Free Flight: Old-Timers
Clarence Haught
Master Craftsman
Herb Wahl has been deeply involved in modeling and the production of ignition engines, parts, and services for many years. Since 1965 he has participated in no fewer than four major engine-building projects.
His projects have included:
- Hurleman engines — made using many original parts combined with newly manufactured ones; these engines are identified by Herb's serial numbers and markings and are clearly distinguished from originals.
- Anniversary Brown Jr. engines produced in limited quantity.
- Wahl‑Brown Jr. Classic, Custom, and Special engines.
- Ohlsson Commemorative engines.
- A wide range of replacement parts, including spark plugs, coils, condensers, and other accessories.
Herb is particular about identification: his engines are not replicas but are clearly identifiable by composite design or special markings.
New project: Lykens Brown continuation
- Bill Brown, designer of the Brown Junior, produced 100 Lykens Brown engines in the mid‑1930s. These .12 cubic‑inch engines were an advanced reverse‑loop‑scavenged design for their time and resembled the larger Brown Junior in appearance.
- The new production will be a continuation of the original Lykens Brown line. The new engines will begin with serial number 101.
- Bill Brown, assisted by his son Dave, will do most of the production; Herb will perform selected functions in the process.
- The engines will be made using original construction methods (including sand castings) and will be distinguishable from the original 100. They will be officially known as the Lykens Brown Ltd.
- Engines will be shipped without spark plugs so purchasers may fit original Champion V‑2 plugs if they wish. Herb does have Japanese V‑2 1/8‑32 plugs available, plus coils, condensers, and related parts.
- Each engine will include a booklet prepared by Bill Brown giving the history and interesting facts about its creation.
Orders and contact:
- Sole distributor: Herb's Model Motors, Box 61, Forksville, PA 18618.
- Write for details on Lykens Brown Ltd., Brown Jr., Hurleman engines, and parts.
- Orders will be filled in the order received; serious inquiries may call (717) 924‑3892.
Catalogs and Stuff
The Willamette Modelers Club, Inc. has a few copies of the Directory of Northwest Area Free Flighters — 1985 available. This 21‑page directory lists known free fliers in the Pacific Northwest and includes interest areas and events flown. It can be useful for contacts, vacationers, and vendors of specialized free flight products. Send $1 to:
Bob Stalick 5066 N.W. Picadilly Circle Albany, OR 97321
There is also a special issue devoted to the Ohlsson engine series — a comprehensive account of the series and related history. To obtain a back issue or subscribe:
- Mailing address: Tim Dannel, P.O. Box 15162, Lakewood, CO 80215.
- A back issue is available (around $1.50); an additional $7.50 will place you on the mailing list for the next six issues.
Four‑cycle Free Flight?
A thought to consider: a Free Flight Gas Endurance event powered by small four‑stroke (pushrod) engines. Some points and ideas:
- Critics of modern competitive Free Flight often call for less‑competitive, more "fun" events (similar to RC fun flies). One possibility is to create a more laid‑back gas event that highlights the pleasant, low‑key sound and longer runs of small four‑stroke engines.
- Using the engine‑equivalence rules sometimes applied by RC SAM (conventional engines given a 40% displacement handicap versus two‑cycle engines), examples of equivalence could be:
- .15 two‑cycle → .21 four‑cycle
- .35 two‑cycle → .45 four‑cycle
- .40 two‑cycle → .60 four‑cycle
Model design and event character
- Four‑cycle powerplants may not suit modern high‑performance Free Flight designs (Satellite, Shocker, etc.). Instead, they fit scale‑like, antique cabin models (Thirties style) that favor ROG launches, slower climb‑outs, and a more relaxed flying experience.
- A benefit could be the ability to fly gas models on smaller fields with much longer engine runs compared to current standard Gas events.
Event scope and rules
- This idea is not a proposal to allow four‑cycle engines into existing SAM Free Flight events. Rather, it could be a separate event that breaks away from the regulated lists of approved Old‑Timer designs.
- One suggested framework is the "Old Ruler" concept (credited to Bob Oslan): models that meet the old AMA rules of 1941 are free to be designed, built, and modified within those parameters. Basic points of the 1941 AMA rules include:
- Minimum power loading: 80 ounces per cubic inch of engine displacement.
- Minimum wing loading: 8 ounces per square foot of projected area.
- ROG (rise‑off‑ground) requirement.
- Minimum fuselage cross‑section: 1/2" square.
- "L" is defined as the length of the fuselage from the center of the prop shaft to the aft end of the fuselage.
The combination of four‑cycle engines and an Old Ruler‑style rule set could create an enjoyable, scale‑oriented Slow Free Flight event. Worth a try — whadayathink?
See ya downwind!
Harry Murphy 3824 Oakwood Blvd. Anderson, IN 46011
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
