Just When You Think You've Seen All The Different Ringmasters

[Robert Zambelli]

OK, these will get your attention.

I built the "Pushmaster" in 1994.  Stock Ringmaster with a Como 40 mounted backwards driving a trailing edge mounted pusher prop. The drive shaft consisted of an aluminum tube supported in a rear mounted ball bearing. Had to launch it quickly because the engine would overheat - no prop blast to cool it. A bit nose heavy but flew well.

Then there's the "Jetmaster" - I don't claim any part of this - built by someone in the Philly Flyers - Banjock , maybe. Not sure if it ever flew.

Comments?

Bob Z.

[Ironbomb]

Bob, those are just too cool for words. The Jetmaster looks most excellent. I gotta get me one of those engines.

happy bulding, (i see you are)

   Greg

[Russell Shaffer]

From what I can see of the jet mounts, if that thing ever fired it would go forward and leave the plane behind.  Interesting concept, though.  I wonder if the glo engine could move it fast enough to start if you could fire the plug somehow.

[Mike Anderson]

Plus, it doesn't look to have any landing gear - I AIN'T handlaunching that thing!   

[Larry Fulwider]

. . .
 . . . I built the "Pushmaster" in 1994.  Stock Ringmaster with a Como 40 mounted backwards driving a trailing edge mounted pusher prop. The drive shaft consisted of an aluminum tube supported in a rear mounted ball bearing. . . .

Bob Z.

Bob --

Did you ever talk to Banjock about his pusher Ringmaster? He said it was a real education in aerodynamics -- how much performance changes without propwash over the wing. Long take off rolls, for example.

Contrats on the drive shaft success. That is not a trivial engineering feat! For the rest of you, think about it.

       Larry Fulwider

[John Cralley]

Bob,

You need to post those photos over on the Brotherhood of the Ring (www.brotherhoodofthering.info). You will definitely generate comments over there!!

John

[Robert Zambelli]

Larry - that IS the pusher Ringmaster that Banjock had - I built it for him.   

The first takeoff roll was hilarious - lasted 3 minutes! But it never took off.   
I built the plane with a high tailwheel to clear the prop. I didn't think to notice that it sat at a slight NEGATIVE angle of attack. Since a symmetric airfoil needs a slight positive angle, even with full up, it could not rotate and lift off. So, it just ran around on the ground until it ran out of fuel. Lowering the tail and adding slightly larger front wheels cured the problem.

The real comedy was when it crashed. It went in a about 45 degrees, stuck into the ground and the engine just ran for around 20 seconds. Remember, the prop never hit the ground so there was nothing to stop it! 

Bob Z.

[Elwyn Aud]

The Dynajet would have turned the rudder to cinders.

[Robert Zambelli]

Hi, Guys - good comments.

Ty, you are correct - no matter what is done to a pig, it's still a pig!!!!! 

Russell - that setup was temporary just to get some CG ideas. He had all the proper mounting hardware for the pulse jet. Also, there was a landing gear, not shown in the photo.

The plan was to start the Diesel engine and then fire up the jet. Since the engine would already be running and cooling the jet, startup time was not that critical.

Elwyn - yes, he would definitely have to shorten the rudder.

Oh well, all for fun!!!!!

Bob Z.

[pat king]

One shouldn't be disparaging of Ringmasters. There are some of we intellectually challenged who think they are great.  You shouldn't hurt our feelings.

Pat

[Jim Kraft]

Yeah: Some of my best friends fly Ringmasters. My wife warned me about hanging out with guys that fly Ringmasters, but I didn't listen, and now I have 2 myself.

[Robert McHam]

Yeah: Some of my best friends fly Ringmasters. My wife warned me about hanging out with guys that fly Ringmasters, but I didn't listen, and now I have 2 myself.

I think that there is something addictive about the Ringmaster design. Even to those who have not flown one yet. I really can't say what it is or put a finger on it. Personally I have not built one but several of the smaller Ringmasters are on mu "bucket list" including the Baby Ringmaster and Beginner's Ringmaster bipe or possibly a built up wing version like the Baby Ringmaster. I have one of the Estes/Sterling PT Ringmaster 049 kits and it urges me to finish it.

Robert, I just have to ask about the engine start procedure for the "Pushmaster"!.

Robert

[Bill Gruby]

 UMMMM  Bob:

  Do you have any idea just how many Ringmaster Varients there are? At last count on the BOTR there were 34 and that was 6 months ago.  LOL  Let's see 207, 307, 546, 576, 547 Bipe, 715 Bipe, +P Foamie, RM 1000, SDR, Pulsemaster. RM Twin, and the Ducted Fan ( in development ) etc. There are more but I don't want ty to think I am in a rut.   

  "Billy G"   

[Randy Powell]

Bill,

Hey, what about mine?   

[Bill Gruby]

Bill,

Hey, what about mine?  

 Sorry Randy it plum slipped my mind. The Ringmaster Delux is georgeous. You can tell em what happened, I don't like to go there. It makes me cringe.  LOL

  "Billy G

[Bill Gruby]

 Why you ole snake in the grass. You is a closet "Ringmasterer" 

  "Billy G"   

[Terry Bolin]

Bill, Were  you building a special Ringmaster ( Maybe a bipe) a while back?

[Scott Hartford]

He has a few "special" Ringmasters!  Very special indeed......

[Bill Gruby]

Bill, Were  you building a special Ringmaster ( Maybe a bipe) a while back?

 Sure did Terry. It is waiting for the Trim Paint and will be done and flown this season. The big one will also be flown in the spring. The RM 1000 met with terra firma last July and a new one with some changes is underway. Thanks for asking.

  "Billy G"