RE: coleman fuel
ORIGINAL: fred985 the cure for the alchol in the gas is an easy fix. take a 5 gal jug and put 2 gal of water in it. then put 2 gal of gas in and let it set for a few days. the alky will go into the water. and you have alky free gas left over. no more problems. i pour the gass out slowly and when i get near the last i put it into as tin can so i can see the water under the gas and carfully pour it out. this was i loose only a few ounces of gas. Seems like a great idea. I think the octane rating would be lower after removing the alcohol, though probably not enough to be concerned about. I remember a few years back before alcohol was mandated in auto fuel. With the blessing of STC paperwork, auto fuel was commonly used in small full scale aircraft. The STC that permitted the use of auto fuel did not allow alcohol (and far more importantly, alcohol would damage the rubber parts in many old fuel systems). As some fuel had alcohol and some didn't, and it didn't have to be labeled at the pump, there was a tester available that was a simple graduated cylinder. You filled it up to the first line with water, then filled it to the top line with fuel and then shook it. If there was alcohol present, the clearly visible water/fuel line would then be above the initial water line. I'll have to try it myself, but I do wonder, what does the resulting alcohol free fuel smell like? [i]Way back when[/i] I used to say, "I love the smell of 80 octane in the morning!"
Posted on: 6/2/2012 6:56 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11104193

RE: Post your favorite quotes
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein It is not true that life is one damn thing after another - it's one damn thing over and over. Edna St. Vincent Millay
Posted on: 5/23/2012 5:54 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Cars, Trucks, Buggies and more"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11092334

RE: P-40 found
[quote]ORIGINAL: slightly_floored Just goes to show how effective camo can be.  [/quote] Yes, the colors on the airplane and the rocks and sand it sits on are remarkably similar. I would suspect that when viewed from far above it would be [i]very[/i] difficult to distinguish this airplane from the terrain. If I knew the lat/long of its location I would love to take a look at it on Google maps.
Posted on: 5/14/2012 1:09 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11080516

RE: P-40 found
[quote]ORIGINAL: Goldenduff I believe the sands condtabtly shift uncovering/covering things constantly [/quote] I suppose that's possible, but from the pictures I don't see anything to suggest that this P-40 was ever covered with sand. There is sand around it of course, but the general area is quite rocky. Had this airplane once been covered with sand, I would think that any enclosed areas of it would contain substantial amounts of sand that had drifted in.
Posted on: 5/13/2012 6:11 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11079632

RE: P-40 found
This is an incredible find - one very much like the Lady Be Good back in 1958. This is yet another 54 years later. It's hard to fathom how desolate the Sahara desert is, that an intact and fully visible airplane could sit for that long without being discovered. I wonder if some "armchair adventurers" with a bit of time on their hands, could painstakingly go over Google satellite images and perhaps find even more artifacts hiding there?
Posted on: 5/12/2012 3:07 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11078299

RE: Full Scale WWII Spitfire's - NIP
Unbelievable - if true. I'd wager that this is the first and last that you will hear of this incredible find.
Posted on: 4/20/2012 7:48 AM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11049793

RE: Good deal on ebay!
[quote]ORIGINAL: Teachu2 Could he have had problems with the turbine shown mounted, been unable to resolve them, and bought the P120 to replace it - then gotten in a bind and have to sell it? Not that I'd risk $4k+ on that theory....[:)] [/quote] Teachu2, you just might have figured this out. Quoting from his listing: "THIS BEAUTY HAS NEVER SEEN THE AIR" The way this might have worked is that he never got the bugs worked out with the original engine, so he never flew it. Then he bought the new bought P120 to replace it, and as such (quoting his listing again): "IT IS PERFECT AND EVERYTHING IS BRAND NEW" And quoting myself: There is nothing that can't be explained if it is what you wish to believe. (Perhaps someone could send the seller a link to this thread, and he would then have the opportunity to explain everything here if he wished to do so.)
Posted on: 4/15/2012 9:26 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11043662

RE: Good deal on ebay!
colmo-RCU, From his description: "i have never even mounted the turbine on this beauty." As such, he indeed claims to be the owner and builder of this jet. I listed 8 reasons why potential bidders should have concerns about this listing. These are concerns, but I make no conclusive statement that this seller is a scammer. There is no way that I would call this seller a scammer without having some solid evidence of this. There is nothing that can't be explained if it is what you wish to believe.
Posted on: 4/15/2012 8:55 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11043635

RE: Good deal on ebay!
I am pretty familiar with eBay, and I don't see any irregularities in the bidders or bidding. There are PLENTY of red flags here though: (a) All of the feedback posted is for selling inexpensive items. (b) He has only had 5 feedbacks posted in the past12 months. (c) He is unknown to the local jet hobbiests in the area of his stated location. (d) The complete plane on the concrete does not appear to be the same one as in the rest of the pictures. (e) According to the posts made here, he has not chosen to reply to specific questions. (f) None of the feedback he has is for hobby related items. (g) Offering free shipping on such an item is a common scammer's tool. It is illogical, but doing so is within the realm of possibility for a low time seller. (h) The quote from his listing "i have never even mounted the turbine on this beauty." seems contradictory to his pictures. That's just for starters. When you get into areas of specific interest, it is a pretty small world. IF this isn't a legitimate offering, hopefully someone will be able to recognize the airplane or the pictures and determine their origin.
Posted on: 4/15/2012 8:01 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11043502

RE: I tried to warn him
[quote]ORIGINAL: skeletor507 First of all the power wires were not as close to us as you might think... [/quote] Not that close? It was 6 seconds from lift off to the power lines. This is a sad event on [i][b]so many[/b][/i] levels. It's wishful thinking, but it would be nice to hope that the two individuals involved might someday appreciate this.
Posted on: 4/15/2012 6:47 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11043453

RE: any body have the kit of 1/2a hobby shack sst?
[quote]ORIGINAL: danilo-2 that's funny... $11 for a copied  'plan'... [/quote] I have not researched the history of the 1/2asst, but I suspect you would be more accurate if you referred to the plans in the Hobby Shack version as the "copied plan" rather than the original Vince Micchia design plan published in RCM. It is my guess that the RCM article and plans came first, and that Hobby Shack then worked with the designer to produce the kit. [quote]ORIGINAL: danilo-2 ...The wing is the only neat thing about it being foam with sheeted leading edges and cap strips.. Tooooo heavy though... [/quote] I think the wing is interesting too. At first look the wing construction method seems overly heavy and redundant to me too. However, if thin balsa and very light foam are used, I suspect that in terms of a weight/strength/shape evaluation, this method comes out looking pretty good.
Posted on: 4/7/2012 10:33 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11032581

RE: any body have the kit of 1/2a hobby shack sst?
[quote]ORIGINAL: jcervantes11 Do you wanna sell it? [/quote] Oh, that's a different question. The kit I have is absolutely NIB. I wasn't thinking of selling it, but if you have to have it, PM me with your offer.[;)]
Posted on: 4/4/2012 8:54 AM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11027980

RE: any body have the kit of 1/2a hobby shack sst?
I have a Hobby Shack "1/2a-sst" kit. What do you want to know?
Posted on: 4/2/2012 10:57 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11026131

RE: EASY TIGER Problems??
[quote]ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer Reinstated [/quote] "Reinstated"? What does this single word coming from a Community Moderator mean? Explanation please.
Posted on: 4/2/2012 9:53 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11026092

RE: Looking for Goldberg Ranger 42 ARF Plans
[quote]ORIGINAL: atron Hi guys: Seems that i never did post pictures of my ''home made'' wood version of the Ranger 42. See my early posts. I does fly FANTASTIC on a Norvel 0.074 and four channel radio. I made it from original plans just follow the contours and the wing root. Its always nice to build again your very first RC plane. [/quote] Very nice build Atron! At the altitude you fly at, the extra wingspan seems like a sensible idea too.
Posted on: 3/30/2012 10:14 AM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11021218

RE: Twin engines uneven compression Magnum
[quote]ORIGINAL: Campgems That engine has a twin throw crank, I believe that both pistons are on compression at the same time.  That would explain the difference in feel.  Please correct me if I'm wrong. Don [/quote] Not "Spot on Don." Twin throw crank, yes. Both pistons on compression at the same time, no. It's a four-stroke. Each side fires alternately giving one power stroke for each full revolution of the engine.
Posted on: 3/23/2012 7:55 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11012536

RE: Now available: Cox Black Widow II - Golden Bee II - Venom II
Bernie, First, I want to congratulate you on your considerable accomplishment of bringing these engines to market, and for doing so at a reasonable price. I do have some concern as to your description of them being a "Custom engine assembled from Cox parts". From your previous press release posts regarding the introductions of some of the various components you have reproduced, I think I am correct in assuming that these engines are actually a combination of original Cox and current reproductions of Cox parts. With original Venom engines, their limited numbers and high sales prices have already lead to "clones". There has been considerable discussion among collectors as to what constitutes an original Venom engine and how to identify one. If your Venom II engines have NO IDENTIFYING MARKINGS, this will lead to even more confusion in the collector market place. Since original Cox engines are indeed serious collectables now, I don't think I am splitting hairs on these points. I would suggest a slight change in the descriptions of your engines (clearly identifying the origins of their parts). I would also suggest using an obvious marking on your Venom II engines so that future buyers and sellers of them will not confuse them with originals. A simple scribed serial number on the bottom of the crankcase would do it. Unscrupulous sellers may still make clones of course, but you will not be responsible for the effects of unknowledgeable sellers who later unknowingly offer your engines as being original Venoms. I know this is "unsolicited advice" from me, but I hope you will give these matters some consideration. You have the respect of many in the small engine community, and I think you will only strengthen that respect by CLEARLY IDENTIFYING your products as being EXACTLY what they are. I do respect that this is a business for you, and I wish you all the best in your efforts to supply the niche market of Cox engines and parts.
Posted on: 3/22/2012 1:50 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11010922

RE: when/how did you know you wanted children or not?
This thread has been a very interesting read: "Real Life Issues" from the perspective of serious hobbiests. There have been some very heartfelt posts from men who have certainly paid their dues. The one lesson here that jumps out for me is that you only get to go around once. As to the appropriateness of this thread? Well, this is the Clubhouse. From the number of posts saying "Close this thread!" and the like, it is obviously pushing the "uncomfortable button" with some folks.
Posted on: 3/16/2012 1:58 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Planes/Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11002998

RE: Holy collector find
[quote]ORIGINAL: fritzke These two motors look very different, comments from the assembled Cox Illuminati? (That's you guys..) fritz [/quote] I can't respond as being one of the "Cox Illuminati", but... The only difference between these two engines (other than age/condition) is that one has a gold anodized crankcase and the other is plain aluminum. (This may be clear anodized, but I'm not sure.) The plain aluminum crankcase engine was the first version. From what I have seen offered for sale, I would say that there is about a 10:1 ratio of gold crankcase to plain crankcase RR-1 engines. Look for the early engine in the box to bring a pretty good price.
Posted on: 2/23/2012 12:12 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10972439

RE: What are used Norvels worth?
[quote]ORIGINAL: DeviousDave I've never heard that Norvels were easy to damage during break-in save for the odd bent rod due to the piston/jug fit. [/quote] Yeah, other than beginning by hand flipping them a few hundred times with the right oil first, and using a heat gun to warm the cylinder before the first start, breaking them in is a piece of cake. I'm a bit of a sucker for a bargain, and I have a few "bargain" used Norvels I've bought that I'd be happy to sell you.[:@]
Posted on: 2/7/2012 12:20 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10948348

RE: What are used Norvels worth?
Used engine are always a risk, but to a considerably greater degree with Norvels. Proper break-in is critical with them. It is very easy to damage them or shorten their life if it is not done properly. Since new ones are currently available for a very reasonable price I wouldn't risk buying used unless: (A) I had a need for the exterior Norvel parts, or (B) the price was dirt cheap.
Posted on: 2/6/2012 10:31 AM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10946516

RE: Very old cowl - what airplane?
This cowl most certainly dates from well after the WW1 era. I believe that it is most likely from a small civilian airplane dating from the late 1920's through the 1930's. A 37" diameter cowl is for a fairly small for a 7 cylinder engine. (By the number of openings in it you can see that it was made for a 7 cylinder engine.) This cowl is along the lines of the Waters tunnel cowl design used on some Monocoupe 90A's, although those usually had 5 cylinder Lambert engines made by the same company that made the Monocoupe. This cowl also looks somewhat similar to the ones used on some Monocoupe D145's and the Luscombe Phantom, but not quite the same. My best guess is that this cowl was made to fit a Warner Scarab 110 or a 7 cylinder Ken-Royce (or its predecessor the LeBlond) which ranged from 90 to 120 horsepower. Anyway, I am rambling a bit here, but hopefully this will help give you a little direction to your search. There is always the possibility that it came from a foreign aircraft, that it came from a one-off airplane, or that it was a one-off cowl design for a well known airplane. MOST IMPORTANTLY THOUGH: This cowl would be quite a find to someone who was restoring whatever airplane it is that it fits! On many smaller early airplanes cowls were often optional equipment (much like wheel fairings were). Even if originally equipped as an option, such cowls were often not repaired and reinstalled after a mishap, and then became separated forever from the original airplane.
Posted on: 2/1/2012 11:49 AM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10937684

RE: Need Help Identify This Aircraft
[quote]ORIGINAL: brad59 http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/696484.html Silvaire, I think you might be correct. See the link to an existing Detroiter Jr. in California with a cowl and R-680! Brad [/quote] brad59, The example in your link differs somewhat from an original Stinson SM-8A. I think the engine on this particular example is a later version rear exhaust 300 hp Lycoming R680E
Posted on: 1/18/2012 9:35 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10916402

RE: Need Help Identify This Aircraft
After a little more searching... I am pretty sure that this airplane is a Stinson SM-8A Detroiter Junior. The engine would not be a Wright, but a Lycoming R-680. This example has an attractive engine cowl that would be typical on a personal or corporate aircraft. Most "working" Stinsons did not have cowls.
Posted on: 1/18/2012 6:56 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10916123

RE: Need Help Identify This Aircraft
There's no question in my mind that this a version of the Stinson Detroiter, and that it is powered by a 9 cylinder Wright engine. If you take a little time researching pictures showing the details of various Stinson Detroiters, you should be able narrow it down to the exact model and particular Wright engine variation (some sort of an R-975, I'd guess). The Detroiters were very popular "mini airliners" in their time. They were produced for many years and had a number of different engine options. Many Stinson Detroiters ended up being used as bush planes after they were past their prime, and were often refitted with Pratt & Whitney R-985's.
Posted on: 1/18/2012 2:12 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum "Airplanes - Full Scale"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10915601

RE: Jr Falcon Build
It's water under the bridge for you now, but I think the laminated leading edge technique doesn't add much - other than weight. Notched leading and trailing edges do make for easy jigging and straight building though. I think the best strength/weight/jigging compromise would be to cut shallow notches about 1/32" deep in solid stock, and make substantial glue fillets.
Posted on: 12/18/2011 4:31 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10865562

RE: AME 061 Needle valve which one?
[quote]ORIGINAL: Andrew ...I think my preference would be to rely on mechanical attachment rather than epoxy - I like JB Weld, primarily because it is so tough. [/quote] I won't offer any thoughts regarding using JB Weld for this particular application, but Norel at one time did use an epoxy of some sort to affix their carbs to the engine. One property of JB Weld is that it will soften if heated sufficiently. As such you could always heat the engine in an oven to about 300 and pull out the NVA if you ever wanted to. (I have used JB Weld to repair the plastic radiator tops of two different Toyotas that I have owned. On one car it held fine for years. The other car must have run hotter as the JB Weld would soften and fail. I ground off and redid the repair twice - then did the smart thing by giving up on the repair idea and replacing the radiator.)
Posted on: 12/18/2011 12:48 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10865278

RE: AME 061 Needle valve which one?
I've never refitted a Norvel with a different needle valve, but both the Texas Timer and Kitting it Together needle valves are good items. The Texas timer NVA is .125" in diameter and presses in with straight knurls to hold it in. It has a replaceable nylon friction seal. (These NVA's are actually surplus or over production Cox parts originally used in their "product engines".) The Kitting it Together NVA is .160" in diameter and is held in place with a threaded nut. It has an adjustable friction nut on the needle.
Posted on: 12/18/2011 12:07 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10865216

RE: 1/2A fuselages.
Skinny is good! [image]http://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/attachments/hangar-flying/3376d1241107033-ecoflyer-lsa-crashes-company-owner-killed-1479465.jpeg[/image]
Posted on: 12/12/2011 10:52 PM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10856847

RE: Worlds smallest glow engine and throttled
I had not come across these engines before. I like the twin, and especially the details of the crankshaft construction. Translation can be a bit difficult, but the ideas do get through and you gotta love that M (_ _) M. We could use a little more humility over here.[;)] Both never in my hands is not greater. The engine model is small. But the sound is great just fledged. Neighborhood people, truly sorry. · · · M (_ _) M EDIT: Check out the links to his machine shop and home pages too - lots of neat stuff there! How about a .15 supercharged open rocker four stroke?!
Posted on: 12/12/2011 10:02 AM by Author "Silvaire" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10855720