Control Line: Navy Carrier
What a great Carrier Nats! There were new models and new modelers; young modelers and old modelers (in experience, if not in age) who hadn't been seen at a Nats in quite a few years; there was a new event for old models, but not necessarily for old modelers; and most importantly, there was good competition, good sportsmanship, outstanding camaraderie, and a chance to catch up on what friends had been doing since the last Nats. Adding variety to the flightline this year were some new models, including a few new MO-1s, which added to the numbers of that popular design. In spite of the bonus that went into effect last year for multiengine models, all of this year's entries were single-engine types.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
Nats Equipment: It's been a couple of years since I've done a comprehensive review of the equipment used at the Nats. I like to do those reviews periodically because I believe that they are useful for anyone planning new models or new engines. With the building season upon us, now is as good a time as any. There are many potentially successful choices for Navy Carrier equipment. The Carrier pilot's skill has a large influence on the score; good equipment isn't as critical as it is in other competition categories, such as Speed and Racing, but it's still required for maximum performance. It's possible for good piloting skills to overcome equipment disadvantages, but the equipment determines the ultimate limit in performance. With the level of competition at the Nats, models there indicate which equipment is performing well.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
Wing Loading Revisited: The reason our current airplanes are significantly larger than the ones we flew 25 years ago is that slow speed is important to obtaining a good score. Our airplanes are larger because a lighter wing loading produces a better low speed. I pointed out the performance differences which were evident at the Nats in my last column. Because slow speed has a predominant role in determining overall flight score, the majority of our models are now built to a 44-inch wingspan limit. Because wing loading is determined by dividing weight by wing area, there are basically two ways to decrease wing loading: You can build a model lighter, and you can build a model larger. Building lighter has its limitations, and experience has shown that the best improvement in performance comes from building larger models.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
Fox Mark VII Combat Special: The Fox Combat Special has always been a good engine for Profile Carrier. The latest version, the Mark VII, is available direct from the factory. It can be purchased with a carburetor, and if desired, a left-hand crankshaft. Competitors who have worked with the Mark VII report that it is an excellent engine with very good performance potential, and is light in weight. The traditional dimensions of the Fox Combat Special have been .800-inch bore and .714-inch stroke for a displacement of .359 cubic inches.
Control Line: Navy Carrier
Mystery Airplane: Because of the time it takes to assemble and print each month's Model Aviation, I will not be able to provide winners' names for the Mystery Airplane competition until four months after each drawing is originally printed. However, rather than keep you in suspense for that long, I'll let you know the identity of the airplane in the column that succeeds the drawing. Please remember that identifying the aircraft does not ensure that you are the winner - unless you are the only entry with the right answer. Winners are selected from among those who correctly name the aircraft.
