PHOTOS: STEW MEYERS
Another example of a module (above) used in the Snap & Fly Models. Flyzone Uberlite module (at right) used with several airframes. Drawing of the WISP module (below, at right) for the Monocoupe from the building instructions. Three-views (below) of the 20-gram Albin Module. The arm on the actuator rides in a slot on a bellcrank to drive the rudder.
PHOTO: PARK SCALE MODELS
The Bentert actuator arm engaged a bell- crank that drove the rudder via pull-pull threads similar to full scale practice. Two silver cells were housed in a cigar tube. A mini switch completed the module which weighed twenty grams all up.
Ferrite DC motors were the option for electric power at the time. Hi-Line had not yet developed their micro motors. Small geared systems that would drive a reasonable sized prop weren’t available. I had a new Bill Brown CO2 motor which I used instead. It came with a Comet four- inch prop. This provided insufficient power to fly the 18-inch Fokker
D.VIII loaded down with the 20-gram receiver module.
Finally Williams Brothers came out with a 5.5-inch nylon prop. When I tried this on the Brown it produced enough power to fly the model.
The first flight was quite memorable. I knew I had a c.g. problem so I mounted the CO2 tank just behind the fire wall. I applied a liquid fill to the CO2 tank , cranked up the motor, peaked it up, turned on the radio sys- tem and launched it with a gentle toss. It climbed out at a shallow angle. I tried
some gentle turns and found I had control. I delightedly flew some large figure eights. Then it began to show signs of stalling. The CO2 had burned off and it had become tail heavy. I could not shut the motor off to land,
I had to run out the tank. It stalled and started to spin in. I kicked in full opposite rudder and stopped the spin. It straightened out climbed up and spun again. I corrected it again.
This continued half a dozen or more times until it finally ran out of the liquid charge and landed. I moved the tank back to the c.g. and added ballast. Now it did not stall, but the climb out angle was reduced. Indeed, it required a warm day to heat the tank rapid- ly enough to generate enough gas flow to produce sufficient power to fly. Today’s elec- tric power and micro R/C systems would make flying the 18-inch
D.VIII a snap rather than a stall and snap spin.
PHOTOS: PETE CARPENTER
Five Mini Vapors lined up for a launch. Note the colored crape paper tags (above left) to hopefully allow the pilot to identify his model. Mini Vapor Combat
FLYING MODELS
(above right), about half way through. If you look closely you can spot 13 of them.
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