1991 Impact vs. Current

[Tim Wescott]

How much does the Impact published in the May 1991 issue of Flying Models differ from Mr. Walker's current rendition?  Aside from obvious things like powerplant, that is.

[PJ Rowland]

For clarity :

Do you mean How much does the 1991 Impact differ from the Impact used at the last Worlds ?




Compare to the 1991 Impact :






Or do you mean How much does the 1991 Impact differ from the current Electric American Eagle?

I have neither answers - Just want to clarify what your asking.

I love Howard Rush's Expression..  -

Sorry about the thought bubble -

[Tim Wescott]

For clarity :

Do you mean How much does the 1991 Impact differ from the Impact used at the last Worlds ?

Yes.  Am I totally off base here?  I just want a benchmark to use to measure other interesting looking designs, and AFAIK I don't have published plans for a more recent rendition.

[PJ Rowland]

We will have to wait for someone more qualified to answer.

I personally would suspect there was no alteration - If a design can win multiple Nats & W/C why update?

[Steve Helmick]

They're all different. Note that the "Spain" Impact (pic #1 & 2) has a longer wing, and both it and the "For Reals" (pic #3)  are sorta I-beamers, but take-apart. The spars are largely CF. The "Sweden stabilizer" version (at least one of Paul's and one of Howard's has this mod) has the stab tip chord reduced by 50% (LE swept back a lot). Several of the latest electron powered ones are trike gear and jet styled. The newest one has a thin wing and retracting 2 wheel LG, but I have not seen it.  

My conclusion is that Paul's trimming and handle wiggling skills are a major advantage, but the basic '91 Impact has proven to be a fine flying design for a lot of folks with .40/.46VF's, PA's and RO-Jetts on pipe, to ST G.51's and .60's. Several other designs are restyled Impacts, just like in the Nobler days. I hope to have an Impact, someday. It probably won't be a significant impact, ya know.   Steve

[Tim Wescott]

I think if I made an Impact derivative it would be dull and stolid.  I'd have to call it "Thud".

[Howard Rush]

I think the plane he took to Sweden had the standard tail size.  The 1992 world champ had the reduced stab tip chord.  

[PJ Rowland]

Why the look of grimace Howard?

[Allan Perret]

Several other designs are restyled Impacts, just like in the Nobler days.  Steve

What are some of the restyled Impact designs ?

Was the original Impact an I-beamer ?

[PJ Rowland]

Alan :
Not according to my 1991 fly models plan. - It actually shows a foam core wing.

[Steve Helmick]

Current? You want Current? This one just burns Current. Picture is from last week's NW CL Regionals, JT on the camera!  First one is Norm Whittle's "eSultan". The next one is Paul's 2010 "Impact xs". Paul won with 613 points in the 2nd round. Norm was 4th with 590. The first 3 planes in the row are electron powered, with the #3 plane being Mike Haverly's "Kiss es". It didn't survive the 2nd round, sadly.  Steve

[Randy Powell]

Steve,

Was there a picture involved?

As I understand it, the philosophy behind each design is pretty much consistent, but the execution has changed over time. The current electron driven version is different based on what Paul has discovered testing the electric powerplants. But the philosophy behind the design hasn't changed much.

[Steve Helmick]

Randy...Yes...the picture of JT's from Flying Lines. Stunthanger won't accept the file because the extension is "JPEG", but under properties on FL, it says jpg. I've tried to change it, but it won't. I'm puzzled. But here's it linked, so that folks can figure out what's what.   Steve

Edit: Behind the blue/red KISS es is Dave Fitz's "ThunderGazer" and then Brett's "Infinity".

[PJ Rowland]

Another photo of new said design.


DO you believe it now ?

[Steve Helmick]

I think the plane he took to Sweden had the standard tail size.  The 1992 world champ had the reduced stab tip chord.  

I know for sure Paul refers to it as "The Sweden Stab" (with the 50% tip chord). I asked what it did differently, and he said it was easier to adjust (by the pilot) for either a hard corner or soft corner, if the team figures out what the judges are scoring higher.  Steve

[Paul Walker]

I know for sure Paul refers to it as "The Sweden Stab" (with the 50% tip chord). I asked what it did differently, and he said it was easier to adjust (by the pilot) for either a hard corner or soft corner, if the team figures out what the judges are scoring higher.  Steve

Be careful of your "for sures".

The only Impact to use (in competition) the reduced size stab was the '92 WC's plane.

The Sweden plane had a full size stab, and was used that way in Sweden. Since it was a take apart, I built a reduced size stab for it and flew it that way for a while. It changed the corner to be more like the '92 plane. This smaller stab was well after the Sweden WC's. I don't know where the term "Sweden stab" came from!

If I were to build another "Impact" I would build it like the FM plans, except for some aesthetic changes.

[Paul Walker]

What are some of the restyled Impact designs ?

Was the original Impact an I-beamer ?

Nope...It was a foam wing.

Paul

[Derek Barry]

Here are my two favorite Impacts.

The "Sweden planes"

They looked and flew AWESOME!

Derek