Need info ,I would like to try 1/2 A electric Texico

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

I am an active builder and flyer .I love the looks of the old time free Flight models but have had no experience with them at all and no one in my area is flying them.

I would like to get some information on a 1/2 A electric Texico .

Thanks
Charlie

[Leadchucker]

Charlie,
We have to sort a couple things out first. There is no "1/2A Electric" Texaco event but there is 1/2A Texaco that uses only reed valve .049's then there is Electric Texaco. I've copied and attached via .pdf files the Society of Antique Modelers rules for both classes as it's much easier than going to the SAM and wading through the rules.

If you have any further questions,ask away and if I can I'll try to help you.

Warren

[Patsy2Shoes]

hi Leadchucker

Thanks for that quick reply .

What I had in mind was some of the great looking old stuff that they seem to produce as electric power with RC motor controls ,elevator and rudder . I see Brodak and Bjmr has models of about that size but they do not say that they have elevator and rudder .I am not familiar enough with the models to read between the lines .

Do they have a 3 channel system ?

thanks
Charlie

[Leadchucker]

Charlie,
Some planes have been redesigned to accomodate R/C and some have not. Even if they haven't it's not a big deal to re-engineer the tail surfaces in most cases. If you have a particularly troublesome horizontal stabilzer to try and put elevators in, you can just put one on one side and it works just fine.

Also keep in mind many of these old planes have lifting stabs that carry part of the load of the plane. This will put CG's in places you might not be familiar with like on the trailing edge of the wing. They are a lot of fun to build and fly but they re thier own kinda girl too. They all use just three channels with engine/motor rudder and elevators.

I attached a couple photos of my builds showing a lifting stab with one elevator and how another was split by doubling up on the stab spar to make an elevator.

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Leadchucker

Thanks again for the info.The pictures were great .

I never would have guessed about the CG being off due to the elevator lift .

I have done a lot of building and can improvise the modifications as I go along .

I think I will start with one of the 1/2 A size kits designed for RC electric .

thanks again
I will be in touch as I go along .
Charlie

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Leadchucker

I ordered a Brodak jr. Playboy which is a 50.5 inch WS electric RC version of the classic old timer .

I could not resist the looks of the pylon wing .This raises my first question .The poly diahedral wing tips are at an very steep angle .For appearance sake can they be lowered a little and not affect the performance ??

I would like to show you some of the models I have built and flown, here is a blog I set up http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=161070

I designed the Safety Bench for my club ( Meroke RC club ) back in 2002 and have pictures of it being used by clubs all over the world . I would like to think I have given back to our hobby.

Thanks
Charlie

[Leadchucker]

Charlie,
Good choice on planes, you're love the Playboy! If you're just sport flying with her you can do most anything you want, but ,yes you can take some of the dihedral out and she'll fly fine still.
However if you ever did get the bug to try her in SAM competiton she won't be legal with decreased dihedral as planes must have the orginal amount.

I looked at your other stuff too,it's all very nice. I love your Morane Sualnier and great job on everything.

Warren

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Leadchucker

I got my 1/2 A Playboy kit a few days ago and am in the figure it out first stage .

One question before I start .I see on the plans that the motor is directly on the center line .this is a pylon airplane and I would have thought there would have been a few degrees of down pitch as well as a few degrees of right pitch.what do you think ?

Thanks
Charlie

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

Just thought I would post a few pics of the build to date.

Charlie

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

Would just like to post a few pictures of the build so far.

Charlie

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

Here are the latest pictures . It is jus about ready to fly ,just have to wait for calm weather .

Charlie

[Stevephoon]

Originally Posted by Patsy2Shoes

Hi Guys

Here are the latest pictures . It is jus about ready to fly ,just have to wait for calm weather .

Charlie

Charlie, That turned out really nice! Best of luck on getting her flying.

I remember a free flight model I had as a kid that looked like this. It flew so well it flew away! I guess you're not supposed to fill up the tank all of the way on those planes...

Steve

[Dragonflyer]

Weird, seems to be two almost identical Threads. This one and the one below. ???

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64606

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Dragon

You are absolutely right .Heres what happened .

I wanted to start this project and needed some information before starting (and the guys were good enough to reply and help me as they usually do).

My mistake was being old and forgetfull and thought I was putting this thread on "you will pardon the expression RC Group" .

Being 77 and counting you will have to excuse me but I am glad to still being able to build and fly RC airplanes and make mistakes .

Thanks
Charlie

[Dragonflyer]

That's OK Charlie. I understand, I'm 67+.
I went to the thread today and the posts I had made were not there. I wondered what happened to them. Got to searching and found the one where I had posted.
I have enjoyed your thread(s) and posting my idea of the lawn chair. Love the pictures. I know that kind of flying. I am almost sure that you are with me, and not interested in the "bank & yank" flying.
I will say again that your Playboy is a "beaut". Good luck on the maiden flight. No doubt it will be a perfect one...

Bill

[old flyer 84]

To Leadchucker: Your avatar picture launching your free flight brings back many memories when I first started out in free flight. I had a Brownie ignition engine which I could never get to run, so saved up and bought an Ohllson 19 for $12. This sometime in the early forties. Lived in Brooklyn, NY and we went out to Creedmoor, LI to fly.