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did you have to craft your own home brew, Mighty Midget, driven actuator. During a five-year period from 1965 to 1970, three function pulse systems were very popular. This popularity was primarily driven by their low cost compared to the much more expen- sive proportional systems that had entered the RC market. The mechanically ingenious Rand actua-


tors were available in the 3-function LR-3, an HR-1 for a single function and an HR-2 for dual control. Initially all GG actuators were controlled by single-channel receivers with a relay. As relayless receivers came along, the GG actuator manufacturers re- designed their actuators with circuitry to work with those new receivers. Graupner of Germany introduced their Bellamatic actu- ators, as well as Adams who built their GG actuator around their popular magnetic ac- tuator being used widely for proportional rudder only flying.


One of the major problems that the


Another version of an early homemade GG actuator (above). Improvements were coming fast in the late ’50s. Mechanical ability and craftsmanship were important in those days. By far the most popular actuator (below) for Galloping Ghost was the Rand LR-3 by Take Off Products. Proportional rudder and elevator control with throttle control from a single-channel transmitter. The MIN-X Galloping Ghost transmitter (bottom) was very popular to work with those ingenious GG actuators. Rudder and elevator trim was accomplished by moving the control pots on the stick mechanism. A lever switch was used for throttle control.


actuator guys had to contend with was the difference in pulse shift between the GG transmitters. The earlier GG transmitters had too much throw. This would cause the Rand LR-3 to move too much and go around, cycling the throttle whenever full rudder or up elevator was applied. Not good! Many modelers discovered that they had to limit the stick movement on their transmitters by using various techniques such as attaching some plywood to the stick opening with a smaller cutout for the stick. In time the GG transmitter manufacturers did reduce their pulse shift from 20-80-20 percent to 30-70-30, which proved perfect for the Rand actuators. Several RC radio manufacturers also


recognized the interest in GG and decided to enter the market with pulse transmitters. Min-X produced their Pulsemite and Con- troller produced several versions of the Galloping Ghost transmitters. Both of these manufacturers used single stick controls with either a buttons or a lever switch for throttle changes. Inspired by the early Gal- loping Ghost transmitters that used only one control stick to move both rudder and el- evator, the term “Single Stick” came to ap- ply to those transmitters having only one primary control stick. This followed through with the high end proportional radios being produce by many manufacturers. I have seen some discussion on the VRCS Yahoo Group asking about emulating Gal- loping Ghost using modern servos. True GG used only one motor for three functions and as far as I know that cannot be done with one modern servo. A friend and fellow Vintage RC Society member, Dan Thompson, did make an adapter that fits between a modern receiver and the rudder and elevator servos. Dan was kind enough to give it to me and I have flown it many times in my Top Dawg. I can vary the pulse rate and set it so the Dawg gallops slightly so others can experi- ence the sight of seeing what a Galloping Ghost plane would fly like. Unfortunately, Dan does not plan to produce this adapter. I can’t finish this column without saying how much I have enjoyed working with my friend, Frank Fanelli. Frank has always been a true modeler and recognizes the im- portance of a magazine that contacts the in- ner spirits of the true modeler, whatever dis- ciplines that modeler chooses to follow. I am very proud to have worked with Frank and wish him the very best in his retirement.


FLYING MODELS 59


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