What is "single channel escapement"?

[RodNich]

I just opened the box on my Guillow 1/16 scale P-51. I intended to build it as a static display, but the plans show an option for R/C installation. I'm playing with the idea of putting the radio in it. The plan only shows one servo, and it goes to the rudder.

I recently saw the term "single channel escapement" in another thread on this site used in reference to an old style installation. Is that what this is? How would you fly something like this?

[Dead Beat]

its a very old style radio rudder only the way it worked once trimmed it would have a slight climb when going straight and when turned it would have a slight dive. the last time i seen one was in the mid 60's

[flypaper 2]

Escapement they were talking about was rubber powered mechanical device that. when you pushed the single button on the transmitter, the rudder would go to one side. When you let the button go, rudder would go back to neutral. next push on the button the rudder would go the opposite way. To get a feel for it, set your plane at about half throttle, enough elevator for a slight climb. Now fly it for a full tank using the rudder only and you can see what fun we had.

[fhhuber506771]

Another fun one was the "galloping ghost" type actuator (I still have an old MAtel made 1 ch of this type... made in 1973) You turn on the TX and RX.. and the rudder starts wagging back and forth constantly, full throw to full throw. when you move the stick, it alters the time it spends at each extreme throw. Faster action versions of this.. the surface wags fast enough at neutral that the plane flys straight. Slow actuators would have the plane wagging its tail very noticeably.

They made some 4 ch galloping ghost systems (very breifly) with the "throttle" being just a switch for full or off. When the ailerons, elevator and ruder were all swinging with slow actuators.. the plane looked like a drunk was flying it.

[BMatthews]

Another fun one was the "galloping ghost" type actuator (I still have an old MAtel made 1 ch of this type... made in 1973) .....

Huber, the Galloping Ghost refers to simultanious rudder and elevator. The Mattel is actually "just" pulse rudder.

[Dadstoysbg]

To add a note on these old radio's, some of them could cost hundreds of dollars and you had to build them yourselve. I'm glad we have ARF radio's today. Dennis

[50+AirYears]

Those single channel escapement systems could be kind of touchy. Sometimes needed to adjust the relay contacts on the reciever (before reliable transistors eliminated the need for relays) or the escapement lever that caught the escapement wheel that looked like a gear. Also, because they used a rubber band for power, they required that you have alsmost perfect alignment on the torque rod. And, if you didn't frequently wind the rubber band, you might run out of control during a flight, but if you overwound it just a little, the mechanism would jam, either in neutral or worse, in one of the control positions. However, with a properly co-ordinated thumb, a well trimmed single channel plane was capable of a number of advanced manuevers, including cuban 8s. And, if you had the guts, there were cascaded escapements that could give you rudder, elevator, and 2 or 3 position throttle control.
Those were the days of the expirementors, starting back in about the late 20s-early 30s, and going about into the mid 60s. Todays equipment is fantastically easier to use, much more reliable, and proportionately lower priced, except maybe for the 9 to 14 channel computer radios. Been through it, and don't want to go back, although I'm waiting for a calm day without a lot of people at the field to try a 15 powere single channel job I have. Chickened out though, I took out the escapement and set up an S133 to operate the torque rod.

[BARRRICK]

and FURTHER, don't forget to mention that there were even AEROBATIC COMPETITIONS that included RUDDER ONLY......cat.A B C etc......RUDDER ONLY MODELS actually flew loops, rolls, etc.....they were executed by balancing the dynamic effects of speed, combined with the accurate input of the turn (timed JUST right).... I can still demonstrate this with a modern plane like any Trainer by flying RUDDER ONLY and the engine on HI....that is why is STRESS to the students that the RUDDER is the primary control and totally ignored in the training stages nowadays.

[papermache]

Rod,
It's basically something you can be glad you no longer have to mess with. Get on your knees and thank the technology gods for the development of inexpensive, multi-channel, fully proportional and readily available R/C units.

papermache

[ivanc]

Thank you Technology Gods for developing inexpensive, computerized, 4-channel and up, fully proportional radios I was praying for as a kid! I'm so happy that my prayers were heard and my sacrifice taken! I still pray for even more technological advances in RC and I often make my sacrifice to you Technology Gods! I now my prayers are not in vain and will be heard again and fulfilled! Amen!

:D :D :D :D :D