FREE FLIGHT ● CONTROL LINE ● RADIO-ASSISTED FREE PLAN POPPET – 0.

5CC SPORTS FF

www.aeromodeller.com
December 2017.
No. 967. £5.00

POPPET VIC SMEED CLASSIC PLAN

RACING JEWEL POWER NATS CL ENGINE HISTORY
REVIEW
12

9 770001 923004

MINI ETA SPEED & TR BRITISH GLOWS

● INTERNATIONAL FF ● FLYING ACES ● TREE RETRIEVAL ● MORE…

AERO COVER 049.indd 1 31/10/2017 09:39

FSM DEC 17 IFC.indd 1 31/10/2017 12:58
 CONTENTS
AEROMODELLER 967 December 2017 – Next issue published on 21 December 2017

04 HEARD AT THE HANGAR

DOORS 30 FREE PLAN – POPPET
VIC SMEED’S FF OR SMALL RC
EDITORIAL, NEWS AND VIEWS. CLASSIC DESIGN FOR 0.5CC ENGINES.

07 UP AND COMING
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE
BRITISH POWER NATIONALS

38
NEXT MONTHS. CL TEAM RACE
MALCOLM ROSS REPORTS FROM

08 OFF THE SHELF

A LOOK AT NEW AND
THE CIRCLES.
Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,
Bedfordshire LU6 1QX, England

42
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS. CL SPEED
Issue 967. December 2017
EVENTS FROM THE SPEED PYLONS (Issue 049 since relaunch)
10 POWER TRIP – MINI ETA
A 0.35CC SHRUNKEN CLASSIC
ARE COVERED BY JO HALMAN.
How to contact us:
Tel: 01525 222573
DIESEL IS TESTED BY MARIS DISLERS. Fax: 01525 222574

48
Email: [email protected]
THE FIRST GLOW

14 SCALE MATTERS
FREE FLIGHT SCALE UPDATE
REVOLUTION
ADRIAN DUNCAN LOOKS BACK
Editorial:
Editor: Andrew Boddington
Email: [email protected]
BY BILL DENNIS. AT THE FIRST WAVE OF BRITISH Publisher: Alan Harman
GLOW-PLUG ENGINES. Administration Manager: Hannah McLaurie
Office Manager: Paula Gray

16 FLYING ACES Advertisement Manager: Sean Leslie

56
THE PETERBOROUGH CLUB’S SMALL BETTER… RETRIEVAL Editorial Design: Peter Hutchinson
& Alex Hall
MODEL EXTRAVAGANZA REPORTED DAVE HIPPERSON ON RETRIEVING
BY ANDREW BODDINGTON. MODELS FROM TREES. Advertisement and circulation:
Aeromodeller, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,
Bedfordshire LU6 1QX, England

18 F1 CONTINENTAL SELECTION
MIKE EVATT ATTENDED A TRIO OF FF 60 FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT
PHOTO REPORT ON THE LAST
Tel: 01525 222573 Fax: 01525 222574
E-mail: [email protected]
DURATION EVENTS IN FRANCE OLD WARDEN OF THE SEASON
AND GERMANY. Newstrade:
BY ANDREW BODDINGTON. Select Publisher Services, 3 East Avenue,
Bournemouth, BH3 7BW

24 62
FOR OLD TIMES’ SAKE Tel: 01202 586848 E-mail: [email protected]
DB ROOKIE KIT REVIEW
A VINTAGE PERSPECTIVE FROM OZ TRADITIONAL BALSA, MULTI-TASK RC Subscriptions:
BY DON HOWIE. Aeromodeller, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,
GLIDER IS REVIEWED BY
Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX.
MARK DEANS. Tel: 01525 222573 Fax: 01525 222574

28 COVER TO COVER Subscribe: 12 issues - UK £55, Europe £73,

Worldwide £82

66
CHRIS OTTEWELL REVIEWS THE TAIL END CHARLIE
LATEST AVIATION BOOKS. THE THOUGHTS OF CHRIS OTTEWELL. Website: www.aeromodeller.com

AeroModeller is published monthly by Doolittle

Media, Doolittle Mill, Doolittle Lane, Totternhoe,
Bedfordshire, LU6 1QX. Entire Contents © 2017
Doolittle Media Reproduction in part or whole of
any text, photograph or illustration without written
permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.
While due care is taken to ensure the content of
AeroModeller is accurate, the publishers and printers
cannot accept liability for errors and omissions.
Advertisements are accepted for publication in
AeroModeller only upon Doolittle Media’s standard
terms of acceptance of advertising, copies of which
are available from the advertising sales department
of AeroModeller.

This month’s free plan,

Poppet, built by Henk
de Jong.

CONTENTS 049.indd 1 31/10/2017 10:26

 News, Views and Editorial

H
HEA
AN
R
G
D
A
A
R
T THE
D O O RS

D
No Escape
uring my sabbatical from editing AeroModeller in Another trip out was to the Museum of Brands in London,
the middle of this year I purposely decided to take which has a wonderful timeline of packaging and other exhibits
a break from anything to do with aeromodelling and starting in Victorian times and progressing to the present day.
aviation. However, it is interesting to relate how events You will be instantly transported back when you get to the years
conspired to keep reminding me! of your childhood. What caught my eye were the WWII exhibits
During a summer walk in Oxfordshire I was confronted by the which of course featured a marvelous run of AeroModeller
sign shown photographed on some open land. “The flying of magazines. There was no escape from my destiny! www.
powered model aircraft, horse riding… are expressly forbidden.” I museumofbrands.com
wondered how long ago the sign had been put up, and why, and
was also amused to see that there were horse riders breaking the Regards, Andrew Boddington
rules as I looked on! I am tempted to go back with a glider… [email protected]

JIM FULLARTON CENTENARIAN

Thanks to Greg Stanfield of Melbourne, Australia for providing the following.
AeroModeller wishes Jim a happy birthday and many more flights.
All too often when we read an aeromodelling magazine we hear of the demise
of yet another of the famous names who have made our hobby so fulfilling.
However, in Melbourne Australia earlier this year we were blessed with the
presence of Jim Fullarton as our guest speaker at a club night for Doncaster
Aeromodellers Club. Jim’s address astounded many of the polystyrene ARF
Jim Fullarton - Photo from Alex Zattelman.

fliers and his flight demonstration of early rubber powered models left them
incredulous.
Any long term reader of AeroModeller will remember articles and free plans by
Jim, especially his DH 53 Humming Bird. He flew his Black Diamond in the 1937
Wakefield by proxy as a month each way on a steam ship wasn’t a possibility.
He is still an active modeller and won an indoor scale competition last year
with a peanut model of the Langley Aerodrome, his model flying much better
that the original.
Jim’s 100th birthday is in early November, and we are celebrating it with him
by having a ‘fly-in’ at VARMS, a large club in Melbourne, on Melbourne Cup
Day (equivalent of the Grand National in Aus) on November 7th.

4 AeroModeller - December 2017

HANGAR DOORS 049.indd 2 31/10/2017 10:28

 FOUR GENERATIONS OF
AEROMODELLING TOYERS
Present at his first August Nationals was
baby Jeffery Toyer, along with his father
Michael, grandfather Stephen, and great
grandfather David. A true aeromodelling
family the senior Toyers have done
everything between them from RC
SPIRIT OF 305
Scale, Pylon Racing, FF Scale and Mini- Many of you may have powered by a Baby Bee they spent the rest of
Goodyear. Jeffery has of course started seen this model at engine. “Know-alls” told their life.
his period of indoctrination in to the faith the evening’s FF at Kazimierz that the Baby Andre measured the
of balsa and engines! the Nationals where Bee engine was not original model which
it was doing take-offs powerful enough, but it had been hanging in
having rolled 60’ along was built light and flew his father’s workshop
the runway, or at Old well. in New Zealand for 50
Warden Festival of Flight Andre’s father died in years, and produced
where these photos 2013 at the age of 99. this second FF version
were taken. What you He had come from powered by an Irvine
probably don’t know Poland during WWII and Mills 75. It has the
is the story behind the flew in 305 squadron. potential for an all
design. After the ware he moving tailplane and
The model is the “Spirit married an English girl, rudder so that it can be
of 305” built by Andre but after the horrors of converted to RC at a
Borowski from the the European conflict later date. The name of
design by his father and the post-war news “Spirit of 305” comes, of
Kazimierz - the original emerging from Poland, course, from his father’s
David, Stephen, Michael and baby Jeffery Toyer
with David’s RC Miles Messenger at Barkston. It FF model was built they decided to emigrate old squadron.
is never too young to start them off! and flown in 1965, to New Zealand where

COMBAT - JOHN OLIVER MEMORIAL TROPHY WOTZIT SPARKIE

Thanks to Nick Stowe for the following on the Oliver Combat competition held at
Richard Dalby can often be found at Old Warden with
the Old Warden Festival of Flight.
his collection of model engines and he is a fount of
Few serious aeromodellers will not have heard of John Oliver and the superb
historical information. One engine that has him stumped
range of diesel engines he produced. Sadly John passed away in 2016 at the
is the spark ignition petrol engine. Due to the imperial
ripe old age of ninety one.
threads used it is believed to be British made. The
Tom Ridley, who re-started production of ‘Oliver’ engines in 2007, also
excellent finish and style makes him think it might be
passed away last year but before he did so he, together with the Combat Flyers
a pre-production model, rather than an amateur made
Association, commissioned a splendid trophy in memory of John. Fittingly this
engine. Capacity is about 3cc. If you have any ideas, do
trophy is for Oliver Tiger Combat at the Old Warden September Festival of Flight.
get in touch with Richard via AeroModeller.
The very first winner in 2016 was Martin Kiszel but since that date the BMFA
have accepted ownership of the trophy. The John Oliver Memorial Trophy is now
presented annually to the winner at the BMFA dinner and awards ceremony each
November. A fitting tribute to the man who made a considerable contribution to
the sport we love.

Do you recognize this engine?

The carefully machined crank-
case suggests a prototype for a
planned cast version.

Mick Lewis (left) this year’s winner of the John Oliver Memorial Trophy with runner
up Tony Cookson. 5

HANGAR DOORS 049.indd 3 31/10/2017 10:29

 News, Views and Editorial Dick Edmonds wrote
about his approach to
Team Racing in February
1958 AeroModeller.
DICK EDMONDS RIP
Thanks to Chas Dunster, Peter Charlie Hall, the Templeman times in his CL racing career, his skill as a highly proficient
Allen and Malcolm Ross for brothers, Pete Stephens, Ray both as a team member and thermal soaring pilot. I recall
their help putting together this Tuthill, Don Walker, Ken Long, as team manager in the early him experimenting with WORC
obituary for Dick Edmonds who John Horton, Les Davy, Chas 1960s. He produced and sold breaking (back to front CROW
died on the 14th October 2017. Taylor, and a whole host of other parts for team race models and where the flaps came upwards),
Dick’s aeromodelling career “Names”, in what was then the engines throughout this time, canard thermal soarers and
encompassed many aspects foremost SMAE CL events of helping many aspiring teams to different wing sections.
of our hobby, and he will be Class A and B Team Racing. compete. He even produced his In retirement Dick continued
missed by all who knew him. Although Dick competed in both, own tanks (the Edmonds Regu- to enjoy competing in thermal
Our thoughts are with his wife his main contest class was the Flow) and modified the then new soaring competitions but
Maureen and family. 2.5cc A event. ETA 15 diesel with improved increasingly found that he
Malcolm Ross writes: “It is Dick first had his name on the back plates and carburation.” could not be competitive with
always difficult to hear about Davies A Trophy in 1952, then for Peter Allen writes: “Dick his home built designs against
the passing of people that many years after up to 1960. He started his modelling business the ever improving moulded
you looked up to as a young used the Oliver Tiger exclusively Edmonds Model Products in models, so decided to retire from
person, but in this case it has during this period, and had a 1980 in partnership with his competition flying. He continued
proved even more so. Dick very close relationship with the wife Maureen taking advantage with his lifelong, membership
Edmonds was one of the guys Oliver family as the engine was of the new technology of of the High Wycombe club
that seem to go on and on in improved and developed. He using veneer covered foam for coaching beginners and flying
the aeromodelling scene. Even was the first to win the Criterium glider wings. His early designs mainly electric sport and semi
when he gave up his first “love” of Aces international racing included the classic Halton scale designs. This activity
of control line team racing in event in 1958, with the new, Specials and Apex. He then continued until recently when the
around 1965, we still heard from large, FAI models specification took to manufacturing the very increasing hold of Parkinsons
him in the radio flying scene. and Oliver Tiger Mk3 engine. competitive Sean Bannister made this impossible.”
Dick was a teenage member That aircraft was named “Drag designed Algebra and continued You can read Dick’s own
of the High Wycombe control line Master”, and it followed on from to expand the range throughout words on the history of the
group from the very early 1950s, his very successful AeroModeller the 80s. High Wycombe club at
when he first competed against plan “Time Traveller” model. Dick Dick was a great innovator and www.hwdmac.co.uk
the likes of Gordon Yeldham, represented Great Britain many used his talent to supplement

SAM35 OCTOBERFEST
Thanks to Brian and Ian Lever for their off until 5.00pm. The wind was blowing carried on with indoor flying. SAM35 are
report on Octoberfest. around 12 mph in the morning but so impressed with the new Buckminster
This was the second SAM35 event increased to horizontal windsock during National Centre site that they have already
to be held at the new BMFA National the afternoon. Despite this the flyers car booked their AGM in 2018 to coincide
Flying Centre. It featured competitions park was full and those present enjoyed with a three-day meeting on the 15th,
for Control Line, Free Flight and Radio the excellent facilities offered by the site. 16th and 17th of June. There are also
as well as opportunities for sport flying. Flying proved a challenge in the breeze plans for a three-day Vintage and Retro
The weather forecast a week before with control line suffering from turbulence Nationals to take place at Buckminster
predicted high winds and heavy rain for and Free Flight and Duration radio classes on the 6th, 7th and 8th of July which will
the day. This had a depressing effect fighting - successfully in most cases - to as well as having SAM35 activities, will
on attendance, but on the day the rain stay in the field. As the wind increased include Classic Aerobatics and Free Flight
stopped at around 10.00am and held activities moved into the barn where we Scale competitions.

Bill Longley (Satellite 650) and Wes Denton (Monks FIA) launch
in the RC Vintage Power Duration fly-off. Roger Sarre, timing,
6 AeroModeller - December 2017 came from Guernsey for the event.

HANGAR DOORS 049.indd 4 31/10/2017 10:29

 Events
Please note that the events listed are compiled weeks in advance of publication,

UP & COMING
and you should check before travelling in case of change. For future inclusion of
your events, please send an email with date and details of the event in a format
similar to those shown below to [email protected]

NOVEMBER 3 December 15-17 December 7 January

FF Coupe de Brum, MOD North Club Tamaran 17th International Indoor Flying Bethesda, Plas
18 November Luffenham (TBC). From 10:00. F1G CL Event, Gran Canaria, Canary Ffrancon leisure centre, Bethesda,
Tonbridge Gassers & Rubber for the AeroModeller Trophy, Pre Islands. Old Time Stunt & North Wales, LL57 3DT. 13.00 to
Fanciers Indoor, Sports Centre, 601 í58 Vintage Coupe for the Bernard EuroCombat (F2E+). 16.00, FF & LW RC. £5 to fly, juniors
Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1 Boutillier Trophy. www.clubtamaran.com and observers free.
3QJ. 18:30 to 22:00. FF & LW RC. Gavin Manion at Martin Pike:
Eric 01622 737814 [email protected] 16 December [email protected]
[email protected] or 01543 422509 or Stuart Darmon Tonbridge Gassers & Rubber 07831 141418 Facebook ‘Indoor
Steve 0208 942 5000 [email protected] Fanciers Indoor, Sports Centre, 601 Model Flying Bethesda’
01858 882057 Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1
18 November 3QJ. 18:30 to 22:00. FF & LW RC. 13 January
Indoor FF Fun Flying, Stalham 3 December Eric 01622 737814 Norfolk ‘Insiders’ FF, Stalham
School Sports Hall, Ingham Rd, Indoor Flying Bethesda, Plas [email protected] or School Sports Hall, Ingham Rd,
Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9DG. 19:00 Ffrancon leisure centre, Bethesda, Steve 0208 942 5000 Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9DG.
to 22:00. Informal FF, beginners North Wales, LL57 3DT. 13.00 to 19:00 to 22:00. Informal Indoor
welcome. Cafe. 16.00, FF & LW RC. £5 to fly, juniors 17 December FF, beginners welcome. Cafe.
Richard Crossley on 01692 407936, and observers free. BMFA SW Area Indoor Flying, Richard Crossley on 01692 407936,
[email protected] Martin Pike: Saints Centre, St Austell PL26 [email protected]
[email protected] 7AG. 12:00 to 16:00. FF & micro
18 November 07831 141418 Facebook ‘Indoor RC. David Powis 01579 362951 14 January
South Norfolk MFC Indoor, Leisure Model Flying Bethesda’ [email protected] BMFA SW Area Indoor Flying,
Centre, Old Norwich Road, Saints Centre, St Austell PL26
Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 0NT. 5 December 17 December 7AG. 12:00 to 16:00. FF & micro
19:00 to 22:00. All model types, Waltham Chase Indoor FF, OFMAC Indoor Flying, Abbey RC. David Powis 01579 362951
100g max. www.snmfc.co.uk Community Centre, Mill Lane, Centre, Furlong Green, Berinsfield [email protected]
Wickham, PO17 5AL. 19:00 to OX10 7NR. 09:00 to 16:00. FF,
18 November 22:00. FF only, flyers £5, Scale. 14 January
BMFA SW Area Indoor Flying, spectators £1. Dave Dobson 01491 837789 Flitehook Indoor FF Meeting, West
Saints Centre, St Austell PL26 www.wcaero.co.uk [email protected] Totton Centre, Hazel Farm Rd,
7AG. 12:00 to 16:00. FF & micro Alan Wallington 01489 895157 Totton, Southampton SO40 8WU.
RC. David Powis 01579 362951 17 December 10:00 to 16:00. Flyers £8, Juniors &
[email protected] 8-10 December Shawbury Indoor, RAF Shawbury, Spectators Free. flitehook@talktalk.
Aviation Bookshop Christmas Dawsons Rough. 13:00 to 16:00. net 02380 861541
19 November Open Days, 31-33 Vale Road, Electric RC & FF. John Minchell
BMFA Free Flight Forum 2017, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 [email protected] 19-21 January
Hinckley Island Hotel, A5 Watling 1BS. 25% Discount event quote LONDON MODEL ENGINEERING
Street, Hinckley, LE10 3JA. 10:00 ‘SPITFIRE’. 27 December EXHIBITION 2018, Alexandra
to 17:00. £10.00 from BMFA office 01892 539284 ‘Cold Turkey!’, Barton, Manchester. Palace, London. From 10:00. The
or pay on the day. Lunch available. [email protected] Post-Christmas CL Flying. Malcolm southís largest model engineering &
Speakers: Why FAI? - Stuart Darmon, www.aviation-bookshop.com Ross 01925 766610 modelling exhibition.
Designing for Scale Competition www.controlline.org.uk www.londonmodelengineering.co.uk or
ñ Andy Sephton, Making Carbon/ 9 December phone SEE Tickets 0871 3861118
Foam “Moulded” Wings - Alan Jack, Indoor FF Fun Flying, Stalham 29 December calls cost 13p a minute plus
Generating Youngstersí Interest - School Sports Hall, Ingham Rd, Flitehook Indoor FF Meeting, West network extras.
John Jacomb, EDF Scale Jets - Ivan Stalham, Norfolk NR12 9DG. 19:00 Totton Centre, Hazel Farm Rd,
Taylor, Outsize Open Glider - Stuart to 22:00. Informal FF, beginners Totton, Southampton SO40 8WU. 20 January
Darmon, Electric Drives for FF - Alan welcome. Cafe. 10:00 to 15:00. Flyers £8, Juniors & South Norfolk MFC Indoor, Leisure
Jack. www.bmfa.org Richard Crossley on 01692 407936, Spectators Free. flitehook@talktalk. Centre, Old Norwich Road,
[email protected] net 02380 861541 Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 0NT.
19 November 19:00 to 22:00. All model types,
OFMAC Indoor Flying, Abbey 10 December 2018 100g max. www.snmfc.co.uk
Centre, Furlong Green, Berinsfield Flitehook Indoor FF Meeting, West JANUARY
OX10 7NR. 09:00 to 16:00. FF, RC Totton Centre, Hazel Farm Rd, 20 January
Fixed Wing, Scale. Totton, Southampton SO40 8WU. 2 January Tonbridge Gassers & Rubber
Dave Dobson 01491 837789 10:00 to 16:00. Flyers £8, Waltham Chase Indoor FF, Fanciers Indoor, Sports Centre, 601
[email protected] Juniors & Spectators Free. Community Centre, Mill Lane, Maidstone Road, Rochester ME1
fl[email protected] 02380 861541 Wickham, PO17 5AL. 19:00 to 3QJ. 18:30 to 22:00. FF & LW RC.
19 November 22:00. FF only, flyers £5, Eric 01622 737814
Shawbury Indoor, RAF Shawbury, 10 December spectators £1. www.wcaero.co.uk [email protected] or
Dawsons Rough. 13:00 to 16:00. BMFA Buckminster Christmas Alan Wallington 01489 895157 Steve 0208 942 5000
Electric RC & FF. John Minchell Swapmeet (Postponed from
[email protected] 29 October), National Centre, 6 January 21 January
Sewstern, NG33 5RW. Set up from Peterborough MFC Indoor, Shawbury Indoor, RAF Shawbury,
DECEMBER 08:00, entry from 10:00. Bushfield Leisure Centre, PE2 5RQ. Dawsons Rough. 13:00 to 16:00.
[email protected] 0116 2440028 10:00 to 13:00. FF & micro RC (no Electric RC & FF. John Minchell
2 December www.nationalcentre.bmfa.org shockies). Flyers £6, spectators £2. [email protected]
Peterborough MFC Indoor, Informal contests.
Bushfield Leisure Centre, PE2 5RQ. www.peterboroughmfc.org
10:00 to 13:00. FF & micro RC (no
shockies). Flyers £6, spectators £2.
Informal contests.
www.peterboroughmfc.org

Full details of BMFA events can be found at: www.bmfa.org

7

CALENDAR 049.indd 1 31/10/2017 10:00

 Off The Shelf A round up of new and innovative products for the discerning ae

Belair Kits CL Blue Pants and Skiffler

I sometimes wonder when Leon Cole at Belair kits The second parts set is for the Dave Platt designed
ever finds time to sleep as he is constantly adding Skiffler stunt model, a streamlined semi-scale full
new kits to the range. Two new parts sets are for aerobatic stunter with coupled flaps and thick wing
classic old AeroModeller Plans Service CL stunt section for square manoeuvres; 47 In. span, 420
designs. sq. in. wing area Engine Size: 0.35
The first parts set is for the Henri Stouffs designed The parts set includes all the shaped balsa and
Blue Pants, a thick-wing stunt design flown to plywood parts required to build the airframe,
win the aerobatic class in the 1954 World CL including fuselages sides, bulkheads, formers,
Championships at The Hague. With a span of 37in. wing ribs, tip shapes, flaps, tailplane and elevator,
it is suitable for the 2.5cc ED Racer or similar, fin & rudder, plus many smaller items such as
Belair fly theirʼs on a .19 glow. bellcrank mount. The parts set will save hours of
Includes all the balsa and plywood laser cut tedious hand cutting, just add stripwood and plan
parts to build the basic airframe, fuselage sides, (CL665) and start building. Also includes a vac-
bulkheads, formers, wing ribs, tip shapes, tailplane formed canopy designed to the originalʼs profile to
and elevator, fin, bellcrank mount. No plan ensure your model looks as authentic as possible.
The Blue Pants won the CL Aerobatics World (CL574), stripwood or covering.
Championships in 1954.
Part Number ot-skiffcl price: £75.00.
Part Number ot-bpantscl, See both at www.belairkits.com or
price: £45.00. call 01362 668658 for your free
Belair Vintage Catalog.

The Skiffler is a blank

canvas ready to be
decorated in a scheme to
suit your tastes.

8 AeroModeller - December 2017

OFF THE SHELF 49.indd 8 31/10/2017 12:42

r the discerning aeromodeller. Send your product information along with high-resolution images to: [email protected]

IWATA Accessories from the Dummy Engine Kit from

Airbrush Company SAMS Models
The Airbrush Company have a range of accessories from IWATA to help when using your
airbrush. The Iwata Universal Workstation range of products work together and keep your SAMS Models have produced a kit of 3D printed radial engine
cleaning area all in one spot. The basic package Z-IWCL-300-AH consists of a Spray Out Pot parts (could also be used to fake an early rotary). Kits are
and Universal Airbrush Holder, and an enhanced package Z-IWCL-300-AH-REG also includes air available in 7 (£4.95) or 9 (£5.95) cylinder versions to
pressure regulator and bracket produce a dummy engine of about 40mm diameter. Kevin will
The Iwata Spray Out Pot eliminates overspray when cleaning your airbrush, has an easy to be expanding the range to other scales/sizes.
clean, dishwasher safe glass pot and has a removable, non-skid pot sleeve to prevent the pot
from sliding off the table. The universal airbrush hanger fits all gravity-feed, side-feed, bottom- www.samsmodels.com
feed and trigger-style airbrushes. A heavy-duty clamp has extra depth for thick tables up to 3 Tel: 01480 394474
inches (76.2 mm) thick.

Iwata Universal Workstation (Spray Out Cleaning Pot and

Universal Airbrush Hanger) Z-IWCL-300-AH is £54.90.

The Airbrush Company Ltd

Tel: 01903 767800
www.airbrushes.com

The plastic cylinders can be made in to a

realistic multi-cylinder engine to suit a small
rubber powered scale model.

Retro RC Glue Caddy Kits

US company Retro RC have just released the 8th design in their popular Glue Caddy kit range. All the
caddies are supplied as laser cut plywood kits for an easy build to produce a useful holder to keep your
adhesives in one place. Some, such as the latest release, are designed to hold glues ʻtip downʼ so the
liquid is ready to squeeze out.

Glue Caddy #8 is a small “Epoxy at the ready” bench top caddy,

holds two 2 oz. circular bottles inverted plus two 2 oz. the right way
up. A drip tray is included in the kit. Price USD $15.98.
Existing Glue Caddy #4 is one of the most popular. The ultimate in
field box glue caddys, it can
hold a hobby knife with #11
blade installed, two CA bottles,
one accelerator, a pair of
epoxy bottles, a pill bottle for
tips & spare #11 blades. Price
USD $9.98.
Tel: USA (248) 212-9666,
email: [email protected]
www.retrorc.us.com

Above Glue Caddy #8 and to the right best seller #4.

OFF THE SHELF 49.indd 9 31/10/2017 12:42

 Power Trip

BMP Mini Eta .35cc

Maris Dislers tests another miniaturised classic diesel available from Barton Model Products.

A
fter a somewhat rough and Tiger Mk III and Ken Bedford’s Eta 15 in its spinner. The exhaust note from within the
rowdy beginning, FAI Team various Marks. cloud of smoke growing around Ken and the
Racing had by 1960 reached I’m a little too young to have seen Eta model surely stirred the souls of everyone
World Championship status. 15’s flown in competition, but vividly present. Happily, thanks to Eta Instruments’
Looking through Pete Soule’s remember Ken House flying his racer at fine engineering, there was no harm done.
“A Short History of the Early Years of the our local sports field in the early 1970’s. Truly great racing engines attract such
International Team Racing Event” at www. Unfortunately, it bounced on takeoff, folklore, making them attractive candidates
go-cl.se/trh/trh_ps-1.html shows that three shattering the lovely MVVS wood propeller. for reproduction. Barton Model Products
engines particularly featured in the top ten Undeterred, the Eta 15 free-revved have already marketed their Mini and Baby
place getters throughout the 1960’s. Jaures fantastically, despite Ken’s frantic efforts to Tigers, so now it’s the Eta 15’s turn.
Garofoli’s Super Tigre G20D, John Oliver’s stop it by drilling holes in the turf with the

Latest from Barton Model Products, the Mini Eta diesel. That
“035” stands for 0.35cc capacity, not .035 cubic inches.

10 AeroModeller - December 2017

POWER TRIP 049.indd 10 31/10/2017 10:20

c
The Eta 15 Mk 2’s shape is faithfully reproduced Rear induction housing in the usual position – Repositioned rear induction housing for
at approximately half size. horizontal needle valve. Note also that mounting alternative vertical needle valve position.
lugs are milled flat on top, for direct mounting
against bearers, if desired.

Construction in the rotor, giving eight possible assembly needle length is of course left up to the user.
The BMP Mini Eta is based on the Eta 15 arrangements. Although intended to permit While not authentic, opting for neoprene tube
(0.15ci) Mk II engine, which incorporated alignment of the needle valve assembly friction/seal on the needle, rather than Eta’s
a number of improvements to the original horizontally or vertically, two other assembly original split thimble method makes sense at
design that helped it gain much favour combinations will permit running in the this small size.
with team racing enthusiasts. Scaled to opposite (clockwise) rotation. The remaining
approximately half the original’s bore and four arrangements give incorrect On the bench
stroke, and around 60% of the principal intake timing. A 14G wire tommy-bar or 2.1mm drill bit will
external dimensions, the resulting nominal Correct assembly for normal anticlockwise tighten the spinner nut without damage to the
swept volume of .35 cc is not quite 14% running will have the venturi positioned top- hole. Spigot diameter of 6mm (.236 in) must
of the Eta 15’s 2.48 cc. That makes it right (upright cylinder, viewed from the back) be taken into account when choosing suitable
relatively bulky compared to other engines for horizontal NVA. For vertical NVA, venturi propellers, so that adequate material remains
of equivalent capacity. Care has been taken is bottom-right. For clockwise running, it’s at the hub for safe operation. And no, you
to faithfully reproduce the overall external bottom-left and bottom-right respectively. can’t get away with a simple hex nut, even
look, including crankcase detail, Phillips head Holding the assembly in the desired with the narrowest of propeller hubs.
assembly screws, needle valve, compression orientation, view it from the front. Rotate the Like the original, this one’s a thoroughbred,
screw, spinner nut shape etc. Some may be rotor in the intended running direction until it not really meant to be a draft horse. While
confused by “035” cast on the front of the just begins to open the induction quadrant it can lug a heavy load and run at tick-over
crankcase, when it’s actually a whisker over in the housing. Then reverse direction by 45 settings, there are cheaper alternatives if
.020 cubic inches. degrees. The correct drive hole will thus be that’s all you want to do. The real fun comes
Cylinder fins have intentionally not been aligned with crankpin position at bottom from its chirpy mid-range and high-end
anodized the original Eta’s pale blue, to dead centre. performance.
ensure optimum fit with the cylinder to Regarding the shape of the needle, series Finding initial compression setting with light
be maintained. Tricky at these smaller production engines differ from the box photo exhaust primes alone is not difficult, providing
component sizes. This also avoids the slight of a very early type. It’s intended to be more fuel is not allowed to pool in the exhaust port.
loss in heat conductivity arising from the authentic that way and going by our full-size It only needs a little fuel to wet the side of the
anodically produced oxide surface layer. Eta 15 needle, should be 18mm long past piston while closing exhaust port. Most often,
The excellent quality extends inside, the thimble, with a 60 degree bend for the with fuel line full, a light choke no more than
with the characteristic Eta cylinder porting last 6mm. Choice of the bend orientation and 45 degrees, after compression is felt to build,
replicated, albeit with rounded (not square)
transfer port top edges and the currently Tech
popular external taper to the lower cylinder Bore 7.18 mm (.283 in)
profile. A pressed-in wrist pin links the Stroke 8.42 mm (.331 in)
Swept volume .340 cc (.0208 cu in)
unbushed aluminium conrod with the flat-
Stroke: Bore ratio 1.17:1
topped cast iron piston. The sturdy hardened Weight 46.4 g (1.64 oz)
steel crankshaft rides in 6mm ID rear and Height (lug face to cylinder top) 34 mm (1.33 in)
4mm ID front ball races, with M4 thread for Length (prop driver face to venturi end) 46 mm (1.81 in)
propeller attachment. Induction is via rear Mounting screw spacing 24 mm x 8 mm (.945 in x .315 in)
Exhaust duration 138 degrees
rotary disc in the manner of the original, with
Transfer duration 118 degrees
the aluminium rotor riding on a hardened steel Intake duration 170 deg. Open 55 ABDC Close 45 ATDC
pin. The rear intake unit can be positioned Effective choke area 1.8 sq mm
in four ways and there are two drive holes

11

POWER TRIP 049.indd 11 31/10/2017 10:20

 Power Trip

Inside look at
induction rotor, as
it begins to open
the intake window.
Correct drive hole
in this instance is
the one below the
rotor’s induction
quadrant. There
are eight possible
arrangements –
only four work.
Two alternatives
allow engine to
run in reverse
direction.

is plenty for priming the engine. made needle valves, but this one is just about the “larger shoes” implied by its outward
Response to compression adjustment is the best we have encountered. appearance. Even when riding the torque
progressive and quite direct. Warm-up takes The Mini Eta ran exceptionally smoothly curve peak of 3.5 oz-in around 8,000 RPM,
15 to 30 seconds before the final setting at all speeds and seemed particularly it was delivering useful power. Peak power
can be made. Thereafter, it can be left alone comfortable when running at over 12,000 occurs around 17,000 RPM for a very good
unless fuel or propeller load is changed. RPM, remaining cool and composed at all .047 BHP. The torque curve shows a nice flat
Starts are then prompt. Needle setting on times - even when running in reverse rotation zone of 3 oz-in between 13,000 and 16,000,
our installation, where fuel level is 5-10mm with no slipstream cooling. Checked speeds so that’s where the best overall performance
below the spraybar, is around 2 ¼ turns out. were only a few hundred RPM down in that would likely be delivered, using a light 6x3
For cold starts, a richer initial setting (by 1 – 1 mode, mainly owing to slightly different or 5x4 flight propeller. Very handy for spirited
½ turns) is needed. Unlike an equivalent front intake timing. Our test fuel containing 25% flying with a nippy model that might otherwise
induction type, there’s no fear of propeller castor oil, 30% ether, 45% kerosene and have called for a traditional half-cc diesel. The
nibbling at fingers when adjusting the needle. 1.5% EHN ignition improver suited it nicely. Mini Eta would also be a good candidate for
Needle adjustment initially seems On inspection after testing, the working face pusher installations.
insensitive, partly because the Mini Eta does of the black anodizing on the rear induction The BMP Mini Eta .35cc diesel should
not mind running very rich and there’s plenty housing remained pristine and rotor fit delight collectors with its quite accurate
of leeway until closing it a little more suddenly remained perfect. No slop or rocking on the depiction of the original Eta 15 diesel and
cuts the engine. However, the precision pin. This suggests a long and useful life. high level of quality. Just as importantly,
when zeroing in on that classic Team Racing Performance Analysis it does an excellent job of replicating in
“economy crackle” is excellent. Many small Despite its small swept volume, from the miniature the high level of performance and
diesels suffer from indifferently designed or outset, the Mini Eta had no trouble filling handling expected from the original. ●

Propeller RPM
APC 4.6x3 17600
APC 5x3 15800
APC 5.5x2 15700
APC 5.5x2.5 14300
APC 5.7x3 12700
APC 6x3 12200
Cox 6x3 10900
APC 6x4 9700
APC 7x3 9300
APC 7x4 7500

Info:
Produced in limited quantity. Price £150
and only available from
Excellent Barton Model Products.
workmanship of
a rather complex 50, Main Street, Barton Under
design delivers Needwood, Burton Upon Trent
the goods. BMP’s Staffordshire, DE13 8AA
Mini Eta faithfully +44 (0)1283 713 715
mimics the
original’s spirited www.bamopro.co.uk
performance. [email protected]

12 AeroModeller - December 2017

POWER TRIP 049.indd 12 31/10/2017 10:20

FSM DEC 17 IFC.indd 1 31/10/2017 12:59
 Free Flight Scale

Scale Matters
Free Flight Scale update from Bill Dennis

Sopwith Triplane big Pup tailplane. I gather the latter will be

The latest offering from the prolific Vintage detailed on the plan as an alternative.
Model Company is this delightful Sopwith To paraphrase Harold Macmillan, the
Triplane, again designed by Andrew Darby, scale modeller has never had it so good,
and it makes a perfect stablemate for their with the exception of places to fly. What a
Camel and SE5a. It is designed along the shame there are fewer of us now to take
same lines and so should go together with advantage!
no problems, using their familiar wing jigs.
It looks just right; for example the wing tip Meetings
shapes which are frequently represented The months of September and October
with straight edges, are spot on. Also are usually busy for scale meetings,
the distinctive stringers on the fuselage and often yield some very nice days
sides are cleverly reproduced with paper, with clement weather. I always miss
embossed on the back with a ballpoint the Peterborough do because of
pen. The model has the later, smaller commitments so first up for me was the
tailplane, unlike the Veron design with the Selby Trophy at Luffenham on September

Two views of the latest offering from VMC. Note the clever rendering of
the forward fuselage sides, and the overall accuracy.

14 AeroModeller - December 2017

SCALE MATTERS 049.indd 14 31/10/2017 10:15

 Andrew Hewitt was able to try out the Caproni Stipa at Luffenham. Not easy Andrew Hewitt ready to launch his twice-size Veron Camel in Kit Scale. It is
to adjust the engine but at least you can check the downthrust accurately! a majestic flyer.

17th. Modern communications mean we Taylor’s F16 both cut wide swathes slightly before subsiding sideways into the
can look at the weather forecast a couple through the sky with superb flights. If grass. The pilot jumped. Andrew seemed
of days before and confirm or cancel anything, the latter goes even better encouraged by this, and if anyone can
accordingly. This one was borderline but than Ivan’s Crusader, with none of the bring it to heel, he can, but I remained
we went ahead; a decision I was regretting persistent wing-rocking. Previous wisdom sceptical. Maybe another 60 years in
as I drove down through cold fog. about intake sizes no longer seems to storage will help.
However, upon arrival things improved apply; the F16 has a very small inlet Unfortunately the Oxford Scale Fest was
quickly and the wind dropped to a very feeding the Derek Knight 32mm fan. There a victim of the remains of a hurricane.
light breeze. It turned out to be one of the has been some disquiet that models like
best days of the year. these get unfairly downmarked when SE5a
The plan was to split the Selby rounds coming in to land with the wheels up. In After 60 years I have come to the
before and after lunch but I was unsure of fact, any downmarking has a negligible conclusion that I am no good with small
the weather so we blasted through it, and effect on the total score but in order rubber scale models. Goodness knows
we had some flying of the very highest to encourage these types, the Scale I’ve tried, but enough is enough. Due to
standard. The engine in Andrew Hewitt’s Committee has put a clarification in the a generous gift by a fellow modeller, I am
Bristol was slightly below par but in the Judges’ Guide that no downmarking now once again in possession of a Telco
calm, this just treated us to some low, takes place. CO2 motor and I decided to fit it to my
slow flights. The sight of Mike Smith’s Outdoor Kit Scale was another tight VMC SE5a.
Snipe approaching over our heads was tussle, eventually needing a fly-off I enjoyed flying CO2 when Telcos first
something to behold. Gareth Tilston was between Andrew Hewitt’s big ‘Veron’ appeared but eventually gave up as the
struggling to get full power from his Mills Camel and Gareth’s Piper Family Cruiser, hissing and leaking noises increased. I
in the Hawk Moth but was eventually Gareth taking it by a second. was also mildly concerned about stories
rewarded with a wide circuit of the field At the end of the session, Andrew of the chargers exploding in pockets. To
to take the Selby. A good cleanout of the Hewitt brought out the Caproni Stipa tell the truth, I don’t think I was diligent
engine later restored it to full power. we saw in a recent issue, and we all enough with the oiling.
Two ducted fan jets livened proceedings gathered round to see what it would This conversion could not have been
up; George Foster’s Sabre and Ivan do. On a second attempt it sort of rose simpler. I mounted the motor on a
rectangle of ply which fitted across the
Happy flyers inside of the fuselage and just glued
after the it in at what looked like a reasonable
Flying Only
event at thrustline. Luckily I had converted my SE
Luffenham. to the Hispano version so the Telco went
All models
intact! in upside down and I just pushed the
tank through the UC former. The CG is
acceptable and the new weight is 55g so
we’ll see; there is a separate CO2 class at
Nijmegen. ●

15

SCALE MATTERS 049.indd 15 31/10/2017 10:16

 Small Field FF Event

PETERBOROUGH FLYING ACES

ANDREW BODDINGTON COVERS THIS WELL ATTENDED EVENT FOR NON-IC SMALL MODELS ON SEPTEMBER 3RD 2017

T
he regular Flying Aces event
held one week after the
Nationals was as popular as
ever, although we were missing
some of the International
flavour provided by the Isidro family.
The wind was at 90 degrees to its
normal direction, coming from the South
rather than the West, and gave flyers
the advantage of being able to use the
longer length of the Oak Meadow site
at Ferry Meadows. As usual there was a
little turbulence to contend with from the
upwind hedges that edge all sides of the
flying area.
The early mass launch event was
the rubber powered Scramble. Each
competitor had to amass as much flying
time as possible in 20 minutes while
The finale was the mass launch of the Flying Swarm, won by Chris Blanch. winding, launching and retrieving their
own model. As befits this more relaxed
competition, some entrants were not
using a mechanical winder but winding by
hand; much slower! With this event where

Kevin
Elf £5
Most of the 36 KK Elfs (Elves?!) collected together for this special contest. A Comp
record number? Photo by Mick Page. Rowl
his ow

16 AeroModeller - December 2017

FLYING ACES.indd 16 31/10/2017 10:11

 Dave Banks Scramble winner. A hard landing Ron Johnson was test flying his OD twin rubber powered Willoughby Delta G-AFPX. Looks promising.
removed the leading edge of outer-left wing
panel, after which the trim improved!

multiple winds of the same rubber are Kevin gaining the overall prize. London in the late 1930s. The full-size
happening in quick succession, rubber The Peterborough Flying Aces event aircraft was a reduced scale proof of
breaks are more likely. The single stick has competitions for both small scale concept for a larger three engined flying-
fuselage models of the Cloud Tramp and and duration models as long as they wing airliner. It first flew on 11 March
Long John type had advantages over are not powered by IC engines; rubber, 1939 with crew of two, but on 10 July
the built up ‘stick and tissue’ designs Rapier and CO2 power as well as gliders 1939 it crashed near Bicester, killing the
where the fuselage can be destroyed were all represented. The Kit Scale pilot Hugh Olley and the Delta's designer
on breakage and rubber change is not competition was for any rubber powered Percival Willoughby. The crash was not
so easy. Dave Banks was the eventual scale model up to 36” span, the model attributed to the novel configuration but to
winner with his own design sheet and being judged against the kit plan plus its an ill-designed elevator trim tab that sent
stick model. flight profile. The winner was Mike Stuart the Delta into a dive. With the death of the
The new headline competition at with his Curtiss Shrike, from a Dave Diels designer and the coming of war, no more
Flying Aces, kindly sponsored by Engineering kit at 1/24 scale, with just a was heard of this type of flying wing.
the Vintage Model Company (www. touch more dihedral and the motor peg Young Flying Ace on the day was
vintagemodelcompany.com), was for moved forward to help the CG. James Day who beat his ‘seniors’ in
the venerable Keil Kraft Elf. The Elf has a Not everybody was flying in the Catapult Glider to take first place,
diminutive 16” span but its performance competition. Ron Johnson was making while his sister Naomi, also a junior, took
was unexpectedly good with many the most of the long grass in the corner second. Full results of the event can be
examples coping well with the occasional of the field test flying his own design found at the Peterborough MFC website
turbulence and giving flying times to the twin rubber powered Willoughby Delta 8 www.peterboroughmfc.org. Thanks
edge of the meadow and beyond. Kevin (or F). It was showing promise with low to all the Peterborough club for their
Wallace won the Elf precision class, and power extended glides. Willoughby Delta organization, and particularly the ever-
Gordon Hannah the Elf duration, with was the name of the company, based in present John Ashmole. ●

Kevin Wallace won the overall KK Mike Stuart with Kit Scale winning James Day (Junior) was first in Catapult The Cloud Tramp competition, with
Elf £50 Prize from the Vintage Model Curtiss Shrike. Mike also won Open Glider, seen receiving his prize from 5 flights and no max (best and worst
Company presented by Jonathan Rubber scale to Masefield rules with his John Ashmole. times discarded) was won by Bert
Rowley. Jonathan also found time to fly Cessna 310. Whitehead.
his own Elf from the VMC kit.

17

FLYING ACES.indd 17 31/10/2017 10:11

 F1 Duration

A good launch for Daniela Seren’s F1A.

18 AeroModeller - December 2017

CONTINENTAL FF.indd 18 31/10/2017 10:04

 CONTINENTAL SELECTION -
A POTPOURRI OF FF COMPETITIONS
MIKE EVATT REPORTS ON A TRIO OF FREE FLIGHT EVENTS ACROSS FRANCE AND GERMANY.

F
ortunately, by the time we had returned to normal opening hours and La Loire which lies between the
left for Europe the intense until the Wednesday. two interesting landmarks of the
heatwave (Lucifer!) had In recent years the Moncontour Deux Chateau of Oiron to the North and the
subsided and the weather Minutes event for ‘mini’ classes has fortified church of St Jouin de Marnes
appeared set fair with been held as a precursor to the to the in the South. The event was run by the
maximum temperatures in the mid to Poitou contest for the senior classes. Aéromodélisme Club Thouarsais on
high 20s Celsius and relatively However, this year the events were 16th -17th August.
light winds. reversed with the Poitou World Cup The Wednesday was given over to the
As a result of the Free Flight World being held on the Wednesday and World Cup competitions for F1B rubber,
Championships being held in early Thursday and then a rest day before F1C power and F1Q electric. The day
August in Hungary, the French event the Moncontour event on the Saturday. dawned a little cool with a light breeze
was put back allowing travel to it to Most confusing, but fortunate as it and gradually warmed up as the lunch
be combined with the German FF rained all day on the Friday! break approached. Although the wind
World Cup event a few days later. was light throughout the downwind
This did cause some problems as The 40th Journées Internationales hazards of sunflowers were well within
most competitors arrived hungry and de Vol Libre en Poitou reach of the dethermalising models.
expecting a meal in France over a The venue was the Plain of Noize, The recent dry conditions meant that
holiday weekend and few restaurants some 50 kilometres south of Saumur everything quickly became covered

A good start in F1B at Poitou by Myriam Phil Ball flew well to take fourth place in F1B. Ron Assmuss flew his fast climbing F1Q at both
Morandini. Poitou and Zulpich.

19

CONTINENTAL FF.indd 19 31/10/2017 10:05

 F1 Duration

A lesson in winding an F1B motor for young Lorenzo Morandini. Lorenzo’s lessons also include air- An elegant F1Q flown by Paul
picking. Seren.

F1Q winner Pascal Ceres waits for the air. Alan Jack made use of a bicycle for his long F1C F1C victor Yaroslav Vasilyev awaits his turn to fly.
retrieves.

in red dust. It took the author several place. Last year’s winner Bernard flying of Pascal Ceres secured first
hours to retrieve an F1B from a massive Marquois took third spot from Phil Ball place from Peter Buchwald, winner for
field of sunflowers. Phil Ball had a in fourth. the past two years, and Tom Oxager.
flyaway in F1B with the model seen, still Yaroslav Vasilyev from Belarus won The F1A (glider) event was held the
flying after ten minutes. F1C with the only full score. Two poor next day. It was somewhat cloudier,
In F1B six individuals had to fly-off flights in the last rounds meant that cooler and windier than the day before
but only two made the required six Alan Jack had to settle for second with a hint of rain in the air. By mid-
minutes. A second fly-off decided the place with Gauthier Briere in third. afternoon the wind approached twenty
matter with Benjamin Marquois taking The Electric Power class F1Q also mph and conditions became quite
the title with Serge Tedeschi in second did not require a fly-off. The consistent difficult. Even though the maximum

A fine F1G release by Jean-Pierre Ken F

Bernard Trachez preparing to launch a fellow flyer’s Jean-Pierre Challine prepares to launch Bernard two i
Challine.
model. He was third in F1A . Pouzet’s winning F1A.

20 AeroModeller - December 2017

CONTINENTAL FF.indd 20 31/10/2017 10:05

 for the final three rounds was reduced finished in that order. Didier Chevenard 2016 the organisers had warned that
from 180 to 150 seconds, this still flying an impressive high aspect ratio changes would need to be made for
meant long retrieves and many more model with a six-panel wing took this year’s event. In practice, this
frustrating and time-consuming visits third spot. meant no driving or parking on field
to the sunflowers. Glider flyers in the F1H class fared roads and boundaries.
At the end of the contest only three somewhat better with six individuals Not a major problem one might
competitors needed to fly again. making it to the first fly-off round but think but the flying site although
Conditions were difficult and all made only Gilles and Boris Bernand needed relatively large, has several challenging
low scoring flights. Betrand Pouzet had to fly again with Gilles being victorious obstacles, from a decent sized
the best of the air and took top spot just as he was last year. Gary Madelin model trapping wood at one corner
from Emmanuel Ragot and Bernard took third place ahead of John Cooper. to a terrifying steep wooded slope
Trachez. John Cooper was in fourth Ken Faux won the fly-off of a poorly at another, plus some large fields of
place after dropping round four. supported F1J class, repeating last extra tall and practically impenetrable
Will we ever get rid of that red dust? year’s performance. This was an all sweetcorn. The organiser’s job was to
After a rest day, it was time to fly the British affair with Mick Lester in second assemble competitors on a flight line
‘mini’ classes. place and Paul Chapman third. aligned with the best wind direction
By comparison F1S or E-36 Electric without making them walk great
The 33rd Moncontour “Deux Power was quite well supported. distances. With variable wind direction,
Minutes” 19th August However, there was a little confusion this would prove almost impossible.
This series of competitions was held regarding the timing of F1S flights but Timekeepers were not provided and
on a different site a few kilometres this was amicably resolved. the competitors allocated to each pole
away at Saint-Jean de Sauves and No fly-off was required as Peter were required to time each other. I
was organised by the Vol Libre Buchwald was the only one to make a was on an interesting pole. One Brit.,
Moncontourois model club on farmers’ perfect score to take the title to add to one Ukrainian, one German and a
fields with the usual hazards of his win last year. Miguel Dupont and Japanese.
sunflowers and maize. Jean-Luc Bodin were a few seconds The first day’s flying was given over
This series of events had more adrift in second and third place to F1B rubber, F1C power and F1Q
British flyers than at Poitou although respectively. electric. The forecast predicted a wind
several decided not to make official We now had a journey of some 600 shift and the organiser decided to set
flights. The weather was quite benign miles or so in a north-easterly direction up the flight line in the middle of the
throughout with only a few retrieval to Euskichen in Germany and the ‘Eifel area, a kilometre or so from the parking
problems. Pokal’. We had a few days to do this location. This caused a delay of an
Despite the almost idyllic weather and took in the wonderful cities of hour or so while models and kit were
there were surprisingly few full scores Orleans, and Arras with its amazing transported on foot to the new flight
with F1H glider flyers being better able history of WWI battles. line. Although the average wind speed
to capitalise on the conditions. was probably no more than 6mph,
In F1G rubber it was a fly-off 48th International Eifel Pokal models in gusty thermals were likely to
between Richard Nouvian and Pascal 25th – 26th August find the sweetcorn or a tree to land in.
Ceres to decide first place and they After the trouble with farmers in Three rounds were held before

Mike Evatt waits for the moment Fourth place for Pascal Ceres in
An impressive F1G by Didier Gary Madelin took third spot
rre Ken Faux makes it with his Super Pearl F1S. F1S.
Chevenard took third place. in F1H.
two in a row in F1J.

21

CONTINENTAL FF.indd 21 31/10/2017 10:05

 F1 Duration

Bernard Silz was fourth in F1B at the Eifel Pokal. A fine F1B launch by Tetsuro Matsuo from Japan. Mikhail Kosonozhkin carefully brushes clean his
F1A’s bunt mechanism.

an extended lunch break. Flying This proved to be the case. In IC Power (F1C) a fly-off was also
recommenced at 14:40 but only one In F1B, although the first-round required as about half of the small field
round was held as there was thunder maximum was reduced to 180 secs had maxed out. It was no surprise that
in the air and flying was suspended from the more usual 240 secs many Volodymyr Sychov took the title with
to allow competitors to return to the were caught out. The writer managed his immaculately trimmed and
safety of their vehicles. In the event the a very high climb in this round but flown folder.
storm was of little consequence but a propeller miss-fold spoiled an F1Q Electric Power was less well
everyone was now in the wrong place otherwise perfect day’s flying. supported than of late but all three
to continue flying. The flying standard was high and entrants made the fly-off! Dietrich
It was indicated that if the wind on the next morning fourteen flyers Sauter was head and shoulders above
moved to facilitate flying from close to were eligible to fly-off to a ten-minute the rest to take first place followed by
the carpark/camping ground then the maximum. It was Mykola Kovelenko Ron Assmuss and Matthias Tietz.
competition would continue. If not, the who proved victorious snatching the The next dawned a little cloudy
contest would be deemed complete title by a few seconds from Hubert and quite calm after a night of
after four rounds and that the fly-off Pietzko and the newly crowned World thunderstorms. However, the ground
would be held early the next morning. Champion Stepan Stefanchuck. was surprisingly dry under foot and the

Oleg Pshenychnyy and Mikhail Kosonozhkin discuss F1A wing structures. Jorg Schellhase flew this impressive carbon winged F1A flapper into
third place.

22 AeroModeller - December 2017

CONTINENTAL FF.indd 22 31/10/2017 10:05

 RESULTS:
40th Journées Internationales de Vol Libre en Poitou

fly-offs took place as indicated. F1A Glider 48 flew

1 Bertrand Pouzet FRA 1200 +153
After a night of thunderstorms the
2 Emmanuel Ragot FRA 1200 +118
day was calm and a little cloudy for 3 Bernard Trachez FRA 1200 +117
the main event for F1A glider. The
start of this was delayed as the flight F1B Rubber 27 flew
line was about 500 metres away. 1 Benjamin Marquois FRA 1320 +360 +285
2 Serge Tedeschi FRA 1320 +360 +259
Two rounds were flown from this
3 Bernard Marquois FRA 1320 +262
position but it was allowing models to
land perilously close to the adjacent F1C Power 9 flew
wood. An early lunch was declared 1 Yaroslav Vasilyev BLS 1320
and flying recommenced at 13:00. 2 Alan Jack GBR 1226
3 Gauthier Briere FRA 1222
Eventually five rounds were flown
and a fly-off for seventeen flyers was F1Q Electric Power 9 flew
necessary. The air was quite good 1 Pascal Ceres FRA 1312
but the maximum was set at eight 2 Peter Buchwald DEN 1273
minutes which meant that no one had 3 Tom Oxager DEN 1256
to fly again. Most competitors made
33rd Moncontour “Deux Minutes” 19th August 2017
over four minutes.
Ivo Kreetz won the day with a F1G Rubber 21 flew
flight of over six minutes from Ron 1 Richard Nouvian FRA 600 +172
Assmuss and Jorg Schellhase. This 2 Pascal Ceres FRA 600 +103
3 Didier Chevenard FRA 597
year’s Poitou F1A winner, Bertrand
Pouzet was fourth and Mikhail F1H Glider 11 flew
Kosonozkhin fifth. 1 Gilles Bernard FRA 600 +360 +251
It is a pity that a competition as 2 Boris Bernard FRA 600 +360 +203
prestigious as the Eifel Pokal, held 3 Gary Madelin GBR 600 +290
in approaching idyllic weather, was
F1S Electric Power 12 flew
limited by farmer/flyer problems. How 1 Peter Buchwald DEN 600
great it would be if these difficulties 2 Miguel Dupont FRA 585
could be resolved for the future. 3 Jean-Luc Bodin FRA 568

F1J Power 3 flew

Return Thoughts 1 Ken Faux GBR 600 +240
After a couple of weeks away the 2 Mick Lester GBR 600 +216
Calais Ferry beckoned; back to the 3 Paul Chapman GBR 007
rather cooler environment of the UK.
Whilst driving home the following 48th International Eifel Pokal 25th – 26th August
observations came to mind.
F1A 61 flew
It was striking that the number 1 Ivo Kreetz NED 960 +377
of UK flyers attending these 2 Ron Assmuss GER 960 +332
competitions is decreasing year on 3 Jorg Schellhase GER 960 +289
year. Perhaps this is to do with the 4 Bertrand Pouzet FRA 960 +277
5 Mikhail Kosonozhkin RUS 960 +275
drop in the value of the UK Pound or
maybe the lower importance given in F1B 31 36 flew
the UK to the FAI classes? 1 Mykola Kovelenko UKR 720 +433
It may be significant that in 2 Hubert Pietzko GER 720 +425
France, Germany and the continent 3 Stepan Stefanchuck UKR 720 +417
4 Bernd Silz GER 720 +371
in general, the UK’s plethora of
5 Michael Seifert GER 720 +296
alternative domestic classes do not
exist and free flight is buoyant. It is F1C 9 flew
also noticeable that youngsters are 1 Volodymyr Sychov SLO 720 +491
trained and mentored at an early age 2 Gauthier Biere FRA 720 +411
3 Michael Sondhauss GER 720 +359
by experienced seniors and that they
4 Pierre Marrot FRA 720 +344
are encouraged to fly in competitions 5 Pieter de Boer NED 720 +330
such as the above to reinforce their
flying skills. Sadly, this is a rare F1Q 3 flew
occurrence in the UK. Are we British 1 Dietrich Sauter GER 720 +480
2 Ron Assmuss GER 720 +404
oldies a dying breed? ●
3 Matthias Tietz GER 720 +163

23

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 Vintage Perspective from OZ

For Old
Times’ Sake
A look at ‘Ancient and Modern’ models and modellers by Don Howie

T
he photos included in this design and is the featured plan. Gary design was published in October 1953
article were taken from the builds FF scale and has flown at the AeroModeller.
13th April 2017 (Easter) to British Nats, but he also likes classic Next model, the Carl Goldberg
the last weekend in August British sport FF designs. designed “Valkyrie” was voted best
2017 in Oz. I fly at all these The 44 inch “Pushy Cat” by Vic model at our recent S.A.M. 1788
events, some of which required 1 ½ Smeed won the 1953 Bowden Trophy, Champs at Canowindra, N.S.W. It was
days driving for a distance of about partly due to its excellent ground flown in the Texaco event by Geoff
1060 km (660 miles) one way, these handling and the efficient pusher prop Black from Rockhampton, Queensland,
being the SAM 1788 Champs and the layout. The model by Gary Odgers has but the model was built by his friend
Oily Hand Weekend. a PAW 80 diesel with reverse pitch prop Barry Frederickson and powered with
First photo is the “Mam’selle” climbing and performs very well. The model is a Saito 65 four stroke, turning an 18x6
away for a quite long flight by Gary covered with Polyspan on the wings and A.P.C. prop. At 10 feet span (original
Odgers (Vic) at our FF Scalemasters tail, with coloured tissue added (blue). size) it is covered with yellow Chinese
weekend, Murray Bridge on 20th May The fuselage, fin and trim on the wings silk on the wings, tail and fin. The
2017. This is my favourite Vic Smeed is black acrylic paint. This excellent fuselage has 2-pack automotive finish

“Mam’selle” climbs away at Murray Bridge in

Oz, flown by Gary Odgers.

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 Gary Odgers holds his Vic Smeed “Pushy Cat” at FF Scalemasters event. Geoff Black from Rockhampton (Qld) holds 10 feet span “Valkyrie”, 1937
Goldberg design.

Stuart Sinclair with MG2, 9 feet span 1936 design, has OS 60 open rocker Maris Dislers at Constellation M.F.C. with 16 inch span Airsail (N.Z.) rubber
4-stroke. kitset model.

and the complex construction (up to 1,100 (Vic) and placed 2nd in the Texaco event. It the black “Piper Cub J3” on the wing and
parts) is seen in the wing construction. was powered with an OS 60 open rocker 4 characteristic trim line on the fuselage are
The original model was completed in stroke glo, introduced by the OS company just as it came out of the box. It is easy to
Chicago in the early spring of 1937, the in Japan in 1976. The model was built by touch up edges and areas not coloured
work of a number of modellers helping his father Graham Sinclair about 25 years with yellow felt pen from the artists’ supply
Carl. It was fitted with a Bunch Gwin Aero ago and I remember flying in competitions shop. They’re still made (www.airsail.
.49 spark engine, which had marginal against him, when it was just built. co.nz), but current ones have a different
power. At the Detroit Nats in 1937, he fitted The original MG2, built by Michael colour scheme. The kitset came from the
a Brown Junior B, 10cc engine, borrowed Graneiri in 1936, with design help from Estate of the late Brian Horrocks and was
from Vernon Boehle, which provided Ben Shereshaw, placed 4th at the U.S. missing some items. It uses what I call
better performance on the day. The model Nats in 1936, in the under 21 years class; a Jedelsky wing, the curved balsa ribs
caught a strong thermal and the chase Michael was only 16 years of age at that attached below to give an airfoil section.
was on until they reached the Detroit time. Slow flying models of this type have Maris fitted a larger propeller and this
River. It is thought that the model landed a long life with radio assist today but the reduced the directional stability, so extra
on a wooded island in the river, recording original models, with Brown Junior power area was added to the fin. The model is 16
a flight of nearly 53 minutes, to take 2nd and being FF without a dethermalizer, were inch span and does fly quite well.
place after Maxwell Bassett, who recorded often lost in Texaco contests. Next photo was taken at the recent Oily
a flight of over 1 hour. This was the last of Next three photos are recent builds Hand Weekend on 26th August 2017 and
the Texaco contests in the U.S.A. as the by Maris Dislers, the first being a Piper shows the 12½ inch span “British SE5”
farmers did not like modellers driving on Cub built from an Airsail all sheet rubber built by Maris, from a vintage Springfield
their property. scale kitset from New Zealand, which Models kit, kindly supplied by David Acton.
Another event I attended and flew at was was originally produced in the 1950’s. One of a series of semi-scale biplane
the SA/Vic Old Timer State Champs held The balsa was colour printed in the same kits for the young modeller made by this
at Cohuna (Vic) in May 2017. The MG2 at manner as Yeoman and Frog and other lesser known Pennsylvanian company, for
9 feet span was flown by Stuart Sinclair similar models of the period. Yellow and the K&B Infant .020 Torpedo glo engine

25

FOR OLD TIMES SAKE 049.indd 25 31/10/2017 10:23

 Vintage Perspective from OZ

Plan for “Mam’selle” 37 ½ inch span by Vic Smeed.

introduced in 1949. Dave reports that the realistic flight performance. That engine beginners’ sport model, became popular
only one he could not get to fly was the was designed as a replacement for the from 1950 for the Mills P.75 diesel. It was
Grumman Amphibian. Engine fitted is a VA Cox 020 Tee Dee glo, and last month was designed in 1948 the prototype by Phil
.020 with Maris’ diesel conversion, set well the subject of a full performance review in Smith using an AMCO .87cc diesel. Phil
backed off and with Tornado 5x3 propeller AeroModeller by Maris. told me that about 15,000 Cardinal kits
reversed giving just the right thrust for The Veron “Cardinal” kit, a 35 inch span were produced. Maris has reduced the size

Warren Brown holds his David Owen designed, “Fli-Bi”, enlarged to 27 inch span for 3 channel radio.

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 to 24 inch span and fitted the first version
CLAN .24cc diesel, produced in the U.K.
for Mike Clanford. The engine runs nicely,
turning 6x4 Tornado nylon prop. The radio
comes from a small WLtoys 3 channel
helicopter on 2.4 GHz, bought online for
around £20. The two small servos work
rudder and elevator and the low cost radio
has plenty of range for this small model.
The featured FF model at the Oily
Hand (diesel engine) weekend was the
Fli-Bi, designed by the late David Owen Springfield Models (U.S.A.) vintage kit, all sheet SE5 Maris Dislers at Costellation M.F.C. with 24 inch
in Australia and published in Airborne for K&B Infant 020 torpedo glo. Wings were pre- span mini Veron “Cardinal”, 2 channel radio.
moulded with camber and dihedral.
magazine in 1978. 29 models were shown
and flown on the Saturday. The original
was 23 inch span with 3/16 inch sheet
balsa fuselage and built up wings. Mine
flew well with a VA/Banks replica .4cc
Micro diesel. Several were enlarged for
radio control. Warren Brown (N.S.W.)
increased his to 27 inch span with a
fuselage frame and sheet sides and fitted
3 channel radio, all up weight of 15 ounces
with the PAW .049 diesel with throttle,
compares to 6 ounces for my 23 inch span
FF version. Warren’s model shown has
grey and orange tissue covering.
Forster F-29 5cc glo, their first front rotary engine Maris’ Forster F-31 glo running. Has slightly larger
released in 1952. bore for Class C applications.
Mam’selle
This was Vic Smeed at his peak in 1955, tissue on the wings and tail with red silk back. I am surprised other makers seldom
for the large number of small British on the fuselage. Red paint trim is used on copied this feature.
diesels then in production. Vic used a the wings, tail and fin. On his last flight, so The aluminium piston with two rings and
side mounted Allbon “Dart” .55cc diesel I could get some flying shots, it ended up generously counterbalanced crankshaft
for this fairly complex 37 ½ inch span near the last row of trees in the photo, after give very smooth running at higher revs.
sports model for .5cc to .8cc diesels. Wing a quite long flight. The full-size plan was It has a bore of .750 inches, stroke of
construction was quite simple with 3 spars featured in December 1955 Aero Modeller. .672 inches, weighs 5.9 ounces and
and the tailplane used 1 spar. We have has compression ratio of 7.6:1. This low
a Vic Smeed event at our S.A.M. 1788 1952 Forster F-29 compression ratio means it should perform
Champs for FF versions of his designs, Henry and Bob Forster were based in best with high nitro fuels.
where the models must fly and then be the Chicago area of the U.S.A. and first Bill Britcher’s F-29 was tested at his
judged on finish, quality of build etc. I produced the side-port Forster 99 in 1935 home, using an Enya No. 4 plug and 5%
was one of the judges this year and first for boat and aircraft use. In 1936, they nitro fuel. It was easy to hand start, but
place went to an “Ethereal Lady” by Don produced the “Little Hercules” version at was very noisy with the unmuffled exhaust.
Southwell. Second place went to Peter .884 cubic inches for the British 15cc class Results were:
Scott with his “Mam’selle”, which crashed of boat racing. The popular Forster 29,
into a tree on test flying and lost half of the with rear disc induction was introduced
wing. Perhaps if the model was complete, in 1940, this being a very high-quality
Propeller RPM
it might have won the event. engine. Revamped in 1950 as the G-29 APC 10x6 8,600 RPM
The fuselage is the hardest part to (glowplug) with upswept venturi, ringed APC 10x5 9,400 RPM
build with 9 oval shaped formers (having aluminium piston and rear ball bearing for APC 10x4 10,000 RPM
notches for the stringers) so I think it is the crankshaft.
best to get a laser cut short kit for this The Forster 29 (5cc displacement)
aircraft. In Australia, a 48 inch laser cut changed in 1952 to the F-29 model with a I suspect using more nitro with 9x6 prop
version is being produced for 1.5cc diesels front rotary valve, I suspect for control line in a vintage CL stunt model would yield
and radio assist. In the UK the 52 inch stunt use, this making it more compact. good results. As a check, Maris ran his
span version from June 2003 RCM&E is One thing they did not change was the Forster F-31 with 35% nitro fuel, gaining
available from Belair (www.belairkits.com). side for the exhaust. I like the screw-in around 1,000 RPM over 5% fuel. ●
The model by Gary Odgers has an venturi with lock nut, one can fit the needle
inverted Mills P.75 diesel fitted, natural valve either side and still have it swept

27

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 Cover to Cover

Sturm und Drang:

Hurricane and Test
CHRIS OTTEWELL REVIEWS A COUPLE OF NEW AVIATION BOOKS FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST WITH
INTERESTING LOCAL CONNECTIONS.

Hurricane R4118 Revisited

OK, I’ll admit it, I’ll read any factual book about the Hurricane, but this book is very special. It tells the extraordinary
story of the discovery of Hurricane R4118 rotting away in a University in Banaras, India and the painful and protracted
negotiations (we are not talking months here, but six years!) needed to enable it to be purchased and shipped back
home to the UK.
Even identifying the aircraft definitively as R4118 was a major exercise. Any surviving Hurricane is an important
historical artefact, but this airframe turned out to be a Hurricane Mk I which had served in the Battle of Britain – so very
special indeed.
Having positively identified the airframe, author Peter Vacher was then able to research its history and even track
down surviving pilots who had flown it in combat including Wing Commander Bob Foster DFC and Wing Commander
“Bunny” Currant DSO, DFC and Bar, C de G.
Whilst part I of the book is very interesting, it is part II “Restoration and Flight” where the aeromodeller becomes

28 AeroModeller - December 2017

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 totally drawn in. The book includes a huge number of good quality colour photographs of the naked Author: Peter Vacher
airframe, prior to, during and after restoration. If you need to understand the important details of the Published by: Grub Street,
Hurricane construction and the equipment it was fitted with for you next scale project, this is the book for London
you! For example, the original radio has been restored and refitted along with the appropriate IFF and the Price: £20
impact switch designed to trigger a charge and destroy the IFF on impact to avoid it falling into enemy ISBN 978-1-910690-43-7
hands. If you need this level of detail the pictures are in the book.
The other major units such as the Merlin Engine, the propeller, etc are also covered in detail and it’s good
to see that those responsible for each unit receive due recognition.
Following many trials and tribulations the restored R4118 was transferred to Cambridge Airport on a low
loader to be reassembled and test flown by Pete Kynsey, then the Chief Pilot from The Fighter Collection at
Duxford. A couple of flights later, our own Andy Sephton was at the controls giving a very positive verdict
on the aircraft and its restoration.
Peter Vacher continued to operate the aircraft for many years, to some degree offsetting the running cost
with air shows and film or TV appearances. But unplanned maintenance (like a camshaft breaking in flight)
is even more expensive than the planned maintenance and he put her up for sale in 2015. James Brown,
then a fairly low hours PPL pilot, saw the notice in “Flyer” as he travelled across the Atlantic to Philadelphia Hurricane R4118 as found in India.
in February 2015. He sent an e-mail expressing interest as soon as the aircraft landed. The subsequent
negotiations seemed to be as much about James’s suitability as a new custodian of R4118 as the formal
sales process!
The final treat for all UK based aeromodellers and Hurricane fans is that she is currently based at
Old Warden where we can all visit her, walk around, take detailed pictures, compare her with the other
Hurricanes based there, and on the right days even watch her fly.
If you don’t already own this book, make sure someone buys you a copy for Christmas, the complete
story is 100 time better than my review!

A “Naked” R4118 before covering.

The Women Who Flew For Hitler - Hitler’s Valkyries

I have to start by saying that I am lucky enough to know Clare Mulley the author, indeed she came to
interview my Dad as part of her background research whilst writing this book. However, even if I had never
heard of her before, I would have no hesitation in writing that this is an outstanding book for more than just
aviation-buff readers and for many reasons.
It covers the astonishing lives and flying careers of two amazing women, Hanna Reitsch and Melitta
Schiller von Stauffenberg. Both were test pilots in an era when there were (as far as I can discover) no other
professional female test pilots anywhere else in the world, furthermore they were working in an incredibly male
dominated society and gaining (for the most part) the professional respect they deserved.
Melitta is the less well known but more complex and interesting of the pair. A highly qualified Aeronautical
Engineer and experienced pilot she carried out many of the test flights required to validate or refine her
calculations; it was dangerous and gruelling flying. Much of her work concerned developing dive bombers and
the tactics to best exploit them. The high ‘g’ forces involved in flying a Stuka through a dive bombing mission
are significant to the say the least, and a service pilot was unlikely to do this more than once in a day. Melitta
Author: Clare Mulley carried out repeated dives stressing herself to the limit to perfect this method of attack.
Published by: Macmillan Whilst she was certainly a German Patriot, Melitta, with a degree of Jewish ancestry, was no supporter of
ISBN 978-1-4472-7420-9 Hitler and the Nazis; indeed as a member of the von Stauffenburg family she was aware of and perhaps on the
Price £20 fringes of the plot to assassinate Hitler and yet highly enough regarded to narrowly escape the purge following
this failed plan.
By contrast, Hanna some nine years younger and not technically qualified was 100% Nazi and remained so
until she died in 1979 – possibly by using the cyanide capsule given to her personally by Hitler over 30 years
earlier. Certainly Eric “Winkle” Brown the celebrated British test pilot, who knew her before the war, was one
of her interrogators afterwards and who kept in touch with her on and off thereafter, was in no doubt that she
remained unrepentant. Indeed in one of her last interviews she said “I am not ashamed to say I believe in
National Socialism. I still wear the Iron Cross with diamonds Hitler gave me … Many Germans feel guilty about
the war, but they don’t explain the real guilt we share – that
we lost.”
The extent of her devotion is underlined by the fact
that she made a famous flight in a Feiseler Storch into the
remains of Berlin to rescue Hitler in 1945. He refused either
to leave or to let her remain and die with him in the bunker.
Surviving the war she remained a “Holocaust denier” until
she died – as one of those present at the liberation of
Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, “Winkle” Brown found
this even more nauseating than most.
As for the pure aeronautical aspect of their stories,
Clare has covered these in admirable detail, consulting
many technical experts to make the book as complete and
accurate as possible. From early adventures flying gliders
to some of the most dangerous flying you can imagine
short of combat missions, it is all included.
Do make sure you keep hold of the book until you have
Melitta at the drafting table in1942, Elly Beinhorn with Melitta at Chigwell aerodrome, Es- finished reading it, as unlike many of the books I review,
the ribbon of her Iron Cross is sex, September 1938.
clearly visible on her jacket. the whole family will find it interesting and it may otherwise
disappear “mid read”!

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 Henk de Jong was flying his much
loved Poppet at this September’s Old
Warden. This spurred your editor to
retrieve the plan from his archive for
this month’s AeroModeller.
Free Plan

CLASSIC VIC SMEED DESIGN -

POPPET
Originally published 55
years ago in AeroModeller
we revisit another of the
master’s sports free flight
models that has stood
the test of time. Andrew
Boddington describes.

T
here is no doubting the designs to build – the Poppet. Originally the after the British Nationals - take-offs from
continued popularity of Vic Poppet was released in the May 1962 issue the tarmac runway had taken their toll
Smeed’s sports FF designs. of AeroModeller, but after all this time it - but after minor repairs the model was
One visit to the Bowden deserves another airing. Unlike the Tomboy still going well. The engine is a DC Merlin
competition will uncover more the Poppet has an all sheet fuselage and 0.75cc engine which was providing plenty
Tomboys than any other design, and the sheet fin, rather than the stick and tissue of power, so Henk had put the propeller
‘Chuck and Duck’ in the evenings at the frame of its big sister, but the lines show on backwards (it is less efficient like this)
Power Nats will see Popsies of various that it is definitely from the same stable. and was not giving full compression. Vic
sizes buzzing around, along with some of I was reminded of how sweet the Poppet Smeed’s original Poppet was adequately
Vic’s lesser known designs. Don Howie’s was by seeing Henk de Jong’s version at engined by an ED Baby 0.46cc diesel, a
‘For Old Times’ Sake’ column this month the last Festival of Flight at Old Warden relatively low powered motor even in the
features another Smeed Special, the (see the report elsewhere in this issue.) 1950s, so if you build the Poppet as shown
sleekly round fuselaged Mam’selle. Henk told me his Poppet was originally for FF you don’t really need to go for a
This free plan is a hidden gem which built in 1989. The tissued wing has recently ‘hot’ 0.5cc diesel or larger. A DC/Allbon
is perhaps the easiest/quickest of Vic’s been recovered, and the nose repaired Dart or other plain bearing 0.5cc diesel is

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 Henk’s Poppet is powered by a DC Merlin 0.75cc engine. More than enough David Goddard used a DC Dart diesel in his Poppet, perhaps the ideal engine
power for the FF version, and thus the propeller is fitted backwards. for this model.

The wing structure is straightforward but The DT (DeThermaliser) on Henk’s Poppet is a mechanical timer which releases a line attached to the
effective. Do take the time to carefully notch the back of the tailplane. The rubber bands at the front tip the tailplane up. Do make sure the DT only trips
front of the trailing edge stock balsa to assure after the engine run has completed or you could be in for some weird aerobatics!
good attachment of the ribs.

good enough. for RC even back in 1962, having had a fly This is not a complex build and most
This is one of three Poppets that Henk away of his FF version. So you won’t be the of the information you will need is in the
has built, the first was as a 13-year-old first to make the conversion. Does anyone original article. I’ve included the list of
but is long gone. Another he built was know if Vic succeeded with his materials and by inspection of the plan I’ve
10% larger and powered by an Indian K RC Poppet? tried to correct it. (And you thought there
Mills 1cc (a bored out 0.75). Again the If you do go RC, you might want to were no mistake in the old days of AM!) But
Indian Mills are not known for their high drop the dihedral of the model a little if I have not built one myself…
performance so a Mills/Redfin 0.75 or you decide to have an elevator as well I’m sure no two versions of this delightful
similar would be ideal if you wanted to as rudder. You should also consider design will ever be built exactly the same,
enlarge the plan by 10% from the 32” span putting some 1/16” doublers between so just make any alterations to support
shown here to just under 36”. the nose and F1, F1 to F2/F3, and at the your modern-day requirements by
bottom of the fuselage between F3 and strengthening without adding excessive
Free Flight or RC? F4 to strengthen the front end. Ideally you weight. You might even want to make yours
With the low weight of the modern mini want your battery pack as far forward as electric powered but for me the romance of
servos and RC the Poppet is ideal for possible, but do be careful to avoid making these models comes with a whiff of ether!
single channel, or may be even more too large a hole F2/F3 and weakening the
functions. At Old Warden and other venues undercarriage fixing. You probably want to
SAM 35 runs some very popular events for have a large hole in the wing seat sheeting Parts Kit from Belair:
0.5cc size single channel models, including on top of the cabin to allow access to the Belair Vintage Kits can provide parts sets for
radio, so as this will be weaker also put many of Vic Smeed’s designs, including the
spot landings. It would be good to see
Poppet. The set has laser cut fuselages sides,
more Poppets competing along with the some top ‘runner’ doublers between F3
formers, bulkhead, wing ribs, tip shapes, fin/
Magna’s and other classic small designs. and F4.
rudder parts, tailplane ribs and tip shapes, cowl
But is it a travesty to put RC in this If you do build a FF version, do consider parts, plus smaller items. The builder supplies
model – what would Vic think? On putting a DT on, as Henk has done stripwood and covering.
the following pages you’ll see we’ve with his – a tip up tailplane triggered Parts set for Poppet 32” cabin model by Vic
reprinted the original article on the build by a mechanical timer, the fin front tip Smeed, part number ot-popp £35.00
of the Poppet, and reading through it may disappears in to a slot in the fuselage. It Belair Vintage Kits
surprise you that Vic was building a Poppet may just save your model from a fly away. www.belairkits.com 01362 668658

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 Original Poppet Article

POPPET
A trim free-flighter of 32ins. span for .5c.c. to

T
.8c.c. engines. By Vic Smeed.
here is nothing particularly new or unusual about this little model— circles. Several minutes passed before we realised that it wasn’t coming
it follows what might be termed traditional design layout, shape, down, but drifting along in a weak thermal. We followed for about twenty
and construction. What does put it in a class of its own is its minutes, towards the end catching only an occasional glint in the sun, until
performance, for its size. When we checked out the first prototype eventually we were forced to concede that it had gone—still at a dizzy height
it was a frosty, absolutely windless day with bright sunshine and and flying well. The following day we learned that it had been seen to land on
just a little haze in the sky—in other words, ideal conditions. Glide tests a golf course some 2 ½ miles away just over an hour after launching.
showed a smooth glide which, with a shim under the tail trailing edge, became A second model is now under way, mainly because it is hoped to make a
a floating descent. Banging on hard right tab, we launched with the engine radio conversion. This is not recommended except to reasonably experienced
at reduced revs and the model turned tight right and flew into the long grass. RC fliers, and no details are therefore shown on the plan. In passing, we
With “half” left tab and the same engine setting, we got 50 ft. diameter circles should perhaps point out that wing section and dihedral tend towards a
to the left, without climbing. Having thus established the turn characteristics compromise for RC use, and if you are building the model purely for free flight,
in each direction, we set the tab about ten degrees right, adjusted the motor make sure you do not have less dihedral than shown; a little more makes
to maximum revs., and launched with what static ground tests (it was a new no odds.
motor) had shown would be about a 15 sec. motor run. Forty-five seconds
later we saw the motor cut, just; the model had climbed in one wide right Construction
circle and was a minute speck almost overhead, out of earshot, so that the Decide first what motor is to be installed, i.e. whether beam or radial mount
only indication of engine cutting was a sudden change into about 50 ft. glide is required. A wide range of motors are suitable, from the Pee Wee .010
or .020— which would probably call for ballast in the nose—to any of the
standard .049 or .8 c.c. engines. The prototype used an E.D. Baby .46 c.c. and
flew very happily at an all-up weight of 6 ¼ ozs.
Select stiff but light 1/16 in. sheet for the fuselage sides, trace and cut
out and sand to ensure that both sides are identical. Cut bulkheads, bend
undercarriage (this is “flat” to make accurate bending and axle line-up
easier) and bind to F2 as shown. Small nicks in the sides of F2 will allow the
thread to sit flush. Now cement F2 to F3 thoroughly, and allow to dry under a
weight. Place one fuselage side near the edge of the building board, which in
turn should be near the edge of the bench, and cement F3 and F4 in place,
ensuring that they are at right-angles to the fuselage side. This is a convenient
time to add the scrap 1/8 in. sq. stiffeners inside the fuselage sides. When dry,
cement the other fuselage side in place, lining up carefully.
Before any further steps are taken, sheet across the fuselage bottom
between F3 and 4 and fit the wing seat. Now draw the tail ends together and
add F5, checking for symmetry. Cement the tail ends together and when dry
drill for dowels and fit. The top and bottom may now be sheeted.
At the nose, install the bearers, Fl, and the F6 pieces. Draw the sides
together, add top block and bottom sheeting after drilling bearers. Carve block

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 FREE PLAN – VIC SMEED POPPET
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POPPET FREE PLAN.indd 35 31/10/2017 10:46
 At head of page are two views
of fuselage structure showing
internal assembly and engine
bearers. At left is the wing under
construction the lower picture
illustrating how the wing is held
to the board with drawing pins
during tissue shrinking and
doping operations. Note that
both wing and tailplane are
raised slightly from the board
by balsa runners at leading and
trailing edges.
At right is a close-up shot of
Poppet with E.D. Baby power,
and below, covered and
uncovered views. Note S.M.A.E.
insurance number on right hand
wing. Do not forget to add your
name and address to the model!

to shape, cutting to suit motor. Add 1/8 in. sheet pieces for fore end of wing fin is simply cut from 1/8 in. sheet and the edges sanded round. Note trim tab.
seat, plus dowel, fill in at nose with scrap block, add tailskid, and sand all Cement fin squarely in centre of tailplane after covering and doping. Do not
over. Dope on tissue, then cut a paper template for the windshield, cut out of forget to fuel-proof inside nose. When doping and colour trim etc. is complete
celluloid or acetate, and cement in place before completing doping bolt motor in place and fit prop. Check that the model is squarely assembled
of fuselage. and unwarped, and that it balances on the mainspar. Add ballast if necessary.
If a radial-mount motor is to be fitted, construction procedure is identical Glide into tall grass, watching that the glide is straight. Use a little right tab for
except that the bearers can be omitted and Fl is cut as a complete bulkhead power flights, running the motor at low speed until all is obviously well, then
to include F1A. This bulkhead is now glued between the fuselage sides and open up. Make sure the motor run is short and that you have your name and
the top block fitted up to it. To improve appearance the sides can be left address on the model. To fit a DT, cut a small triangle from the fin I.e. so that
extending forward as drawn. A strip of 1/8 in. sq. can be added each side, in the whole tail can tip to —30 degrees; fit a dowel in the fin t.e. ½ in. above the
front of and behind the bulkhead, for additional strength if required. As drawn, fuselage dowel and connect up the rubber bands in the usual way. l
a small amount of downthrust is incorporated, for larger motors, though final
adjustment of the angle will depend on flight tests.
The wing is a simple two-piece structure without a centre-section. Build
Materials:
1 Strip 1/8 in. x 1/8 in. x 36 in. Balsa
one panel flat on the board; the l.e. and t.e. are notched with a file or razor to 1 Strip 1/8 in. x 1/4 in. x 36 in. Balsa
locate the ribs firmly and accurately. Fit the dihedral keepers in this panel; note 1 Strip 1/8 in. x 3/8 in. x 36 in. Moulded Trailing edge
that the root rib should be angled slightly. The wingtip can be fitted before 1 Strip 1/8 in. x 1/2 in. x 36 in. Moulded Trailing edge
removing from the board, cutting the spar at a separate gusset to continue the 1 Strip 3/16 in. x 1/4 in. x 36 in. Balsa
spar line down to the tip. Use a hard balsa spar. When thoroughly dry, remove 1 Strip 1/4 in. x 3/8 in. x 36 in. Balsa
and build the other panel over the plan, fitting the dihedral keepers into it by 2 Sheets 1/16 in. x 4 in. x 36 in. Balsa
blocking the completed half at the correct angle. Measure to check that the 1 Sheet 1/8 in. x 2 in. x 36 in. Balsa
raised tip is not less than 4 1/4 ins. above the board. When dry, remove and 1 length 1/4 in. x 5/16 in. Hardwood engine bearer
1 length 1/8 in. dowel
sheet centre-section, then sand all over. Cover with lightweight Modelspan
1 length 16 s.w.g. wire
and put a tiny drop of castor oil in the dope; pin down to avoid warps
Soft Block 3/4 in. by 2 in. by 5 in.
while drying. Scrap 1/16 in. and 1/8 in. ply, Celluloid, Tissue.
The tailplane is a straightforward job, taking care to avoid warps, and the

36 AeroModeller - December 2017

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POPPET FREE PLAN.indd 37 31/10/2017 10:46
 Power Nationals

CONTROL LINE TEAM RACING

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
I
MALCOM ROSS REPORTS FROM THE RACE CIRCLES AT THE NATS
t does not seem a full year since I for a return to the traditional jamboree. Well, managed to fly to the finals. One observation,
wrote the last article on the 2016 British those prayers were answered and our society or call it a sign of the times, is that there were
Nationals that was held at the Barton secured the use of the famous RAF station very few spectators left on the field to see
control line site in Manchester. This once again for the 2017 championships. the events conclusions and winners on the
time we were back at RAF Barkston Barkston Heath is nicknamed "The Blasted Monday afternoon - most appeared to have
Heath in Lincolnshire, for the three-day joint Heath" for the way its winds blow, but this left on the Sunday evening (the evening after
"controlled" aeromodelling extravaganza held year the weather gods were quiet, and for the the swap-meet!) Is this the way of things
over the August bank holiday weekend. Last first time since the early 90s we were treated these days, as more and more fliers just want
year people lamented the fact that we had to three full days of calm, beautiful, sunshine to go for fun, to see old friends and people
separate "Nats" for the different controlled/ for the contests. Well, OK, it did start to blow to chat to? Certainly, it is no secret that there
power disciplines of our sport, and wished a little on the Monday, but all racing classes are many thousands of aeromodellers in the

Tight centre circle in F2C heat. Pilots Igoshyn, James and Ross in a Nationals race. Look at the weather -
perfect for racing. (Photo Dave Fry)

POWER NATS TEAM.indd 38 31/10/2017 10:13

 Max Clark is 15 years old and flies Vintage TR A,
½ A and Mini Goodyear. Pit crew is Dad Anthony
and Taffy. This is Max’s 4th year of flying Mini
Goodyear, he’s also a keen rower and working
towards GCSEs. (Photo Andrew Boddington)

As mentioned in the text, here is the original 1956

plan drawn by Don Walker of the Walker/Tuthill
class B team of the day. This model was very
advanced for its day and allowed that team to
dominate the racing circles. Power then was an
ETA 29 5cc glow engine from the Watford factory.
Just shows how a good design is always a good
design, as in this Nationals 2017 Toogood/Lewis
won Vintage B with a copy of the racer! (Plan
Photo Don Walker)

BMFA, but not that many competitive ones? Saturday I met up with Julie Ridley and her in full. There were two main contest ones
Still we all had a super time with incidents son Matthew from the Oliver Tiger engine surrounded and enclosed by wire mesh
and memories abounding. factory. We had a long discussion regarding fencing, to delineate the flight areas and line
the new production schedule that she and the checks. Well laid out, and not too far apart,
Oliver News family are hoping to put into place following this aided those of us who were involved in a
As for talking to people, on the Tom's passing. There are certain business lot of the different events of the weekend.
issues that have to be finalised before this First to circle 2 - the vintage and classic
can come about, not the least renting of the one - contestants had to negotiate the
large factory and a move into a smaller unit processing of Dave Finch and his team. No-
on their own premises. When this is complete one was excluded, (although some had very
Matthew is going to start building the original small tanks!); some had only comments as to
style Olivers to the original specification, so the authenticity of the models flown in these
new ones and spares will become available classes (first dates used, etc). It was good
again. The timetable for this is still flexible, but to see new team surnames in the listings,
subject to all being well, could be in the new alongside the regulars. A couple of father and
year. I will be able to let you all know through son names always makes a pleasant addition.
AeroModeller when the time is right - so Vintage 1/2A got things under way with
hopefully good news. contest director Dave Mealing shouting out
the warnings, and moving things along at a
The Racing gentle pace this year. Second fastest heat this
As the sun shone over the field on the time was by my F2C teammate and friend
Saturday morning the circles were starting Tony Toogood and his vintage pitman Dave

A good reference for VTR is Gordon Rae’s book “Aircraft Speed and Vintage Team Racing” although
with the demise of Traplet Publication it may not be easily available.

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 Power Nationals

Laurie Court takes the strain in the line check for 2/3rds of the successful Barton B winning team. Alan Hill and Dave Bradford look happy after the final,
Barton B racer prior to a heat. Behind is a line-up flown with Alan’s beautiful Merlin 6.
of other models awaiting the same test. (Photo
Dave Goddard)

Lewis. Their little Oliver Tiger cub engine from the 50s. This class always has a healthy do fly very well. The final became a two-up
pulling the model along in fine style, but not following due in no small part to the excellent affair when the Haywood's broke their rear
as quick as the twin ball race PAW 1.5cc engines and plans available for it. It was fuselage at the first pitstop.
diesel of Green/Newbold's entry. Father and unfortunate that Dave Lewis cut his hand To the last event in this circle and it was
son team Blades where only 4 secs out of the very badly at the beginning of the final, due the second airing of the Barton Classic 15
final on their last attempt. By the time of the to the engine starting backwards, and could racing class. Only models with the style of
final race on Monday, things had changed. not race. This meant only two teams could pre1965 are allowed to race, powered by
It was victory to Mark and Martyn Haywood, go, and as our (Ross/Court) model was being 2.5cc engines. This means that they have
and their Oliver cub model, around a minute troublesome, it was no contest for first place to feature a wing and tail configuration, but
in front of Toogood/Lewis, who was around from the start for Heaton/Eifflaender. can be to any design or own design. Well
one minute in front of Green/Newbold! Things after the dust had settled we had the Cannon
change in a 200 lap race. Vintage B – Have a Go? Brothers of Derek and Peter from Wharfedale
Vintage A Racing is really the domain The original racing class of Vintage "B" still in first place, with an original Oliver Tiger
of the 2.5cc Oliver Tigers and their clones holds an attraction for several teams. In powered model from the home and days of
(Rothwell's, CS engines etc). As last year many cases making the 5cc glow motors John Horton. Not the quickest on the field,
the quickest model and team did win, with perform is quite a trick. Of course, in its that went to Molyneaux/Burns from Spain
Heaton/Eifflaender taking the "Blue Ribbon". 1950’s heyday it had over 70 teams taking with a modern Timepiece design, but they
They use one of Tom Ridley's Oliver Tiger part. To this end I hope it may inspire people suffered a D/Q in the final to put them out.
Mk3 engines in a Ken Long "K21" design to see that the model in first place this time
was Tony Toogood's version of the Walker/ Circle One - Modern
Tuthill "class B" no13. Don Walker sent me Over in circle 1 were the "modern" events
the "original" copy of the plan for this model of the day. First to get things going was
a couple of years ago, and I have included it British Goodyear, under the watchful eyes
in this report in the hope that it may inspire of Michael Crossman plus an assortment of
more to have a go! This team was way ahead others (at times ranging from Dave Rudd,
of its time, having alloy engine mountings Colin Brown, Steve Smith, Dave Fry et. al.)
and Ray Tuthill's new chicken hopper tank. A high number of teams really enjoy this
Ray is a mine of information regarding his class and some good heats were flown.
racing days, and was responsible for the Even visitor Oleksii Igoshyn from the Ukraine
This year British Goodyear win went to the
casting of Ken Bedford's ETA 15 engines (who was flying for Ed Needham), was so
Ross/Court team. Model is an “Ol Blue” design, cylinder liners at "Enfield locks" works. They impressed with the classes we fly that he
powered by a Tom Ridley Oliver Tiger Mk4 motor.
were also the works class B team, as they went home saying he was going to start this
raced the ETA 29 s from Ken, and made type of racing in the Ukraine, as they only
parts and suggested modifications to make fly F2C with nothing for beginners. Close
them faster. times are the order of the day, and into
Staying with the "B" racing scene brings the final went Igoshyn/Needham, Dalgish/
me to this year's Barton B contest. A Greenwood, and Ross/Court. A super final
healthy entry saw Hill/Rodgers/Bradford in ensued which left Ross/Court in first slot, for
the premier spot again. Allan Hill this time the first time in this event, using the first of
went one better, and produced the first sub the Oliver Mk4s made for Goodyear. They
"3minute" heat record time of 2.57.80. Allan's had been close for a couple of years, but this
models are the fastest Barton Bs on the time, it ran and started right!! We even had
Happy and proud family Needham, along-side field by a wide margin. Beautifully built and a novice British Goodyear final for three new
Oleksii Igoshyn from the Ukraine who was Ed’s
pilot this year, showing off their Fora powered attention to detail may be the answer, but teams, and two out of the three finished with
Open Goodyear team race winner. engine power is also useful and the aircraft a few seconds between them after the 200

40 AeroModeller - December 2017

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 Winners this year in 1/2A racing were Ross/
Court from the Barton Club. This model is a
conventional wing and tail design, powered by
Malcolm's home-made 1.5cc diesel engine that
revs at around 28,000 rpm in the air!

laps. This year the novice team of Roberts/ really go fast. By the time of the race it was aeromodelling!
Howell came out on top, Lilley/Dean 2nd, blowing the Barskston wind a touch too Unknown to some competitors the CD
with the "Old Novice" team of Brian Lever/ much, and at least one team had trouble had inserted a 4th round of heats in F2C,
Brian Waterland in 3rd. taking off, forcing them to retire, but the other to keep things going, and that did change
Open Goodyear proved to be a war of two flew on making Ross/Court RAFMAA the final order of things following 3 rounds!
attrition this year. Many were the tales of trophy winners in 2017. I am pleased to report that a new team won
glow motors not working, DNFs, and other this year, that of Simon Molyneux and Sion
ills! Come Monday and final time, this saw F2CN and F2C Burns from Majorca. After an interesting final
Igoshyn/Needham/Mrs Needham in the This time in F2CN it proved to be a close race, where the lead changed three times,
number one slot, one and a half minutes in thing getting into the final race - only a few they came out on top at the end. First drama
front of Fitzgerald/Greenwood who were in seconds between the first 6 places - much was when the carbon wing of Fitzgerald/
turn one minute in front of Cannon/Cannon. improved from last year. In the final, Ed and Greenwood folded in the wind and wrecked
Quite a race. Notable was Ed Needham’s Oleksii made first slot by exactly a minute there all carbon Ukraine model on the
engine, it being a Fora F1C free flight motor from Barker/Tricker with James/Thomason tarmac, then Barker/Tricker's engine went
converted to Goodyear racing, and brought retired at half way. It is noted that the new very cold, and slowed down enough to allow
to the meeting by Oleksii the Fora partner father and son team, of Charlie Waters (Pilot) Simon and Sion to squeeze past into first
from the Ukraine. Very powerful and noisy and Barry Waters (mechanic) managed their place on the podium. Well done to them.
even when not on song. best yet time of 4.13 to lie in 7th place at All of us Team Race stalwarts look
One of the best finals this year was the finish. Charlie is off to University this forward to seeing more of you in the circles
modern 1/2A. Although only a small entry October, so lets hope he does not fall into next time. ●
the little 1.5cc diesel engine powered racers the "temptations" of college life and desert

Ed Needham pitting the winning F2CN racer. John Broadhead was out of luck in F2C this year. F2C podium shows this year’s winners Simon
(Photo Dave Goddard) Molyneux and Sion Burns.

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 Jo Halman was multi-tasking;
timing the models, organising
the competitors, giving a
Power Nationals commentary to the crowd,
and even found time to
report for AeroModeller!
Thanks Jo.

CONTROL LINE SPEED

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
JO HALMAN REPORTS FROM THE CENTRE OF THE ACTION AT THE SPEED CIRCLES, INCLUDING PHOTOS FROM ROBIN

B
KANE AND ANDREW BODDINGTON
ack at RAF Barkston Heath and set up the TT equipment and computers. then he will score a zero for that round’s
glorious weather to boot even if Timing is only by the TT system and both flight. Three rounds of Speed flying were
the wind was too strong on the a primary and a secondary system is used scheduled for this Nationals. In the Open
Monday for most Speed flying. in case of a failure of the primary system. Speed classes, ie non-FAI classes, proxy
Flying on the Saturday If both systems fail – as they did on one flying is permitted as long as the entrant
started a little later than planned: it takes flight – then the competitor is given a sets & starts the engine.
quite some time to mark out the line check replacement attempt. Each competitor There are a number of classes in Speed,
and the TransiTrace (TT) sensor positions has two attempts at each flight as long as all with differing engine sizes and including
for all the different speed classes and the timed laps have not begun; if they have the Pulse Jets, and although there is a

A happy Dave Smith with his Formula 21 model powered by a Novarossi

21 which at 179.12 mph achieved 99.92% of the British Record. Placed
first in overall classification.

POWER NATS SPEED.indd 42 31/10/2017 10:17

 Chris Martindale & Fast Jet TARFU 1. The Grindley “Smaug” Fast Jet.

class winner in each of the classes, there the “Blue Thunder” originated by Jet Bill handle (based on a Stanzel handle) and a
is also the all-important overall “Nationals” Capinjola in the USA with a Jet Bill Series 2 torque unit (based on a Husted & Roy unit)
classification where each flight is scored engine running 60/40 nitro/propylene oxide, himself. Chris placed 7th in the overall
as a percentage of the official record for the “hot sauce” fuel of choice for Fast Jet classification.
that class, and it is that percentage that fliers. The retainer and flowjector were his After his steady practise flight, Robin
give the competitor an overall placing. If own design and made by Nick Banks. Kane decided on an official flight in F21
he flies in more than one class then only Richard’s fastest Fast Jet flight was with this “development” aircraft, fitted with
his highest percentage is counted for this with his “Smaug” built from a Dick Hart a Novarossi Rex 21 but it simply would
classification. “Blue Thunder” kit with some personal not come on the pipe and went slower.
Over the two-and-a-half days of the modifications by himself: a swept back The aircraft flew well but Robin was very
competition, there were 55 official flights wing with a greater angle than the kit one, frustrated that nothing he did seemed to
and 18 practise flights. There had been 17 a different shape and area tail plane, and work to increase the speed and the aircraft
entries over all the Speed classes but Pat bigger tank (250cc). The model weighed was consigned to the car boot for the rest
Rose, Dick McGladdery and Ken Morrissey in at 1,028 g and was flown on monoline of the competition.
were ill and could not attend. where Richard starts from scratch in Dave Smith was disappointed with his
the pylon. The TT operator has to be Round 1 official flight in F21 but was more
F21 and Fast Jet quick on the button as the timing starts a than pleased with his Round 2 official flight
So, with 14 keen and eager competitors, nanosecond after the aircraft leaves the which returned a speed of 179.1 mph
Saturday competition flying began with dolly. Richard Grindley proxy flies for Dick which at 99.92% set him at the top of the
Robin Kane flying his F21 aircraft. He put Hart in both Fast Jet and Sport Jet, both overall classification for the duration of the
in a steady flight as a base for his later practise and official flights as well as flying competition and was just a smidge off a
flights. Next up was Richard Grindley, himself in both classes. He did lots and new British record. The piston was too
the first of the pulse jet contingent with lots of flying! loose in Dave’s Round 1 flight and so for
a practise flight in Fast Jet at a speed of Chris Martindale used to be an RC Pylon Round 2 he had changed to his reserve
206.4 mph; an excellent beginning. Dick Race competitor but came across to the aircraft which was an old model that he had
Hart – with Richard Grindley proxy flying for “hands-on” brigade a couple of years ago. re-vamped and with his rebuilt Novarossi
him - decided to go straight for an official He managed two personal bests in Fast 21 engine - it certainly delivered the goods!
Fast Jet flight but the jet ran into the circle Jet: 194.5 mph in Round 1 and 203.6 mph Robin Kane was the only entry in the
counting as an attempt. Chris Martindale in Round 2 and again in Round 3. The .40 class. The conventional aircraft was
opted for a practise flight in Fast Jet but aircraft was a TARFU designed by Lenny powered by a MVVS GRRT 40 with a
the jet would not fire up. Waltemath as was the pulse jet that Chris fabricated tuned pipe based on an OPS
Both Dick Hart and Richard Grindley then flew in Sport Jet (more of that later). All design running 20/20/60 nitro/castor oil/
put in what would be their best Fast Jet the wonderful artwork on his pulse jets methanol and with a wooden two-blade
flights of the whole competition with Dick are waterslide transfers created by his propeller. Robin’s Round 1 flight returned
recording 205.5 mph and Richard recording clever wife, Dawn. The Fast Jet pulse jet a speed of 156.3 mph. He came out of
206.8 mph which was the winning flight in weighs 1,010 g with a Bailey Jet engine the pylon on lap 2 of Round 2 flight. His
Fast Jet and placed him in 4th place overall running on “hot sauce” fuel. Like Richard reason? He “fed the thing loads of nitro,
at the end of the competition. Dick was Grindley, Chris flies this class on monoline about 40% and it looked like delivering the
flying his own designed aircraft based on starting off in the pylon. He built the goods until the tuned pipe exploded”. With

43

POWER NATS SPEED.indd 43 31/10/2017 10:17

 Power Nationals

He would have made more but as he was

called for his Round 2 flight he found that
his lines had been fried on the terminals of
the glow ignition battery! Lesson: insulate
all battery terminals. He did manage to find
some lines on the Monday but they were
0.1 mm greater diameter than the fried lines
and the increased drag lowered the speed
down to 130.4 mph.

F2A and Welcome Returners

For world class F2A fliers, 300 kph
can now be considered the norm but,
realistically, the Halman Special engines are
easily capable of 305+ kph. However, the
problems that plagued the two F2A British
Team members, Paul Eisner and Peter
Halman, all year including at the World
Championships in Hungary, continued.
Paul’s Round 1 flight was 299.1 kph but his
Round 2, 2nd attempt flight was a whole
kilometre slower. However, the magic
Safety Fast - Richard Grindley pull testing the lines and pulse jet model.
returned – but only just – with his Round 3
a different tuned pipe for his Round 3 flight His .29 aircraft is essentially a training flight recording a speed of 300.8 kph. Paul
he recorded a slower speed of 151.6 mph. one. The design is a Weatherman with a won the F2A class and was second in the
But his .40 aircraft did give him his highest Super Tiger G21/29 running on a restricted overall classification.
placing – 9th – in the overall classification. venturi to keep the speed down. Alex Peter Halman had a disappointing
Alex “Red” Phin and Robin Kane both has made several other venturis so that Nationals. Peter used his HS15R
entered the .29 class. Alex is a returnee he can increase his speed as his training engine, turning a single blade carbon
to Speed flying after a gap of some 40 progresses. Robin Kane only made one composite propeller, in his own design
years and is re-learning to fly in the pylon. flight with his K&B 29 powered aircraft. and built aircraft. The wing was carbon

Speed flying is attracting flyers from RC

Pylon Race. Chris Martindale is seen
working on his pulse jet.

44 AeroModeller - December 2017

POWER NATS SPEED.indd 44 31/10/2017 10:17

 fibre composite; the tail a carbon fibre pylon and so scored zero. It was too windy overall. Mick said that the engine was
composite with a balsa core. The fuselage for David to attempt further flights. over-revving and so will try single blade
and cowl were glass fibre skinned balsa. Brian Jackson’s aircraft has a Kalmakov propellers in the future.
His Round 1 flight went to a 2nd attempt carbon wing with magnesium spar and The .12 class also had only one entry:
but he still had to come out of the pylon on pan. The engine is an Irvine production 15 Tony Goodger who is more known for
timed lap 2 and so his score for this round with a Halman 15 pipe and a single-bladed his Nostalgic Speed flying. He flew an
was a disappointing zero. He fared better carbon propeller. Brian was a little luckier own design profile aircraft powered by a
on his Round 2 flight recording an official than David. Although both his attempts in Novarossi 12 converted car engine. Tony
speed of 297.9 kph on his 1st attempt. Round 1 resulted in a zero score (not in the made one flight with the speed recorded
Hope was high for his Round 3 flight but on pylon for the 1st attempt and then for the as 106.1 mph and was only just out of
his 2nd attempt in this Round he managed 2nd attempt the engine would not start) he the top ten placings. Tony was also the
only 298.3 kph – faster, but not as quick as did record a flight in Round 2. A slow but only entrant in 21N, a class specifically
he could/should have done. Nonetheless steady 202.0 kph. This was enough to give designed to encourage new Speed fliers.
it gave him 2nd place in F2A but only 5th him third place in F2A. Again, he flew an own design profile model
place in the overall classification. powered by a Novarossi 21 and recorded
Brian Jackson and David Brewin had Smaller Open Classes a speed of 110.9 mph. The difficulty for all
also entered the F2A class. Both Brian and For the Open .15 class, Paul Eisner used Speed fliers – but especially new ones - is
David are “F2A Returners” having been out his former world record holding aircraft having somewhere to practice and having
of the flying scene for some years with only built in 1999 and which set the record in to lug a heavy pylon and base around
sporadic appearances at the Nationals. 2001. It uses 2 lines and groupers and so that they can practise flying in the
David Brewin’s aircraft is a single wing, is powered by an older Halman Special pylon. Nonetheless, Tony is determined to
sidewinder engine (Halman Special circa (crankcase stamped Irvine) with an persevere in his Open Speed flying.
2004) with tuned pipe running on 80/20 aluminium tuned pipe and a new Eisner
methanol/castor oil – the “straight” fuel. carbon fibre propeller. In all four attempts Sports Jets
The wing was folded aluminium with the the motor blubbed out rich when it reached Finally, we come to the Sport Jet class.
trailing edge glued with epoxy. The tail 190mph which could have been caused Six entrants in this class: two experts,
plane and rear fuselage boom are carbon/ by the prop, the tank position or even the one intermediate and three newbies with
epoxy covered balsa wood. David opted diameter of the uniflow tank vent pipe. 20 flights (including practise flights) over
for a practise flight first and the engine just All these things take time to test and sort the whole competition. The pulse jet man
would not co-operate - worse, the shut-off out and good weather is vital for flying in the UK – Dick Hart – entered a TARFU
did not work either and David had to spend groupers with a set of lines taking eight pulse jet modified by the USA pulse jet
the whole flight flying out of the pylon, hours to make and one rain shower to ruin. expert, “Jet Bill”, running a stock Jet Bill
keeping the aircraft in the air until the tank Malcolm (Mick) Tribe was the only entry sport motor. The aircraft was proxy flown
was empty. This is exceedingly tiring and in the .049 class. He managed one flight by Richard Grindley and Dick’s Round 1
when the engine finally stopped, the aircraft with his scaled down F2A asymmetric flight turned out to be the winning Sport Jet
dropped out of the sky and hit the ground aircraft with an alloy wing and carbon fibre flight at 150.8 mph placing him 3rd in the
sustaining some damage and a destroyed cowl and tail. He used a two-bladed prop overall classification and 1st in the class.
single-blade carbon propeller. For his with the piped Profi 0.8 engine running on The “intermediate“ flier, Chris Martindale
Round 1, 2nd attempt on the Monday after 25% nitro car fuel and recorded a speed with 144.8 was placed 2nd in the class and
repairing the aircraft, he did not get into the of 106.5 mph placing him in 10th place Richard Grindley, some 1.18 mph behind

Chris Martindale and Dick Hart advance to the circle with Chris’s Fast Jet. Paul Eisner with his F2A winning aircraft.

45

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 Power Nationals

Robin Kane and Open 40 model with exploded pipe! Barrie Lever’s Exquisite Sport Jet.

Richard Grindley (left) and Dick Hart prepping Richard’s pulse jet. Richard Grindley’s Pulse Jets.

Chris was place 3rd. 8th place overall. Barrie flew an upright no propellers, no engines that need setting,
Of the three new pulse jet fliers, two are aircraft from a “Dick Hart” kit with a stock no tuned pipes and with pretty robust
current RC Pylon Race fliers: Barrie Lever PCPJ Sport Jet motor with a number 59 bodies, pulse jets are not as complicated
put in three good, solid flights the fastest, jet. Daniel flew the popular TARFU with as the internal combustion powered aircraft
140.9 mph was not too far behind the a Hobby King Red Head stock motor. All and with the ready availability of good
leaders and put him in 7th place overall; Sport Jets run on straight fuel and the pulse jet parts and jets nowadays there has
Daniel Kennedy only made one official method of control is two-line. been an steady increase in pulse jet flying.
flight that was recorded at 137.5 mph and Pulse jets certainly attract a crowd of So with good weather, good flying and
that put him in spectators and the jet fliers had to field a lots of interested spectators, Speed at the
huge number of questions when they were 2017 Nationals can be considered a great
in the pits preparing for their flights. With success. ●

RESULTS

Pos Name Class Record Time Best % Best Speed MPH

1 D Smith F21 12.47 99.92 179.12
2 P Eisner F2A 11.71 97.91 186.95
3 R Hart S-Jet 14.43 97.37 150.84
4 Grindley F-Jet 10.52 97.32 206.83
5 P Halman F2A 11.71 97.10 185.37

Overall Classification Speed Podium: Dave Smith (1), Paul Eisner (2), Dick Hart (3).

POWER NATS SPEED.indd 46 31/10/2017 10:18

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RETRO RC.indd 1 31/10/2017 13:17

 Engine History

The First British Glow-Plug Revolution

M
By Adrian C. Duncan
any long-time came soon after the introduction of the scene, this situation surely requires an
aeromodellers from the commercial miniature glow-plug to the US explanation. In this article, I’ll attempt to
classic era in the UK market in late 1947. shed a little light upon the mystery.
remember the British As history records, this first British During the early post-WWII era,
“glow-plug revolution” of glow-plug wave was unsuccessful – British power modellers enthusiastically
1959 – 1960, when a number of British the average British modeller remained embraced the then-new compression
manufacturers almost simultaneously steadfastly faithful to the diesel ignition technology (somewhat improperly
released small glow-plug models in the powerplant for well over a decade to termed “diesel” despite the absence of
0.8 cc (.049 cuin.) displacement category. come, as indeed many still do. Given an injector,) which had been imported
However, this was in fact the second that in other parts of the world such from Europe where it had been under
such revolution. The initial attempt to as America and Asia the glow-plug development since 1938. At the outset,
popularise the glow-plug engine in Britain soon came to dominate the modelling the diesel engine was competing with the

A fine early American

diesel – C.I.E. 10 from
California.

48 AeroModeller - December 2017

FIRST BRITISH GLOWS.indd 48 31/10/2017 12:55

 Pioneering British diesel, the 1946 Mills 1.3 Mk. I. Another British pioneer, the 1946 Owat 5 cc First economy-priced British diesel, the
diesel. FROG 100 Mk. I.

spark ignition engines which had held the conclusion of WW2, being brought and manufacturers abandoned the diesels
sway up to that point. Its advantages in back by returning US military personnel which they had just begun to understand,
terms of dispensing with the parasitic who had been serving in the European opting instead for the new form of ignition
weight of the ignition support system, as theatre. The advantages of the diesel which Ray Arden had developed. At first
well as its inherently greater dependability, were just as obvious to American people used the new plugs in converted
quickly led to the widespread adoption of modellers as they were to their British spark ignition units, but purpose-built
the diesel in Britain. counterparts, the result being that the glow-plug motors soon began to appear
This in turn led to the introduction of a development of diesels was soon being from US manufacturers. Although belated
significant number of competing diesel actively pursued by a surprising number attempts were later made to revive the
offerings from a wide range of British of US manufacturers. The Drone, Mite, diesel in America, most notably by the
manufacturers both large and small. C.I.E., Micro, Air-O, Speed Demon and McCoy and Herkimer (OK) companies, the
The first commercial diesels to reach Vivell diesels are all examples of the glow-plug reigned supreme in America
the British market in any quantity were excellent American designs which made from 1948 onwards.
the Mills 1.3 and Owat 5 cc models it into production during this period. All Word of the new technology spread
which appeared in July 1946. These of them found buyers, as did overseas very rapidly to Britain, where the diesel
two pioneers were quickly followed by a manufacturers such as the Italian MOVO was now well entrenched as the favoured
host of other competing products from concern from Milan, who achieved powerplant, at least in the small and
manufacturers such as E.D., Kemp, considerable sales success in America medium displacements. A number
International Model Aircraft (FROG), with their excellent 2 cc D2 diesel. of British power modellers somehow
B.M.P., Reeves, Aerol, Dyne, Milford, obtained glow-plugs from American
Majesco and H.P., to name just a few. Game Changer sources and tried them in their spark
By November of 1947 the British If this trend had continued, there’s little ignition engines. It was soon found that
marketplace was very well supplied doubt that the USA would have taken its glow-plug ignition required a somewhat
with model diesel engines. Moreover, place as one of the world’s leading model higher compression ratio for successful
the increasing competition was steadily diesel-producing nations. However, in operation than that built into many spark
bringing prices down. Modelling was November of 1947 a brilliant American ignition units. Accordingly, the design
booming and people were saving up to engineer named Ray Arden derailed the parameters of new engines had to be
buy these engines as fast as they could American diesel movement by introducing modified for use with the new technology,
be produced. The diesel had quickly the then-revolutionary commercial while the compression ratios of existing
become inextricably identified with power miniature glow-plug. This was by no sparkers had to be raised by their owners
modelling in the minds of the majority of means a new technology, but Arden’s to achieve the best results.
British modellers. miniaturization of the concept into a small Nevertheless, the number of British
It’s an under-appreciated that at commercial screw-in plug which could modellers using glow-plug ignition in
this time American modellers and replace the spark plug in any spark- their old spark ignition units rapidly
manufacturers were following a similar ignition model engine made it instantly grew to the point at which the famous
path. The first model diesels to reach accessible to owners of such engines. K.L.G. spark plug subsidiary of Smiths
the USA arrived immediately following Almost overnight, American modellers Motor Accessories found it economically

49

FIRST BRITISH GLOWS.indd 49 31/10/2017 12:55

 Engine History

advantage of the spark ignition

configuration, both in terms of peak
output and operational flexibility. That
said, the elimination of the weight penalty
of the spark ignition support system was
widely recognized as a major benefit
of glow-plug ignition, particularly in the
smaller displacements.
The weight penalty of the spark ignition
components was much less of a factor
in relative terms for the large and heavy
10 cc (.60 cuin.) racing engines of the
day, especially those like the Rowell 60
which were primarily used in cars or
hydroplanes. Consequently, decisions
regarding the form of ignition used in
those larger engines were relatively
less affected by weight considerations.
Despite this, events were to prove that
even in these categories the glow-plug
swept the spark ignition engine aside and
became the standard very quickly. Sixty-
Major game-changer – Arden glow-plug. Pioneering British glow-plug – K.L.G. Miniglow.
nine years later, it’s all too easy to forget
that this outcome was not yet obvious
viable to introduce their own miniature it didn’t take long for British model engine in 1948.
glow-plugs. These were marketed under manufacturers to jump on the glow
the K.L.G. Miniglow brand. They were bandwagon. As far as I can determine, Smaller Sports Engines
very closely modelled upon the original the first purpose-built British glow-plug But what about the smaller displacement
Arden plugs from the USA with their engine was the Nordec RG10 racing engines intended for general-purpose
distinctive and very attractive spherical engine of 10 cc (0.60 cuin.) displacement, use? These appealed to a far more
tops. A second company whose name is which appeared in August 1948 alongside numerous user category than the all-
unknown to me marketed a British-made its R10 spark-ignition companion. The out racing community. In the smaller
version of the McCoy Hotpoint plugs Nordec was almost immediately joined by displacements, the extra weight of a
which had quickly followed the Arden the Rowell 60 racing unit from Dundee in spark ignition support system was a
onto the North American market, along Scotland, which was also offered in both significant factor affecting power-to-
with the famous Champion glow-plugs spark ignition and glow-plug forms. weight ratios. Both diesel and glow-plug
and the competing offerings from O&R. On release of the Nordec and Rowell ignition dispensed with the ancillary
Even the English kit manufacturer Eddie racing engines, modellers were still very airborne ignition support system, so
Keil got into the act by introducing his much divided on whether or not the new in this category the glow-plug was
own KeilKraft glow-plugs, although these form of ignition was in fact superior in competing directly with the diesel rather
didn’t last long on the market. strictly performance terms, particularly than with spark ignition. The issue came
for all-out competition applications. The down to the respective handling and
Designed for Glow very precise ignition timing optimization performance qualities of the two systems.
Once domestically-manufactured glow- enabled by the adjustable timer was a In that regard the diesel retained several
plugs became widely available in Britain, factor which many saw as a performance significant advantages over its glow-plug

First purpose-built British glow-plug motor, the Mostly used in cars and hydroplanes, the Rowell E.D. Mk. III diesel.
1948 Nordec RG10. 60 Mk. I spark ignition.

50 AeroModeller - December 2017

FIRST BRITISH GLOWS.indd 50 07/11/2017 11:54

 competitor. One was the obvious fact that Thanks in large part to a bargain price
it operated without any need for ground- of only £2 8s 0d (£2.40), the FROG 160
based ignition support in the form of the attracted a fair number of customers, E.D. Mk. III glow-plug conversion
components.
element-heating battery – all you needed becoming Britain’s first popular glow-
was fuel. It also had no plug which could plug engine. IMA introduced a kit for
potentially fail and require replacement. a small control-line stunt model called
Perhaps more significantly, it retained the “Vandiver” which was tailored to the
the spark-ignition advantage of infinitely- FROG 160, thereby further boosting the
variable ignition timing (assuming that engine’s popularity.
it was a variable compression design), Although it was a worthy effort, the
opening up the possibility of far greater FROG 160 highlights an issue which was
operational flexibility than the glow-plug to have a great bearing upon the outcome
motor with its relatively fixed built-in of this initial attempt to popularize the
ignition timing. Against that, the glow- glow-plug motor in Britain; all too many
plug engine could be constructed to a manufacturers made what may be seen
considerably lower weight for a given in hindsight as the fatal mistake of basing
displacement. their glow-plug offerings on existing
The first British attempt to offer a diesel models. Experience was to show FROG 160 glow-plug motor.
smaller-displacement glow-plug engine that such conversions seldom if ever
for general purpose use came surprisingly matched the performance of their diesel
early on from Electronic Developments progenitors, also falling well short in terms
(E.D.) Ltd. of Kingston-on Thames in of operational flexibility.
Surrey. In March of 1948 they introduced
their E.D. Mk. III 2.46 cc front rotary valve Efficient ETA Design
diesel model. Initially this was offered as a An exception to this general trend
diesel only, but by June 1948 each engine was ETA Instruments of Watford in
was supplied with an alternative cylinder Hertfordshire. Designer Ken Bedford
head assembly to allow it to be converted (1924-2015) recognised very clearly that
to glow-plug operation. The two the quick lead which the Americans had
alternative cooling jackets were scalloped built in glow-plug engine design pretty
around the edges to facilitate removal and much forced British designers to at least
re-tightening with the matching spanner initially follow in their footsteps. His ETA
provided. A simple head button replaced 29 Model “A” which appeared in February
the contra-piston when the engine was 1949 owed nothing to British diesel Cutaway drawing of the FROG 160 as part of
the AeroModeller review.
configured in glow-plug mode. design practise, instead following the lead
E.D. had of course hedged their bets of Dick McCoy’s American-made 0.29
by continuing to offer the Mk. III primarily cuin. racing model. The ETA 29 was to
as a diesel while facilitating its easy become the most consistently successful
conversion to glow-plug. The first British British contest glow-plug motor of
company to develop a purpose-built the “classic” era, surviving in its fully-
small-displacement glow-plug model developed form until 1968.
was International Model Aircraft (IMA) Another company which read the
of Merton in Surrey, who released the writing on the wall was IMA. When
first version of their FROG 160 glow- planning their own 5 cc model, which
plug model in around August of 1948. appeared in December 1949 as the FROG
This compact little motor of 1.66 cc 500 glow-plug motor, they too elected
ETA 29 Model “A”.
(0.101 cuin). displacement was actually to follow the American lead, taking the
slightly lighter than the companion 1 then-current 0.29 ci K&B Glo-Torp as their
cc FROG 100 diesel model from which inspiration. The FROG 500 proved to be
it was derived and with which it was a more than acceptable performer by the
interchangeable in the same model. A standards of its day, enjoying a ten-year
test of this engine which appeared rather production life before being supplanted
belatedly in the August 1949 issue of by designs from other manufacturers
AeroModeller showed that it was also such as MERCO.
significantly more powerful than the However, ETA and IMA were the
FROG 100, although it couldn’t match the exceptions. Other British designers of
slightly heavier FROG 180 diesel model of glow-plug units continued to adhere
1.77 cc displacement. more or less to established diesel design
FROG 500 Mk. I.

51

FIRST BRITISH GLOWS.indd 51 07/11/2017 11:54

 Engine History

Yulon 30. AMCO 35 PB glow conversion. The Allbon Arrow was purpose designed as a glow,
but was more successful as the diesel Javelin.

practise. Even those who started with their 5 cc K Vulture and 2 cc K Kestrel the small and medium displacement
a clean slate, having no previous diesel models. Neither of these conversions categories were conversions of diesel
models of their own, tended to follow this came close to matching their diesel models or at least followed British diesel
pattern. This included Yulon Engineering progenitors. By the end of 1950 the design practise apart from the ignition.
of Birmingham, whose iconic Yulon K Model Engineering Co. was out of All of these conversions performed at
30 design entered the marketplace business. levels which fell short of their diesel
in January 1949. While the unusually The Anchor Motors Co. of Chester counterparts.
lightweight Yulon performed at a sufficient followed suit by offering a glow-plug Perhaps the starkest demonstration
level to enable it to win many control-line conversion kit for their AMCO 3.5 plain of the futility of following this diesel-
stunt contests and even a few speed bearing diesel which made its market oriented design path came from the
events, its diesel-influenced design with debut in May 1949. Once again, the respected model engine designer and
360 degree radial porting and front rotary glow-plug conversion yielded inferior manufacturer Alan Allbon (1906 – 1978)
valve induction was more or less fully performance to the standard diesel whose Allbon Arrow 1.5 cc glow-plug
developed when initially released, leaving version. A later purpose-built glow-plug model appeared in October 1949.
little potential for further improvement. A version of the engine achieved no better Allbon had not previously produced
revised version which appeared in 1951 success. Davies-Charlton Limited of a 1.5 cc diesel model, hence starting
as the Yulon Eagle performed little better, Barnoldswick offered an E.D. inspired with a clean slate when designing the
and the Yulon engines were history by the glow-plug conversion head for their 5 Arrow. Despite this, the Arrow adhered
end of that year. cc Wildcat diesel, but this too failed rigorously to the established diesel
Others remained content to release to show any performance advantage, design formula, featuring 360 degree
what amounted to simple glow-plug hence finding few takers. radial cylinder porting along with a plain
conversions of their existing diesel By now a very clear pattern was bearing crankshaft and front rotary valve
models. These included the K Model emerging. The majority of British induction. It was unusually light and
Engineering Co. of Gravesend in Kent, general-purpose (as opposed to compact for its displacement, but the
who released glow-plug versions of competition) glow-plug engines in key issue of course was how well it ran.
In that regard, the test which
appeared in the January 1950 issue of
AeroModeller did the engine’s reputation
no good at all. Tester Lawrence Sparey
The AeroModeller review in January 1950
highlighted manufacturing problems. reported an output of only 0.051 BHP
@ 11,500 RPM, also encountering a
number of assembly issues along the
way. This assessment pretty much
doomed the Arrow right from the start.
Mind you, the Arrow wasn’t actually
quite as bad as Sparey made out! My
own example of the engine is free from
the assembly issues encountered by
Sparey, also performing far better than
his example. On a low-nitro fuel like
that used by Sparey, I measured a peak
output of around 0.072 BHP in the
vicinity of 11,500 RPM, which improved
to 0.095 BHP at around 12,000 RPM
using a 30% nitro brew. While this is
still below par for an engine of this

52 AeroModeller - December 2017

FIRST BRITISH GLOWS.indd 52 07/11/2017 11:54

 displacement, it’s considerably better to make significant inroads into the the market. The throttling capabilities of
than implied by Sparey. Mind you, that’s general-purpose model engine market glow-plug engines were quickly found
a lot of nitro by 1950 British standards, in Britain was almost entirely down to to be far superior to those of diesels,
when nitro was almost prohibitively the inability of the majority of British leading to the widespread adoption of
expensive! manufacturers to recognize that glow glow-plug ignition among the rapidly-
Alan Allbon’s response to this engines with their narrower ignition growing number of participants in that
unfavorable situation was both timing range and consequent need branch of model flying.
immediate and decisive. In a direct for higher operating RPM required a The final factor which tipped the
reversal of the previous trend, he quickly different design approach to diesels. balance was what might be called the
developed a diesel version of the Arrow, The only really successful British glow- second British glow-plug revolution of
which appeared in February 1950 – very plug models to emerge during this 1959-1960, when no fewer than four
quick work on Allbon’s part. The Allbon period came from companies like ETA British manufacturers introduced low-
Javelin, as it was called, proved to be a and IMA who recognized this early on priced glow-plug units in the 0.8 cc
vastly superior performer to the Arrow, and followed the established American (.049 cuin.) American ½A displacement
developing around 0.99 BHP at 12,000 design lead with their respective 5 category. These inexpensive little motors
RPM during Lawrence Sparey’s test cc designs. ETA also produced two introduced a whole generation of entry-
which appeared in the July 1950 issue successive variants of a 3.25 cc (0.19 level model fliers to glow-plug operation,
of AeroModeller. Peter Chinn also tested cuin.) version of their successful glow- paving the way for those modellers’
the engine, finding a slightly higher plug model, remaining true to form by continued allegiance to the glow motor
peak output of 0.105 BHP, albeit at the basing it upon the then-current as they progressed in the hobby.
significantly lower speed of 10,000 RPM. McCoy 19. Still, the diesel had held sway in the
For many British modellers, this well- affections of British modellers for a good
documented saga represented the final Second Coming of the British Glow fifteen years, as indeed it still does today
proof that compression ignition was by The glow-plug motor had to wait a full for many individuals like myself who
far the best option, at least in the small decade to begin its second coming cut their modelling teeth “back then”.
and medium displacements for general in Britain. This comeback was driven I hope this article has done something
purpose. As a result, although various by a number of factors. One of these to explain the reasons for this diesel
British manufacturers continued to offer was the increasing size of control-line rearguard action in Britain during a
glow-plug versions of their diesel models stunt models for which the smaller period when glow motors increasingly
(including IMA, who should have known diesels previously used were no longer predominated in other parts of the world.
better!), none of these found much adequate. This led to the development of Detailed information on many
market success. The experiences of mid-sized and larger glow-plug engines of the engines mentioned in this
the late 1940’s had confirmed the small such as the MERCO and Glo-Chief article may be accessed on line
and medium displacement diesel as the models which were expressly designed either at my own website at www.
powerplant of choice for the average for this application. adriansmodelaeroengines.com or on
British modeler. Another major factor was of course the late Ron Chernich’s “Model Engine
In hindsight it’s possible to see that the rise in popularity of RC flying, which News” website at
the initial failure of the glow-plug motor eventually came to completely dominate www.modelenginenews.org ●

ETA 19 Mk. II. Best-known of the “Second Revolution” 1959 British ½A glow motors, the
D-C Bantam.

53

FIRST BRITISH GLOWS.indd 53 07/11/2017 11:54

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 Model Science

Part 38
BETTER… RETRIEVAL 7
Dave Hipperson continues the thorny issue of retrieving from difficult situations

Tree Retrievals
Invariably the most frustrating part of using wireless
tracking is having a good signal but not being able to see
the model. If it’s high up a tree you have probably not
had too much trouble tracking it thus far. The tree is now
the downside; in a big dense wood it can be impossible
to see through to the top of the canopy. However, even
in these situations it is suprising how often your model
will actually come through, especially if it went in DT’d,
so don’t be afraid to look low as well. At least in thick
canopies the floor is relatively clear and easy to walk
through. Big heavy models, power models, do sometimes
come through to be much lower down or even on the
floor. I know people that have been so pre-occupied with
staring up that they have nearly trodden on their models.
George Sharp and myself returned the following day to
get a big open rubber model of mine from a dense wood
in Somerset. Huge signal, no idea where it was. He walks
straight in and sees the rear half of the midland style pylon
laying on the ground! This is a black piece of balsa ¾” wide
probably 4” long with a small wire hook in one end! So
immediately we knew that we were very close and more
importantly the wing must be off. After an hour we spotted
the fuselage and tail far too high up in the canopy for us,
even with the ladder. It was some time later we found the
wing; it was eight feet off the ground and we must have
walked under it a dozen times although it was 600 square
inches! We had simply been looking past it – focusing into
the distance. I returned a week later for the fuselage after
a bit of a blowy weather, as although the tracker would be
dead I knew the location. It was the distances driven on
these retrieves that was the real issue. It totalled the best
part of one thousand miles! Drive to Merryfield and back
the first time to loose the model. Drive down again a few
days latter to pick up the pylon piece and the wing, then
the drive down another week or so later and back again.
The fuselage of the model (No16) was a little faded but
other than the pylon no damage at all.
If the model is on the floor, or rather if the bug is, you
should already have been aware of that by the reduced
signal strength all through the search. Most likely it’s a
mixed wood with plenty of varied height deciduous as
well as pine. You will usually be able to see glimpses of
sky and you are getting a massive signal. Well first get

This is the classic use of ladder and pole. Pretty safe and so much
easier when there are no leaves on the trees.

56 AeroModeller - December 2017

BETTER PART 38.indd 56 31/10/2017 09:50

 all the big aerials packed away. Try the the strongest area and mark one with
rubber duck aerial – if that’s too loud some bright coloured gaffer tape, walk
go down to something like a 2” pin well away and look into them from a bit
(monopole) in the fitting. If you can hear of an angle rather than straining to look
it too well go down to an even smaller vertically up. Also check the signal out
size, a paper clip jammed into the aerial a little way from that strongest point is
socket will do very nicely and you may actually weaker. Sometimes you think
even be able to hear it with no aerial at you have the strongest signal and then
all. That’s great as it can’t be far away go away from it and find a stronger area.
and not even that high. No aerial at all That’s good – that’s progress. Now repeat
means it’s within 6-10 feet of you. Most the business of working out the likely
likely it is high and you have a variable trees all over again. This signal strength The trusty C160 with a 1” pin mono aerial
invaluable for close up searching in crops
signal with a short monopole aerial. Mike determination can of course be seriously and woods.
Evatt has suggested that a miniature compromised by harsh contours in the
dipole aerial (that’s like the loopy bit on a forest floor meaning you are changing be possible to rig something like that,
Yagi but made in 20swg wire and about height yourself and hence signal particularly on the heavier power models
the size of the width of the radio handset) strengths will also be changing. The and gliders. I know such a device would
will give a certain amount of directionality wood behind what used to be Lamyman’s have helped me lots of times. Not sure if
at close range. Inefficient enough not to farm off the East side of Barkston is just it makes climbing the tree any safer but at
swamp you but directional enough to one such. It’s confusing in there. least you won’t be able to see the ground
help tell you which way to look. I have If while you are doing all this you are in the dark. More of searching in the dark
not had any experience with these but lucky enough to have someone with you in a later episode. Remember, whatever
would recommend you try one. Mike’s who isn’t listening to a radio but using technique you use to retrieve a model,
info can be found in the Free Flight Forum good old fashioned Mk 1 eyeballs then your safety is more important than the
proceedings of 2016. they have probably spotted it by now! return of the model!
Searching with a short monopole aerial Or maybe you will sometimes hear it
I would take a note of all the trees where rubbing on a branch. Used to be that Using the Roach Pole
the signal is strongest. You will probably when the light faded this sort of recovery A good quality 10m roach pole in
find that this is quite a few. I have been became very difficult but that shouldn’t carbon fibre will cost you quite a bit –
told that the signal will increase when be a problem now if you have a light over £100. Glass fibre equivalent is OK
you use the aerial to touch the tree it is flasher fitted but I appreciate these are much cheaper but heavier and weight
in - I think it might have been a Hobbit both costly and very high drains on is important both when transporting
that told me this as I have not found it any battery. Many little garden lighting kit to the recovery position and when
to work! I simply work out the trees in gadgets now have solar cells, so it might using it. You can of course buy carbon
poles of much greater length than 10
metres, however the price increases
exponentially, to the extent that a 20
metre pole may well be more expensive
than all your other equipment put
together. Furthermore, such lengths are
pretty unwieldy and fragile; they may be
more trouble than they are worth. Some
flyers use parallel interlocking aluminium
poles which can be made to go any
length like a chimney sweeps pole. In
the hands of the right person these can
be very effective. I have been with John
O’Donnell and Pete Whitehead both
whom had good technique with these.
John even had a way of assembling a
huge length on the ground then getting it
up and in the vertical position by way of
a strange whipping, turning and rotating
process all at the same time which was a
joy to behold but tricky if already hindered
If you are going to do this make sure you have Best if you can bring it down rather than just by branches of other trees. My favourite
people with you to control the traffic. Note man poke and hope it falls somewhere accessible.
at bottom of ladder is not standing on the bottom Your safety is still more important than the was 20 ft of ladder then if possible
rung as he should be - must talk to him about that. model’s. climb a bit and pole the rest. However,

57

BETTER PART 38.indd 57 31/10/2017 09:51

 Model Science

A junction box for a low-level power supply veritably hidden Power lines lurking in the trees supplying out-lying farms and estates. Keep an eye out for
in the trees. Beware! them and avoid if using roach poles or long aluminium ladders!

it is important to have the right device we successfully retrieved it. We had been it was important. Suddenly ahead of me
on the small end (more later) and also so close to doing a one touch recovery and quite close was a line hanging down
to appreciate that you need some pole when we started some hours before. low enough to catch me and the aerial
below you to counterbalance the turning - I was flat on the roof pretty smartish. It
moment of all the pole above you. Don’t Electrocute Yourself! might have only been telephone wire but it
It is not superfluous to mention a few didn’t look like it and I wasn’t going to find
Out of the Frying Pan safety measures when using poles of out the exciting way.
We were recovering what looked like a any sort – carbon ones in particular. Now back to that roach pole. This is a
relatively straight forward tree’d Senator There are such things as overhead power very effective tool along with the ladder.
for Ian Davitt on a very hot and muggy lines. Now you will be aware of the big Many a time in an un-climbable tree I have
Middle Wallop day. Only a mile or two ones suspended by the huge pylons had the ladder at full extent and the pole at
off the ‘drome and he had located it that straddle the country. However, there full length and then just been able to reach
fairly quickly. I brought ladder and poles are also small systems particularly in the model. What is on the end of the roach
and with a quite large clear area under the country supplying outlying estates. pole is crucial and we learned the hard
the model it looked like it would be little Quite modest poles not much more than way what’s best. Here is one of the classic
problem. Trouble was it was really high telegraph poles with lines strung between incidents that taught us so much.
and I couldn’t climb the tree off the end them. We discovered one on the south-
of the ladder and had to use all the pole western border of Barkston Heath. Well The Edna Flynn Incident
to reach it. I made contact with the model actually we knew it was there, but my wife By the time this retrieval came along we
and brought the model cleanly out of the didn’t and whilst I was in the wood locating were starting to get cocky. I say we as
tree on the end of the pole. However I the model she was assembling the pole much of the time I was accompanied by
had no control in the horizontal direction by the van. As she brought it to me, and club mate George Sharp and we quickly
and obviously couldn’t move my feet as completely by coincidence, she lowered it got in to a routine. What to do first,
I was on the end of a ladder. The pole a bit around the time she went under the where to put stuff when tree retrieving
soared slowly back over my shoulder with lines which she hadn’t seen, otherwise she and so forth. A small team worked well.
the model beautifully attached. It arced might have been toast and that would have - this is worth remembering. Two people
across the clearing and succeeded in been a terrible waste. The lines usually are much more effective and safer when
depositing itself in another tree the other look like insulated wire, that is covered, recovery gets a bit physical. When he
side. We joked that this was actually and often run through trees as my pictures wasn’t available I found working on my
higher than the one from which I had show. I wouldn’t recommend poking one own was usually better than someone
so neatly extricated it. It wasn’t, it was with a pole so watch out at all times. that didn’t know the routine – it just took
slightly lower, but it was thick and bushy – I came across a line once when I too long.
an oak if I remember - with an enormous was standing on the roof of our motor It was late 90s’ at the contest run on
amount of unpleasant undergrowth, home concentrating on the signal or that Leicestershire ‘drome which we only
nettles and brambles all around it; more probably the lack of it waving the used once because the locals kicked
impossible to get a ladder very close. It Yagi about whilst my wife Sue drove me up over the noise. The drift was a bit
was then I think the flies and biting things around. Yes I was standing up on the top approximate and half way through the
turned up. We spent quite a few hours of a moving vehicle and she was driving day Edna Flynn got unlucky and put her
fiddling around and getting bitten before slowly; I don’t recommend you do this but open rubber model into some relatively

58 AeroModeller - December 2017

BETTER PART 38.indd 58 31/10/2017 09:52

 low but spindly trees off to the left of the The recovery equipment was now
downwind line. George and I spotted it impossibly bound to the item it was
and registered that we would be getting supposed to be recovering. I could not
that one out later even before she so get it free. We tape the top end sections
nicely asked us… a piece of cake. Quite of the pole so they will not pull apart
low probably only 40 feet but in very thin in use, so there was no way I could do
feeble branches so I had to put a ladder anything but pull and push at the model.
up a tree a few yards away – actually the We waffled and pushed and pulled for
The business end of the 10m roach pole.
other side of a narrow footpath. We got an hour or more and all we succeeded Originally a 12swg wire L section taped to
the ladder installed. I was up it at pretty in doing was breaking her model into the pole and used as a prod and a hook,
quickly improved by the addition of a block
much the same height as Edna’s model smaller and smaller pieces! Eventually of sticky foam.
with the pole almost horizontal, All it we dragged it all out of the branches
needed was a bit of a push and it would with the wing in half and the fuselage
have come down enough to repeat the pretty well matchwood. She was terribly
process, but with more control, from the polite and actually thanked us – well the
ground. Easy. Well it would have been prop assembly was usable. I went away
but for the fact that at the moment I was ashamed and determined that this would
about to contact the model with the end never happen again.
of the pole equipped with an L shaped I modified the gear right away with
piece of 16swg which worked as a prod - that large chunk of light foam rubber
and when necessary a hook – a member taped to the wire on the end of the pole.
of the public came along that footpath It changed the situation immediately and
beneath and said something irrelevant, transformed the tool and it’s potential.
and for a moment I was distracted. My The foam rubber block was a massive
‘push’ coincided with this moment and break through. I know this might sound
the end if the pole with the wire hook on nerdy but little things like that make The fitting we always call the Edna Flynn
it managed somehow to go clean through us happy… Ever since when using the Attachment. Perfect for pushing but not
puncturing.
Edna’s open rubber model fuselage and foam rubber equipped pole George and
out the other side! No good so I drew it I would reminisce about how we cocked
back but of course then it tangled with up Edna’s retrieve. The foam rubber became possible often to lift a model by
the rubber motor. Twisting it did nothing was always known as the ‘Edna Flynn the WING without puncturing– slide it
to improve the situation. In fact it made Attachment.’ Conveniently as the foam out of the tree sidewise and then control
it worse, a lot worse. The hook end was plastic aged is also got a bit sticky which where we dropped it down. Of course if it
getting more and more embedded in the made it an even more useful tool. Quite was DT’d that was much easier as it would
innards of Edna’s lovely model. quickly after a small amount of practice it fall gently and vertically. Re-launching a
This lovely
model in amongst a forest was always a
little painting bit fraught. As I have mentioned previously
came to me as
a Christmas
we sometimes resorted to attaching a
card from the razor blade to the top of the pole and
O’Donnells a
few years ago.
cutting through the DT line – modern RC
The handiwork DT is an advantage. ●
of the multi-
talented June
O’Donnell. Next month more tree work plus
professional help.

Editorial Note. Dave Hipperson’s series

on Better... Retrievals is a mixture of
advice and stories from many years
of FF retrieval by Dave and other
contributors. Last month’s column has
caused some consternation because of
historical methods of retrieval used by
some. To make it clear, AeroModeller
does not support or condone any
retrieval methods which cause damage
to third party property, and encourages
modellers to be considerate of others at
all times to ensure the continuance of
our hobby/sport.

59

BETTER PART 38.indd 59 31/10/2017 09:51

 ModelAir Fun Fly Event

OLD WARDEN FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT

PHOTO REPORT BY ANDREW BODDINGTON OF ALL THE FUN ON 23 & 24 SEPTEMBER AT THE SHUTTLEWORTH COLLECTION.

CONTROL-LINE

Ron Moulton designed Rascal being flown Roger Gedge had an electric powered Weatherman vintage Vintage Stunt was won by Mick Taylor
in a SAM35 event by Taff with Dave Smith speed model as well as an IC version. The electric version was (centre), left is Dick Stepney 3rd, right
as pitman. The competition is part Speed originally built for IC engine but he has shoe-horned most of the is Chris Maggs 2nd. The Vintage stunt
and part Team Race format. Taff’s engine is electric power components within the fuselage except for the was organised by Paul and David
a diesel based on an Oliver Tiger crankcase timer on the outside. There is a 40 Amp speed controller, motor is Underwood, and they had 10 Entries,
but with other bits including a socket LD319607150006 for up to 1500Kv, 3s lIPo is 1000mAh Turnigy 11.1V more than they had at the Nationals.
compression adjuster. It sounded fast once which can have up to 90A pulled from it. Roger fears he may be
running but was difficult to start. ostracised from the Oily Hand society! The electric version is nearly
as fast as his Russian CTAH 1.5cc glow powered Weatherman.

Junior Glider Competition contestants aged from 3 to 13 years are raring to go!

60 AeroModeller - December 2017

FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT.indd 60 31/10/2017 12:51

 FREE-FLIGHT JETS

Brian Spencer has replaced the Jetex motor in these scale F86 Sabres from competing manufacturers. The silver Keil Kraft Sabre has an EDF (Electric
Ducted Fan) in the lower trough, while the yellow model is a Veron Sabre with modifications to have the EDF unit within the fuselage. Power is 2 cells LiPo
of atleast 200mAh with 25mm diameter KPaero EDF. Brian’s experience is that the Veron fly’s better (possibly due to the higher thrust line?), the KK Sabre is
unpredictable and tends to Dutch-Roll (excessive dihedral?)

JUNIOR GLIDER COMPETITION

The Sunday morning was a hive of activity with children building and Thanks to Belair Kits who not only supplied the glider kits, but also the
colouring gliders provided by the wonderfully supportive Belair Kits. people to run the event. Also thanks to David and Janine Rawlins who
brought the newly produced DPR Model kits from Mohammad Adeem as
prizes, and of course to ModelAir for organising.

The finish prize winners

were Emmie and Evan.
Evan also had longest
flight in the upper age
group. Prizes were
presented by David
and Janine Rawlins
who were previously
owners of DPR Models
and organised may
children’s flying events
back in the 1980’s and
90’s.

Charlie was winner of the 7

and under duration Junior
Glider competition.

THE RUBBER BOWDEN FAR LEFT: The Rubber Bowden

with 28 entrants this time. John
grows in popularity
Ashmole is the driving
ying of this and other FF events
force behind the fl
flying with a purpose.
which might be described as ‘fun
his Old AM plans Red
Even had time to compete with
to see junior competitor
Admiral. CENTRE LEFT: Good
den, although he didn’t
Jim Crossley in the Rubber Bow
ard this time . LEFT : Chris Strachan
beat his dad Rich
den with his Skokie.
was winner of the Rubber Bow
Sanderson as they
This required a fly off against Mike
2 rounds. The fly off
were both only 2 seconds off after
who was only 1 second
was tight but was won by Chris
was 4 seco nds adrift. Both showed
off, whereas Mike
remarkable consistency.

61

FESTIVAL OF FLIGHT.indd 61 31/10/2017 12:51

 Kit Review

DB SPORT AND SC

T
Mark Deans reviews a traditional balsa RC Glider kit from the editor’s past.

he DB Sport and Scale for their intended purpose, the fuselage fuselage assembles easily, the base of
Rookie glider has been sides being especially well matched, the fin being sandwiched between the
around in kit form for many important in building a straight model. chamfered inner sides - a little care here
years. It is a straightforward Construction should present no great will ensure everything lines up correctly
balsa and ply 2 function surprises, having personally built a in all aspects. The front lower fuselage
rudder/elevator 68” span model for light number of David Boddington models back to the wing TE is 1/16” ply, making
wind slope soaring, flat field thermal (tow over the years I knew the structure for a very robust structure. As suggested
line or bungee) or power assist flying. would be strong and light and assemble in the included 4-page A4 instructions I
Because of this versatility it builds into a logically, and so it was. The wing follows hollowed out the nose block and made
useful airframe that any modeller should typical DB design and features leading every effort to keep things light at the tail
find a home for in their hangar and get to edge sheeting on the top surface only, end. Uhu Hart balsa cement was used
use on many occasions. it could be modified into a 2-piece affair for most of the model along with epoxy
The kit is complete in that all balsa quite easily with tube and rod joiner in in high stress areas.
and ply laser cut components are the centre if transport or storage is an After the usual filling, sanding and
included (The original 1970s kit was issue. All parts are clearly numbered fettling including sanding the laser
band-sawn pieces! – Editor), as well as and correspond accurately with the charring from ribs and other exposed
all the necessary horns, clevises, snake well-drawn plan; it would be hard to go areas, the model was covered using
for elevator even a tube for routing a 35 wrong. The wing tips are built up from Solarfilm Litespan on the wings and
mhz. RX antenna down the fuselage. several parts and proved a little fiddly tail and medium weight tissue on the
All materials were of appropriate grade however all was well in the end. The fuselage with 3 coats of 50/50 dope/

The Rookie performed faultlessly on the slopes of the west of England. The orange is a great colour for visibility when the model can be flying at height.

Mark Deans
has built
several other
DB designs
from plans,
so he was a
perfect choice
for the Rookie
kit review.

62 AeroModeller - December 2017

DB ROOKIE.indd 62 31/10/2017 10:08

 INFO
The DB Sport and Scale
Rookie is £89 for the
standard 68” span version,
while the Rookie Major with
84” span is £92.
www.dbsportandscale.com
Tel: 01656 514950
SCALE ROOKIE
.

thinners to finish. Decoration was kept for the RX and servos) for IC and hardware is entirely fit for purpose and
to a minimum to save weight, the orange glider operation. would work well.
scheme has worked well, Rookie being To fit the wings and tail 3/16 dowel is For the control surfaces 17g etronix
easily visible at altitude. provided for rubber band retention, being servos were used, the rudder servo
An appropriate Boddo Mills .75 was ever mindful of the need to save weight positioned under the wing and the
fixed to the 1/4” ply kit supplied power and reduce drag I glued the tailplane in elevator servo in the front compartment
pod, this slots in between the spars and place omitting the “heavy” ply mount. instead of both in front as shown on
2 substantial centre ribs. Another EP Wing fixture was changed to a simple the plan - this arrangement frees up
(Electric Power) pod was fabricated to bolt on arrangement using 3/16” dowel space and clutter in the nose for various
accommodate an REI 1806 2,700kv quad at front and a normal wood screw at equipment and battery options, including
electric motor, this being fitted with a 6 the rear, a very easy mod which really the possible fitting of a tow release or
x 3 folding prop made up from various tidies up the fuselage/wing interface. camera, balance being corrected with
parts from the “spare prop and spinner The canopy/hatch locates with dowel lead in the nose block accordingly. I
box”. It is very straightforward to swap and magnet (not supplied), it snaps into used .8mm piano wire for the closed
between the IC or EP pods, or removed place satisfyingly. Further weight was loop rudder operation this works well
completely for true glider mode. The saved by replacing the control horns with providing the hole spacing on both horns
Dualsky 18 amp ESC (Electronic Speed lightweight ply custom made items. I am is identical, .8mm wire in thin plastic tube
Controller) stays in place in all modes, aware a review model should use the also works the elevator effectively.
serving as a BEC (Battery Eliminator kit parts but every gram saved counts, In truth there was no doubt this
Circuit – using the electric motor battery especially at the tail - the kit supplied model would fly, but how well? A few

The Rookie
performed
faultlessly on
the slopes of
the west of
England. The
orange is a
great colour
for visibility
when the
model can
be flying at
height.

63

DB ROOKIE.indd 63 31/10/2017 10:08

 Kit Review

The Rookie glider is a traditional balsa design that now uses the latest in laser cutting.

You have plenty of configuration options with the Rookie which can easily be changed even after completion.

simple test glides established the need elevator input, proving it could easily AUW is quoted at 1000g, I reckon that
for more nose weight, once corrected be flown rudder only. Pushing the nose weight saving paid off! The Mills .75
all was looking good. So I fitted the down converts lift to forward speed and version has yet to be tried but will work
electric pod and launched; the Rookie fast passes are quite audible, energy perfectly well, as this motor would put
was away, climbing enthusiastically and retention is also impressive for such a out about 40w, quite sufficient. The EP
flying like the thoroughbred DB design lightweight, tight turns felt comfortable version is lighter, cleaner, more powerful,
it is. The power from the 19g motor meaning positioning the model in lift was controllable and more streamlined, it also
providing some 75w which translates almost too easy. The heart of any glider gives the model a 21st century touch
into positive climb outs and surprisingly is it's wing and in this respect Rookie that I like.
crisp, punchy response at low airspeeds. doesn't disappoint, the ubiquitous DB All in all a pleasing result, the
The model was easy to fly, in fact the airfoil seems to produce just that little bit alterations I made were simply
model felt right, it has that same feeling more lift than expected, whilst handling to enhance performance and to
of reassurance I have had with other DB predictably at all speed ranges the accommodate equipment possibilities,
models, I 'm sure others will know what model is capable of, this makes it pretty many a modeller would do similar I
I mean. easy to find lift and stay in it. When fully suspect. 2 channel wooden gliders are
These initial impressions were trimmed the elevator showed no trim, nothing new, that they are still popular is
reinforced when Rookie was flown this suggests the incidences are spot on, testimony to the format. I look forward
off Roundway hill, Devizes, in near excellent. to many more rewarding flights with my
perfect conditions, a warm south west In final flying trim the model was Rookie, in all its various guises. Time
wind carrying regular thermals meant placed on the scales, with a 2s 1300 has, for me, been well spent on this
plenty of bouyant lift, plus some sink lipo and 80g of lead in front it weighed proper aeromodelling project with a great
of course! The model was truly in its in at 610g in glider form, the electric pod flying model the end result. ●
element, penetrating well even without adds 66g, diesel power 86g, the max.

Plenty of choice for power pod motive force; Mark liked the sleek electric motor with folding prop, but I With planning there is plenty of room for modern
think DB would have been happier with the diesel! RC equipment even with a LiPo to power the
electric motor.
64 AeroModeller - December 2017

DB ROOKIE.indd 64 31/10/2017 10:08

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AM048 p65 BUYERS GUIDE.indd 1 31/10/2017 13:04

 Tail End Charlie
New Light through Old Airframes

Old Warden September model from over 30 years ago. Designed and built for
Once again the weather gods shone on the final 2017 my son (then about 8) to enjoy the thrills of Jetex when
ModelAir Festival of Flight event at Old Warden. Despite the “Powermax” “New Jetex” came out, we were very
Ken and Sheila Sheppard being absent due to Ken’s disappointed as the Powermax fuel was frankly useless –
hospitalisation (I’m pleased to say that Ken was soon out lots of smoke and no thrust! Still it flew well as a glider and
of hospital and is well on the way to recovery – Editor), their somehow survived in the shed.
excellent planning and briefing of the team ensured that So, just a simple mod – make a rolled paper motor tube
the event carried on as ever. All the usual events took place and place in aluminium Jetex mount, squeeze the sides in The Lysander Ground Crew Go to Work.
and are reported elsewhere but I have to say that I’ve never until it is firmly gripped; a light dusting of auto spray paint,
seen the car park as full as it was on the Sunday or enjoyed addition of a baco foil protection panel and ballast for a
the event more. good glide. Rapier powered model ready to go!
It was also good to see Dave (“he’s British you know”) I also made a hot wire ignition system and modified a
Bishop there, now retired and simply enjoying a day out as cheap gas soldering iron to heat it up. It all worked well at
I know he’s been poorly – thankfully he is much better now. home but the gas torch refused to play after Chris Coote
Then I had the pleasure of assisting Chris Coote fly his and I marched confidently out onto the field at Old Warden.
control line twin as featured on the October 2017 cover. A Still, having finally found Roger Simmonds (master of
lovely smooth flyer and those little MP Jets give it enough all things which fizz, wiz and smoke) on the field, I was
power to continue flying on one. confident that my Rapier experience was about to get a
The icing on the cake on Sunday was the news that whole lot better!
the field had to be cleared by 5pm to allow a Gloster Thanks to Roger, slowly it did. First, he said we needed Gladiator on finals; all flaps down.
Gladiator, two Hurricanes and the Westland Lysander to to drill out the motors to get through the sealing wax
return home from a show at Duxford. Seeing the Lysander before we could even try to ignite the motors. He carries
fly was a special treat for me; I’ve seen it in the hangar a little Archimedes screw drill for this. Then Rogers own
many times but never in flight. It’s bigger than you might igniter system failed! But finally Chris Coote found he was
imagine and surprisingly quiet but somewhat menacing in holding a model with a fizzing Rapier on top and promptly
its matt black finish. The pilot made a text book cross wind launched it on a semi-successful flight as I took pictures.
landing on the main runway and taxied right back to the Next try was better until on a low fast pass it collided with
apron outside the hangar to park up a few yards from the an unfortunate spectator and re-kitted itself.
Hurricane which landed a few minutes earlier. By contrast, Still I learned a lot including the fact that my protective
the dainty Gladiator landed on the very short runway after silver foil is too far forward as you can hopefully see from
an approach over the café and hangars. I hadn’t realised the pictures – only the rear centre portion appears to have
before that this aircraft has four flaps, so one on each wing been affected by the exhaust. Julio shares his photos with Andre Bird in
front of the Hurricane.
enabling a very slow approach and short landing. But the need for a new model is a good thing as now I
Julio Isidro, SAM 74 President, had travelled over from have no excuse for not visiting www.jetex.org and building
Portugal for the Control Line events, but also grabbed the a straightforward tried and tested design for 2018. Test
opportunity to take a close look at these historic aircraft. In flights scheduled for OW Mayfly 2018 – see you there.
Portugal he is a well-known television presenter, but over Finally, don’t forget to send your comments,
here he is simply a well-respected aeromodeller, a status congratulations or complaints to me either direct by e-mail
which he really seems to enjoy. to [email protected] or by snail mail via the
editorial offices.
Rocket “Science” Revisited
When I went into the shed to sort out some wood to build
a new Rapier experimental model with the thrust line on By Chris Ottewell
the drag line to simplify trimming, I found an own designed
Your scribe with new hat and Rapier Model.

66 AeroModeller - December 2017

P66 TEC 049.indd 1 31/10/2017 10:21

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