Control Line: Speed
Another column is due, here it is springtime and the flying season is upon us. It's time to get my Speed jobs ready and a bunch of props filed down, balanced, and polished. The first Speed contest in the Midwest will be Memorial Day weekend in Sugar Grove, IL. Our club, the Treetown Modelaires, has hosted this show for many years, and we have most of the Control Line events including Record Ratio Speed. I haven't had many photos for this column, so I should be able to take a few at this meet and at the Indianapolis contest a week later.
Control Line: Speed
Last column I told you how to build a simpIe, lightweight dolly for 21 Sport Speed because some would-be Speed fliers are intimidated by the thought of such a "tricky" item. Another frightening thing for beginners is flying a pylon. It's not that difficult! I'll give you a few hints and suggestions to allow you to quickly overcome your fears and become an accomplished Speed flier in no time flat. I've shown several modelers how to obtain a good pylon technique. Few of them have had any problems. First, start with a two-line model. After you're accomplished at that, monoline is a lot easier. Take a look at the photo of Bill Hughes standing in takeoff position, his left hand on the pylon, right hand holding the handle, and eyes on the air plane. That's the most important point - keep your eyes on the airplane! After your pit crew releases the model, lead it a little to keep the lines tight, give it a little up elevator to lift it out of the dolly, and keep hold of the pylon. Keep your eyes on the airplane and walk around the pylon until you get the model flying. Once you've leveled off and the airplane is flying nice and smooth, just let your right hand come around and settle in the fork, but don 't look down at the pylon! If you do, the model usually goes "splat" into the ground!
CL: Speed
THE TURNOUT was outstanding and the weather just as great for this year's Speed events. Though the 1990 Nats was a week earlier than usual, that didn't seem to affect the number of Speed fliers who attended. The total of 148 entrants included the expected representation from all parts of the U.S. in addition to a group each from Japan and Russia. Approximately 217 successful official flights were completed during the four days of competition, with 149 attempts or notimes. Flying was continuous every day, right up to and sometimes past the 5:00 p.m. quitting time. Sometimes two circles were in operation at once. It was great! Overall, the weather was the best I can remember at a Nats, with just a light breeze and temperatures around 90º-not too hot. The takeoff pavement was far from perfect, but better than some others we've had. It gave my Jet trouble-I was unable to skid it off.
Control Line: Speed
IT IS WITH great sadness that I report the loss of a good friend and fellow Speed flier. Fred Randell succumbed to a heart attack Saturday evening at the Speed contest held September 8-9 in Dayton, OH. Fred's AMA number was 7207, and he competed with us for as long as I can remember. We had many good times at many Nats and other contests, and he will be sorely missed. He was a gentleman, always flew by the rules, and always flew fast. Our sincere condolences to his family.
Control Line: Speed
THIS MORNING I started wondering just who it is who began this Speed madness. Who was the first Control Line flier to use a stop watch, measure his lines and calculate his speed? Where was the first Speed contest and who or what club organized it? What engines were used? What were the speeds? Who won? Does anyone out there know? The engines had to be ignition, of course, but did anyone experiment with alcohol or nitro added to their fuel? I doubt if those early engines could stand the hot fuel, so I imagine quite a few blew up. It wasn't long until beefed-up engines appeared, but who were the pioneers before the Hornet, Ball and McCoy? Did Speed flying start before aerobatics? Before racing? It had to be soon after U-control was invented, so right now has to be close to the 50th anniversary of Speed flying. I've seen write-ups about the first Free Flight engine-powered flights but very little about early Speed flying. If any of you readers have such information, please write and let me know. Send photos, too.
