PHOTOS: JOHN POMROY PHOTO: MURRY LENNETT
Time tested freeflight designs like the old Comet Sparky (above) are terrific subject matter for enlarging and converting to R/C. Murray Lennett knows that too, so he built his 55-inch Sparkyand is loving its gentle flying qualities. John Pomroy’s Fleetster(above right) was modified for R/C, and the original design updated with more modern building techniques to lighten and strengthen the model. In spite of the mods, the very classy look of the original Fleetsterdesign has definitely not been lost. Converting early freeflight designs is a great way to build a great flying electric R/C small field flyer, and by the looks of the bones of John’s 42-inch span Cleveland Fleetster (at right), winner.
it looks like a sure fire
which turned out great with the very strik- ing dark blue color scheme. David’s T-41 is powered by a pair of E-flite 370 outrunners with Maxx Products 8-4.5 counter rotating props, two HK Plush 12-amp ESCs and a 2200 mAh 3S Li-Po battery. Cover is Ultra- Cote ParkLite with the plastic parts paint- ed to match using Model Master Blue An- gel’s Blue enamel. And now that David knows the model flies well he’ll go to work adding the nav antennas and other small details between flights. And now, for a bit of a change of pace we’ll
have a look at Murray Lennett’s 55-inch span Sparky, also from the PCM Short Kit. Due to the rough field conditions the model was framed with basswood rather than the original balsa structures to avoid the in- evitable damage caused by unusually poor field conditions and the gopher mounds on the runway. The 3-channel R/C model is powered with an AXI 2808/20 motor with a 30-amp ESC, a Master Airscrew 9–5 wood prop and a Sky Li-Po 1800 mAh 2S battery.
Even with the flying weight at 31 ounces, the model flies beautifully, and cruises nice- ly at half power, showing us once again that re-sizing these classic freeflight designs can produce some great flying R/C models. And as long as we’re in the converted freeflight vein, let’s have a look at the start of John Pomroy’s 42-inch span Cleveland Models Fleetster. The model was built using the original plans and the Klarich Models Short kit. Several modifications were made to modernize the design and to convert to 3- channel R/C. Power is from the Hektronix outrunner motor and a Turnigy 10-amp ESC and 9-gram servos operate the rudder and elevator with a 500 mAh 3S battery. Target weight is 12–13 ounces, which should make for a great flying model. Can’t wait to see this one done! Our next design modification comes from
Bob Aberle with his roughly 75% reduction of the BAC Super Drone. The original design by E. A. Fonteneau had a 54-inch span with 254 square inches of wing area. Bob’s mod-
el was reduced to 120 square inches and con- verted to 3-channel R/C. The finished model weighs in at 6.7 ounces, and is powered by an E-flite Park 250 outrunner with an 800 mAh 2S Li-Po battery making a more than adequate 30 watts. The model is covered with Microlite and trimmed with vinyl from Callie-Graphics. Bob reports the model to be a terrific little flyer after the original somewhat tricky trimming process. The plans used for the model are from RC Micro World. Well, it looks like all of the holdovers are
caught up nicely now, so next month we’ll continue with even more great stuff. Mean- while, I’d like to offer up a hearty “well done” to all the terrific models featured this month. It’s great to see so much modeling in- novation at work, and I’m already looking forward to what next month has in store. So till then, get into the shop and finish up those projects. Then take a photo or two and shoot them over so we can share your efforts too.
PHOTOS: BOB ABERLE
Bob Aberle demonstrates a perfect hand launch (above left) with his BAC Super Drone. Hand launching is still a terrific way to get these small models off to a good start where runways are scarce. Bob’s Super Drone (above right)
FLYING MODELS
was reduced to 120 square inches from the original E. A. Fonteneau 254-square inch design and converted to electric R/C. The little E-flite 250 outrunner is a perfect power system for these small, lightweight park flyers.
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