Free Flight: Duration
Jim Haught 3069 Sovereign Drive Cincinnati, OH 45251
NEW products: Joe Klause at Kustom Kraftsmanship has released his latest price list, featuring reworked Cox engines, assorted kits and construction accessories, custom T-shirts, and more. There are many quality items offered, but one new item in particular got my attention.
KK has developed a new cylinder head assembly for Cox .049/.051 engines which features the Nelson glow plug - the same plug made popular on the .15 and other Nelson engines. The new head is threaded for acceptance by the existing cylinder, and the plug screws into the top of the head. There is no gasket between plug and head, much in the style of the Holland Hornet; there is, however, a shim or shims between the cylinder and head, which allow for adjustment to fuel and climate conditions. KK claims that with their standard test setup (20% nitro fuel and Cox 5 x 3 gray prop), this assembly will exceed the performance of any other glow plug/head.
My own experience with this assembly is limited to one series of test runs on a couple of Tee Dees I have been using. Their performance had been substandard, and I had tried other combinations without much improvement. I changed to a new prop style at the same time I changed to the Klause/Nelson head, so there are two variables affecting results, but I got a solid 2,000 rpm increase on two engines with the new combination.
I'm sure each element contributed to the improvement, but the head undoubtedly helped. Equally important was the ease with which I was able to start and needle the engines, despite temperatures in the 40s when I made the tests. I had experimented with Glo Bee heads previously and had a problem experienced by others, i.e., inconsistent sealing. How much of this was my own inexperience I'm not sure, but getting a consistent seal was difficult for me with Glo Bee plugs. When they sealed, I got increased rpm, but plug-to-plug consistency was a problem.
With the onset of winter in the Midwest, I doubt if I will be able to further evaluate this assembly until spring, but it appears that it's worth a look. Catalog listing is stock number KK-2 for the head ($9.95), KK-1 for head and Nelson plug ($12.50). Additional plugs are number KK-3 and are $2.75 each.
Contact Kustom Kraftsmanship at Box 3010, Fallbrook, CA 92028 for further information, and include $1 for their latest price list.
Don Ross advises that his book, Rubber-Powered Flying Models, is now available in its second edition. The first edition of 5,200 copies has sold out, and Don says he has made a few changes. I've added a write-up on Superior Props, improved one of the plans, and added some vendors.
For FFers who delight in making engine-run timers from wind-up toy motors, here is the latest plunder: Magic Screen toy's drive motor is a perfect subject. The toy (and others) are frequently available in the clearance aisle of major toy stores. Good hunting!
FF Duration/Haught
Publishing is now handled by Markowski International, and price is $13.95, plus $1.05 if you wish to order direct from Don at 38 Churchill Rd., Cresskill, NJ 07626.
Ross also advises that the success of his book has led him to gather material for the next step in a possible series, dealing with such topics as construction materials, CO2, electric, gas, and compressed air, in addition to expanded sections on competition rubber models and more plans. If there are topics you feel should be included, please contact the author.
Paul Clark of Watt's Up! forwarded a new product listing for electric flight products. Individual components such as motors and battery packs are listed, as well as complete flight systems, which include battery pack, motor, prop, charging jack, and instructions. A SASE to Box 5702, Hamden, CT 06518 will get you the complete product listing and information on package deals and new items.
Junior FF Team: Chris Weinreich noted in a recent FF Digest the financial problems facing the U.S. Junior FF Team, scheduled to fly in the 1992 World Championships in Czechoslovakia. Less than one-third of the necessary $21,000 has been raised so far. As Chris says, it's time for the Free Flight community to put its money where its mouth is. We can't depend on corporate sponsorship or benevolent benefactors to get the job done. The Junior Worlds Champs is a growing, viable entity which is deserving of our support. It would be a shame and an embarrassment to U.S. Free Flight if quality flyers were left behind due to lack of financial support. Contributions are tax-deductible and may be made out and sent to AMA, earmarked for the Junior FF Team Fund.
Prop Assembly
The previous column (Jan. 1992) announced Lester Garber's kit for building a prop pitch gauge. Photos show the assembled kit with a slight modification which makes prop assembly easier. Two wire pins have been inserted into the angle piece; these pins anchor two strands of sewing thread. This thread has just enough tension to support blades while they are being attached to the spar. The blade slides under the thread and rides at exactly 45 degrees.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
