FREE FLIGHT SPORT and SCALE - 2001/05
egaDs! Here we are, starting another new year. What happened to
2000? I don’t know about you, but last year was nothing more than
a blur for me.
Even though you will be reading this knee-deep in 2001, I wish
you all a very happy new year. I hope 2001 brings you the time you
need to build all those models that have been waiting in the “wings.”
i received an E-mail from Dave Smith, the top stalwart of the FAC
(Flying Aces Club) Cactus Squadron, regarding what he has done
to bring new members into the club.
It is clever enough that other clubs might consider a similar
approach. It is a good way to bring Juniors into our declining hobby.
Dave designed a flyer about their model club, which points out
the joy and challenge of building and flying Rubber Scale models.
The handbill also points out that a free copy of the club’s newsletter
is available, and it offers help on trimming and flying a new model.
Dave distributes these flyers at hobby shops, and the best part is
that he gets permission from the shop owners to fold and rubberband
flyers onto rubber-powered model kits.
FREE FLIGHT SPORT and SCALE - 2001/03
SiNcE rETurNiNG from my
wonderful trip to the United Kingdom, I
have been very busy building models in
between finishing the Cub wings.
(I have been corrected. The Cub does
not have a Clark Y airfoil, as I stated in the
last column; it has the USA 356. I am not
familiar with this airfoil, except that it is
supposed to have a bit of undercamber.)
Those of you who know me realize I
cannot build one airplane at a time; I have
at least 10 going at any given point. I go
from one to another, enjoying the
construction of each model. Often, one
will give a temporary headache when a
hurdle comes in. It is good for me to leave
the problem and approach it later, when a
solution is reached.
I wrote an earlier column regarding
the many areas on plans where errors can
be located. With all the building I have
been doing in the last couple months, I
can’t believe how many mistakes I have
encountered. No matter how great the
plans look, each set has its share of
inaccuracies.
I am not mentioning this to put blame
on the individuals who drew up the
plans; heaven knows I can’t draw plans
worth a hoot. I just want you to be aware
so you don’t have to redo something, or
even give up on a model.
FREE FLIGHT SPORT and SCALE - 2001/01
I hAve a couple addendum to my September 2000 column on
glues.
I received a tube of G-S Hypo Cement from the Blacksheep
Squadron (http://folacksheepsquadron.com/)—a large, active model
club in Los Angeles CA.
There is a list of uses for this cement, but its principle
applications are watch crystals, hobby/craft, and industrial/optical. It
is also good for attaching windshields onto models.
The tube comes with a needlelike tip, so application is easy. G-S
Hypo Cement is available through Micro-Mark® (each modeler
should get this company’s catalog).
I received a few remarks from John Leach regarding epoxies. He
mentioned that West Systems epoxies have proven themselves in
boat-building, and can withstand exposure to saltwater.
Also, any time you buy epoxy (expensive), be sure it’s from a
source where the turnover is steady. You don’t need for an adhesive
not to set up after you apply it. And any time you blend a two-part
epoxy, mix it for at least 60 seconds.
Jon Reep shared his method for using JB Weld. He applies a
coat, carefully adds a layer of fiberglass cloth, then follows with
another coat of the Weld. This eliminates any chance of cracking.
Thanks to those who shared these hints.
Flying Aces Club Nats
Can you believe it’s been 22 years
since the first Flying Aces Club
(FAC) Nationals (Nats)? I have
been fortunate to attend each of
these contests, which are held every two
years.
This year’s edition—FAC Nats XII—
was held July 21-23, in Geneseo NY.
There were 191 contestants, which
means there was probably somewhere in the
neighborhood of 1,300 models; each
contestant flies in six or seven events.
FF Sport and Scale
THE OLD ADAGE "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" certainly applies to me. I have tried electric power on several fronts, and each time I have been thwarted for one reason or another. It seems as though I have this aura being around electrons that causes things to go bonkers. I have seen beautiful Free Flight (FF) Scale models—particularly multiengine — powered by electric that fly realistically. I see the advantage of not having to wipe off the model after each flight, just turning on a switch to get them to go, etc.
