Author Topic: Great article by Bob Hunt on the Humbug. (Read 10479 times)

Robert Zambelli · « **on:** February 29, 2016, 12:19:23 PM »

The Humbug has always fascinated me.
I saw Bob Baron fly one in the Troy, NY area in the late 60's.
A truly amazing pilot with a unique plane.
I'm taxing my memory a bit but, as I recall, the plane was covered with yellow jap tissue, powered by a Clarence Lee reworked Veco 19 turning a Top-Flite 9 inch wood prop and flew on 70 foot solid lines.
I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Netzeband at VSC and we communicated quite a bit before his passing.
I also spent quite a bit of time speaking with Bob Baron although I had not seen him since the late 60's. He spent his remaining years in Georgia as I recall.
Two very interesting fellows to say the least!

Bob Z.

louie klein · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2016, 01:44:44 PM »

Great story, I look forward to future plans and planes.---Louie

goozgog · « **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2016, 01:56:25 PM »

Bah!.......Humbug!

David Hoover · « **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2016, 06:28:51 PM »

I'll look forward to watching this one progress.

proparc · « **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2016, 08:21:10 PM »

If I am not mistaken, Bob placed 4th at the Nats with his Humbug but, I got the impression everyone seemed to want to cover that up. My impression also was that, the plane was not well received by the then, very conservative stunt crowd.

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2016, 01:19:50 AM »

Just last week I ran across the Humbug article in an old Model Airplane News magazine (January 1971). It is interesting in a variety of ways such as small engine, long lines, tricycle gear, high aspect ratio wing (7:1) and tail (10:1) and Monokote covering.

The article says they used a Clarence Lee modified Veco .19 and needed about 14,000 RPM on a Rev-up 8-5 prop. "the engine must run fast enough to get a level flight speed of 60MPH on 70 feet of 0.012 stranded control lines".

For those who would know both engines, would an FP-20 with 9-4 APC (BB style) be comparable or as capable as the Veco .19?

The article claims it out performed flapped stunters and with high aspect ratios would "fly" through the corners. They also mentioned "the low pitch inertia makes response entertaining and exiting from a corner essentially instantaneous".

Robert Zambelli · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2016, 08:19:17 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on February 29, 2016, 04:38:47 PM

Close, Bob, but the Humbug you saw at Troy (I flew at that meet that year too...) was covered with yellow MonoKote. It indeed did have a Lee/Veco 19 and it flew on full 70-foot long lines. It was simply amazing.

OK, Bob - Monocote it is.

I did not compete at Troy - we were on our way to New York City and we stopped to watch.
I never got close enough to the Humbug to see the covering but I just assumed it was jap tissue.
What Steve posted about the engine really reminded me of the sound.
Not looking at the plane, you'd swear you were hearing a combat engine.

What were you flying at Troy?

Bob Z.

John Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2016, 08:47:45 AM »

Good job Bob. I have great respect for "Wild Bill", and the Hum bug was a specia series lof designs. A co-project between Bill and Bob. Seeing you bring your styling skills to this unique, fun, and able series of designs.

Well done Bobby.

Motorman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2016, 09:38:03 AM »

Why can't you make it with modern tail moment, flaps and airfoil with 575 sq. in. and call it the Huntbug.

MM

Shultzie · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2016, 10:53:29 AM »

Way back in 68 nats.....if I dimming memory recalls----the first HUMBUG got more than a few remarks..(some pretty nasty) that Bob Baron should fly this HUMBUG sitting here in this photo--and after his amazing goood pattern flow in that 116 mph wind that afternoon. perhaps changed a few minds?"
Sadly Bob has passed this earthly life all too soon...I have a photo of Bob that he crashed BIG TIME at the 69's some where in my collections. To me he always had a great sense of humor to lighten the minds of the truly addicted jet style stunt machines of those dayd gone bye.

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2016, 12:56:38 PM »

The M.A.N article from 1971

(see below for entire article)

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2016, 01:07:57 PM »

Sorry, the scan I did was full PDF and too big a file even for individual pages. I'll try to figure out how to shrink them down.

From those that heard it fly, it seems that it indeed had a hot engine, "fitted by Clarence Lee". "Without a hot engine, the Humbug lV will never realize its potential".

eric rule · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2016, 03:53:01 PM »

For anyone interested in the Humbug as drawn by Wild Bill Netzeband RSM Distribution has been offering the 100% laser cut kit as well as the plan for a number of years.

One of the really nice things about being in the hobby business was the opportunity to meet people like Wild Bill. He was one of the nicest fellows on the planet and extremely knowledgeable about all aspects to C/L modeling. It was my honor to call Bill a friend.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2016, 04:57:09 PM »

I just got the new MA today. I knew that Bob was working on this project. I have to say that I like his modern version more than the original.

CL was well covered for a change with the Vintage combat event in NJ.

Thanks Bob!

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:14:48 PM »

Trying this again...

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #15 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:16:33 PM »

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #16 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:17:33 PM »

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:19:53 PM »

Steve Thompson · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:21:40 PM »

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #19 on:** March 01, 2016, 05:25:15 PM »

The thing I remember most about that Humbug ( and Bob) was that thing did the roundest round maneuvers I've ever seen to this day. It tracked 'perfect' loops.

Dave

Paul Walker · « **Reply #20 on:** March 01, 2016, 06:48:06 PM »

Bob and I were both engineers working on Secret govt programs in the mid 80's in the LA area. We both figured we knew what each other was working on, but I know he thought I was working on something else, like what he was working on, but I wasn't.

He was busy with work (not that I wasn't) and we were headed to the '88 WC's when he no longer could get a motor run. He saw mine run, and asked about it. Next thing I know, I was building his motor for Kiev. It IS the one he used there.

Later, we were working on the same Secret program, but at different corners of the country. On one trip to his home base, I looked him up at work. He was struggling with his Lukemia at the time and not flying. That was the last time I saw him.

He used all the styling an engineer could muster on the original Humbug. Bob has added some real style to it. I like Bob's version. Good job Bob!

proparc · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2016, 07:39:19 PM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on February 29, 2016, 04:38:47 PM

Close, Bob, but the Humbug you saw at Troy (I flew at that meet that year too...) was covered with yellow MonoKote. It indeed did have a Lee/Veco 19 and it flew on full 70-foot long lines. It was simply amazing.

Bob overbuilt the wing a bit because he liked the MonoKote finish and it was not as strong as a silkspan or tissue finish would have been. With today's modern construction techniques and materials I'm certain that we can make the wing light and plenty strong and use the iron-on or a doped tissue finish with equally good results.

I'm going to try and fast track this project because I've received a lot of good feedback on the idea. The attached photo of the new fuselage side view shows approximately what the ship will look like. It's not a great photo of the plan; I cut off the nose of the spinner at the edge of the frame... My bad. The side-view does not show the booms, but they will be there on the actual model.

Later - Bob Hunt

Amazing transformation. The ship looks killer!! Watcha going to put in it?

dirty dan · « **Reply #22 on:** March 01, 2016, 08:13:46 PM »

My own view is that the Humbug ought be powered by an O.S. 25FP on pipe, setup used on my W500. Good fuel, 10-3 APC prop, Hayes clunk tank.

(Oh! I've been gone for awhile--the W500 is an Impact scaled to 500 squares, fitted to profile fuselage. It's killer...)

Serge_Krauss · « **Reply #23 on:** March 01, 2016, 09:22:54 PM »

Thanks everyone for posting about the "Humbug" here. I'm glad to hear that it's getting some more attention. I particularly appreciate Steve posting the article, since I have only read Bob's later article. I always admired Bill Netzeband's adventurous designs and wish I'd been closer sooner. In his last year, h
e gave me real encouragement on one of my wilder designs that may actually get built. I know that Bob's will be great!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #24 on:** March 02, 2016, 10:59:34 AM »

The one in the pictures looks different than the kit I built of Eric's. Just wish I had not tried so hard with it. Lost it at the top of the hour glass and it went straight in at VSC. Need to get another one built as Eric sent another set of ribs. This time a full set, I'll let Eric tell the story if he wants too.

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2016, 11:36:47 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 01, 2016, 07:55:47 PM

Hi Milt:

I think I can get away with a Power 10 size electric motor and a 2,100 mAh 4S pack. It should come in at around 33 ounces with the battery on board (maybe less...), so I can fly it on .010 solid lines legally. That should really boost the performance.

The fuselage crutch assembly with the mount installed and the molded shells weighs in at 1.87 ounces! The wing should finish up under seven ounces with the controls and the L/G plates installed.

Paul: Thanks for the kudos on the styling. As you well know, that's my favorite part of the hobby...

And, thanks to all who have chimed in here with comments on this project; it's a whole new facet of my modeling. Retirement may not be all that bad after all...

Later - Bob Hunt

Hey Bubba,
Great job. I agree with everyone, it looks a "BUNCH BTTER" than Bob's and powered with electric, it should perfume AWESOME without that screaming Veco 19 in your ears.

I remember a more stylized version of the Humbug that I seen in a magazine in the 70's (I think) kind a looked like an Avanti somewhat.

Later Buddy,
Mikey

Paul Walker · « **Reply #26 on:** March 03, 2016, 01:32:32 PM »

Great job. I agree with everyone, it looks a "BUNCH BTTER" than Bob's and powered with electric, it should perfume AWESOME without that screaming Veco 19 in your ears.

Later Buddy,
Mikey
[/quote]

Mikey,

Glad to here that you like the smell of electrics.

Are you using them now?

MikeyPratt · « **Reply #27 on:** March 06, 2016, 01:07:07 PM »

Quote from: Paul Walker on March 03, 2016, 01:32:32 PM

Great job. I agree with everyone, it looks a "BUNCH BTTER" than Bob's and powered with electric, it should perfume AWESOME without that screaming Veco 19 in your ears.

Later Buddy,
Mikey

Mikey,

Glad to here that you like the smell of electrics.
Are you using them now?

Hi Paul,
Yes I like the electric stuff and it reminds me of driving the train around that little track. I still have all my glows stuff because you never know what will happen next (LOL).

I've built a number of things with with electric and have to admit, it easier to get a good run every time. My glow engines were pretty dependable for the most part. I haven't tried the Igore,s stuff yet, but hopefully soon.

Later buddy,
Mikey

Target · « **Reply #28 on:** March 06, 2016, 07:55:47 PM »

I'd be interested in a set of plans for this plane...
R,
Chris