Author Topic: Clowning Around Again (Read 2575 times)

Joe Rice · « **on:** December 21, 2011, 06:53:23 PM »

I mounted the NV 049 and new tank from Fred's tanks (tanks, Fred

) on Baby Clown I. The tank is a real jewel. The same hardware will be on Baby Clown II which will be in the paint booth after Christmas. Happy Holiday's to all and tight lines for 2012

Joe

ray copeland · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2011, 07:02:44 PM »

Joe, that is very nice!! I would love to hear how the tank works out. Waiting for a flight report, again, great job!!

John Rist · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2011, 08:59:54 PM »

Tell me more about the Fred's tanks. Source $ etc.

Larry Lindburg · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2011, 10:49:15 PM »

Hi Joe, How about a close up of the tank? Your plane looks great.

fred krueger · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2011, 07:49:18 AM »

Joe,

Really like the paint scheme!

Fred

Joe Rice · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2011, 11:26:13 AM »

I have attached a close up photo of the tank as requested. The tank was made by Fred Krueger who I met during the 2011 Sandwich, Illinois 1/2 A event. I will let Fred respond relative to inquiries on the tank. Fred is on the SH Forum. I was impressed with his engines' performance and solid runs in the stunt event. I understand this is Fred's latest version and is "tuned" to further optimize the run consistency of the NV engine. . Given we are in the throws of Winter in the Midwest, I will provide a flight report when the weather is more cooperative. Thanks for the comments...

Joe

Larry Renger · « **Reply #6 on:** December 22, 2011, 11:29:03 PM »

Speaking of NV, what is the skinny on the new NV engines? I neither seen one nor any reports on their performance. I am happy with the AP Wasp, but if there is something better, I want to know about it!

fred krueger · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2011, 12:32:04 AM »

Larry,

NV engines are made by the former Norvel folks. They look exactly the same as the Norvels. Their website is: http://www.nvengines.com/

Now to the tanks - I make my own fuel tanks as I don't trust any commercial unit. I've seen too many with misplaced tubes, rust and crap inside. I know exactly how my tanks are constructed and I flush them thoroughly during and after soldering.

I made 2 identical tanks for Joe. These are copies of my latest profile chicken-hopper design for 1/2A models. Joe's are 5/8 oz capacity. I have one (slightly larger) in my 150 Ringmaster (Pat King kit), powered by an old Norvel .049. This plane will do the entire AMA pattern on 42' lines. The engine run is absolutely constant, giving about 1/2 lap warning before shutoff. When Joe asked me to build some tanks for him, I gave him the option of standard uni-flow or the newer chicken-hopper. There's a lot more to the chicken-hopper design, so I charge accordingly, $20 apiece.
I attached several pics so you can see the construction steps.

The tanks on Joe's plane and in the last photo have the overflow vent capped and the fill/uniflow vent restricter in place. The restricter tends to help limit up-wind/down-wind variances.

Fred

don Burke · « **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2011, 05:10:26 AM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on December 22, 2011, 11:29:03 PM

Speaking of NV, what is the skinny on the new NV engines? I neither seen one nor any reports on their performance. I am happy with the AP Wasp, but if there is something better, I want to know about it!

Here's the site, notice the .049 although available is discontinued!

http://www.nvengines.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=65

Joe Rice · « **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2011, 06:47:41 AM »

Quote from: don Burke on December 23, 2011, 05:10:26 AM

Here's the site, notice the .049 although available is discontinued!

http://www.nvengines.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=65

Don... where do you see the Big Mig 049 Cl discontinued? I will check with the NV USA rep to confirm and report back

Joe

fred krueger · « **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2011, 07:22:08 AM »

The first item shown is the older style .049. It has been discontinued and they are selling out the remaining stock. However, the newer Revlite version (which Joe has on his Baby Clown) is the next engine below the old style.

I find it interesting that NV recommends a 6x3 prop for the .049 engines. Most of us have found this to be too much load. My older style Big Mig likes to run at over 20K, so I use a 5.5x2 or 5x3 APC prop. Engines are very happy and there seems to be no issue with premature wear or damage.

Fred

BTW, here's my 150 Ringmaster at our local "Ringmaster Fly-A-Thon". Big Mig .049 (old style); 5x3 APC; Merlin plug; chicken hopper tank; 42' lines. As I mentioned before, this setup will do the entire AMA pattern.

Fred

Larry Lindburg · « **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2011, 08:13:11 AM »

Fred, You are a genius and a craftsman!

Joe Rice · « **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2011, 10:18:46 AM »

Fred, That is one very very nice looking Ringmaster. Is at a kit, or scratch build?

Joe

Joe Rice · « **Reply #13 on:** December 23, 2011, 10:28:32 AM »

I received a response from the NV Engines USA rep. My second NV Big Mig 049 shipped on Monday. They are available for direct order from the web site.

Joe

fred krueger · « **Reply #14 on:** December 23, 2011, 12:25:10 PM »

The airplane is a Pat King kit. It is completely laser cut and a joy to build. Pat is a member of this forum.

Fred

pat king · « **Reply #15 on:** December 23, 2011, 01:46:42 PM »

The kit comes with parts and plans to build it as an electric airplane or a fuel powered airplane.

Here are the two sheets of plans. The kits are $37.00 plus $9.00 for shipping and insurance.

Thanks, Pat

Larry Renger · « **Reply #16 on:** December 23, 2011, 02:34:44 PM »

Does he rout out the leading edge or build it up? Looks like a kit to put on my "i've been good" list.

pat king · « **Reply #17 on:** December 23, 2011, 04:02:27 PM »

The leading edge is done on a wood shaper. It is semi-finished. one corner of the square stock is radiused, the opposite corner is notched. You have to finish sanding it down to final shape.

Pat

Joe Rice · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2011, 06:28:18 AM »

The new NV 049 arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Here is a close up pic....

Joe

DanielGelinas · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:53:46 AM »

Well, here is my clown.
I moved the canopy forward to make it look better. FLies great when I can get the engine running.

-Daniel

john e. holliday · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2012, 08:55:58 AM »

Looks good. Do a search on balloon tanks. It is an alternative and seems to work on the bench for me..

Joe Rice · « **Reply #21 on:** February 02, 2012, 01:53:27 PM »

Quote from: DanielGelinas on February 02, 2012, 08:53:46 AM

Well, here is my clown.
I moved the canopy forward to make it look better. FLies great when I can get the engine running.
-Daniel

Yup , I like it.... looks like a Ringmaster blend. Clownmaster

Joe