The Ideal Field Box!!

[MrSteve09]

Hey Guys,...

I've been wanting a new flight box for a couple years now, even when I was still flying RC.  Now that I'm flying control line exclusively, I'm trying to downsize my box for carrying control line specific items (no more electric starter, no more electric fuel pump, battery testers or chargers).  My only requirement  was to have a nice little compartment, hatch, or drawer for my log book.  I drew up a great box and just when I thought I was satisfied with it, I remembered that I wanted some compartments for bug spray and sunscreen, and a small First Aid kit!!

Just curious,... What are your thoughts on an "Ideal Field Box"?  Any pictures would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Steve T.

[Paul Taylor]

The way I see it you need two boxes. One for just the stuff you need to fly with and one box for ever thing else. LOL
I thought about trying to down size but I always need something at the field that I left on the work bench.

[Randy Ryan]

That's how I do it Paul, one small tote with me booster, prop wrenches, a glow plug. and my finger guard. Then I have a large box that stays in the truck most of the time along with my first aid kit.

[Bob Hills]

 HI steve;
         I use a small box for the flightline only stuff. All the rest goes in my trusty 1957 tackle box that went to the 1957 Willow Grove PA nationals. It stays in the trunk until needed.

   Your friend in CL.
    Bob Hills in CT.

[phil myers]

Steve, I like to have as much as I can carry to the take off position, without breaking my arm with weighty stuff. Like the others have said I also have 2 boxes but one is left in the car. (more props,spare tanks,line handles,
first aid kit etc)
Here's a pic of my 'take to the field  every time' box ... Phil

[Ward Van Duzer]

I've been wrestling with this for several years. Best I can offer is some of my ideas...The two box deal is most likely the only way to go. My main consideration is the weight OF THE BOX! When I first came back I was flying R/C. (ugh!)
Built the box huge, out of 1/4" and 3/4" plywood. H E A V Y ! still using it!

Now think light! How about that Corrugated plastic they use for signmaking? Use uprights of Frank Tiano's "mitey-Lite Ply" (1/4" or so) to tie it all together. Wrap the plastic around the uprights to form the sides and bottom. Attach with SS marine screws and collars and epoxy.

Lacking this, there are any number of lightweight cloth "tool boxes" around these days, although may not be terribly suited for carrying fuels, etc.

I also fly smallish airplanes (35's and 36's) so I dont need to drag around 7 1/2 to 8 lbs (a gallon) of fuel. I've found that Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash 1 liter bottles are fuelproof and take my Ketchup bottle pumps. They are clear, flat, and don't take up a lot of room.

Get creative! 


W.

[Paul Taylor]

Here is one that my buddy Mike built. It has almost everything in one box.


If I had room in my truck I would get something like this one I found at Home Depot but It is too tall to sit in the bed of my truck with my lid closed.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xp3/R-100624570/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Put Fuel two gallons of fuel in the bottom and room for everything you need to fly and repair at the field.

[MrSteve09]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions.  I was thinking of still bringing the big R/C box and leaving it in the truck, just in case the engine got stubborn and I needed an electric starter.  However when I fly at he local ball field in town I wanted a smaller light weight box to carry across the field to the diamond way in the back (as not to bother anyone).  Its quite a trek to carry a big heavy box, stooge, and airplane all in one trip.  I even thought of only carrying a half gallon at a time.  I've got a couple nice metal half gallon cans from a maple syrup company. 

I've got a box drawn up that is 18 inches long by 7 1/4 wide, and only 10 inches high to the handle.  Four drawers, 4 1/2 by 7 1/4 compartment on one side for the fuel can (I went with the full gallon can) and a small 2 inches by 7 1/4 for sunscreen bug spray and first aid kit.  Hopefully I can find a small First Aid kit to fit into that space, ha!

Steve T

[Paul Taylor]

Steve,
The thing about that one from Home Depot, it is a caddy. You could roll that with ever thing in it with one hand and carry your plane in the other. Just a thought.

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

I used to have a smaller box that I carried, but I now have arthritis and a few other "itises" so needed something a bit different.  This box is bigger, has everything but the sink in it, and is terrifically portable.  It has wheels on the bottom and a handle that extends out the top.  I am going to make a simple cradle that attaches to the handle that will hold on of my planes for field work.

[Jim Thomerson]

I use a Sig four gallon cardboard fuel box.  The little stuff is in a plastic shoebox inside. 

[Rick Campbell]

Go to Wally Mart and check out the selection of makeup cases, sometimes called "train cases." They look cool, are compact and have plenty of compartments.

[Greg McCoy]

Bob Mears has a kit with wheels, a seat, a solar charger, and launching stooge in one unit.

[Paul Taylor]

Hey look on page 141 of MA some guy has a pit cart!

[Clancy Arnold]

I found these on eBay by searching for "Train Case"
They are all steel reinforced aluminum on wheels with extendable handle

350304843268  size overall 15 3/4 x 11 x 27 high,      price $134.99
170484895615  size overall 14 1/4 x 9 1/2 x 29 high,  price $159.99
350351432355  size overall 15 1/2 x 12 x 30 high,      price $175.99

A company called Caboodles makes a large assortment but try to get through their web site!!!

Clancy

[Chris Gilbert IRL-1638]

is a small backpack!

My flying site is 8 minutes brisk walk from the parking lot, so with a backpack I can carry 2 or 3 models plus all my kit.

I did have to rationalise my kit though. The first thing I realised when I started flying CL again was that I never ever fix at the field. I always bring it home and fix it properly/in comfort, so that immediately reduced the amount of tools I needed to bring (props, plugs and nvas excepted). As things stand I have a small sandwich box for my tools, spare plugs, spanner, glow lead, tweezers, fuel tubing etc etc etc. An even smaller box for my tacho and stop watch. An old screw top candy tube for flicking stick (APCs - I like being attached to all of my fingers), fuelling syringes, glow start leads, screwdrivers, stooge pegs and occasionally props (if they fit). An empty CD container for lines and some towels for cleaning.

About a quart of fuel (its actually a 1 litre plastic can), even if I'm flying 60s that's 9 flights for me, which is more than enough for an average mornings flying (for me).

I use my kneeling mat as extra padding on my back and it has revolutionised my flying. Grab and go.

Handles/stooge in pockets, as well as refreshments, logbook etc

Chris

[Paul Taylor]

is a small backpack!

Now that is a good idea!

[frank williams]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xgl/R-100087613/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[MrSteve09]

Well it is finally built.  All I need to do now is stain and polyurethane it.  I've got two half gallon cans for two different types of fuel.  The First Aid kit, bug spray and sun screen fit neatly in the side pocket.

I've got a couple pictures.  One with the "old" flight box behind it for size comparison.

Thanks for all the suggestions and input.  I appreciate everyone chiming in here with their thoughts and experiences.

I'll keep everyone apprised as to how it actually works in the field.

Steve T.

[Guy B Jr]

Here is a cart that you can use to go from the car to the field. I folds to less than 4 inches.

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/987304/Office-Depot-Mobile-Folding-File-Cart/

[Tim Wescott]

Ketchup bottle pumps.

??

Is that looks like, or is that really from ketchup bottles from the store?

[steven yampolsky]

I am all for light. My flight box is a china carrier similar to this one:




I customized it as such
1) balsa box that fits into a long slot for hardware, fuel lines, filters, tip weights. It takes up 1/3 of the long slot. long slot is where I keep the handle and lines
2) drilled a hole through the side( center of middle slot) with for long bolt with a butterfly nut. I use it for props. I typically carry 2-3 props at most.
3) bought nalgene bottle with a spray pump from US plastics that fits into one of the smaller opennings. I use it to clean the plane
4) one of smaller opennings is used for wrenches, knives, crimper, etc. Another openning is used for the syrenge.
5) Glued a balsa shelf on the opposite side from the props and drilled opennings where crew drivers and allen wrenches go
6) on the narrow side I made a balsa pocket where I keep the tach and stop watch.
7) on the other narrow side I have made a shelf with holes big enough for a couple glow drivers.

The box is made out of poplar so it's very light and can be carried with one hand.

[Jim Kraft]

Sig used to put out a small cardboard flight box with 4 compartments back in the 60's that I used forever. It had a handle in the middle, and carried everything I needed back then. I only flew Fox 35's, so only needed one spare prop, a few tools, and a nicad. I carried a gallon of Superfuel in the other hand. Ah! Things were simple back then. Almost forgot the ribbed black rubber finger protector, as I used a lot of those Top Flight white nylon props back then. As I think back, I wonder how my Sterling mustang profile worked at all. I ran a one of those tall double wedge profile tanks, (non uniflow) and a stock Fox long plug. It flew great though as I remember. It also had the tank centered on the needle. I put a lot of Superfuel through that engine. Oops! I'm rambling again. Sorry

[Robertc]

A few years back, Roy Trantham needed a box to carry fuel and starting equipment when he had events on two different circles as it was
too hard to carry the big field box back and forth, so I came up with this design.  I liked it so much I built one for myself.  Carries the fuel
in the center for balance, space for starter battery, screw drivers, props, prop wrench and other small items.  Hardly ever
take the big box out of the car anymore.

[Clancy Arnold]

How does this one look to you?
On wheels with a retractable handle.

Do an eBay advanced search for "Train Case", "$100 to $200" and "Buy It Now."

Clancy

[Bob Reeves]

Elwyn snapped a photo of Roy Decamara's flight box at Brodaks, pretty unique hope he posts it.

[Greg McCoy]

Sig used to put out a small cardboard flight box with 4 compartments back in the 60's that I used forever. It had a handle in the middle, and carried everything I needed back then. I only flew Fox 35's, so only needed one spare prop, a few tools, and a nicad. I carried a gallon of Superfuel in the other hand. Ah! Things were simple back then. Almost forgot the ribbed black rubber finger protector, as I used a lot of those Top Flight white nylon props back then. As I think back, I wonder how my Sterling mustang profile worked at all. I ran a one of those tall double wedge profile tanks, (non uniflow) and a stock Fox long plug. It flew great though as I remember. It also had the tank centered on the needle. I put a lot of Superfuel through that engine. Oops! I'm rambling again. Sorry

The Sig box would slip over the handlebar of a Schwinn. Kit box on the handlebar, Ringmaster tucked under the arm, I was ready when the Dynajets called. We didn't have web-cams then, we had Dynajets.

[Bob Reeves]

We still have Dynajets.. We will fire one up next weekend at the Traithalon for a few rounds. (we hope).

[john e. holliday]

I use one of those big black things on wheels.  But after dragging it around for five years. I bought a pair of "cargo" pants. Now I carry what I need in six big pockets.  Exept fuel, that I do before going to the circle. Only problem now, is my pants keep falling down....

Hey Ty, suspenders will take care of that.    LL~When ever I wear a belt, I feel naked.

[Elwyn Aud]

The ultimate in simplicity. Looks like it's also serving it's original purpose as well.

[MrSteve09]

Hey Guys,...

I'm finally finished my "Ideal" Flight Box!!  I know its been a while,... I'm slow, what can I say.

Here are a few pictures.  The center drawer has a plastic organizer in it which may be too big, taking up too much space.  I'd like to buy a smaller one to give myself more room in the drawer for stop watch, tach, prop reamer, and other small tools.  I'm looking for a nice set of Ignition Wrenches.  I have an old set I permanently borrowed from my father and they are six point wrenches, whereas the new set that I got from Sears is a twelve pointed wrench set.  I just don't get a warm fuzzy using the twelve point wrench as I'm always afraid it will slip and round off.

Just little details to take care of but I'm planning on pressing the new flight box into service the next time I go flying!!

Thanks for everyones input, suggestions, and constructive comments.  I appreciate all the responses and discussion.

Sincerely,
Steve T.

[Jim Kraft]

Beautiful job, and functional too. Very nice looking Cardnal also.

[Wynn Robins]

Could always use the A$$ bucket like my mate Dave....

[Steve Helmick]

I think this is about the ultimate pit box, designed, made, and given to me by Gary Letsinger. Check the fab joinery! It's a nice fit for what I carry. Three glow ignitors, plus a lead that plugs into the meter panel for a 4th backup. Carhartt glove plus the Kavan starter. A few extra fuel tank caps and tools, but no spare glowplugs, no props.

My main toolbox is a yellow & grey plastic unit made by Plano. The three "drawers" are lidded plastic boxes, and there's the space in the top. I carry tools in the bottom box, along with chargers for the starter pack, ignitors, etc., some spares in the middle box (mufflers, spinners, fuel filters, glowplugs), some fuel hose, fresh sub-C batteries, etc. In the top are lines and handles, packed as matched sets for various planes, in ziplock bags. There's my extra double dark sun glasses, and a box of rubber bands, some spare props,  some sidewalk chalk in a zip bag, for marking the circle center, and a small halon fire extenguisher.   Steve

http://www.planomolding.com/2010/07/stow%E2%80%99n-go/

This is about like mine, except for color.
http://www.planomolding.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/1363-20.jpg

[Dwayne]

I have 3 that I use, the Hobico is what I use when I travel, the brown box is what I use when I go to the local park but need a starter and the cardboard box I use when I don't need a starter.