RE: Jack's Spad VII 5/20/12
Doesn't look like many people here identify with true scratch built airplanes. I think that it will be a close run this year between the giant Spads for best WWI at Bomber field.
Posted on: 8/30/2012 7:27 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11211462

RE: Where is this hobby going
[quote]ORIGINAL: Live Wire Back in the 60's to 80's the planes were like park flyers. We used smaller engines 19s and 29s with a lot less power than the new planes we now have[8|] and I do believe we tried some mighty scary thing back then[:D] Yes I do believe *I have changed[:@] Larry K [/quote] We flew rear rotor 60s that cranked 15,000 rpm on the down lines translating to about 135 mph. Hardly park flyer speeds. Speeds were already above 200 mph on specialty planes. I know that I have changed in that my hand to eye reflexes and coordination are beginning to slow. Today making an inverted pass at 18" off the deck is luck,not skill.[:o]
Posted on: 6/19/2012 8:51 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11123765

RE: Where is this hobby going
I read all of the posts to date and agree with the three or four posters that the model airplane will continue to evolve and carry on regardless of the doom sayers. I have been involved with modeling since the beginning of the 50s following my father from his time in the 30s and after WWII. For all time only a small number of people have been involved in modeling so it should come as no surprise that in any given area modeling can dwindle to nothing. However it doesn't happen everywhere and all at once so there is always activity around if one looks for it maybe just not at your door step. Modeling will continue to evolve, we just might not agree with the evolution based on our experience but others will pick it up and take it in the direction that makes sense to them. As for equipment being worth little when you get ready to sell, it was never an investment. The fun and the challenge were the valuable part any recovery is just icing on the cake. I know because I have a fairly large cake.[:D]
Posted on: 6/18/2012 10:17 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11123336

RE: Sad day
Always a sad situation when people are lost in the line of duty. The public has a very limited understanding as to what these people do and how valuable they are to the fire fighting community. I always think back to tanker 123 as my uncle went down in the B-24 version in 1944. My thoughts and prayers to all involved in this dangerous but necessary type of flying.
Posted on: 6/6/2012 8:32 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11109566

RE: IMAA Constitution Under Assult
I finally let my IMAA membership lapse. As a SIG it is no longer relevant to what is going on in giant scale modeling. The number of people using ARF or ready built equipment for entertainment and competition is increasing while those that build for technical achievement and advancement are declining. As such, the IMAA and AMA for that matter, have not found a successful way to coalesce this group into a SIG that is relevant to current time. What you have is a bunch of people spending time worrying about collecting a few bucks fly at an event rather than spending time creating a SIG that people want to join for reasons other than just a requirement to fly at an event. The founders and contributors to the growth and success of IMAA in the early days have either passed on or been passed by. Those currently at the helm seem not to realize that the dynamic of large scale modeling has changed and is flying over the horizon while they are still on the hardstand trying to get permission to taxi.
Posted on: 5/29/2012 9:09 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11098572

RE: OS 160 Twin
I used the mount that is supplied with the engine and built a box from the firewall forward to space the motor correctly with the cowling. Yes I built the two planes that you mentioned primarily for the SMALL event held ion LittleRock every year. Send me a pm abouit the two 160s
Posted on: 5/28/2012 8:57 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11098087

RE: OS 160 Twin
I ran both the 120 and 160 twins from 1990 to 2003 with great success. The 160s are much better performers than the 120 Gemini IIs were. The bulk of my flying was in a Great Planes SuperSportster built in 1990 and then the Hanger 9 and Sig CAPs. In all cases the planes weighed from 11 to 13 lbs and were good aerobatic planes but not 3-D capable. As for the engines they were dead reliable running on Morgan pink 10% in the summer and 15% in the winter such as it is here in the Dallas Ft Worth area. Never had a problem dropping a cylinder in flight or coming up from idle. Since my engines were cowled, I used two dubro remote glow extensions and plugged in a glow igniter for each cylinder. I removed the choke setup as all of the engines would fire up from idle in 5 to 10 seconds using a Sullivan starter. Allow it to idle for 30 seconds or so before removing the igniters and things are good to go. The needle valve and idle seldom require any adjustment day to day unless there is a 30 to 40 degree temp. change. The valves need to be checked and lubricated maybe once every 100 flights or so. I found the a light grease seemed to do a better job than just the blow by oil but I never saw any evidence of under lubrication of the valve train. The OS-F glowplugs will go through as much as 20 gallons of fuel or more with no problems so they seldom require attention. Overall they are fun and reliable powerplants, money aside. I still have two of the here with no idea as to what to do with them at this point in time. Enjoy lots of good flying from your 160 twin.
Posted on: 5/24/2012 11:50 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11093255

RE: Fox twin 6.4 Engine
[quote]ORIGINAL: basimpsn Can this motor (Fox twin 6.4) use any bigger prop than 26-10 ? If so which Prop and what RPM. Its just weird that my single Cylinder ZDZ80 turn the same prop and Rpm. Thanks guys [/quote] As someone else said here the Fox and the Brison were basically the same. As such they are shorter stroke than many of the contemporary powerplants meaning that they need to rev to make the power hence the smaller diameter props. I flew my Brison 6.4 twin with a Mezjlik 26X10 prop but also used a 27x8 wood prop with success. I used it on a pre 3-D Carden Extra 300 for several years. As far as the ZDZ 80 swinging the same prop with less ccs that is pretty much common that a thumper will put out equal or more power than a twin but at the cost of a lot more vibration. In the end the airframe and the performance expected from it will determine the prop. The Xoar propeller line is a good current brand to experiment with.
Posted on: 5/23/2012 9:30 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11091768

RE: Does anyone have any experience with Maloney engines?
They are one of the smoother running door stops out there capable of holding a door open in a 15/20 mph wind. [;)] Past that they are a relic from a bygone era.
Posted on: 5/21/2012 5:56 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11089541

RE: Robart hinges for 20cc and larger
The real issue is that they are "Robart type" not real Robart hinges. I have seen some very good Robart copies while others are molded either from substandard plastic or the molding procedure is not correct producing a either a brittle product or one with substandard tensile properties. Unfortunately this usually manifests itself during flight causing either partial or full loss of a flight surface. I have used genuine Robart hinges on planes up thru 150 cc displacement with no issues but the hinges were installed in material adequate for the task as well as in the proper numbers. Good luck with your project
Posted on: 5/21/2012 5:50 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11089522

RE: 2012 AMA Decal
I will send you mine if you want it. That way with one stuck on each side of the glass you can have a cheese sandwich.[:D] [quote]ORIGINAL: Stickbuilder I was planning to put the 2012 Decal on the rear glass of my wagon. Took it out of the envelope, and OMG! That has got to be the Cheesiest thing that I've ever seen. After the nice looking ones for the past few years, this one looks like a 10 year old designed it. Anyone else noticed how awful it is? Bill, AMA 4720 [/quote]
Posted on: 4/1/2012 1:45 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11023924

RE: Have You Had Ignition Failures On Your Gasser?
I would have to agree with Milton here based on 20 years of playing with gas engines. With 6 twins and 4 single cylinders in the mix I have had one failure on a CH ignition that had 7 years of continuous service and it was a connection failure between the coil and the high tension lead not an electronic problem. I have loaned a spare RCExcell module to a friend to replace a problem unit that he had with an earlier unit furnished on a Black Canyon G-62 but that is the only RCEXCELL unit that I know of that has had a problem and again it is several years old. Most problems that I see are damaged plug boot connections and bad switches and cutoff units not the modules themselves. Since most of my collection is DA, Brison Zenoah and Taurus, I can't speak to the reliability of the other systems but I would put the overall all reliability as high as any of the considerable number of large displacement glow engines that I have operated in these same years. [quote]ORIGINAL: BadAzzMaxx [quote]ORIGINAL: SteveR Rambin Well thanks to all for the good information and advice. To date on those who responded YES on failures made up 40.2%, with those answering what type failure 75% were ignition module failures. Hopefully if some mfg. rep reads this forum they will look into why there is such a high failure rate. I really like the idea of gas engines, their sound, performance and low fuel cost but it doesn't seem like the ignition reliability is where it needs to be. By the way in the last 5 years of using four strokes I've replaced only 3 plugs. [/quote] I think a better poll would be to ask what brand ignition had failures, The problem with just asking about ignition failure is there are are some Asian made engines being sold that no matter what the end user does they are going to fail, Most of these are made by the same company that sells the engines. Like I posted here earlier I have had maybe at the most of 4 ignitions returned to me in 3 years from product failure. The RCexl ignition has proven itself to be the best ignition you can get next to the original CH ignition. Milton [/quote]
Posted on: 3/12/2012 11:13 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10997110

RE: SHOW US YOUR BYRON PLANES
This is the prototype Byron Wedell Williams Started by Al Tuttle and finished and flown by me.
Posted on: 2/1/2012 10:41 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10938648

RE: Where do you like to fly?
[quote]ORIGINAL: krashkart I just did not like the way either of the fields that clubs  were set up. Too many risks with too many things like parking lots and other activities around them. I also did not like the restrictive flying rules or patterns as a result of where these fields were. At the one field there were entirely too many people that did not follow the rules. I guess they were special. But in my time I have had many near accidents and seen people injured by people like this. I am fortunate enough to live in an area where I have lots of places to go where nobody is going to get hurt and there will be no property damage as there is simply nothing at the site that I fly at except me in most cases. I do have a couple of friends that on rare occasions come out with me but we know each others habits well and trust one another. And I am getting older, but I have also run into some old timers that just plain forget things that has caused problems at club fields too. My final straw was that when an old timer forget to secure his large model, started the motor and had it take off and impact very near where I was at the time. I just shook my head and was glad that I did not get hit by his large prop and put my gear in the van and left. I chose to leave many of those situations behind. And what I have discovered in doing so is that it's more enjoyable to me. And at my stage of life I don't have to explain it to anyone. [/quote] Sounds like you are exactly where you need to be. Why waste time posting your position here?
Posted on: 2/1/2012 9:48 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10938561

RE: what 2.4 article
[quote]ORIGINAL: Oberst [quote]ORIGINAL: gsoav8r Wish my MA would show up already... However, from looking at the current cellular frequencies, I dont see anything that suggest cellular is a prob with 2.4. The 4G stuff referred to earlier in the thread doesnt appear to overlap the part of the band we use. The 4G range is 2496 - 2690. ref - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies From looking at videos on rcmodelreviews.com were the gent uses a nice spectrum analyzer we can see that RC 2.4 systems are outputting in the range of about 2400 - 2485. Who knows whats really being hashed out in FCC and industry circles, but so far I cant decipher what the fuss is about. Cheers. [/quote] Did you ever have Bluetooth disconect on you when you knew it was fully charged? Have you ever faded in and out or had the signal weaken and you knew you weren't that far from a tower, but when you redialed it came in strong again? Ever have the signal fade when you were caught in a heavy rain? Have you ever had a dropped call? Have you ever got no signal in a shopping mall, elevator or home? Have you ever sent a text or email and it got lost in cyberspace? Your phone operates on the 2.4GHz system, enough said! Yea, I want to operate my $1,000 dollar airplane with that type of technology. NOT! Pete [/quote] This thread makes me long for the good old days of a few frequencies and servos with square output shafts. (Yah, right) Can we also revive the old 72 threads concerning the dangers of PCM receivers? 2.4 gear is not fool proof for sure but then neither is any other hobby quality radio or other devices. I guess I must have thrown caution to the wind somewhere by flying 75# waivered airplanes on 2.4. When 2.4 stuff starts raining from the sky like the birds did last winter then I will become concerned and exercise something other than normal caution and good operating practices. I also remember Finagles saying "The experiment can be deemed a success if no more than 90% of the findings must be discarded to make it agree with the hypothesis." I am always more concerned about brain fade than I am signal fade.
Posted on: 10/28/2011 1:23 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10786885

RE: Who's ready for Bomber Field
The usual suspects from Arlington and surrounding area will be there. Hoping for moderate weather but after 18 years of attendance I have come to realize that the weather will be what it is. We will have a good time regardless. In the end it is the great crew that puts on the event and the people who attend that makes Bomber Field such a fun event,
Posted on: 9/9/2011 7:50 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10708634

RE: Does this mean no maidens @ Sanctioned Event?
You are behind the power curve on the scaled logbook requirement. Check out the picture of the door pocket on our 42% Super Decathlon. It is in it's 3rd year on the fly in circuit. As for the original first post, I can't imagine what is so important about flying any model that concessions to existing rules need to be made. [quote]ORIGINAL: littlecrankshaf [quote]ORIGINAL: K-Bob I'd rather be present when a new plane with new equipment and zero flights is flown then when old Herb pulls out the P51 from back in the day with s148s all around, a FM reciever with some of the antennae left, 600 flights and cracked CA hinges. [/quote] Maybe another rule should be implemented that specifies the maximum number of flights an airframe can have if to be flown in an event. Of course that would mean a requirement to keep a log book on the model. Actually, I wonder why that hasn't been imposed on us already... Hmmm... a model airframe log...sounds cool. It would just be physically smaller and have to reside in the aircraft for inspection when required. [/quote]
Posted on: 8/6/2011 4:23 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10658685

RE: Fuji-Imvac is history
I have one in an Ikon Lockheed Vega which flies it well but overall it is 50 CCs of mediocrity. Give me a Taurus any time for a good 50 cc single and yes I know Taurus is also out of production but they are still worth picking up if one comes your way. Can't say that about the Fuji.
Posted on: 7/6/2011 4:40 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10609077

RE: Don Smith Cessna T-50
Ed, it looks like you and Sparkey are running neck and neck for unique and seldom modeled airplanes. Don't forget that we have a flight demo scheduled in June for the scouts. Ross
Posted on: 5/17/2011 7:18 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10525097

RE: Futaba PCM failed-This never happened before
Barracuda Hockey is most likely right about the ceramic filter in the receiver going bad. I had a variation of this happen to me where it flew fine and went dead while firing up for the next flight. R-149s had this as a known problem but Futaba sort of stonewalled the issue. At the time I scrapped 4 R149s and went back to the older R129DP series. After that I went on their 2.4 Fasst stuff with no problems to date. I still fly the old R129s in a bunch of stuff but am converting more planes to 2.4 simply for fly in convienience.
Posted on: 5/16/2011 11:44 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10523430

RE: butch o'hare is coming to top gun
Barry, it sure looks and sounds like it is back to full tilt boogie. Good luck at Top Gun. See you at Bomber Field if I don't see you before then. Ross
Posted on: 4/11/2011 8:44 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10456068

RE: Lew McFarland Passes on
Lew was indeed a big name in the controline stunt arena. His Ruffy was the last controline stunt model that I built and flew in the early 70s. May he find joy and peace as he joins the other great ones that have gone before him. Ross
Posted on: 4/1/2011 9:35 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Control Lines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10436413

RE: Byron Wedell Williams Racer Build
Just got back to this thread after several weeks. Congratulations on your maiden flight. I am happy to see another #44 in the air. If I had my big Stinson done I would think about adding a second one to my fleet but this time as the Gilmore Red Lion paint scheme. Once again Congrats and many happy flights.
Posted on: 2/16/2011 10:02 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10340503

RE: AMA sanctioned club looks to punish members
If clubs do not set deadlines then some members will never get around to paying their dues. Dues payment should not be a problem as it is known all year long when the due date is. Sudden club assessments for unforseen emergencies is another story but having a penalty for late payment is not a bad thing regardless of the size of the club treasury.
Posted on: 2/9/2011 9:59 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10323437

RE: how does an engine act when ign. batt dies
Also on twins it usually shows up as one cylinder dropping out and then the silence follows a few seconds later.
Posted on: 2/8/2011 6:58 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10320634

RE: Futaba or Spectrum
First of All Proline had much better sticks than Kraft.[:D] As for the current 2.4 stuff I use a Futaba 12FX but have flown both Spectrum and JR. All have worked well but my prefrence is still Futaba. Design theory and brochure specifications aside they all have their following but mine is Futaba. My gallery pictures will give you some idea as to why I place a premium on reliability.
Posted on: 2/4/2011 1:57 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10312474

RE: Byron Wedell Williams Racer Build
In regard to the control throws no I did not change them. If the cg is in the proper range the elevator is not that sensitive, nor are the ailerons and rudder. What I did do was mix in about 25% rudder with the ailerons on a switch. This allows for scale turns when flying race track patterns at large fly in events plus it makes the rolls into a barrel as opposed to a very axial roll that modern aerobatic aircraft demonstrate. This thing will do a pretty decent axial roll if that is you want but somehow the barrel roll seems a little more in keeping with it's time.
Posted on: 1/10/2011 2:07 PM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10253404

RE: Byron Wedell Williams Racer Build
Great pictures, I really like you flying wires they are far superior in appearence to the Byron setup. You are right about slowing before turning when landing or during taxi exercises. What I did on mine was to put a small strip of a clear heavy vinyl that the RC car people use as a scuff protection on their car bodies under each wing tip. It doesnt show on the ground or in flight but it sure helps to prevent cutting thru the fabric and balsa when you get a tip down while it is moving. Enjoy your first flights. It is a fun airplane.
Posted on: 1/10/2011 7:21 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10252491

RE: R149 Dp Rx-Tx compatibility?
[quote]ORIGINAL: gorchew <span class=''Apple-style-span'' style=''font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px; ''>Hello, Could you please tell me what radios are compatible or best suited to the Futaba R149 DP channel receiver, Thanks - Gorchew [/quote] The same Futaba 1024 PCM transmitters that work wit the R129 DP receivers will work with the R149 DPs. I would caution that some of the R149DPs were prone to intermittant failure. There were numerous postings about this problem back about 5 or 6 years ago. I pulled all of mine out of service and reverted back to the older 129 series because of unsatisfactory resolution by Futaba service. Supposedly the problem was due to a ceramic gilter but this was never confirmed by anyone reliable. Before I went on to 2.4 I used quite a number of the synthesized frequency PCM units with good success. Bottom line though is only Futaba 1024 PCM modules will work with R149 DP receivers.
Posted on: 1/10/2011 6:44 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10252388

RE: Something Different!
There is certainly nothing on the list that can't be done. Item 12 will be the toughest for me. Makme wish that I liked ARFs more.[:D]
Posted on: 1/6/2011 9:32 AM by Author "Gremlin Castle" in the forum "AMA Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10243612