Stir Crazy

[WildManWillie]

Well it rained then it rained more then it rained again and it is still raining now.

I did not realize it until finished with it and flipped the prop---:eek:---
WHOOPS! I dont need to have my finger any where near the prop when the plug is lit!:D
If you were ever around Fast Rat in the mid 70s you know that sound.

Mabeee this is not a good idea. Only been 34 years since I started one of these things. If it starts I have to fly it......thats probably not a good idea when currently my stunt planes feel as fast as a 1970s slow combat.

I think I have gone stir crazy.

Might should hang it on the wall in the den and just look at it---it is pretty!


Started building airplane about 1975 and then stoped flying.
Power is S.T. X-40.

[McGiver]

Go on! You know you want to ;)

Cheers,
Rob

[Clancy Arnold]

Go for it!!!

But use an electric starter.

Clancy

[TLyttle]

Hahahaa! What's 100mph+ between friends? If you get is started, it is clear that you are ready to fly it......... once...

[gossie]

Just do.......and don't get dizzy.

[downunder]

That looks very similar to a speed model I built back in the 70's using a RR K&B 40. Harter pan?

[Jim Thomerson]

If that's as good as it looks, you have 120 MPH airplane. I'd strongly suggest you do not try flying it until you are fully capable. It does have a shutoff, one hopes. So far as starting the engine, rat engines start immdiately. Use a leather glove and hit the prop rather than flipping it. It may start best hitting the prop backwards. Check the AMa competition regulations, I don't think 40 size rat is flown anymore. It got down to one or two people in the country who could actually fly one in competition.

[downunder]

If that's as good as it looks, you have 120 MPH airplane.
Jim, the speed model I made looking like that (no wheels of course :)) was the first time I ever tried to fly speed. Someone who'd flown a lot of speed told me to be careful when it released from the dolly because it could leap straight up so give it a touch of down elevator when it came free. I did that and it went straight back onto the ground, sheared the wood prop and gave a shaft run. Fitted a new prop, started up again but this time I held neutral and it flew off the dolly like a dream :). The engine didn't seem to be running quite right but it still clocked 120mph. Back home I took the engine out for a look and the shaft run had loosened off the 4 screws holding the front end and the disc valve was broken. I never flew it again but I sometimes wonder how fast it should have gone :).

[WildManWillie]

Jim
I think 1976 was the final end. For me it was 75 for girls and cars.
There was some during 79 when I did attend on last contest.
I think they had mandated 10% fuel from the 50% that we used in 75.

We were those last few in the country that could fly them in unlimited fuel form at the end.
Probably more like 10 to 20(pilots) nation wide.
I built engines and pitted. Pitting had been dangerous for awhile.

3 of these pilots are from where I live and several more in Texas.
Just a few hours ago I had my hands on all 3 of the airplanes used at the end. I saved them from the dumpster when Ron moved off from IP and gave them to Darrell to hang in his shop. Ron was the last one flying and he used the others airplanes for back up
Conned Darrell out of a Texas quickie Rat while i was at it tonight!

It better do at least 140mph right out the box or I will be somewhat pissed at Garofali!

The ST X-40 should at least be in the same ball park as my last good rat engine, The
K&B 6.5 the all time King Kong of Rat racing. I loved that engine much to my girl friends dismay.

In 1975 we were down to only 2 pilots(originally 7) racing in the circle due to the speeds we were reaching and even with only 2 it was becoming unmanageable and pilot fatigue during heat and main races was starting to be a problem.
When the pilots are trying to help each other stay on their feet and in the circle and you no longer care who wins and just wish it would end it is time to stop. It was becoming very dangerous.
Bobby( my pilot) and Stublefield almost had to stop the last race due to fatigue. We won that day and Stub was second.
Most of us had alot of $$ tied up in these things and didnt want to loose it so the
F-40 class was started.
F-40 is standing start to the 1/4 mile ( same as proto speed)
Our 6.5 on the same design airplane as the current one did 161mph for the standing start quarter mile in 1975, and that was a rich run.
That is the average speed for the distance.

The current F-40 record I think is 174 mph also held by a K&B 6.5.


TLyttle
Well---it started. Guess we know what that means.......
I better build a shut off. My skinny butt can only hold one down for a few minutes.
Got to sort the fuel system as the needle is erratic.

No Glove and wood 8X8.5 on 10%, only bit me once when it flooded through the pressure line.

Will need ear plugs now days, must have better hearing than I used to!.
The tickle was music to these old ears..

Downunder
Man! ain't it great that us old C/L guys can escape from the basement!!:D

Yes..Harter pan

What K&B did you use?

Over time I use 3 different K&B .40 Rat engines. Earliest was the Dykes ring rr series?? engine next is the K&B .40-S and then the game ending 6.5.

If I dont have a rotor for it should be able to find you one.
If its an "S" then I know I have that in spares.
If its solid lets get it in the air!!!!

The down on take off was usual in Rat for shortening the "P" factor time frame.

Post some pics Man!
I love old speed planes!:cool::cool:

Here is one of my Dads from late 50s

[Jim Thomerson]

I was CL racing director at the 1983 nats. In fast rat, it went pretty slow, @ 15 minutes between races to give the pilots time to recover.

[WildManWillie]

I was CL racing director at the 1983 nats. In fast rat, it went pretty slow, @ 15 minutes between races to give the pilots time to recover.

Wow!
Did not know they flew it that much longer.
Who entered?
Heck--where were the 82 nats?

Speeds must have been around 180mph.

Did Ron Jacobs Jim Ong or Stubblefield make that one?
Think Buckstaff was dead by then--dont really know.

[dartgw]

Nothin' like the sound of a 6.5 or X-40 barkin through that short tube to make you understand rpm and power.

[WildManWillie]

I know man!!!!!!!
Had the wife holding when I cranked up the X-40.
Wanted to hand it to me real quick, made her hold it awhile.:D
She had to go change her drawers.

The 6.5 was better.

[WildManWillie]

More pics for the Speed Freaks amongst us.
Both Fox .29X powered.
From the 50s

[WildManWillie]

Try it again