Author Topic: 7th Annual Worldwide Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon (Read 11825 times)

John Cralley · « **on:** July 17, 2014, 10:19:56 AM »

July 16, 2014

In just a bit over two months Control line modelers around the world can celebrate their hobby by joining in the Brotherhood of the Ring’s “7th Annual Worldwide Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon”!!! All you have to do to participate in the Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon is fly some form of Ringmaster control line model on the first weekend of October and report your flights to the official email address flyathon2014@yahoo.com

This event is NOT a contest and no registration or entry fees are required. You just need to fly a “Ringmaster” sometime during October 4th and/or 5th and report your flights!! The Ringmaster can be any of the numerous varieties of this model that have been designed since the Matt Kania original Sterling S-1 model which was released in 1950.

Last year we recorded 2334 flights around the world and the goal for 2014 is to record 2500 or more flights. The reported flights are tabulated by members of the Brotherhood of the Ring (a group of Ringmaster lovers) and reported on WEB forums devoted to Control Line modeling. Copies of the final tabulation are also emailed back to all reporters.

A file (s) for the official flyer announcing the Fly-A-Thon is attached to this post. The flyer lists the simple rules and the email address for reporting your participation.

Ringmaster models are common in the USA and Canada but less so in other countries. Since you need a Ringmaster model to join the Fly-A-Thon, I have three PDF plans files which I will email to anyone who wishes to use them to build your own Ringmaster. They are plans for the original Sterling S-1 Ringmaster, the Sterling Baby Ringmaster (1/2 A) and the Sterling Beginner’s Ringmaster (sheet winged ½ A). Just send me an email request and I will attach the plans file (s) to my reply. jccrall@frontier.com

Several companies sell laser cut Ringmaster kits and or plans. Google “Ringmaster laser kit” and you will find a number of sources for kits. An S-1 Ringmaster can be assembled in a few evenings and the ½ A versions can be built ready to paint in a single evening.

A wealth of information about Ringmaster models is contained in the Brotherhood of the Ring forum www.brotherhoodofthering.info In order to view and post on this forum, you must join (register) the forum. You must use your real name and a valid email address when you register for the forum or you will not be approved to join.

Here are the links again:
1)   To get files for Ringmaster plans: jccrall@frontier.com
2)   To join the Brotherhood of the Ring Forum: www.brotherhoodofthering.info
3)   To report flights for the Fly-A-Thon: flyathon2014@yahoo.com
If your have a facebook account, you may wish to check out my facebook Group “The Annual Worldwide Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon.” It is an easy way to keep informed about the Fly-A-Thon and other Ringmaster information. https://www.facebook.com/groups/RingmasterFlyAThon/

Please join us this October and be part of the world’s largest control line modeling EVENT!!

John Cralley,
For the “Brotherhood of the Ring”

john e. holliday · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2014, 04:49:27 PM »

I think I'm ready. I have two S-1 Ringmasters, one 1/2A Stuntin Ringmaster, a Junior Ringmaster set up with throttle, a Stuntin Ringmaster and finishing up a Ringmaster Imperial along with a Super Ringmaster. Hope it is warmer this year as last I about froze my back side off. That parka sure felt good.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2014, 04:03:51 AM »

Bummer!

I don't think my Super Ringmaster converted to a P-40 Warhawk will qualify for the event?

However, there are quick options. Brodak offers the Ringmaster as an ARF.

That could work.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2014, 09:58:57 AM »

But, you would never get it done in time.

Couldn't help it as I know you like to change things and then go back and change again. It's the side of me some people know about.

Avaiojet · « **Reply #4 on:** July 18, 2014, 10:33:44 AM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on July 18, 2014, 09:58:57 AM

But, you would never get it done in time.

Couldn't help it as I know you like to change things and then go back and change again. It's the side of me some people know about.

John,

I'm trying.

Marcelo Cremon · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2014, 02:28:40 PM »

Hello Brother John, let's again do in Brazil a great event!

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2014, 04:46:46 PM »

We'll get more than 200 flights... And I myself will get more than 50...
Hail Ringmaster!!

Marcuss

John Cralley · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2014, 06:53:26 PM »

Marcus and Cremon,

We are counting on you to come through with big numbers again this year.

Celebrate control line modeling by flying in the Annual Worldwide Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon!!

John Cralley · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2014, 01:23:30 PM »

Pat King has a huge Ringmaster Triplane laser cut kit. Now if you want to do something spectacular for the 7th Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon build one of those and put it through the pattern first weekend in October.

Probably ought to have it on a throttle! LOL

See this SH link: http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php/topic,35950.0.html

Dane Martin · « **Reply #9 on:** July 19, 2014, 07:10:07 PM »

here's the slightly smaller version of Pat Kings triplane. flown with an os 53fs
id like to get his ringmaster Xwing built before the event, but I'm building the ringmaster 800 right now!

John Cralley · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2014, 02:20:37 PM »

Man that is one pretty bird!! Will it do the full pattern??

John Cralley · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2014, 03:48:08 PM »

Now here is a chance to fly in a great contest and rack up flights for the 7th Annual Worldwide Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon at the same time!!!

This year Dee Rice is holding the Ringmaster Roundup in Houston, TX on October 3rd through the 5th! Flights on the 4th and 5th will count for the Fly-A-Thon.

This is a great contest where one fee gets you in to fly both Saturday and Sunday. Original Old Time eligible S-1 Ringmasters ONLY for the Saturday PAMPA stunt (all levels - BIAE) and the Sunday Team Stunt events. Friday is practice and two "fun" events: Balloon burst and Fast/Slow flights. Any variety of Ringmaster can be flown on Friday for those two events ($5 entry fee for each of the "fun" events).

Dee has great prizes and everyone goes away with a prize (you must be there Sunday for the prize lottery). I scored a $50 Brodak gift certificate a couple of years ago!! Also if you preregister you will get a Ringmaster engraved "crystal" mug too!!!

Files for the event are attached below. Take a look at them and even if you are not going to make it to Houston your club might want to do a "Mini" Roundup for the Fly-A-Thon!!

EddyR · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2014, 08:17:48 PM »

I am building a 1/2A Little Super Ringmaster. It is half size.
Ed

Mike Keville · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2014, 09:15:58 PM »

Wish I could join in, but the travel is just not in the budget this year. Hope everyone has fun!

bob whitney · « **Reply #14 on:** August 29, 2014, 09:36:39 PM »

Mike arent u guys having a Ringmaster flyin in Tucson ??

Mike Keville · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2014, 09:46:25 PM »

Beats the crap out of me. I'm pretty much out of it these days.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2014, 08:21:07 AM »

Too far for the old DOC also. Brodaks did it for me this year. Besides Melvin makes me fly when I don't want to. He is meaner then me.

John Cralley · « **Reply #17 on:** September 07, 2014, 03:22:30 PM »

OK seems Murphy strikes again!!!

The plans file that we have been supplying for the original S-1 Ringmaster turns out to have rib 7 shown as a bit undersized! These plans have been around for several years and nobody has complained up until now ---- anyway attached to this post is the file with rib 7 shown as the correct size!

Really sorry about that (I have never used the plans to build an S-1 -- I already had three and that is enough for me). I intend to have a few words with Murphy if I ever get to meet him!!!!

Dane Martin · « **Reply #18 on:** September 07, 2014, 04:21:01 PM »

Quote from: John Cralley on July 20, 2014, 02:20:37 PM

Man that is one pretty bird!! Will it do the full pattern??

sorry John! i missed your question. i didn't try it, but the stability and power were all there, leading me to believe it will. the controls felt great, and the maneuvers i did were spot on.

John Cralley · « **Reply #19 on:** October 03, 2014, 01:22:50 PM »

It all starts tomorrow!! Just two days of Ringmaster flying!!

In some places in North and South America the weather is a potential problem. I don't know about the rest of the world but I hope that Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia give us some good results.

Report your flights to: flyathon2014@yahoo.com

The deadline for getting in your report is 12:00 noon EDT (Eastern Daylight Time USA) Tuesday October 7th!!

Hope everyone has fun and that you introduce some new persons to Control Line model aviation!!

Feel free to post your information here (photos/stories/tallies) but that will NOT be counted!! You have to email your report to the address above!!!

Bill Barber · « **Reply #20 on:** October 03, 2014, 01:41:45 PM »

I will have a Ringmaster available at the 14th Hi Johnson Memorial in Van Nuys , Ca
this Saturday & Sunday .

Doug Burright · « **Reply #21 on:** October 03, 2014, 10:52:08 PM »

These are the Ringmasters that make up my arsenal for this weekend's 7th Annual Fly-A-Thon:

John McFayden · « **Reply #22 on:** October 04, 2014, 07:04:20 PM »

In Burlington Ontario Canada we managed 55 flights today. Temp of 50F and winds gusting 20 to 25 mph but the forecast rain did not arrive. Landing a Ringmaster in that much wind was a real challenge. John McFayden

Ara Dedekian · « **Reply #23 on:** October 04, 2014, 07:23:28 PM »

SKUNKED!!!

No flights due to weather!

Brunswick Area Modelers
Maine

Brent Williams · « **Reply #24 on:** October 04, 2014, 08:06:08 PM »

Three official flights for the record books from sunny Ogden, Utah.

Randy Bush · « **Reply #25 on:** October 04, 2014, 11:26:05 PM »

Today we had 7 planes, 5 pilots, and 61 flights. Pix attached.
Also 2 x 2-up with RM Juniors and a 3-up with S-1's.
Sunny and temps in the nineties.
Good time.
Tomorrow is our RM Fun Fly and potluck Barbecue.

Randy Bush
Alameda Aer-O-Nuts
Bill Osborne Field, Alameda, CA

(Alameda is a small island just west of the Oakland Riviera.)

John Stiles · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:25:18 AM »

21 flights for day 1....will see if I can get that many more today...but it's a lot of work by myself! I doubt this will ever fly again! LOL

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #27 on:** October 05, 2014, 11:33:48 AM »

Ty Marcucci put up 4 flights with a S1 RM. Pat Johnson kit @ the Memphis Stunt Classic.

Tom Luciano · « **Reply #28 on:** October 05, 2014, 01:57:22 PM »

At the GSCB fall meet, Ken "Sleepy" Dawson Shared his Torpedo .29 S1 with us today. Flights by Bob Hunt, Will DeMauro, Rick Huff, & Tom Luciano.

William DeMauro · « **Reply #29 on:** October 05, 2014, 03:00:13 PM »

Quote from: Tom Luciano on October 05, 2014, 01:57:22 PM

At the GSCB fall meet, Ken "Sleepy" Dawson Shared is Torpedo .29 S1 with us today. Flights by Bob Hunt, Will Demauro, Rick Huff, & Tom Luciano.

I'm not in the picture but I did put in a flight. Thanks Sleepy.

Bill Barber · « **Reply #30 on:** October 05, 2014, 04:03:21 PM »

Today we had 12 people fly minimum 5 laps for the Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon at the Hi Johnson Contest in Van Nuys , Ca.

Bill Barber

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #31 on:** October 05, 2014, 05:27:29 PM »

117 flights from us... The force 5 winds made it difficult, but we flew anyway....

Marcus

John Kelly · « **Reply #32 on:** October 05, 2014, 07:39:24 PM »

Went to FMP with Tommy Ye & put in 5 flights with my 1962 S-1 after taking a pass on Sleepy's offer at the GSCB fall meet. Didn't want to take a chance wrecking the nice Torp .29, Bob Baron spinner, & vintage prop flying on pavement.

Melvin Schuette · « **Reply #33 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:21:51 PM »

The members of Top Class (Topeka Control Line Association) put it a total of 101 flights over two days. Those who participated were Jim Lee, Paul Willard, John Holiday (Doc), and Melvin Schuette. We suffered from strong winds and cooler temperatures on Saturday so we called it quits around noon. The winds on Sunday were worse, but the temperatures were warmer so we stuck it out until 3pm. All flights were done with a single S-1A plane powered by a Fox 35 Stunt. Believe it or not the only damage was 1 broken landing gear strap, some damage to the covering on the outboard wing tip, and the nylon prop we used is just a little bit shorter. We used just over 1 gallon of fuel and flew an estimated 126 miles and was in had a total of flight time approximately 3 hours and 36 minutes.

John and I had an interesting conversation, if we get enough volunteers to join us I will approach the park department about using the flying site all night next year. I figure at least 10 volunteers should do it.

Melvin

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #34 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:38:18 PM »

I didn't get any flights yesterday, winds were 20+ MPH and gusts to 30! I got out this morning for two flights and was the onlyone able to get out to the park.
Keep me posted on the prospects for the all nighter next year Melvin. That might be fun!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Doug Burright · « **Reply #35 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:11:33 PM »

It was a Wonderful Weekend of Weather in the Wichihawks World! I was able to accomplish 9 flights of my Super Ringmaster, S-6, during the two days of the 7th Annual Worldwide Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon. The breeze was just a bit much for the smaller versions that I had ready. So, over to the official site, to report the good news!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #36 on:** October 06, 2014, 02:14:53 PM »

Like Melvin said it was a little breezy, Normally I would stay in the shop. Be great if we could both get all club members and our grand kids out to fly. I had three more planes in the car and if people had showed up we could have had more than one at a time in the air. I remember one year at a contest in which we had six planes in the air, Shoestring racers. Kept pit men busy refueling and starting. More fun than flying solo each flight and someone forgot that it was minimum of 20 laps per flight. 1 1/4 ounce tank was giving us an average of 23 laps of engine run time.

JoeJust · « **Reply #37 on:** October 06, 2014, 02:43:04 PM »

My son Jay and his son David joined Dave Miller and myself for two great days of flying.
We had a total of 30 Ringmaster flights, while not much in comparison, but 5 better than last year.
Joe Just

Andrew Hathaway · « **Reply #38 on:** October 06, 2014, 03:02:26 PM »

It was beautiful weather on Saturday in Salina. Jim Kraft and I got out with our S1 Ringmasters and logged a few flights. Jim flew his Ringmaster 5 times, I flew my old blue Ringmaster 5 times, with a flight on Jim's Ringmaster somewhere in the middle. In our defense, every flight Jim made was a full OTS pattern, and my old overweight Ringmaster flies just a little better than if I'd just bolted a Fox 35 to the box it came in.

goozgog · « **Reply #39 on:** October 06, 2014, 04:05:11 PM »

I managed 15 flights on Sunday.
The Toronto Balsa Beavers came out in force on
both Saturday and Sunday, but I don't know
what our official total is. I'm expecting our
Prez to post our official report.

OK, after about ten flights it starts to get
a little boring so we've started competing for
"The Most Lazy Eights Completed In One Flight".
The 2013 record was John McFayden's at 100.
I managed 108, but of course, Len Bourel
topped it at 135. He deserved it! The second half
of his last eight was completed dead stick.
The strong 20 mph winds helped a lot.

Cheers!

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #40 on:** October 06, 2014, 07:51:35 PM »

At the Fall Follies stunt contest in Salem, Oregon, 7 fliers with 5 original design Ringmasters got in 12 flights. 6 flights were official contest flights and one of the others was by Mike Massey with his father's 50 plus year old airplane. It was hard to work in extra flights with an ongoing contest in progress.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #41 on:** October 06, 2014, 11:14:50 PM »

Russ very kindly let me get in a flight on his S-1 on Saturday. It was the first time I'd flown a Ringmaster since my Jr. year in HS, in about '62, and the only two flights I've ever done on a Ringmaster that I can recall. That was a short flight back in '62...tried to fly it inverted. So, just for fun, I rolled Russ' Ringmaster over and flew a half dozen or so laps inverted. Didn't do any other tricks, and it about screwed me into the ground. No wonder I didn't have much of a career as a racing pilot...

Steve

Keith Renecle · « **Reply #42 on:** October 06, 2014, 11:22:21 PM »

I cleaned up the old S-1 Ringmaster (well....as much as possible!) for flying on Saturday. The old silk covering is now past its sell-by date, and the Fox 35 was one that I had at school back in the 60's. I did however add a neat tongue muffler made by Nic van der Westhuizen because the noise is horrendous.....especially after flying so much electric stuff these last few years! Last year I also brought out a Baby Ringmaster Bipe to play with a small electric plane system and one of my Compact timers. I actually built it the day before last year's Fly-A-Thon and it was unpainted, so this time a slapped on a few coats of sanding sealer and did a quick spray with a rattle can. It was a little windy at our club here in Johannesburg South Africa, so as the bipe took off it came flying into the circle and pranged. I'm getting a bit slow now on the old reflexes! As you can see from the photo's, it was in pieces but I got out the bottle of cyano and fixed it all up again. (Igor and Alex would be proud of me after that story in Poland!) It flies as badly as all Ringmasters (or maybe a bit worse!), but it was still fun, and I even managed to loop it a few times.

I was joined for the day by Theo Kleynhans who had his Baby Ringmaster flying with a Cox Black Widow. Henry Kurowski also had a flight with the S-1 and said that it was fun. Percy Attfield and Nic van der Westhuizen were also with us but the club Barnstormers, had a club meeting after lunchtime and that took a couple of hours out of our flying time. We did however manage to put in 9 Ringmaster flights and it was a nice relaxing fun day.

Keith R

john e. holliday · « **Reply #43 on:** October 07, 2014, 08:29:22 AM »

That is great news from that part of the world. Especially the part of having fun. I hope all these results get to the proper person.

Uncle Jimby · « **Reply #44 on:** October 07, 2014, 10:26:47 AM »

13 flights in 6 minutes on the trusty ol' Ringmaster at the 5th Annual Jim Tichy Memorial Vintage Stunt Contest.

UJ

Ron Cribbs · « **Reply #45 on:** October 07, 2014, 12:20:49 PM »

Lot's of flights this year, hope they make the 2.5K goal.

Remember the number of flight's need to be reported here: flyathon2014@yahoo.com

Randy Bush · « **Reply #46 on:** October 07, 2014, 01:10:36 PM »

Report from the Alameda Aer-O-Nuts, Alameda, CA
----------------------------------------------------------
Over the two days of the Fly-a-Thon, ten pilots and several spectating CL veterans enjoyed hot weather, light breezes, potluck lunch, and 123 Ringmaster flights.

Special events:
Two flights of 2-up, Junior RMs
One flight of 3-up, S1s
Lots of racing-style-pitting training and practice

Stats-----------------------------

Flight total for both days -- 123

9 planes:
4x S1, 3x Juniors, 2x Babies

10 Pilots:
Lee Lechworth
Bob Kerr
Randy Bush
Jim Persson
Eliott Scott
George Ellison
Jim Schneider
Bob Van Zee
Mark Borgatta
Jack Reynolds
-------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to all for organizing the Ringmaster Fly-a-Thon 2014.

Randy Bush
Alameda Aer-O-Nuts
Bill Osborne Field, Alameda, CA

(Alameda is an island city just west of the Oakland Riviera.)

Marcelo Cremon · « **Reply #47 on:** October 07, 2014, 01:17:02 PM »

Hello brothers, below the official video of "7th Fly-A-Thon - Brazil" - Sorocaba / SP.
Watch in HD, Full Screen. . .
Thank you all!
Bro Cremon !

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #48 on:** October 07, 2014, 03:40:38 PM »

I am in the vídeo...

Marcus

John Cralley · « **Reply #49 on:** October 07, 2014, 03:47:43 PM »

As of 6:00 PM CDT we are at 2474 flights. Maybe some more lost in the shuffle (I hope to find them if so)!!