Period correct engine for Walker Fireball?

[frank mccune]

     Hello All:

      What engine would be appropriate for a Walker Fireball? Engines like McCoy, Fox, K&B, O&R, Forester etc. come to mind.  The engine must have enough power to do the OTS pattern.

      Suggestions?

                                                                                                                          Tia,

                                                                                                                          Frank McCune

[Dave_Trible]

I could be corrected but pretty sure it would have to be spark ignition- not glow.  That could then be just about anything from a Brown to an O&R or Forster ignition engine.  I also don't think a Fireball will do much of the Old Time pattern.  Jim Walker did some amazing 'stunts' with them but not many looping or inverted type maneuvers.  That came a little later with Davy Slagle's Checkalaroma and the Moitle bipe- still on ignition.  The Fireball didn't have much of an airfoil on it for aerobatics.  It would be more comparable to a trainer or racing airplane by later standards.

Dave

[FLOYD CARTER]

When I saw Walker fly his Fireball, it used an O&R 23 sideport!   He was able to cope with the low power by limiting line length.  He used a U_Reely, and line length seldom exceeded 40-45 ft (my guess)

My own Fireball used a Shilen 19 on spark ignition.  It would do a great big loop and that's about all.  I didn't try inverted because I doubted if  it could recover.

Floyd

[Scott B. Riese]

WELL Frank. I'm here to tell you the wing air foil is not stunt worthie. I'm one of the flyers that put Frank Macy's Fireball through it's pace's. NOW Jim Walker did have a true stunt air foil. YOU need to ask the flyers that fly that Fireball .

Scott Riese Member of the NW FIREBALLS
yes in Portland, Oregon

[Dan McEntee]

    It's not a period correct engine, but I saw Mike Pratt put a Fireball from one of Frank Macy's kits with a Fox .35 in it through the entire OTS pattern as a demo in between rounds at VSC years ago. It was on the ragged edge the whole flight, but to borrow a line from Top Gun, " that was the gutsiest move I ever saw, Mav." I have beel lucky enough to acquire on of those kits, plus one of Charlie Bruce's fuselages and have all of Frank Macey's plans that he offered, so there will be on in my future! One way or the other! And I'll probably go the O&R Rout for power and authenticity.
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[john e. holliday]

Didn't the late Rusty Brown fly one in competition.   I know he had molds for the fuselage instead of carving them.

[Steve Helmick]

A buddy of mine in Jr. High had a Fireball with a Fox .29. I never saw it fly, and not sure he could fly it, either.

How about a Firecat? That's OTS legit and a Fox would be ok, especially with the popsicle stick in the bypass trick and an RSM 10-6ish prop.    Steve

[Perry Rose]

Brodak has a Firecat rib set pictured on their website. As well as the kit. The airfoil looks like it will do the job.

[De Hill]

If you are going to stunt a Fireball, use the second version with the bubble canopy and the symmetrical airfoil.

You must change the landing gear. If not, you won't have a large enough place to put an OTS sized fuel tank.

You will also have to change the motor mounts to a conventional setup. (to allow tank placement)

[Robert Zambelli]

I agree with what De wrote. The later version is a much better flyer.

A few years back, I set up a Fireball for Gary Tultz. It had a Forster 29 on spark ignition, was quite light and performed as expected - MARGINALLY!!

As a skilled pilot, Gary was able to do loops, inverted flight and wingovers - not much more. With the Forster power, it flew rather fast and I think that's what made the few maneuvers possible.

A one-ounce tank was sufficient, as we ran it on gasoline.

   Bob Z.

[Elwyn Aud]

Is this the one?

[MikeyPratt]

    It's not a period correct engine, but I saw Mike Pratt put a Fireball from one of Frank Macy's kits with a Fox .35 in it through the entire OTS pattern as a demo in between rounds at VSC years ago. It was on the ragged edge the whole flight, but to borrow a line from Top Gun, " that was the gutsiest move I ever saw, Mav." I have beel lucky enough to acquire on of those kits, plus one of Charlie Bruce's fuselages and have all of Frank Macey's plans that he offered, so there will be on in my future! One way or the other! And I'll probably go the O&R Rout for power and authenticity.
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

Hey Dan,
That was a Super Stunt Fireball right off the plans from AJ Walker.  The difference being stunt airfoil, larger elevators, F 86 rudder shape, and bubble canopy.  It was powered by (at Nat's and Spirit of 52 winner) with a K&B ,33 and at VSC it was powered by Veco .19.  The Veco had more power with enough to fly "sort of a OTS pattern".  Later, I tried 60' lines and was even better but still not very competitive.  All & all, it was a fun flying model with great looks.  The Super Stunt now resides in the AAA air museum in Blakesburg Iowa for all to see.

Later,
Mikey   

[Dan McEntee]

   Thanks for checkin' in Mikey! Good to hear from you . At least I got part of the event correct! I've slept a few times since then! I would have sworn it was a Fox, but no matter. I wonder if I have photos of it? In this digital age it's easy to take lots of photos, but back in the film days you have to plan it out! I wonder what Walgreens does without all my photo finishing revenue???
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee