Member opinion and MAN way back issue

[tandemairbike]

Hi;
I am a lifelong modeler isolated in the woods of Maine. I started with R/C in 1958 with A "westwind" low wing trainer from MAN plans and a Lorenz two tube single channel carrier operated receiver and Bonner SN escapement. Most of my flying with that set-up was remembering which way I turned last.
After a few repair sessions I found out about the Babcock super compound escapement and it was all up from there.
Back in the seventies I tried a few of the then new ARF kits. I had a Lanier Jester and a DB stinger. The guys in the club I belonged to called them "Rubber Duckies". I moved from Massachussetts to Maine in '74 and have since built mostly kits and a couple of scratch built originals.
Christmas of '06 saw my wife conspire with Santa Clause and under the tree I found A Phoenix models Super Decathalon and a phoenix Dolphin. Both ARFs.
Wow! What a difference from those earlier rubber duckies.
I would like the opinion of others who have built and flown any Phoenix Models ARFs.
I am also looking for a march 1958 Back issue of MAN with the "Westwind " article so I can build another one. Full size plans are out of the question I guess, but I can build one from the mag article if I can find one.
Have agreat day

[Gerryy]

I am always pleased to learn what long time modelers like you are up to. Sounds like you have some fun heading your way next flying season. As for oldy back issues of MAN, the best place to find them is on eBay! Go to the "Buy" page and type in the search. There are a lot of old magazines there for auction and most have reasonable "buy now" prices.
good luck
GY

[tandemairbike]

Gerry;
Thanks for the reply.
My Graupner "Kwik- Fli III' finally gave up the ghost last summer. I built it in 1974, my first plane since moving here to Maine.
Covered with Silkspun Coverite and finished with Pactra Aero gloss dope. It used 2 K&B .61s over it"s lifetime. Wish I had kept track of the hours.
Radios used were Kraft 5 channel Sport series, (The same one used in a field and bench article done for MAN in Nov. 1973. Strato 210 , Enya .45 BB TV engine and Kraft Sport Series Radio"), A Tower system 2000 4 channel and lastly a Tower system 3000. Despite my use of epoxy to coat the firewall and tank compartment, the nose finally succumbed to oil soaking.I guess that plane gave me the best 32 years of it's life.
This was my absolute favorite flyer and my wife took pity on me ( she realized that it kept me out of the bars) and bought me two planes for Christmas. The Decathalon is finished and the Dolphin is half way there.

The '58 issue of MAN is not available on Ebay at this time. I think I remember the Westwind well enough that I might build something close from memory. If I don't find the mag. I'm going to try.

Thanks for "listening" to an old man's rambling.
Have a good one

Terry

[Gerryy]

While listening to good old RC stories I would never consider it rambling! enjoy yourself! that's what's most important!

[PipesCS]

I will look in my collection this weekend. I belive I have the issue you are looking for.

As to the plans I have taken old magazine articles from that time frame, scanned them into jpg format to use in tracing with AutoCAD. You can then scale up the drawings

[tandemairbike]

Hi Pipes;
Thanks for the reply and for taking the time to look up the magazine.
If memory serves me there is a light gray or white biplane on the cover but it's been a long time.
Wow! almost 50 years. If I don't look out I'm going to be getting old here.

Best regards,
Tandy

[tandemairbike]

By the way, I would still like to hear from someone who has put together any "Phoenix Models" ARFs. I thought the two I have were Super. How do they compare to other brands?

Thanks,
Tandy

[PipesCS]

Found the issue you are lookng for today. it is two pages long and I will scan it today and email it to you if you would like I will need you e mail address.

One thing though. The plans may still be available thru Model airplane News. Another option would be that I can scan the original plans into AutoCAD to modify it into a modern Electric in the speed 400 range. It would come out with about a 40 inch wingspan.

If you can please respond to

charliepipes@bellsouth.net

and I will email you the magazine article.

[PipesCS]

I checked with Model Airplane News and the plan is no longer available nor reprints of the article. I will at no charge be more than glad to scan and send you the article as it is not an issue of copywrite. I will scan the plans in to autocad and retrace them for you to scale but that may take me a few days to do.

are you going gas or electric?

[tandemairbike]

Hi Pipes;

Thanks a million! I really appreciate the effort on your part.
Cad would be beautiful. I intend to use an OK Cub .074 glow engine like I did in the original. I'm sure I can find one on Ebay.

My email is <lowandslow202@hotmail.com>. What format will the file be in? There are some formats my computer will not open.

Don't worry if it takes a while, Ive waited 50 years, another few weeks won't hurt. I am just blown away that I will get this opportunity.
If you incurr any expense don't hesitate to bill me and remember , your time is worth something.
Thanks again,
Tandy

[cosmicpossum]

Now THAT'S why I'm in this hobby! Great going, guys!!

[PipesCS]

While on Jury duty selection today I was able to work on my laptop doing the tracing of the Westwind. The only deminsion on the drawing was the main tire. Scaling it up to the correct size give pretty consistant measurements for the deminsional stock such as the main spar. I am about 1/4 the way thru. It is extreamly hard not to make improvements on the original drawing to help you out. But as promised it will be only a copy of the original. I will be working in Maryland during the month of Feb and should be able to mail it then.

[tandemairbike]

Do you like the look of the "Westwind"? If you do you could go over it later and make the improvements and build yourself one. Just a suggestion.
It should make a dandy EP flyer.

Did you get my last email?

Tandy

[PipesCS]

The big changes I would make would be to cut the weight anywhere you can

[tandemairbike]

when I built the first Westwind I had never built an R/C before. My latest experience at the time was glow powered U-control airplanes where weight was certainly a factor but not an overiding factor so I was not oriented toward saving weight. The only material available to me at the time was Testors balsa, Testors and Ambroid glue and Testors butyrate dope. The glue and dope were okay but the quality of the balsa left alot to be desired. Throw in the heavy carbon zinc A and B batteries required for the receiver and it was all pretty heavy. I never weighed the model but I would guess it approached the 2 pound mark. Nevertheless, once I learned to fly the thing it flew fine and landed at a reasonable speed. All landings being dead stick due to lack of throttle.

I am confident that I can build a much lighter version fom the original plans given modern materials and equipment.

Modelers today don't have a clue how lucky they are to have these materials and equipment available to them.

I am currently building my first EP. It can be seen in "airplane,scratch building " forum where you have your pt-19 . See the "Organ donor" thread.

Regards,

Tandy

[tandemairbike]

By the way, If this electric thing proves satisfactory I would like to buy your PT-19 plans.

Tandy

[PipesCS]

I would start out recommending a flight pack by Hitec that uses micro HS 81 or 85 servos. It comes with a smaller reciever, servos and battery.

The model has a plywood vertical tail also.

If you make it electric you might cut the dihedral and add ailerons

[tandemairbike]

I think that I will build the first one as originally built way back when and another with ailerons.
I will probably build the ailerons right into the wings and cut them free after the wing is completely framed up using belcranks to operate them like the old days. This way the original lines will be preserved as would not be the case if strip ailerons were added.

[PipesCS]

Hope to make you a print of the tracings and burn you a CD tomorrow. Will try to have it in the mail by Wed.

Can you send your mailing address to me by email

[PipesCS]

I am not going to get too crazy on the drawings as I have noted that you will be able to get all the deminsions off the original article that I am sending to you with the print. You will be getting a tube and an envelope with a CD of the print which you can have further copies at kinkos.

The CD will also have the original article on it.

I may be able to get it in the mail tomorrow.

As to your offer to pay me. Help out another modeler when you can and that will be payment enough.

PS

This is not the final drawing as the upper view is missing still. I was just experimenting with converting to a JPEG

[tandemairbike]

Looks good to me. Just the way I remembered it.

As for helping other modelers out, I never miss a chance. It's very rewarding.

[PipesCS]

This should get in the mail today

I need your mailing address.

If possible mail to

charles.pipes@us.army.mil

[aeajr]

This thread is an inspiration to those of us who are new to the hobby. I have been flying for 4 years and I am always impressed with how quickly people will come to the aid of another modeler.

Nice work guys!

[tandemairbike]

I received the Westwind plan today.
Outstanding work.
Thank you PIPES SC.

Tandy