Just
as originally intended, a lot of people have contacted me after
seeing themselves, a friend, or a family member mentioned in one
of these articles published in vintage American Modeler and American
Aircraft modeler magazines. Often, it came as the result of reporting
on a modeling event, like the "Mid-America Stunt Championships"
covered here in "Wild Bill Netzeband's Control Line Capers" column
in the January / February 1963 AM. Do a site-wide
search of Airplanes and Rockets to see
if your name appears somewhere. Also in the article is a report
of Veco's new 35C and also on a game-changing monoline control handle
for C/L racing. A comical "Things
You Wouldn't Know" section is included to provide the "real"
meaning of words used by modelers. Did you know that Bob Violett
and Cliff Telford of R/C racing fame did C/L racing as well?
Wild Bill Netzeband's Control Line Capers

Will this "one-hand" handle revolutionize one-line flying?

Excellent detail on C/L Gulfhawk at Westchester Flying Fair.
Dummy engine is Monogram's Wright Cyclone.

Ambroid's Art Laneau directed AYSC finals, congrats all-'round
A YSC champ David Fox.

Rolland McDonald takes off Fox .35 stunter (right). See his
sharp 3-wheel "Challenger" in Oct/62 A.M. At Nats Ed Kammerer
(left) was 2nd in Sr Stunt with 54" "Apollo"; 44-oz; Fox 35;
he's from Cleveland.

Dubby Jett of Dallas, Texas, holds his original Proto Special
which took first in Senior at Nats with 124.69-mph.

Jett's entry mounted a Fox 29X for power. He's 16, has been
flying models for 8 years, aims to be a math teacher.

In his column this, issue Wild Bill asks that C/Line fans not
be too wild around overhead wires! Poster is supplied to schools
by Canadian electrical power firms.

Working on original Nats Proto Speed plane (left) is Bob Violett
of Hyattsville, Md.; has Super Tigre 29. Pat Pennoyer, also
from Maryland, lends encouragement.

Original Class B speed National meet entry above, first in Open
category with 154.44-mph, is work of Walter Bellmer of Franklin
Square, N. Y.

Bellmer and top B; Fox 29X, homemade front-back plates.

Nice piece of woodwork raced off to top place in National Class
C competition: 167.84-mph for Cliff Telford, Falls Church, Va.
Original with modified McCoy .60; mahogany/bass; Stegans 9 1/2
/11 prop.

Second in Nats Adult Stunt: Jim Silhavy with Fox 35 Nobler,
44-oz.

Best Open jet was by Harold Nash, High Point, N. C., pilot,
Bill Pardue, Greenboro, N. C., mechanic. Dyna-Jet "Lil' Burp"
is '53 design by Bill.

Beauty Event winner at Westchester Flying Fair was original
Comanche: F. S. Piorkowski, Enola, Pa.; K&B 35.
"Uniline"
handle prototype? At the TGD Annual, John O'Dwyer of Arlington,
Texas (2120 Cloverdale), showed a one-handed, single line control
unit that really works. Consisting of a pair of radiused racks,
bevel gears with Teflon guides and a handle, this device appears
to offer tremendous possibilities, particularly for FAI speed (and
old-like U-Control pilots). John has been successfully flying
a small Flite Streak which has a matched plane unit. Latter is ball
bearing suspended with no torque centering, which could eliminate
the weak link in present systems. Aerodynamic centering has been
adequate so far. John plans dual spring centering on pushrod for
speed units, with an A ship under construction. Take-off is simply
accomplished, two-handed, by holding block and working handle thru
it.

1962-'63 crop of Air Youth State Champs
gathered at Nationals included feminine state winner.
As centrifugal force develops, the gear block
centers itself and control is accomplished conventionally by up
and down motion. A bonus occurs, since up and down airplane oscillations
produce counter-control action automatically. Patent search under
way by Bell Helicopter ... where John is a design engineer. John
says he'll be happy to provide individuals with details.
This little device may lead the way toward "no whip" speed and
better FAI speeds, as well as simpler transition from 2-line to
mono (Uni). John promised to keep us informed of developments.
Was Gil Ready? Yes, Sir! Detroit, Mich.,
Invitational Combat Championship is reported by John Kilsdonk (19473
Ward, Detroit 35). Starting out with 5 juniors and 13 Sr-Op combat
winners they ended up with 75 flights and 51 wrecked ships. Initially
3 groups of 6 with each flyer making 5 flights in his group. Three
winners flew each other and second placers flew off three at-once
for 4th and 5th. Score based on 50 pts per cut and 1 point per sec
in air during 5 minute period. Tufted streamers bunched
up due to swivel problems so standard "no-collision" zone type were
whipped up. No kill. Evidently unlimited substitution of models,
lines etc allowed during match since Dave Keats made a 5 sec pit
stop in final match by picking up another running ship. He used
up 6 (count-em) in another match! Gil Ready flew with Popsicle stick
engine braces in a match. Dave Keats also won the "daisy cutter"
award by flying inverted under Tom Hackett (who was at 2') and'
got a cut, too. Then there was the Jerry Martin and Ted Cooper match
with 5 mid-air contacts Jerry used one plane, Ted two altho each
had ultimate scrap. Gil Ready emerged champion; he's from Troy,
Ohio. The flyers were all invited ... this Detroit crew
suggests their system be used regionally to screen (like thru a
mixmaster) combat flyers for the Nats. Entry fees were collected
in advance and except for extra streamer cost, they came out even
including trophies. This set-up is really "Brave Men's Combat."
Here at CLC we'll be glad to collect your opinions and report results.
Let's hear ... hey? Mid-America Stunt Championships.
With hardware and merchandise from 18 model industry firms and custom
trophies by the Lexington (Ky.) MAC, the stunt guys had a real old-fashioned
wing-ding last Sept. An idea catching fire is the single-event contest
with lots of flying in your specialty. Should see more of this.
Lew McFarland reported fine weather, lo breezes and many
championship-caliber flights. In Junior John Davis had his own way,
but Sr. and Open were hotly contested. Bill Werwage beat out Eddie
Kammerer in Senior using a 45 powered Super Ares. Charlie Lickliter
finally topped Melvin Miller, Charles Reeves and Bob Randell with
the last -Open flight of the day and his own fourth go-round (a
566), Reeves and Miller tied officially at 563 and flew it off with
Reeves scoring another 563 and Miller coming through with 572. Real
tight flying and judging with 3 judges per circle and 6 on fly-offs.
Interesting item from Lew, who started it all: The 45's
are taking over with Werwage flying one ... Randell, John Davis
and Lickliter designing toward. A note from Bob Gialdini indicates
his interest. Veco now offers their 45 without throttle for Stunt.
Anyhow, everyone got a prize and those trophies sounded
yummy. Veco 35C Preliminary Test. When
Veco supplied this test engine they requested 4 to 6 hours running
before results were taken. Not quite there yet, but feel that it
should be covered now. A sleeve bearing engine with lapped piston,
reasonably conventional in layout, it is exceptionally easy to operate.
Needle valve range on pressure (Veco Ball Check Tank) is
excellent and non-critical. Starting is easy (one flip cold with
exhaust prime) and only a few flips hot. Since it is still tight,
it floods sometimes. Running on 9x7 Tornado in a Jerkline it knocks
off 88 per on K&B 1000 showing potential comparable to the current
crop of "cod burners." Cylinder timing is average; Exhaust Total
150 degrees, Intake Total 128 degrees. Shaft timing from open at
23 ABDC and close at 40 ATDC for 197 total. Intake bore at NV is
.345 and a restrictor to .270 diameter is provided. We're
looking forward to trying this on "Blast" since Veco engines dote
on nitro and the more the merrier. All told a good solid, no kink,
vibration free, hot combat and R/R power plant. You'll have to build
around it or rework any existing mounting bolt arrangement. With
the tight original fitting-up of parts a long break-in period is
mandatory, but it will stay up on peak a long time. Besides, it
will fly with only 1/2 hour bench time. "Hurricane"
Stunter by Palmer & Veco. Received 3-lb C/Line box
of goodies so cleared bench forthwith. Examination showed clean
die work and machining plus massive decals, clear plans and full-house
hardware collection. Veco is the only company who can recommend
its own products from bellcrank thru wheels, spinner, extension,
engine, tank and tubing. Only non-Veco items: engine mounting nuts
and leadout wires (well, dope, too). Had a pleasant
time checking all items on the supplied check list. Procedures are
clear and offer boxes so you can check off steps as accomplished.
Die cutting has been applied only where practical and is outstandingly
accurate. Frame assembly is a real joy. D-tube wing (with dihedral)
goes together neatly. Fully, closed torque box leading edge is very
stiff. Differential flap horns are provided and the new pushrod
lash-up is straight forward. The whole deal shows
accurate engineering and layout effort, as well as thoughtful wood
selection. We will give it a 3/4 "full-house" finish and submit
flight reports soon. Kit priced $11.95, qualified for semi-scale
competition, 590-sq-in area, 54" span for .35 engines. (Should be
good with a .40 to .45, too). New Look in
Wood Shaping. You kids and old kids who don't like carving
with knives try some of Armour's "Garalun Cabinet Paper." This new
abrasive coated paper in 60D-1/2 grain is the "cut's pajamas." (Okay,
so it's corny). Also stamped on back is "No Load" and they kid you
not. This isn't a coarse grit, but it is sharp and spaced well.
Control is excellent and cuts made with it can be finished by light
passes with #240 Wetordry followed by polish with #400. If you want
fast cuts just lean on it and get your feet off the floor. Finally,
it should maybe last you forever. Available at Sears Roebuck and
probably some hardware and lumber yards. By the by,
when sanding - use a flat block or a firm sponge pad. Hand sanding
rounds edges and cuts soft areas deeper than adjacent hard areas.
On the top surface of covered wings and tail surfaces a block is
mandatory. Get with it!
Things You Wouldn't
Know ... If You Didn't Read CLC - To clarify some of
the promotion man's jargon we submit the following explanations
of standard terms - to be received in the spirit in which they were
conceived: Unbeaten - Not entered in, any contests yet.
A Classic Design - It's out-of-date, but we've got 10,000
in stock. Thoroughly Flight Tested - One of the boxed kits
fell off a table and didn't break. A cinch To Start - They
have run. Stunt-Combat-Sport-Scale & Carrier For .049
To .65 Engines - It did a loop with a full-house Mac 60.
Be the First In Your Neighborhood, etc - Please!!!
Micromeccanica Saturno Attenzione. I finally got
the G21/35 BB F in a combat ship complete with pressure tap and
large intake. This is one of the most docile fire-breathin' powerhouses
around today. On pressure with 9x7 Tornado prop it has no less than
1 1/2 turns NV tolerance and follows real well. With MM fuel and
Johnson plug on a cool day we cranked out 94-96-95-mph runs with
full facility for wringing out. One flip ... hot or cold starts.
Please, fellows, don't change this one. It's right on.
Helpful Words . A new engine, during and due
to breaking in, is a brutal machine. We mean on fuel gulping, plug
chomping and finger-snapping. Until the parts get mated, things
are literally rough. It's natural and will go away soon. Remember,
short runs with complete cooling between. After 1/2 hr to 45 minutes
on bench, fly it rich. S' well worth the effort. .
Thought For The Month. Don't be discouraged ...
you can always serve as the horrible example to inspire others.
Oh, Yes ... Plumb forgot to explain that
it strikes me funny to see these pictures of J. Doaks, modeler,
in his shop. Area is always so neat, you know he either just cleaned
up, or he doesn't do anything. So we decided to face facts. Still
getting pies. Such sloppy housekeepers! Tsk. One other
clarification. When we use your ideas we give credit right there.
If no credit is given, the thought etc is ours. Oke? Incidentally, our engine data this issue is just the start of to-be-continued
informative speed information. Will cover the ball of wax before
we're done, from dollies to donuts. To compute speed by single lap
clocking with slide rule use following constants divided by time
in seconds: 42'-180; 521/2'-224; 60'-257; 65'-278; 70'-300.
A Shocking Experience. Much is said about not
flying near electric (hydro) power lines, but it keeps happening.
A few more facts might help. Those big lines supported from steel
towers usually carry 33,000-plus volts, quite capable of jumping
a 3-inch air gap under perfectly dry, sea level conditions. If you're
standing wet, the air is moist and rain is imminent, the jump is
much greater. Remember ... your plane or lines don't
have to touch the livewires! Flying out in the open before, during
or after a thunderstorm is inviting the undertaker. Incidentally
if you start getting shocked, quickly fly low and ground yourself
by touching the lines. Insulation merely allows a large charge to
build up and then Pow! Back to electrocution-any wooden
poles with 3 large wires carry high voltage. Be safe, stay away
from any and all of them. Flying is not important enough to die
on accounta ... as some of your peers have. Play it safely; we prefer
live readers, 6-Minute Barrier Approaches.
"Sonic Barrier," the 4-minute mile 100-mph on a surf board, the
Rat Racers have their own 6-minute (100-mph average) barrier to
crack. Be an "odds figurer" - what targets do we shoot at?
Since the take-off lap usually takes 5-sec, we have 15 seconds
soaked up in 3 laps. The fastest you could get a ship on the ground
for pit stops is about 2 seconds, if she quits 1/2 lap from pit
crew and you break the glide quickly, "hitting" the crew at about
20-mph. This we've done. Then give the crew 5 seconds for each refueling.
There went 29 seconds. Your total must be 360 seconds. Hokay, schport ... leaves 330 seconds of high speed running for
136 laps. Speed 106 mph. This is your "Target Speed." Anything slower,
no chance. Conversely, anything over 106 IF you don't sacrifice
pit stops is gravy. We have assumed clocking from take-off, not
a LeMans start. Another statistic based on a 10 second
100 yard dash: pit crew speed is 20.5-mph max, more like 15-mph
or 22-ft/sec. If he must run 1/2 lap on 75 ft radius he'll take
11 seconds. Pilots, learn to spot your landings, they're money in
the poke. So, finally, rather than soup your engine, work on sharp
pit work and fast restarts, spot landings and consistent non-erratic
flying. THEN soup your engine and let us know when,
where and what with you hurdled the 6 minute barrier.
Posted June 23, 2012
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