Cool and wet.

I've been to the club field and the school but the winds have been tricky at best. I did get some flightsin and did get to test one of the new tanks. It's labeled 180 cc and that equates to 6 ounces. I fliied one with water and dumped it into a measureing cup. 5 ounces on the nose. Probably 4.8 with the cap and tubing installed. Still that's more than enough for my engines. I sent a mailing tube to LA yesterday with a glow battery and two pieces of .032 wire for the hinges of the plane to be built. Today I sent the fuel tank I tested yesterday.
The river is barely in it's banks and I've been fishing twice with no luck.
I moved the El Camino into the middle bay, the truck outside on the cement pad and got the hot rod started. After moving several mowers, a shredder, a battery charger and a gas grill I was ready to move it. I slid the cover off from back to front and let it fall to the floor. It started right up and I started backing out when I heard a clunk. I got out and found the charger was in the way and got knocked over. I moved it again and backed all the way out. I put it in drive and started forward when I heard a ripping sound. The cover had cought on the license plate and followed me out and then I ran over it ripping it on the plate. I parked it in the drive way, left it running and washed it. Even with the cover it had a lot of dust on it. Anyway all is well and I will put the truck in the open bay when we leave next Monday.
I had flown the Lightning, which I re named Hobnob, for a few minutes a while back. I remember it flew wings level and turned pretty good. I took it to the school this morning and flew a test flight followed by a narrowing of the handle spacing. Then I put up a full pattern flight but the engine quit in the first loop of the last maneuver. I added more fuel this time and got in a whole pattern. The plane is very stable and turns on a dime. I made up a new set of lines for it when I got home and set up it's own handle.
I may have to mow the lawn tomorrow for the first time. Forecast winds are not good for flying but will be on Friday. Saturday I have to go to RI and get the cake for Easter dinner.

A little warmer.

I cleaned the leaves out of the lean-to and put air in the lawn tractor tires. I put the charger on the battery for a half hour too. Just after noon I hit the key and it started up. But something in the engine was banging something awful. I tried to turn the engine over by hand but it wouldn't go through top dead center. I pulled the spark plug out and hit the starter again to blow any liquid from the cylinder but there wasn't any. I started to remove the head and only broke one bolt which didn't hold anything important. The combustion chamber was loaded with carbon and a piece must have broke off doubling the thickness and interfeering with the piston. I cleaned both pieces and re assembled the engine which started and ran normally.I need to get tubes for the tires as they leak down fast.

A little warmer.

After the success with the Evo .36 I got in some trim flights. I put in one ounce of fuel and timed the run. 3 min. 15 sec. each for two runs. Now I got to thinking maybe I should put it in another plane. The ARF Nobler was sitting without an engine so I fitted the Evo where an OS .40 was. I took it and the PT-23 to the club field and it pulled the Nobler very well. The winds were kinda light but switching all over the place. Bumpy too. I got in a full pattern with the PT-23 and came home.

Test flight

I played in 3 horseshoe tournaments this season and lost first place 3 times because of ringer percentage. Twice I got second and today I went from bridesmaid to usher. When I got home I packed up two planes and went to the Sterling school. It was windy but I fueled the Evo .36 with 15% fuel and got in one flight. What a difference. The engine ran steady through the tank. I'm happy.

Finally figured it out.

The Evo .36 I got in the raffle last Oct. has not been running like it should. I changed tanks several times to no avail. I found seepage near the mounting lugs while the engine was running and discovered there wasn't a gasket under the rear cover. I made one up but the engine ran the same. I re read the instructions and installed a smaller venturi and found what I was looking for the nitro percentage of the fuel 5 to 10% it says. I put in 2 ounces of 15% and it purred like a kitten. Nice and steady rpm. Now if it ever stops snowing and the temps get into the 40's and the winds calm a bit I'll be able to test fly it.