FREE FLIGHT OLD-TIMERS
Bill Baker, 1902 Peter Pan, Norman OK 73072
Selecting a design to build is a very personal and multifactorial thing. Sometimes you want to build something that you have "roots" in, such as a model that you built in your youth; sometimes you pick one that is appealing in appearance; and sometimes a selection is made on the basis of having never built a particular design.
The last reason provides some explanation of why I built a Dakota from Joe Wagner's plans; my friends had these models in the 1950s, but I was too busy building Zeeks and Fu-Bars to bother with a mere "sport" model. So, in a fit of going back to that time, I pulled out a plan that Joe gave me some time ago and built it for one of the OK Cub .049 engines that have become available again. It has been a fun project.
The Dakota trims out with right rudder working against left thrust. With these forces balanced out, the climb is in a tight spiral to the left, and the glide to the right is also a tight turn—good enough for a soft landing, and not likely to thermal, which is why the Dakota is a great small-field flier. I used a Texas Timer on my model to help keep it out of the downwind trees.
When Joe gets unpacked at his new house, he will have plans—updated to show electric power as an alternative—and some of his other designs for sale. For the price list, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to Joe at 927 Pine Ave., Ozark AL 36360.
While visiting my 1950s memories, I thought of my happy days of flying control line and decided to build a CL model to fly "one more time." Thinking of all of the models that I flew in the '50s, I could not decide on one that stood out above all others, then I remembered the Nobler. As with the Dakota, I never did build one, so I am building one now. Well, no—I am building two.
One is a reproduction from some cottage industry (no name on the box or plan) of the Top Flite kit, and the other is the Brodak reproduction of the 1957 Nobler, which is the original by George Aldrich. The two Noblers differ mainly in some structural detail.
I believe that I have discovered the "secret" of the Nobler's competition success: it is light. Building the wing is a serious challenge; a main spar of 1/16" sheet is a bit more fragile than what I am used to. However, it is fun anyway.
It is nice to find that I can still do some of the things I did 50 years ago; I used to be able to run faster, jump higher, dive deeper and stay under longer, and come up drier than I can now.
When it comes to revisiting my youth, I think of the Zeeks and Fu-Bars, and I am currently building them from the Campbell's kits. These are better kits than the original—especially when it comes to quality of materials.
I have a 575-square-inch Zeek plan that I got years ago from Harry Murphy, and I might make that one for radio-control assist; I don't have space for a free-flight model of that performance level. Harry has Zeek plans for sale, scaled to nine sizes—from 144 to 575 square inches—to suit various power levels. Send him an SASE for his list of these and other plans at Murphy Models, 3824 Oakwood Blvd., Anderson IN 46011.
An approach to small-field flying, as suggested by an old flying buddy (OFB), Loren Dietrich, is to scale the models down. His favorite models are mostly Earl Stahl designs, but the Gypsy and the High Climber fly too well for his field. Since he can't make the field larger, he reduced the size of the models.
Send Loren a large SASE and a buck for a copy of his half-size High Climber, and maybe he will include the Gypsy. The models fly very well, and do about 30–40 seconds—about right for a schoolyard or park. Loren's address is 192 West Palm Ave., Reedley CA 93654.
Speaking of flying-field problems, a piece in the Thumb Print, the newsletter of the Thermal Thumbers of Metro Atlanta GA, reported that there was an official warning about water buffalo, crocodiles, and assorted snakes at the 1997 Australian Nationals (held on a 404-square-mile site near Darwin). Crocodile insurance at "reasonable rates" was offered to fliers.
Contacts and Resources
- Joe Wagner — Plans and designs (updated for electric power): 927 Pine Ave., Ozark AL 36360 (send SASE)
- Harry Murphy — Zeek plans (scaled 144–575 sq in): Murphy Models, 3824 Oakwood Blvd., Anderson IN 46011 (send SASE)
- Loren Dietrich — Half-size High Climber (send large SASE + $1): 192 West Palm Ave., Reedley CA 93654
- Thermal Thumbers (newsletter: Thumb Print) — report on Australian Nationals wildlife advisory
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
