Control Line: Aerobatics
Wynn Paul
Bob Hunt's finishing method
World Champion Bob Hunt is trying a new finishing method to reduce weight and produce a smooth, durable finish.
- He cores out the foam wing as much as possible to minimize weight, then covers it with "punk" 1/32" balsa sheet (straight from hobby-shop stock; grain or weight may be imperfect).
- The entire wing and fuselage are covered with Evercoat fiberglass cloth (6/10 oz per sq. yd.) over a coat of Hobbypoxy Formula 2 glue. The cloth must be completely saturated while you have time to work.
- After the glue cures, sand to a smooth finish. A test wing panel ready for paint added approximately 1-1/2 oz to the weight.
- Bob sprays a thick coat of automobile primer over the sanded cloth/wood covering to help fill any remaining grain. Sanding again yields a glass-smooth surface ready for paint.
- He plans to use urethane paint (brand used locally: Economy Plus Cura-thane). Mix in three parts: color, catalyst, and thinner. According to Bob, urethane fills cracks and grain, tends to seep down into fillets instead of lifting, can be rubbed out, and is very durable—more so than epoxy paint. The cloth and glue also tend to help hold the airplane together.
More on this method after Bob has finished an entire plane.
J&K Foam Wings
John Poynter is producing high-quality foam wings with reasonable delivery times.
- Covering uses 3‑in. wide balsa sheets butted together; John has had good luck obtaining fairly light balsa.
- He uses a commercial contact glue to adhere the wood to the foam; no reports of lifting have been received.
- Service example: fellow stunter Randy Hancock (Lexington) received his wing three weeks after ordering.
- John has added a couple of new wings to standard models, including the new National Champion Derringer 46 (Bob Whitely). He now also supplies flaps and tailplane assemblies.
- A recent Gieseke Nobler wing came out 2.5 oz per panel and is straight.
Contact: John Poynter, 10261 Janice Lynn, Cypress, CA 90630. Call only before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:30 p.m. California time: (213) 596-9053.
Custom Master Products Update
Gene Martine reports a new handle grip has been cast for his Custom Master adjustable handle. The replacement package includes two larger knurled knobs to fit the thicker handle grip. If you want a replacement grip or handle, write Gene for price and details.
He also reports stockpiling mufflers so all orders can be handled. Request brochures on mufflers, handles, and other accessories from:
Custom Master Products, Inc. 5424 Oliver St. South, Jacksonville, FL 32211 Tel: (904) 743-1737
England swings to classes, maybe
From the latest CLAPA (Control Line Aerobatics Pilots Association) newsletter: Stefan Shillington (a PAMPA member) proposes that CLAPA adopt four competition classes—Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert. Classification would last one season and be based on the average of a flier's three best contest scores. Using the FAI scoring system, the proposal breaks down as follows:
- Up to 650 — Beginner
- 650–800 — Intermediate
- 800–950 — Advanced
- 950 and over — Expert
Shillington also proposes that contests group fliers by class so each group flies together (Beginner through Expert). This addresses the problem of having widely varying skill levels fly in the same flight, an issue U.S. competitors face as well. The PAMPA classes in the U.S. have helped get more stunters flying and may have kept some competitors in the sport.
King Orange International Stunt Happening
The annual winter festival in Jacksonville has a revised format.
Saturday, December 30, 1978
- Competition in Half-A stunt (JSO) and Profile stunt (JSO).
- Extra points awarded in Profile for:
- Sidewinder engine — 5 points
- No flaps — 5 points
- Kitted model (slight mods allowed) — 5 points
- Biplane — 5 points
Sunday, December 31, 1978
- Expert and Advanced: two rounds.
- Senior-Open novice stunt: two rounds.
- Experts and Advanced will add their best score from Sunday and Monday to determine placing.
Monday, January 1, 1979
- Another two rounds for Advanced and Expert (giving those competitors four official flights over two days).
- Junior novice stunt.
Gene Martine has ten rooms reserved for PAMPA members at the nearby Days Inn. For further information or motel reservations for the King Orange International, call:
- Gene Martine: (904) 743-1737
- Joe Mead: (904) 388-7454
For information on PAMPA or stunt, write: Wynn Paul, 1640 Maywick Drive, Lexington, KY 40504.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
