A Primer on Aerodynamics
THE URGE to produce an aircraft of their own hits many modelers sooner or later. The most ambitious goal would be an original design. Something less might be a modification of an existing craft. We often evaluate someone else's creation to help us in our own thinking about a new design. If we understand basic aerodynamics, we can perform our desired task much more intelligently. A profusion of model designs is available today. The person who is not an accomplished designer can draw upon what someone else has perfected to acquire the generalities of what he wishes-and can even attain some success as a result.
Pogo
IT HAS BEEN awhile since I have come forth with a Formula I design, but after a year or so of effort, I now have a new, exciting one. I do not know yet whether it will break any records but I am certain that the Pogo is a different approach to Formula I, boasting of new features that are not only interesting but comparatively superior! To say the least, I believe the effort was worth the reward of satisfaction that the Pogo has brought me. As one modeler to another, I think you would be happy with Pogo, too. One of the outstanding problems in all modeling is the tendency to drift into ruts as far as design is concerned, by all of us winding up building and flying very similar aircraft.
Better Props for Formula 1
THIS ARTICLE is dedicated to the average Form-I racing pilot, and hopefully my offering of assistance will help improve his performance. So all you Bob Violetts and Terry Prathers, keener competitive racing may be in the offing! As far as speed is concerned, the past year has been a paradox for a great many Formula I pilots. Our powerful engines cannot be improved to a much greater extent, so we are fairly equal equipment-wise. The question now arises, "How come two pilots with parallel equipment and ability wind up miles apart in performance?"
Sportster
`Pappy' LOOKING BACK over the years, have you asked yourself which airplanes you enjoyed the most? I have and, strangely enough, all the contest winners seem to play second fiddle to a few of what I call my "play" airplanes. These were not intended to win anything, yet their ease of flight and versatility gave me much enjoyment. So it was that I decided to design a new play airplane. What form should it take? The result is the "Sportster," a fine Sunday flier for sure, but a versatile airplane with much added potential! By designing around the popular .40 engines I have a multi-purpose design which can be used for a variety of purposes besides Sunday fun. A newcomer should be happy with it for general flying, yet it does have the potential to be competitive in several events, at least at the local level.
How to Make: High-Performance Props
TODAY'S hobby shops offer us the most simple necessities. Usually, they are ready for use, or at least in kit form. But lacking is something from which we can make out own propellers. We have a very wide variety of "ready mades" available, but we are restricted to what is offered. Very often, propeller requirements can be very particular as to sizes needed, and the maximum efficiency desired of them. If propeller experimentation is desired, considerable design research and woodworking knowledge is necessary. The only answer to the problem has been "reworking" production props, a time consuming procedure that often results in an inferior product. The shortcomings of reworking are numerous. Most often, there is not enough material to allow the desired changes. Changes in the amounts and types of pitch are restricted by the original design. The fixed design also prevents us from obtaining a different blade shape. Reworking allows us to do nothing more than alter someone else's propeller design, which may be far from the ultimate.
