Author Topic: Veco Tom Tom (Read 8556 times)

Bill Little · « **on:** December 30, 2014, 04:10:22 PM »

Hi all,

When was the Tom Tom designed or first kitted, etc..

Do you think a later series Veco .29 (right hand exhaust) would be enough engine for a lighter built one? I also have a original Veco .35 (LH exhaust) and a right hand exhaust Veco .35 that i can use.

I do not know if movable flaps were an option? I have planned to build it with fixed flaps.

Thanks!
BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

John Kelly · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2014, 04:51:06 PM »

...Hey Bill, I think your Veco .29 should be fine for this 40" span, 338 square inch bird. The plans don't show a flap option, only fixed. Cheers, John

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2014, 05:05:58 AM »

Hi John,

Thanks for the info on the wing size. I could probably run a Veco .19BB in the Tom Tom, or an OS .20FP!

I was under the impression that it was a bigger model. I have a set of laser cut ribs for one, and full size plans, but I have only looked at the fuselage drawings so far. 338 sq. in. is a small wing.

What engine does the plans recommend? I am pretty familiar with most all of the Veco kits, but I don't even remember an ad for the Tom Tom back in the day.

Thanks!
Bill

Gerald Schamp · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2014, 10:52:27 AM »

Tom Tom's usually build pretty light, I flew them with the old McCoy.29 back in the day. Now days an OS .25 FP or LA would be just perfect. I put working flaps on one, didn't seem to help much, plane flew good without working flaps and lot less trouble.

Larry Borden · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2014, 11:42:54 AM »

I'm finishing building a Larry Richards Tom Tom and it really is light. Going to put a 25FP in it.

John Kelly · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2014, 11:52:21 AM »

...Hey Bill, You're very welcome. Here's a piece of the plans showing (as Ty said) Veco .19, .29, .31, or .35 engine, and an early ad showing the TOM TOM. I'd definitely go with the .19BB. Cheers, John

C.T. Schaefer · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2014, 04:57:32 PM »

I am building one from a Dumas kit right now. Probably kit from 1970? I had one in the early 70's with an Enya .19. The kit is typical from that era. Heavy wood and semi nasty die cutting. I'm working with it and installing a Brodak .25.

frank mccune · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2014, 05:07:37 PM »

Hi Bill:

I have one hanging in my attic that is powered by a MVVS D7 .15 Diesel. It has flaps and is a great flier on 52" lines.

Stay well.

Frank

Bill Little · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2014, 06:26:18 PM »

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the info! It definitely has a Smoothie look, i just didn't realize the wing is so small. Looks like I will be using the Veco .19BB. It will definitely fly a model that size!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Larry Borden · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2015, 09:07:30 AM »

I didn't realize how small the wing was either. My first one I built, I put moveable flaps on it. Not on this one. Wing sure looks flimsy and I would like to silk it, but afraid silk would warp wing. May just do silkspan. Have some of the heavier stuff. Any suggestions? This is the Larry Richards kit.

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2015, 03:52:32 PM »

I built one years ago with an Enya 19IV with three line and a throttle. It was a hoot to fly as I could add throttle at the start of a loop, and then cut it back coming down the back side. The little Enya was plenty of power and the plane flew very well even with the drag of three lines. I still have it but have not flown it for several years.

Lester Nicholson · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2015, 10:43:03 AM »

Mid 50' Henry Federico of East Millinocket, was flying a Chief and building a Veco Tom Tom. I was 9 and I was hooked. Nick

EddyR · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2015, 03:58:32 PM »

Bill Here is the one I build in the 1990's from the plans I sent you. I was 40 pounds heaver then

Fox 35 was just perfect for it. Just like 1950's again

Robert Zambelli · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2015, 03:32:56 PM »

I built two Tom-Toms in the late 50s.
They were really fine planes - easy to build and fun to fly.
The first one, shown in the picture, was powered by a Fox Combat Special - way too much power! Take a close look at the wing finish.
The second one was powered by a K&B 19 Green Head and was a great flyer.
I actually beat Jim Kostecky once at a contest in Rochester, NY.
The one problem with the Tom-Tom and Tomahawk was the spar. It was around 3/16 x 1 and in a hard landing, it would crack.

Bob Z.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2015, 05:24:27 PM »

Neat old photo! Looks like a PDQ Circus King at the right (your left)....and is that a 1/2A Hell Razor in your left hand?

Robert Zambelli · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2015, 06:57:39 PM »

Hi, Mike. The photo was taken in March, 1958 when I lived in Buffalo.

From left to right, Jr Ringmaster/OK Cub 19, Scientific something or other, VECO Tom-Tom/Fox 35 CS, flying wing made from a Wee Duper Zilch/McCoy 098, Circus King/Fox 35 CS.
In my hand, a profile Hell Razor/Cox Space Bug 049.

The Circus king was a great flyer. As far as I know, it's identical to the Ringmaster except for the shape of the tail/rudder. Should be OTS legal.

Bob Z.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2015, 09:01:21 PM »

Quote from: Robert Zambelli on February 25, 2015, 06:57:39 PM

. . .The Circus king was a great flyer. As far as I know, it's identical to the Ringmaster except for the shape of the tail/rudder . . .
Bob Z.

===============================================================

. . . and except for the 2-piece fuselage which was 'clamped' over the finished wing. But yes, quite a flyer. Had two of them, mid'50s: one with a Fox .29, another with a Torp .35 GH. Excellent performers!

Bill Little · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2015, 12:01:17 PM »

I have a fuselage, stab/elev, finished sanded for a Circus King. Ribs r cut and I think I have the LE and TE stock. Been like that since before my cancer surgery.......

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2015, 08:39:15 AM »

Quote from: Bill Little on December 31, 2014, 06:26:18 PM

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the info! It definitely has a Smoothie look, i just didn't realize the wing is so small. Looks like I will be using the Veco .19BB. It will definitely fly a model that size!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Hey there Bill,
Glad you are doing better old friend. If you have a extra set of plans for the Tom Tom could it get you to make a copy for me? I built two of them years ago and always wanted to build another one just for fun. Mine were powered by Veco .19 and the other was powered by. K&B .19 GH (still have both engines). They were good flyers and a hoot to fly.
Later,
Mikey

Bill Little · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2015, 08:48:39 AM »

Hi Mikey!

I will be glad to send you a copy! PM me your mailing address, I am going to make some copies Saturday so I will add the Tom Tom.

Take care, my friend!

Bill

EddyR · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2015, 12:35:32 PM »

A note about the Tom Tom wing. The kit had a very deep spar that went in from the bottom and the wings would break very often in a hard pullout. Build the wing with a 3/16 spar top and bottom and you will not have that problem. I drew the TT plans that Bill has and I more than likely showed the wing built just as the kit was. My wing broke. I later built a new wing with top and bottom spars and that old plane is still going. In my picture above it has the Veco wing in it.
Ed

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2015, 04:23:06 PM »

My kit built Tom Tom is still in one piece and has been flown at past NATS. Yes if you fly at combat speeds you might fold a wing. I have also flown it in this KANSAS breeze that keep most people grounded.