Control Line: Speed
Gene Hempel
Correction to May 1987 drawing
OOPS! The first item of business for this month's column is to correct the drawing (May 1987 issue) for the single-line control system swing arm spacer and the thickness of the swing arm.
- The shoulder dimension on the spacer was omitted from the original drawing. Without the shoulder the swing arm would ride on the bolt passing through the assembly, producing a very sloppy fit and improper function.
- The swing arm thickness should be .032 in. brass shim stock (not .035 in. as previously specified).
Please add the corrected information to the old drawings; otherwise the system will not work properly if you make one. Check both the old and corrected drawings for more information.
FAI CL Speed — Series II record attempt (Peter Hallman)
Great Britain's Peter Hallman recently (September 12, 1986) made an attempt to set a new FAI Control Line Speed record in Series II (Record Classification No. 28: engines 2.51–5.00 cc). Peter has been working very hard on this and I would like to congratulate him. The following information about the model, engine, and fuel tank was furnished by Peter. The record is pending formal approval by the FAI.
#### Event
- Location: Esher flying circle, Fairmile Common, Esher, Surrey
- Date: September 12, 1986
- Classification: Control Line Speed, Series II (Record Classification No. 28 — engines 2.51–5.00 cc)
#### Engine and timing
- Engine: Irvine .21R (swept volume 3.48 cc)
- Modifications: exhaust raised 190°; crankpin chromed
- Timing: intake opens 40° ABDC, closes 60° ATDC; transfer 130°; exhaust 190°
- Note: engine/pipe/model/propeller all designed and made by Peter Hallman
#### Pipe
- High-volume pipe machined from bar stock on an N-C (numerically controlled) end-by machine
- Multi-cone front section with radius on rear cone
- Tail-pipe diameter: 6.5 mm
- Overall length: 290 mm
- Plug centerline to maximum diameter: 195 mm
#### Propeller
- Single-blade type made from carbon fiber and epoxy resin (Halmax carbon/epoxy)
- Diameter: 156 mm
- Pitches used: first attempt 196 mm; second attempt 208 mm
- A steel counterweight was used
#### Control and leadouts
- Control: two lead wires linked together by tube-and-tape groupers
- First attempt: 0.40 mm wire with 69 groupers
- Second attempt: 0.36 mm wire with 50 groupers
#### Fuel system and tank
- Fuel: 20% castor oil, 60% methanol, 20% nitromethane
- Venturi: 7 mm with wood ram-air-box extension (maximum diameter 15 mm)
- Front tank: uniflow suction type, capacity 28 cc; material silver-soldered brass sheet
- Mounting: silicone rubber tubes (soft mounting)
- Tank feed: 12 mm model centerline
- Center venturi: 14 mm pan centerline
#### Airframe
- Fuselage: laminated basswood
- Tail: basswood elevator
- Wing: L72 aluminum-alloy (0.3 mm L72 dural)
- Model hangs from lead-out point at wing tip
- Thrust line: 1.75° nose out
- Weight: 24 oz
#### Results
- First attempt: 311.51 kph
- Second attempt: 312.228 kph (195 mph)
- Record pending formal approval by the FAI
Sources for composites and advanced materials (from John Camp)
I received a letter from John Camp, Rochester, MI, with supplier information for home-built aircraft materials and advanced composites (carbon fiber, uni- and bi-directional fiberglass, Kevlar, etc.):
- Wicks Aircraft Supply
- Address: 410 Pine St., Highland, IL 62249
- Phone: 1-800-221-9425
- Note: Send $5 for a catalog. Wicks may not stock every item listed but will attempt to obtain listed materials.
- Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co.
- Address: 201 W. Truslow Ave., Box 424, Fullerton, CA 92632
- Note: Send $5 for a catalog. Aircraft Spruce & Specialty appears to be a better source for advanced composites (Kevlar, carbon fiber, etc.) based on catalog offerings.
John also commented that the Sport Speed event looks interesting but, like other Speed classes, few fly competitively at the Nationals. It’s essentially a lower-cost FAI-type event.
If there are other modelers with information for this Speed column, please mail it in, and don't be bashful!
Gene Hempel 301 N. Yale Dr., Garland, TX 75042
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
