Stunt Machine Flight Report

[Monty Summach]

I have a total of 6 flights on the Stunt Machine now and it seems to be very promising. At first the turn was not very good with the CG at around 18%. I have moved it back now about ¼ to 3/8 of an inch and it is quite good. The best part is that it is  tracking  extremely well in level flight and thru the turns so I think the cg can go back more if required. There seems to be some inboard roll during outside turns up high in the pattern. Some more flights will show if this is going to be a problem.
Here are the details:
The finish is Sig dope with Dupont Nason 2-part clear.
45oz
Magnum 36 with homemade muffler, .281 venturi, Zinger Pro 11x4 launching at 10,300. Fuel usage for the pattern is around 31/4 oz. This doesn’t seem like much but there seems to be plenty of power available.
I am flying it on 59’ (eye to eye) .015 lines at around 5 seconds/lap.

Regards,

Monty

[Wynn Robins]

now THAT is a slick looking airplane......

[RC Storick]

You do good work! It's nice to see quality craftsmanship!

[jose modesto]

I had the chance to watch and launch the original model. This is the best looking reproduction stunt machine that i have seen. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.

Wen Gene flew the stunt machine is was balanced closer to 15% and it had the tightest corners of any plane flying.
Just a few questions
1) did you use the controls as designed
2) is that the original gear (1/8" wire with the 1/16"piano wire rapped at three locations) This gear would allow Gena to smoke in a landing at high speed and no bounces
3) the original stunt machine did not have any air outlets. did you include any.

[Monty Summach]

Jose,
Thanks for your comments.
As to your questions, the gear is a per the plans with 1/8 wire and with a smaller stiffening wire wrapped and soldered to it. It is very compliant and soaks up the bumps well. It settles a bit under the weight of the plane - something to consider when allowing for prop clearance.
As for the controls, I have been intending to go back and look at the plans to see if anything was specified as to flap/elevator ratios. I have set mine at 1/1. There is quite a bit of flap area and the chord of the wing is deep. The tail moment is not very long - perhaps this is one design where less flap is required. This would explain the aft cg requirement.
Cooling: I have a slot/vent underneath the tank. Engine runs seem quite good so far - very much like a pipe run.
Regards,
Monty

[RandySmith]

HI Monty

Very nice  job !!

Randy

[proparc]

I posted this on the other forum.  I wish I had videos of Gene flying his Stunt Machine at Flushing Meadows. I know that if Gene saw his ship, he would be very touched.  Although, I suspect he would expect you deliver some cracking corners with it!!  What you might not know is that in addition to Gene's SM having the fastest corner I have ever witnessed on ANY stunt ship, Gene's plane also had one of the absolute best groove capabilities have ever seen.  I looked like it was rolling on a pool table at high speed.
Gene was also doing some experimenting with getting his OS Max 35 to run at constant speed long before it became common place. I witnessed those runs\flights. It did. I know what the controls on Gene’s SM feel like.  I wonder what yours is like.
When Gene was practicing for the Nats with his SM, based on what I saw, my assessment was that there not a person on the planet that could stop him. When he came back with second, I was stunned. I would later find out that the Nat's made Gene nervous, he would actually beat himself; hence the 5 second places. I still think about it.