OOPS.

The new planes first flights went well. First attempt the needle wasn't set anywhere close so I took it home and ran it on the bench to get a setting. Then at the field the lines weren't right but it flew and has a good corner and is stable inlevel flight. I dug out another set of lines but didn't get to test them as I had to make ready for the contest this weekend. Today I flew the Mo' Best and the Jamison. The second Jamison flight I went into the wingover and started to pull out inverted, changed my mind and pulled out right side up crashing into the ground. I was able to salvage the wing and I started a new fuselage along with the tail feathers. No Old Time Stunt this week end for me. I don't think I will have the rebuilt plane ready for El Dorado either. The wreck was about 5 years old and raggedy. It needs a rebuild.

Number 2, ready for test flights.

The weather has been dry this summer and it continues that way still. I ordered a can of clear spray paint and It came in yesterday in time for me to give the new plane a coat. I let it cure overnight and this morning I installed the engine and fuel system plus I borrowed a tail wheel from one of the raffle planes. I plan on getting a flight on the plane in the morning 10/18 23. The weight came out to 44 ounces, 3 ounces lower than the first plane. I found that the spray paint will keep 5 months in the fridge after activation. The stuff is $25 a can and I don't use it all on the plane for weight reasons. The contest is this weekend and I sold two of the planes so I only have to transport 6 and a box of stuff to the raffle. I may have room for 2 planes to fly. Our friends from Ct were in Dallas for the drag races last weekend and they stopped by for a visit. Their grandson won the Jeg's All Star Race last year and won it again. I got to hold the trophies he got, pretty neat. Too bad the TV show doesn't cover the sportsman races.

The Pixie Bob 2.

I have a friend trying to design a paint scheme for the new plane. I'm out of ideas. I had a prop backfire off and hit my hand two weeks ago. Pretty good cuts but they are healing well. I have selected 8 planes to bring to the contest and if they don't sell they go in the raffle. That leaves me with 17 to fly. I also have a bunch of small items and a box of balsa blocks from other kits that were not used. The Pixie Bob is flying very well but i am taking the Mo Best to the contest as it fits into 3 events and with the raffle planes I don't have room for others in the truck.

All better.

We are almost over covid we contracted on a flight when we were coughed on. I put the Vector up for a spell to concentrate on the Mo' Best. I plan to use it at the local contest as there is three events it will fit in. I need the room in the truck as I am bringing 8 planes to sell or if they don't sell they will go in the raffle. I've been flying in the morning lately and an r/c flyer was flying across the field. I stopped in when I had finished what I was doing and found they had parked one of their planes at the top of the tallest tree in the park. I looked for it the next day and it's still there. A hig wind is needed to get it out and by then it will be useless. The new Pixie Bob 2 is coming along. I'm prepping the parts for covering now. I have spent over $200.00 on wood and hardware so far. I may need another can of clear dope and colors before I'm done.

Nitro testing.

The heat has layed off finally. I went to the park with the Vector and the higher nitro fuel and the original 10.5 x 4.5 APC prop. The nitro did the trick and I was able to get in the first full pattern.The plane is quite lively as the c/g is slightly aft of where it should be. I had cored the stab and elevators to save weight and it's still a bit tail heavy. I have the stock muffler and a 2 ounce heavy hub to get the balance as close as it is. I planned on taking the electric "Mo Best" to the Georgia contest but neither of us is in any condition to go at this time. The Mo Best fits into 3 categories so I only have to bring 2 planes instead of 4. The Jamison for Old Time Stunt being the other plane. The Tundra was ready on time and it looks very nice. Polished and detailed a nice touch. I started work on a new Pixie Bob using a more modern airfoil. I don't know why as I have 26 planes now.

First flights.

The temperature went into the mid 70's in the morning and I took advantage of it. I didn't have the engine running fast enough but it was enough to give me information to make some changes. First was the prop, I put on a biger one but the next morning it wasn't any better so I put the first one back on. The glow plug acted like it was not right so I put in a new one. I thought the venturi was too large but it's not. I was going to change the needle valve assembly but didn't have a spare. . Then I figured that more nitro would make me open the needle more and maybe that would do the trick. I mixed up a quart of about 8% nitro up from the 2% I use and ran the engine. I had to open the needle to lower the rpm to what I want and that did fix my problem. Plus more nitro makes a lot more power. I may get out tomorrow morning but the temperature is going up again. It's 104 right now.

Another new plane.

First time in the sun. 47.7 ounces, Brodak 40. It's ready to fly except for the high temperatures. Mid 70's at 0700 is my limit and that is hard to come by lately. The balance is a bit tail heavy but shouldn't be awful.