Pretty cool to have your work in a model museum, Fred!
One thing about B-TRs is that folks work hard to make them look good. I think in the original rules, they were judged for appearance before the races, and the best looking got choice of starting position--or something like that. So looks counted. That is still the case today.
I would agree with C.T. that the portion of the current rules drafted in 2006 that allow full Schneurle engines up to .28 displacement was not well conceived for aging pilots. (The rules still allow single bypass .29’s, so that heirloom racer hanging on the wall is legal, just as it is….) The level of performance with modern engines is such that finding three pilots with sufficient strength and agility to race safely is now difficult. I'm not sure that C.T. has his history in line, however. There was a push somewhere in the '80's(?) by Ken Smith in California to get B-TR going again. I wasn't flying in those years, so all I have is what I've heard around the pits. During that go-around, the intent was to revive vintage B-TR, with vintage engines. No Schneurle porting, no NovaRossis, and maybe not even ball bearings. I think this is consistent with what has been done in England and perhaps Australia. In the early 2000's, there was another push. This led to the NCLRA rules. That's what's out there now. Nobody in California "owns" the NCLRA rules. The special interest group does. Join up and vote!
I think where the current rules went awry (or perhaps more accurately, contributed to the moribund state of B-TR today) is that few wanted to fly planes with unrestricted engines with a displacement of up to .29 cubic inches. But everyone wanted to preserve the plane size and minimum fuselage dimensions. No one wanted a wimpy racer, either. The compromise was, as they often are, unsatisfactory to many. I will say that pretty much any standard .25 R/C engine is way more than plenty of performance. I have flown several fitted out like that. So now you either need even smaller displacement, or you need to run a venturi rule. Going to plain bearing engines would also help. For example, an OS .25FP would be a lot more manageable than, say, a GMS .25. Or a Webra .28. Or, …..[list your favorite rule-wrecking motor here.] And, as always, there is the never-ending discussion about forming event rules around engines that are no longer being made. For many guys, it is not an enjoyable treasure hunt looking for engines and parts to support them to comply with vintage, or even just 1960’s technology. It is always said to be unfair for the newcomer, whereas the “old racers” have just what is needed stashed away. Well, that’s one of the arguments, wheter or not there were any engines stashed. But with the prospect of fewer and fewer engines being produced, maybe we can get back to talking vintage B-TR again.
I have a pair of partially complete B-TRs that I will finish, even if all I get to do is sport fly them. The designs are beautiful. Hopefully, I can do them the kind of justice that Fred is putting into his Falcao. I enjoy seeing his work.
Dave[/list]
Topic: Falcao TR - Brazilian 50´s Team Race Build (Read 1907 times)