Author Topic: Prowler (Read 5346 times)

Paul Taylor · « **on:** May 28, 2007, 11:21:06 AM »

While looking for the U-Key info for a new guy, I found that Jim also has a profile plane with a foam wing called a Prowler.
Anybody know anything about this plane or have a picture of one?

Thanks
Paul

Lee Thiel · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:03:30 PM »

Here is a pic of Rick "Catdaddy" Blankenships Prowler. Real good flyer.

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2007, 01:33:38 PM »

The Prowler was designed by Bob Hunt, kitted by Scott Smith (does antyone remember "AeroSmith", not the band!!) and was the next plane in line up from the RD-1. Basic difference being a swept leading edge with the Prowler versus the straight wing RD-1. Basically the same otherwise. The 40 FP was a popular choice on several I saw.

Great flying design!

Willie Johnson · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2007, 03:07:29 PM »

I have it in my plans stash.

Willie

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2007, 03:23:31 PM »

Willie,
After my figure 9 yesterday I may need to get a copy from you.

Paul

Dang iiitt!

Rob Duckering · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2007, 10:12:58 AM »

Built this prowler 4 years ago.....Make sure you build as light as you can, easy on the epoxy on the skins on the wing.....vaccuum bag if possible. They always seem to come out on the heavy side......but, they fly very good. Brodak 40 on this one at the time.....

Cheers

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2007, 06:22:30 PM »

When you deside to build a builtup full bodied plane I will send you a set of plans for my Arctic Fox. Prowler is good pic for an all out pattern plane. Dave Royer is flying one with a FP-40. Does the patternwith ease.

Leester · « **Reply #7 on:** May 29, 2007, 07:20:44 PM »

Where can you get the plans for the Prowler ?

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #8 on:** May 29, 2007, 08:05:42 PM »

Quote from: Leo Mehl on May 29, 2007, 06:22:30 PM

When you deside to build a builtup full bodied plane I will send you a set of plans for my Arctic Fox. Prowler is good pic for an all out pattern plane. Dave Royer is flying one with a FP-40. Does the patternwith ease.

Thanks Leo,
I will keep you posted fer sure.

Dave Royer · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2007, 11:47:43 AM »

Quote from: rootbeard on May 29, 2007, 08:05:42 PM

Thanks Leo,
I will keep you posted fer sure.

Actually, the Prowler Leo refers to is Alice's and she built it from one of Scott Smith's kits. It has a Tom Dixon reworked 35FP in it. She used that airplane to tie for second place with me in her first ever PA contest back in about '92. The tie was broken by the time honored Norhwest tradition of the "Glo Plug Spit." Alice beat me handily at that and the rest, as they say, is history.

Dave Royer

Leester · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2007, 03:51:09 PM »

Thanks for run down on the Prowler Bob. I would like a set of plans for it and I would prefer the built up wing, just cause I like building them. Please let us know when the plans might be available.
Thanks

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2007, 04:47:21 PM »

Bob,
Do you have a picture of the RD-1. And what the cost of the wing would be sheeted?

Thanks
Paul

Bill Little · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2007, 05:36:54 PM »

Quote from: rootbeard on May 30, 2007, 04:47:21 PM

Bob,
Do you have a picture of the RD-1. And what the cost of the wing would be sheeted?

Thanks
Paul

Hi Paul,

At least until Bob gets back, and maybe corrects me, The RD-1 looks like the Prowler except it has a constant chord wing.

The RD-1 was my son Aaron's first "contest plane". Sheeted foam wings and a Webra 28.

Jim Pollock · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2007, 06:42:00 PM »

Golly Gee Whitakers,

Anyone for a kit of the Europa??? Can someone? (Bob maybe) post a picture of your son's Europa?
Bet there would be some takers.....Maybe.....?

Jim Pollock

I just can't get over this li'l tricky Richard smiley.

Bill Little · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2007, 07:02:21 PM »

Quote from: Jim Pollock on May 30, 2007, 06:42:00 PM

Golly Gee Whitakers,

Anyone for a kit of the Europa??? Can someone? (Bob maybe) post a picture of your son's Europa?
Bet there would be some takers.....Maybe.....?

Jim Pollock I just can't get over this li'l tricky Richard smiley.

Just take a UHP Saturn kit and shrink it a *little*.

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 30, 2007, 07:30:32 PM »

The Prowler was my first "real" stunt ship when I came back to the hobby. With Bob living right up the street from me it was kind of inevitable. We had just gotten into "the pipe" at that point so mine wound up with an OS .32 on the pipe. Aaron wound up with that engine when I discovered the Magnum .36. I've always thought that the models with the smaller wings were not suited for foam construction, so (I think) perhaps a built up wing would be an advantage, weight wise.

Regarding the Europa, I chose to build a Saturn, reduced to 92.5 %, powered by a Randy TT .36 on a .40 sized pipe. It's thrilling! The reduced Saturn has a somewhat longer tail moment than the Europa. You pays your money, and make your choices.

Willie Johnson · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:06:03 AM »

I just started working on templates for the RD-1. I plan to have some cores cut late tonight or tomorrow. I'll let you know how they come out. My goal is to build one with an ASP .25 and one with a LEO .25. I like challenges. This will be my first build of a flapped plane but the design is very good and straight forward. I tore my home office up looking for my misplaced 6/91 issue of F.M. with the build article (My wife thinks I need mental help). I do have the stunt column issues where Mr. Hunt goes thru the construction. I also ordered the back issue yesterday. If I can keep my cost down by cutting my own cores I'll continue with the plan of building 2, if I have to buy a set of cores, I'll build just one. I think the RD-1 will be good pane for me after more time on the U-Key.

The plans show a 3 inch bellcrank. I've noticed that most people favor 4 inch bellcrank. Has anyone put a 4 inch bellcrank in the RD-1? Also the plans have the wing as being triple cored. Would double coring be too much weight gain?

Thanks,

Willie

Randy Cuberly · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:10:40 PM »

For any of you folks that have never built a wing using Bob's "Lost Foam" system, you're missing out on the best thing that ever happened to modeling. This is without question the best and most accurate way to build a wing. Do it and You'll never look back. It also makes it very easy to build "Geo" construction which is lighter and stiffer than conventional and maybe even easier to build as there are typically fewer parts. It lends itself directly to formed balsa leading edges that are easy to do and also lighter than conventional. I built a 53 oz 740 sq in Geo XL using this technology, and I think that probably could not be done using another method.

Randy C.

Willie Johnson · « **Reply #18 on:** June 02, 2007, 06:27:58 PM »

Here are a couple of images of one the RD-1 cores I cut and a template. This is before cutting out the internal sections. Not the best but useable.

Willie Johnson · « **Reply #19 on:** June 02, 2007, 06:38:30 PM »

This should have been the 2nd image.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #20 on:** June 02, 2007, 07:20:53 PM »

WOW Willie,
Not only to you build some nice planes from kits, now you are cutting your own foam wings. Make your own vents too.

Your wife is right you need help.

Keep in touch.
Paul

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** June 03, 2007, 07:23:54 AM »

Quote from: Willie Johnson on June 02, 2007, 06:27:58 PM

Here are a couple of images of one the RD-1 cores I cut and a template. This is before cutting out the internal sections. Not the best but useable.

Them cores look good to me. As any thing else it takes practice to get them right. Now do you sheet the cores before coring out the unwanted foam. I usually put a hole in the core for the wire to go thru. Then sheet the cores. Then coring out the unwanted foam is last. I have not done wing mounted gear yet. DOC Holliday

Willie Johnson · « **Reply #22 on:** June 03, 2007, 12:57:57 PM »

Thanks for the kind words. I'm just learning and having fun. I've been reading and wanting to do some of this stuff since I was a kid. I wish I could fly half as good as you guys. My current plan is to cut the spar slots, sheet the cores and then cutout the unwanted foam.

Thanks,