What plane and engine combos for 45' circle?

[frank mccune]

   Hi all:

   Our new field has about enough space for a 90' flying circle.  What type of airplane and engine combo would be good for this small field>

  I have a collection of planes that have the word Jr in their names and a collection of Cub .14, .19 and Fox .15 baffled engines.  These include names like Shark 15, Magician .15, Jr. Nobler, Ringmaster Jr. Ringmaster Flash, Sterling P40, and some foam winged 330 sq. in. profile sport planes. Will these combinations work well on 45' lines?

  There is very little to no interest in half A planes.

Suggestions?

                                                                                                                     Be well my friends,

                                                                                                                     Frank McCune

                                                                                                                     Frank McCune

[Allen Eshleman]

I don't have an answer.

I want to know too.  I have a small space that gives me between 45 and 50.  I just shortened some lines to 49 ft.  I want to try that.  I hope I can still practice the pattern or at least parts.  I have an Akromaster with a McCoy 19.  I have an Enya 15 that I'm thinking of swapping in.

Can't wait to hear some answers on this. 

[Dave_Trible]

I think some of the airplanes you mentioned would work but it's hard to imagine anything more than an .09 on them for that short of line.  42' was commonly used for TD .049s.   Most .15s are best flown on 52'.

Dave

[John Park]

I learned to fly stunt in 1960 as a fifteen-year-old with Flite Streak-like models of 28"-30" span on 45' lines, using an AM15 (1.5cc.) diesel.  My models (I got through several when I was learning to fly inverted) were own-designs, but very similar to the KeilKraft Gazelle or the FROG Talisman (see Outerzone for both).  I can't help thinking that GMA's British Peacemaker, the 36 1/2" profile that he designed for Aeromodeller, built light, would go nicely on 45' lines with a modern glow .10: I think Enya do one, and don't OS do a .10 LA?  These engines must be at least as powerful as the plain-bearing 2.5cc diesels we used in the early 1960s to fly Peacemakers on 50' lines.

Regards
John

[Gordon Van Tighem]

For 40 to 45 foot lines I have enjoyed most success with .09s
Scientific Cadet/Enya .09. Medallion .09 is reasonable and reliable. There are plans for Spacebound and Reaction on EBay just now, Tom Dixon (Atlanta) and Ralph Saxton (Modesto CA) have some plans too.

For most .15s and .19s I have found 52 feet to be the minimum.

G

[Tim Wescott]

I'm pretty sure that the only current-production .10 cu-in engines are ASPs and their clones.

If you want to go there, the equivalent electric setup would be cheap and reliable -- unlike model engines these days, electric setups scale strongly by size, so a 100-150W setup is way cheaper than a 600W setup.

[Russell Shaffer]

Since your engines are old design and on the low end for power, especially the Cubs, I think you would be fine with the models you have listed.  I think the Cub and old Fox engines are in the same power range as the newer .09's - that's why the kits are named as 15 size.

[Phil Krankowski]

Depending on how and what that 90 ft is measured off of there might not be enough space for 45 ft lines.  You need about a 10 ft circle in the middle to wander about in, well, at least I need that space.  I have a "90 ft" circle in my side yard.  It is bounded on two sides by trees, a hill on the third (watch your step you can really fall out of my circle, the circle only is 2/3 level.  Can crash "below" grade too) and a pond on the fourth.  The pond is overgrown with cattails and often has trees on it too (amazing how fast they grow, seems like a foot a day!)

Because of the trees flying on 45 ft lines is dicey.  I have done it, but I am dangerously close to the edge of the hill and flying over part of the pond.  I usually fly 1/2a on 35 ft lines.  A strong Cox .049 reed engine is plenty of power for this size circle.  A TD .049 is arguably overpowered on 35ft lines.

Now if your circle measures 100 or 110 ft to any obstructions then 45 ft lines might be usable. 

If you are bounded by low profile obstructions like ditches, rises, driveway, or property lines for a 90 ft circle then what can be flown in that space is a lot bigger than what can be flown in my space.

Phil

[Dwayne]

Here's a good'n, I fly mine with a BigMig 061, while still a 1/2a it flies bigger.
http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/downloads/White_Lightening_CL_Stunt-Sport.pdf

[George]

Hi all:

   Our new field has about enough space for a 90' flying circle.  What type of airplane and engine combo would be good for this small field>

  I have a collection of planes that have the word Jr in their names and a collection of Cub .14, .19 and Fox .15 baffled engines.  These include names like Shark 15, Magician .15, Jr. Nobler, Ringmaster Jr. Ringmaster Flash, Sterling P40, and some foam winged 330 sq. in. profile sport planes. Will these combinations work well on 45' lines?

Suggestions?

                                                                                                                     Be well my friends,

                                                                                                                     Frank McCune

If the 90' is somewhat closed in, consider 42' x .012 lines to allow for arm length and outboard wing. You might also consider a pylon to keep you close to the center.

If there are noise restrictions, exclude the Cubs because they are very noisy. Otherwise they are nice little engines.

I would try the Ringmaster Jr. with the Fox .15, using a rather flat prop like an 8x4 or 8x3 (if you can get one). Don't peak it out and be prepared to spin fast. As others have mentioned, .15's are usually flown on 52' lines (at least mine are). If that is still too fast you could try an old trick of adding a disc in front of the prop (perhaps start with 3")...a spinner back should work.

Good luck with your new field, and whatever you fly on it.

George

[jim gilmore]

When You say NO 1/2 A consider that some of todays 1/2A's are nothing like the 1/2A's od the cox era....
with 33-35" wings spans they are closer to many of the .15 powered models...
You might consider a sig akromaster. with either an .09 or ,15 engine on it....

[Bob Reeves]

I would take a hard look at the Brodak 1/2A Pathfinder.
http://brodak.com/1-2a-pathfinder-kit.html

Modern design and although I have not flown one I have heard it is capable of flying a very respectable pattern. Also think it could be converted to electric fairly easily.

Well whadda you know, from the link..

To convert your 1/2A Pathfinder to electric power use Universal Electric Conversion kit EPS 10. Item #BH-1935.

[Ara Dedekian]

I would try the Ringmaster Jr. with the Fox .15, using a rather flat prop like an 8x4 or 8x3 (if you can get one). Don't peak it out and be prepared to spin fast. As others have mentioned, .15's are usually flown on 52' lines (at least mine are). If that is still too fast you could try an old trick of adding a disc in front of the prop (perhaps start with 3")...a spinner back should work.




        My Ringmaster Jr. is a terrific flyer with a Fox .15 schneurle. I've flown all the maneuvers except the verticle eight, hourglass and cloverleaf on 50' x .012 braided lines with a Taipan 7x4 prop. Should work OK on 45' lines if slowed a bit?

       Ara

[frank mccune]

    Hello All:

    Good grief Ara!! A Fox .15 S on a Ringmaster Jr! I bet that it is very fast and nose heavy!!! I have a Fox.15 S on a Ringmaster Jr Flash and it is very fast but does not fly worth a hoot due to high wing loading.

    I do have a Ringmaster Jr. with a Cub .19 ready to fly so I will fly that.  I also have A Sterling P40 with a Cub .14 ready to fly.  I have flown that combo and the Cub does not like to stunt! The Cub engines have only one needle valve setting and that is wide open.  There is no latitude for an adjustment. 

     I also have some Shark .15 planes ready to fly but I doubt if they will perform well on 45' lines,  They are powered by ST.15. .23 Fox .15 baffle and of course an ASP .15.  Oh well, things to try!

      Thanks for the replies.

                                                                                                                      Be well my friends,

                                                                                                                      Frank McCune