Golden Age R/C cook-up

[Mike Taylor]

Some of the people here and other sites and also hang out at RCGroups have decided to aid a few new modelers who want to do R/C conversions of FF designs. We have selected dime scale to walnut scale planes, and any micro R/C gear is acceptable. Any 'golden age' model is eligible. I will be awarding prizes from my material, kit and gear stash. What prizes and how many are going to be determined by how many participants there are and how much workmanship is displayed and shared by the builders.

This is not intended to subvert any other ongoing cook-up, but rather to bring the cook-up cooperation participants find so value to people who have different interests.

If you are interested in building micro R/C models, check out this thread and join in: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308433

[PeteSchug]

Hmm...

I love the idea, but I am already knee deep in kits for outdoor RC.

I think I have rediscovered Zeno's paradox. My version has to do with building ARF's.

No matter how big the A in ARF the A is always there, like the remaining distance in Zeno's paradox, there is always something left.

I am going indoor flying tomorrow evening. (for the first time, I fly my indoor planes outdoors, which is why I am flying someone elses plane tomorrow. Anyway, maybe the muse will strike. I have the wood, I have the glue and I have the covering material and several of everything else.

Pete

[PeteSchug]

Quick question.

Is this about converting a golden age plan to RC or is it about building a plane from that era?

Also, does it have to be structurally similar to models of it's day (1/16 sq. sticks) or can it be sheet?

I've made a tentative drawing of a BAM Swallow for sheet construction, but I haven't laid out the RC gear and motor to see if I can fit the stuff. I love the plane and it and the original Klemm version were really nice planes with amazingly low landing speeds.

Pete

[Mike Taylor]

Pete,

The idea was to use 'dime scale' or 'walnut scale' models and make them R/C. 'Golden Age' designs are the theme. COnstruction is up to the builder. 'Dime Scale' kits are the sort of planes that were sold in the 30's and 40's, but that is not a requirement. You can use any construction techniques that you want. Join in!

[PeteSchug]

For the record, I am 67 and spent a lot of dimes when I was a kid. I didn't get to finish a plane until Speedy Builts(sp?) came out.

I attended my first indoor session last night and it was really nice. I bought and assembled an asian ARF for the event, but managed to fly into the wall (sport dome with protective netting a few feet from the outer wall) when the tiny rudder provided too little turn ability. Broke my only prop and became a mere spectator.

The scale planes there were magic. The most common things were shock flyer types and there was a full sized elecric Banchee that (fortunately) crashed after less than ten seconds. I don't wish any modellers bad luck, but that was a menace to everyone there. Someone also flew a very fast Mig 15 that mid-aired with a slow stick type model and then crashed to resounding applause. Not the brightest bulb on the tree.

The best scale guy that flew had nav lights on his tigermoth and he stuck close to the ground. There were a couple of nice scale jobs that did not fly just because the owner had minor problems with his gear and there was a Sig Antoinette that floated around in a most serene manner.

I am totally hooked. I will still probably bash my Widget (unflyable last night) and Skeeter (missing a wing) into the trees in my flying buddy's back yard, but I really want to build scale or scale like planes for this sort thing.

I'm making a list of suitable designs, and I think I am going to see if I can get the BAM Swallow built and worry about the details of installation after. I learned a lot a last night's session.

Pete

[Mike Taylor]

Pete,

I wouldn't worry about the age thing. Some of the best modelers I know are retired and spend their time wisely building and flying little indoor stuff. For the record, none of us enjoy the 3D's and screamers at the indoor events. Even if they are not a danger to everyone else, they stir up the air too much for the really small stuff to get to perform the way they were intended. Don't even get me started on helicopters; talk about stirring up air! Also, we fly in 20-minute segment rotations for 'light', 'medium' and 'heavy' weights. That way every body gets a turn...