Radio Control: Electrics
JUNE is almost ended, and there are some unusual Electric projects both on the beach and in the air-creations of some of my fellow fliers. Two of these are pictured herein, and both are expected to be operational at the 1984 Electric Fly. By far the largest Electric undertaking I've ever beheld has to be seen to be believed! I'm purposely not going to name the model or the builder (for now), because I'd like to see how many of you can identify the project. The plane (shown here as framework) was begun in January of this year, and this photo is from April. The body is 87 in. long, the stab span is 40 in., and the three-piece wing totals 114 in. The planned power installation is four Mabuchi motors in series-parallel and up to 32, 1.2 Ah cells! The expected gross weight is in the range of 9-10 pounds, for a wing loading of about 16 oz. Of course it's not going to be hand-launched! OK, who'll be the first to guess what it is?
Spectra
For the best of three worlds, build three wings for this RC Electric-the big for power-assisted soaring, the smaller with flat-bottom airfoil for sport flying, and the smaller with semi-symmetrical airfoil and ailerons for aerobatics. All versions use the same fuselage and tail surfaces with an 05-size direct-drive motor on six cells-three-channel operation for the Soar and Sport, four for the Stunt version. This design has already been proved highly successful when built and flown by a variety of modelers.
Radio Control: Electrics
LAST month, I mentioned all the regularly-featured Electric writing I knew of. What I didn't know at the time was that Model Airplane News is planning to add an Electric column. Bob Sliff will be the author. I don't know when this will begin, or what the format will me, but you can watch for it. "Attaboys" to both MAN and Bob. Two months ago, I mentioned that Leisure would be kitting the Wasp aerobatic model. It turns out they have been doing this for a while, but just haven't advertised it! The first kit run sold out quickly, and more are on the way. As I've said before, this design (by Jim Zarembski) is an excellent flier and is also available as a plan from RCM.
Radio Control: Electrics
FREQUENT QUESTION. I am often asked about the Leisure Playboy. It seems that many builders are not sure where the cabin version CG (center of gravity) should fall. I can tell you where mine is-my Playboy flies just great! It is 1 1/4 in. behind the main spar, which is about 4 1/4 in. from the leading edge of the wing. This comes out to about 45% of the chord. If this seems unusual to you, it's because it is-by "present-day" design; it is an Old-Timer-and it has a lifting stab-the tail carries a bigger part of the weight, hence the relatively aft CG location. Mine is so stable, so forgiving, I've handed the box to a young, totally inexperienced boy and he had a ball-with no great worries on my part. Do something nice for a boy in your neighborhood-the hobby needs youth.
KRC Electric Fly
PHENOMENAL! That's the word I, personally, used to describe the Fifth Annual KRC Electric Fly to my parents. The fun fly Electric meet was held on Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, at the Keystone RC Club's flying field in Hatfield, PA. Hatfield is located about an hour's drive north of Philadelphia. This informal affair has been steadily growing since the first one in 1980, when three people participated, to this year's attendance from 17 states and Canada which brought 52 fliers and about 100 planes of all descriptions. Some attendees came great distances just to watch, such as one gentleman from Dallas, TX and another from Wisconsin. The weather for the weekend was super. Early morning temperatures encouraged light jackets both days, but this soon changed, and the warm fall air averaged in the 75-80º range. Saturday had very little wind though Sunday got just a bit airy-but with no real problems. In all, flying conditions were excellent, and it would be hard to find a better two-day combination.
