Control Line: Racing
BETTER Racing performance from the K&B 6.5cc racing engine: As the contest season winds down in the Midwest area, I receive many requests concerning improving the performance of various Racing engines. Some modifications can be done without expensive tools and will result in rather substantial improvements in engine performance. After several hours spent testing various propellers and exhaust pipe lengths, I utilized a little tip given me by Bob Kerr. By carefully removing the excess meat in the exhaust extractor in the K&B 6.5, a 200-400 rpm increase was forthcoming. In observing the exhaust port and the exhaust stack, I saw an excess of metal. Thinning the walls of the bolted-on exhaust manifold definitely improves performance.
Control Line: Racing
NEW MODEL for Scale Racing: In the past few years, increased growth in Racing events has, for the most part, been in Mouse and Scale Racing. In general, there is a very limited number of full-scale racers which can be accurately scaled down for use in our event. Generally the fuselage and/or wing location makes it unsatisfactory for mounting the .15 engine, fuel shutoff, and fuel tank. Finding a full-scale aircraft with good flying characteristics which also satisfies all the required caveats for Control Line use is difficult.
Control Line: Racing
MOUSE RACING: This month's photos focus on 1/2A Mouse Racing. One photo was taken at the Tree Town Modelaires' Memorial Day contest and shows the entry of Junior contestant David Schuette being pitted by his dad, Jim. These little models are tricky to pit when you're using the spring starter on the engine, so you can see that both the inboard and outboard wings are being stabilized while the spring starter is being engaged and wound. A further advantage of stabilizing the plane in this manner is that the pilot can be assured that the plane is not angled either towards or away from the center of the circle when it's released, thereby allowing a smooth takeoff.
CL Racing
IT'S HISTORY. The 1989 AMA Nationals held in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State is over. This Nats will certainly go down as a memorable event for many competitors who traveled from the East Coast area to the great Northwest to pursue national competition. I made the drive with my son averaging approximately 700-800 miles per day across the Midwest through the semi-arid areas of Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. These regions definitely show a change in scenery from our typical Midwestern landscape. The Control Line site, which was located at a small airport in Richland, WA, provided an excellent surface for all CL events. The area selected was somewhat remote, but the restroom and food facilities were adequate.
Control Line: Racing
PROPER fuel tank construction: On several occasions, Racing enthusiasts have requested specifications for a foolproof fuel tank construction sequence. Many races and/or good engines have been lost as a result of a tank leak. On both my Scale and Rat Racers I use the standard cylindrical "Rat tank" cut down to three ounces for Scale and four ounces for Rat. During construction of the tank, the manufacturer uses standard acid core solder and flux. Using a torch with medium heat to remove the rear or front cover of the tank, you will find minor corrosion and residual flux inside the tank. I remove all tubes and clean the entire unit with Ivory liquid soap and steel wool.
