What a wonderful, wonderful, day...

I had today off for an appointment with my eye surgeon who unexpectedly dilated my right eye, because you know, I had a car-full of airplanes I was taking directly to the field... Dammit... Winds were going to get even better and I was off on a sunny day. I. Am. Going. Flying.

But even though I am an idiot, I waited a while and made sure I could see well enough to fly. I had also brought the Ultrastick to maiden today, but not with one eye, no matter how perfect the weather. The field will require me to fly high with that one and I wasn't going to risk losing orientation.

I did get over a dozen great flights in, and even trialed my field charger setup.

Hanging in the gang cover at NH Flying Tigers Field,

Derry, NH

Wanting to tune up my go-to plane and continue to re-train my thumbs, as well as  make sure I can safely fly with one eye, I flew half a dozen packs on the Alpha Sport 450 first. I have flaperons on it, to slow it down on approaches, but it's already really, really floaty. I think I am going to try spoilerons, and see if that will slow it and make it less floaty. I am beginning to see this revived version really wants to be nose heavy.

For the first time in years I took the vintage Eflite PT-19 Cornell out and up today. It's so light I put a Hobby King Orange stabilization system on it, and it makes a tremendous difference. Speedier and snappier than I recall, it flies on rails. Really enjoyed flying it after the first flight jitters, did about 3 packs.

Flight of the Cornell

I came with only four of ten or so 3S packs charged, so I got to trial the lead setup I ran from my hybrids auxiliary battery. I have to leave the engine "on" so the computer can sense when to, and to charge that battery. Worked perfectly!

I had psyched myself up to maiden the Ultrastick 10cc today, and by late afternoon the conditions could not have been better, and only one totally non-judgy pilot was there. I was sooo tempted, but my right eye didn't un-dilate until a couple hours after I got home. I was not adding that crash variable to the test flight. Benched. I am itching to get that plane up.

The even more exciting part of the day was when I got home, I used a suggestion from John Hayes to make it so the throttle closes when throttle cut is turned on. I had gotten the engine easily started on the first try after years of sitting, and tuned to to run superbly, quite easily. I did have to adjust both needles. But the throttle barrel would not close completely, so I had to manually choke the engine to stop it. John showed me which screw to adjust. There is a spring loaded screw on the back port side of the carb (top in the photo). This screw stops the throttle barrel at the desired position, which for me is fully closed. This is the last pic of that screw, because I didn't realize it was spring loaded, and to allow the throttle to close completely, it had to be fully withdrawn. Yep... Shot out of there like a bat out of hell... It went where screws go when the cross the edge of the workbench...  My vintage garage has a stone and dirt floor. 

It's in there somewhere, I think. Couldn't even find it with a magnet, but tons of iron chips and aged metals were everywhere.

Nice idle, nice slam to FOT, smooth mid-range, 

and throttle cut works now! I got an exhaust extender today 

and will install it soon.

Have to work the next 3 days. Sunday's weather is stormy, Monday winds 7 mph but not much gusting after 2p. Hope to maiden the Ultrastick. My rule is only one maiden a day, so the Goldberg Falcon 56 will follow that another day, unless the weather is pristine. A little nervous as I have never flown 3-channel and this field is tight. John says it will be fine!

Flight schedule is to get the Pulse XT60 26cc gasser, the Eflite Stearman (the real balsa one, not the overpriced foamie thing*), and the massive 30cc MX-Bach (MX2 fuse, Sbach wing). I also have the Cosmic Wind (I think a Great Planes 450 size speedster), and my helis airborne. Full summer. Need good weather matching days off.

* I so hate that Eflite went from making affordable beautiful and desired balsa ARFs to selling foamy overpriced crap. This is what kills this hobby. Foamies are fine, l just waaaay overpriced, and just don't fly like the balsa planes. Good small to medium balsa ARFs are hard to find. Muss my Eflite Ultimate, my Pulse XT25 (my all three me favorite plane), and eventually my Cornell and Stearman may expire with no decent replacement.

Vintage Irvine 40, and "Pop Goes The Weasel"!

This is the Irvine 40, a vintage (1980-1990's) British made nitro engine that John gave me on the Goldberg Falcon 40. It hasn't been run in ages, but started on the first try! Adjusted the high, and then had to adjust the low needles. There is a mechanical issue I will need to adjust later: the barrel on the carb doesn't close all the way, so I can't lower the idle and I have to choke the engine to stop it. But wow, as advertised, this motor runs so beautifully! This is my first nitro and first exhaust pressured carb, 

This was a interesting... I installed a fresh OS8 glow plug. On the second run I heard a pop and the engine quit. Turns out it failed! The top popped off and the base remained attached to the engine. This was a top shelf glow plug by OS. Fortunately had some N3 plugs and replaced it.

The top that popped off.

The base still attached to the engine 

I learned what happens when you fill the tank and fuel spills into the muffler and the carb floods.... Once I stopped filling to the top of the tank it's not a problem.

I am liking nitro. Simple no electronic ignition, seems to just run sweet.

Tomorrow weather conditions are expected to be awesome, so after an appointment I plan on flying the Alpha Sport 450, as many times as I can, then, gulp, I want to maiden the Ultrastick 10cc!

Odds and Ends

The igniter didn't arrive until late, was expecting it yesterday, so I didn't get to charge it properly. It allowed me to test the installed glow plug (failed) and that was probably it. Couldn't get the engine to start, and didn't have any time to troubleshoot it. Job for Wed. 

John sent me the factory settings for the Irvine 40, and the high speed needle was way out at several turns; supposed to be about 1.75 turns. I'll also try priming the carb.

The 1/4-28 prop adapter fit nicely, but didn't fit the starter being so small. I went back to the plastic one for now. I'll get a bigger one at some point.

I also realized there was no point to my having installed a fuel dot, since there is no vent like on a gasser where fuel spills out when full. I have to remove the cover to see the tank. So I uninstalled it and put a simple balsa patch over the hole. Such an idiot. 

I ordered the Master Airscrew 11x5 Scimitar for it and the size 64 black rubber bands.

To make CG I had to add 2 oz to the tail, easily done with 8 1/4 oz weights.

I made a simple fueler using a tank connector I had for one of those tanks with two L shape connectors on top and one on a screw on cap I had on a 30cc plane years ago. Bought a Hangar 9 fuel pump that came with a nice filtered clunk, some silicone tubing and a fueling connector (though I used one I bought years ago that looks kike the handle at a gas station).

Here's hoping I get the motor started on Wed.

I'm Baaaack!

And it was beautiful! I so needed this success. Like that perfect golf swing that makes you love it all over again, I had perfect flights. Weather and waiting my turn limited the number of flights, but man, it brought me back to my love for this hobby! I was getting frustrated not being able to fly and having no luck when I did, I was beginning to feel like a poser. To boot, there was a crowd, which I don't enjoy, but they couldn't have cared less which made it all the more wonderful. John giving me a new path into nitro with the Goldberg Falcon, reignited my love for the hobby, and today it burst back into flame.

The field was soggy, the clouds threatening, but the winds temperate enough that a crowd showed up early. I brought out my three go-to planes. Sadly, I forgot I had the camera on my head and only filmed one of the last Cubby flights. I am happy that I got to fly all three planes today without any drama.

I decided to start with the Hacker MX2, as I trusted it tilo behave. It did not disappoint and it having gyro stabilization helped keep my nerves manageable. I was able to completely tune out any concern about a crowd. Light gusts challenged but did not freak me out, and helped me regain my confidence. After my remastering basic flight maneuvers, I put it thru some more aggressive aerobatics. I have to be careful as I think my cataracts affect my vision. In the end it all went exceedingly well!

Second flight was with the Alpha Sport. I was pleased that it behaved itself! It seemed a little less powered than with the previous motor, although the specs are the same. It's adequate and I don't intend to change anything. I am so happy to have gotten it in the air and successfully!

Before the rain, I got a couple flights on the Cubby. I remembering to video one flight, which I ended early because I found the control a bit mushy. Much better after tightening it up. 

I was out for about 2 hrs, got about 5 flights what with just watching for the first half hour, then waiting my turn. As the rains began to trickle in, I packed up, but sooooo wanted to fly the Alpha Sport again!

I think I feel comfortable bringing the Pulse XT 60 out, and maiden the Ultrastick, and the Falcon even,  as long as I keep them close. I have never flown 3-channel and am a bit anxious not having ailerons and direct roll control. 

Amazon didn't deliver the igniter yesterday, but it expected to arrive late this afternoon. I will have to charge it, but I hope to get one run on the vintage Irvine 40 on the Falcon to see if it starts and runs. Looking forward to the smell of burnt nitro!

Glad to once again have found my mojo.

New Project Gifts!

At my visit today, John gifted me with three projects he thought I would be interested in. One ready to fly, one that will need some building, and one that's going to take a long time to refurbish. 

Goldberg Falcon 56 Mark I or II

PS: I did up the wing to give some top-bottom contrast. The AMA sticker is patching a small hole. I don't have matching cote. I out down the black cote because the back rubber ands leave black dust.

This Carl Goldberg design originally from the 1960s is a famous classic beloved model. A wingspan of 56 inches, there were three revisions, and I think this is a Mark II. 

This one has a vintage British made Irvine 40 nitro glow engine turning a 10 inch (? Pitch) wood Top Flite prop, a Spektrum AR 6200 Ultra lite receiver and Spektrum DS821 digital servos. It flies old school 3-channel (rudder, elevator, throttle). The recommended prop is an 11x5 or 10x6. This prop is a 10x6. I want to put a 11x5 Master Airscrew Scimitar on it. I have an extra 11x7 Scimitar for the Evo 10cc I might use.

It is in amazingly good condition. This will be my first nitro plane, and I am psyched! I love the smell of nitro. I did have to wash out the tank, had some mold (?) and the stoped was badly degraded. I ordered a nitro starter kit, comes with a NiCd igniter, fuel bottle, and glow wrenches. I also ordered black size 32 rubber bands to secure the wing, and a spare OS8 glow plug in case the current one is bad. All arriving tomorrow. I am hoping the carb is good and doesn't need refurbishing. John gave me a quart of "historically old" 10% nitromethane fuel, hoping not to have to head out to the hobby shop for a fresh gallon. I put a nose cone on it, and may get a more yellow one. Hoping to get it running tomorrow! This is going to be a lot of fun! What a gift!

Morane Saulnier N

This partially completed kit is framed out, but missing the rudder, wheels and nose cone (that I have no idea what I will do for...)  and I believe is flown 3-channel, though the wing has no dihedral. The scale WWI French built monoplane fighter used wing warping for roll instead of ailerons.  I will probably be building it electric, but gas puks be nice. It has plastic cowl and fuse top. I think I would want to do the wires too. It has no plans so I will be making it up as I go along. It will require a lot of cote work. I would like to do it these British colors. ​Even though the aircraft is a French-designed Morane-Saulnier Type N (popularly called the "Morane Bullet"), this specific profile represents an aircraft operated by the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1916.

Here are some pics of the model. Somewhere between loading the car and getting home I lost a plastic bag with the plastic parts (cowl, top cockpit).

I will need to build the rudder. Worried there isn't much dihedral for 3 channel and wonder if I should try to convert it to ailerons. Not sure how to power it: there isn't an easy place to install and access the battery, though I could permanently install one and charge it after each flight. I also am not sure where the CG is. Looking for a manual. John is looking for the bag with the parts... I am so annoyed with myself.

Links to this plan and a nice article are 

at the bottom of the page the image links to.

PS(05/31/26): John found the bag with the Morane's plastic parts init this morning, thank goodness. I was about to head out to the trash bins to rn they then to look, expecting. To find them all crushed. He also suggested moving tool a bigger rubber an, from the 32 3" x 1/8") to the 64 (3.5" x 1/4"), noting it the more traditional size for this purpose. Wne I saw how narrow the 32 is stretched, I wondered if I should have done that, but thought I could get by as 8 seemed really sturdy, if stressed. His advice pushed me to do the right thing and just get the 64s.

Fairchild PT-19 Cornell,1/4 scale

This is an unholy-huge plane. It has been framed out but needs some serious refurbishing. All the major parts are there, rudder, elevator, ailerons (not installed),and a plastic cowl.. But for the tail, all the cote is missing, and I will need to find landing gear, windshields, cockpits for it.

I measured the wing, it's 88 inches, 2.25 meters.

I am passively looking for parts. Cockpit stuff, windshields, landing gear mainly. 

Gemini thinks a 50-60cc gas engine, or a 120-130 amp 12S 180kv motor. A large, low-KV outrunner designed specifically to swing big props (22" to 24") on high-voltage setups.

"Top Options: RimFire 50cc or RimFire 65cc, Dualsky GA6000.8 (180KV)

E-flite Power 360 (180KV) or Hacker A60-18 M .A KV rating between 160KV and 190KV. This ensures the motor spins slowly enough to safely handle a massive propeller without drawing excessive amps."

Both of these planes deserve to be fuel planes. Now that I am getting into nitro, maybe the Morane should be nitro. Might be less expensive.

I am excited to get started on the Morane. It will be a while before I get to the PT-19.

It wasn't me, it was bad cote...

Recall I could not get the cote to shrink. It would just melt and wrinkle up. After several attempts I gave up. I asked John Hayes to help me figure out what was wrong.

I spent a couple of hours with John Hayes at his shop this afternoon. I had so much trouble with the cote work on the Cubby, and now on the PT-19, that I asked him to teach me his technique. Turns out it was the cote, and not my technique. He had the same problems with it melting instead of adhering and shrinking properly. John noted that there was a period of time where Monokote ruined its formula and the cote behaved miserably, like the cote I had. It is older cote, so maybe that's why it sucks. He brought out some of his stock and it went perfectly, and quickly. Good as new This is the large patch on the top  He uses a heat gun with a flat focus diffuser instead of an iron on the compound curve. Made short work of it. Incidentally, John gifted me a Top Flite mini-iron for the smaller areas of cote work.

The smaller repair on the underside.

 

I repaired the rondel!

All up and ready to fly!

It's like golf....

 I loved golf. But I hated sucking so bad at it and not getting better that I gave it up.

There was a deceptive break in the weather.

I decided to try Joppa Hill Field, infamous in my flying history for ripping the landing gear off my planes. Per usual, while cut, the grass was still too high. I tried a few times. I finally walked around and found a closer cut section, and took off. 

The Alpha Sport felt a bit under powered, an the gusts were once again a bit more than it could handle. 

In a turn it got pushed stalled and I recovered by so close to the ground it was a hard forced landing 

And the gear dot torn off 

One flight. 

Hated every moment of it.

And hated the hobby as I carried it off, for  no other reason than it sucked today, my decisions sucked, the consequences of my decisions sucked, and I sucked.

Well.... Enough of that. I drove home mad and went straight to the garage workshop to repair the landing gear.

The front gear just stripped out the screws. A bit of epoxy, screwed back on, front gear done in 10 minutes. I started the main gear repair just using weight but decided to remove the wing and use clamps.

Main gear simple, clean break by design. Epoxy the edges to allow breakaway.

Clamped.

Done, good as newish. Checked everything and the motor is sound, no bent parts. I e decided I am only going to fly at the field, as inconvenient as it is to get there. It's just not worth the stress of wondering if the fields are going to break a plane. And I need to wait for the weather with more patience for the lighter planes. 

Continuing my struggle to get cote skills. It's curious that I have done cote all these years for patches without issue, but this cote on the PT-19 and the Cubby is soft.

I spent the better part of the afternoon applying, removing, applying, removing, several times, cotte over this wing. I expected the compound curve to be difficult, but I could not get this cote to stretch and adhere. I could get a clean sheet attached to the straight parts, but the moment I went to shrink it with the iron or heat gun, it wouldn't shrink properly and the edges melted into wrinkles. I tried a long sheet including the compound curve, and two 

Separate sections, one clean rectangle and one to stretch around the curve. It was made more difficult in that I can't get the landing gear off.

After multiple attempts over several hours I have quit, and wrote my friend John Hayes who repaired the Alpha Sport wing. I asked him to help me repair this by teaching me how. I asked him if he's free this weekend as I have three days off.

I stopped, left the garage. I wanted to try the HK500, but no suitable place for a hover test, and I had had enough humiliation and failure.

I REALLLLY need a successful day of flying, or this will go the way golf went. Hopefully this weekend, weather permitting.