl ies as well, if not
better, than the original
and is at home in small
fi elds performing the
old-style aerobatic
maneuvers. Full-size
plans for this model are
available to subscribers
of RC Micro World. See
the “Sources” listing for
contact information.
Bob’s ACE 310
shows that a Vintage
Pattern-style model in
the 150-square-inch
range can be great for
fl ying in small-fi eld
venues. There are several benefi ts to his
chosen size. The model can be powered
with inexpensive motors and battery
packs. It is also lightweight with a
comfortable fl ying speed in small spaces.
As my opening remarks may suggest,
I have been dabbling with small-fi eld
models that are based on Vintage Pattern
designs. My models are slightly larger
than Bob’s ACE 310 with wing areas
in the 200- to 225-square-inch range—
roughly half the size of the original
designs. This produces a heavier model—
approximately
16 ounces—that
has a faster fl ying
speed.
A photo of my
most recent smallfi
eld model, based
on a Vintage
Pattern design, is
included for your
review. It is a halfscale
version of the Dave Platt Duelist
Mk III. It sports a 35-inch wingspan and
is powered with two Himax 2208-1260
motors turning 6 x 5 propellers.
Although my models are bigger and
heavier than Bob’s ACE 310, I fi nd all
of these models are well suited to smallfi
eld fl ying. One of the sites that I use for
fl ying is slightly larger than a soccer fi eld.
I am able to fl y each model comfortably
in that space. Larger areas are nice, but
unnecessary.
You can have a lot of fun with smallfi
eld models that are based on Vintage
Pattern designs. BMJR Model Products
offers several kits for half-size Vintage
Pattern models that are suitable for small
fi elds. See the “Sources” listing.
When Memories Are Reborn
As suggested by my comments about
Vintage Pattern model designs, those
of us who have been involved in the
hobby for some time develop special
attachments to past models. This is
certainly true for reader Mike Cramer.
Roughly 30 years ago, he built his fi rst
.020 glow-powered Littlest Stick.
Mike enjoyed the model so much he
built a second one when the fi rst model
became too fuel soaked to continue. Although he still has that second Littlest Stick he
built all those years ago, he decided to build a third model using a current-day electricpower
system, equipment, and materials. The result is presented in the photos.
Mike’s latest Littlest Stick is powered with a Hobby King 18-11 2000 Kv motor
driven by a 370 mAh two-cell battery pack. It is lighter than his earlier glowpowered
models and features rudder, elevator, and throttle-control functions. Mike
says the new Littlest Stick is a blast to fl y but does demand the pilot to keep up.
Great work, Mike. It is nice to keep some model memories current.
A Different Approach
I am a fan of modelers who see different
ways to approach a problem or model
airplane function. Such innovators help us
see new ways to do things. More than once
a new idea or approach has been just the
thing I needed for one of my projects.
A regular contributor, John Krouse, has
shared a number of models with which he
has explored different or nontraditional
ideas. He latest effort pulls my “that’s so
cool” chain. This time he has taken on the
core function of getting a model to turn.
A movable rudder has been the
foundation of that function since
the beginning. RC systems of recent
years have opened the door to turning
multimotor models with differential
thrust. Some have been using articulated
motors to either augment a model’s
turning ability or to provide all of the
turning forces.
John has stepped in with a model that
rotates the wing to generate turning forces. When the wing is rotated, the model
will turn away from the advanced wingtip. If the wing is rotated so the right tip is
forward, the model will turn to the left. No messy control surfaces—just rotate the
wing.
John provided several photos of his model that is set up with the rotating wing.
The 17-inch foam wing is mounted to the fuselage with a single 4-40 bolt that also
serves as a pivot. Control is provided by an AR6400 receiver. The 28-gram model is
powered with a 6mm brushed motor from a ParkZone Cessna. John says the model
is stable and responsive when the wing pivots.
Very cool indeed, John.
Ron Sims Works Magic
In past columns I have had the
opportunity to share with you some of
the nice models created by Ron Sims
that started life as different ready-to-fl y
airplanes. Ron’s creativity is not limited to
the world of RTF models. He also sees the
hidden spirit buried in a kit-built model.
To be specifi c, Ron has worked his
magic on a Ken Spencer-designed Micro
Triton kit sold by Bob Selman Designs.
Built per the kit, the 16-inch wingspan
Micro Triton is a nice model. In its stock
form it has a single pylon-mounted
tractor motor and is set up for fl ying off
water or a smooth surface.
When Ron received his kit, he saw
a model with two motors set up in
a tractor/pusher confi guration. The
landing gear was tucked inside apparent
water-operation sponsons. In the photos
you can see Ron’s fi nished model as
compared with the original, and how he
set up the landing gear. Although not as dramatic a
transformation as some of his other
works, it shows the potential for adding
a personal touch when building a model
from a kit.
As usual, nice work, Ron. See the
“Sources” listing for Bob Selman Designs.
This is a wrap for now. I hope your flying
season is going well. Why not share a
few photos for us to enjoy? My contact
information is in the “Sources” listing
