Author Topic: The Harpoon/Cotton Candy, a good Profile 40 plane (Read 3958 times)

Bill Ervin · « **on:** October 29, 2009, 06:27:13 PM »

I posted this a few years ago on the Ultra Hobby Forum. This is a 17-year-old design that I hastily drew up in the winter of '92-'93 because I found myself without a plane to fly. From pencil touching paper to "wheels up" maiden flight was exactly 1 month. With 4 days to spare it was completed and ready (for the most part) for the '93 Southwest regionals in Tucson. Many construction ideas were stolen from top designers. I named it Harpoon but because the prototype was covered in neon pink Monokote I labeled the first one "Cotton Candy". It was a really good plane and has never failed to place in the 10 years it was flown in contests here in the Southwest and CA.

A couple of the guys at the UHP forum built their renditions from some simple plans I sent to them. The second one ever built was Doc Holliday's version. I can't tell you the thrill I got knowing someone else had built a plane from my set of plans! And when Doc said it flew well for him I was relieved and thrilled again!

Robin Soanes from the UK has built probably the fanciest version yet covering it with a beautiful dope finish. I was blown away when he sent me the images.

I'll have to build another one for the P-40 event.

To Doc and Robin, Thanks, I truly feel honored.

Bill

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2009, 06:30:39 PM »

Here's Doc Holliday's version, he kept the pink Cotton Candy theme. Doc, if you have any more pics feel free to put them in here. I had a side view of yours flying inverted but lost it. This is a cool shot too!

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2009, 06:32:25 PM »

And here is Robin's, Wow...

Shawn Lenci · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:14:34 PM »

Bill,

Nice looking model. You are really a talented all around modeler. I am enjoying watching your progress and the Electric Imitation and am looking to build an E stunter of my own.

Shawn Lenci

Clint Ormosen · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:47:26 PM »

Holy Cow! It's Shawn Lenci! Where have you been?

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:48:47 PM »

Very good looking design, Bill. I noticed that you changed from inboard mounted engine to outboard mounted, and wondered what differences you found, other than a lot more tipweight needed for the inboard setup? This would be a great model to publish in FM or SN!

The engine appears to be a .36? Not that many sources for ASP's in this country, but known to be the same as a Magnum. I'm running a Magnum XLS .36 and find it to be a sweet runner...but now know to watch out when flippin' the prop before attaching the glow ignitor on a hot day!

Steve

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2009, 07:51:26 PM »

I agree Bill.

Need to get one of the CAD guys to draw up a set of plans.

Elwyn Aud · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:14:44 PM »

Here's Doc with his Cotton Candy at the Sept. 2008 Tulsa contest. For some reason I thought it was a Jack Sheeks design. Don't know why. Anyhow now I've got it straight.

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:31:10 PM »

Thanks guys! Shawn, good to hear from you! sent an email.

Steve, remember back around the early nineties some of the top fliers (most notably Frank Williams) were promoting the inboard mounted engines. Frank said it gave better engine runs because the centrifugal force acting on the fuel-air mix kept the plug burning clean (if I'm getting it right). I can't remember exactly how much tip weight I used but it wasn't an excessive amount. The engine runs were beautiful but to be honest this same engine (ST34) ran just as good mounted "conventionally" in another profile. The orange version was built by another modeler in The UK, I built the original pink/white one. Bill

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:33:29 PM »

Thanks Elwyn! Had not seen those pictures before.

Bill Little · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2009, 11:47:18 PM »

Hi Bill,

I have the plans, and started on one way back........... things happened, but it will get finished!

Thanks, again!
Mongo

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:02:28 AM »

Hi Bill, no worries, I know exactly what you mean brother.

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2009, 12:13:06 AM »

Quote from: Bill Ervin on October 30, 2009, 12:02:28 AM

Hi Bill, no worries, I know exactly what you mean brother.

I really like the design, it has the right *look*! And everything works out real good for the layout. I have an excellent running Leo .37 set aside for it. It should be perfect!

Mongo

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2009, 02:46:31 PM »

Looks right?! I've been thinking that the Cotton Candy has a lot in common with Dick Mathis' fabulous Excalibur. Makes me want one of each, both with XLS .36's.

Steve

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2009, 07:53:49 AM »

Bill, did I ever thank you for the design. The pictures of it at Tulsa were the last flights. Second round as I tried to pull out of the reverse wingover it went in. I try to decide what happened, but, the center section of the wing was so tore up, I will have to say it was pilot error. Had many flights on it and always scored well with the way I fly. Have often thought of making a full fuselage of it. One thing that kept hurting was the landing gear would pop out once in a while. Having fun and thanks for a great design, DOC Holliday

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #15 on:** October 31, 2009, 11:45:27 AM »

Hi Doc, yes you did and I'm glad the plane flew well for you. The gear kept popping out on me too, I fly off grass all the time. Those wheel pants made for good hooks in tall grass. Maybe I'll try fuselage gear next time. I put over 1200 flights on mine before it finally died in a wingover pullout that was just a little bit too low. Damage wasn't bad but the wood was so oil soaked It was like trying to glue two french fries together!

Putting together a Classic plane this winter, looking forward to seeing you at Tucson next March.

regards Bill

Ironbomb · « **Reply #16 on:** November 02, 2009, 10:08:05 AM »

OK, who has plans for this plane? Fess up you guys, this is one cool looking airplane. let me know, yes? I will build one, I promise

Greg

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2009, 05:00:10 PM »

Greg, I'll make you a copy at Kinkos tomorrow, when you get a chance send me a mailing address.

Greg L Bahrman · « **Reply #18 on:** November 02, 2009, 06:06:01 PM »

Bill,
Never did collect on the free lunch for winning your contest, least you could do is sent me a set of plans for this beauty?

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #19 on:** November 02, 2009, 07:37:38 PM »

You got it Greg! And you also have my sincere apologies. When it's convenient send me your address also and I'll have a copy in tomorrows mail. Bill

http://www.clstunt.com/htdocs/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=247480&mesg_id=247480&listing_type=search

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #20 on:** November 02, 2009, 09:37:24 PM »

Hey, I saw that plane in person! Many early Saturday mornings.

Boo · « **Reply #21 on:** September 22, 2019, 12:26:17 PM »

Is this plan available onlive for download, can anyone tell me ?

Boo

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #22 on:** September 22, 2019, 01:00:35 PM »

Quote from: Boo on September 22, 2019, 12:26:17 PM

Is this plan available onlive for download, can anyone tell me ?

Boo

Contact Bill Ervin. He's a good guy.

Boo · « **Reply #23 on:** September 24, 2019, 07:57:34 AM »

Quote from: Crist Rigotti on September 22, 2019, 01:00:35 PM

Contact Bill Ervin. He's a good guy.

Thanks, have PM'd Bill,

Boo

Bill Ervin · « **Reply #24 on:** September 24, 2019, 10:46:19 AM »

Thanks for the interest fellas! Let me dig out the drawings and get them scanned into a printable pdf format.

Bill

SteveMoon · « **Reply #25 on:** September 24, 2019, 11:25:12 AM »

Dallas area flyer Tom Farmer was also a big proponent of the inboard
mounted engine on profile planes. His famous Forerunner series
used inboard mounted motors and always ran great.

Steve