Band-Sawn Aluminum Engine Mounts
Custom-made engine mounts are almost non-existent in this hobby of ours because their cost would be more than the value of the engines they support in most cases. However, if you have (or have access to) a band saw, it is quite simple and inexpensive to make an aluminum engine mount that is just right for that engine and airplane. Start by looking in the yellow pages of the phone book for an aluminum supplier near your (Reynolds, Alcoa, etc.) and shop their remnant barrel. You will be looking for bar stock either of type 2024-T4 or 6061-T6. The size of your engine will determine the size you will look for: 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches is minimum for a .60-size engine, and 1 1/4 by 1 1/4 by 2 inches is fine for a .25 and smaller. The pictures tell the rest of the story.
Neighvion
THE NAVION as designed by Ryan and built and sold by North American should be an ideal Scale subject because of its lines and fly-ability, not to mention ease of documentation, but somehow it has been neglected. Neighvion was designed as sort of a "reminder Scale" of this neglected airplane. Its slab sides and imitation tapered wing make it quite inexpensive as well as easy to build, and it still maintains the flavor of the big brother.
Clean It Up
All engines get dirty, be it from inadvertent collision with the earth or just routine accumulation of dirt and grime from flying. This photo sequence shows just how easy this cleaning chore is. It should be done often. New engines are not necessarily clean despite the efforts of manufacturers. A new engine should be visually inspected by removing the back cover, but manufacturers generally do not recommend further dismantling of the new engine if this kind of inspection shows it to be clean. There are two basic types of crankcase design used in our engines. One has the main bearing for the crankshaft in the front of the case and integral with it; access is through a back cover plate. The other has the bearing made into the front cover, which is removable; this type may, or may not, have a back cover plate. Both types are shown in the pictures.
Stitchin
IN THE month previous to when this was written, I saw the death of three stand-off Sport Scale aircraft at our flying field. Although various radio difficulties were given as the reasons, inexperience with the type of aircraft was the real culprit. In every case, the airplane became stalled and uncontrollable. The stalls were accelerated ones from tight turns-tight for the aircraft type-which caused the plane to snap over the top, or in the opposite direction from the turn. In all cases, the airplane failed to respond to control because of the stalled condition and incorrect command; therefore, radio problems were blamed. The loss of a well-built Scale aircraft is a heavy one, and the anticipation of such a loss is quite debilitating, to the possible point of withdrawal from Scale projects.
Lest We Forget
SINCE engines are getting more and more expensive every day, it's time to review the things we should be doing to protect and extend the life of our power plants. The photos show the basic minimum procedures that should be followed at the field before, during and after a flying session.
