Author Topic: "Hobo" Flies! (New Flight Report 6-10-2011) (Read 7148 times)

Tom Niebuhr · « **on:** May 11, 2011, 06:59:26 PM »

Most know that “The Hobo is Coming” It is now nice to say that the 1st Prototype “Hobo” has flown.

The “Hobo” is meant for Sport and Intermediate flying and to be a step up from profiles to get away from the twisting and vibrations, resulting is better engine runs and better flight. The design parameters are to be simple to build, have no blocks to carve and an upright engine. The “Hobo” uses the airfoil section from my “Top Hat” and has modern moments. The plans will show both a bubble canopy and turtle deck version, and ”kit bashing” is encouraged. The “Hobo” has 487sq. in. and for .25 to .46 engines.

The “Sport” configuration will be capable of some unexpected things… More on that after some more test flights.

Four prototypes will be in the air very soon, in New York State, Oregon and Texas.

Bill Hummel’s reported on his first flights today. Here are his words:

“ Well, we FINALLY got a chance to fly the Hobo! Five flights, including four full patterns, more or less...the wind was howling, so we cut it short. Flying buddy Steve Teerlinck took photos, will forward them to you as soon as I see them. Hobo flew well!!! Mine is a bit tail heavy, will add a tube muffler on next flights. Solid, level flight, no hunting or "funnies", tracks well through the pattern. Mine is 40 ounces with a Double Star 40 plain bearing engine. Looks cool in the overheads, handles nicely all over the hemisphere. Gotta think this is a "winner" design, easy to build for neophytes, much better flight than a profile, a pretty capable little stunter! Will also try with a Fox 35 next time, photos to follow...”

I am attaching some preliminary pictures of Bill Hummel’s with his daughter holding. and my “Hobo”. Dave Russun is building the turtle deck version.

Current plans are for publishing and then a kit about 6 months after the publishing date.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:03:51 PM »

*whispers* It needs an engine..

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:10:35 PM »

PJ,
I did say that they are "Preliminary Pictures".

Allen Brickhaus · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2011, 05:46:30 AM »

Found jumping off a old rail car at the train depot this morning. Tom, it looks neat, thanks for your work on this project. Hope to see you at the VSC in 2012.

Allen Brickhaus

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2011, 07:35:58 AM »

I know I know - you also said it flew ,which would mean it had an engine - I jsut couldnt resist with the photo.

Looks nice - sort of like a Humongus style plane - or a super Ziltch. Nice.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2011, 08:02:47 AM »

Just got a note from Bill Hummel. He weighed the "Hobo" on an accurate scale. The actual weight, ready for flight is 34.5 oz.

Pictures from Steve T and Bill are coming.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2011, 09:57:17 AM »

Here are some pictures of Bill Hummel's "Hobo". (Photos by Steve Teerlinck)

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2011, 10:01:36 AM »

Here is a bare bones picture of two "Hobos". Dave Russum's (L) is the turtle deck version. (Photo by Bill Lee)

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:05:49 AM »

Tom,

Terrific!!!!!! Kind of reminds me of a concept I tried to convey to another kit builder!

Sort of like any number of El D's I've built. Will there be an unflapped version?

The Joe Bellcranks of the world will build bronze statues of Tom Terrific in cities around the world...

Great Job.

Ward-O

PS: Don't forget an electric option!

Scott Hartford · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2011, 11:48:56 AM »

Nice plane!

John Stiles · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2011, 01:04:36 PM »

Quote from: Tom Niebuhr on May 12, 2011, 08:02:47 AM

Just got a note from Bill Hummel. He weighed the "Hobo" on an accurate scale. The actual weight, ready for flight is 34.5 oz.

Pictures from Steve T and Bill are coming.

Iris wants to know who the young lady is....looks to be about her age, she turns 11 next sunday. Nice plane!

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2011, 02:44:52 PM »

Tom, That has got to be a winner. Something that has been needed for a long time. It is a simple, yet a very capable plane. Guys that have never built a full fuse stunter can get their feet wet on that one. It reminds me of the Kaos R/C pattern plane from back in the 70's. Almost everybody had one, even if they did not fly competition.

Ron Hook · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2011, 04:42:51 PM »

Nice looking plane. Do not want to start an trouble, but it looks like an easy conversion to an electric plane!

Ron Hook

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2011, 05:58:49 PM »

We are excited about the potential of the "Hobo". I do not know of a simple airplane for "Sport" in any publications for at least 25 years, particularly with the optional things that we think it will do. (More on that after testing.) The airplane will also be competitive at lower levels.

The basic construction is nothing new, but the modern airfoil and moments separate it from all the revamped kits of old. The fuselage and formers are all tab to slots, making it almost self aligning. I built my basic fuselage in one day, and assembled the wing in one evenling. The only hold up is available time with working on customer's projects and taking a little time for my own projects, that include the Curtiss Swift and Sea Vixen for next year's VSC, and a totally new Pampa airplane.

Ron,
Yes, it will be easy to convert for Electric, in fact Bob Hunt and I have even talked about it. I haven't gotten into electrics yet, so I will be anxious to work with someone that will build an electric "Hobo" so that we can possibly cover that on the drawings.

Ward,
Thanks, buddy!

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:53:39 AM »

Glad to hear it is working. I waited and waited and built several other planes while waiting. Finally gave up when you told me it would not be kitted until after publication.

Bill Hummel · « **Reply #15 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:24:26 AM »

John Stiles: the young lady is my daughter and best shop helper, Sarah. She's 13, has flown a little,
helps out at our meets, and is a viscious lacrosse player!

dale gleason · « **Reply #16 on:** May 13, 2011, 08:06:01 PM »

A little known factoid is that the "Hobo" is named after an actual person, "Hobo" Ken. He was famous enough to have a town in New Jersey named after him.
Were he with us today, he would be honored to find that Tom has designed this cute little airplane.
Let's all buy one! I am.
dale g

Jerry Leuty · « **Reply #17 on:** May 16, 2011, 08:15:21 PM »

I've still got my plans. I may scratch build another for one of my Fox .35s. My last one turned out as crooked as our politicians here in ................it hit the trash truck on a Monday. The driver looked at me as I chunk it and said; "Just didn't come out right did it?" Nope. And I was not willing to invest the time to disassemble it and rebuild it. We will start from raw stock next time.

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2011, 09:35:46 PM »

Quote from: Tom Niebuhr on May 12, 2011, 05:58:49 PM

Ron,
Yes, it will be easy to convert for Electric, in fact Bob Hunt and I have even talked about it. I haven't gotten into electrics yet, so I will be anxious to work with someone that will build an electric "Hobo" so that we can possibly cover that on the drawings. Ward,
Thanks, buddy!

I'm your man!

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #19 on:** May 17, 2011, 07:50:46 AM »

Wynn,
Sent you a PM.
Tom N

John Stiles · « **Reply #20 on:** May 17, 2011, 08:53:56 AM »

Quote from: Bill Hummel on May 13, 2011, 08:24:26 AM

John Stiles: the young lady is my daughter and best shop helper, Sarah. She's 13, has flown a little,
helps out at our meets, and is a viscious lacrosse player!

She says "pretty". Iris has flown twice...once with my hand on hers and the second, she solo'ed! Here's a video:

Dalton Hammett · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2011, 09:28:04 AM »

Great looking , down to earth, easy to build plane. I'd definately be interested in one !!!

Dalton H.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2011, 03:21:10 PM »

Just want to add that we are now working on details for an electric installation in the "Hobo". Will show pictures as progress is made.

The "Hobo" will be a true multi purpose airplane, and we will have even more usages as flight testing progresses.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #23 on:** May 21, 2011, 08:47:23 AM »

Is this to be a kit again or just a magazine article in which you have to buy the plans?

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #24 on:** May 21, 2011, 01:19:51 PM »

Doc,
The aim is for publications and then to introduce a kit about 5 months after publication, since that is the time frame that magazine usually demands.

So far we have most bases covered. I just want to make sure that we can accurately give all recommended parameters to the future builders. We will be testing the "Hobo" with engines from .25 to .46, and will also have an add-on to the kits for electric installations.

I am being helped on the electric version by two people who are well known for electric stunter developments.

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #25 on:** May 23, 2011, 04:07:19 PM »

A Couple More Pictures without control surfaces:

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2011, 06:44:30 PM »

Here is a new flight report from Bill Hummel on the "Hobo":

"Hi, Tom,

Flew 8 more flights with the Hobo on Wednesday, all full patterns. The ship continues
to perform admirably! Using both the Double Star 40 plain bearing and a "souped-up"
Fox 35, the Hobo performs all the "tricks" nicely! Also did a little fooling around with some
maneuvers not in the book...this little guy has "character" to spare, and will do anything you
ask of it! Reminds me of a terrier we once had, no fear, and all attitude! I don't believe I
would change anything on future versions, it's a sweet ship to fly! Thanks again for a
really nice and innovative design, Tom! Stay cool...

Bill"

My "Hobo is almost ready to fly and there are two more that should fly this year.
Thanks for all the help from Bill Hummel, Dave Russum, and Gerald Schamp.

Tom N

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #27 on:** June 13, 2011, 03:58:52 PM »

My "Hobo" controls are hooked up and leadouts wrapped. (External controls on my version, this will be one of the options.) My airplane is set up with "Texas mounts" allowing for installation of different engines. I will start with the Fox .35, then either a OS .25 or .40 FP. As I said previously we are also working on an electric version. With this info from my "Hobo" and Bill Hummel's we should be able to give accurate info on starting CG and control rations.