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Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: Larry Renger on December 04, 2011, 05:49:02 PM
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We flew the race this morning. Weather was very cold (ooooh 45 degrees) at first, but shirt sleeve by noon. There were 5 competitiors. In the photo, Cloclwise from the top:
My Zippie Dragster
A biplane by one of the Kusiks, not flown in the race
John Wrights Lil' Darlin'
Kevin Kusik's Me-109 (Original design, not from a kit)
Bill Barber's Zig Zag
Andy Borgogna's Me109 (from a Black Hawk kit)
Appearance points from one to 10 were awarded by CD Bob Werle. These points were added to the average speed on the best flight in 3 attempts.
I don't have the exact scores, but they should soon be posted on the KOTRC.org website. Anyway my plane was fastest with just over 66 mph from a standing start for 14 laps. Believe me, on 30' lines, that is NOT fun! Lap times under 2 seconds! By the end of the flight I was really worried about losing my balance and crashing both me and the plane. Next year, we will fly on 42' lines, not 30.
Next year there will be 2 events, another Log Drag Race like this one, and a 1 design race using Dale Kirn's Torquette biplane. Any engine up to .061 allowed, but must run on suction, no pressure fuel systems!
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The best I could do with my Zig Zag was 46 mph . It needed more nose weight and less elevator ,
very squirrely to fly. But the weather was perfect and we had fun . Will build something new for next year .
Bill
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Bill, thanks for coming out to fly with us! That is a long way to drive! I was in your position last year flying my Golden Hawk. 2 ounces heavier, klunk of a wing, big fuselage cross-section. Same engine and prop, 10 mph slower!
My racer will be published over the next few issues of Half-A-Flyer. The next issue will have the basic model as I flew it today. After that we add the cowl and wheel pants that I plan, then finishing and finally, how to do it yourself killer motor.
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pretty cool. anybody know how to fiigure out speed vs line length to get it to 3 second laps ?
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Simple math! 46.2ft. Next year we will fly 42' lines in both events. .012 steel lines for the Torquettes, and maybe the same for the log racers instead of the Spectra lines used this year. Speeds are comparative, after all, and as long as everyone uses the same lines, we are fair.
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Observing from the other circle, looked like you all had a good time. We did notice that a lot of the faster flights looked a little "wiggly". The racer's cure for that is a handle with a lot closer line spacing. Typically with the lines going between the index and second finger and the third and fourth digits.
You all and the Kusiks had such a apparent good time that at the SCAR lunchtime meeting we decided that at the December event next year we'll have a "Musciano Race" to replace Mouse I at that event.
Final rules TBD but for sure only Musciano designs will be allowed.
Any inputs from clubs having sponsored these events would be appreciated. So we can give everyone time to prepare.
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Don
We were not big on rules on this as it started out as a fun fly event as something different for our stunt flyers. The plane had to be a hollow log fuse with a min. cross section of a Cox backplate and a min wing ares of 54 sq. in. The approx size of the old Scientific kits. Engine was limited to cox reedes and any old ok cub or wenn-mac.( I think I spelled that right) Flights were limited to 1/2 mile. We had an option of an unlimited type with hollow wings ect that would be flown seperate but no one has built any yet. From this years results we will have to go with 42' lines. Lap times were ave under 2 sec on the 30'. Next year we will be there again and I want to see how a real race with these works out.
Enjoy, we do
Bob
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If anyone doesn't think this was a "real race", they haven't really understood the flyers who participated. The rules were clear and very simple. When a Kusik gets beat, it is a REAL race. Rules were that it had to be built from a solid block, and have a minimum of 54 sq.in. wing, or be a Musciano or Black Hawk design of similar type. We flew on provided 30' lines. The rest was up to your own creativity and skill. Appearance points were added to average speed for 14 laps from a standing start.
Winning speed was 66.6mph plus 5 appearance points. Model weighed 4.3 ounces and was powered by a Cox Venom engine with a Galbreath/Nelson head. We aren't just casual flyers!
This is the third year we have run this event, and we have had an opportunity to smooth out the "glitches"
Next year we will fly with .012 steel x 42' lines for both events, and provide 30% Nitro fuel for all competitiors. I used 65% nitro plus Propylene Oxide this year. How many of us have that available?
There will be 2 events, the Hollow Log per this year's aircraft specs (see above) and a Dale Kirn "Torquette" 1-design event with the limitation of suction fuel systems, .061cc maximum displacement and the above provided fuel and lines. Kits will be available from rsmdistribution.com
As far as "wiggly" is concerned, none of us were quite ready to turn around in under 1.9 seconds for 14+ laps! And these were the first flights for a few of the models. We have improved from year to year (winning speed, 5+ mph better this year than last, and most of the flights would have won last year)
Y'all come on out next year! We'll keep a circle open for you. VD~
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Got to agree with the 42' lines!
No disparaging remarks intended. Proto is solo as was done, racing is a least two-up IMO.
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Now that would be something to see. Two at a time. First to complete 14 laps goes on to next round. No watches, just a flag for the person counting laps for the plane they are watching. Oh forgot a flag for the starter. Problem would be getting the planes started at the same time. Maybe that would make it more interesting, LeMans style start. H^^
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Nothing that spectacular, we're just going to use "Musciano legal" designs instead of the usual Mouse I airplanes.
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Interesting point to consider: Both the Scientific and Blackhawk models are Musciano designs, but they differ, even when given the same name. What will you allow? Also, can bellcranks and stuff be internal? Line hookup? User provided lines for your event, and what about fuel?
Must the model be from a kit, or can it conform to a set of authentic plans?
I'm not an experienced racer (never have done racing, actually), but might get interested in this one (heaven knows I'll never be a top stunt pilot, so what the heck).
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All good points so I'll try to answer:
Since we are using Mouse I rules except for airplane:
.049 Reed valve engine
Any fuel
Externally mounted controls, must be completely external per Mouse I
.010 x 42' solid lines, may be attached at bellcrank.
I found a list of eligible models at:
http://www.beseenontheinternet.com/northernvirginiacontrolline/muscianoeligibilitylist.htm
As it is probably next to impossible to get a genuine Scientific kit, and probably a severe drop in value to build one if found. Designs to plans will be allowed.
But it will sort of be like the BOM, authenticity up to the integrity of the entrant.
Jed Kusik is CD and will be the ultimate decision source for the event. I am sure that by event date enough will be learned by us to make it a good event.
I hope that anyone who knows of "ringers" in the list will let everyone know.
The idea is K.I.S.S!