Control Line: Speed
Gene Hempel
The months of October and November have produced a record number of cards and letters. I have never received this many at one time. I love it! It is very refreshing to hear from modelers in the U.S. and from across the big ponds. I may be a little slow in replying to your letters, so please be patient.
Lester Deily
One letter I received was from Lester Deily of Douglaston, L.I., NY. He says: "The photo of my 1/2A sidewinder is my newest of a design I used all the way back in 1959. My latest uses aluminum wing panels (14-in. span), mahogany and plywood body, cherrywood stab with a clear resin finish. The 1/2A engine has the chrome shaft setup. Also enclosed is a picture of one of my new Jet models, a modified Thomas Ironsides.
"I have just gotten back into Speed flying after a long lapse of non-modeling. I'm getting back into the swing of things and trying to catch up on everything I have missed. The one thing I don't see is any Juniors or Seniors flying Speed.
"I am trying to get other 'old timer' Speed fliers back into the circle for another go-round. Maybe a rebirth of CL Speed interest is not so far fetched."
Let's have hope!
Japan
Jinichi Furuzaki of Tokyo, Japan sends along a group photo of the local modelers at a recent Speed contest held November 3, 1981 at Osaka, Japan. A partial listing of the speeds is as follows:
- FAI Speed: T. Matsushita — 152.80 mph (first); Sa Sa Yama — 150.74 mph (second).
- 1/2A Speed: J. Furuzaki — 110.19 mph (first).
- A Speed: Akeshi Kusumoto — 171.81 mph (first).
- D Speed: Akeshi Kusumoto — 197.25 mph (first).
Mr. Furuzaki indicated there is quite a bit of activity in Speed, especially in 1/2A. From the number of FAI Speed fliers in the photo, it appears Japan will be a serious contender at the 1982 World Championship in Sweden.
Canada
When I received a letter from Paul Gibeault of Edmonton, Alberta indicating he had placed second on the Canadian FAI team, I was overjoyed. Paul and I have been working together to see if we could get something going for him. Paul indicated it was a bunch of parts thrown together at the last minute that really did the trick. That's the way it goes sometimes: take your junk and throw it together to make the best engine. I certainly wish all the members of the Canadian FAI Speed Team the best luck.
Engines
I have been griping for several years about some manufacturer coming out with a good .15-size engine for Speed. Well, it finally happened. Bob Murphy of Shamrock Competition Imports indicates that OPS has announced its .15-size engine for delivery in January, 1982. It is a front induction, rear exhaust engine with a large diameter crank.
The one thing Bob really prides himself on is the ability to deliver parts immediately. You won't have to wait for six months to obtain a cylinder assembly. It is very irritating to buy an engine and then realize it may be as much as a year before parts will be shipped.
The workmanship of the OPS .15 is exceptional. If the .15 runs as well as its .65 counterpart, it should be excellent. The price of the engine is $130. It is available from Shamrock Competition Imports, P.O. Box 26247, New Orleans, LA 70186. The engine is also available from P&G Metal, 301 N. Yale Dr., Garland, TX 75042, (214) 272-5210.
Dollies
There have been numerous requests for drawings of Speed models and dollies. Chris Sackett of Burnaby, B.C., Canada has furnished a set of dolly drawings that should cover every class. He also sells drawings for all classes of Speed models at $2.00 each, plus $1.00 for postage and handling.
Address: Chris Sackett, 1001–7374 Halifax, Burnaby, B.C., Canada, V5A 1M5.
Canadian Nationals
The dates for the Canadian Nationals to be held at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada are July 18–24, 1982. The Canadian rules are basically the same as AMA rules. For those interested, please contact Paul Gibeault, 15605–121 St., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5X 3B3.
Final thought
How about sending me more comments on:
- What is causing decreasing interest in Speed—especially at the Jr. and Sr. levels?
- What should we do to rekindle that interest?
Please give this problem some intense thought (also ask your buddies) and respond quickly. I'd like to summarize results in subsequent columns.
Gene Hempel 301 N. Yale Dr., Garland, TX 75042.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
