stunthanger.com
Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: Paul Smith on May 21, 2007, 09:12:50 AM
-
We added 1/2A Speed and Racing to our Rouge Park Contest this May. This was the first pass at a new lounge act. Simple rules:
Black Widow .049, 35-foot lines, any sport plane.
Speed is 12 laps, from a running start. Unlimited attempts, time permitting.
Racing was dependant on getting at least three successful qualifiers, which didn't happen this time. But we won't give up. We lost a little time due to some drizzle on our two-day contest, 1/2 A (correctly) took the hit on this weather issue.
First Place - Paul Smith, Golden Hawk, 62.8 MPH.
Second Place - John Brzys, Streaker, 60.2 MPH.
-
Considering the aerodynamic differences between the two planes, what the heck had Paul Smith done to his engine???
-
It proves out my therory, it's all in the engine. I selected my Black Widow from several I had. John only had one.
At 62 MPH, the difference between 40 and 74 square inches of wing area is nil.
Furthermore, with too small of a wing, the AOA goes up and the speed is actually slower.
-
That's actually true, been proved many times...Our big ol' 36" span .40 Rat Racer, sitting on a rail, consistently outran those little Texas 24" Quickie Rats flitting all over the circle like butterflies...
--Ray
-
This is not the first speed event that the Golden Hawk has won, they seem to do quite well in them. As a matter of fact it holds several trophies for speed and stunt at the Musciano contest. I feel that there are other planes in this line that could give her a run for her money.
Larry
Captain Blackhawk
-
Another factor is that the smaller "hollow logs" like my Piper Cub Special are too short. The short body means it takes a ton of tail weight to balance it.
The Golden Hawk has a longer fuselage and mine have always had natural fore-and-aft balance with no extra tail weight.