Ringmaster Imperial, worth building or not?

[Mark Gerber]

Here’s Al Hieger’s rendition among his Ringmaster fleet in 2018 at VSC.  Sadly, these planes and others were destroyed when a dust devil suddenly swept through the pits.

Mark Gerber

[Scott Richlen]

John Kelly:

Thanks!  That's the plane that was on the Model Aviation cover!

Good looking airplane wasn't it?  And way better looking than stock!

Thanks for finding it!!

[John Kelly]

   Hey Dan, Thanks for the thanks. Sorry, but the only little Model Aviation cover that's stuck in my old brain is the Cavalier. I didn't find out what it was for decades, and it's still one of my favorite ships. The picture is from "Wild Bill's" coverage of the 1961 NATS in the January 1962 American Modeler magazine.

[John Kelly]

   Hey Scott, Thanks for the thanks. I thought so, I flew a red Fox .29 powered Veco Thunderbird in Junior at that NATS. Dan mentioned the fuse mounted gear, probably a smart move if you don't like repairing wings after smelly landings.

[Dan McEntee]

Here’s Al Hieger’s rendition among his Ringmaster fleet in 2018 at VSC.  Sadly, these planes and others were destroyed when a dust devil suddenly swept through the pits.

Mark Gerber

    No Imperial in that fleet, though, only a Super Ringmaster. The other large model looks like one of those profile Twistmasters.

  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[john e. holliday]

Just now hit me with a different shape and bigger stab/elevator also couple of more rib bays on the wing and you have the U-2 spy plane.   I need a bigger shop.

[John Carrodus]

Pat, I'd say that Imperial would fly fairly well. A few years ago I spotted the Imperial in a photo, found some plans and decided to profile model it. I didn't like the thin airfoil so increased it by about 4 mm and flattened the curve at the thickest point to TE. The motor was an old Sabre 19 (!956 or thereabouts made in Australia) A sweet little number with a portside exhaust. So I decided to clip an outboard wing cell and mount her on the inside, no exhaust system so made one of my own tubular bells type! I notice the pressure plug has blown out. ( Engine ran better on uniflow) Adjustable leadouts and in an effort to save tail weight, I filled the rear fuz and tail with lots of O's. ( Then had to add tail weight!) It's a light model and flies very nicely, more like a bigger plane in some ways. Since then I have built 2 more for buddies with 4 stroke 30s. I have lengthened the fuz on both. One is yet to fly due to lock down, ( Photo attached I hope! Last time I tried that it wouldn't stick.) The other is a good plane and well matched to the 4 stroker. ( Was planted, since repaired and flies just as well as it did new.) I like the slimmer fuselage, forward cockpit and forward cantered undercarriage. I'm a sucker for retro styling with ink line detail and automotive clearcoat finish.

[John Carrodus]

I finally worked it out Doh!
 Note  - Unfinished Imperial Profile Ringmaster has a pine half spar.

[Dave Harmon]

I've seen the Ringmaster 576 fly around here quite a bit.
If it was me.....I think I would consider using the 576 wing on a Imperial fuse and stab.

Waaaaay back.......I hung out with several of the proficient modelers in this area and I noticed a S1 Ring hanging by the tail.
The guy almost never flew it and one time I remember asking him why and he sort of shook his head no and didn't say much.
It took me many years to understand why....but then again, I never built one of them back then....I always had Flite Streaks.

[EddyR]

 I remember one that flew very well  built by a gentleman from eastern NC or Virginia. His last name may have been Bailey. I saw him at meets in Florida and Georgia in the 1980's
His flew great but he did mention the thin airfoil and had to be carful in the turns. He was a good flyer so he made it work.  I remember asking what it was the first time I was it.
Maybe Steve Fenton  will remember him.
EddyR

[Scott Richlen]

If you don't like how your Ringmaster flies the pattern, add a line connection to the inside tip of the horizontal stab and fly it with a 3rd line.  With a well broken-in Fox 35 and the right prop you can have a lot of fun Saber-Dancing!