Control Line: Speed
This column is titled "Speed," and I've assumed that meant any and all kinds of fast models, not only Control Line. There are quite a few events that utilize the high-revving, high-performance model engines one way or another. I throw in anything that I think you readers might be interested in. Sometimes I hear about it from fliers, but most are good comments. For instance, Denny Hitson (Kalamazoo MI) was interested in my photo of the various unfinished crankcase castings that I'm working on, and wondered where he could get some. Such things are hard to find, but there are some available. I bought the TWA cases about 30 years ago, but picked up the others recently from various people.
Control Line: Speed
THIS MORNING I started wondering just who it is who began this Speed madness. Who was the first Control Line flier to use a stop watch, measure his lines and calculate his speed? Where was the first Speed contest and who or what club organized it? What engines were used? What were the speeds? Who won? Does anyone out there know? The engines had to be ignition, of course, but did anyone experiment with alcohol or nitro added to their fuel? I doubt if those early engines could stand the hot fuel, so I imagine quite a few blew up. It wasn't long until beefed-up engines appeared, but who were the pioneers before the Hornet, Ball and McCoy? Did Speed flying start before aerobatics? Before racing? It had to be soon after U-control was invented, so right now has to be close to the 50th anniversary of Speed flying. I've seen write-ups about the first Free Flight engine-powered flights but very little about early Speed flying. If any of you readers have such information, please write and let me know. Send photos, too.
Control Line: Speed
IT'S APRIL as I write, and the weather has been too cool for any test-flying-at least for me. We have to find out what size and kind of props to run with the new 10%-nitro fuel, so I'd better get moving. This is my best building season; I'm making two new Speed jobs, and they should be ready to paint by the time it's warm enough for outdoor spraying. The epoxy paints are the best that I have found, with a fuelproof, hard finish, but they are too toxic for indoor use. Many modelers have ended up in a hospital room after exposure to and breathing the fumes, and the symptoms are very similar to a heart attack.
Control Line: Speed
I'LL TRY to keep this column related to Speed models, engines, and flying as much as possible, but try not to be upset if I drift once in a while. After all, several other events use high-performance engines, too. Pylon Racing, Carrier, Racing, Free Flight, and even RC Pattern all demand lots of power and maximum reliability. When I hear of new materials, designs, or other pertinent information, I'll try to report it here.
Control Line: Speed
ONE NICE THING about writing this column is meeting and hearing from new people. Many of them are previous speed fliers who want to get back to flying again, and most of them want to know where to buy equipment. I refer all of them to the North American Speed society. The NASS newsletter, Speed Times, is put out by Chris Sackett and features ads and a list of parts suppliers. His address is: Box 82294, North Burnaby, B.C. Canada V5C 5P7. Dues are only $20 a year, ($22 if by check), and it's well worth it. Other features in the newsletter are photos, contest lists, contest results, articles, and other relevant information.
