SFM News Letter

January 2009

by: David P. Andersen

The next meeting of the Scale Flyers of Minnesota will be Friday, January 30, 2008 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post, 6501 Portland, Richfield. East entrance, downstairs. Guests are always welcome. Come early and dine in the non-smoking restaurant.  (Directions)

At the last meeting ...

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

Tim Johnson, displayed his 1/9th scale, 140-inch span, 54.9 lb B-17 built by Greg Hahn from a Wingspan Models kit and campaigned at Top Gun. Four OS 91 2-strokes w/ Wildcat 5% fuel and 3-blade 14-7 props “run flawlessly” with “tons of power.” Three flights/gal of fuel.  Plane had a sequential bomb release mechanism that dropped bombs about 1 foot apart. This plane was the kit prototype, first to fly.  Wing is secured by 22 bolts reachable only from below.  Tim feels that engine synch is not needed, just a Y-harness and Ny-rods of exactly equal length and configuration.
Dick Galash, visiting from Florida, described his progress on his tri-motor Marchetti S-79.  It has a wing span of 138” span with three G26's and only weights ...  54.999999 lbs.  Water polyurethane paint is “infinitely easier than epoxy.”

Dave Andersen, presented his latest design, a 1/5th scale Focke Wulf TA 152H, a model of the fastest (480 MPH) and highest-flying (50,000 ft) propeller-driven aircraft to see combat in WWII. Powered by a DA 50 engine it weights 27 lbs and has a wingspan of 114” span.  David's design incorporates a three-piece wing and removable tail which allows the completed model to fit into a compact car or even a Mini Cooper with 18” to spare.  Free plans and construction notes are available in my section of our website as well as a flight and overview video.

Roy Maynard, brought a partially assembled Byron Hellcat, a kit he purchased in 1998.  86” span, 26 lbs.  G62 was modified by Ralph Cunningham www.rcignitions.com to electronic ignition.  Roy modified the Hellcat based on the experience of Bill Hunches who flew a similar a/c for many years.  Added reinforcement in tail, etc.

A group discussion on flap linkage schemes followed: separate servos for each segment, segments linked with pins, linked with tabs, servo adjustment, etc.   Roy also explained his alignment technique.
The first photo taken in Hong Kong, is of Joe Grice who clearly is flying larger jets than he's builds!

The rest of the photos are from the "2008 Northern Alliances Military Fly-in" Tim, Phil and the rest of the crew really put together a wonderful event!  Mark your calendars for the 2009 Northern Alliances Military Fly-in, scehdule for August 7th thru the 9th.  SMMAC site links are in the main menu tabs.
 

Interesting Notes

Contacts

Cal Branton, President

calvinbranton@gmail.com

(651) 459-5107

Mark Prokop, Treasurer

mjprokop@comcast.net

(651) 688-6340

D. Andersen, Secretary

davidpandersen76@gmail.com

(952) 890-9529

Jon Bomers, Webmaster

Jon.Bomers@Comcast.net

  • It's interesting to note that all three scale models at this meeting had removable tails.  This could be a trend as our airplanes get bigger and our cars get smaller.

  • Meeting Photos by Scott Anderson ... Thank You!

We'll See You At  This Months Meeting!
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