Getting warmer.

I've been designing new handles lately. I read a thread on a forum about one of the big boys bragging about his handle, made from carbon fiber sheet, and how light it is. He said "don't go cheap and make it out of aluminum". Oh? My first attempts were made from aluminum of varying thicknesses. They didn't come close to his weight of 14 grams but around 20 grams. I modified some of the handles I had been using but still over the 14 gram bar. The other day I picked up a sheet of 1/8" 5 layer plywood and noticed how stiff it is. I took my handle template and drew one out on the plywood and made a handle out of it. Some thin super glue and brass eyelets from the r/c servo hardware and I sandwiched the handle with 1/8" balsa in the grip area. The ready to fly handle weighs 14 grams and cost about a dollar in material and 30 minutes in time to make. I wrote an article about it and submitted to Brodak's Control Line World magazine. I've been getting in some flying lately but the winds have been rough. I got in 6 flights yesterday and between stooge problems, engine runs and getting blown out of maneuvers I didn't get in one complete flight. Today looks good though.

Found it.

I stopped at NAPA and got a quart of brake fluid. I hoped it would be enough to fix the brakes on the El Camino. Then I got the idea to vacuum bleed the system. I hooked a piece of fuel tubing to a syringe and the bleed screw on the master cylinder. I got air on top of air. Shouldn't be. Air could be leaking by the bleed screw threads so I sealed then with teflon tape. Still getting air. I reversed the procedure and forced fluid into the system. Then I walked back to get something and noticed a puddle near the left rear tire. The only bleed screw that wouldbn't break loose yesterday. I removed the tire and luckily the brake drum came off easily. Dry as a bone everywhere. Just for grins I figured I would try and vacuum the line to the brake. I got a wrench and a pounder to loosen the bleed screw and found it already loose. Yesterday the wrence must have been real close to a bolt or something and bound up against it and I mistook that as a frozen screw and left it. I put the syringe on the bleeder and vacuumed a ton of air. Then I got the idea to pressure bleed the normal way. I got more tubing and a jar and a length of plastic pipe to use to push teh brake pedal while I controlled the bleed screw. After maybe 10 pumps the fluid came out without bubbles. I tightened the screw and put the brake drum and tire back on. With the engine running I have a nice hard pedal where it should be. A couple hard charges in the driveway to test them and all is well again. I didn't have to use the quart of fluid.

Couldn't do it.

I went to NAPA and picked up the master cylinder and booster this morning. I forced myself to install them. The booster on the car has four studs holding it to the firewall. The nuts were and still are very tight so I'm assuming it's an original piece. I could only loosen the two top nuts and couldn't get at the bottom two as teh wiper motor and brake lines and steering column are in the way. I ended up installing the new master cylinder and bringing the booster back. The brakes still need bleeding but they work some what.

That's the brakes.

I was going to take the El Camino out for a spin and as I backed out of the garage I applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I checked the fluid and added some but nothing changed. I got the car back into the garage without any problems and went to NAPA for another master cylinder. When I got home I remembered the problem I had when I first changed it. The replacement has a push rod hole much deeper than the one that's on the car. I brought it back and another should be here in the morning. I may have to replace the booster some day too.

More fecking snow.

Just when the field had dried out enough to drive on it and the temp and winds had settled down it snowed again. I had just found a way to equalize the difference in line length of my Spectra lines too. I'm using short lengths of fishing leader to equal up the lines. I just crimp a loop in both leaders at lengths that even out the Spectra. Then it snowed before I could test them. The winds came back and the temps are in the low 20's on top of it. I had bought an ARF Nobler a few years ago and it flew poorly. I stripped the covering off and made some mods to it so it looks like the original Nobler that is eligible for old stime stunt. It's sat in the dark room for a couple years as it's a pain to work on. With all the fecking snow I brought it out and have done enough work on it that it looks like a plane again. The stab. is thicker as I sheeted it with 1/16" balsa, the fin has a slightly different shape and both are now glued on the fuse. I covered the fuse. and elevator with tissue and just finished covering the wing with poly span. I'm thinking of biteing the bullet and driving to NJ for a contest in mid May. It's on Sunday so traffic shouldn't be too much of a problem. I-95 most of the way. It's for Profile models only and there will be a tailgate swap meet at the same time and place.

Installed and tested.

The temp got into the low 30's and the wind wasn't too strong so I parked the truck on the side of the garage and started to install the Bak Flip. The rails wouldn't fit without trimming the bed liner in three locations on each side. The clamps went on without a problem but when I went to put the hold down star wheels in they were the wrong ones. A little hack saw work and the problem was over come. When I went to close the lid with the tail gate up the lid wouldn't latch with the tail gate protector on. I removed the 8 screws and took it off and set it aside. I was done in two hours including the clean up of the boxes and foam padding. I made a test run with a plane up to the field and got in two flights. No problems.

A twofer.

The tracking number said that the Spectra line was due today. About 1300 the UPS truck stopped and dropped the Spectra and a book off. I busied myself making a set of lines for the Bipe. It is difficult to get the lines the same length as the knot used to terminate is a slip knot. I ended up only a 1/2" short on one line. As I was tying the last knot I heard a bump outside. I looked and the Fed Ex truck was here.They have the quietest trucks. I went out and he was leaving. Two big boxes were leaning against the garage. I put them inside as the wind is blowing hard and the temp is in the low 30's. I'll get after it ASAP.

Bird houses.

I took a walk to the power line and checked the blue bird houses. They needed cleaning as the birds have been using them during the winter for shelter. I got the idea to put one at the Brooklyn field as I've seen blue birds there. I removed one of the three in the yard and brought a plane just in case the wind was low enough for flying. When we got there the wind was too high so I only installed the bird house, removed the mower battery and stopped at the diner in Central for a snack. A friend stopped by and we gave her a bird house to put in her yard which left me with no spares. I got some wood and made up three more boxes just in case. The snow is just about gone today but more is in the forecast later in the week. Bak Flip took the money last Fri. so the cover should be on it's way.

Just wet.

I took a peak at the little league ball fields and they are clear of snow. Some idiot was playing lets make divots in the outfield with a golf club so I had to wait. I went back around noon and got in one flight as the winds were rough. Later in the afternoon I took a plane and went to check out the Brooklyn field and found it clear of snow also. I got in two flights and the winds were banging the plane around pretty good there too. Lots of standing water there as well as the ball field. I checked the mail and the firing pin came in. It didn't fit and I had to grind it down in all dimensions to get it to fit. The slot that the shell ejector rides in needed enlarging also. That keeps the pin from shooting out when the bolt is retracted. A pretty simple design. I'm still waiting for the bak flip.

Some snow is gone.

We went to the Sterling school yesterday with the Twister and a new handle I made from .062 aluminum. It's quite light at 27 grams. My first attempt at a new handle weighs 112 grams and the one I switched to after that one weighs 60 grams. I copied the shape from my other new handle. An article in a forum gave me the idea. Super flyer, designer, builder, finisher, thinker Paul Walker made one out of .080 carbon fiber plate. His weighs 14 grams. I don't have any carbon plate and have heard bad things about cutting it so I used what I had on hand. If some one had a water jet or laser cutter I would probably buy one. When we got to the school there was a pick up parked on the asphalt and state cop sitting behind the trees waiting for vandals to show up. I thought about using the wet field for a bit and drove over and checked it out. It was usable so I got in 3 flights. The new handle works well as best I can tell. It took about an hour of hacksaw and file work to cut it out and make the handle. I took a quick trip to the Brooklyn field and it is still 100% covered in snow. I'll check on it today in a while. With the time change I can go to the school after hours.

It's melting.

The temp. went into the 40's early today. The snow is melting rapidly but not that rapid. It's down to 3 inches deep. I took a trip to the Sterling school to see if the track had been plowed. Luckily it was plowed fully in the large paved area. More than enough to fly in. After the basket ball game we headed for the school with the MI Bipe and the old Twister. First up was the Bipe and it flew well for what it is. Very sensitive on the controls and I only had 32 foot lines which were too short. Less line spread at the handle and 40 footers should calm it down. I had addeed a bit of weight to the nose of the Twister and it flew more stable than usual. The winds were tricky so I only got in one flight each.

I did it, just about.

The temp. is barely in the high 30's and the winds are not too bad. I re arranged the flight box to carry the fuel needed for the Double Star engine in the StregA-36 and tried to put it into the El Camino. Won't fit. It barely fits into the Dodge. I headed for the field even though the school would be better there could be some people in the way. I had to park at the top of the hill and walk about a 1/4 mile to the circle. I picked out a good spot, considering the wind, and set things down. When I re configured the box I removed the prop box and fuel bottle to make room for the quart fuel can for the big engine. In the prop box is the stooge. Shit. Luckily I had another one that is a hook and a nail. I struck it into the ground and put the hook around the tail wheel and wire. It seemed like it would stay put so I went ahead and set everything up. I put in 3 and half ounces of fuel into the 6 ounce tank,flipped the plane over and primed the engine with a little fuel and lighter fluid. It started and being larger I had to pay attention flipping it right side up and hooking the stooge to the tail wheel. I grabbed the down line and walked out to the handle. If the plane came loose the down line would tip it up on the prop. I checked the controls and pulled the release line. It came off the wire and didn't release the plane. I grabbed the down line again and went back to the plane and attached the hook and back to the handle. It released this time and the plane flew very smooth. The engine quit early and I was amazed at the glide. I kept it barely above the grass for a ways before setting it down. I added another half ounce of fuel and restarted the engine. Same routine to the handle and the line came off the stooge again. Back to the plane and back to the handle and off it went. I gave it more rpm's and did a couple loops. It ran the fuel out this time and glided smoothly to a landing. I moved the lines out on the handle and shortened the up line a bit for the next time out. The engine did start right up, after the first flight, on it's wheels.

The Sterling school.

The temp. has been in the high 30's lately with very little sunshine. The winds have been favorable and I have gotten some flying. I've kept an eye on the track at the Sterling school and the snow piles have been getting smaller. The field was clear of snow yesterday but was quite wet and soggy. The end of the track that butts against the woods was clear of snow also. I went back in the afternoon with the Banshee and got in two flights. The ground was very bumpy but barely usable. I set up at the edge of the ball diamond at third base for takeoff. After flying I went to the track and measured the end radius and found it to be the same as my lines. I marked the center will give it a try next time there if the other end still has snow piles. The MI Bipe is ready to fly. I have a set of 30 foot lines for the first flight. They may be too short but I don't think the plane is worth making a new set.

It's ordered.

I called Bak Ind. and ordered one of their VP models p/n 162204. $699.00 delivered. It's one of their newest models. It should be here late next week. I started painting the Bipe. The can of propellant I have for the Badger air brush is getting low so I ordered two more cans from Amazon. They are on back order but the price is well worth it. The can and air brush I have I bought from Tower I believe back in the very early 80's. It came as an extra with a small compressor a one quart spray gun and the glass bottle detail gun kit I used all the time. I still have it and it still works.I never used the quart gun. I never used the air brush until this past winter. Now I'm using it on every plane for touch up and small stuff. Funny how that happens. I bought a small HVLP gun from Amazon for $13.00 and that works very well for the bigger jobs using the compressor and 40 psi.