Radio Control: Old Timers
IS UTOPIA in Texas? Imagine, if you will, a city four miles wide by three deep with all the houses, utility poles, and trees removed, leaving nothing but streets and street signs. Such an utopia is Pyramid Acres, on the far west fringes of Fort Worth. We attended the Labor Day Contest at Pyramid Acres. I can flatly say this is the finest flying site for free flight and RC assist that I have ever seen! All model retrieval is by road, rarely requiring more than a 100-yard walk. And the thermals are absolutely unreal. Any one interested in free flight, whether AMA or SAM, should make every effort to be in Fort Worth next Labor Day weekend. The Planesmen run a super contest, trophies are Texas-size, and hospitality is pure southern.
Radio Control: Old-Timers
A GOLDEN OLDIE: Ben Shershaw designed and published numerous models during the golden era of free flight. Among the more notable, were the Berkeley Models Cavalier series, the Cloud Cruiser, and this month's feature, the Cumulus. Published in Flying Aces, Sept. 1937, the Cumulus departed from the then standard high-wing cabin models in being mid-winged and open cabin. Although the Cumulus gives the impression of a "sport" type model, those of us fortunate enough to have seen one fly can quickly dispel any notion that the design is anything less than a spectacular floater. The huge wing (96 × 13) coupled with a Grant G-8 airfoil produces a highly competitive model in Texaco, as well as 20-and 30-second antique.
Radio Control: Old Timers
AS MANY of you are aware, several systems have been developed to replace the raditional make-and-break points used on spark-ignition model engines. All of those published so far are complex, requiring electronic skills beyond most of us. For many months I have been following closely the development of a pre-built and commercially available system, hoping that one would become available. Well friends, now it can be announced. I quote from a letter received from Otto Bernhardt's 77 Products. "The transistorized ignition system allows you to fly any RC model with an ignition engine. It eliminates all of the electrical noises generated by the ignition system, so that radio gear is not affected. (The electrical noise from an unshielded ignition system, such as that used in free flight, can make a radio go crazy!) This unit is intended for the RC modeler who would like to operate his model aircraft engine on gasoline and oil, instead of glow fuel, to take advantage of the economy and reduced fuel costs associated with ignition.
Radio Control: Old Timers
THE PRIDE of Philadelphia: As most modelers interested in old-timers are aware. Dick Mathis (M&P Models) of Lone Oak, Texas is producing kits of the "Flying Quaker" in the original 84-in. span, and in a scaled-down 54-in. version. The Quaker Flash is a 67-in. development from the original large Quaker, but is not a scale-down. Originally, it was developed to fit the then new and exceedingly popular Baby Cyclone engine. The kit drawings also show a Brown Jr., presumably as an attempt to broaden the appeal, but any throttle setting above 1/2-open with a Brown would certainly have overpowered the model. Construction was fairly standard for 1937, utilizing 1/4" sq. balsa fuselage members pinned at the joints (no Aliphatic resins in those days, just plain old glue). The fuselage contours were developed with 1/8 stringers and only a few bulkheads. The four-exterior-spar wing construction was comparatively novel for the era, lending itself perfectly to modern sheer web techniques mentioned in earlier columns. Wing tip and tail outlines were bent from 3/16 reed. Needless to say, I would strongly recommend the use of laminated basswood or sheet outlines for the tips.
Radio Control: Old Timers
I HAVE in my collection an old book titled "Models for Flying," by L. H. Sparey and C. A. Rippon, of England. This and several other delightful collectors items were given to me by Mr. Roy Hull, a senior engineer on the Hawker-Siddley "Harrier" project. He wished to place his collection with someone who would cherish it as he had for over 40 years. He said, "I fear that upon my demise the wife will put them out for the dustman." Models for Flying contains an extraordinary article (for 1938), on the "Premier Lion." Let me quote. "The machine under construction is one of the most stable and consistent fliers that has been seen on our model-flying fields, and was the winner of the "Sir John Shelley Cup" for petrol-driven model aeroplanes. Since its advent the machine has made some hundreds of flights without mishap-a fact that is sufficient to guarantee that a replica built with reasonable care and faithfulness will repay the builder."
