My Sky Sport took 1st and 2nd at the Palmer Memorial contest over the weekend.  I loaned the model to Bart Klapinski, and of course he whupped me by 50 points with my own airplane. I expected no less. He scored a 492.  That is why I am "DesignMan" not "PilotMan".

We fly 1cc models intermixed with the "expert" Profile 40 planes in an attempt to keep the judging on a standard level. (We usually are as good or better).  I absolutely hate it when someone scores 60 degree angle loops with 35 points   "because that's pretty good for a little plane".  Small planes MUST be judged on the same basis as big ones, or we will never progress.  Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing Dave Shirley's plane fly can attest that truly competitive small models are possible.

Anyway, I'll try to post a photo of the model.  It is due to come out in Flying Models in a couple of months, then as a kit from RSM some respectable time after that.  The model has 160 sq. in. of area, and is powered by a modified Brodak .049 mk 1.  The mods are a rebalanced and fitted crankshaft and a Nelson head.  Prop was a Master Airscrew 5.5x4, fuel is 15%-10-10 Excalabur.  I think that it might have been a bit heavy on the Nitro, as it was difficult to get a really comfortable needle setting.  Lines were 45' of .008 cable and the handle was an RSM/Renger "Even Ultamater 1/2A handle".  ( I had some new ideas and nobody but me could get his fingers into the previous design).

So now the model has been flown in competition (and won!) with a National Champion, Bart, plus having been test flown by others - Ted Fancher, Brett Buck, John Wright.  When they speak, I listen!

Brag away, we don't mind!!  Congratulations, looks (and sounds) like a great little plane.  I've been flying my LittleAxe every chance I get this Spring (well, two days so far) and am convinced someone good could set some awfully high scores with it...it's a real joy to fly. These little planes have potential.

160 squares...what does your Sky Sport weigh?  The LA is 10 oz., + or -, with 200 sq. in., currently using a BigMig .061, though a good .049 could fly it as well, I think.  I'm just finding it easier to get a good run out of the .061.

--Ray

Ray
For what its worth, my Baby Barnstormer is 20.7 sq inch per oz.   The IBTW and Micro Barnstormers are both at 25 sq inch per oz.

Clancy

I have to bring this up, sorry!  Google my name and read the article on 3-D wing loading I did for Model Airplane News.  It is real, it works, it solves a LOT of problems in comparing models.  I don't even want to talk about weight/area, it is meaningless!!!  Theory and experience prove it.  3-D wing loading will let you realistically compare a "Queen Bee" to a "Strega" and understand the performance differences.  Sorry to rant (I do that a lot), but the message just doesn't seem to get across. 

In the article, I propose a formula that will allow, not only size comparisons but a pretty good cut at comparisons of models with different aspect ratios.  Cool, huh?

from what I understand----bart kaplinski could fly a barn door and beat the pants off anybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      larry jaconetta

True, and worse yet, you can never fly your plane as well as you did before after seeing what he can do with it.  Intimidation!

And, by the way, I did a misstatement.  The Sky Sport has 180 sq.in. wing area.  As such, it has a 22.5 sq.in./oz. wing loading.  Somewhat heavy compared to the numbers quoted above, and perhaps that explains the good wind penetration.

You mean somewhat light, don't you?  More wing per ounce.  I know we're quoting the ratio backward from the norm, makes it a little confusing.

--Ray