Free Flight: Old-Timers
THIS TIME I'm going to catch up on a lot of little things I haven't had space for lately. First, I want to deal with a couple of errors that I have made that may be a cause of some confusion. In the July column there is a statement that could be confusing, referring to the 35-inch motor for the Dietrich Convertable, as described in the Peck-Polymers kit instructions. The instructions tell how to make two different motors: A 12-strand motor 22.5 inches long with very little slack, and a 35-inch motor braided to 22.5 inches so there will be no excess slack, despite a longer motor.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
I THINK I have made the point that winding by torque is better than winding rubber by counting turns. So, how to measure torque? When I was flying in competition (I last did that in 1988) I used Bob Wilder's fine torque meters. These are well made and accurate; not cheap, and not always available-sometimes there is a waiting list. An SASE should get you more data from Wilder's Model Machine Works, 2010 Boston, Irving Texas; Tel.: (214) 253-8404.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
I WRITE THIS shortly before New Year's Day, and my resolution is to do more on engines, in response to your requests. My original assumption was confirmed, however: nearly all who wrote have operated ignition engines in the past, and most want mainly where to get stuff like oil, spark plugs, and ignition components. Well, that's easy: see Joe Klause's Kustom Kraftsmanship ad in this issue, and get his catalog. He has Klotz oil (which I recommend) and all the other stuff you need, including things to suppress the interference that an ignition system column might cause your radio.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
THIS COLUMN and the next several will primarily be concerned with gas engines, especially ignition engines used in Old-Timer aircraft. I will, however, continue to provide space for rubber, Electrics, and other topics. Walt Leonhardt of Lawrence, Massachusetts wrote recently, saying he is flying free flight with electric power "mainly because here in the East, noise is a real problem." He sent a photo of a Frank Ehling design, the G.E. Cabinette from June 1942 Model Airplane News. He flies this with a HiLine Imp motor and three cells. Walt limits motor run by the timed-charge method, but has also used an old Austin timer to cut the current in other models.
Free Flight Old-Timers
ALTHOUGH MANY people like Old-Timer models because they associate them with their youth, many who were born much more recently like them, too. This is due in part to the appeal of the designs, shapes, and styles. Like 1930s music, clothes, and cars, these designs fascinate people, and I think they always will. Since this is a special youth and beginner-oriented issue, I would like to point out that these Old-Timer designs from the 1925-1950 era were published in magazines written for young people. (Many of the designs were by young people; Sal Taibi was a teenager when he published his Powerhouse.)
