FREE FLIGHT OLD-TIMERS
Bill Baker
1902 Peter Pan, Norman OK 73072
MY FAVORITE TYPE OF COLUMN TO WRITE is the kind that stays on one subject, and I get to try to teach something out of my experience. This is not one of those.
I need to get a lot of short and somewhat unrelated things in this time, so that I can get to do something else next time. Since so many of our suppliers are too small to advertise much, and since most of the letters I get are "where can I get ... ?" this sort of data is appreciated by many readers.
Plans
- Jim O'Reilly (4760 North Battin, Wichita KS 67220) has produced a plans catalog for Old-Timer models. I had asked him to redo a couple of Earl Stahl plans; he did the 36-inch Defiant and a P-51D. More could be coming if there is a good response. The Defiant has long been on my "must do someday" list but I avoided it because I didn't like the fragile fuselage that comes from half-shell formers. If you feel the same, encourage Jim by buying some plans (maybe for your wife's birthday). Send $2 for his rapidly growing catalog.
- Joe Wagner (Box 15, New Wilmington PA 16142) has redone some designs he did for Veco years ago, updating them for current engines (Cox .049) and for scratch building. The Dakota and the Sioux are sport models adaptable for electric power (Joe shows how). The Dakota biplane is a great small-field flier, meant to fly in tight circles. The Comanche is a contest performer for NFFS Nostalgia or Payload events. Seven dollars will get you either of these or the Veco Taylor Cub; all are 1/2A size.
- (Note: he is not the Joe Wagner who was associated with a reproduction engine project; he still gets misdirected letters.)
Kits
- Herr Engineering has a J-3 Cub kit (and, by the time you read this, there should also be a Ryan STA). I have seen the J-3 kit and the quality is very impressive. The laser-cut wing ribs simulate diagonal structures as if the rib had been made on a jig, with top and bottom strips, uprights, and diagonals.
- Campbell's Custom Kits (Aerbo) — Campbell's Custom Kits, 4402 Weddel, Dearborn Heights MI 48125. The Aerbo was (and is) a Class A Ignition model for .19s, but it is also a nice size for glow .049–.09 engines and perhaps even for the 1/2A Texaco RC event. I would judge it unsuitable for free flight Texaco, as Texaco designs tend to be much larger. The kit is good quality, with ribs nicely hand-cut.
Rubber Model Propellers
- Superior Props (2412 Tucson Ave, Pensacola FL 32526) sells rubber model propellers: freewheeler or folding, Z-bar or wooden hub, and some specifically intended for popular Old-Timer models. They will even make a prop to your plan—just send the plan. Send a couple of bucks for the catalog. Several friends assure me the quality is high. They also have a neat freewheeling device in sizes for 3/32, 1/16, and 3/64 shafts.
Reproduction Old-Timer Ignition and Diesel Engines, and Accessories
- Karl Spielmaker (4690 Burlingame SW, Wyoming MI 49509) is making Dennymites and may do another run of Megow .19s later. I had one of the first run years ago and it was a good runner, comparable to a good O&R .19 sideport.
- RJL Industries (Box 5, Sierra Madre CA 91025) publishes a newsletter called The Model Engine Enthusiast (25 cents; published "whenever we want"). The winter 1994–95 issue is packed with items such as reproduction Edco Sky Devils, Cunningham Bluestreaks (modified Orwicks), various diesels, and plans to make Holland Hornets from the original tooling (a resumption of production, not reproductions). They have Forster .29, .35, and .99 engines and are asking about interest in making a Viking twin.
- Argo USA (3229 Dianora Drive, Palos Verdes Peninsula CA 90274) carries a full range of ignition supplies, plugs, coils, and the like. They make their own Elfins rather than import them. This high-performance diesel is SAM-legal for Class A Ignition and is popular because it is not handicapped by the weight of an ignition system.
- Donald K. Belote (15731 Five Point Road, Perrysburg OH 43551) makes reproduction Deezil engines — a .125 design that resembles a Mills. These Deezils are said to run well, a great improvement over the originals. Donald says they will power models such as a Playboy Jr. or a Berkeley Brigadier.
- William E. Daniel (741 Printz Road, Arroyo Grande CA 93420-5143; Tel: [805] 473-0822) makes reproduction parts for various old engines, especially Orwicks, Bunches, and Contestors, and has casting kits for a Lewis engine (recommended for experienced machinists only).
Other Products
- Sky Shine — a holographic sticky-back film available from Phil Pearce (111 E. Geneva, Tempe AZ 85282) for $4. It flashes and shines on a turning model; you can see the flash after a model is OOS.
Fuels
A final word on fuels. I do dumb things sometimes, like assuming people read SAM rules on ignition fuels. SAM RC events only allow gas-and-oil, but for free flight you can use alcohols or gas. If you can use only oil, be aware that with ether as the gas the best thing, in my opinion, is to use Blenheim, which is similar to castor oil and will mix with other gas or alcohol. It's available from Indy RC and many other sources.
You can use gas in free flight, but Bill Schmidt says, "one should use FAI fuel (alcohol/oil) where rules allow ... and we allow FAI in RC at Wichita because we get better running, cooler running, and longer plug life." Bill warns against the use of Coleman lantern fuel as a white gas substitute. It is naphtha; it burns very hot; and is only 56 octane.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
