The All American Sr.

[Andrew Borgogna]

At this years "Bob Palmer Memorial Contest" I won an All American Sr. in the raffle.  I also have a reworked Fox 35 that I won in the raffle at last years contest.  The motor has never been run and I think it would be a good match for the AAS.  Anyway here is my question, I have heard all the stories about how bad the AAS can be on take off.  That aside is it a plane worth building and taking to VSC as a back up to the Humongous that I am currently finishing up? 

Anybody with any knowledge on this plane please pipe in.

Andy Borgogna

[Jim Pollock]

Yes,

Just make sure the main landing gear points so it will turn the plane outward on take off and Landing.  It shouldn't present too many problems then.  At least it didn't on mine, pictured here.....

Jim Pollock

[Jim Thomerson]

Just fly it cockwise with the handle upside down.

[Brett Buck]

At this years "Bob Palmer Memorial Contest" I won an All American Sr. in the raffle.  I also have a reworked Fox 35 that I won in the raffle at last years contest.  The motor has never been run and I think it would be a good match for the AAS.  Anyway here is my question, I have heard all the stories about how bad the AAS can be on take off.  That aside is it a plane worth building and taking to VSC as a back up to the Humongous that I am currently finishing up? 

Andy Borgogna

Sure. Build it light, put in a bunch of engine offset, and fly it fast. For takeoffs, have the helper hold the airplane level with the tail wheel off the ground, and only hold by the tail. Don't put in any up or down elevator, and don't pull too hard on the lines on the ground. Then have them release it straight ahead.

   Once you get it in the air, and assuming you fly it fast enough, it will roll pretty wildly in the maneuvers and it will take some finesse to get it through the intersections of the 8's. Otherwise it's just fine.

  The controls need to be *sloooow*. I built one, gave it away, then borrowed it back for the 94 NATs, We found that with a relatively forward CG it wanted a total elevator throw of about +- 3/4" to 1", max. Any  more and it gets Ringmaster disease.

   BTW, unlike profile models, the Fox works just dandy, assuming it's broken in. I threw in a Fox that hadn't run in something like 30 years (my Dad's), loosened it up with raw fuel, and it fired right up and needed a couple of clicks on the needle, otherwise no issue. I did a full OTS pattern (except for inverted flight, which I always forget) with no "test loops" or anything. No "funnies" and plenty of power.

    Brett

[Scott B. Riese]

Having over a thousand flights on mine...here's my set up.

McCoy 29 Series 21 no muffler
Plane 28 oz
10x6 BY&O
8900-9200
62 foot lines .015
4.8 laps
4 oz tank 5:55min run
Sig 10x25 all Castor
T-Bolt Plug
2" wheels
1/2oz wing tip weight...max 3/4oz any more then you'll end up with trim issues.

OK I NEVER had a real problem with take offs.
1) Steep back when plane is released. YOU should do this with all planes.
2) OUTBOARD WHEEL should be just slightly tighter then the inboard wheel.
3) The launcher should point the NOSE out (slightly) OR YOU should be just behind the plane (WING) at take off.
4) MAKE SURE your hand is up in front of you on the take off. If you lower your hand the plane looses line tenson and comes's in at you.

I hope this helps.

[Jim Pollock]

Brett,

In the O/T pattern, inverted flight comes right after the outside loops.  Well, it's been so long since I have flown O/T I think that's how it goes?

[Brett Buck]

Brett,

In the O/T pattern, inverted flight comes right after the outside loops.  Well, it's been so long since I have flown O/T I think that's how it goes?

   Yes, I know that in an intellectual sense however unless I get someone to shout out the maneuvers to me I will like as not forget. I have flown the OTS pattern about 10 times total in my life, and 9 of them were official flights in contests, usually with someone else's airplane that I have just seen minutes before.

    Brett

[john e. holliday]

Andy,  the AAS is a good flying plane powered with the Fox .35 Stunt.  I use 2 3/4 ounces of fuel in mine.  If I could fly CW it would be even better as it flies like the designs of the day.  Maybe even better for that period of time.  It is fun to fly and as stated is a little quick on controls if set up according to the plan.  Just remember that on take off it will try to eat your lunch if you are not on your toes.  Just a touch of down and step backwards quickly.  Let us know how it goes as I think you will have fun with it.  Did you see mine at VSC do a wheeled landing with no bounce and a roll out.  It does land much better on grass tho.

[Andrew Borgogna]

Oh boy this sounds like a bunch of fun.  How could I not build this fine plane, yes some people say I love pain.  I know how I could make it better, I could put one of my sparkys in it to complete the fun.  Anyway thanks to all for your input.
Andy

[john e. holliday]

That would be something as I don't remember anyone ever putting a spark in the AAS.   

[Jim Pollock]

Brett,

Keep up the good work flying planes you've just seen minutes before. Soon you'll be as good as Kaplinsky at doing it!
The part I have a hard time with is the 10' altitude for the maneuvers....

Jim Pollock    

[don boka]

Hey Andy.
Scott hit it on the head, outboard wheel with slight drag and step back on release and be prepared to pull handle rearward across your chest if necessary. I don't recall the weight of mine other than it weighs exactly what the plan weight suggested. I use a well worn fifties Fox 29 with a K&B needle valve assembly and the venturi was not bored out. A 9/7 or 9/8 prop moves it well. This thing is amazingly fast with plenty of pull on the lines. I have moved the CG and leadouts around but it still flies large maneuvers although I have seen some fly reasonably tight stuff. I did use a 3/32" pushrod and do not think there is any flex. It sure will not be a 4-2 flying airplane and typical De bolt style likes lotsa' fast!!! I normally launch from a stab holding stooge and have no idea where it is pointed but have never had any slack in the lines. Take off roll is almost non existant!!

Enjoy.

Don Boka.

[Jim Rhoades]

Andy,

I've had a couple AA Srs in the past.  Both were originally powered by Fox 35's which worked well except for the fact that there was not enough ground clearance for a 10" prop with the stock gear.  Both were built with the nose shortened 3/4" as noted on the original plans for more responsive maneuvering.  I found that cutting a rudder tab about 1" wide at the base and about 3/8" offset cured the takeoff problem when combined with raising the tail on launch per Brett's suggestion.  After a fuselage rebuild on my 2nd AA Sr I substituted an FP 25 which was happy running on a 9" prop therefore giving the prop clearance needed.  Sure the maneuvers have their All Americanisms but mine were a lot of fun to fly.  Mine were built light in the 27-28 oz range.  The FP 25 was a great match at this light weight.  I got a 4th place with mine at the Tri Cities Nats in OTS.  A fun ship.

Jim Rhoades

[Ward Van Duzer]

The New Jersey cure for the "All American Chase You Around the Circle" routine was to place a rag on the outboard wing during takeoff!

It worked for me! 


W.

[Gerald Schamp]

Scott,

Would you please send me your correct email address, geraldschamp@comcast.net. You had requested some info at the Regionals and my email returned with the address I had. By the way, for those who missed it, the Northwest Regionals was very good this year, there were some hickups with finger failer trying to stop spinning propellers, but thanks to the hard work of folks like Scott, Brett, David, Don McClave, John Thopmpson, Randi Gifford and the list goes on and on, the contest was a huge success in my opinion.

Great Work All,
Gerald Schamp 

[Brett Buck]

Scott,

Would you please send me your correct email address, geraldschamp@comcast.net. You had requested some info at the Regionals and my email returned with the address I had. By the way, for those who missed it, the Northwest Regionals was very good this year, there were some hickups with finger failer trying to stop spinning propellers, but thanks to the hard work of folks like Scott, Brett, David, Don McClave, John Thopmpson, Randi Gifford and the list goes on and on, the contest was a huge success in my opinion.

    Randi, Don, and particularly John and Scott and their assistants deserve all the credit in the world for putting on a great contest. The Prop Spinners are fantastic hosts, and the weather even cooperated. But I would have to disclaim *any* credit for doing anything to help aside from merely showing up and taking advantage of it and I think David was in the same category -grateful recipients of outstanding northwest hospitality. And I got me some good Columbia river salmon.

    BTW, Gerald, I didn't see you this year, sorry to miss you.

     Brett

[john e. holliday]

To Don & Jim, the best prop I found was the 9-6 APC.  Plenty of ground clearance.  Also not as torquey as a 10-6.   My experience.