Author Topic: My new ride (Read 3615 times)

Paul Walker · « **on:** May 04, 2015, 03:10:50 PM »

The attached photo shows my new ride. It's been some time coming. This winter I finally got around to building it.

I did this because this design was the first "big" (read that, non 049) powered plane I had. I built it exactly as the plans instructed, even tho I knew better. The goal was to build it just as I had nearly 50 years ago. I allowed for both a McCoy 19 and an OS 15 fp.

Finally got it out to the field this morning. The OS tired up easily (it was one of the B17 motors and tank) but struggled to hold a solid setting on the ground. After an hour of fiddling it was running fine. Then to get the handle set. I KNOW I flew the original on a Hot Rock, but I had all kinds of concern about how fast the controls were (stock configuration 2" bellcrank) that I went into my storage containers that had the old handles and found one that would adjust narrow enough to give a "reasonable" response. All was good now.

I fired up the mighty 15 (with an 8*4 on it) and set the needle for a fast 4 cycle. Pulled the stooge line and it was off. It became apparent quickly that it was too slow. It would barely manage a climb. Next flight the needle was squeezed down it to a very fast 4 cycle. This time I managed a few inside loops and some outside loops. I could instantly hit full up and the tail would drop, the wing would wiggle and it would think about going up.

It seems that the 8*4 is just not enough prop. I guess I will have to try at least an 8*6 or 9*5 to get it to maneuver. However it will be moving quite fast at that point. Also the up line leadout is simply too far aft which contributes to the problems it has. All for another day to resolve, if I do.

The original point was to do my best to replicate what I had back in the day. It now makes me wonder how I was ever able to fly it all that time ago. I now know why I thought the Goldberg series of profiles (which I had all three) with McCoy 35's on them were SO good. I guess a Ringmaster Jr Flash just doesn't fly very well. None the less, it was a fun project and I now have a copy of my "first" big plane.

Speaking of big, the picture shows the relative size between it and a modern day stunter. Some difference!

Now, I need to get that electric Skylark going. That one WILL fly!

So this leads to my question. Has anyone else built a plane from their far past to compare it to what you have now? And what was your experience?

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2015, 03:23:57 PM »

I shall think of this post, Paul, the next time someone says "yea, but Paul Walker could outfly us all with a Ringmaster!"

All my "old rides" were 1/2-A, because no one booted me in the head when I was 20 (or 16) and said "just go to a contest with what you've got, kid!". I do have a Sig Deweybird kit sitting on a shelf waiting for a sufficient wave of nostalgia to make it into a plane.

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2015, 03:35:51 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on May 04, 2015, 03:23:57 PM

I shall think of this post, Paul, the next time someone says "yea, but Paul Walker could outfly us all with a Ringmaster!"

All my "old rides" were 1/2-A, because no one booted me in the head when I was 20 (or 16) and said "just go to a contest with what you've got, kid!". I do have a Sig Deweybird kit sitting on a shelf waiting for a sufficient wave of nostalgia to make it into a plane.

Well...I still wouldn't reccommend challenging him if money was involved...My guess is he would figure out how to make it fly!

Randy Cuberly

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2015, 05:48:03 PM »

That's a cool Flash Paul. Never built one but always admired the look. Sort of a small Imperial. Doc gave me an Imperial kit I'll get to. Just this morning finished a nostalgia piece that will actually see a lot of duty but not scoring pattern points. Phil Brown got me this Guillows Trainer kit which I hope we 'granulate' some trainees.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2015, 05:58:38 PM »

Quote from: Randy Cuberly on May 04, 2015, 03:35:51 PM

Well...I still wouldn't reccommend challenging him if money was involved...My guess is he would figure out how to make it fly!

===========================================================

Don't tug on Superman's cape...don't spit into the wind...and don't bet against PW in a P.A. contest.

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2015, 06:02:59 PM »

Also built my second-in-50-years Sterling Spitfire from the kit not long ago. At 48 ounces with the kit wood and McCoy .35 is a bit mushy. Am most happy with my new Dolphin and Firecat. Less thrilled with the Sig Spad.

Dave

Jim Hoffman · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2015, 06:47:25 PM »

Nice looking plane Paul -

I recently built a Ringmaster - I had not built one since age 15. I flew one last year built by Nick Lemak and was surprised how well it flew

Mine has stock Ringmaster S1 aerodynamics, OS20 FP, reasonably lite at 25 oz.
Although I used some more modern mateirals, It is not that far from what could have been built "in the day"

I am very pleased at how well it flies.

Jim Hoffman

Shawn Lenci · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2015, 08:20:01 PM »

Paul...The Ringmaster FlashJ Jr. looks good. You don't mess around. See you in a couple of weeks.

Shawn Lenci

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2015, 08:27:27 PM »

Paul..

Sounds like its just not in trim!

Have you tweaked the flaps?

😁

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2015, 08:47:30 PM »

my first non 1/2 a was a golderg shoestring,, painted black,, with tasty hand lettering on the wing,, I called it the "black zap" lol
I have a goldberg kit and a Mcoy 40 waiting for a dull moment,,

Randy Powell · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2015, 09:21:53 PM »

That's awesome. I love it.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2015, 10:09:37 PM »

When I was a teenager, my little brother and I built the SIG WW-1 combat planes, he did the Fokker D-7 and I did the Spad. I remember them flying as well as we could at the time. I have had the remains of my Spad ( fuselage and landing gear) and while I was going through my brother's stuff at his house last fall, I found the fuselage of his Fokker. I plan to rebuild both, just need to build wings really. I have plans, original kits and the Black Hawk replica kits, so no problems there. Just need to get at the building table and get it cleaned off and some what organized.
I have to admit that I haven't seen a R/M Jr. Flash before. How about another picture or two?
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Paul Walker · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2015, 11:00:53 PM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on May 04, 2015, 08:27:27 PM

Paul..

Sounds like its just not in trim!

Have you tweaked the flaps?

😁

The flaps.......That's a good one PJ..

It weighs all of 15 ounces. I suspect part of the problem is the rudder offset. It is oer the plans exactly and I am sure that is what I did so many years ago. I might cut it to remove it and then add a Rabe rudder attachment! Yeah...Right..........

Keith Renecle · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2015, 11:13:22 PM »

Nice job Paul! Personally........I think that it needs VG's on the wings

Keith R

johnt4051 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 05, 2015, 12:44:38 AM »

Quote from: Paul Walker on May 04, 2015, 03:10:50 PM

So this leads to my question. Has anyone else built a plane from their far past to compare it to what you have now? And what was your experience?

A few years ago -- I wrote an article about this experience in the Flying Lines newsletter -- I built an exact replica of the Sterling Navion that my dad and I built together and flew in 1962. Painted it exactly the same and powered it with an identical McCoy .35 redhead. I have flown the plane once -- this was about 15 years ago -- and it has hung on the wall of my shop ever since.
What I remember is that the Navion, a plane with a low wing, had an odd feel flying when I was 12. Because it was my first "big" plane, I just thought that's how big planes felt. When I flew the replica, it had that same feel. It does all the round maneuvers just fine, but just feels, well, unique.
But I built it just to hang on the wall, mainly. I might fly it on my dad's birthday a time or two over the coming years, but mostly it's just for nostalgia.
I will post the entire original article on the FL website one of these days, because there's a longer story attached to the project.
--jt

Jim Kraft · « **Reply #15 on:** May 05, 2015, 06:41:13 PM »

Beautiful job Paul. This was my first big plane from back in the 60's with a Fox 35. I won this kit at the Tulsa Glue Dobbers contest a few years ago and could not wait to build it. It was a trip back in time for me both in the building and flying. It actually flies pretty good.

proparc · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2015, 06:46:33 PM »

Quote from: Jim Kraft on May 05, 2015, 06:41:13 PM

Beautiful job Paul. This was my first big plane from back in the 60's with a Fox 35. I won this kit at the Tulsa Glue Dobbers contest a few years ago and could not wait to build it. It was a trip back in time for me both in the building and flying. It actually flies pretty good.

Back when I was kid, I built three of these, and six of the Yaks. I put straight trailing edges on all of them. That Johnson 36 really suffered.

Robertc · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2015, 06:51:35 PM »

I've built two. My first non-049 plane was a PDQ Circus King - because it was the cheapest kit. Didn't know about sandpaper so it was pretty rough.
Flew it with a Johnson 32. Built another in the late 90's with a Thunder Tiger 25. Flew surprisingly well.

Just finished a scratch Flite Streak powered by an Enya 29. My friend that I still fly with had one when we were like 13 with an Enya 29, so I built the new one
to match the old one. Seems small to us but it does fly like a 50's combat plane. Just something for us to have fun with and re-live our youth.

Jason Greer · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2015, 08:09:51 PM »

Neat looking airplane, Paul. Enjoyed the story.

dennis lipsett · « **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2015, 08:30:53 PM »

Paul,
I built one of these for the same reasons as many. When I returned to C/L I revisited many of the older designs that I'd had when I still had lots of hair.
Complete with a Fox 15X that is an almost instant starter it is fast furious and does all of the easy stuff ....well.....easily. the other stuff it will do but you got to work it a bit. if you can keep yours flying poorly I think I can take you. Maybe, it could happen?

The muffler is only for the pix. Too heavy to use in flight.

Dennis

Allan Perret · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2015, 08:51:00 PM »

Quote from: Paul Walker on May 04, 2015, 03:10:50 PM

So this leads to my question. Has anyone else built a plane from their far past to compare it to what you have now? And what was your experience?

I did buy a kit & engine (Super Combat Streak w/McCoy19) to do just that but haven't gotten a round to it yet.

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2015, 09:00:18 PM »

Paul,
Just so you know. Chris and I will be wearing our best stunt attire when we arrive on Friday. I hope you weren't expecting either of us to launch a slimmer. Have you installed a portable shower out at the circle for just such occasions?
Alan

Paul Walker · « **Reply #22 on:** May 06, 2015, 10:38:53 AM »

Quote from: Alan Resinger on May 05, 2015, 09:00:18 PM

Paul,
Just so you know. Chris and I will be wearing our best stunt attire when we arrive on Friday. I hope you weren't expecting either of us to launch a slimmer. Have you installed a portable shower out at the circle for just such occasions?
Alan

Next thing you know you will want hot water on the shower by the "airport". The current shower doesn't have hot water. Just stand there until 5:00 pm and you will get a shower!!!!

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #23 on:** May 06, 2015, 10:55:48 AM »

Quote from: Alan Resinger on May 05, 2015, 09:00:18 PM

Paul,
Just so you know. Chris and I will be wearing our best stunt attire when we arrive on Friday. I hope you weren't expecting either of us to launch a slimmer. Have you installed a portable shower out at the circle for just such occasions?
Alan

I've got a 20-gallon manure bucket, and I'm sure there are ponds close by. Your wishes can be accommodated.

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #24 on:** May 06, 2015, 11:29:13 PM »

Now THIS is a great thread.
My first CL plane was a Top Flite, Streak Trainer. For nostalgia sake I built one a couple of years back for any newcomer to fly. The Gilroy crew will tell you that I got my moneys worth out of that plane. I still have it and will be teaching my brother in law to be, how to fly this summer.

My next plane was a Top Flite Combat Streak with a Webra .15 diesel. Dad put a two wheel landing gear on it along with a canopy. I was in the sixth grade when he built it for me.

If I can ever get my hands on one of those Webra's I will build another, exactly like my first.
Anyone got an old Webra .15 diesel they would part with for a good cause?

?

I promiss I wont "Hurl" it.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Dane Martin · « **Reply #25 on:** May 07, 2015, 11:24:10 AM »

Cool thread Paul!
My first big plane was a SIG twister. My club friends gave it to me to learn loops and figure eights. After crashing it about ten times i finally got rid of it. Now that i can actually fly the pattern ( kinda) I'm building a new twister! This will be what i compete with next contest