DURATION
Bob Meuser
New Free Flight Club
We are pleased to announce the formation of the Nashville Free Flight Society, complete with a classy logo and already a prestigious honorary member: Mr. E. T. Packard, founder and president of Cleveland Model and Supply Co. (Plans of the classic FF Scale Cleveland kits are still available, incidentally.) Principal founder and president is Orville C. "Ocie" Stewart, who needs no introduction to the Free Flight community.
Other officers include:
- Harry Whitiver, VP
- Nancy Durr, recording secretary
- Steve Durr, chief chaser
- Roland Baker, Jr., membership chairman
Roland Baker, who is Chief Pilot for Northern Telecom, is the contact if you want to join or learn more about the club. Address: 6640 Ellesmere Rd., Nashville, TN 37205. Welcome aboard!
Paul Plecan — Packet Project
Paul Plecan is active again. You’ll recognize his three-views, illustrations, and model designs from the Golden Era of model aviation. His private venture, the Packet Project, offers comprehensive construction packets for scale models.
Each Packet contains two full-size construction plans plus voluminous instructions. Plans are printed on both sides of a 22 x 34 in. sheet. Subjects will be scale models in the 20– to 30–in. wingspan range. Price: $4.00 per packet; subscription discounts are available (e.g., five packs for $3.00 each). Paul notes that, even at $4.00, you get more plan area per dollar than many magazine plan services, plus a full instruction sheet.
Issue No. 1 includes:
- A 30-in. Pilatus–Fairchild Turbo Porter (derived from Bill Hannan's Peanut Scale model). Porter plans include large-size three-views of the prototype for "proof of scale."
- Tornado II, Paul's old-timer gas model (originally powered by a Bantam .14; a reed-valve .049 is suggested as a suitable substitute).
Planned and possible future Packet subjects include:
- 31-in. Page Navy Racer
- 26-in. BD-4
- 20-in. Nesmith Cougar
- Possibly a P-6E Hawk, Grumman F2F-1, 25-in. Laird Pesco Special, etc.
Paul also has a variety of plans, publications, and materials in stock—ask for his complete price list. Contact: Paul Plecan, 3023 Saratoga St., Riverside, CA 92503.
Free Flight: Duration
Designing a record-breaking autogiro
Designing models isn't easy, as we have ample evidence. The big secret is: mix and match proven components until they work together. For my record-breaking autogiro I combined:
- a pair of rotors and a wing originally intended as experimental replacements,
- the stab and rudder from a too-light P-30,
- the fuselage from a small Unlimited Rubber model (originally built to use the wing and tail from an abandoned Jetex-powered model),
- the prop from an unfinished Coupe d'Hiver model.
Presto! A homogeneous, integrated system that actually became—using NASA terminology—"actualized." Hodgepodge as it is, I doubt I'd have made it much different starting from scratch. I tried an egg-crate rudder even though I dislike that type of construction — like broccoli: yuch!
My earlier 'giro (July 1979) was essentially an outdoor model but looked like an indoor model, so Number 2 was built in the true outdoor idiom. The earlier model had a fixed wing equal to only 50% of the area allowed by AMA rules (the rules state that fixed wing area cannot exceed rotor area). The new model has almost the maximum fixed-wing area allowed. I prefer the rules allowed zero fixed-wing area, but when you're out to win and set records it pays to push the limits of the rules without compromising their intent. I also built a zero-area "wing" but haven't tested it yet. It is no secret that fixed-wing aircraft fly better than true autogiros, so the more fixed wing you have, generally the better.
QQ-II performance and record attempts
QQ-II approximates a genuine outdoor competition machine. On about two-thirds of demonstrated full winds, the motor run is about 1:40; altitude is roughly 250 ft; still-air flight duration around 2:30. On its first official flight it was accidentally launched into a light early-morning thermal, dethermalized at the field edge for a score of 4:04. So it will fly, climb, max, and DT on command—everything a competition Free Flight model should do.
In mid-1979 I thought I had set a Cat. I record, beating the old one with only two of the allowed three flights, but an administrative glitch forced me to withdraw the application (read the rule book more often and more closely). Early this year I set an official Cat. III record with the machine, but the model wasn't flying well and I had forgotten my winding tube, so I was reluctant to really wind it up. There'll be other opportunities.
Dethermalizing an autogiro
How do you dethermalize an autogiro? With the stabilizer popped up, the model descends vertically, but the rotors can keep it aloft in a strong thermal. The solution: stop the rotors from turning.
I devised a gadget with two springy arms that poke up into the rotor blade paths, held against a stop by a spring. A thread keeps the arms retracted until DT. The thread goes to the traditional fuse-and-rubber-band system; a second thread goes to the tail. It worked fine, though it was a nuisance to rig.
Supertigre G-15 Bearings
After years of silence about Supertigre G-15 engines, I recently received two related letters about the special rear bearings for the G-15. Those rear mains were a special size: 10 mm bore, 24 mm o.d., 7 mm width. U.S. distributors have long since run out.
Retail price is $11.50 if you can find one. Jim's Hobby Shop carries them (price $8.95 plus postage). Contact: Jim Harris, Jim's Hobby Shop, 4223 Ridgedale, Mesquite, TX 75150. If you phone, please do so after 6 p.m. (Texas time). Jim also buys, sells, and reworks engines, though he has limitations on brands.
Will the person who tipped me off on the bearings please contact me? His letter has been misfiled (i.e., lost).
Directory update
The April 1980 issue of this column included a directory of suppliers of Free Flight paraphernalia—plans, parts, kits, materials, etc. We are preparing an updated version. All those listed in April should have received an inquiry from me by now, along with any other suppliers who have come to my attention in the interim.
If you were listed but did not receive an inquiry, if you were not listed and feel you should have been, or if you know of anyone who should be listed, please contact me immediately. I want the list as complete as possible, but I cannot list suppliers I do not know about.
Call for papers — 1981 NFFS Symposium
The National Free Flight Society is soliciting papers for the 1981 NFFS Symposium to be held at the 1981 Nats. Papers will be published in the 1981 Symposium volume whether or not the author is able to present in person.
Papers should cover aspects of the science or art of Free Flight models, including technical studies, practical design and engineering, new or unusual model aircraft developments, or historical items. Both indoor and outdoor Free Flight developments are included.
Please send proposed papers to: Jim Bennett, 324 Helfenstein Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119.
Send the title of the proposed paper, together with an abstract of 200 words or more, or a complete paper if available. Abstracts should be submitted as soon as possible, and preferably within a month after publication of this notice. The editor would like to have a complete list of material to be published by December 31, 1980.
Cargo record
In the August 1980 issue I reported Roman Ramirez breaking the Cargo record with a two-flight total of 83.42 oz. He has since improved that several times. In a series of 12 flights his totals were:
- 90 oz. after three flights
- 92 oz. after eight flights
- 94.16 oz. after 11 flights
(Does that entitle him to three Certificates of National Record?)
World Champs T-shirts
A few World Champs T-shirts remain at a reduced price of $5.00 each, postpaid. These are the "official" shirts issued by the NFFS to team members and managers. Order from: Steve Geraghty, 194 Vista Del Monte, Los Gatos, CA 95030.
Bob Meuser 4200 Gregory St., Oakland, CA 94619
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
