Veco/Dumas Chief question

[Jim Oliver]

Hi Guys,

I happened across a Dumas Chief kit; standard petrified balsa, etc.

My questions are:

1--Where does it fit into the Old Time/Classic timeline? (Which is it, OTS or Classic?)

2--Must it be built with the two-inch wing offset to be "Legal"?

Thanks,
Jim

[Bill Little]

The Dumas version is the second version that Veco kitted.  It is only "Classic" legal.

As to the offset, it all depends on what your local contests do with "fidelity" points and such.  Removing some, or all, of the asymmetry doen't "disqualify" it.

Bill <><

[Tom Niebuhr]

That is the reason for the little used fidelity points. We want to recreate these airplanes. The 2" offset will not hurt you.

[Bill Little]

That is the reason for the little used fidelity points. We want to recreate these airplanes. The 2" offset will not hurt you.

Hi Tom,

I totally agree with you about the fidelity points, but they are very hard to enforce.

We don't even use appearance points around here anymore.  I can't give you a reason why, either!  It just is the practice now. 

Bill <><

[Chuck Feldman]

How could you tell the difference between a Veco and a Dumas Chief with out having the box? I have built both in the past and I do not recall any difference? The polliwog wing is in the very early models but I do not recall them. Not sure which way the answer about the unequal wing panels was answered. Is it OK or is it Not OK to have equal panels? I always liked the Chief and have one on the shelf to build. I also have two sets of plans for the chief. One is the Big Chief. These are the ones GMA had before he built the Nobler. I could use some guidance here. I thing the unequal wing panels has been found to be detrimental to a better flying model. This because most modern shipsare equal panel.

Thanks ChucK Feldman

[Bill Little]

How could you tell the difference between a Veco and a Dumas Chief with out having the box? I have built both in the past and I do not recall any difference? The polliwog wing is in the very early models but I do not recall them. Not sure which way the answer about the unequal wing panels was answered. Is it OK or is it Not OK to have equal panels? I always liked the Chief and have one on the shelf to build. I also have two sets of plans for the chief. One is the Big Chief. These are the ones GMA had before he built the Nobler. I could use some guidance here. I thing the unequal wing panels has been found to be detrimental to a better flying model. This because most modern shipsare equal panel.

Thanks ChucK Feldman

Hi Chuck,

I guess I needed to clarify my answer.  Dumas never did kit the Pollywog (OTS).  They only kitted the second Chief from Veco, like I said.

For "Classic", the offset *SHOULD* be left in the panels.  However, there is no provisions in the rules to disqualify a plane with modifications. 

Technically, you can call a Trivial Pursuit a Nobler and fly it in Classic.

If you attend the rare contest where Fidelity Points are actually awarded by people who know somewhat what to look for, you will get hit on those points if you make the panels equal.  Around here, there is no policing of fidelity.

The offset panels do not keep the plane from flying real good, like Tom N. said.  And, most all the "modern planes have now settled somewhere between 1/2" and 1" offset.  Totally equal panels give another set of trimming issues.

Bill <><

[Chuck Feldman]

Hello Bill,

 Thanks for your answer. Have not seen you for a while. I cannot make Huntersville this time so I guess it will be awhile longer.

Thank you for your answer on the Chief and also the unequal spans in use today.

Classic and OTS are fine the way they are run here in the SE. If it looks like a Chief than it must be a Chief. Makes sense to me.

Is this the best forum? You bet it is!!!!!!! Your all doing a great job keep it going.

Chuck Feldman

[Jim Oliver]

Thanks for the insight.

Interestingly, the kit supplied flaps are identical.  I really didn't notice the wing offset until I read the instruction sheet.

I haven't begun construction yet but it won't be long.

Jim

[Bill Little]

Hello Bill,

 Thanks for your answer. Have not seen you for a while. I cannot make Huntersville this time so I guess it will be awhile longer.

Thank you for your answer on the Chief and also the unequal spans in use today.

Classic and OTS are fine the way they are run here in the SE. If it looks like a Chief than it must be a Chief. Makes sense to me.

Is this the best forum? You bet it is!!!!!!! Your all doing a great job keep it going.

Chuck Feldman

HJi Chuck,

I, too, hope to see you soon!  It has been a while.

Good news is, if I can stay "alive" for less than three more years I can get FULL RETIREMENT from the State!!!!!!!!!!! 

THEN I can go wherever I want to for contests with out having to "be back at work" on Mondays at "O dawn thirty". 

Take care, Buddy. 

Bill <><

[Charlie Pate]

Ted Fancher had one built to Spec. ,with a Johnson eng.
Flew VERY well

[john e. holliday]

I would like to really know how many guys/gals really did glue or dope the covering to the concave ribs?  I could understand it on the bottom of free flight wings, but, why on control line?  DOC Holliday