47/88 RC Special
Part one of this article traced the history of Bill Winter's original 1947 RC Special and the development of several later variants. Concluded here is a discussion of construction and flight characteristics of the latest version in this 40-year series. The model combines attractive realism, excellent handling qualities, and full aerobatics in an exceptionally wide performance envelope. The Original RC Special was designed by Bill Winter and built by Walt Schroder (both later to become longtime editors of Model Airplane News). Plans for the original model were published in Mechanix Illustrated in 1948 and in the MI Modelers Annual in 1950.
Jumpin' GEO
Above: Using geodesics for lightness coupled with torsional strength, Jumpin' Geo puts a whole new perspective on competition fun-flying, makes it a challenge again. As fliers learn to use the performance capabilities of this design and its siblings, they will open a new chapter in the sport of RC Aerobatics. Below: A K&B .45 engine spinning a Rev-Up 11 × 4 prop produces over three pounds of static thrust, giving the Geo full vertical capability. Maneuvers are incredibly close-in and tight.
Q.E.D.
IF I HAD KNOWN that RC canards flew so well, I would have built them long ago! Nor would I have designed this one, had it not been for the scuttlebutt about mysterious problems and odd "musts" that supposedly bedevil the tail-firsts. Q.E.D. (quod erat demonstrandum) is Latin for "[that] which was to be demonstrated" and refers to the proposition that a "conventional" model and an equivalent canard have the same geometric design code, however different their appearance. Why should a good canard pusher be any more difficult than a conventional tractor? Both designs must obey the same aerodynamic laws. To use a Flintstonian approach, consider a see-saw with two
Goblin: Minimum Investment for Maximum Fun
THIS SIMPLE, UNPRETENTIOUS, diminutive model, which gives us no-lift 15-20-minute flights, amazes me: Just flick the switch and fly. Under nearly calm conditions the Goblin can (and for best efficiency, should) be flown with just trim. If you have a decent flying site with no turbulence from trees, the smaller six-cell battery pack provides protracted motor runs for seeking lift under power. Goblin still climbs higher than you will ever need to go - on six cells it just takes longer. On windy, turbulent days, the seven-cell 800 mAh pack works better to get you up and out of the chop. Eight cells is even more peppy but gives you a shorter (six-plus minutes) run.
Lanzo's RC-1
Now acclaimed for its performance, this ahead-of-its-time 1934 RC model (which was described in big-city newspapers) "had disappeared" for half a century. Its story is now revealed-with spark-gap transmitter, coherer coil, and Marconi-"age" electronics which proved inadequate for this plane of the future.
