.... The second version (which will be set up for carrier) has the bellcrank mount moved forwar...

Gee, I wonder if you could put the bellcrank on the tail! 


 

The reason it is almost universally recommended to put the bellcrank pivot behind the CG on a carrier plane is simply to make the slider work better. When the slider is released, if the CG is ahead of the bellcrank pivot the nose will yaw out from simple physics. This is more reliable and less ugly than springs, rubberbands, etc.

You are absolutely correct that where the bellcrank is mounted is irrelevant except for the above, and leadout issues, and you are also correct that solid leadouts don't belong on carrier planes. It took me a while to figure that one out. I had a carrier Skyray with solid leadouts that was a horrible flying plane at slow speed. I didn't really notice until someone else flew the plane, but the solid leadouts were trying to bend back at the wing tip in slow flight and couldn't.
They were bowed back in a large arc, and since they were all different lengths the control inputs were adversely affected. Any bobble or wobble would start the leadouts "bouncing" and amplify the bobble. Cutting the wing open and installing cable leadouts did the trick, since they were able to flex right at the wingtip.

BTW, very cool planes!

Now Joe don't be so hard on yourself.. You have done allot more to promote carrier than most and believe me the finish on these isn't as good as it looks in the photos. I just happen to have the tools to cut paint masks and have learned to make decals. The bling covers up allot 

I like this pic.

Yes, less drag and those soft ones get torn up on hard landings. Mike

But do they have to be green and red and orange and...?  

Lord do I have to explain everything..   

Being a prototype things aren't always what we want them to be. The red nose wheel is the result of bending the nose gear a little too long and not being able to use 3 wheels that were the same size. My junk box produced the red one which happened to be slightly smaller and saved me the trouble of bending another nose gear before I could fly it. 

Too bad you were not thre when an individual used clear material for his wheels.  They were also about twice the size of everybodies wheels.  

Good to see Bill getting back into the fray.  I think he is starting to have fun.  Maybe I shouldn't relate this but I will.  Bill is sitting there with all the first place awards fo the AMA event along with the Eely Award.  He is sitting there in deep thought when I interrupted him.   He looked at me and stated, "DOC, these awards are great, but I think I had more fun helping the people get their flights in".  No I have not got the MO-1 built for Class II yet.   

And Joe, I think I first met him at the first Tri-Cities NATS.  He is just one big huggy bear.   

Now to Bob.  You have done something that stands out.  I like your planes and hope to get to see them fly.  Have missed the Tulsa meet too many times now.   

Cool looking little Jets. I think some dihedral with a swept wing is a good idea, especially during the low speed routine. It should give an additional measure of stability. Your graphics are awesome as usual, Bob.

I like the red nose wheel. You could always nick name the plane "Rudolph".