Suggestions for 1/2A CLPA model/engine combo?

[Jim Oliver]

I've been wanting to fly CL in my front yard and can easily do 1/2 A and would appreciate some help in picking the best model and engine combo.

I want something that will allow me to fly the pattern, not just go round and round:)
So......help me out please.

Thanks,
Jim

[Brett Buck]

I've been wanting to fly CL in my front yard and can easily do 1/2 A and would appreciate some help in picking the best model and engine combo.

I want something that will allow me to fly the pattern, not just go round and round:)
So......help me out please.

   I would suggest a Lou Wolgast 1/2A Mirage (published in FM in the late 70's/early 80s) and a Medallion 049 and Cox Racing fuel.

    Brett

[FLOYD CARTER]

Now for something completely different!  1/4A Ringmaster.  This one built and held by Tom Lay.  No plans that I know of.

[Fredvon4]

There are quite a bunch of choices as well as sedate to very high power engines that will work

and a broad price range as well as construction ease or difficulty

Here is selection from Eric Rule
http://www.rsmdistribution.com/index-2.htm

and Select Hobbies
http://www.selecthobbies.com/kitdata.htm

And of course Brodak
http://brodak.com/control-line-kits/brodak/1-2-a-series.html

There are also a few from SigMfg
http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmart.exe/IndexAircraftF.html?E+Sig

for a fast cheap and pretty good aerobatic plane the $16 Sig SkyRay and a Black Widow or similar engine is fast to build, fun and easy to fly

A little more fiddly to build are the built up wing versions like a baby Flight Streak, Lil Jumin Bean, Brodak's Baby Lightening Streak , Stuntman, and of course Baby Ring Master....there are many more but each of theses listed all fly very well with a typical Cox .049

Of course you should be familiar with both:

Bernie at  https://coxengines.ca/

Or Matt at http://www.exmodelengines.com/product.php?productid=17867&cat=259&page=1

Don't forget to check out a lot of the kits Pat King Has for 1/2a
http://pdkllc.com/airplane-049-061/


Bottom line....there are so many very good combinations It really boils down to what do you have, your building skills, your budget

Personally, because I get frustrated with the Reed engines.  I prefer the models I can put Cox Medallion .049 and baloon tank on

Another thought is some of the 1/2a combat planes like Phil Cartier of corehouse sells... like the L'il II Hacker Double Kit
fast to build, very very durable, and can be tamed down to fly fast enough to maneuver but NOT screw you into the ground with 3 second laps
http://home.earthlink.net/~philcartier/webcat/pricelist.html

[Jim Oliver]

I would build the Mirage that Brett mentioned if I could get plans and a Medallion.....

I was looking at the 1/2 A Pathfinder as a possibility.

[dave siegler]

I am still having a ball with a baby flight steak and a norvel 049. Launch off a card table


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[Fredvon4]

Jim I just looked and noticed your age

MY problem, a decade junior to you, is my eyes and shaky hands

I still play 1/2a some but have to admit many of the better 1/2a planes are just real hard to build

take a close look at the Sig cheap Sky Ray... built in an hour, no need to sand or fuss with pretty...spray the entire thing with a good kote of Rustoleum, screw on a Black widow or Golden Bee and go beat the hell out of it in one day

There are those who would disagree...but spool of 10# spider wire... one continuous length of 70 feet, threaded in the typical Cox type handle is good enough...yes not legal AMA size

BUT for sedate, easy, stunt flying in the front yard, you are not going to stress the 10# stuff to breakage...hell even the KNOT is not that critical

OTOH...if you still have good hand eye coordination I think the Brodak
Baby Lightning Streak is about the best I ever built

http://brodak.com/control-line-kits/brodak/1-2-a-series/1-2a-baby-lightning-streak-kit-beam-mount.html

And if you are a true craftsman builder and want the challenge...Eric Rule has a Tercel that I have seen fly looking exactly like a pro expert stunt ship

[Randy Cuberly]

Jim I just looked and noticed your age

MY problem, a decade junior to you, is my eyes and shaky hands

I still play 1/2a some but have to admit many of the better 1/2a planes are just real hard to build

take a close look at the Sig cheap Sky Ray... built in an hour, no need to sand or fuss with pretty...spray the entire thing with a good kote of Rustoleum, screw on a Black widow or Golden Bee and go beat the hell out of it in one day

There are those who would disagree...but spool of 10# spider wire... one continuous length of 70 feet, threaded in the typical Cox type handle is good enough...yes not legal AMA size

BUT for sedate, easy, stunt flying in the front yard, you are not going to stress the 10# stuff to breakage...hell even the KNOT is not that critical

OTOH...if you still have good hand eye coordination I think the Brodak
Baby Lightning Streak is about the best I ever built

http://brodak.com/control-line-kits/brodak/1-2-a-series/1-2a-baby-lightning-streak-kit-beam-mount.html

And if you are a true craftsman builder and want the challenge...Eric Rule has a Tercel that I have seen fly looking exactly like a pro expert stunt ship

Well Fredvon you may be assuming too much.

I'm 77 and don't have shakey hands and build quite well.  I also have many friend older than me including Eddy Capitinelli at 84 that just happens to be one of the finest builders and finishers around.  Burt Brokaw, National Carrier champion and scale builder is 78 and he is also a great flier and builder.  John Callentine is 73 and has built and is still building some of the finest models around to include a Rabe Mustang and several other very fine stunt ships.  Bob Whitely, by the way is 75 and still does a pretty good job of building and flying also.  Oh yeah I forgot to mention my friend Keith Trostle who now lives in Denver CO. I believe He's 80 and still does a very fine job of building and flying! 

I don't know Jim but there are a whole bunch of great builders and fliers in their 70's and even 80's.  Don't count them out!

I suppose health has a bit to do with it, but it's mostly simple determination and experience in my opinion.

Randy Cuberly

[Jim Oliver]

Randy thanks for speaking up for the old codgers:)

Fredvon4, not that it's the same thing but I can still clean the FBI Q target for my pistol quals:) Not that I need to at my age......

And thanks for mentioning the Tercel. I had looked at it a little earlier and liked the lines better than the Mirage.

As for an engine, I have located a NIB K&B .09---probably too heavy for the Tercel, but I haven't weighed the engine yet.

Appreciate all the suggestions.

Jim

[Jim Roselle]

Link to 1/2a mirage plan:

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=2453

[Tim Wescott]

Look for the Half-Lite stunter here.  I've seen it fly at the 2012 NW Regionals, it's impressive (came in third in Advanced).  It had a Norvel Big Mig on it, 061 I believe.

[Fredvon4]

My oh my....so sorry

 I have so many friends much older than I ---also in very very commendable shape and capability...for their doddering- forgetful  old age.... a joke fellows....peace.... grin

I certainly never meant any aged disrespect... not any of you-uns faults

 I was rode hard and usually put my own body, under fed, very cold, and very wet ----for too many years, in severely hazardous environments

I am NOT counting ANY old fart out

BUT Randy.... I have... and can NOT build Eric Rule's most excellent  laser 1/2a Stuka...with flaps

I enlisted, a not to be named 37 year old, to build it---- and he is intimidated....

Let me know if you want the challenge and a cost...beware ....I have more money than common sense... another old age problem my wife reminds me of occasionally

as always, peace, love, and please keep teaching this young pup all the tricks

My oh my at 62 I never thought my dad (all you old codgers) would still be bopping the back of my head...

[Jim Oliver]

Fred,
If we ain't having fun, we're doing it wrong

Cheers,
Jim

[RandySmith]

one of the best  1/2  A  plane I have seen fly , and straight  forward to build  is  the  PINTO ,  I think there are still  kits made for it,  it flies great and will do every stunt  in the pattern

Randy

[Fredvon4]

Jim

I have to agree with Randy the Pinto is worth looking into ...got a friend with one and is flys great...

not sure where to look for the plan or any kit but I know it is out there

you have more options...  don't fret...just find one and start....there are not any REAL bad choices

well--- much as we love them---- a Plastic Cox Stuka, with a weak engine is a disaster...

[vgmc01]

Hi;

Over here in Vancouver, B.C.  we have an event we call the Nearly 1/2A Fun Stunt Event, it's been going for about 10 years now and the entry level is consistent. The reason it's being called early is because we allow up to .10 c.i. engine although most of us run .049 to .061. Next year, using the same rules we are adding a second class using engine from .11 thru .15 c.i.

One of our members has designed a series of models based around WW 2 fighter aircraft, I fly a P39 profile Airacobra with an AP Wasp .061 using .008 x 44 ft. lines on 17% nitro. This and the others would have no problem doing most, it if not all, of the pattern.

If your interested email me and I'll send you the simple rules.

Regards
Bruce Duncan    a.b.duncan@shaw.ca
Vancouver Gas Model Club

[Trostle]

Jim

I have to agree with Randy the Pinto is worth looking into ...got a friend with one and is flys great...

not sure where to look for the plan or any kit but I know it is out there

The Pinto was designed by Dick Mathis.  In his article, Flying Models, December 1972, he explains the Pinto is a scaled down Oriental.  Mathis flew his with a Cox .049 TD, though a good Cox Medalian would do just fine.

Pinto kit is available from RSM:

http://www.rsmdistribution.com/index-2.htm

Keith

[ray copeland]

1/2a stunt pattern flying, what a great subject! My best 1/2a pattern birds all have several things in common. Light, plenty of power, good fuel feed and easy on the controls. My suggestion for your first would be something similar to the 1/2 lite , Phil's wings, maybe a built up fuse and tailfeathers , Norvell .061 , balloon tank supported by a Sig Canopy. I would make a half dozen or so balloon tanks at one time so you have plenty ready to go, they work just like a hard tank as far as up and down for rich or lean. If you fly off grass I would put the controls on top of the wing. If you opt for a full fuse you will need to find a hard tank that works well with your engine and keep it close to the engine, or make it easy to get to the balloon tank, maybe use magnets for your tank cover hold downs. Maybe start with 42 foot lines, I like the 30lb. braided stuff. Also if you keep the controls slow I am fine without flaps on a 1/2a. Good luck, 1/2a's are the bomb!

[Skip Chernoff]

I'm flying a Pinto with an old G Mark .061 and it flies GREAT. The engine is not as fast as some,but it gives a nice steady run. I fly it on 40' ,008 lines. I use my home brew 30% Nitro 20% Castor fuel.

[pat king]

Tom Lay's airplane is a Micro Ringmaster built from my kit. It is cute, but not really a stunt airplane.
My Ringmaster 150 is for beam mount .049 engines, Medallion .049, TD .049, Norvel .049 . An .061 is too much engine for the airplane it causes the corners to open up. The airplane has won expert and advanced in several 1/2A contests.

Pat

[RknRusty]

The best outfit I have for 1/2A pattern flying is a pair of Baby Streaks. One with a Norvel Big Mig .061, and the other a Cox Tee Dee .051. Both fed with a bladder and swinging an APC 6x2 prop. The TD has a venturi bored to .140" and both have 128tpi needles. I fly them on 40' lines on windy days and 45' lines on calm days.

That prop lets the engines scream at full RPMs while keeping the speed manageable for decent maneuvers. The bladder allows plenty of fuel, steady runs with no hiccups.

If you really want to tune up your reflexes, bolt a 5.25x3 or a 5x3 prop on it and give it a go. It'll be too fast for a pretty pattern, but it'll really wake your reflexes up Lol.
Rusty

[Leo Elder]

Hi Rusty,
I fly a Baby Flight Streak with a Blackwidow on 38 foot 10 lb spider line. I love the way it flies but it always burps or hiccups on negative G maneuvers, sometimes quitting. I've tried everything I can think of except going to higher nitro  than the 15 % I'm currently running. Do you have any ideas that might elude this problem?

I'm very interested in your set up. Would please you explain how you carry the bladder and what fuel are you using? Also where do you like the CG?

Leo

[RknRusty]

Hi, Leo
I use Sig Champion 25% and 35% fuel in all of my 1/2As. I'm on the fly right now, but I'll get some pictures of my setup this evening. Meanwhile here are two videos I did about making and running pressure bladders.





I wish I had made the movie a little later my bladder career, as I make it look seriously over complicated, both the assembly and cranking. Nowadays for filling, I just plug a check valve into its tail and fill it from the rear. And I use copper wire like a twist-tie instead of tying them with string. Or small o-rings... but you should get the idea. And I use the same one for a lot longer than I expected them to last back then too. The combat guys will probably laugh at my methods.

[Allan Perret]

I would build the Mirage that Brett mentioned if I could get plans and a Medallion.....

I was looking at the 1/2 A Pathfinder as a possibility.

1/2 A Pathfinder, put a Norvell .061 and you will have lots of fun.  I fly mine on 45' lines with APC 6-2 prop, 25% nitro.