Boston Coupe
DESIGNED AS A SEMISCALE model of the Monocoupe 90A, the Boston Coupe is also geared to the current west coast (Mooney) Bostonian rules. The prototype has flown for 48 seconds indoors under a 28-ft. ceiling, and I anticipate that flights exceeding one minute can be achieved as further testing is conducted. Building this model presents no real problems for those with at least a few Scale ships to their credit. The brief construction notes that follow, however, will explain anything unclear on the plans as well as guide the uninitiated.
AMA National Fun Fly
THE NOTION that modelers can and should get together for the sheer joy of flying their airplanes in each other's company is probably as old as modeling itself. During the last few years, this notion has become somewhat more formalized than in the days when flying sites were to be had on vacant lots or on the outskirts of every town. In lieu of the many impromptu flying sessions of earlier times, the scarcity of available flying sites has given rise to organized gatherings of modelers at specific local and regional locations-the fun fly format that has become so familiar to today's modelers.
FF Power
ONE of the largest bones of contention to plague recent Nationals contests has been the question of an acceptable site for flying Outdoor Free Flight events. The critical nature of that site selection decision has been pivotal to the point that last year's National's Free Flight Duration events were canceled when the preselected site was found to be unavailable at contest time. Given the immediate past history of Free Flight site problems in Virginia and before that in Nebraska, special care was taken by the AMA site-selection committee to find a location that would suit the needs of the Free Flight community.
FF Outdoor Rubber
OUTDOOR RUBBER flying began auspiciously enough with Wakefield on Monday, the second day of Outdoor competition, as lessening winds and a decided warming trend gave everyone hope that the full potential of the Badger Mountain site would be realized as the week went on. Wakefield: Those who believe that bloodlines tell a story will love the outcome of Wakefield. Some 53 years ago Charles Tracy, then of Cleveland, OH, won a spot on the 1936 U.S. Wakefield team. This year his son, Dan Tracy of Maple Valley, WA, won the 1989 version of the event. Not only that, but Charles' grandson, Adam, finished in sixth place as the best Senior, pushing everyone, including his dad, for the top spot. Prior to his Nats achievement, Adam had represented the U.S. in Poland, competing in Wakefield as part of the 1988 FAI Junior FF World Championships. Veteran Hank Cole finished second to Dan Tracy in Wake as young Blake Jensen came within 31 seconds of Hank for third place.
Vintage BT
IF YOU'RE ready to move up from a slabsided trainer to something that looks more like an airplane, this little model may be the answer. Most trainers look like a box with wings; designer Ed Ross wanted to try something more interesting. What he came up with is a basic trainer that captures the spirit of a whole generation of big military trainers such as the Vultee BT-13 and the North American T-6. Sized for two-stroke engines in the .20 range, the BT-for basic trainer-is an outstanding flier: light and quick, yet docile and forgiving. Anyone who can handle a trainer will have no trouble slowing this airplane down. The BT combines the stability you expect from a tutor with a reserve of power when you need it.
