Flying for Fun
Art and Technology: When reflecting on the evolution of designing, building, and flying model aircraft, it is difficult to separate the continuous changes in sizes and types of models built from the development of new technical devices for them. In a recent column I mentioned that throughout aviation history, the development of power plants has lead to development of new full-scale aircraft. The same "technology followed by suitable aircraft designs" phenomena applies to model aircraft. There is an interrelation between art and technology in aeromodeling. If you doubt that, take a trip back in time through old model magazines. It used to be extremely difficult to tow a model glider in a straight line; it would invariably wander off to one side or the other, and nothing could be done but release the towline. Then a simple device called "auto rudder" came along.
Flying for Fun
THE WING WILL FLY: The very interesting photos taken by Bill Cohen during a recent visit to the Plane of Fame Museum in Chino, California are intended to challenge someone to create a flying model! Keith Shaw has been successfully flying an Electric-powered B-35 flying wing model for several years, indicating the N9M electric model would be within the realm of possibility. What a dynamite project this would be for someone with the design ingenuity required! Two of the long-shafted Electric power plants from Leisure or Hobby Lobby would be ideal, and the aerodynamics of a flying wing have been handled by modelers at least as far back as the Gross Flying wing published in Air Trails, January 1949. Bob Banka's Scale Model Research (Tel.: [714] 979-8058) has three-views and photos of the Northrop N9MB and three views of the N-1M, eliminating that hurdle quickly. So someone develop this and share the fun with the rest of us!
Druine Turbulent: "An absolute joy to fly"
On final approach. Design has been a favorite of modelers and full-scale aircraft builders for many years. Ever wonder why some full-scale aircraft are repeatedly chosen as subjects for modeling, but others are rarely developed? I'm sure a wide and diverse group of motivational forces are at work, from a desire to recreate longtime personal favorites to the comfort found in having seen certain Scale models fly well. The French-designed Druine Turbulent is short of the macho appeal of a warbird or the spectacular colors and aerobatics of the contemporary acrobatic prototypes, but it is undeniably long on simplicity and diminutive size. And its undeniable resemblance to a model aircraft only adds to its appeal.
Flying for Fun
NOSTALGIA: The conventional explanation for the interest in Old-Timer Free Flight (FF), Jimmie Allen designs, NosGas (Nostalgia Gas FF), Control Line (CL) Old-Time Stunt, Vintage Radio Control (RC), etc. is a common desire to recreate a bygone era. A recent series of experiences has caused me to reexamine that rationalization, while adding a twist to my thinking. Could those of us with an interest in recreating models of our youth be motivated by a desire to overcome some less-than-pleasant memories? Seldom are we presented with an opportunity to alter errors of the past, but we can through building and flying such model airplanes. We have the opportunity to build designs that were beyond our skills and/or financial means, and fly them in ways that were beyond our wildest dreams. My joy in revisiting the classic Rudder Bug, related in a construction article in the May 1998 issue, is a perfect example.
Flying for Fun
A RECENT conversation with a modeling friend of 40 years called my attention to confusion about several columns I've written on power loading (engine displacement relative to wing area and gross weight). It may well be the result of oversimplification on my part. As I illustrated with several photos, some models are designed to handle incredible amounts of power, while others are unable to do so; the difference lies in the rigging, and I'll try to clarify that this month. Underpowering is not usually a problem, since the model will likely barely fly anyway; on the other hand, overpowering a model is fraught with potential aerodynamic problems.
