Clown differences?

[David M Johnson]

A question for the experts.  Are there any differences between the PDQ Flying Clown drawn by John Jones 2005 from the PDQ kit produced by the PDQ kit from Millville NJ and the current Brodak kit?
Thank You in advance David Johnson 

[Mike Keville]

You BET there are.  Seen here is the original $1.95 PDQ kit....quite unlike the current offering: no LE sheeting; no spars; authentic vertical fin shape.

[David M Johnson]

So this first reply begs a second question what is the difference between an "A" a "B" or a "C" class engine I understand .15 vs .25 and so on but what is the "Letter" break downs mean.

[Mike Keville]

In those days (we're talking 1950s here), 'A'-'B' probably meant .19 to .29, while 'C' would include .32 to .35. displacement.....the latter totally overpowered for the PDQ Flying Clown.  In the '50s we flew them on silver-case McCoy .19s, which were more than adequate.

Again, today's re-issue is NOT an accurate replica of the original Flying Clown.

[Perry Rose]

All I know is 1/2A is .049.

[frank mccune]

    Hi:

    I will take a stab at the od lettering system as used in The Good Old Days.  The differen classes were determined by engine displacements such as below.

    1/2 A up to .050
   
    A .050-.20

    B .20-.29

    C .30-.49

    D .50 and larger

    I hope that my mind is still sharp! Lol

                                                                                                                           Sincerely,

                                                                                                                           Frank McCune

[bob whitney]

  that looks about right then they dropped the 49's and 60's became C's  and 65's became D

[Motorman]

Most modern versions get the fuselage and empennage shape wrong. The lines should flow in a whimsical way but they narrow the nose, flatten the mid hump and put a blob canopy on it. The stab/elev should have a slight taper to the LE/TE but some even put the Circus Prince stab/elev on it. I have a good set of templates.

MM

[Terrence Durrill]

I won one of those $1.95 PDQ Flying Clown kits at a contest in Mexico, Missouri in 1956.  Not having any 19 size engines, I used a K&B .35 greenhead which slightly overpower that little stunter.  I flew a lot of combat with that plane and it was darn fast, but it turned like a Mac Truck.  I finally gave it to my brother-in-law to fly in 1966.  I think he finally threw it in the trash.......it was truly a tough little plane.  

[Gerald Arana]

You BET there are.  Seen here is the original $1.95 PDQ kit....quite unlike the current offering: no LE sheeting; no spars; authentic vertical fin shape.

And I just happen to have the "Super" PDQ Clown kit with flaps! (And NO, it's not for sale.  )

[Terrence Durrill]

Gerald,
             I also have a PDQ Super Clown with flaps which I bought as a kit at the Norfolk Naval Station in 1964.  I brought it back to Missouri and sold it to a flying buddy who built it and flew it with a Johnson .32 Sports Special.  Unfortunately, he rekitted it and threw it in the trash can.  I retrieved it and rebuilt that plane.  I flew it on and off for the next 40+ years, used it as a trainer for local kids, rekitted it twice, rebuilt it again, recovered it with parachute nylon  and it is in better shape now than originally built back in 1966.  At present, it is powered with a K&B .29 greenhead and is ready to go to the flying field.  My problem is, at age 75 and having bad knees, I am not ready to go to the flying field.  Watch out......some of these planes are so tough......they will outlive you.     

[peabody]

Many moons ago, Bill, who lived in or near Millville, allowed as how had rented some space and that it was full of, primarily, PDQ Clowns.....

He said that I could buy them for $5.00 per. I handed him $100 with the thought that the GSCB could have some fun Clown Racing.

There were at LEAST THREE distinct and different kits, all with the same crappy label (as pictured above)!

Some had cap strips on the wings, and there were a few with cheek doublers....all had what appeared the same airfoil and "numbers".

Some had what we assumed were "Circus Prince" tail feathers....

We had fun Clown Racing until Nelson's and the like appeared...

[bob whitney]

  i was told by someone that lived in PA that the PDQ kits were built to what ever balsa they could get at the time .so leading edges and trailing edges  were dif depending what balsa they could get at the time.

[Mike Keville]

  i was told by someone that lived in PA that the PDQ kits were built to what ever balsa they could get at the time .so leading edges and trailing edges  were dif depending what balsa they could get at the time.

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

NONE of which used LE sheeting, capstrips or spars.

I rest my case.

[RC Storick]

well here are some different clowns

[john e. holliday]

I found the double kit Clown that Joe Just kitted at one time.  I also have the Brodak Clown that will not turn like I want.   Even added lead to the tail and its still sluggish.  Now I know why they race it.

[John Tate]

An old timer told me that the Super Clown needed more elevator movement than flap movement to turn correctly.
So at the elevator control horn I moved the push rod one hole closer to the elevator and the model turned much better.

[john e. holliday]

Big difference in Flying Clown and the Super Clown.   I've seen the Super Clown with and with out flaps and looked the same to me. Guess when I get caught up will have to build the Brodak Super Clown.