Free Flight: Old-Timers
OFTEN TIMES the choices of A models to build are somewhat limited by engine availability. Given the fact that ignition engines are a bit more flexible than their glow counterparts and can be operated satisfactorily through a wider rpm range, one still must match engine power to airframe size. Original ignition engines seem to be more readily available in the larger displacements. Installing a large engine in a medium size model can be a handicap if the 80 ounce per cubic inch displacement rule is enforced. This will bring the wing loading above the required 8 oz. per square foot, and will detract from glide performance.
Que el'Coupe
BABY WAKEFIELD! You never hear the term anymore, but this "in a nutshell" phrase did more to attract me to Coupe d'Hiver than any other factor. Maybe you have given a longing look at Wakefield, but have stopped short after noticing the seemingly complexity of the typical competition model. The Coupe event offers the perfect introduction to rubber competition and ultimately to Wakefield. Experience gained handling the Coupe is directly applicable to the larger models. Construction methods, trimming techniques, pre-flight procedures, air picking and launch are all basically similar.
Dixie-Gal
CLASS-A GAS is the most hotly contested event in free-flight power competition today. I feel this is due to a number of factors: availability of a number of good factory engines not requiring tuning, a good manageable size model, FAI power influence and, above all, spectacular performance. One only needs to check entries in A-gas at the Nats or the U.S. Free Flight Champs at Taft, or note the contests requiring a fly-off to settle final standings, to confirm this popularity. As with most free-flight models Dixie-Gal came about in an effort to build a better mousetrap. I had always admired "Geodetic" or "Union Jack" structures and for some time have eyed the 1/2-A Galaxie by Vic Cunningham.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
THE U.S. FREE-FLIGHT Championships held over the Memorial Day weekend at Taft, Calif. were truly memorable. An adequate list of events spanning two days keeps the Old Timer enthusiast hopping to get his flights in between all that great companionship, endless variety of airplanes and constant activity. Beautiful weather and abundant thermals make the 5-minute max somewhat reasonable, but not easy. Drift is minimal at Taft keeping chases realistic yet maintaining your admiration for Mr. Honda and his airplane chasing machines.
Free Flight: Old-Timers
Put a Stop to it! Compared to a glow engine an ignition engine has quite good fuel economy. If you've never dwelt on the thought before, you surely will the first time your timer fails to stop the engine and your ship climbs until it's out of fuel. My Ohlsson 60 Playboy Senior climbed to a mere speck in the sky recently on a stock tank of fuel. Over-runs have plagued free flighters for decades and probably will for more to come but that's small consolation to you. Excluding the occasional failure to start the timer on launching, timer malfunction, erraticness or just plain mechanical failure can set your building schedule back months to say nothing of the cost of replacing a lost model.
