Getting The Bug Again!

[Dick Pacini]

Hello, all.

I started writing an intro in MS Word, with the idea I would cut and paste it here, but it was much too long.

Briefly, I am a former modeler and competitor.  I placed 18th in the 1973 NATS, had a design published in Flying Models Magazine, learned a bunch from Jack Sheeks and worked my way up from the bottom to a level of small contest success.

I joined PAMPA early on and think I might have been in the charter group.  I used to be a contest freak and would drive to lands far and wide to compete.  I had the privilege of flying the circles with Big Al and his family, Don Bambrick, Leroy (Boom-Boom) Gunther, Bill Werwage, and of course, my mentor, Jack Sheeks.

I accumulated 30 some odd trophies on the contest circuit with a profile and was more successful with that because I tended to build heavy.

Unfortunately, the last time I flew was in 1975, since a job promotion and relocation in 1976 put me in an area without support, contests, hobby shops or places to fly.   My new job had more responsibility and less flexibility, so I had to hang up the handle and buckle down.

At this point in my life, being semi-retired and old enough to drive with my blinker on, I am getting the itch.  I have been lurking here for a few weeks and finally registered.  From what I have read, the state-of-the-art has changed. Back then, OS Max 35's with muffler pressure or ST 46's for bigger planes were the trick.  I had met Bob Hunt in Oshkosh with his ultra light Genesis and ordered a foam wing from him.

Well, I could go on and on, but I won't.  I would like some advice, though.  I still have 3 of my old planes complete with worn out OS Max power and ripped covering.  I would rather not take a chance.  I had been looking at the Brodak ARF Nobler with a Brodak 40, but I read here that changes are required to make it perform better.  However, I also found the Gieske Nobler ARF for 2 1/2 times the money, but perhaps fewer problems.  They both appear to be made in China.

Perhaps someone here could offer advice on these kits and the choice of the Brodak 40.  Thanks.  If I should pick up a handle again, you will be the first to know.

[Garf]

You might visit my Master C/L Link Site.

http://home.att.net/~philbrown36641s5/clhomepage.html

[Balsa Butcher]

Welcome back!  If you wish to go ARF, many would recommend the Brodak Vector 40 ARF. If it has been awhile since you built a kit you may be surprised at the quality and variety of lasar cut kits that are available today. My choice there would be either the Brodak (kit) Vector 40 or Olympic. RSM also has many lasar kit that would work well with a B-40, including a couple of Jack Sheeks designs.

[Clint Ormosen]

Welcome back! I'm sure you'll find the hobby even more joyfull this time around. There is so much available info and equipment these days and everybody is willing to share their knowlege with everybody else. I'm sure it won't take you long to get back into the swing of things and you'll be flying better than ever.

Oh, the Brodak .40 is an excellent engine. I have several.

[Dennis Adamisin]

Dick:
WELCOME BACK and welcome to Stunt Hanger!  A little while back I ordered a set of "Spirit of Saginaw" plans.  Then and now one of the best looking/best flying profiles around.  

Probably the biggest differences from then to now is that there are so many excellent engines to choose from and of course there are now ARFs to put them in!  The Brodak 40 is an good mill, the Brodak ARFs are all pretty good; The TF Nobler ARF needs a little more TLC but they work well too.  SO MANY choices!

Of course another Miss Saginaw would be HOT!

[RC Storick]

You might visit my Master C/L Link Site.

http://home.att.net/~philbrown36641s5/clhomepage.html

Or look a Stunt Hangars Master link page. The most I have ever seen on one page.
http://stunthanger.com/stunt_hangar_complete_links_page.htm

[Mark Scarborough]

The Brodak P-40 Profile is a GREAT airplane especially when coupled with a LA ./46 . It is also available as a kit, an ARC and an ARF. A very solid flying airplane.
Dont know if you know hiim, but Pat Johnston designed it. The only thing about it is the need to put a small amount of dihedral in the wing to get the vertical CG right. It takes about an hour to do and it DOES make a difference. I posted a photo thread on here quite some time ago about how to do this

[Allan Perret]

Well, I could go on and on, but I won't.  I would like some advice, though.  I still have 3 of my old planes complete with worn out OS Max power and ripped covering.  I would rather not take a chance.  I had been looking at the Brodak ARF Nobler with a Brodak 40, but I read here that changes are required to make it perform better.  However, I also found the Gieske Nobler ARF for 2 1/2 times the money, but perhaps fewer problems.  They both appear to be made in China.

Perhaps someone here could offer advice on these kits and the choice of the Brodak 40. 

The ARF Nobler (Top Flite) and Brodak 40 is a great combo. 
I have that one, flys great.   
Except for break-in, the engine is good to go right out the box.
The Nobler ARF needs to have the control system pretty much replaced. 

[Randy Powell]

Welcome back! I built a Spirit of Saginaw back in the 70s. It was a great plane. I always wanted to build a full fuse version. Very nice unit.

A Brodak 40 or OS 46LA is a good first engine back. They are both pretty easy to handle and set up. Later you can look at other stuff. The main thing is, have fun.

[Dick Pacini]

Welcome back! I built a Spirit of Saginaw back in the 70s. It was a great plane. I always wanted to build a full fuse version. Very nice unit.
.

Thanks for the compliment.  I built two full fuse versions and neither one was as good a flier as the profile.  Part of that was due to the wing being fairly thin...OK for the profile, but overloaded with a heavier plane.

That profile brought me more trophies than either of the built-ups.  That being said, the plane I placed 18th with in the '73 Nats was a full size.  It was brand new and I put the trim on in the motel.  I had never flown it before the Nats.

[Ironbomb]

How about some pics of  the "Sprit of Saginaw" ?  Pictures would be nice,

Greg

[Dick Pacini]

How about some pics of  the "Sprit of Saginaw" ?  Pictures would be nice,

Greg

Yes, it would, but that was 36 years ago.  I think I have some in a shoebox somewhere, after three moves to two states.  I have the magazine tucked away too, but if I scanned it, that would probably be in violation of copyright laws.  Basement mildew is a terrible thing.

[Les McDonald]

Dick,
I can't believe it's you!
I don't do this stuff any more but I still follow the action here on the forums and in Stunt News.
Stunt Hanger is a great place to hang out but get ready for "information overload", there's alot of new products and opinions.
The planes are so much better now mainly because of the variety of quality power systems, building methods and materials.
The competition doesn't seen to be as "cutthroat" as it was in the past and you'll find plenty of help, almost to much!
Welcome back and keep us informed with your progress.
                                                                                             Les McDonald
 

[Dick Pacini]

Dick,
I can't believe it's you!
I don't do this stuff any more but I still follow the action here on the forums and in Stunt News.
Stunt Hanger is a great place to hang out but get ready for "information overload", there's alot of new products and opinions.
The planes are so much better now mainly because of the variety of quality power systems, building methods and materials.
The competition doesn't seen to be as "cutthroat" as it was in the past and you'll find plenty of help, almost to much!
Welcome back and keep us informed with your progress.
                                                                                             Les McDonald
 

Hi Les, good to hear from you.  Back in '75, I bought one of the first Stiletto kits that had the full length fuse sides.  I also bought a new ST46 with muffler, the correct spinner, wheels, everything to duplicate your flying package as much as possible.

I never built it because I had to give up the hobby when I relocated.  Anyway, I kept the box taped shut and in a secure location.  In early 2000, my oldest son, Tony, in Arizona, asked if I would send it to him to build.  He is an avid RC Pylon racer and his wife owns a hobby shop.  I hemmed and hawed and finally agreed.  I bundled up the whole kaboodle and shipped it out.  Well, he didn't build it, which irked me, but let an RC buddy built it because he didn't have time. 

In November of that year, we flew out to AZ to visit.  My son asked if I wanted to fly the Stiletto, since it had not yet been flown.  Well, you know how those RC guys can be.  The fella who built it used RC landing gear with huge balloon tires, a clunk tank that probably held a quart, and generally, did not build it as it was intended.  He lost the Veco needle nose spinner and used some blunt plastic piece of crap instead.

Well, the fact that I hadn't touched a handle since 1975 made me a little nervous.  However, he conned me into it and off we went to the school field.  Long story short, I flew it about 6 times, doing a few maneuvers but not the whole pattern.  I had forgotten it.  The plane was not trimmed correctly and I didn't have time to figure out what it needed, but I flew it without stuffing it in.  The legacy lives on...

It has not been flown since and is hanging from the ceiling of Valley Hobby Shop in Prescott, AZ.

Again, Les, great to hear from you.  I think the last time I saw you was at the King Orange, when I drove down with Mark Heideman.   I can't remember the year, but I also met Remel Cooper.

[Matt Colan]

Welcome back!  The Brodak 40 is a good engine, and runs like the older motors but with more power.  A couple of planes I would try would be an Oriental, P-40, or a Brodak Pathfinder to start.

Neat little story there. Maybe you could cut and paste little bits and pieces here and there.

[Tom Niebuhr]

Dick,
Welcome back. As Les said, there is an abundance of info and opinions on the forums. The new engines give you performance that you couln not have dreamed for.

Now we gotta work on getting Les at it again. Les, it can be fun, you can be competetive, without the "dog eat dog".