Aerobatics
Wynn Paul
FINDING SUPPLIES for control-line precision aerobatics is not always just a case of trotting down to the local hobby shop with a list of "urgents." And where it comes to specialty items, chances are the stunt flier will have to order from out of town if he cannot make the part himself. Listed below are sources of fuel tanks, wings, accessories, and engine rework. Numerous inquiries have been received about engine rework and the list below contains those received from personal knowledge and a PAMPA questionnaire.
For those who desire ready-made tanks specifically for stunt try Randy's Model Aeronautics, 515 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Formerly "Don's Racing Tanks," these tanks are of excellent quality in both suction and uni-flow in the 3-1/2, 4, 4-1/2, and 5-1/2 oz. sizes. Also engines and fuel are available.
Control Specialties Company with Bob Hunt at the helm has been making foam stunt wings for several years and has a number of stock wings including Nobler, Shark 45, Genesis 35 and 46, Stunt Machine, Gieseke Nobler, Stiletto 35 and 46, Scorpio 46 and Pampawagon 46. Your own wing design can be made to order by Bob if you send in specifications. The address is: 205 Wood Ave., P.O. Box 268, Middlesex, NJ 08846; tel: 201 469-1663.
Foam Flite Wings, with veteran Arnold Stott cutting the foam, is the only other manufacturer of ready-made wings for stunt. He lists the Chipmunk, Akrobat, Skylark, Shark 45, Nobler, Panic and Bishop as stock wings and will also make custom design wings on order. Write him at: 628 West 6th St., Mankato, MN 56001; telephone: 507 388-2728.
There are two outstanding specialty items produced by Control Specialties besides wings: an in-flight adjustable handle and an adjustable leadout guide. The handle is made from lightweight high-impact structural foam with a threaded adjustment that can be moved while in the air until the proper adjustment is found and then the threaded adjustment is locked in place. Cost is $9.95 and well worth it. For those who have never built an adjustable leadout guide, it would be well worth the $1.00 to buy one from C.S.C. Made from plywood and Delrin this guide can be bought with line separation from 1/2 to 1 in.
And that item that more people send letters about with their own inventions: the perfect stooge. If you haven't invented the stooge to end all stooges, then buy a good one from Orange Blossom Hobbies, 1975 N.W. 36th St., Miami, FL 33142; tel: 305 633-2521, at $4.95; one catch, they have a minimum order of $15.00. That shouldn't be too hard since they have a great inventory.
If you don't want to work on your engine then try one of the following rework men. This writer does not know personally all of these men, but has listed them upon advice of many stunt fliers. You are on your own for results and specifications. They will be listed alphabetically for simplicity.
Aldrich Products, Inc., George Aldrich, Box 1426, Mission, TX 78572; tel: 512 585-7681. Will work engines, has complete parts inventory, takes four to six weeks. Can rework projects including chrome plating. Has brand new Sunnen hone and can measure to .000050" accuracy. Costs vary $16 to $100 depending upon complexity of work.
Crane, Louis, 395 D Ricketts Rd., Monterey, CA 93940; tel: 408 373-5017. Will work Fox 35; must supply parts. Time one to three weeks. Performs inspection, fitting and minor modifications, power modifications, careful reassembly, check-run and break-in. Costs $50.00 to $150.00 plus parts.
Dixon, Tom, 9025 Hurst Ct., Jonesboro, GA 30236; tel: 404 471-3271. Will work Fox 35, Fox 36 and other U.S. engines. Time required up to four weeks; must supply parts. Performs lapping, proper fitting of parts, and muffler work.
Greenaway, Jim, 111-23 130th St. South, Ozone Park, NY 11420; tel: 212 529-4631. Will work brand engines. Time required ...
Aerobatics
from two to three weeks and you must supply parts. Services include: free carburetor, check seal between bearings, align bearings, check ring gap and cylinder size. Cost is from $15 to $25 plus parts. All engines are benched and tached.
Higgins, George, 21 Edison Park, Quincy, MI 02699. Offers anodizing on all parts: heads, venturis, muffler caps, back plates and others. Cost is $3.50 for one part and each additional part is 50¢.
Shacter, Dan, 302 S. Kimmel, Clayton, OH 45315; tel.: 513 836-6857. Will work on Super Tigre 40, 46 and 60. Time required is one week and he has parts in inventory. Will work on new or used engines. Performs inspection, cleaning, check ring and piston, break-in and replace worn parts. Prices from $12.50 up plus cost of parts.
Stetson, Frank W., 1840 Skidaway Rd., Savannah, GA 31404; tel.: 233-2423. Will work on all engines. You must supply parts and allow up to one week for work. Performs clean-up and fitting of major parts. Cost runs from $25 to $35.
Tower, Rich, 3 Waverly Ct., Belleville, NJ 07109; tel.: 201 751-1341. Will work on Super Tigre 46, Fox 35 and Max 35. This writer does not have complete information on Rich and suggests you write or call him. Nationals qualifier Bob Hunt recommends him.
Unger, Al, 1415 E. Pinchot St., Stockton, CA 95205; tel.: 209 462-4663. Will work on ST, K&B, Testors–McCoy. He has a modest inventory on McCoy and requires at least two weeks for work. Performs general overhaul, fits venturis, and specializes in rework on McCoy engines. Cost is $25 for full McCoy rework and $55 for a complete engine outright. He states that he can supply a 7.5 oz., .40 stunt engine built from an early McCoy case with later Dykes ring insides. Cases are bored for larger O.D. sleeve, rebushed with bronze crank bushings as necessary, rod drilled for oil, case by-pass relieved, Allen head bolts, and O.S. needle valve.
If there are others who wish to supply engine rework please write me at 1640 Maywick Dr., Lexington, KY 40504.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
