The variety of other people's models was astounding. All the way from Dave Brown’s ‘two blokes have to carry it’ Anderson Kingfisher to little electric do-hickeys on floats. The variety of pilots was about the same. They were moving around to much to count them, but there must have been forty and twice that many aircraft. So we found ourselves a clear spot in the pit area and got into the flying. We had a lovely afternoon honing our skills getting off and on the water. Mostly the models worked well. It was the pilots who were the problem. I ended up with the Viper upside down half way across the lake after taxiing too far and getting caught on a wave on take off ripping the tail off and soaking the model.
Later,when it got calmer Ian got the Tomboy out. As ususal the AM10 diesel fired easily on my fine fuel brew. It really didn’t really need the floats to take off, it just jumped off the water. The landings were ok when the glide speed was kept up otherwise they were more of a splash. For one flight I backed the compression way off to reduce power and the model struggled across the water for about fifty meters before it became airborne to the cheers of everyone around.
As the afternoon faded we set up camp. A poly tarp was strung between truck and trailer. We thought it had 'flair' but Phil. Poole asked us had we forgotten our sheets of iron. we were snug as bugs anyway. As dusk fell we finished our Coopers and smoked salmon followed by cold meat salad dinner. It was dark by now and we were just about to settle down when green, red, blue and yellow LEDs on something with wings plus another 3D machine with cylumes on it zoomed over our heads. The boys were certainly putting on a night flying display. Zooming round the trees, looping, tailsliding, hovering and all sorts of gyrations.
Sunday morning 6.30am and we were greeted with the whistle of a brushless outrunner. The electric floatplane
boys were up aleady to exploit the calm of the early morning.A cup of tea and we had a job to do. The Viper had dried out enough
to zap its tail back on then back to the water for another day of fun.
The rescue boats were kept busy both days. The rescue boat is really important as a simple problem like an engine
quitting means you have a model in deep water. Ian found this out when the Bobcat had a float rip
off on a fast taxi and it started to sink.
Anxious not to make Saturdays mistake we were first in line for lunch of steak sandwich with all the trimmings. Soon afterwards though the stormclouds built so we packed up. It was a wise decision, down came the rain and we headed home.
A big thankyou to Lithgow Club and the members. It is a big effort, but an equally big event. And you know what? It’s all on again 12th & 13th January next year.
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| 'The Flightline' | 'The Pits' | Ian's veteran 'Bobcat' | Andy's (now patched) Viper |
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| Dave Brown's Anderson Kingfisher | Michael Gorside and Seawind with OS120FS pumped engine | Cute ARF comes with pull-start GMS25 and floats | Mitch Turner's Boomerang 60, Tower hobbies 76 and own designed floats |
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| Eerie power station glow at night | Daryl O'Reilly's Precedent Fun-fly | Jack Pittar's 'Stick' with carrying handle | The campsite with 'flair!' |
A Monday Fly (Andy)
I slipped the Hilux in home at 10.30pm Sunday night after having nailed third place at the Pittown Pylon Event. Monday morning the phone rings. Some guy visiting town from Melbourne has been checking the website and would like to go fly at ‘Milroy Field’. Wooo! I should be doing jobs after being gone all weekend flying. But it is a perfect day and the forecast is for big wind the rest of the week. I ring back and say meet at the field in an hour. Dust of the electric glider and off I go. Buzzing down the road and what’s that dirty cloud of black smoke and the sign ‘slow vehicle 10kph’. Oh! It’s ‘Sooty’ the traction engine and his entourage. Well I’ve never seen one of them on the road before. Been at the field 15 minutes and Graham Jenner and his family arrive. Graham pulls out his glider. An electric version of Thornburg’s ‘Bird of Time’. What a beautiful model. Graham and his dad built it from the plan. But what they did was make a plug of the fuse and moulded it from fibreglass, rather than do the built up balsa. And an excellent job they made of it too. It has a can 600, MP Jet planetary gearbox and 1700mah nicads. And of course it flies beautifully. We put in quite a few flights and caught a few thermals. Got a half hour flight in. Then it was three o’clock. No wonder I’m hungry. Bye Bye Jenners. Thanks for the great day. See you next time your in Cowra. |
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Phoenix Rainbow:A review by Mike L.
I had been looking at this pretty little electric high wing kit from Phoneix for about 18 months. The box says it should weigh 1500 to 1600gm and has a wingspan of 1600 mm (63 inches). An AXI 2814/10 or a 600-600 can motor with gearbox is recommended along with 4 channel radio and a 12 x 4.7 prop.It is all wood construction and requires only minimal building. Just fit the tail feathers, fit the radio gear and bolt in your motor of choice. It also comes with a neat fibreglass cowl and a choice of engine mounting methods. It is very easy and quick to assemble. I think it took me about two evenings plus a bit.
The only suitable motor available here in Dubbo was an E-Flite 25. This is an electric motor which is supposed to have about the same power as a 25 two stroke. It can handle props up to 14x6 and needs a speed controller rated at 35 Amperes continuous. I am using an 11 x 7E APC at the moment as it is the only suitable prop I have been able to get. A Venom 35 Amp controller is doing the speed controlling and an 11.1 Volt, three cell, 2200mAh 25C battery is providing the power (Max continuous 55 Amperes). This battery can be charged at 2.2 Amps and judging on yesterday's flight, has plenty of power for this model for a flight of about 10 minutes.
My readings on the internet told me that the Rainbow will fly with a 10 sized engine, is quite nice on a 15 and a 25 is more than enough and my experiences to date would seem to verify this.
However I did prang it on its first flight. I didn't put the aerial up!! !!!!! She flew magnificently for about 150 metres then pitched violently up and then down and BANG. Fortunately the Venom speed controller automatically zeros the throttle if the radio looses signal and so she nosed in under no power. The only damage was to the canopy which has now been replaced with a new frame and acetate. I have left the top open and it acts as an air vent and does not seem to affect flying. Everything was nice and cool on landing.I like it so much I may just lash out on another one some day.
All the electric bits added up to about $250 which is about $100 more than the airframe for an all up cost of about $400. (I already had some standard servos and other radio gear,)
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So why would you spend this much on a plane like this? Well for a start
it is rather pretty and different from the run of the mill high wing
offerings. Then it does fly really well - even in the wind - and does
not get gunky. But my main reason was to try out some modern electric
technology and to give me a model that can be ready at a moment's
notice. It also fits into the car in one piece. So far I am very
impressed. Next might be a SE5a from Great Planes using the same
electric bits. Or a Fokker DVII.
Harry Rides Again by Andy Luckett
Recently Brendan Ward rejoined CMAC. Brendan had been a junior member and learned to fly with CMAC in his early teens. He is now 19 and a mechanic at a local business in town. Brendan turned up at the field on Sunday afternoon with his model which he had described as some ratty old trainer on the phone.I was astonished to see that it was HARRY. Harry is a model that I built around 1982. He is actually an Aeroflyte Hustler with different wingtips. Harry did duties with me for a number of years, helping me get my Gold Wings and Instructors rating along the way. He started life in a blue livery with an OS 25 FSR for power. He later had a refurbish and was fitted with an OS 40 four cycle and finished in silver and red. His wing is still red with silver 'Harry' lettering just as it was all those years ago.
Over time he got gradually heavier as he was repaired. He was handed over to Peter Sharp who campaigned him for a while, and then was passed on to Brendan’s Dad, Ian. Ian flew him a bit then shelved him. Harry was a particularly good choice for Brendan to start flying again. Firstly he has gotten himself very tatty, and with an old LA 46 it wouldn’t matter too much if he crashed. Secondly he still has that old Hustler magic. Brendan asked me to do the trim flight for him, and it was with a tear in my eye I accepted the offer.
How surprised was I? Harry flew like the inimitable gentleman he always was. He hadn’t forgotten what it was to be a well mannered aeroplane. He was stable and precise and went where he was pointed. After flying him Brendan commented to me what a nice aeroplane he was to fly. I don’t know if Harry thought Brendan was nice after he had put him through his paces. Loops, rolls, pylon turns, split esses – “whoo watch my arthritic old joints Brendan, and are those rubber bands new?” Ian Cole has suggested we should build another Hustler and compare it to a modern ARF trainer to see which flies better. I still have the plan and an aileron wing kit for the Hustler in the loft. It is tempting. But what would Harry think?
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| Harry the Hustler 25 yrs old and still going | Welcome back Brendon |
Millenium Cup 2M glider (15th-16th Sepember):Wayne Symons
Cowra Model Aircraft Club held its annual Millennium Cup 2 Metre Gliding event over two days during September. The event was a huge success drawing competitors from many parts of the state. The Millennium Cup was hosted at ‘Yaralla” Dairy and sponsored by Mulyan Wines. A huge thanks to Yaralla Dairy partnership for the use of their paddock to host the event and Mulyan Wines for their generous sponsorship.There were a total of 23 pilots flying in the 2 metre class event. First place went to Tom Prosser from Nowra, second place to Collin Woodward from Sydney and third place to Owen Pearcey from Woolongong. The Juniors section was won by David Symons from Cowra with a close second place by Troy Zivkov from Sydney.
The weather on the first day provided us with cloudless skies and a very light breeze providing a highly competitive day of flying. The ideal flying conditions concluding in six rounds held for the day.
The second day started off as a carbon copy of Day 1 with only some wispy thin high cloud and very light wind. After a couple of rounds a line reversal was required as midday approached the wind began to pick up. After midday the wind became strong and penetrating up-wind with gliders was a challenge. There were huge patches of lift that took quite a few minutes to move through. Pilots who were fortunate enough to launch at these times were able to work up to great height (in excess of 1000 feet) and getting down on time became a challenge. We were again able to complete six rounds on Day 2 by early afternoon concluding a twelve round competition.
Thanks must also go to the 22 competitors who travelled to Cowra again and participated wholeheartedly in the event which while friendly was also very competitive. As always it was great to both catch up with people who came last year as well as meet some new faces. See you all next year and best wishes for the rest of the competition.
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(in order top to bottom and left to right)
1) Pilots briefing on Saturday.
2) The scorers hard at work.
3) One of the many gliders being towed up.
4) General shot of the 'Yarralla' site and gliding activity on the day.
SO WHAT DID YOU DO ON FATHER’S DAY??...Andy's Report (2nd September)
Off to Dubbo we went for the Father’s Day Fun Fly. My son Owen accompanied me as his Father’s Day treat to me. This was a nice gesture on his part as it is not often these days he can fit in a days flying with his dad in his busy schedule. Andrew Carpenter made the trip also and stayed overnight with his good friends Mike and Christine Leys.The weather was perfect for flying, sunny and light breezes. The Dubbo field is not too far out of town, on the edge of an ironbark scrub. It is a great strip to fly from with the surrounds well placed allowing pilots to easily find their reference points. The pits at the field are fantastic. They are carpeted. You feel like you are in the lounge room. Carpo even nodded of in his chair after lunch.
We took up the Fourstar 60 and the electric glider. We also had a couple of our 049 c/l models. These didn’t get much of a go as we had virtually destroyed them the evening before at our mate Marky’s farm, seeing who could do the craziest stunts. Owen spent a flight putting Mike Leys’ Kadet Senior through its paces. Mike loves watching Owen trying to turn the Kadet inside out. They even discovered it can do knife edge, albeit in a descending path. Then Mike let him fly his ME 163 electric foamie. This was much more Owen’s style of model, with the roll rate of a spinning top. Andrew flew his Scanner and shot the breeze with the Dubbo boys.
There was a good turn up at the event. Lots of Dubbo boys there. A good percentage of them are into streamer cutting. A great spectacle. Find the link to their website on this site to see some photos in their gallery. Toward the end of the day there was a pilot’s draw. I got a pair of wheels that will go on the Adrenaline. Then the raffle for the Miss Dragon 60 was drawn.Who won it? Carpo. Well you could barely believe the whooping and ki-yi-yippie-yi-yaying that came out of that boy.
But that wasn’t the end of it. No way. He couldn’t resist the opportunity to wheel and deal, and soon had traded the kit for a motor after having drummed up and turned down three previous deals.He’s still has a grin from ear to ear. The sun was sinking as I farewelled the Dubbo Club and pointed the Hilux for home. What a great day.
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(in order top to bottom and left to right)
1) Carpet lined pits...luxury
2) Mike and Brett tune up the Saito in a Kadet.
3) Former CowraMAC member Mike and Fourstar ready for takeoff.
4) A very happy Andrew!
The 2nd Oily Hand Diesel Day (4th-5th August)
A really good couple of days were had by those who attended but boy was it cold. For once the weather forecasters had it just about right although there was not as many showers as predicted. We had some nice weather early on Saturday when the sun was out but then the cloud came in and it was a case of ad a few more layers of clothes. Still it shows you what a hardy bunch aeromodellers are that the took it all in their stride and got out model after model to fly. Peter Jackson had one near fly away with his Silver Se5a' and saw a bit of the local countryside. This aircraft also survived a close encounter with a big grey box tree, prefering to fly around it rather than through it. While the delicate free flighters prefered the still morning air the CL and RC models flew all day. Inspiring stuff! I didn't hear one negative comment one weekend.Catering went well thanks once again to Andy's marvellous kitchen skills. Homemade vegie soup and buns on the Saturday and Country rissoles on the Sunday (yes we fired up the new barbie) plus morning and afternoon tea. The kettle was always on however and copious quantities of tea and coffee were drunk in an effort to stay warm. Thanks to club members Andy, Andrew, Matt and Ian for running the day.
Thanks also to all visitors, it was great to both catch up with people who came last year as well as meet some new faces. Mike and Christine who now live in Dubbo dropped in for a cup of coffee and to drop off some bits and pieces but Mike decided not to risk his little Dalaire in the (then) gusty weather. Some photos from the day below attempt to capture the sprit of the day. Many more shots were taken but it is impossible to post them all.
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(in order top to bottom and left to right)
1) Weather of the day, overcast with a cool breeze but no rain.
2) Action around the canteen. Andy's homemade soup and buns from his 'girlfriend' for lunch.
3) Ian admiring the detail and beauty of Peter Jacksons squadron of WWI free flight models.
4) Bob Fisher with one of the many diesel models he brought on the day.
5) Phil Poole and Tomboy, a great combination.
6) Ian Le Bronne also flew his models consistently over the two days including a 0.01ci cox powered foam model from Russia.
7)/center>
22nd July 2007
A beautiful calm sunny morning after a hard frost yields the most pleasant flying conditions. And so it was for our visit to Wombat Field on Saturday 21st July. We made our way in a leisurely fashion to Wombat leaving Cowra about 10:30 and morning tea-ing at Dates Café at Crowther.We arrived at Wombat to be greeted by the King of Modelling in Wombat, none other than the 'builder many of Cubs', Col Wilson. Col Ashley was also across from Coota. You know that all Wombat flyers are called Col. That is one of the rules. So we changed our names to Col for the day.
Wombat Field is on the only bit of flat ground in the district. Perched on a little plateau that drops off sharply to the south and west and rises to the east and north. At first this appears a little daunting but it’s just like going in the cold water for the first time. Once you’ve done your first flight its plain sailing (flying) from then on.
We flew R/C for a bit and stopped to BBQ our lunch and have a cuppa. Then Col (Andy) and Col (Col) indulged their passion for control line. Round and round they went all afternoon.Col has a lovely little Cessna powered by a Taipan 2.5, all ready for Diesel Day. As usual Andy’s ancient ‘Trout’ Cox powered trainer needed and engine transplant. Andy also cranked up his Hearne’s ‘Demon’ with the old Fox 29 in it. A few circuits with Col’s ‘Bipe’ and the dew was starting to form on wings so it was pack up time
Back into Col’s place to browse through his vast collection of models and view his old Honda Benely, and it was home time. I forgot to buy some of the Wombat Eggs advertised at the roadside stall, so I guess we’ll need to have another flying day on the hill.
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Photos (in order top to bottom and left to right)
1)Andy and Col W. and Andys 0.049 'Trout' CL Design perfected over many years as a great little beginners model.
2)Andrew enjoying a bite to eat in the Mess Hut
3)Col A.and his Rambler.
4)Ian and Andrew discussing potentially serious radio problems. Turned out to be a dead cell in the receiver battery.
5)Col A. and Col W. looking over Ian's GWS pico Cub.
6)Col W. flying a Piper Cub.....what else! Note sudden drop off to the field!
7)Andy doing his CL thing with Col W's. Diesel powered Cessna
15th July 2007
Sunday the 15th was another milestone (I think) as the first twin engined aircraft took to the sky from a club field. The aircraft was an 'Executive twin" built from airborne plans by Col Wilson. In fact Col liked them so much he built two, but the person he built them for changed his mind about the project and so Ian and mike picked them up for the right price from Col at the last 'Oily Hand Diesel day (next event is on Aug 4-5th).
Although not properly run in yet (they're ringed engines) they were running so consistently that a few, and it took to the sky. A bit of nose down trim and everything was fine. A couple of figure eights and circuits and it was time to land as it was getting late. She came in fast and the landing was a bit rough but both motors were still going allowing a dignified taxi back to the pits. A very sucessful first flight.
It was great to see and hear a twin in the air for a change. The Executive Twin seems a very practical first model although the fourstrokes probably raise the wing loading a fair bit over the 15-25 size two strokes it is designed for. Landings are probably going to be fast as a consequence but the model handles sweetly enough and I guess it will be less affected by wind. The sound of twin fourstoke motors in close harmony is certainly very nice.It remains to be seen what the one engined performance is like.
June 2007
16th and 17th June saw us hosting a round of the MAS Pattern Aerobatics competition again. Sunday was very windy and only two rounds of 'masters' level was flown before the CD called it a day. Saturday saw a much more pleasant day allowing all levels to fly 4 rounds finishing about 15:00hrs.Club members who contributed to the day were; marking out the field and cleaning up facilities on the friday (Andy and Andrew), pencilling scores for judges (Phil, Richard, Andrew, Ian and Andy), keeping the billy boiling, cooking and serving up the 50 home made gourmet rissole burgers and 'cup of soups' Andy had made forlunch (Andy, Ian, Andrew) and actually flying in the comp. (Andy). Thanks to all concerned it was a great effort.
After the 'medals' had been handed out and the official part of the day was over several members proceded to get models out of cars and go for a fly. Collin brought over another cub to fly (how many cubs have you built in total Col?) and Dave took his big cub for a fly again. Dave must get a medal for persverance as we have yet to sort out why he suffers so many motor cuts with his current set up and every flight ends in a dead stick landing. Andy was also keen to pratice his stall turns in preparation for the next comp at Gunnedah next month.
The club would like to thank Grace and Tony Law for organising the Cowra round of the comp., CD Tom Prosser for running the days events so smoothly despite the weather and all the competitors who really made the event work out so well.We hope you all enjoyed your time in Cowra.We hope you come back next year.
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General shot of pits area at Milroy field, the judges doing their job and Andy dishing up some of his famous country rissole burgers
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Andy was the only CMAC member to join in the comp finishing third in sportsman class.
27 May 2007
The need to get rid of some fallen timber from around the pits area meant we were forced to have a bonfire and BBQ......it is a tough life. Everyone who came enjoyed a perfect winter's afternoons flying, food and social although by 4:30pm the shaddows were starting to move over the field and it was time to put the jumpers on. The following couple of photos of Club president Andy say it all really!
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28-29 April 2007
After about 5 very pleasant years flying off Carl Siegert's property 'Ferndale', Carl regretfully informed us he was going to retire into town and sell the property. Unfortunately we were unable to negotiate with the new owners so we had to relocate at short notice. A considerable amount of effort was put into trying to locate a new field to no avail until Matt Robson (a club member) suggested we fly from his property. We moved on the 28-29th April. It was an all hands on deck affair that went quite smoothly all considered. The biggest job seemed to be getting the shade shelter legs all lined up and level to Andy's satisfaction.We owe a debt of gratitude to Carl who has kindly looked after us all these years, maintaining electric fences, leveling and re-seeding the stip and filling the water tank from time to time. Many thanks Carl, we wish you well in retirement, perhaps you will now have some time to fly again!
Thanks also to Matt who will now have to put up with a lot of crazy modellers on his property every flying day.
Carl studying (no he's not dozing off!) a modelling magazine: Christmas 2004)
A new cleaning tub for small model engines: Ian
Cleaning small engines usually means their disassembly and soaking in solvent (usually petrol because its cheap) to remove oil, dirt and castor gums.To date, like most people I have usually used a small glass container or an ice cream container so that I can put a lid on things to stop the solvent evaporating away. The trouble with this system is that the small parts get mixed up with the sludge and dirt at the bottom of the jar and can't be seen. When you toss the petrol out these small irreplaceable items go too. To get around this problem I usually strain the cleaned parts from the solvent through a rag, but this is not ideal either as the parts are still mixed up with the grit, paint and sludge and need to be cleaned with another rag before use.But I have now come upon a fantastic new container for cleaning these parts. It is thinners and petrol proof, has a built in strainer basket that holds the parts to be cleaned away from the grit and sludge. This basket can also be secured in a raised position above the solvent to allow the parts to drain. It also has a lid to keep the fumes in.
The only down side is you have to buy the olives that come with it....but they are grown in Australia so you will be supporting a local industry anyway. (Better still, slip it with your grocery shopping and it won't cost you any of your hard earned modelling dollars at all!)
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| The new small parts cleaner | Strainer basket in raised position to allow parts to dry |
A winters day at the field (June 2008: Ian)
A big high over the state and no rain predicted. All looked good (unfortunately because we need quite a bit more rain). Even though a breeeze sprang up at 13:00hrs it was a great day for flying. All the regulars were there.... plus a few. Col had once again made the pilgrimage from Wombat to test fly the latest of a long long line of Piper Cubs and Brendan turned up with a friend to put a 20+ year old Ugly Stick through its paces. Richard also came out to give his new HiTec radio setup a go in his SID Kadet Snr, another very-nice-to-fly aeroplane in the classic mold.Andrew test flew his semi-scale 1930s racer (similar to a Corben Super Ace) that he had resurected from a 'freebee'. After quite a bit of work it has come up nicely and was perfectly matched to the OS40FS in it. Even Dave had his Bird Dog sorted. After endless trouble with engine cuts, fitting an onboard glow driver has solved all problems and the model now flies like its on rails. I had high hopes for my 1/4 scale cub. The engine has given lots of trouble over several years as a result of dodgy carburetors. I thought I had the problem solved but apparently not as it refused to keep running despite some desperate fiddling. I am finally giving up and taking Andy's advice and re-engining the model with a Saito 125s.
After helping Richard with the Kadet Senior, Andy even had time for a flight with an electric glider.
All-in- all not a bad winters day.
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| Andrew with his 'Sortacorben' racer | Richard (the Newsletter editor) with his SIG Cadet | Daves big Cessna Bird Dog |
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| close up of the 'Sortacorben' | Yet another Piper cub from Col | Ians 1/4 scale Cub |
Airborne Executive Twin #2 (Ian's 'blogg')
Twins seem the latest fashion in the aeromodelling market these days. Check out the number of twin ARFs around. Must be the low priced 'brand name' engines you can get these days. Anyway I had been saving up 2 engines of various types for many years and as a result have 2 of almost everything from PAW 2.5 diesels , OS 10 FSRs, OS 40 FS,Enya 52FS, Magnum 46s, ASP30FS and OS 25FPs. But for a variety of reasons the project always kept on being put off. I.Two years ago the opportunity came up to buy a already constructed Executive Twin' from club member Col Wilson. The ARFs are very nice but I didn't fancy trying to fix them after the inevitable bingle. I wanted something I wasn't afraid to crash and that would be fixable when the inevitable happened.I had a lot of fun with the plane and learn't a lot. With me, its one thing to read about how to do it but its only when I have had a go myself that I really understand it. I had lots of flights...lots of engine cuts that I had to deal....and only two overnight repairs to do over an 18 month period (nosegear former came loose and wing bolt bracket came off as the result of out-landings in rough terain.
The last flight inevitably came, just as I was getting (too) confident in my own abilities. An engine quit on takeoff...I was a bit slow to notice and before I could decide what to do the plane decided for me...dropped a wing and I didn't have the height to recover. It hit some steel sheep yards and exploded in a shower of balsa fragments. Mike consoled me with the thoughtful words 'At least it had the decency to smash itself well enough to put it beyond repair'. Thanks Mike! Anyway another lesson learnt, but now hooked I was in the market for another twin.
It eventuated that the sister ship to the first model, also built by Wombat's Col Wilson was close at hand. It had had several owners by now but no-one had actually flown it. So I bought it. Andrew offered to help me get it going again but this time we have fitted it out with OS25FPs instead - just to see how 2 strokes go for a change. I also thought that the lighter engines might get around the need to mount the batteries in the tail but this wasn't the case. I think you would need OS15s before the model would balance with the batteries up front. Also as an experiment we added 2 degrees out-thrust as some magazine articles suggest this helps counteract the yaw that results when one engine quits before the other.
How does it fly? Will keep you posted.
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Update on Andrew's Super 60 (Ian)
Our write-up of Andrews 'new' Super 60 (see 'Early May at the strip' below) brought the following reminiscence from Bob AllanG'day all in Cowra ! Was interested to see my old Keil Kraft Super 60 pictured on your website. The frame was actually built by a cousin of mine (Terry Allan ) who then lost interest in the project, so I finished it off, covering it with Solartex and fitted the Futaba "Gold" 4 channel radio.
It was originally fitted with a gold head Taipan 3.5, but along the way, it was also fitted with an OS 35 and the aforementioned big PAW Diesel (the less said about that, the better!). Sending a photo taken on the farm at Watta of my eldest son (who is now 31!!) holding the pristine '60' fitted with the OS (photo taken 31st May 1986). As mentioned in your writeup I still collect model engines, and you can ID me on eBay as 7enya7 or n***7 on the bidding list. If you frequent the various Forums to be found on the net, you can ID me as Starlight7 on Stuka Stunt Forum, 7enya7 on Barton Forum and 74SEVEN7 on RC Universe.
In case you're wondering what's with all the "7's", well my son photographed with the Super Sixty (below) was born 7-4-77. The Enya bit refers to my love of Enya engines, and if you want to read some short articles I wrote, type Supercool Racing Propellers into Google, and click onto Articles. Keep 'em flying boys! Regards, BOB ALLAN.
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Spitfire project progress (Andy)
The Aeroflyte C/L Spitfire project is progressing well, although none of us made the Easter deadline to fly at SAMS Canowindra. Owen is close to the finish line. Some more sanding and dope and a lick of paint and he will be done. The rest of us are spread across the field. At this stage Ian is running a very poor last and Carpo is coming up fast on the outside rail. Phil is the dark horse in the pack, his wing is turning out very nicely and the fuse is shaping up.There are two hang ups to getting the models complete; The first is a lack of suitable canopy. We are going to have a go at vacuum molding. Ian has already had a go and has supplied a vacuum molding box. If we can get this technology working it will be well worthwhile for the scale modellers in the club. The second issue is the cowling.No decision has been made at this stage as to whether we do a fibreglass one or just cobble it up from balsa.
A variety of engines will be fitted.Andrew has a brand new OS 15. brendan will use a trusty Magnum 15. Owen has purloined one of Dad's OS 20s, whilst Dad will fit the same Taipan 2.5 diesel as in his original Spitfire back in 1967. Phil has access to an OS 15 and Ian has an Enya 15. Thats half a dozen spitfires when they are all done. Thats about one wing of a flight out of Biggin Hill, 1937.
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| Andys classic version | Owens more scale like model |
Early May at the Strip (Andy)
Gokies it’s dry at the field these days.Last weekend of April there was no flying as Sunday bought a raging dust storm with visibility down to 50m. This week it was dead calm, but have a look at the photos. How dry and barren is it at our strip. Still it was the most beautiful afternoon so we flew.
Andrew Carpenter had his ressurected Keil Kraft Super 60, the 60 being 60” wingspan. This model has a history. It was originally built by Mr Bob Allen back about 1986. Some of you may know Bob as he has always traded model engines, worldwide! In Bob’s ownership the model was red and yellow and powered by a PAW 35 R/C. It later passed into the hands of a young Ewin Dun who powered it with an OS Max30. Somewhere between Ewin and the next time it surfaced it was crashed and ended up in the possession of Ian Trethewey. That’s where Andrew came into possession of it in a job lot from Ian. Andrew rebuilt the fuse, covered it red and black and clomped an OS 40FS in it. Flys like a dream. The KK Super 60 was a very well designed aircraft. Andrew also had his very nice brand new 80% Astro Hog built from a Dave Brown laser cut short kit. The model didn’t get it’s maiden flight as it had an odd vibration that Andrew wanted to investigate back in the workshop.
Ian Cole had fitted out a Corby Starlet with an ASP 80FS. Surpringly enough this particular ASP runs ok and doesn’t cut out in the air on any old whim. Ian also had his new MP Jet .5cc diesel which we ran for the first time in preparation for Diesel Day on 30th & 31st August this year. This little motor runs like the much touted sewing machine.
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| 'Andrews Astro Hog' | 'Ians Corby' | 'The venerable Super 60' |
Aeroflyte Spitfire project (Ian)
In an attempt to experience the joys of youth Andy has convinced about 6 of us to build the venerable Aeroflyte spitfire control liner. It's a bit of a change for those who have only experienced R/C models and so there is quite a bit to learn about the fine detail of how to put a C/Ler together despite their apparent simplicity.
With the benefit of experience and the resources and wisdom that comes with age quite a few refinements are finding their way into the models. Owen has gone for a more scale like look with a revised under carriage position and raised rear fuselage.
Anyway most models are making good progress and some should be finished sooner rather than later.
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| 'Andrew cutting ribs' | 'stripping spars' | 'Ian making formers' | 'Owen marking out' |
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| 'Andy instructing on Fuse assembly' | 'Wing construction discussions' | 'Phil getting serious' | 'Brendan sewing u/c to former F2' |
New club projects for 2008 (Ian)
Late last year following something I read in RCM News about a group who were flying RC Combat at Werribbee, I made contact with Jim Bonello to find out more about it. Jim was very helpful and sent down a foam core/short kit for me to assemble. It has been completed for a while now but it took me a while to find a good day to test fly it. The test flights went well and it flys like it's on rails. It's nippy little thing, and you certainly need to keep your eyes on it 100% of the time.The CG needs some fine tuning as when the engine stops it comes down steep and fast and is impossible to flare and land smoothly. Every landing except one ended in a dull 'thud' and a cloud of dust.The exception was when I decided to land on the long grass. Not a good idea! One wing clipped a tall tuft resulting in a spectacular high rotation speed cartwheel (more like a frisbee really) for about 20-30 metres. Still, the only damage was a bit of foam crush at the wing tip leading edges and we were flying after a quick refuel. Mylar covered foam is really tough though it doesn't look pretty!
So it shows promise. So what about it? Anyone keen to come dogfighting with a cheap 20 size model?
In the mean time it was decided at the last meeting that there are about 6 of us going to put some Aeroflyte (Control Line)'Spitfires' together far a bit of a trip down memory lane. We aim to have them going by Easter (2008) for the SAMs event so if you want to give CL a bit of a go again see Andy for the details. They take a 15-20 size glow motor and should go together in a friday night or two.
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