RE: Long, but good reading:
Russ, there is a long thread on the early history on digital proportional (also started by Jay) here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6373259/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm I agree that this account of the early analog propo days is most interesting. Alan
Posted on: 10/12/2009 5:38 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9165908

RE: Am I still the
Bob, I agree that the Bonner sticks are very stiff but with a simple modification there should be no problem using an F&M Digital 5 Tx with a Futaba 4 channel 27MHz AM Rx. The problem is the guard pulse at the start of the frame, this shifts all the other pulses along and because it is much longer than a normal pulse can cause synchronising problems. This has been discussed in detail by myself and grotto2 here http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6373259/mpage_3/key_/tm.htm starting at post #73. After carrying out the simple mods described the F&M Tx should operate the Futaba Rx perfectly. I believe some people have successfully changed the Bonner stick springs for lighter ones and lubricating the ball with a little silicone grease helps.
Posted on: 10/7/2009 5:36 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9153177

RE: OS Minitron 12 channel reed
It is good to see your OS Minitron reed system working, well done. I also have an OS Minitron reed system, a 10 channel one. After some recently completed service work I have it fully working. Simultaneous operation of any left side channel with any right side channel should be possible, such as up elevator and rudder together for a spin. After replacing a dead germanium transistor in one of the audio oscillators I have the simultaneous operation working well. As otrcman says you get some distinctive beating sounds from the two different reed frequencies.
Posted on: 10/6/2009 7:03 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9152090

RE: Babcock Aeronca ready for maiden
Hi Russ, very interesting and unusual project. Regarding wing loading, my 1951 Sparky (UK single channel model) weighs 35 oz and has 360 square ins area which I make a loading of about 14 oz/sq ft. It flies superbly with electric power and rudder/elevator and is only just under your wing loading. Power loading is 70 watt per pound and it is very lively. Good luck with the test flight. You can see my Sparky here:- http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8051114/anchors_8051114/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8051114 Alan
Posted on: 9/11/2009 7:38 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9086343

RE: Kwik Fli Mk III CAD plans
Thanks for posting
Posted on: 9/10/2009 3:01 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Classic Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9084563

RE: Astroflight Blinky??
I have an Astro Blinky and it has 0.1 inch pitch pins which should be fine with JST-XH.
Posted on: 9/8/2009 6:38 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Batteries & Chargers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9079653

RE: Rand LR3 Actuator
marnie-mae, I have sent you a PM.
Posted on: 9/2/2009 6:08 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9065135

RE: Vintage Delta kit
I remember the Hustler well. I flew one in the late 1960's with a Super Tigre ST60 (yes it was fast) and F&M Digital 5 radio. I had some success with it in open pylon racing events. It finally came to grief when trying a low downwind turn with a dead motor, it flicked out of the turn and crashed.
Posted on: 8/29/2009 10:02 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9054019

RE: Babcock R/C history
This is clearly an analog system trying to enter the market at a time (as Highplains pointed out) that the market was going digital. The F&M Digital 5 and Bonner Digimite were already out there winning competitions.
Posted on: 8/22/2009 4:32 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9036089

RE: Super Cyclone Break-in
You have to judge the length of the initial runs by listening to the engine. I would suggest 1 or 2 minute runs at first but if you hear the engine start to slow down (ie starting to get too hot and tighten) stop it immediately and let it cool.
Posted on: 8/8/2009 5:26 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8999294

RE: Super Cyclone Break-in
I regularly fly sparkies. My fuel mix is 3 parts to 1 unleaded petrol to oil. The oil should be between SAE 50 and SAE 70 monograde and free of detergent additives. Such oil is sold for vintage/classic motorcycles. I have a Brown Junior and Forster 29 both running well on this mix. For breaking in, keep the mixture rich and give a number of short runs.
Posted on: 8/7/2009 8:09 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8998504

RE: Early Propo Synergy
Highplains, your comment about revisiting analog systems with modern technology is interesting. I am sure that the drift problems could easily dealt with but there was another reason for the eclipse of analog systems by ppm digital and that is bandwidth. With a pure analog system more channels means more bandwidth and even with the channel spacing of the 1960's it was a problem. With a ppm digital system more channels did not alter the bandwidth, it just increased the latency. Alan
Posted on: 8/1/2009 4:46 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8981813

RE: Early Propo Synergy
Here in the UK the first commercial full house proportional system was the RCS Tetraplex. Since I saw Don Brown flying his Quadruplex system at the 1962 World Championships held at RAF Kenley, Surrey, UK I knew I wanted a proportional system. A few people imported Space Control into the UK but it was extremely expensive and I was a student studying electronics. RCS was the largest manufacturer of R/C in the UK in the 1960's and their first proportional system was the Tetraplex, I got one as soon as I had the money together. It was an all transistor analog system and worked on exactly the same principal as Space Control. I don't think they copied any of the circuitry but they certainly copied the method of operation. See attached period advert. The infuence of Space Control had crossed the Atlantic. It was a short lived product as they soon replaced it with a digital system influenced by the F&M Digital 5. After RCS ceased production they asked me if I would service them which supplemented my student grant. I still have a few parts including a Tx encoder board. Alan
Posted on: 8/1/2009 12:52 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8981413

RE: Ed Kazmurski's Taurus
Chuck, I have sent you a PM Alan
Posted on: 7/30/2009 9:00 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Classic Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8976003

RE: Ed Kazmurski's Taurus
Hi Chuck, here is some information on the 1962 R/C World Championships:- Location: RAF Kenley, Surrey, UK Dates: August 17-18-19 1962 Results: Joint first place - Tom Brett USA and Harry Brooks UK. Tom beat Harry in the fly off and thus was declared the winner and held the trophy Third place - Chris Olsen UK Fourth place - Frank Van den Bergh UK Fifth place - Don Brown USA I still have the souvenir programme, see scan attached, you might consider including that in your video. My biggest memory of the event was seeing Don Brown flying proportional, his flying was so smooth compared with reeds. Alan
Posted on: 7/28/2009 7:18 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Classic Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8970167

RE: Ed Kazmurski's Taurus
Hi Chuck, I am glad that you found the Movietone clip of Tom and Helen Brett at the 1962 Internats of interest. It will be great if you can make some use of it in your updated DVD. Alan
Posted on: 7/27/2009 5:51 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Classic Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8967031

RE: TOM BRETT'S DESIGNS-UPDATE
Duane, you are correct that Tom Brett became world champion in 1962 although strictly he was joint champion. The event was held at Kenley in the UK and Tom tied for first place with the UK's Harry Brooks. A fly off was held which Tom won and so he held the trophy. Attached is a photo taken at the event of the joint winners Tom Brett and Harry Brooks. I was at the event and it was the first time I had seen flyers from overseas, I was a teenager at the time and it was quite an experience. Alan
Posted on: 7/7/2009 3:25 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Classic Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8913857

RE: Veron Concord RC plane - info. wanted
Dave, scan emailed Regards, Alan
Posted on: 7/5/2009 6:39 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8908718

RE: Veron Concord RC plane - info. wanted
Dave, PM me your email address if you want a higher resolution scan of the Stormer. Next time I see Phil Smith I might ask him if he was influenced by the Stormer in designing the Concord. Alan
Posted on: 7/5/2009 3:37 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8908307

RE: Veron Concord RC plane - info. wanted
Dave, I always considered the Veron Concord to be strongly influenced by Doug Spreng's Stormer and you might like to consider that model also. I have attached a scan of the plan. You might also be interested to know that I met Phil Smith again in May 2009 at the vintage R/C meeting at Middle Wallop where I was flying. By chance a fellow club member had brought along his Veron Mini Concord and Phil kindly posed for a photo holding the model, see attachment. Alan
Posted on: 7/4/2009 12:02 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8905858

RE: I have 2 Sampey 404's...
You can read the history of Harry Sampey and the Sampey 404 here:- http://www.rchalloffame.org/Manufacturer/Sampey/history/index.html You can also read the original article in Grid Leaks by downloading 1963 vol 4 no 6 from here:- http://www.gridleaks.roguebay.com/ The Sampey 404 is highly desirable to collectors and would command a high price
Posted on: 6/29/2009 3:00 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8891304

RE: No Real Place for this but it is antique !
Amazing footage from the earliest days of aviation. Thanks for the link.
Posted on: 2/22/2009 5:42 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8504110

RE: vintage radio ! (( a German product ))
As a follow up to this thread about the German R/C pioneer Karl Heinz Stegmaier and his unique pneumatic system of servo control I have just discovered this Movietone Newsreel footage from 1954. The last model which does two loops is Stegmaier's and the film shows the man and his Tx. http://www.movietone.com/N_search.cfm?ActionFlag=back2ResultsView&start=22&pageStart=21&totalRecords=139&V_DateType=1&V_DECADE=1929&V_FromYear=1928&V_QualifySubject=&V_storyNumber=&V_TermsToOmit=&V_ToYear=1980&V_searchType=1&V_MainSubject=model%20aircraft&V_Year=1928&V_resultsPerPage=10 If the long link does not work search for story number 61990 at http://www.movietone.com/ You will have to register to search.
Posted on: 2/11/2009 2:37 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8465453

RE: OS Minitron 10 channel reed set
Ray, Just downloaded it, thanks very much. Alan
Posted on: 12/18/2008 10:56 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8257967

RE: OS Minitron 10 channel reed set
Thanks for the diagram Ray, I will have to brush up on my Japanese! Looking at the diagram I think the white wire I refered to is for the earphone monitor. I don't have a copy of the July '66 RCM&E, would it be possible to have a scan of the review? I can PM you my email address. Alan
Posted on: 12/18/2008 10:12 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8257836

OS Minitron 10 channel reed set
I recently aquired an OS Minitron 10 channel reed outfit which looks to be in good order. Before I start restoring the outfit I would like to check out what documentation may be out there. Circuits would be great but unlikely, instructions and connection/wiring diagrams would be helpful. The wiring to the reed bank is easy to trace but there are three other Rx wires colored red, blue and white. A quick look at the PCB suggests red is batt +, blue is batt -, but white is still unknown. I believe the Tx is 12V operation and the Rx is 6V. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Alan
Posted on: 12/18/2008 7:38 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8257572

RE: Space Control news
Most ESC's allow max and min throttle positions to be simply calibrated so this might get around the difference in rotation. The effects of drift in this context is difficult to predict. I had an RCS Tetraplex system back in the 60's which worked in the same way as Space Control/Analog Orbit. Throttle was pulse rate (of the switching between the two audio sub carriers) and was slow to respond but not bad on drift.
Posted on: 11/23/2008 6:03 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8174491

RE: Space Control news
Small servo testers are available with a knob which when rotated varies the output pulse width from 1 to 2 ms. The knob could be replaced with an arm and linked to the engine servo. The pulse output from the servo tester could then be used with any speed controller.
Posted on: 11/21/2008 9:07 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8168879

RE: "Sparky" vintage R/C electric project
Hi Bill, the Sparky came out at just over 2 pounds flying weight - about 1kg. Wing span is 48 inches and area is 360 square inches. Alan
Posted on: 10/18/2008 7:09 PM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8061404

RE: "Sparky" vintage R/C electric project
Hi Jeff, it's nice to meet someone who knows the Sparky. It was a nostalgia trip with me, I built one a long time ago with a school friend. It had unreliable single channel radio and this combined with our inexperience back then meant that it didn't last long, nevertheless it left me with happy memories. I still had the rather tatty plan so I decided to build another one, with modern radio and many successful models later this one goes really well. I am sure you will have a lot of fun if you go ahead and build one. The picture shows Sparky during a slow fly by. Alan
Posted on: 10/18/2008 11:52 AM by Author "ukengineman" in the forum "Golden Age, Vintage & Antique RC"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8060466