Tom Tom Adj Leadouts

[Larry Borden]

Back in my mis spent youth, I built a Veco Tom Tom that got destroyed before I was able to fly it. In order to try and re live that time, I acquired a Richards Tom Tom kit. Power will be an OS 25FP. Anyone have ideas how to install adjustable leadouts on this plane? Also flaps or no flaps. Any help from experts will be greatly appreciated.

[john e. holliday]

I have one that I need to pull off the hook and clean up for flying again.  Put the leadouts in the location shown on the plans and you will have no problems.  In fact I flew it in Classic at the NATS one year.   I think every one is still laughing at me after those flights.

[wwwarbird]

 On the Tom Tom I'd just do like Doc suggests, follow the plans and skip the adjustable leadouts. One reason is that the internal rib openings may not allow clearance for the front/rear movement of the leadout cables. You may run into other modification issues as well (like having to completely redesign the inboard wingtip structure) and if you're not familiar you could be creating unnecessary headaches for yourself. The Tom Tom design will perform just fine as designed, just focus on keeping it straight and light.

[Larry Borden]

Kit came with aluminum LG. The original had wire. Any thoughts on which to use? Pros/cons.

[Mike Keville]

Wire, per the original.  Alum. is for wussies.

[wwwarbird]

Wire, per the original.  Alum. is for wussies.

 Ha, that's hard core Old Time fan Mikey coming out there.

 That's all good and (very) respected opinion from Mike but unless you're hung up on adhering to the original design I'd go with aluminum. There's a term they use for keeping with the original design details, I just can't think of it right now. Properly built and with the right materials aluminum gear will hold up better over time than wire, just my opinion and experience. The hard core Old Timers might knock you for it though.

[Larry Borden]

Thanks. Kit came with aluminum gear and I hate bending wire.

[Larry Borden]

You shamed me into it. Spent two hours bending wire gear. Only had to make two sets. lol

[Mike Keville]

Way to go, Larry!  Now you'll have an authentic reproduction.

[wwwarbird]

 Fidelity, that's the word I was trying to think of last night. Mikey likes it!

 

[Mike Keville]

Yes, the Classic rules provide for "Fidelity" points - though few contests actually employ them (including the VSC).  Fact is, they're just too difficult to assign, given the few remaining folks from "back when" who knew the original designs and thus know the difference between those and "faux" versions.

IMHO, the biggest affront to Old Time & Classic has been the acceptance of electric power in those events.  (This, by the way, is an opinion shared by the leading proponent of electric CLPA...and y'all know who THAT is.)

[wwwarbird]

IMHO, the biggest affront to Old Time & Classic has been the acceptance of electric power in those events.  (This, by the way, is an opinion shared by the leading proponent of electric CLPA...and y'all know who THAT is.)

 I agree, I don't feel that electric power should be allowed in Old Time or Classic competition.

[john e. holliday]

I asked Bobby Hunt why he didn't have electric in his plane at the last VSC I attended.  His statement if I remember correctly is that this is VSC Old Time and Classic.  But back home is a different story as he can fly electric in the wee hours close to home with out disturbing any body.   Said he would never fly electric at VSC.  Hope I got that right Bobby.