Early stunt times

[Terry Caron]

I've read of the fast stunt patterns flown by Yates, Reinhardt and others in earlier days.
Anyone know the actual lap times referred to?

Terry

[EddyR]

 I do not know the answer to your question but I was flying in the early 1950 in Binghamton NY and think we were around 5.0 Many people I flew with flew Smoothies ,AAsr,Chief's I was the only one flying Nobler's before the kit. I remember guys from Rochester NY flying Ruffy's. This was a little later than you asked about buy even earlier planes before I flew they did not seem any faster than 4.8-5.2 sec. I remember AAsr in 1951 flying at 5.0 sec. Hal-DeBolt said he flew at 80 MPH in the late 1940's
Ed

[Bill Little]

Seems like low 4 sec times come to mind, on 70' lines, pretty quick.  Mr. Yates was well known for his fast patterns!  An Orwick 74 in a Madman has to be a rocket especially since he was using high pitch props.

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Terry Caron]

Late 40s-early 50s are the period I have in mind and no doubt most flew at more reasonable speeds.
I suppose few could fly like Mr. Yates, who was specifically mentioned as super quick, but whatever I read seemed to indicate generally faster lap times than we're accustomed to these days.

Terry

[Bill Little]

Hi Terry,

I was out practicing with my USA-1 one day and playing with different recommended fuels.  I got off with a bad needle and next thing I know I have a 700 sq.in. 53 oz. stunt plane doing 4.5 laps.  I generally flew this plane at 5.3 to 5.4.  I flew the pattern at 4.5 and it was an experience! (and one I never tried again with that model! hahaha)

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

[Terry Caron]

Y'know Bill - it just occurred to me that 4 sec lap times is maybe just what the hobby needs.
Lots more excitement for spectators!
And think of the boost to c/l suppliers' sales!
(and maybe E/R visits for falls, etc.)      

Terry

[Trostle]

Interesting question.

According to what was written from the time and according to George Aldrich, Yates and deBolt, among others, flew their tricks at 80 mph or better.  Assuming 70 foot lines were use, the lap time would be around 3.7 or 3.8 sec.

We saw an example of a really fast pattern, no slower than in the mid 4 second range by Masari Hiki at this last VSC with his lightweight Gene Scghaffer Hallmark.  Spectacular corners and flew to closer to the 45^o pattern than most.  It was, to say the least, a spectacular performance.

Keith