Control Line: Aerobatics
EVERY YEAR at the National Model Airplane Championships, there is the same grumbling-which usually is divided into about six categories: (1) "The judging is poor." (2) "I didn't qualify because my circle was tough, and two other circles had only three good fliers; it was the fault of the drawing procedure for circle assignments." (3) "The CL fliers get the worst pick on sites-look at Wilmington, for instance." (4) "The same fliers always win." (5) "We ought to have categories at the Nationals, like PAMPA categories." (6) "We ought to do something about all of this."
Control Line: Aerobatics
REMEMBER the guy with the beer barrel airplane? You know, the guy who preached, "Horsepower conquers everything, including a Nobler and Genesis." Well, listen to what he is trying now: how about a semi-scale (shucks, it's almost full-scale, at least in the fuselage) Mark 24 Spitfire that is all fiberglass! Yes, the one and only Al Rabe, runner-up in the 1978 World Championships and National Champion three times, is attempting to build a Stunt plane using fiberglass cloth construction for all the parts: fuselage, wing stabilizer, elevators, rudder, etc. He is making molds for all of the component parts in hopes of being able to mass produce, for himself, a full Stunt plane in 150 hours of building. The molds would feature such detail work as flush rivets, raised panel lines, etc., in three colors, no less! The plane will have a removable wing and tail. Al is trying two different types of retracts for the Mark 24: electric and pneumatic-one type in each of two prototype wings.
Control Line: Aerobatics
WALKER CUP winner Bob Whitely, Fountain Valley, CA wrote in to add his thoughts on finishing Stunt planes. Bob said that a group of fliers out his way are using the acrylic lacquer and enamel paints and can get the same results with half the work and about half the weight of the dope-type finish, such as used by Gene Martine and recently described in this column. Bob points out that two big additional advantages are no blistered fillets, and the finish is 100% fuel proof. The commercial brand names of these paints include Dupont acrylic enamel (known as Imron), Ditzler acrylic enamel (know as Delthane) and Nason acrylic lacquer and enamel. All of these polyurethane paints are extremely dangerous in application and must be used in well-ventilated areas (preferably outside) and must be used with a professional-type paint mask-not just the 50¢ nose and mouth cover. A remote-air-supply-type respirator is recommended.
Control Line: Aerobatics
BY THIS TIME of the year, you should have your new plane in the air and be trimming it for the contest season-and maybe the Nationals. Let's look at some things that might help you with that flying and trimming, assuming that the plane flies level in level flight and doesn't have an obvious wing warp or flap warp. Probably the easiest part to change, but the least understood, is the propeller. If you increase the diameter of the prop, you should help the turning ability. If you increase the pitch, it should speed up the airplane, if that is what you think you need. If you would switch from a regular blade to a W or EW, you should get more line tension, although the plane might speed up considerably in the round maneuvers. If you go from a 12-in. diameter down to an 11-in. prop, it might help to smooth out the turning a little. You can also run the engine a little faster with a smaller diameter (which could help with fuel economy, if you're running short).
Control Line: Aerobatics
HERE'S SOME information on the Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association, as we celebrate its eighth anniversary this month, for those not yet familiar with the organization. This is the special interest group dedicated to Precision Aerobatics in all forms, which includes Old-Time Stunt, Half-A Stunt, profiles, and kits. Organized at the Nationals in windy Oshkosh in 1973, the association has staffed the Nationals and FAI team tryouts since 1974. Various funds have been made available to FAI team members from the PAMPA treasury for their World Championships expenses. PAMPA also started sponsoring a Concours d'Elegance award at the Nationals in 1977 for the Most Beautiful Stunt Plane, as judged by the pilots themselves. PAMPA added a dollar to all of the U.S.A. members' dues-which goes directly to a PAMPA/FAI Stunt Team Fund.
