I have a few sets of plans (Neptune, Argus, and Cavalier) and was wondering how big a difference is there really between the I beamers of the 50's and 60's (or is it the old addage that guys like Bill Werewage could probably whip most of us with a 1/2a on a yardstick)?
James
Difference in what way, James? Between an Ares and a Nobler? Or.........?
The difference I see is in personal preference. I just happen to be a huge I-Beam nut. I love th elooks of almost all of them, and I really enjoyed spending time talking with Billy and getting a lot of info on his.
Most of those '50-'60s I-Beamers (at least all of Billy's) needed to be built pretty light due to the airfoils used. I have often heard pilots (recently) complain that their Ares, etc., was a dog. Only to find out that they built it at 45 oz., and it is GOING to be a dog at that weight! IMHO, an Ares ('59 style) does fly different from a '57 Nobler. And it comes down to which type plane you prefer.
As to more modern stuff, Billy's USA-1 (designed and first flown in late '68) was the basis of many of his planes afterwards. His Junar (several WC appearances) and first Geo XL used an almost straight stock USA-1 wing. He finally switch to his Geo Bolt wing.
The major advantage of an I-beam was, and is, the ease and quickness, of building. Plus they are self jigging/aligning. A flat table big enough and you can build a VERY straight plane VERY quickly. About 30 hours from the beginning of wood cutting to having the frame/fuselage assembly done. Three different people have come to my house (Friday evening to Sunday afternoon) to frame up a USA-1, and that is about as long as it takes to get it framed up starting with a stack of wood.
IMHO, the most beautiful stunt planes ever!
Bill <><