RE: DAVE VON LINSOWE's Spectra
All, Dave von Linsowe just supplied the attached article on the Spectra. It was published back in spring 1976 and credit goes to RC Sportsman magazine, or whoever might have acquired publishing rights....pardon my ignorance on copyright issues. As you can see, it's quite a pretty aircraft with a sleek profile. And check out the closing nose-gear door, neat stuff for back then. This one is on my short list to build. Enjoy, Jeff
Posted on: 7/2/2012 4:57 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11140469

RE: Aurora 60 Build Thread - Electric Power
I should have results shortly. On a related note, I just picked up another Scorpion motor, the 4020-10T. I'll have to try both motors and compare data. Jeff
Posted on: 4/13/2012 5:26 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11040806

RE: MK AURORA 25
Very impressive!! More details please. Jeff
Posted on: 4/6/2012 6:23 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11030517

RE: SPA videos?
Rob, thanks for posting these vids. I especially enjoyed the Oakville video. Brought back memories as I flew in a few Oakville contests in the mid to late 70s. I remember my first flight there, I was 9 or 10 years old competing in Sportsman, I was so nervous I think my knees were knocking together and I just about lost my Super Kaos 40 doing a rolling manoeuver (3 rolls?). I think the judges were getting light in their chairs and ready to scatter as the my airplane was getting close. My father was calling for me and afterwards, he told me not to worry and encouraged me on. Gotta laugh at those great memories. Jeff
Posted on: 2/20/2012 5:24 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10967170

RE: Phoenix 8 Refurbish Project
Folks, thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, much like Citra-Strip, Klean Strip is not available here in Canada. No big deal really, it's only labour. In the meantime, I've progressed somewhat and the stripping of the fuse is about 2/3 done. For the tight areas, I'll probably do as Roguedog suggested and pull out the heavy duty sandpaper.
Posted on: 2/17/2012 5:30 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10963848

RE: Aurora 60 Build Thread - Electric Power
Well, I should have provided an update before now but life's competing priorities keep getting in the way. Anyhow, here goes: Going back a while, I finally weighed the airplane as I was within only a few hours of having it ready to fly. To my disapointment, the all-up-weight RTF was just under 9.5 lbs. While I know a fast flying Aurora performs OK at that weight, I know it would fly better at a lower weight, ideally no heavier than 8.5 lbs. That got me thinking about an alternative power/battery setup with the sole aim being to save weight. Meanwhile there has been a fair bit of discussion lately WRT Scorpion 4020-8 or 10, running off of a 6s batteries producing ~1300-1400W. The comparative online specs for 6s batteries vs 8s and motors (my Hyperion 4045-370 vs the Scorpion 4020) indicated worthwhile weight savings, in the neighborhood of 3/4+ lbs. Having said that, I'm always leary of advertised weights. After much thought, I decided to order a Scorpion 4020-8T and it finally arrived last weekend. It's interesting to note that the Scorp casing is roughly the same diameter as that of the Hyperion but only half as long. That reflected in the weight as well as the Scorp weighs 337 grams (11.9 oz) as compared to 601 grams/21.2 oz for the Hyperion. Those weights were taken with mounting hardware, bolts etc. While I don't have the 6s batteries in hand, advertised weights for 8s vs 6s should result in a savings of approx 260 grams (based on 4000mAh pack). Overall, that will lighten the aircraft by ~510 grams or 1.12 lbs!.....~8.5 lbs AUP. [:)] Of course, the unknown variable remains flight performance but 1300W/8.5 lbs A/C still equates to 150 watts/lbs. Anything above 1300W is bonus. Attached pics show the new motor installed and the relative size to the old motor. Bottom line, I expect to fly her this spring. Jeff
Posted on: 2/9/2012 6:28 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10951122

RE: Work Bench / Table Top
Thanks Doug for the kind words. I'm anxious to see how your Q4 flies. I'll post an update WRT my Aurora(E). Jeff
Posted on: 2/9/2012 5:22 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10951062

RE: Phoenix 8 Refurbish Project
Free Bird, I'll be starting my Saturn soon. Back to my Phoenix, I pulled the stab and all the old wood and hardware from the fuselage. It's amazing how much plywood was used, some of it 1/4"! Anyhow, a fair bit of weight will be saved when I'm done although the original glasswork is quite heavy, certainly overkill for an electric setup. And I'm presently liaising with Frequent Flyer about getting cores to build a new wing and stab. Stripping the old ~25 year paint is posing a problem. The Circa 1850 brand paint remover I'm using is not very effective. While it softens the paint a bit, it's certainly not bubbling it and I'm left having to scrape with a hobby knife....even then, the paint is tenacious as hell. Any suggestions other than Citristrip (not available in Canada supposedly)? The photo shows the progress so far, about 2 hours of work. Jeff
Posted on: 2/8/2012 6:35 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10950569

Work Bench / Table Top
Just thought I'd share photos of my newly acquired workbench. I've built several models on slate, the last being my electric Aurora but I had to leave my 4'X8' pool table behind when I moved from Colorado Springs to Ottawa a few years back. Recently, I was scouring the local used adds looking for a piece(s) of slate and I came across a 5'X10' billiard table for $250. While the table is old and a bit rough cosmetically, it's solid, heavy as hell and the slates (3 pieces) are fine. The table as you see it is re-assembled in my basement is perfectly level and flat,...I trued it with the cloth off using an actual pool ball, shims, billiard putty (for the slate joints) etc....it's no 5 minute job, that's for sure. A few minor drawbacks: 1) you don't want to cut directly on the slate (or the cloth), I use rubber cutting mats on top 2) slate can flex a bit if you put enough weight on it...don't load 100+ lbs when gluing skins to foam cores etc, no need for that anyways. Anyhow, something to consider when deciding on a building surface. A surface I know is true and flat throughout , I love it for aligning plug-in wings, stabs etc. Enjoy. Jeff
Posted on: 2/7/2012 2:12 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10948501

RE: HIGH SPEED STALL
[quote]ORIGINAL: stuntflyr I've been an airline transport pilot flying jets for 35 years and I've never heard of the phenomenon of which the last two posters are speaking. Any supersonic pilots know what these guys are talking about? Chris... [/quote] Chris, I'm with you on this and I have 5000+ military hours in the book, most of it on jets. I think the guys referring to what we would call mach crit over the top of the wing as mach approaches 0.9+ (or much lower depending on wing design).
Posted on: 2/3/2012 11:40 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10942138

RE: HIGH SPEED STALL
[quote]ORIGINAL: wind junkie I'd need to know what your friend means by ''a scale airplane.'' I agree physics applies to everything and there is no magic dividing line between a scale and non scale plane. Also I'd like to know exactly what you're looking for in a ''high speed stall?'' Do you expect a snap roll? Do you want the plane to just ''mush'' forward or in a gentle pullout? Very much depends on these factors: sharpness of leading edge wing thickness wing loading ''normal'' stall speed lateral balance From my experience most modelers typically do not want to deal with a high speed stall, and therefore limit their elevator travels so at the highest speed possible the plane will not snap out of a loop (or turn). That's traditionally how instruction manuals would direct the modeler to set the max throw for a (non 3D capable) plane. If you want 3D, of course all that goes out the window, and one must deal with the post stall (high alfa) flight regime of the wing. Not sure how to make it sound simpler than that without addressing specifics of your original question which you haven't provided. [/quote] I agree with Wind Junkie. To expand on what he said, by "normal stall speed", he means the stall speed of an aircraft/model at 1 G. One can induce a high speed stall by pushing/pulling hard enough on the stick at most any speed......the higher the speed, the higher the G force associated with the stall. Ref setting control throws, I've always set mine based on achieving the required control authority I need at the lowest speeds I could expect to be manoeuvering at. That's why God invented dual rates, expo etc.[:)]
Posted on: 2/3/2012 11:34 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10942131

RE: Magic 60
Will, thanks for making the comparison. Perhaps there's hope for the Magic after all. Jeff
Posted on: 1/29/2012 6:14 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10934283

RE: Magic 60
I always liked the looks of the Magic, more so that the Curare actually. Based on the known coupling issues with the Magic, can anyone suggest a subtle fix to the basic design that might correct or help eliminate some of it's bad habits? Ex: moving the position of the stb WRT the thrust line? Just thinking out loud, I'm not an aerodynamic expert.....maybe someone out there has a tested fix to the problem. Jeff
Posted on: 1/23/2012 2:26 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10923186

RE: Phoenix 8 Refurbish Project
David, thanks for the insight on the RCU website problems. Anyhow, here's a pic of the model in it's present state.
Posted on: 1/22/2012 4:08 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10920887

Phoenix 8 Refurbish Project
Just bought a well used Phoenix 8 from an old friend. It's heavy and the wing is a write-off so I'll strip her down and build a new wing. I might as well build a new stab and rudder while I'm at it and try to get her down to a decent weight ready to fly. Power will be electric with a Scorpion S4020-8T/6S set-up, retracts will be Spring-Air. I'll likely finish it using the same Auto-Air water based finish that is on my electric Aurora. I'd post photos of how the aircraft looks now but for some reason, I can't seem to upload pics to RCU. I get a server error message every time. I've tried messing with browser and anti-virus settings but no luck. Anyone else out there having the same issues? 2 questions: 1) anyone out there cut high quality cores for this aircraft? The Eureka site shows cores but the advertised stats are incorrect (ex: 1200+ sq in wing area) which makes me leary. A built up wing would be fine as well....anyone out there cutting ribs? 2) I could do another build thread of there is interest. I'll concurrently be building my Fliteglass Saturn so I could include that one as well. Jeff
Posted on: 1/21/2012 11:10 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10920064

RE: P-7?
Dave, looks like a Vertigo to me. Unless the light in the photo is playing tricks on me, you can almost see the diamond airfoil of the stab. Slight stab anhedral was not standard but it's so slight I'm guessing it won't make much of a difference in flight. Jeff
Posted on: 10/10/2011 4:02 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10757530

RE: Panzerfaust
Chuck, I'm actually not a big fan of honeycombing. Based on my previous experience with honeycombed wings, I'll tolerate a small weight penalty in exchange for a much tougher wing. Accordingly none of the foam in the last few airplanes I've built has been honeycombed. Ref this kit, you take what you get....and I'm certainly not complaining. Jeff
Posted on: 4/10/2010 2:46 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9651167

RE: Panzerfaust
Dave, no power figures yet on the Aurora. Won't be long though. Ref the Panzerfaust, Dave might still have the molds but as far as I know, he only produced a small amount of kits. My guess is that there are very few Panzerfausts in existance, either built or in kit form. Actually, you've just given me an excuse to give him a call....it's been at least 2 years since him and I last spoke. Jeff
Posted on: 4/10/2010 9:51 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9650644

Panzerfaust
Look what the easter bunny dropped at my door. The Panzerfaust is a large 60 size pattern ship, circa mid-nineties. My good friend David Birk designed, flew, and kitted this airplane. Dave is a tool and die maker by trade and his workmanship on the kit is top notch. Just check out that crazy honeycombing! I placed the epoxy glass fuse next to my Aurora fuse as a size reference. The completed photos are of Dave's actual airplane. So what do I build next? This Panzerfaust or my Fliteglass Saturn? Hmmmm.[8|] Jeff
Posted on: 4/6/2010 9:36 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9642760

RE: Steve Helms Aurora's powerplant??
Dan, my apologies for not being more specific in my comment. I was refering to this photo which is the one I took. Ref the one you just posted, I think we've zero'd-in on the "which engine" answer. Jeff
Posted on: 3/7/2010 6:49 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9561024

RE: Steve Helms Aurora's powerplant??
Chuck, ref your PM to me on the topic, I can't remember what engine Steve ran. Of note is that I took that Aurora photo in 1988 at the Tidewater Nats. Timeframe likely helps confirm that it was a short stroke. Another consideration, I remember Futaba and YS going hand in hand (more often that not) for the top flyers in the era. Any of the above mentioned motors would be a great fit for the Aurora. Actually, back in those days, I was running a Webra Race, Dynamix carb with in-flight mixture control, and a Perry pump countersunk and siliconed into the backplate. I later switched to YS and found them to be awesome engines.....and a simpler set-up to the Webra. Jeff
Posted on: 3/5/2010 10:03 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9558163

RE: Aurora 60 Build Thread - Electric Power
Dave, I used Omni MC270 clear. Omni MC270 is made by PPG and is almost an exact replacement for PPG's DC3000....and cheaper. To be honest, I didn't lose sleep over which clear to use. Given that I sanded it and buffed it back up, I'm guessing any mainstream clearcote would have worked OK. BTW, I have lipos in hand. 4000mAh, 30C, 8s (2 x 4s packs wired in series). Just have to wait a few months for spring to arrive. Jeff
Posted on: 2/21/2010 10:17 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9524589

RE: Aurora 60 Build Thread - Electric Power
Free Bird, Aurora 60 and Atlanta 60, some photos sent via 3 e-mails. Jeff
Posted on: 8/31/2009 8:54 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9060116

RE: Aurora 60 Build Thread - Electric Power
Ryan, my airplane as a screensaver is indeed a compliment [:)] although the design itself is the biggest factor I'm sure. I have the large original photo files of all those photos if someone is interested, actually I've kept the large originals of just about all the shots taken during the build. Jeff
Posted on: 8/31/2009 5:51 AM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9058171

RC Sportsman Mag - March 1976 Edition
Anyone out there have a copy they'd part with or scan an article for me? There's a full feature on Dave Vonlinsowe's Spectra in that issue. I have the full size plans in hand but would like to have a copy of the accompanying article. Jeff
Posted on: 8/30/2009 9:21 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9057437

RE: Aurora 60 Build Thread - Electric Power
I've received a few PMs lately asking about recent progress made on my Aurora. Admittedly, I've done very little over the last 2 months and believe me when I say I'm as anxious as anyone to see this thing flying. It could maybe occur in the next month, we'll see. I assembled the airplane and took a few snaps in the back yard. The only things missing are the lipo's and the 2 aileron servos....thus the droopy aileron ruining some of the shots. The really old guy holding the airplane....that's me. [:)] Jeff
Posted on: 8/29/2009 1:16 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9054398

RE: An MK 20 Size Conservation Project
Dave, zap me your Paypal info and I'll be happy to help defray a bit of the cost. My favourite would be the Cosmos 20 having flown the full size version many years ago. It served me well. You ever near Ottawa?....maybe for the IMAC Nats next weekend? I'd invite you to drop by for coffee, or maybe something stronger :-) Have a look at my Aurora as well. Jeff LeBouthillier
Posted on: 7/26/2009 12:45 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8964971

RE: MK Aurora 90
Mike, have you decided on a color scheme yet? Jeff LeBouthillier
Posted on: 5/18/2009 8:37 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8780101

RE: Aurora 60 Build Thread - Electric Power
Nope, it has not flown yet. The weather here in Ottawa is just starting to warm up and the primo flying weather is rapidly approaching. The limiting factor right now is that I've not yet purchased the lipos. 8s or 9s packs are pricey!! [:o] I'll be sure to capture the maiden flight on video. Jeff
Posted on: 5/1/2009 5:35 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8732479

RE: Mach 1 Laser Kit Build
I'm really enjoying this build thread. What a great way to make a majestic design readily available!! Kudos to all that have made this kit possible. Jeff
Posted on: 3/31/2009 8:36 PM by Author "Bootalini" in the forum "Classic RC Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8636346