Plans for Ted Fancher's 2004 WC plane..

[Joe Yau]

Just wondering if the plans are available for Ted Fancher's WC plane that was used in 04?  

Thanks in advance.

[Randy Powell]

The picture is of the Special Edition. That's a pretty recent Trivial Pursuit derivative.

[Joe Yau]

The picture is of the Special Edition. That's a pretty recent Trivial Pursuit derivative.

Hmmm, are you sure?    Would you have a pic of the SE version?

[Randy Powell]

I saw it live at the NW Regionals a couple of years ago. You can see the scoop on the bottom that says "Special Edition" along the side. I don't have a pic off hand, but I'll look.

[PJ Rowland]

Randy is correct.

I dont know specifics to design date.. however - it was build for the 2004 World champs

You can clearly see the " special edition " underneath.

I heard rumors its no longer flying due to a glue issue. Again not confirmed by anyone.

This photo was taken with the " larger wheels " compared to the one below.

[Joe Yau]

Thanks PJ, Randy.     I just zoomed in on the rudder in the top pic, and I could see "Special Edition" right on it. duh    much appreciated for posting the pic.  I guess I should edit the first post a bit.

[Randy Powell]

The wing folded on Ted at, I think, the Nationals. To bad, too. It was a ridiculously cool plane.

[steven yampolsky]

I beleive RSM kits this model:

http://www.rsmdistribution.com/kit-detail.php?pn=trivs&src=kits-modern.php

[PJ Rowland]

Yeah Randy as I said " I heard rumors its no longer flying due to a glue issue "

Isnt a wing fold due in part to " glue issue"  ( the special edition fancher flop? )

A crashed model is never a laughing matter - could be worse at least it "ended" in the line of duty and not in the line of a reversing car.  

That was certainly one of the coolest looking ships Ive seen - I got to inspect it in pretty close detail a few yrs ago and the cowl detail and general detail was superb without a doubt. ( and I told ted that ! )

[PerttiMe]

I am sure I've seen an account of the various Trivial Pursuit developments (by Ted Fancher himself?). Right now, all I could find was on a few versions of Dave Fitzgerald's "Star Gazer":
http://eduardo.affonso.pagesperso-orange.fr/stargazer-e.htm

[proparc]

I have video of Ted flying this plane. This is really an expert class ship,(Duh like yeah). Seems like you really have to bring it down fast after engine out.

[John Lindberg]

I just checked the RSM web-site, the plans are listed in their catalogue for the Trivial Pursuit "Special Edition" for $20.

[Claudio Chacon]

Hi Joe,
Here you have some other pics of this fantastic ship. A work of art by any standards...
A real shame this plane is no longer flying...

Regards,
Claudio.

[Joe Yau]

The wing folded on Ted at, I think, the Nationals. To bad, too. It was a ridiculously cool plane.

Thats unfortunate..

I beleive RSM kits this model:

http://www.rsmdistribution.com/kit-detail.php?pn=trivs&src=kits-modern.php

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the link. 

Yeah Randy as I said " I heard rumors its no longer flying due to a glue issue "

Isnt a wing fold due in part to " glue issue"  ( the special edition fancher flop? )

A crashed model is never a laughing matter - could be worse at least it "ended" in the line of duty and not in the line of a reversing car.  

That was certainly one of the coolest looking ships Ive seen - I got to inspect it in pretty close detail a few yrs ago and the cowl detail and general detail was superb without a doubt. ( and I told ted that ! )

I guess it is either the glue or the wood..?    yeah, I really like the lines on this ship.

I am sure I've seen an account of the various Trivial Pursuit developments (by Ted Fancher himself?). Right now, all I could find was on a few versions of Dave Fitzgerald's "Star Gazer":
http://eduardo.affonso.pagesperso-orange.fr/stargazer-e.htm

Nice link! Thanks. 

I have video of Ted flying this plane. This is really an expert class ship,(Duh like yeah). Seems like you really have to bring it down fast after engine out.

Could you uploaded the video to youtube?    I would sure like to see it..

I just checked the RSM web-site, the plans are listed in their catalogue for the Trivial Pursuit "Special Edition" for $20.

Thats great! thanks.

Hi Joe,
Here you have some other pics of this fantastic ship. A work of art by any standards...
A real shame this plane is no longer flying...

Regards,
Claudio.

Yes, indeed its a work of art! Thanks for the nice pics.. 

[Brett Buck]

I have video of Ted flying this plane. This is really an expert class ship,(Duh like yeah). Seems like you really have to bring it down fast after engine out.

   I am not sure what you mean. A good landing happens at just about level flight speed. This airplane landed like any other, nothing unusual about it in that regard. 

    Brett

[john e. holliday]

Depending on plane and circumstances a plane will land fast.  The last flight on my P-39 at VSC last year was so fast it even surprised me.  Rolled for over a lap before stopping.  Of course I was well over the 8 minute mark by a bunch.

[PJ Rowland]

MAYBE...

He was just looking at the sharpness of the tailplane - assuming that would yeld a fast landing entry.


Possibly he was saying ted lands poorly and enters too hot ! 

[john e. holliday]

How would we know without seeing the score sheets of all the different judges.   

[Joe Yau]

Thanks All for the replies..  

I just borrowed a set of the original 1994 Trivial Pursuit plans from Keith Varley (just picked up yesterday), It seems that it look quite similar to the SE version.  Would anyone know what are the changes between the two versions?

[john e. holliday]

Get in touch with Teddy Boy his self.  He won't bite your head off and is reality a very congenial guy.   

[PerttiMe]

I think the big differences are in the stab and elevator configurations: flat or airfoiled. Maybe also the exact location of the tailplane?

[Larry Fernandez]

I think the big differences are in the stab and elevator configurations: flat or airfoiled. Maybe also the exact location of the tailplane?

The stab on the Special Edition was raised about a 3/4".  Ted remarked that it grooved much better than the previous versions.
I would like to add that the paint scheme on the Special Edition was the classiest,most elegant schemes I have ever seen.
I was able to sweet-talk Ted out of the templates he used for painting this work of art. I plan to replicate that baby one of these days.

Larry, Buttafucco Stunt Team

[Brett Buck]

MAYBE...

He was just looking at the sharpness of the tailplane - assuming that would yeld a fast landing entry.

 What in the world does a sharp stab LE have to do with landing speed?

Possibly he was saying ted lands poorly and enters too hot ! 

  HMMM, how'd you do the last time you guys went head-to-head?
 
     Brett

[PJ Rowland]

Good lord man ( brett... ) doesnt anyone understand sarcasm. I will spell it out.

<quote> What in the world does a sharp stab LE have to do with landing speed?

There was a comment made about landing speed and it seemed so ludicrous ( Adjective: So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing )
I felt it required further ludicrousness as an explanation!  

Stab dimensions have ZERO to do with landing speed - stab thickness or raidii - has ZERO to do with landing speed the colour of the model has ZERO to do with landing speed - I was making a poke at how silly I thought ( and I thought others might think also ) the comment was in the 1st place.



Quote from: PJ Rowland on October 08, 2010, 10:30:17 PM
Possibly he was saying ted lands poorly and enters too hot

-- God lord again... Didnt you see the little guy hitting the floor with laughter ( this would indicate I beleived my comments were also made in jest. - To put it BLUNTLY - Ted is a great flier - noone thinks the model lands fast - noone ( myself included ) think he lands poorly or lands HOT..
I was also trying to think of reasons that were ludicrous ( Adjective: So foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing )
I felt it required further ludicrousness as an explanation!  

FAIR ENOUGH - possibly online humor was lost in translation.

<quote>
 HMMM, how'd you do the last time you guys went head-to-head?


Does this really require an answer? I dont care much for this style of conversation -
 I will however assume ( 1. Suppose to be the case, without proof: ) that this was a "buckanized" attempt at humor and respond with.

Touche'



 

[PJ Rowland]

The inital thread was askign for information about a design.

I provided a photo and some information to correctly put the person on the right path.
So the answer was given promptly and without sarcasm.

It then drifted toward comments about its flying ,which i felt was able to be made fun of - At no stage did I feel the person who OWNED the model would be offended by such comments as they were intended.

I also made a joke about how it died in the line of duty and not in the line of a car reversing! Which noone found offensive.

If we stop making jokes and having a laugh we loose part of the reason we all come together - to have FUN, at every level be it someone trying to build their first trainer or a 2006 Walker cup winner .

We all want to have fun and smile sometimes.

[Ted Fancher]

Hi all,

The Special Edition was a pretty good looking airplane and had the potential to be a very competitive one had it not succumbed to the stunt devils at any early age.  It did, in fact, meet its demise due to a poorly glued main spar joiner/bellcrank mount.  The failure occurred during the vertical eight during a practice flight in very high winds prior to qualifying rounds at the 2004 Nats which followed immediately after the '04 World Champs at Muncie.  The failure was made almost certain by virtue of foolish trim decisions made under time pressure with an airplane that hadn't really had the trim refined prior to its debut.  Maybe more about that sometime when it isn't so close to midnight here in Foster City.

The airplane was a refinement of the original Trivial Pursuit that cured a few of the problem associated with the original design, mostly associated with the hunting difficulties David addressed in the article shared earlier in this thread.  The major differences (from a performance perspective) were raising the stab/elevator 1/2 inch higher than the original design as published in Stunt News.  In addition, as a result of David's tail tests I returned to the airfoiled stab/elevator along with a very sharp leading edge.  The result was an airplane that was a "rock" in level and inverted flight.  I also added a little additional depth in the fuse including the pipe cowling (more or less a shallow P-51 style "belly blister") and some additional depth from nose to tail in the fuse crutch.  I wanted to get a bit of that Brett Buck "Three billboards in close formation" look to the profile (juuuuust kidding Brett...it's really only two billboards in a modified formation).

The modifications must have been successful because even Shareen noticed that the thing actually flew straight and level when it was supposed to be flying...well...uh...straight and level.  I'm reasonably convinced the higher stab/elevator was the fix as the wing is very thick and "traditional" spacing between the wing centerline and the stab centerline probably caused some interference in the wing downwash on the tail that made the original designs less than "fall asleep at the handle" capable in inverted flight.  I feel compelled to say, however, that those earlier versions had very enviable records in major competition despite the problems the raised tail successfully addressed.

The RSM kit is pretty much an exact copy of the original SE with only some modifications to structure to eliminate the assembly problems I had with the original that resulted in the bad spar joint.

As David suggested, it is a very sound design and does have a certain panache of its own in the appearance department.

Thanks to every one for their kind thoughts.

No sweat PJ.  I understood the tongue in cheek references.

Ted,

p.s.  re the comments about a "fast landing".  I wouldn't be surprised if the video that raised the comment wasn't filmed during a flight in high winds.  I (and most of the best competitors) work very hard to control where we touch down in relation to the wind under such conditions.  Many (myself included) will fly a shut off loop right down wind and descend at a high rate and speed to touch down on the main gear about three quarters of a lap later so the airplane is traveling downwind and is not likely to bounce up into the wind resulting in a big balloon and loss of landing points.  The airplane had no unusual approach and landing characteristics and could easily glide for the one lap required by FAI rules under most conditions.

[PJ Rowland]

<quote>
No sweat PJ.  I understood the tongue in cheek references.
*nods*


<quote>
I wanted to get a bit of that Brett Buck "Three billboards in close formation" look to the profile (juuuuust kidding Brett...it's really only two billboards in a modified formation).

Careful.. you might get a serve.. 


<quote> The modifications must have been successful because even Shareen noticed that the thing....

Is that why it lasted until the Nats ?          


Tell me Ted, what did you build as a replacement ? I have not seen any photo's of anything new.

[Shultzie]

Ted...
Lurking this morn. on FlessieFluggglie' I see that your beautiful skyart still has many advocates around the world...and that has always included this old kite-koot.

[Ted Fancher]

I wanted to get a bit of that Brett Buck "Three billboards in close formation" look to the profile (juuuuust kidding Brett...it's really only two billboards in a modified formation).

PJ quote: "Careful.. you might get a serve.."

Not to worry, I'm the Jimmy Conners of stunt when it comes to returning serve!  Especially with Brett.  The "billboard" jibe has been around so long between us that it's almost as apocryphal as smushed Noblers and Pond Scum paint jobs.  Don't worry, I'll poke him around a little on your behalf.  He's a good man to have in your corner.


PJ quote: "Tell me Ted, what did you build as a replacement ? I have not seen any photo's of anything new."

Sorry, PJ.  Nothing much has happened in my building department for several years.  Had a bit of a burnout and got interested in some other stuff that took up the time I used to spend on the airplanes.  That plus a year long home expansion remodel that resulted in my garage housed "shop" turning into our living room, kitchen, dining room and entertainment center sort of put the brakes on any thoughts of building.  I've got a highly modified Gypsy (was going to be stock for Classic until I realized how good the wing would work with some smaller flaps on it) that has the wing, tail (enlarged to modern proportions) and (stretched) fuselage box all built but the parts are "aging" on top of the Murphy bed in my den.  I do hope to get that thing finished up sometime in the not too distant future.

My competitive drive has been pretty much on the back burner for a number of years and, frankly, the WC gig in 2004 was a pleasant surprise for me.  Stunt has well and truly morphed from obsession to hobby...not necessarily a bad thing.  Still love the people and would rather win than lose at a contest but working hard to achieve such an outcome doesn't fit into my list of priorities.

Ted

[PJ Rowland]

<quote>
Don't worry, I'll poke him around a little on your behalf.  He's a good man to have in your corner.
Yeah brett has always been a great source of information; alas i dont know him well enough to "put in my corner" but its nice hes in someone corner !hehe

<quote>
Sorry, PJ.  Nothing much has happened in my building department for several years.  Had a bit of a burnout and got interested in some other stuff that took up the time I used to spend on the airplanes

I 100% COMPLETELY understand how this can occur. After the 2004 worlds I also had that feeling a sense of - ive done this for so long. ( i was 8 yrs old when i went to my 1st nats! ) I think it also has something to do with loosing a model - I lost a model shortly after the worlds and had a very empty burnt out feeling. Thats one of the main reasons we went ahead and built the Lancaster stunter, to try to spark some personal intertest again. It worked for a short period of time - eventually all the frustration, effort and personal time takes a toll.

I took from 2006 until this year 2010 off from compeditive stunt and focused on renovating a house which Is my 1st and Ive Just finished. Also playing alot of golf. I took to golf with the same compeditive spirit ( i guess its just IN you.. ) I now have my official handicap down to 4 . Now Ive got a fresh interst in Stunt - what I realised I loved about it wasnt the flying or being judged its about meeting great guys, talking with people, sharing idea's practicing to push yourself to be as good as you can be, spending time with your family ( My father in my case he also plays golf and flies occasionally. )

Will you be flyiung in classic at the US nats? I am bringing a model over for that also.. ( just annoyed its before aerobatics - down under we run it after.. )

Im really looking forward to coming and competing next year but I completly understand - a break is whats needed, you never know once you start building the interst will come back - But im only going on 20 years of stunt flying.. not 40 so im in a midlife stunt crisis ??

Id love to knwo if other top stunt guys have burnout..?? Billboard buck??

[Randy Powell]

Does anyone have a picture of the first Trivial Pursuit?

[jose modesto]

Randy you asked so here it is,Ted's TP
Jose Modesto

[John Lindberg]

Does anyone know what brand of wheels Ted used on this plane-the 2004 version? Look interesting.

[Ted Fancher]

Hi John,

Wish I could help re those cool looking wheels.  Somebody actually gave them to me before I left for the Muncie WCs.  I put them on but, for some reason, couldn't land worth a darn with them and went back to the Dave Brown ultralights with tread that show in some of the other pictures.  They weren't in a package when I got them so I can't help re a manufacturer, etc.

Ted

[Randy Powell]

For some reason, I thought there was a TP prior to the beige bomber. Guess not. Maybe I'm thinking of a 'tation.

[Aaron Little]

Randy you asked so here it is,Ted's TP
Jose Modesto

Complete with Playboy "miniature" magazine on the dash!

[Jose Javier Rodriguez]

Hello, attached photos of the Special Edition on the World Cup USA 2004.
This model is one of my favorites because of its beauty.
I hope that Ted will soon delight us with another work of art like this.
 Ted, when do new project Trivial?
A greeting from Spain

[Ted Fancher]

Jose,

Many thanks for posting the great pictures of the Special Edition.  I especially like the one with the 3/4 view of the nose which makes it look very aggressive...probably due to the lens that distorted the perspective a bit.  I've made the picture of me fueling the ship the desktop background for my computer at work (NASA-ASRS).

Ted Fancher

[Bill Little]

Jose,

Many thanks for posting the great pictures of the Special Edition.  I especially like the one with the 3/4 view of the nose which makes it look very aggressive...probably due to the lens that distorted the perspective a bit.  I've made the picture of me fueling the ship the desktop background for my computer at work (NASA-ASRS).

Ted Fancher

HI Ted,

Which one was the one that I launched a practice flight for you at the '96 NATS?  I believe it had a "Playboy" issue on the dashboard.

Bill

[John Lindberg]

The wheels look like the ones designed for the light-weight electric planes. Really beautiful plane, shame it is gone.

[PJ Rowland]

SUCCESS!!!!!!

I finally found it after months of searching every wheel manufacture that ever existed I found the wheels that were used. ( or so they seem to be )



Dubro Products

Micro Sport
DU-BRO 2.50in Micro Sport Wheels (1 pair per card)


Available usually
ships out in 2 days
These open spoke wheels will add a sporty look to your model. They have been designed with indoor and park flyer models in mind. 

[Luiz Dutra]

Hello Ted,
This is a S.E. from RSM kit. I build this plane to my friend Rogério Alves (Team Member from Brazil to W.C 2010 in Hungria). Very nice model and very good  RSM kit.
Best Regards,
Luiz Dutra -Mococa/São Paulo- Brasil.

[Jose Javier Rodriguez]

Very nice, good job.

[John Lindberg]

Nice looking plane, the RSM kit is a good one, it even comes with the belly-scoop pipe enclosure, I have one, going to get to it one of these days. 

[Randy Powell]

To answer the original question, I'm not sure where to get plans, but I imagine Eric Rule at RSM has them. I know that Pat Johnston drew some up for him.

[Ted Fancher]

HI Ted,

Which one was the one that I launched a practice flight for you at the '96 NATS?  I believe it had a "Playboy" issue on the dashboard.

Bill

Hi Bill,

That would have been the original tan with red and orange trim Trivial Pursuit.

Ted

p.s. It was the Dolly Parton issue...it would barely fit under the canopy!

[Ted Fancher]

SUCCESS!!!!!!

I finally found it after months of searching every wheel manufacture that ever existed I found the wheels that were used. ( or so they seem to be )



Dubro Products

Micro Sport
DU-BRO 2.50in Micro Sport Wheels (1 pair per card)


Available usually
ships out in 2 days
These open spoke wheels will add a sporty look to your model. They have been designed with indoor and park flyer models in mind. 

P.J.,

That sure looks like the ones.  Again, someone was nice enough to give them to me and, like pretty much everybody, I thought they'd really look cool on an airplane.   I"m sure they had nothing to do with the problem but I couldn't grease on a landing to save my soul with them so I went back to the treaded Dave Brown (I believe) skinny tires.

Ted

[Ted Fancher]

Hello Ted,
This is a S.E. from RSM kit. I build this plane to my friend Rogério Alves (Team Member from Brazil to W.C 2010 in Hungria). Very nice model and very good  RSM kit.
Best Regards,
Luiz Dutra -Mococa/São Paulo- Brasil.

Beautiful job, Luiz.  Thanks for sharing it with us.  I had a couple of very nice chats with Rogerio in Gyula.  Brazil, as usual, had a fine team of stunt fliers who all flew admirably.

Ted

[Ted Fancher]

Hi Guys,

I thought the interest in the Special Edition was great enough that I'd try to figure out how to post some pix of the more unusual parts of the project.  If these come out OK and you're interested in more just say so and I'll post some more.

This one is of the pipe tunnel outlet about ready for finishing.  I'll make another post with pix after it was painted.  Still learning the restrictions on posting pix.

Ted

[Ted Fancher]

Here are two more of the finished outlets and the entire pipe cowl.

Ted