RE: Balsa USA Phaeton II Need Help
Guys thanks, that was the trick, clean clean clean and no ca to hold the joint. A simple jig did the trick. Just fitted the cowl, need to paint it (cowl) and it is ready to fly. Will let you know how it goes. Pat
Posted on: 8/26/2012 4:58 AM by Author "Honker1" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11206271

Balsa USA Phaeton II Need Help
Hello all, I have built numerous planes over that last 35 years but never a biplane. I have finished building a Phaeton II .40 Bi-plane (great build by the way) and am having a really hard time getting the rigging right. I really need some help, I can get things right on the board but when I try to solder the fittings in place I really have a hard time getting it right. I have tried CA to hold them in place but when I go to solder everything moves and my solder joints are bad. I am an aircraft mechanic (have build 2 experimetal planes) but have trouble with this solder thing, any suggetions? Anyone??? Thanks, Pat
Posted on: 8/23/2012 4:46 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11203878

RE: Bernie's new tee dees
When you consider that no new parts are being produced, unless I am mistaken, ie; pistons, cylinders, cranks, I would snap up everyone I could get. A bad running TD will out run a good running reed valve any day! Been flying 1/2a for over 30 years if that counts for anything. Yes when radio sytems weighed to much ..... In my opinion only, Honker1
Posted on: 3/9/2012 5:58 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10993538

RE: Build log: The Ryleigh Roooo
1/2a is 1/2a this aint 1/2a Honker1
Posted on: 1/28/2012 5:12 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10932854

RE: Cox Organizers
Where did you get the Cox sticker? Honker1
Posted on: 1/10/2012 3:33 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10902335

RE: Midwest Aerosport .20
Well it is 55 degrees out and blowing 20 to 30 here in southern Ohio. No flying today!! Decided to post of pic of the Aerosport 20. I had an Aerosport 40 years ago that I sold, wish I hadn't, flew as solid as this one but a little bigger. I probably had over 200 flight on the 40. A little heavy but very tough and durable. Need to keep your enregy up on these to do aerobatics, lots of fun to fly. Pat
Posted on: 1/1/2012 8:25 AM by Author "Honker1" in the forum "Sport Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10885972

OS Max Plugs, Really Good
Hello, Just resurected an Old OS Max .15FP. This engine had not run in about 10 years. I installed it on an old Sig Senorita and got it running OK. Flew it a bunch lately, engine didn't seem like the old OS I was used to. It would cut out at idle on approach sometimes. Took it all apart, sealed the carb, cleaned everything, ran OK when I was done, still not great. I was at the LHS and purchased a #8 OS Max glow plug and swapped it out with whatever brand plugs I had screwed into my glow plug driver over the years and WOW!! What a difference, the engine runs stronger at full power,idles so low and reliably now I can't believe the difference. I do remember over the years everyone always said the OS plugs were the best and in this instance I definately agree. I had Tower, Fox , Thunder Tiger plugs but the OS ones seem to really make a profound difference. I always remember with the OS engines you could land pretty hard, if you didn't hit the prop the engine just kept idling. It would not do that with the off brand plugs but now it does. Am I imagining things or has anyone else had such good fortune with these slightly more expensive plugs. Get what you pay for? Thanks, Pat
Posted on: 11/13/2011 7:49 AM by Author "Honker1" in the forum "Sport Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10809716

Cox PRSU
Hello all, Been thinking of making a park flyer using a .049. Has anyone anyone ever come up with a Prop Speed Reduction Unit with off the shelf parts? Plenty of power in a .049 to swing a 8 or 9 inch prop slowly so I could fly a Park Flyer in the street in front of my house. Just trolling for ideas that have already been tried before I go it alone and figure out how to do this. Thanks, Pat
Posted on: 11/11/2011 1:23 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10807502

RE: Fuel Pickup Tube Question
Thanks all, I think I got it. Pat
Posted on: 11/4/2011 4:17 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10797128

RE: Midwest Aerosport .20
It is the ABC version. Runs great and I am using Castor (per instructions) since I had a gallon of Sig 10% nitro, 20% castor, I added about 3 ounces castor. I forget my chemistry but think I got it right. Instructions say 23% castor oil 10% to 15% nitro. Pat
Posted on: 11/3/2011 4:51 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum "Sport Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10795576

Fuel Pickup Tube Question
Hello all, I am trying to get some of my Blackwidows working right. The problem is the fuel pickup tube has gotten very hard over the years and needs to be replaced. I have the replacement tube but I do not have the knowledge/trick to make the tube stay at the center bottom of the tank. As far as I can tell with the new tube installed it sticks straight out, how do you get the bend in it to stay after you close it all up? Might be a dumb question but I really can't figure it out, and is the spring inside the tube really neccesary? Thanks, Pat
Posted on: 11/3/2011 8:59 AM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10794960

Midwest Aerosport .20
Hello Sportflyers!! I have been hanging out on the 1/2a forum for some years now but finally pulled my Midwest Aerosport .20 from the ceiling and got her ready to fly. I built it 6 years ago, it had a brand new OS .25f that came with the kit from a hobby shop around here for $70 (kit and plane)!! After spending about 2 days breaking in the motor before flying (yes I finally learned the hard way to do all the things recomended before flying and things seem to work out better) replacing the batteries, readjusting all control linkages, servos, etc.... A little nervous but all worked out well. As usual the wind picked up to 15 gusting 23 mph by the time I was ready to fly! I flew anyways and it handled the wind well. The plane tracked well, looped, rolled, snaped and spun well! Also slowed down to a crawl in this wind and landed great! I must say, having an OS engine that starts first flip (no electric starter) good to go on the last needle setting, transitions from idle to full power and back without a stumble was very nice. Reminds me of all the .40 size planes I flew in the past! I will always keep a few 1/2a planes around but I gotta say, these bigger planes and engines sure are convenient!! There is also a .20 Super Sportster with an Enya .35 4 stroke,done and never flown hanging on my basement workshop ceiling. That will be next. I will try to attach a pic of the Aersport in a few days, ithas some green on it from the tall grass. this was probably the last warm,70degrees day here in Southern Ohio, great way to end the summer. Oh and by the way, I love building Midwest kits! Pat
Posted on: 11/2/2011 4:02 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum "Sport Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10793998

RE: SURE START hop ups ??
Two winters ago I filled my house with smoke from testing my surestart in the basement atfer each mod. Unfortunately I didn't keep records except the final one. I was getting about 20,000 rpm on a 5x3, put it on my Sureshark and it screamed! Here is what I did: - drilled out the venturi with a 3/16" drill, smoothed the opening with an exacto - lightened the piston by using a brass tube that fit in my 1/2" drill and held the piston, used an #11 exacto blade to skim metal out of the inside of the piston, just don't get it to thin (the piston wall) - used a nelson head, in my opinion the easiest most reliable head for really consistent performance. There may be better but these work very well. (I don't know what is better) - deburred the crank with tooth paste, sounds crazy but it works really well - mine already had SPI ( sub port induction) so I did not have to shorten the piston. When I was done this engine screamed like a strong TD .049 on 25% nitro with 20% castor. It still screams, a $6.95 engine runs as strong as a real Killer Bee (yes my wife bought 2 of them from the Ace RC catalog for me for Christmas some years ago). In short, do the things I did on your Sure Start and you should get really good results or I will eat my hat! Good Luck and ask if you have any questions, Pat
Posted on: 10/25/2011 6:37 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10782649

RE: Cox Hurricane glider
Had one back in the late eighties or early 90's, not sure. Flew it on a ridge in San Bernardino, Ca. Was OK but wouldn't buy one again. It was typical foam and plastic, not real rigid or that great a penatrator or flyer. I would pass, not worth much, unless you really want a Cox ARF. honker1 IMHO
Posted on: 9/23/2011 6:30 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10731219

1/2a control line conversion to RC
Hello, Has anyone tried to convert a 1/2a contol line to RC? I really don't like building from plans since I have to cut out ribs ( I am bad at it)! Anyways I have considered converting Select Hobbies 1/2a Flite Streak or Nobler to rc, what are are of your thoughts? Also a flat sheet wing contol line model, might be fun? Thanks, Honker1
Posted on: 9/23/2011 5:43 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10731134

RE: Cox Tee Dee 049 High Performance Cylinders
Hello Zenalook!!, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you firing up the old Cox line of engines!! In regards to the cylinders, I once purchased a Kustomkraftmanship engine (which I still have) and I believe it had a tapered cylinder. It really moves out!! Does this make a difference in engine performance? How hard is it to taper a cylinder? Thanks again for all you have done!! Honker1
Posted on: 4/30/2011 7:06 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10493786

RE: Your First 1/2A Experience?
of fun. Honker1
Posted on: 6/6/2010 6:57 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9785515

RE: Norvel .061 piston
Mike, I have one. PM me with your address and I will get it in the mail Monday. Honker1
Posted on: 2/27/2010 9:22 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9541337

RE: SWR
. Honker1
Posted on: 2/13/2010 9:19 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9502000

SWR
Still building, anyone have plans for a sheet wing racer? Honker1
Posted on: 2/12/2010 7:08 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9499256

RE: Cox .09 Glow Plug
TB, One more thing, what prop and fuel are you using? Honker1
Posted on: 2/7/2010 5:33 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9485254

RE: Cox .09 Glow Plug
TeeBee, Thanks, that is an awesome vid. I saw that vid some time ago, it is next on my list of builds. I currently have a Jodel, low wing from Model airplane news. The plans were in the magazine and I enlarged them. I traveled around the country with the plans, carbon paper. balsa, x-acto knife. While I sat in my hotel at night I cut out parts. I now have a Jodel kit and I will use the .09 on it. By the way, who made the head that you are using? Does it have a combustion chamber? The one I have if flat with a tapped hole for a glow plug. It will not run the engine. I have tried and tried, been doing this a long time. Don't know it all so if I am missing something someone jump in. If you put a TD .09 crank in a Medallion will it jump the performance or will it not work. Just curious. Thanks, Pat
Posted on: 2/7/2010 5:24 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9485231

Cox .09 Glow Plug
, Honker1
Posted on: 2/7/2010 2:53 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9484836

RE: replacement for a Norvel
DD, What is MT13 and where do you get it? Sounds like good stuff! Honker1
Posted on: 1/21/2010 9:22 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9436603

RE: 1/2a Biplane
is left. Thanks, Honker1
Posted on: 12/18/2009 8:17 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9342142

RE: 1/2a Biplane
Hey Skaliwag, You think a screaming Surestart will haul this thing around? Honker1
Posted on: 11/23/2009 5:20 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9275211

RE: 1/2a Biplane
Thanks all, I want to build them all. Dave (Fritze), the Ken Willard Waco did not download for me. Could you resend maybe pm? Keep it coming on the biplane ideas. Getting closer to the perfect one. Any JN4's out there? Thanks, Honker1
Posted on: 11/22/2009 5:48 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9272778

RE: 1/2a Biplane
gates. Honker1
Posted on: 11/21/2009 5:08 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9270446

1/2a Biplane
Hello all, Well building season is almost upon me. Really want to build a 1/2a Biplane. Any ideas. Might design one and build it. Any thoughts? Thanks, Honker1
Posted on: 11/20/2009 7:37 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9268525

RE: Unplanned landings,1/2a Sure Shark
Hello Bob, Yes, they sent my reciever back and it works fine. I must tape, glue, silicone, shrink wrap etc... the crystal into the reciever into the reciever. Tough lesson, had a perfect flying Sure Shark that is now rebuilt (arrghh!). Oh well that is the sport. I will say that it was a great flyng 1/2a plane. It will be again but been very busy. Thanks, PAt
Posted on: 8/28/2009 5:02 PM by Author "Honker1" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9052576