Free Flight: Old Timers
THE BIG cover up: A few columns back, we discussed some of the basic fundàmentals of Old-Timer construction for the newcomers to the hobby. Hopefully, many of you now have a completed structure ready to cover.
Sea Power
IF THE "Free Flight Community" were to become organized and employ an outside study group to evaluate and report on the "State-of-the-Art" in Free Flight, we would likely be in for a surprise. Such a group would probably report that there is no state-of-the-art, but rather a giant spectrum spanning a 45-year period, more or less. If we were to narrow the field a bit, eliminate Old-Timer activity, and concentrate our study on competitive Power flying, we would still find an incredible variety of equipment in use. Everything from docile "Dusters" to automated futuristic "Bombs" grace the flying fields. But wait! Isn't this what makes Free Flight great? The fact that any well-trimmed model, put in the right air consistently, can finish in the winner's circle is what keeps us coming back for more.
Free Flight: Old Timers
PROP IT UP: What size propeller to use is a frequent point of discussion when old-timers gather. I've attempted a little personal survey during the last few contests, but reached no conclusions! The rule seems to be: use the prop that works best. That, of course, involves lots of experimenting. General rules for prop selection on modern glow engines do not necessarily apply to ignition engines. Ignition engines develop their maximum power at much lower rpm than the newer glow engines (we're talking about original engines here, not conversions), typically at 6,000 to 8,000 rpm. The long-stroke vintage engine is capable of swinging relatively large diameter and higher pitch propellers. An O&R .23 will turn a 10-6 prop at its rated rpm of 7,500-the same prop commonly used on a Fox .35 for CL Stunt. Glow .40s flown in AMA Class C are often equipped with 10-4 props. The legendary Brown Jr. put out its rated power at 6,000 rpm with a 14-8 prop!
Free Flight: Old Timers
GRADUAL buildup: New faces are showing up more and more at old-timer meets. From the many questions asked it is apparent that many of these newcomers, some of whom are quite active in other modeling areas, lack basic building experience. It's one thing to assemble a fuselage with sheet sides and carved blocks and quite another to build up a fuselage from 1/4 in. square, or larger, stock. SAM rules require original structures. No substitutions of sheet sides for built up structures. "Beef up the built-ups" if more strength is required. Prior experience with small rubber models using up to 1/8 in. square stock is helpful but still leaves one often unprepared for the challenges of a "C" job. The first surprise is often that of discovering that longer than standard wood lengths are required. This requires splicing two or more pieces together. A "scarf" or angled point of at least 4 to 1 slope is desirable. Sounds simple enough and while readily accomplished on smaller stock, the larger sizes require more attention to accurate cuts to avoid poorly aligned or twisted joints. The best solution is to build a small mitre box for this purpose.
Free Flight Championships
ASK any free flighter where he would like to spend the Memorial Day weekend and you'll get the same answer. Taft! Those unable to be present at this great annual extravaganza will allow their thoughts to wander for a moment, sometime during the holiday, and wonder how it's going at Taft. Some of us fortunate enough to be present were wondering Saturday morning just how fortunate we really were. A peek from the tent fly or camper door revealed a fully overcast sky, temperatures in the 40s and wind! Almost enough to send the most dedicated back to bed. This, the tenth running of the USFFC, to the best of the memories of the faithful, set three new records: First for the solid overcast and wind, Second for the temperatures in the high 60s rather than the high 90s, and the use of Category II rules (three-minute maxes)!
