FREE FLIGHT OLD-TIMERS
By Bill Baker — 1902 Peter Pan, Norman, OK 73072
Earl Stahl Commemorative
It will be history by the time this is published, but I just learned via the August issue of SAM Speaks that the 1997 SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) Champs was named "The Earl Stahl Commemorative." It's a well-deserved honor; even people who have never built a Stahl design may have several of his plans in their "rainy day box."
The rainy day box (RDB) is what I call the collection of plans and kits some people have that they go through from time to time, thinking of future projects (especially Scale masterworks). They reverently put the potential projects away and construct another Stratostreak.
I built a couple of Earl's Rubber Scale designs—the Rearwin Speedster and the Skyfarer. Both were fine fliers, and I still have many of his other plans in my RDB. I don't think he knows that he has admirers worldwide—his plans are works of art.
He was a Duration flier before he turned to Scale, and his fine Wakefield—the Gypsy—was once on the US Wakefield team. His Scale designs, unlike many Scale models published or kitted in the Old-Timer era, were flyable because of his Duration experience. Some of them could benefit from moving the rear rubber holding tube (or dowel) forward a couple of bays, which results in a lighter model; less nose weight is needed for proper center of gravity.
It was the fashion in the 1930s for most models, Duration or Scale, to have the rubber motor extend as far aft as possible. Now it's known that it's better to move the motor forward and to braid it if more turns are desired. Other than that, the designs are very modern, except that sometimes they do not make clear the need for a removable nose block, and no down-right thrust is shown on the plans. It's not the designer's fault; it was the standard practice of the time.
Berkeley Models and W.E. Technical Services
The top photo of the Custom Cavalier was loaned to me by Bill Effinger, who owned a major kit manufacturer, Berkeley Models, for many years. Now he's in the plans business as W.E. Technical Services, advertising in most model magazines. Bill's plans are of high quality, with separate parts and template sheets and instructions.
He advertises mostly larger Radio Control (RC) Scale plans, but he also has some of the great Berkeley Free Flight (FF) designs, including Korda's Powerhouse, the Sinbad glider, and the Super Buccaneer. Plans are generally offered in several sizes. A catalog is available from him for $1 at 3206-E Post Woods Drive, Atlanta, GA 30339.
Gary Brown's Thunderbird
The bottom photo is Gary Brown's (Liverpool, NY) Thunderbird. According to my 1996 edition of the SAM-approved designs list, the design was kitted in 1938 by New Cyclone in 45-, 66-, and 72-inch versions. Gary built the 66-inch version and reported that it flies beautifully on a 23-year-old OS .20 for sport RC. It seems to be a nice choice to build for something different and seldom seen, and it would be a good Free Flight pick for the 30-Second Antique event.
Gary and I think alike when it comes to powering these old models for RC flying; I have a 72-inch Comet Clipper powered by a .19 that is so old, I think the connecting rod only occasionally hits the wrist pin. No Nelsons on 60% nitro for us!
Bob Holman Plans
For many years Bob Holman Plans has advertised his line of Scale plans and kits (many imported from England and Europe) in the magazines, but not so well known is Bob's hobby—flying Old-Timers! He sent me a note to let me know that he has a laser cutter and will be making his rigs for Old-Timer FF plans. He has much experience cutting parts for the complex Scale models in his line.
For the RC contest crowd he markets the Hot Spot, a combination transistorized ignition and ignition cutoff. It weighs 1/2 ounce and costs $40 plus postage and handling.
Contact:
- Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino, CA 92402
- Tel.: (909) 885-3959
- Fax: (909) 889-9307
- E-mail: bhplans@aol.com
Hand-Launch Gliders, HLG Plans, and the Twiggy
In 10 years of doing this column, the most gratifying thing I have experienced is the many letters that I got as a result of my offer to supply old HLG (Hand-Launch Glider) plans. I enjoyed sharing the memories, and was pleased that so many people wanted to share their joy of flying with grandchildren or neighborhood kids using the same designs, such as the Thermic 18-20 that they had enjoyed so much. Several were teachers with school clubs or classes in model building.
To them and to all who are looking for a model to follow the Delta Dart, I recommend a design published in the July 1976 Model Aviation — the Twiggy, designed by Clarence Mather. It uses a North Pacific front-end unit of propeller, landing gear, and bearing, giving automatically correct down and right thrust. The right wing is a bit longer in span than the left; the right thrust pulls the model to the right. The extra area gives a left roll so you get an ROG (Rise-Off-Ground) with a lovely right spiral climb, with no tricky adjustments!
According to my Model Aviation plans catalog, which does not list the plan (Editor's note: It was printed full-size), you can order copies of the construction articles from the librarian, extension 505; Tel.: (765) 287-1256. The model will delight kids; it will ROG and climb to the ceiling of their school gym and land on its wheels. It's made of strips, with no ribs to cut out. Bravo, Clarence!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
