Author Topic: North Pacific Sleek Streak and Star Flyer (Read 14352 times)

Larry Fernandez · « **on:** July 31, 2012, 04:41:38 PM »

I know this should probably be posted in classified, but I figured that more people look here.

My son and I have been collecting rubber powered planes from our childhoods. We found a bunch along the way but I have yet to find a Pacific Northwest Sleek Streak or Star flyer.

This is just a shot in the dark, but if any of you happen to have one or two that you would like to sell us, please let me know.
Thanks guys.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Brett Buck · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2012, 04:58:14 PM »

Quote from: Larry Fernandez on July 31, 2012, 04:41:38 PM

I know this should probably be posted in classified, but I figured that more people look here.

My son and I have been collecting rubber powered planes from our childhoods. We found a bunch along the way but I have yet to find a Pacific Northwest Sleek Streak or Star flyer.

This is just a shot in the dark, but if any of you happen to have one or two that you would like to sell us, please let me know.
Thanks guys.

You mean Stunt Flier (the glider?). The three we could routinely get were the Stunt Flier (glider), Skeeter (mid-sized rubber powered, no LG), and the Sleek Streak ( biggest with LG). 10, 15, and 25 cents respectively, on a rack right above the plastic models at Convenient (quick-stop).

Once I learned the tricks of using proper rubber (pirelli at the time) and winding, I had tremendous flights with some of the Sleek Streaks. There's a plan somewhere on the internet for one, although that doesn't help a collector.

Brett

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2012, 05:08:56 PM »

Sleek Streaks were really good fliers. Launch without LG and with pirelli rubber and they would often go OOS. Wish I had one to donate to the cause. A worthy successor to the Sleek Streek is the "57 Minute Wonder". Full sized plans are available at the Flying Models Magazine web site - access through "Centerfold Plans"...sorry Larry, not that kind of centerfold.

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2012, 05:18:32 PM »

Brett: the Star Flyer was one size bigger than the Sleek Streak, with squared-off wings.

The Star Flyer flew best if it wasn't warped -- but it was often warped 'cause it was big.

I always ditched the LG on the Sleek Streaks and Star Flyers and moved the wings back. I got good flights, but never an OOS.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2012, 05:44:31 PM »

I used to buy the Sleek Streak (in the cello pack hanging on the hook) just to scrounge the prop!! I built my own design rubber models and that prop worked better than any other.

Floyd

Brett Buck · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2012, 05:57:44 PM »

Quote from: FLOYD CARTER on July 31, 2012, 05:44:31 PM

I used to buy the Sleek Streak (in the cello pack hanging on the hook) just to scrounge the prop!! I built my own design rubber models and that prop worked better than any other.

Several places were still selling the prop, or a copy, last time I checked (a few year ago). In fact it was the same as on the AMA Racer/Delta Dart, at least for a while, including the bearing and shaft assy.

Brett

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2012, 06:01:13 PM »

  In the last few years was an article in Flying Models magazine on scratch buiding Sleek Streeks and Star Flyers. I don't know if Carstens has a bibliography or not on line but that would be a useful tool. I have some in my stock of dime store airplanes, but not sure if I want to part with any. I have some that were from the time period of my youth and have a 25 cent price tag on them and are just like we remember them. I also have some from what Ithink was the last production run and the balsa quality is poor and not the correct thickness. Bill Warner did a series of articles in Model Builder magazine on how to modify Sleek Streeks into what he called Twilite Flyers and they flew quite well, even indoors in high school gyms. I would be possible to scratch build them as the prop that comes with the SIG AMA Dart and Delta Dart is the same. I ave built them in the past, and even scratch built a Jim Walker Interceptor Folding WIng Glider. You just have to WANNA!!!!
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #7 on:** July 31, 2012, 06:28:36 PM »

Quote from: Dan McEntee on July 31, 2012, 06:01:13 PM

<snip> the prop that comes with the SIG AMA Dart and Delta Dart is the same. <snip>

The prop that came with my Sig AMA Dart (about 10-15 years ago) is made with much thicker plastic -- it looks like the props that come with Guillows planes, not the thinner plastic that came with the Pacific Northwest planes.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2012, 06:43:42 PM »

I have a Sleek Streek, but it is considerably modified for indoor duration flying. Jeannette got 1:59 with hers in a Cat 1 hall! I think I only did 1:45 or so.

I also have a replica Jim Walker Hornet that I haul out when we can fly in the Blimp Hangars.

I agree that the Sleek Streek props were superb. We would scrape them down until you could almost see through them and then bend in an undercamber airfoil. A bit more pitch, and you have a real stump-puller.

One event we flew in college was the "Limited" airplane. You got a 12"x3" sheet of 1/32", 12" of 1/4" square, a length of tubing, a length of wire for your tailhook and prop shaft, a glass bead and the NP prop. You could add thread for strength around the propshaft and tail hook, but no tissue covering or built-up structure. Molded in airfoils were OK.

We thought we were hot stuff the first year pushing 1 minute. By the time I graduated the record was near 3:30!

Brett Buck · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2012, 08:14:49 PM »

Quote from: Tim Wescott on July 31, 2012, 06:28:36 PM

The prop that came with my Sig AMA Dart (about 10-15 years ago) is made with much thicker plastic -- it looks like the props that come with Guillows planes, not the thinner plastic that came with the Pacific Northwest planes.

We had some of those, too. They work pretty well once you scrape them down. But some of them definitely had a prop identical to the old Sleek Streak prop.

Brett

Randy Ryan · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2012, 08:25:09 PM »

We used to strip the gear off the SSs and make new stretched fuselage sticks. At 1500-2000 turns on 1/8" contest rubber they were AMAZING performers.

decamara · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2012, 10:23:16 PM »

Didn't know you were into that stuff Larry.

Then you'd appreciate a situation I had the other day walking into my local hobby shop and seeing a big ol' pile of Monogram Speedee Bilt kits just BEGGING for me to snatch a handful of em'!

Ron Anderson (new build) kits of course......., which (since I own original Speedee Bilt kits) Ron's are just GORGEOUS! and lazer cut, along with GOOD balsa, and BETTER plastic accessory parts!

I had to give the old man a call right then and there just to hanger talk it up!

Ah, what only guys like us would EVER understand! lol

Good times!

This was NO attempt to steal your thread!

I also saw some Guillow prop stock there, since you brought up the old Sleek Streak subject!

Doc

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2012, 11:37:37 PM »

Guillow's still sells simple rubber powered airplanes and gliders, but a "new kid on the block" is Revell. Yes, Revell, the plastic model company. They have a line of simple models, that while they are ugly as sin, they fly fantastically well. I think as good as the old North Pacific stuff did. The line is called Tuff Birds, and the largest one is called The Super Stratosphere. Good quality wood and markings. It has a prop and landing gear. There a couple of smaller ones and some gliders also. The have an unusual looking prop that work very well. I line just off a cul-de-sac or circle at the end of the street that has a street light, and I love to fly the simple stuff under the street light when the air is calm. If you guys have trouble trimming stunt models, flying these things and learning to trim them to fly in a smooth, circular pattern will help develop those skills.
Most of you may remember the late Frank Macy, who brought back the American Junior stuff for a while. Well, he was working on a history of the North Pacific company at the time of his death, from what I have heard. I had not realized over all these years that both the Jim Walker stuff and the North Pacific products came out of the same area!! To me, these things are the biggest bang for your buck. I have liked and enjoyed everything I have ever flown and competed in, but I always keep some of these simple models around just for the pure fun of it. it never gets old, and I think that is what the whole deal is about. If you can't have fun flying these things, then you may as well just park your butt in front of the TV and wear out the remote batteries!

I just may grab a plane, the winding stooge and winder and head out there right now!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Larry Fernandez · « **Reply #13 on:** August 01, 2012, 12:31:01 AM »

Quote from: decamara on July 31, 2012, 10:23:16 PM

Didn't know you were into that stuff Larry.

Hi Doc, If it pertains to model aviation, I am into it.
A while back, Bob Hunt , while editor of a major model aviation magazine, wrote in one of his columns, that every day he recharges his batteries by simply toying with the simplest of model planes. Be it paper planes, hand launch gliders or whatever. I took this to heart and in some way or another I dabble in some form of model planes every day. I still get jazzed about hand launch gliders and wished more locals took part. (I still have an awesome arm).

(Doc) I had to give the old man a call right then and there just to hanger talk it up!

The only thing I enjoy more than talking model planes, is talking baseball or classic muscle cars.

(Doc) Ah, what only guys like us would EVER understand! l

So True

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

Scott B. Riese · « **Reply #14 on:** August 08, 2012, 10:49:20 PM »

PISSSSSSSSS.........hay larry...........i got something for you if you need one................ssshhhhhhh

Bruce Shipp · « **Reply #15 on:** August 08, 2012, 11:50:21 PM »

The article from FM was called “Hey kid, wanna build a model airplane?” It was a lengthy piece on how to modify the Sleek Streak with an extended fuse and a four section poly-hiedral wing. Back in the mid 90’s when my kids were 4 and 5 I built one for each of them. I finished them about 2 in the morning and of course could not wait until daylight to try it out. I put several hundred winds in a nice long loop of 1/8” tan rubber, opened the garage door and smartly proceeded to the driveway for an ROG attempt.

Much to my amazement the little beast roared into the night sky in a tight yet steep left handed climb, and immediately disappeared into the darkness above the house and street lights. Crap, I thought. Now I am going to stay up another hour and build a third…and I didn’t have a third kit. As I was berating myself for my foolishness and impatience for about 15 seconds, I heard a familiar scratching sound from the street. The little beast had done several turns, missed the trees and cars parked at the curb, and landed on the street not 30 feet from where I launched it. Thank goodness for a calm night and incredibly lucky bench trim.

Great airplanes! With a full wind they would easily do 45 seconds or more in dead air and the boys would have a blast. They glided like rocks, but the climb was astonishing. I would wind, they would launch and chase. Great fun!

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #16 on:** August 09, 2012, 10:34:05 AM »

Hi Bruce!!!;
You're remembering the title well, but the series of articles was in Model Builder. Bill Warner wrote that and it was published in a book also. The Flying Models article was for scratch built replicas of the Streak and Star Flyer. I'm gonna dig those out this weeken just because.
Say "Hi" to your Mom and Dad for me. Haven't seen them in a long time. I just missed seeing Kent Pyle at Oshkosh this year.
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Chuck Feldman · « **Reply #17 on:** August 10, 2012, 08:48:12 AM »

Do me a favor. Show some pictures of these models. I do not recall them.

Thank You,
Chuck.

Chuck Feldman · « **Reply #18 on:** August 10, 2012, 09:01:31 AM »

Never mind the pictures! I went on line and found all the pictures I needed. The reason I did not recall the NW models is because we never bought them unless the AJ models where out of stock. In general the NW models seemed not that popular in my neighborhood.

Bruce Shipp · « **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2012, 10:23:45 AM »

I found this link that makes for some good reading and memories.

http://www.oldwoodtoys.com/north_pacific.htm

I never knew the "squeeze the bottom of the wing clip to open up the wing slot" trick. I just remember breaking off the wing roots a quarter inch at a time and the flight performance getting worse and worse until the flight was more ballistic than aerodynamic.

John Eaton · « **Reply #20 on:** September 27, 2012, 10:05:44 AM »

Hello.
I have the Hey Kid article, but the drawing is not dimensioned and I would like to know the original span and length of the Sleek Streek.
Thanks,
John

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #21 on:** September 27, 2012, 10:29:20 AM »

Quote from: John Eaton on September 27, 2012, 10:05:44 AM

Hello.
I have the Hey Kid article, but the drawing is not dimensioned and I would like to know the original span and length of the Sleek Streek.
Thanks,
John

John, my recollection is that it was 14-15 inches, both length and span. I won't swear to that -- I just held my fingers apart about yea much, then put them up to a ruler.

Author Topic: North Pacific Sleek Streak and Star Flyer (Read 14352 times)

Bruce Shipp

Bruce Shipp