Flying for Fun
Last month I tossed out a rule-of-thumb method that I use to loosely predict power requirements for models; in particular, I was attempting to assess the likelihood of Jim Hall's Super Kloud King flying with a Zenoah 445 twin. Jim's 18-foot model, with a chord of 36.75 inches, gives an area of 54 square feet (sq. ft.), or 7,900 square inches (sq. in.). At 90 pounds, the Super Kloud King would therefore have a wing loading of 26+ ounces/sq. ft.-not at all heavy for a model of such large size. By comparison, a full-scale Taylor E2 Cub has a wing loading of 70 ounces per sq. ft., and that is very light for a full-scale aircraft.
Flying for Fun
Really Big: Last month I mentioned 250 sq. in. (square inches) per .10 cu. in. (cubic inches) as a benchmark for light, low-speed model aircraft, such as Old-Timers and primary trainers. On the other hand, performance requirements lower that ratio as weight, required velocity, and aerobatic performance increase. A .60-size sport Pattern model will have, on average, about 800 sq. in., or 130 sq. in. per .10 cu. in. of power, and a wild unlimited-vertical-performance model will have as little as 60 sq. in. per .10 cu. in. Just for fun, I'll put those ranges into John Light's 1/2-size Laser. The model weighs 54 pounds, spans 144 inches (12 feet), and has about 3,900 sq. in. of wing area. Hence, a wing loading in the neighborhood of 32 ounces per sq. ft. is actually light for a model this size. The power plant is a 3W 200 twin (12 cu. in.) swinging a 30 × 10 propeller.
Flying for Fun
Let's discuss a part of construction that is a common source of trouble for newcomers, and sometimes for more-experienced builders. Hinging the movable surfaces of Radio Control (RC) models is not too difficult anymore, but many models are seen with huge spaces between the halves (gap), surfaces that bind when moved, surfaces that are not level, and worst of all, surfaces that are inadequately adhered to the model. These hinging problems are not limited to homebuilt models, but are frequently found on the acronym (ARF [Almost-Ready-to-Fly], RTF [Ready-to-Fly], RTC [Ready-to-Cover], ARTC [Almost-Ready-to-Cover], etc.) group of factory-built models. Occasionally the hinge installations are so poor that it's necessary to cut off the hinges and redo them.
Flying for Fun
The Way It Was: Tom Brokaw's best-selling book The Greatest Generation has created interest in lives of civilians during WW II. I thought it might be fun for the readers to share a little of modeling and modelers in that same time period. Building model airplanes during WW II was extremely challenging and fraught with frustrations. Only the most obsessed, who were driven by nearly impossible dreams, found any reason to pursue the activity. I know, because I was born in 1932, and only by a stroke of good fortune did I have enough success building model airplanes to become addicted. For Christmas 1942, my mother somehow located a prewar Comet AYA (Air Youth of America) beginner set: a large box containing five models, ranging from a simple hand-launch glider to a stick-and-tissue rubber-power Phantom. The concept was step-by-step progression in complexity to acquire building skills.
Flying for Fun
Bill Winter: With the passing of my guru, it would seem logical for me to write a eulogy to Bill. Fortunately, I did that before his death-in my April 1998 column. Isn't it a joy to "send flowers to the living"? One of my most-treasured mementos is framed and hangs above this word-processor. It's a letter from Bill Winter dated 12/6/94 in which he reflects on his encouragement of Cal Smith, H.A. Thomas, Paul Plecan, and "perhaps dozens or even hundreds of others." The letter ends with, "Doc, you run with the baton for awhile." That "baton" is far too large for any person, and most certainly for someone as weak as I. The challenge is for each of you to help carry on Bill Winter's baton. Share the fun of creating and flying model airplanes with others. A Problem: Last month we took a quick look at modelers and modeling during WW II. A recent column in another magazine is notable because it ties in with those remembrances.
