Free Flight: Duration
Bob Meuser
Biplanes — Ornithopters OK
A flippant remark I made in the October 1985 column appeared to indicate I was proposing banning biplane ornithopters from competition. I certainly am not in favor of such a ban. Biplanes, tandems, canards — whatever — are legitimate forms of ornithopter.
That said, now that biplanes have largely taken over the ornithopter competition scene, one might consider adding an event limited to monoplanes to give those interested in developing the simpler form a viable place to compete.
Italian props and engines — Starline International
In past issues I’ve mentioned propellers and engines made by Mario Rocca and Alberto Dall’Oglio (both of Italy), both ex-World Champs in FAI Power. These items have been available directly from the manufacturers in Italy, but ordering from Europe can be a hassle.
A U.S. alternative is Starline International, run by Sal Fruciano (a Free Flighter who attended the recent World Champs at Livno, Yugoslavia). Starline is the exclusive U.S. distributor for Rocca props and Dall’Oglio AD-15 engines. Sal does not do engine rework.
Rocca’s line includes fiberglass and carbon-fiber props (folding, single- or twin-blade) for various classes, including FAI Power. They are matched, finished, and balanced.
Contact:
- Starline International
- 6146 East Cactus Wren Rd.
- Scottsdale, AZ 85253
A SASE will get you a price list.
Jim Bradley expands product line
Jim Bradley has added a carbon-fiber mat to his already extensive Free Flight product line. Details:
- Carbon-fiber mat: felt-like, about 0.008 in. thick, random array of short carbon- and Kevlar-type fibers, no resin, applied like fiberglass cloth. Weight about 0.05 oz per sq yd. Cost: $12 per sq yd.
- Other products: circle-tow hook, A-1 and A-2 glider monofilament towline, carbon-fiber tailboom, A-2 carbon-fiber sheet, rod-angle, balsa-core/fiberglass-faced composite (common thicknesses).
- Complete product list: write Jim Bradley, 1337 Pine Sap Ct., Orlando, FL 32817. Phone: (305) 277-9132.
Carbon-fiber and boron hazards
We’ve heard a lot about boron filaments and the injuries they can cause. Carbon-fiber materials can also be hazardous. Thin carbon-fiber sheets are handy for spar cap strips, but do not run your finger along a cut edge — slivers can enter the skin, migrate around bone, and be difficult to remove. Take proper precautions and use tweezers if needed.
Plastic covering
John Oldenkamp reports using thin plastic produce bags as a model-covering material. He finds they work well:
- Adhere with white glue or thinned R/C-56.
- Shrink drum-tight with low heat.
- Can be painted.
- Weight is about half to two-thirds that of undoped tissue.
- Price: free if you eat the contents first; John also bought a 5-lb roll for about $7.
NFFS paper department and membership offer
The NFFS Digest includes tech papers by competitive modelers (topics include ornithopter linkages and fuselage motion, Wakefield longitudinals, rubber strip performance, FAI Power trimming, covering materials, foam wing construction, and more). The issue also contains the Ten Models of the Year, Free Flight Hall of Fame stories, and an interview with Randy Archer.
Membership offer (new memberships only; good through February 28, 1986):
- 1 new member: $15
- 3 new members (same envelope): $13.50 each (10% discount)
- 4 new members: $12 each (20% discount)
- 5+ new members: $10 each (33% discount)
If 250 new members join by March 1, 1986, membership fees may be adjusted downward. No renewals or re-enrollments as “new” members allowed.
Model of the Year and Hall of Fame nominations:
- Send Model of the Year nominations (include reasons and supporting information) to Gil Morris, 2810 Brackley Rd., Columbus, OH 43220.
- Send Hall of Fame nominations to Anthony J. Italiano, 1655 Revere Dr., Brookfield, WI 53005.
- Please submit nominations by January 1, 1986.
Wheel retainers and wire winder
Sig’s neat pigtail wire "1/2A Wheel Retainers" have disappeared from the latest price list; their manufacturer reportedly stopped production. If you know any commercial wire-benders who might produce them, contact Sig. You might also write to Sig to express interest (and suggest sizes such as 2 mm (5/64) and 3/32 in.).
If you prefer to make your own, a hand-operated spring winder by K. V. G. Physics works well. The updated model features a handle with a mandrel and an adjustable metal finger to press the spring wire against the mandrel; it produces closed-on tension springs that can be stretched to compression springs or bent into torsion springs. You can also make rubber-power thubers.
K. V. G. Physics, Inc. (Kevork K. Fags)
- 236 Thayer St., River Vale, NJ 07675
- Sells: Taibi TD .049-.051 tank mounts and radial mounting plates, various hand planes for planing balsa, a die-hard jig, a balsa stripper, and other items. Write for a complete list.
Airfoil plotting programs
Airfoil plotting programs are available for:
- Commodore 64
- IBM PC and compatibles (with floating-point option)
- Printers: Gemini, Epson FX/MX/RX, C. Itoh 8510A, and similar dot-matrix printers
- An Apple Macintosh version may also be available by now
Features and prices:
- Prices range from $10 to $25.
- Airfoil coordinates may be entered from the keyboard or selected from about 40 built-in airfoils suitable for Free Flight and RC sailplanes.
- Chords up to 15 inches can be plotted.
- The programs can plot a second outline at a specified inset for sheet covering or rib cutting.
Miscellaneous
- Wheel retainers: hoard any you find; consider asking suppliers to bring them back.
- Starline and Rocca/Dall’Oglio items: inquiries redirected to Starline (address above).
That's all for now. I'll be back in two months — keep those cards, letters, and photos coming. Don't send them all to Harry Murphy, who’ll be at the FF Duration helm next month.
Bob Meuser 4200 Gregory St., Oakland, CA 94619.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
