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A BLAST FROM THE PAST Reprinted from FLYINGMODELS September 1966 Dale Kirn’s ‘‘TORQUETTE’’ 1/2A PROTO


The Torquette’s success is due to the left-hand crankshaft and reverse-pitch prop (Tornado 6-4 pusher prop). Both items at well-stocked shops.


PLAN FULL SIZE


 Recent AMA rule changes now permit Junior flyers to enter the 1⁄2A Proto Speed event with a profile airplane. Also, the rules were amended to include biplanes. “Tor- quette” incorporates both these rule changes into one plane, along with a couple of other very interesting and practical innovations. To counteract the torque problems en- countered with conventional counter-clock- wise 1⁄2A Proto Speed flying, we have uti- lized a “left hand” propeller and one of the left hand crankshafts available for the Cox Tee Dee .049. The part number for this crankshaft is 1705-L and it sells for the same price as the regular crankshaft. To check this torque principle, the two line controline line system was used and no weight added to the outboard wing tip. Risky? Well, flying this model proved our point and exceeded our hopes. The model leaped into the air on taut lines and demon- strated better than expected speed for a pro- to biplane.


Five flyers from the Orange County “Thunderbugs” (Santa Ana, California) flew this startling little “bipe” and placed their stamp of approval on it. Ten-year-old Jimmy Hodgerson flew it for the first time on 42- foot lines in a 10 mph wind with no trouble at all. He was enthusiastic about the flight and surprised at the speed of this little proto biplane. His dad commented that this plane tugged on the lines the entire flight. Some-


thing that he was not accustomed to with 1⁄2A flying.


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Granted, “Torquette” is not as fast as a conventional fully cowled 1⁄2A proto, but re- member this is a profile biplane! With a ny- lon 6x4 Tornado pusher prop cut down to a 51⁄4 inch diameter (leave the tips square) the proto speed was 69 mph. Top speed was 73 mph. Thimble Drome Racing fuel was used in all the test flights and it was apparent that the engine could stand a little more ni-


Lead-out wire loop


Extra long loop at bellcrank to eliminate interference at pushrod


3/32″ sheet elevator


3/8″ .040 Horn Elevator horn detail 2/56 Bolt 1/16″ TK aluminum side plate 1/32″ steel bellcrank mount


3 Tabs soldered on finished tank


Notch motor mount to receive landing gear wire


3/8″ Hardwood Fuel tank 3/32″ dia. brass tubing


1/16″ dia. landing gear wire Bind & solder


Drill & tap alum. to hold tank


Gear shape Fuel tank detail 1/8″ aluminum plate to retain landing gear


Two flathead wood screws countersunk in alum. plate


JUNE 2014 .008 TK brass 1/16″ O.D. brass tubing Bend on these lines


Detail of center- section of lower wing at fuselage joint


tro. Undoubtedly with a higher pitch prop and a hotter fuel, speeds from 70–75 mph (proto time) could be expected. How about some of you speed men carving a pusher prop—say about a 5x5 for your Junior flyer. Should make a noticeable speed difference. Most interesting flight was with the new Cox Muffler assembly, used in conjunction with their new 7904 cylinder. The top speed


2/56 Nut .040 TK Plate


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