Control Line: Speed
Gene Hempel
Before I start rambling on this month's Speed column, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to all Speed modelers and readers across the world who have taken time to write. From all the letters I have received, there appears to be more enthusiasm for Speed flying outside the U.S. than from within.
There are times when I do not know what would be of interest to the modeling fraternity. If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas, drop me a line and I will attempt to accommodate your request, within reason.
This month's column is devoted to sharing some letters and projects modelers have written about and mailed to me.
Trans-Tasman Control Line Contest — New Plymouth, New Zealand
I received a fine newsletter from Des McAnelly of New Zealand covering the highlights of the successful Trans-Tasman Control Line Contest in New Plymouth. The following is quoted from the newsletter:
The FAI Speed contest turned out to be one of the best I have been fortunate enough to attend. After a close battle between New Zealand and Australia, and a high degree of sportsmanship displayed by both sides, New Zealand was able to pull ahead by a small margin to win over the Australians. Allen Barnes/Chris Allen's flight of 14.69 (152.3 mph) broke Bruce Turner's New Zealand record of 14.90 and was the flight of the day. Harvey Westland was one of the 'gremlins' sat on after attempting a 14.78 in practice.
Dave Smith of Australia was first to fly with a time of 15.70. Harvey Westland blew his second attempt, leaving Vern Crawford in the position of having to return a flight of 16.15 for Australia to win. He only improved to 16.42, which left New Zealand the winner by a mere 0.26 of a second.
FAI Speed Results
- Barnes/Allen — N.Z.: 14.69, 15.24, 15.24
- G. Burgess — Aust.: 15.28, 14.94, 15.52
- H. Westland — N.Z.: 15.44, 16.18, 15.70
- D. Smith — Aust.: 15.70, 15.80
- V. Crawford — Aust.: 17.03, 16.42
- Brown/Bolton — N.Z.: 18.27, 17.16, 17.01
- Team totals: N.Z. 47.14, Aust. 47.40
Outside Entries
- Crooks/Nacey — N.Z.: 16.44
- W. Shurmer — Aust.: 16.76, 18.44
- W. Bell — N.Z.: 18.22, 18.23
- P. Staples — N.Z.: 19.69
Machining Cox Blank Cylinders (from George Craig, Tarpon Springs, FL)
George modified his Cox blank cylinders for .049/.051 by building a simple holding fixture to mill the intake ports. The procedure he described:
- Use a piece of 1/4-in. thick steel plate, 1.5 in. square. Drill a 17/32-in. hole through the center of the square plate. Remove any burrs from the edge of the hole for a smooth fit.
- Take a burned-out Cox glow plug and drill a .2570-in. hole through the center (letter F drill). Tap the hole for a 5/16-18 x 1/2-in. long cap screw.
- After tapping, place the head of the cap screw in the lathe chuck. Screw the modified Cox plug, with the combustion chamber facing the lathe chuck, onto the cap screw. This lets you remove the fins on the plug to the diameter of the drilled hole in the plate. Be sure this is a nice slip fit.
- Hold the block in a milling vise or any X-Y table. Mill the intake ports by triangulating each cut to determine the distance from center (this helps practice trigonometry). Alternatively, use an indexing table to rotate the cylinder around the cutter.
George used the exhaust and intake timing numbers that appeared in the Speed column of Model Aviation (May 1979).
For those who wish to try machining the Cox blank cylinders, they are available from P&G Metal Shop, 301 North Yale Drive, Garland, TX 75042. Mail a SASE for more information.
This year I will be the event director for the FAI Team Trials and the Control Line Speed events to be held at the Nats in Seguin, TX. I do hope we can muster a qualified team to represent the U.S. Plans are to have a big Texas barbecue for all who can make it. Make plans to attend. Happy flying!
Gene Hempel 301 North Yale Dr., Garland, TX 75042.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
