MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES and General Hobbicrafts

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 139, 13 June 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

MODEL AEROPLANE NOTES and General Hobbicrafts

by pro

ACTIVITIES ROUND THE CLUBS,

I suppose tlie first item of interest to model flyers in the North Island at any rate is the glorious weather we have been enjoying over the last four weeks. Day after day of calm, fine weather has encouraged the building and flying of outdoor "buses" and the clubs have not been slow to take full.advantage. The Auckland Model Aeropjane Club has had four consecutive outdoor meeting's, easily a record for continued activities. Usually we schedule a meeting and have quite got used to cancelling it owing to the bad conditions which seem to arise towards the week-ends. Possibly the indoor flying has suffered a little, but we can always go back to that when the weather breaks.

Another round of excitement recently has been the getting away of the models for the international contests in the United States of America. 80 little time was given this year before we knew where and when to send them, that the last few days were ones of hectic rush, and the models only just got away, and that was all. In fact I understand one box was carried into the steamer about 20 minutes before she sailed. As to the teams selected, I was sorry not to see any Christchurcli claimants for international honours, but anyhow the South Island has its representative from Kelson. There should undoubtedly be elimination contests held very early next year so that all this rush and bustle may be avoided, for the best models cannot be hurried, and I know some contestants burned the midnight oil getting their entries in shape at the last moment.

This year the teams selected to represent New Zealand in the Wakefield International Cup and the Moffett Trophy contest were: —-

Wakefield Cup Team. W. B. Milfklcy (Auckland Club). W. (i. Alexander (Auckland Club) 11. .7. I<it I >111 so ii (Nelson Club). A. I'carco (Wellington Club). J. Finlnyson (Wellington Club). li. MacUregor (Napier Club). Moffett Contest. W. R. Maeklev (Auckland Club). V. li. Gray (Auckland Club). .7. McGulre (Wellington Club). A. I'earce (Wellington Club). I*. Hc.'iles (Wellington Club). 11. .T. Kobiusou (Nelson Club).

H. Leigh of Auckland had been included, but last-minute measurements showed that his machine was just on 210 square inches wing area and thus was over-size under the new rules. This is a pity as Leigh has been setting a very high standard of Hying recently and his machine should have behaved well over the water. Still, though there are still

a number of good flyers who could equal the tinies of some of those in the team I think that taking it all round we have sent away a strong string and that the results will not disgrace New Zealand by any means. If such a thing happened that one of our team topped the list we would liavo the honour of holding the next year's internatonal event here. This is perhaps too much to expect, but I have always maintained that our men can equal the world's best and anyway wo will soon know. There are a number of disadvantages, of course, in not being on the spot, for tho models have to" be (lacked in boxes and are liable to damage in transit and may be warped in the hot weather going through the tropics. Also, of course, they must be flown by proxies and no one can really get the best out of a machine but the builder, who knows its littlo funny characteristics.

Well, this is the first year we have sent the full number of models-, in order to contest both events. Last year V. B. Gray was the only one to send his job over, and he achieved seventh place in world-wide competition. We trust the weight of numbers will tell this year to even better this fine performance. The Hamilton Show. As is usual we sent down a contingent to contest the Hamilton Show flying competitions this last June 3. Unlike our usual procedure, however, we were not able to fill a railway carriage owing to tlio lack of a holiday on this date. Messrs. 11. J. Clark and W. B. Mackley were the sole Auckland representatives flying, and as the latter was successful in annexing the fuelage R.O.G. competition and the glider event he is probably quite happy over it. This year also I must say there was some really strong opposition put up by the local boys in Hamilton. Alfred Leong, the Chinese .boy, is a real wizard with his fingers, and his machines are works of art. Aid they fly well, too, for he was successful in winning the Spar handlaunched event with a beautiful flight of 3} minutes. Not so good as Les Mayn's five minutes last year, but nevertheless

GLORIOUS WEATHER MAKES OUTDOOR FLYING BOOM

a meritorious performance, and I am picking that when he lias gained more experience in competition work, lie will put up some astonishing flights. The exhibition oi model aeroplanes in the workmanship classes was very excellent, and I was pleased to see the amount of detail being built into these tiny craft. On two Boeings in the competition I noticed that they were fitted with all sorts of instruments on the dash, and what took my eye was the inclusion of very tiny, compasses, about \in in diameter, which swung to the north in a lifelike fashion. Messrs. F. J. Clark, A. Leong, W. B. Mackley, H. Sparks and J. l'oynton seemed to be the best placed competitors in these events; Alongside the aeroplane stand was the model engineers exhibition, and this was well worth while having a look over, the exhibits showing that much time and work had gone into them. Above the stand was the 10ft wingspan K-G2 petrol engined model, of which more later. Tlio little motor that drives this plane was started up from time to time, and always attracted a crowd to watch its fascinating performance. Incidentally, I understand that there are some very sore fingers left behind in Hamilton, for this motor starts off like the proverbial flash of lightning, and one must be very quick to get out of the way. Several starting assistants didn't, and the result was that the propeller was badly splintered, and some skin removed from several digits. I trust that next year the Hamilton authorities will be able to place their competitions on a holiday, and I know that they will have greater entries if they do. The Auckland Winter Exhibition. This year there will be both workmanship classes and flying contests held in conjunction with the above exhibition. The Xew Zealand Model Aeroplane Association has arranged a goodly programme, and members outside Auckland should not miss the opportunity offered to have their models flown by proxy if they canqot attend personally. I have a number of the schedules, and will send them on to interested and intending competitors. Outdoor Model Flying. I have recently received one of Frank Zaie's "Year Books on model flying, and ca?i thoroughly recommend it as the very last word in information regardinjT nearly every phase of indoor and outdoor work. Graphs, tables aiid designs are abundant, and it is plainly written, though highly technical. I make no apologies for giving you a short excerpt from it. Some of you may not agree with the points raised, but remember that they are the results of a lot of experimenting and cannot be lightly glossed over. From the model flyers at Indianapolis, come the following notes.

1. Try different combinations of power. Sometimes only adding two strands will make a tremendous difference in climb. Have enough so that the model never comes down with turns left on the rubber.

2. Spend most of your time adjusting tlio noseplug (on fuselage models— prop). We have our props pulling down and to one side. Make your prop pull down to avoid stalling under the initial burst of power, and also to get a better glide by having the ship adjusted for a glide. Also have the prop pull to the right to help overcome the torque. This will help the performance of your model by making it possible for the ship to circle during the whole flight. AVhen using this system it is not necessary to "wash in' " the left wing, as the offset prop takes care of t. (Wasliin' means that the wing referred to has been twisted somewhat so that the leading edge is higher than the trailing edge, thus giving a greater angle of incidence on this side-prop.) The angle at which the prop should be offset and down to tIiPJ right depeinds on the individual model and can only be determined after test flights. 3. The rudder is turned slightly to make the niodel circle slightly against the torque, but be careful the model does not go into a spiral dive. 4. Dope the props and finish them with fine sandpaper in order to (a)' reduce skin friction, meaning a more efficient use of power, and (b) to make it possible to keep the ship in eight for a longer time by the sun flashing on the polished blades. 5. Before every flight, make sure that the* prop shaft is straight and the freewheeling device is in correct working order. (Note, they apparently take it for granted now that any model in this class must have a free-wheeling device in order to be at all up to date.)

6. When using the lifting tail be prepared to move the wing further towards the prop than when using the symmetrical tail. The centre of gravity when using a lifting tail, is usually Rt the trailing edge of the wyig and is sometimes even further back. {This without using a sweptback wing.) 7. Always use rubber tubing on the prop shafts and S hooks. S. Never expose your rubber to the direct rays of the sun. Take the motor out of your 'plane between flights and store it* in an airtight jar, round which you should wrap a wet newspaper or cloth. 9. Low centre of gravity is obtained by using a light wing and strong landing gear. 10. About two inches dihedral is right for every foot of span on each side of the wing. 11. Use a medium sized flat rudder which has about 10 to 15 per cent of the wing area. 12. There should be an angular difference of about three degrees between ths wing and stabiliser settings.

The Auckland Gliding Club is nowwell under way with its machines for the new season. The Waco Glider is ready and resplendent in the red and silver colours. The Dickson Glider is just about ready for covering and finishing. A trailer has been presented for the use of the club, and the members look forward very shortly to some real soaring flying. It is interesting to note that the method used by the club in launching the gliders with a winch, * method which, they thought out and put into action themselves is now the mostly used form in other countries. Apparently the rubber shock cord is dying a natural death. The club's new season starts on July 1, and members intend getting out for a day's sport just to see the old year out. Soaring sites have been discussed and visited, and the two mo9t favoured spots would appear to be Muriwai, and the Pokeno Valley. I should think myself that the ridge above the Pokeno Valley, in a south wind, would be nearly ideal. The wind would tend to cup on Its way up the valley, and the ridge running nearly east and west should give perfect soaring conditions. Shortly one or both of these sites will be tried out and tjien we will know. What is required is a ridge several hundred feet high, with a takeoff and landing clearing the top (say about 100 yards long), and the ridge to run at right angles to the prevailing wind. A cup-shape or hollow curve up the ridge is the very best, as this jhoots the air currents up strongly. Too yough a side to the ridge will cause burbling of the air currents, and make it unsafe for use. If any of my farmer readers have a spot like this on their property, I would be very pleased to hear from them.