"Ringmaster 1000"

[Bill Gruby]

Hi Everyone;

    We toyed with you in the "Largest Plane" thread about this aircraft, but the truth of the matter is that it is actually being done------not once but twice. One by me and one by Phil Bare in North Carolina.

    Why a "Ringmaster"? Well that is simple, what better plane to go with a FOX engine.

    Why this size? This particular FOX is the .78

    How it was born-------Phil and I have thrown this back and forth for some time now, so I took the bull by the horns and went to Pat Johnston with it. I gave him three sets of numbers to work with. 1.5X--1.75X and 2X. The 1.62X was Pats' idea. Pat figured it was optimum size for this engine. Thats right the plane was designed around the engine. When all was said and done this is what we ended up with:

                                   68"-------------------------Wing Span
                                   1000 sq. in.-----------------Wing Area
                                   34"-------------------------Fuselage Length(sans spinner and elevator)
                                   27 1/2"---------------------Stab. Span
                                   .78-------------------------Fox Power
                                   70-75 oz.-------------------Target Weight


                    Engine Specs.  Fox .78 C/L

                                             Bore----------1.00 in.
                                             Stroke--------1.00 in.
                                             Disp.----------.785 cu. in.
                                             RPM----------12,500 with a 12/6 prop
                                             Weight-------18 oz.

   The construction will be as in the "Ringmaster S-1" There will be two changes, a composite leading edge is being built for us by none other than "Dee Rice" also the fuselage is built up as per "Pat Johnston".

   Controls are by "Control Line Central" I just received an email from "Jim Snelson" that they should be done Monday.

   I start building today, and yes "Tom N." this time there will be pictures, I got a new camera.

   At this time I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this project so far, you are too numerous to mention individually. especially those who helped us "Brainstorm" this on the "Brotherhood". The "Brainstorming was fairly lengthy, 5 pages so far and I start cutting today. I guess that is it for now, if you can think of anything else you want to know feel free to post here Phil or I will try to answer you.

                         "Billy G"   


   OOPS-----A big Thank-you goes to HD,Rootbeard,Leo."Shultzie" and my good friend "Billy Little" Without their help I could not have kept the "Riddle" going that long. Also Mark S. I really do hope you still haveyour job, it's not nice gettin caught by the Boss  LOL Thanks again it was fun.

[Bill Little]

Brother Billy G, you don't KNOW how hard it was to keep from "spillin' the beans"!

Good Luck with the Monstermobile, it will be an exciting project!

[Mark Scarborough]

Talk about being hard to not spill the beans, Pat and I talk all the time, I thought perhaps this was the project he mentioned, but since I had an unfair advantage, I chose to not say anything, but I must confess, when you posted the "fill in the blank" post it threw me and I thought I was wrong, hence me trying to fill it in and getting caught at work, FWIW I am at work today, so I snuck it by this time,
Actually my work enviroment is pretty casual,, Ron, the boss, understands my addiction and is supportive, so its all good

[Bob Zambelli]

Billeegee - just to give you an idea of what a big plane looks like, here is a shot of the Mega-Streak, built by Ted and Dan.

I built the control system for them - the bellcrank is 3/16  6061 T-6 aluminum with 1/16 aircraft cable leadouts.
It turns on a KP-4A ball bearing, 1/4" diameter shaft.

Before installation, pull tested the the assembly to 165 LBf.

Here is a pic of the plane. It flies with an ASP 1.08.

As I recall, it weighs around 170 ounces but don't hold me to that.

Bob Z.

[Bill Gruby]

   Bob Z.

   Thanks I have heard about that "Monster" but have never actually seen it. That is "Humongous". Just to let you know, down the road is the "RINGMONSTER" 2X Ringmaster. Wing mounted gear will be retractable. it will also have throttle. All this via "U-Tronics". That one is a ways off though. We just want to get this one done now.

          "Billy G"

[Bill Gruby]

   I have spent all day with this build------I am tired---will hopefully have enough done to post some pictures Monday? Won't get much done this weekend----------Graduation Party and Mothers Day. See you soon.

               "Billy G"   

[Scott Hartford]

OK, where can I get a kit?? No...., seriously, where can I get a kit?

[Bill Gruby]

   Scott;


           I hope I am not setting myself up answering you? If you go back to the beginning you will see that this is not kit build, plans are not even available yet. This is the "Brainchild of three people. I am building the very first one.

           Now with that this old man is going NITE-NITE. See YA"


                  "Billy G"   

[Leo Mehl]

Thanks Billy. I enjoyed keeping these guys in the dark but only the shadow knows. Hope to do this with you somewhere up the line.

[Phil Bare]

My RM1000 will come a bit slower then Billy Gs, seeing as how I have a business to keep going. But It will come togather...Billy has done a great job of getting every thing going and I owe him big timeThis is an interesting project and one that I have thought much about, especialy concerning the weight guestimations of 70 - 80 ounces, if we hit that number, then with a Fox .78 in full song, we will be able to launch like a combat wing.....:-) Next I think that a 1.62 times Flightstreak for my Fox .74 is in order.......Phil.....

[Scott Hartford]

   Scott;


           I hope I am not setting myself up answering you? If you go back to the beginning you will see that this is not kit build, plans are not even available yet. This is the "Brainchild of three people. I am building the very first one.

           Now with that this old man is going NITE-NITE. See YA"


                  "Billy G"   

LL~I know how you are building it, I just want you to kit it! Put me down for the first one!  I really think I NEED one of these. ARF maybe? The original Ringmaster started the same way didn't it? All ya gotta do is follow through!

[Paul Taylor]

OK G-Man,
Now that you let the cat out of the bag, how about some......


P  I  C  T  U  R  E  S  !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bill Gruby]

                        SOON----------VERY SOON-------------Parts are all cut, Leading edges are on the way, C/L Central is finishing up this weekend. We are looking good to go. If all goes well this weekend pictures will follow Monday Paul. Thanks for reminding me.

                    "Billy G"