Free Flight: Old-Timers
I READ ALL of the soaring columns, and modern sailplanes seem to be going to high tech stuff like carbon fiber, vacuum-bagged wings, boron, and fiberglass. I like to work in wood, and I am not comfortable with some of the new construction techniques; maybe I'm just too old to change my ways. However, I certainly use modern adhesives, including cyanoacrylates in three viscosities, epoxy glues, glass cloth here and there, and even some carbon fiber reinforcement.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
MANY columns ago I suggested the Theo-Radical design by Maurice Schoenbrun, published in the April 1941 issue of Model Craftsman, as an overlooked design which should be very competitive in today's Old-Timer contests. I think the only reason we do not see this model at contests is the relative obscurity of the magazine, because all the design elements are there for high-performance Free Flight: long tail moment arm compared to most Old-Timer gas designs, polyhedral, pylon, large lifting stab, small fin, and a good airfoil: This thing should outperform the Playboys and planes with their fat fuselages. It's the right size for .45s to the lighter-weight .60s.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
MY COLUMN in the July issue included the address of the Best By Test Model Company where you can write for plans and some Rubber model hardware. Since then I have heard from Edward Schlosser, the designer/owner of the company, and I think what he has to say is interesting. Over to you, Ed. "While I was a Sophomore in high school in the 30s, I started Best by Test Model Company with rubber flying models of my own design. That earned me more than enough money to attend a University where I earned a PH.D. I then joined the chemical industry where I am still active.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
MY ITALIAN correspondent Ferdi Gale sent me one of the Z-model compressed air motors sold in this country by Bert Pond and described a few issues back by John Worth. I am not going to do a detailed review, but will just say that the motor runs, is easy to operate, and could be the answer for those who are looking for quiet power for flying lightweight models. The handful of people who fly the SAM compressed air event have taken to the motor, and Bert says all the compressed air flights at the 1990 Nationals in Lawrenceville were made with the Z motor.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
Our reprint from Old Buzzard's Soaring Book is courtesy of David Tijeras, Pony X Press. DAVE THORNBRUG'S Old Buzzard's Soaring Book has much to teach us about "Stalking the Invisible Thermal" in "The River of Air," and those are just two of the chapter titles. The river of air concept is very good in that it reminds us that as we stand on the land, the air moves by and over us like a river, so that thermals have not only volume, but motion, and the motion of thermals affects the local motion of the stream of air (wind), so there are more than three dimensions to consider: time, or the velocity of the river is the fourth.
