Is the Berkeley Grumman Guardian Old-Time legal?

[Scott Richlen]

I don't suppose it is, but thought I'd ask.

[Ty Marcucci]

HI Scott.. One way I determine the era of any model is to have a few 1951 and 1952 Flying Models or Air  Trails mags laying around.. Those  two full page ads by Berkeley are very helpful for just that reason.

[Trostle]

I have a disc that shows all of the Berkeley plans.  The plans for the Grumman Guardian shows a copyright date of 1954. I doubt that you will find any Berkeley advertisements prior to 1954 that will show their Guardian.

The cutoff date for PAMPA OTS is December 1952.  It would be a stretch to try to explain that the design was developed prior to that December 1952 cutoff date.  You might want to approach the PAMPA officers to see if they would approve that argument.

Keith

[Scott Richlen]

It would be a stretch to try to explain that the design was developed prior to that December 1952 cutoff date

I think you're right Keith.  I'd have to use a justification that it is in the "Spirit of 1952" in that it didn't have flaps and it probably didn't fly worth a sh__.

Of course, I suppose these days I could fashion some kind of diversity, equity, inclusion argument: "Hey, it is not the designer's fault that he didn't draw it up until 2 years after the cut-off date!  You guys got something against less-privileged model airplane designers?  And there aren't many Navy designs included in OTS.  We need to widen the diversity of designs by including stuff that doesn't qualify!  We are limited by being too rule-centric!  And why can't we have something other than a Ringmaster?  Are you Guardian-phobic?  Huh?  Huh?"

Think they'd buy that?  Uhhh, me neither....

[Steve Helmick]

When I was in Jr. High, one of the old local fliers (he was a Sophomore!) had a Berkley Grumman Guardian. It did loops, but didn't appear to have anything like a "corner". It did very magestic takeoffs and landings, however. I seem to recall that Bill Netzeband did a revised version with flaps that might be Classic legit. Check with Tom Dixon for plans...maybe.

If you want an OTS model, there are four that I would consider: Jamison, Humongus, Big Job and Barnstormer. Paint 'em up like Navy...or Marines. But that's only if you want to be competitive. Those would fly well enough that you'd be fairly willing to actually practice with them, which would be a huge help.  Steve

[Scott Richlen]

I guess I'll have to check with Tom Dixon about plans.  The challenge is that I think the only way to reach him is by snail mail.  Drat!  I'm not sure why I'm interested in the Guardian, other than I've never seen one in real life except at the National Warbird Museum in Geneseo.  It's just sort of weird and cool.

[Dan McEntee]

   I may be wrong, but isn't there two Berkeley Guardians? One is a scale/carrier kit and the other is a semi-scale stunt model?  I would have to poke around he ads in the old magazines. I don't think I have any old catalogs with that in them.
   
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Scott Richlen]

I may be wrong, but isn't there two Berkeley Guardians?

Maybe, but I'm only interested in the stuntship.  That's the one in the picture I previously posted.  The Outerzone has the plans, but not for the version with flaps.

[Chris McMillin]

Dan,
The Sterling Guardian is a Carrier ship.
Chris…

   I may be wrong, but isn't there two Berkeley Guardians? One is a scale/carrier kit and the other is a semi-scale stunt model?  I would have to poke around he ads in the old magazines. I don't think I have any old catalogs with that in them.
   
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[Trostle]

   I may be wrong, but isn't there two Berkeley Guardians? One is a scale/carrier kit and the other is a semi-scale stunt model?  I would have to poke around he ads in the old magazines. I don't think I have any old catalogs with that in them.
   
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Dan,

As mentioned earlier in this thread, I have a disk that has all of the Berkeley plans.  There is only one Guardian, and that is the flapless semi-scale stunt version of a Guradian.

Keith

[Scott Richlen]

I went back to OuterZone and searched under "Bob Elliott" the designer of the Guardian.  Turns out he also designed the Black Tiger (which, I believe, is OTS legal) and the Super Whirlaway speed plane.  I wonder what else he designed?  (I'd guess since there is a Super Whirlaway, there must be a "Whirlaway.")

[Scott Richlen]

Looking at the plans, I'm thinking this one might be hard to build straight.  Getting the engine, wing, and stab in alignment might be a real challenge.  Plus it has a planked fuselage, so it would be easy for it to come out pretty heavy.  I'd bet the old Berkeley kit wood was not exactly light weight.  I seem to be doing a good job of talking myself out of this one.....