I've got my Dad's copy of that magazine, its a cool article! I like how Werwage mentions having a heavy ship for windy days and a light one for the nice days!
Steve
Hi Steve...I couldn't help but notice your last name. Before I retired from the Boeing Company 3 years ago, one of our managers name was Grace Fitton. What a talented lady who loved airplanes every bit as much as we do. She had the most beautiful old vintage B&W collection of women who were involved in the aircraft industry that ranged from "Rosie the Riviter to those amazing young ladies who transported brand new aircraft across oceans and into war fronts throughout the world. Her office walls were truly a history lesson of women's brave contributions to aviation.
Interesting what Werwage mentions about heavy verses light weight models....which makes me think back about an old friend Gene Matheny who was famous for building some of the lightest weight stuntmodels.
One of his models...he added a "Weight-box"located at the exact CG center of his model.. under a removable canopy. According to the weather and wind conditions he would experiment adding and removing weight.
After testing, testing and testing....he found that at least for that beautiful flying model of his...called "The Genie Bird" the only advantage in packing all that extra weight, was that after the engine quit....the heavier weight seem to smooth out the landing approach after the engine quit and kept that light model from ballooning from ground effects on hot tarmac.
(but then again he also felt that most stunt flyers..tend to fly models that are TAIL HEAVY..AND JUST NEED MORE NOSE WEIGHT INSTEAD.
On those light weight models of his...he concluded that at least for his way of flying, the light weight model
without added weights still seem to give him the most effective and best flying chacteristics and OUTWEIGHED any possible advantage that a WEIGHTED stunt model just couldn't deliver?
He was the first to admit...that too many flyers do not give enough thought in adjusting their models C.G locations, weight tip weights, and do not adjust the leadout positions carefully enough during the test flight stages.
Gene also felt that most stunt flyers never give enough adjustment time for their brand new models and sadly just learn to train their mind and muscle memory to compensate for the poorly adjusted model...
by forever living and learning to fly that lack luster stunt model...THAT COULD WITH PROPER TEST FLIGHT ADJUSTMENT that same nasty-flyin model could become a contest winner...instead of just another PURTY-FACED turkey.
attached is a photo of the late great master model builder and trim expert..Gene Matheny!
(note the very conservative tapered flaps that end BEFORE those beautifully rounded wing tips and note again..that very effective counter weighted elevators that really allowed him to pop those corners...with such little handle input.)
I had the pleasure to fly this rather small sized model only one time but...
GADS! That
Genie Bird was aptly named! Built and flown by a true Genius, GENE MATHENY of Portland Oregon.
As I hold my $2.17cent iced haselnut late' this morning..."THIS ONE FER YOU...GENE!
Topic: MAY 1960!!!IN THIS MAGAZINE WAS BORN AN ICON OF STUNT! (Read 2261 times)