Wayne's Indoor World - December 1998 [Archive]

Wayne Hadkins

Dec 01, 1998, 01:00 AM

Hello and welcome to the last Wayne’s Indoor World for 1998 – where has the
year gone?? I wish I could make it slow down closer to slowfly speed (that way I may be
able to get some more slowflyers built!?! My Kolibri’s are getting worn out).

 

<big>Lift-off</big>

<blockquote>
This month, I’ve got more Kolibri hints, some charger information, a little
history lesson, details on a few challenging projects, and a whole lot more. Please, read
on and enjoy!
</blockquote>

 

<big>Who’s up for a Challenge !?!</big>

<blockquote>
It never fails to amaze me how fertile your minds are (maybe its ‘cause you have
so much time to think ‘cause the aeroplanes are slowflyers!?!?!). I regularly get
asked the question "what do you think - will it work". I have to let you in on a
secret…… sometimes I don’t know!! 
BUT, I’ll always tell you to "have a go" and then let us all know what
happened – how else will we all find out???!!!! Seriously though, there are some
fantastic ideas germinating out there – be sure and share them with us. After all,
that solution may only be a shared thought away!!
Dmitry Marukh <<a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=dmitry&d=hcl.com">dmitry(at)hcl.com</a>> contacted me
recently about a very challenging project he is working on – it is a tilt rotor,
based on the Bell Boeing 609 pictured here.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/belboe-609.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/belboe-609_small.jpg" alt="belboe-609.jpg (16879 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="162" HEIGHT="125"></a>
I won’t go into all the details now, but Dmitry has impressed me with the thought
he has put into the fabrication and control requirements for such a vehicle. Hopefully
next year I’ll be able to publish more details on this terrific project. 
However, as a result of his research for this project, Dmitry compiled this table on
Nimh cells – the data has been obtained from the manufacturers via the web.
<div align="center"><center><table BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="4" width="90%">
<tr>
<td VALIGN="top">NiMH</td>
<td VALIGN="top">Capacity</td>
<td VALIGN="top">Weight</td>
<td VALIGN="top">Voltage</td>
<td VALIGN="top">Size</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP28AAAM GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">280</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">9</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.2 x 29.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">EMH-550AAA Energizer</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">480 (1C)</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">12</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.1 x 44.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">HHR50AAA Panasonic</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">500</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">12</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 44.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">TH-550AAA Toshiba</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">590</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">12</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 43.6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP55AAAH GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">550</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">12.5</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 44.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">HF-C1 Sanyo</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">400 (0.2C)</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">13</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17 x 35.5 x 6.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP50AAAHC GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">500</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">13</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 44.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">HR-AAA Sanyo</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">580 (0.2C)</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">13</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 44.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP60AAH GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">600</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">13</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 14.5 x 28.7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP60AFH GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">600</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">14</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 17 x 22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP65AAAH GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">650</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">14</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 48.0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">HR-5/4AAA Sanyo</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">680 (0.2C)</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">15</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">TH-650AAAL Toshiba</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">690</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">15</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">TH-550F6 Toshiba</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">600</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17 x 6.1 x 48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">HHF60S Panasonic</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">600</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">48 x 17 x 6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">HP6CS GS-Saft</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">650</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">48 x 16.4 x 5.6 ?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">TH-650F5 Toshiba</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">680</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">14.5 x 7.4 x 48.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP80AAAH GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">800</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 10.5 x 66.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP80LAH GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">800</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 18.3 x 21.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">HF-B1 Sanyo</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">700 (0.2C)</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">18</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17 x 48 x 6.1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">TH-650F6 Toshiba</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">700</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">18</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">17 x 6.1 x 48</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">TH-750F5 Toshiba</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">780</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">18</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">14.5 x 7.4 x 48.2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">GP100AFH GPBatteries</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1000</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">1.2</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">19</td>
<td WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">D 17 x 28.7</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div> 
Dmitry also supplied these URLs that might be interesting for you to check out<ul>
<li><a href="http://tadiranbat.com/bro.htm">http://tadiranbat.com/bro.htm</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://tadiranbat.com/design.htm">http://tadiranbat.com/design.htm</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.eacnet.com/html/tech_room.html">http://www.eacnet.com/html/tech_room.html</a>
</li>
</ul>
 
Lester W. Garber <<a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=lgarber&d=d.umn.edu">lgarber(at)d.umn.edu</a>> sent
me some info. on a 35 in. Dia. rotor, 18 oz., Rocket 400, 7-500AR autogyro he has been
developing for the last year. At this point the design is fully developed and has a few
hundred flights. If any of you want more information, contact Lester directly.
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="80%" bgcolor="#E9E9E9">
<tr>
<td width="100%"> 
<img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/Image90.gif" WIDTH="332" HEIGHT="189">
<big>Electric Powered Autogyro</big>
Wings are for wimps! Build this unique electric powered autogyro! Powered by a
Rocket 400 motor and seven 500AR cells, this R/C direct control autogyro weighs 18 oz. and
has a rotor diameter of 35 inches. Typical flight times are about four minutes. This
original design, the first of it’s type in the US, has been extensively developed and
has several hundred flights. 36 page design and construction manual has eighteen
photographs and four pages of detailed CAD drawings. $15 for manual with plans plus $5
S&H. Lester W. Garber, 2324 East 5th Street, Duluth, MN 55812.</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div> 
Scott Gage <<a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=sgage&d=chariot.net.au">sgage(at)chariot.net.au</a>> in
South Australia is also trying his hand at an autogyro – details are sketchy at the
moment, but it is shaping up as a twin rotor, DC5-24 powered wee beasty. Scott also has
under construction, a half size WESPE, which he has christened a WASPE. More later!
What other challenges are you folks working on??
</blockquote>

 

<big>More Kolibri hints and capers</big>

<blockquote>
I’ve devoted a bit of space over the last few columns to the Kolibri slowflyer.
Simply put, it is elegant in its simplicity – I like it!! Anyway, here a few pictures
of some of the bits on my Kolibri’s, that may help you with the construction of
yours.
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="80%">
<tr>
<td width="100%"><a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mount.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mount_small.jpg" alt="m_mount.jpg (36534 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="183" HEIGHT="125"></a> <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mount2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mount2_small.jpg" alt="m_mount2.jpg (33101 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="180" HEIGHT="125"></a>
Two views of the DC5-2.4 motor mount on my Mini-Kolibri. The motor block
has two aluminium tubes glued to it that slide onto a wire U-shaped "fork" that
is bound and glued to the fuselage boom. Thrust line adjustments are made by bending the
wire "fork". The rubber band stops the motor sliding off!! 
Note the "high-tech method of mounting the battery pack and BEC
– Hey, It works!!</td>

</tr>
<tr>
<td width="100%"> <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mnt_b1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mnt_b1_small.jpg" alt="m_mnt_b1.jpg (21080 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="191" HEIGHT="125"></a><a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mnt_b2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/m_mnt_b2_small.jpg" alt="m_mnt_b2.jpg (26246 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="195" HEIGHT="125"></a>
Two views of the DC1717 motor mount on my Standard Kolibri. The motor is
glued to a balsa block that is glued to the fuselage boom – the tape is a
precaution!?</td>

</tr>
</table>
</center></div>In the above photos, you can also clearly see the wing mount and
undercarriage mount plastic tubes bound and glued to the "fuselage" – I do
this in preference to drilling the "fuselage". 
Here is a group of photos of the tail-end of my Mini-Kolibri. The fuselage has a small
dowel extension that has been drilled for the 110deg. tailplane angle. It is then inserted
into the boom and rotated into the correct alignment with the wing, then super-glued. The
small lengths of aluminium tube on the bottom of the tailplane shafts are slightly crimped
to be a friction fit – slide them off if you have to remove the tailplane halves.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/tail_1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/tail_1_small.jpg" alt="tail_1.jpg (22072 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="179" HEIGHT="125"></a>
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/tail_2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/tail_2_small.jpg" alt="tail_2.jpg (36706 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="171" HEIGHT="125"></a> <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/tail_3.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/tail_3_small.jpg" alt="tail_3.jpg (21203 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="96" HEIGHT="125"></a>
 
Just to prove I’m not the only Kolibri ‘nut’ around here……
 
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="90%">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="50"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/../../jul/wiw/emaillab.gif" alt="emaillab.gif (1621 bytes)" WIDTH="42" HEIGHT="126"></td>
<td bgcolor="#E8E8E8">From: Dereck Woodward - <a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=woodwadd&d=erols.com">woodwadd(at)erols.com</a> <hr>
Watcha Wayne
I've been flying my home-made (and doesn't it look it) Kolibri out behind my back
garden. The garden is very tiny and fenced, the open area is actually big enough for a
glow powered Lazy Bee (don't ask how I know!), so is plenty for a Kolibri. 
Anyway, getting bored with a model that won't fly inverted, I figured I could take off
the patio, pull a steep climb to clear the five foot high fence, turn sharp left to avoid
the neighbours, climb some more to overfly a bush and then let down into my general
handling area.
That was fun - I found it very repeatable. Anyway, one night, my fan club - three young
fellows who are actually pretty interested in more than asking me to crash it - were
hanging around watching and one asked if I could land back in my garden.
Analysis of this latest lunacy suggested flying straight at my house, entering a hard
spiral to get below the fence and running out to land in a corner. This space is tight
even by Kolibri standards!
So I did it. Twice, the second time rolling up to my feet.
As it is unlikely to hurt anything like walls, flying a Kolibri in and out of small
spaces is a fun way to spice up a model plenty. I took her to a club meeting and did
take-offs from the back of my van - yes, Carruthers, we did open the doors first! I think
I could land back in there with both seats out as well - must try it someday.
Going to make up a streamer for the big indoor bash next week though.
Yours in modelling
Dereck Woodward</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div><blockquote>
<blockquote>
 
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
I mentioned streamer towing/cutting last column. Here are some pictures of my
Mini-Kolibri with streamer attached [Nice shirt Wayne! - ed]. The
streamer is caught up on the airframe as a result of trying to cut it or tie a not in it
!!
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/s_tow1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/s_tow1_small.jpg" alt="s_tow1.jpg (40864 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="187" HEIGHT="125"></a> <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/s_tow2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/s_tow2_small.jpg" alt="s_tow2.jpg (27510 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="195" HEIGHT="125"></a>
I have now towed a 6m streamer with my 450mm span Mini Kolibri, which
enables me to trace out 2.5-3 turns/loops at once. I wonder how that would compare if you
scaled up the streamer/model ratio to a 6lb gas model!?!?
</blockquote>

 

<big>Duration competition</big>

<blockquote>
This is your last reminder if you are planing to get an entry into the duration
competition. I’ve deliberately kept quiet about it in the last few columns, but I
know some of you have been busy! Next column, I’ll publish the results.
If you are not sure if you sent in your ‘entry’, then send it in again, just
in case!!
</blockquote>

 

<big>Slowfly list</big>

<blockquote>
Some of you may be experiencing difficulty getting onto the Slow Flight Mailing List.
The provider/server details have changed. SFRC-List facilities are now provided by Model
Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to <a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=sfrc-request&d=airage.com">sfrc-request(at)airage.com</a> 
While talking about the list, let me climb onto my soapbox for a minute. There have
been a few postings recently on the list that have really left me scratching my head.
Everybody is entitled to his or her opinion, but give due consideration before giving it!!
I always remember a slogan on the wall of the briefing room in one of the old B&W war
movies… "it’s better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are a
fool, than open it and prove it!" 
I have said this before, but I’ll keep on saying it. There is a tremendous amount
of information already on the www about slowfly – a lot of it has even been posted
on/by the EZone. The very ease of use of a such list can also be its undoing – new
users are often more willing to jump on and ask the same questions over and over again,
rather than do a little research before hand. The best thing you can do is grab digests of
earlier postings and read them first, or just simply do a little research first. 
A recent comment on the ‘excessive’ price of the WES 2.4g servos surprised
me. Before I go any further, I’ll state right up front – I locally distribute
WES, as well as other SlowFly products. BUT, that is NOT the reason for my concern at the
comment. In my part of the world, a 2.4g servo sells for $105. A 9g servo sells for
$38-$45 and the HS50 sells for $80+. Now, which provides the best weight/dollar?? My point
is, they are all similar, and if you want the best (ie. Lightest), you must be prepared to
pay. This is true in all areas, not just slowfly.
Now I’ve got that off my chest, just remember that slogan…..
</blockquote>

 

<big>Time for a history lesson?!?</big>

<blockquote>
While the thought of slowfly and indoor r/c may be new to most of you, the reality is,
that it has been around for quite some time! <a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=skranish&d=ezonemag.com">Steve
Kranish</a> of "From the Lab" fame here at the E Zone rightly pointed this out
in his <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/../../aug/fromlab/kran0898.htm">August 1998 column</a>.  BUT, it
actually goes back further then even Steve said!! Here are two pieces of interesting
slowfly information from the 1960’s. The first comes via Walter Scholl, the
second comes from one of my own magazines.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/indoor.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/indoor_small.jpg" alt="indoor.jpg (44181 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="272" HEIGHT="125"></a>
This article has been published in the German magazine Flugmodelltechnik (FMT) already
in the mid 60’s
The text of the article in English:
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="80%" bgcolor="#E9E9E9">
<tr>
<td width="100%">RC-Indoorflyer with RC- Electric motor
The ultralight radio controlled model shown above is excellently suitable for indoor
flying. Driven by an electric motor, its wingspan is 90 cm and its weight about 82 grams.
The transistor-receiver weighs 23 grams. It is fed by two miniature-batteries in series
with 1,5 Volt each. Receiving the transmitter’s pulses, the receiver works like a
switch and gives its 3 Volt to the small electric motor, which drives the 28 cm-air-screw.
The model climbs quickly.
Caused by the motor thrust, it moves into a left-curve immediately. Once the receiver
(motor) is switched off the built in trimming moves the plane into a smooth flight to the
right, while an idle motion appliance is going on to drive the air screw further. The 3 V
Graupner electric motor works with 30 000 rpm and has a gear ratio of 1:15. For wings,
propeller and tail unit 0,8 mm thin balsa was used. The strength is enough, that you can
build wings without strengthening spars. A weight of 87 grams is far away from being the
achievable minimum of an RC-model. Using extremely small nickel-cadmium-batteries and a
wing in scaffolding construction method, probably covered with microfilm, it is possible
to build a RC-model of about 50 grams.</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div>The technique described above of trimming the model to fly in one
direction and then using the radio to turn in the other direction when required, is still
used today with the simple ultra light single channel radios such as the Ceto and No-Cal
which use a non-centering actuator (helps keep the weight down)
I have mentioned before my desire to keep all sorts of modelling paraphernalia, on the
off chance that it will come in useful some time in the future. My collection of modelling
magazines is testament to this policy!? Amongst that collection, is a March 1964 Aero
Modeller.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/am_cover.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/am_cover_small.jpg" alt="am_cover.jpg (184271 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="94" HEIGHT="125"></a>
In this issue, is a report and pictures of successful radio controlled electric flight
(outside) as well as some comments on the future of small r/c and electric r/c. Have a
look……
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/aerom_64.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/aerom_64_small.jpg" alt="aerom_64.jpg (253363 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="93" HEIGHT="125"></a>
Note that while the components were being shrunk, the available power was still very
low, and have a look at those connectors!! Here is the text, and note the closing
comments.
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="80%" bgcolor="#E6E6E6">
<tr>
<td width="100%">Photo captions:<ul>
<li>Enlarged view of a Bentert ultra lightweight 3.5 gramme receiver, using four
transistors.</li>
<li>Graupner Silentlus being launched at left. Interior detail shows 9 v. battery, drive
motor with magnet servo behind. Rx fits above electric motor.</li>
</ul>
 
Article:
Sub-miniaturisation of radio control receivers has resulted in some remarkable
achievements in West Germany. Hilmar Bentert of Berlin has produced receivers weighing as
little as 3.5g (.015 ozs!) Encapsulated in Araldite and made to drive a magnet servo, the
total weight including battery and servo is a mere 15 grammes or a fraction over ½ oz.!
Hans Dieter the editor of Modell magazine has published full size plans for a 10 in. span
model using this type of equipment and informs us that he has seen an even smaller, 8 in.
wing span example flying most stably in a moderate wind with Cox Pee Wee power. Wings are
made in solid expanded polystyrene reinforced with glass 'fibre and the fuselage carved
from balsa block. The radio used in this model was a "heavy" type, using four
stages and weighing 15 grammes. It was this equipment which was used by the Graupner
development engineer, Fred Militky, to make incredible all electric flights in October
last year. Hans Hock introduced Herr Bentert to Militky and over a weekend, a standard
Micro T 03 driven Graupner Silentius was converted. Photos illustrate the equipment and a
typical climb away from launch. On one six minute flight, using water activated batteries
for the drive motor, the Silentius climbed to a height of 500 feet.
It seems only a short while ago that the weight penalties involved in electric power
would have made small models difficult to fly free flight and now they are even radio
controlled!
Total flying weight of the Silentius was 145 grammes (5.1 oz.).
At this rate, indoor parlor flying with radio seems almost a possibility if only we
could produce ultra slow flight. A major difficulty with these very small models is
keeping them in sight
The receivers are made privately by Herr Bentert and details have been published in
Herr Heck's Modell magazine.</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div>There you have it – "…indoor parlor flying with radio
seems almost a possibility…" Aeromodeller Magazine is still going and we now
have indoor flying, even in the parlor!?!
Totally away from slowfly, there was, for me, another connection with the same issue.
It also featured a construction article for a C/L Fokker Friendship. The colour scheme
chosen for the proto-type in the article was that of Mac.Robertson Miller Airlines in
Western Australia (even though Aeromodeller is published in the UK). All Mac.Robertson
Miller Airlines aircraft registrations started with MM. A picture of VH-MMS on its
delivery flight was featured in the construction article. In 1981, while doing Air Traffic
Control training, I flew in VH-MMS, which by then was being operated by Ansett Airlines of
New South Wales (Ansett had bought out Mac.Robertson Miller Airlines) – that flight
was one of VH-MMS last commercial flights before being retired!! I didn’t make the
connection until some years afterwards, when flicking through the magazine.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/f_ship.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/f_ship_small.jpg" alt="f_ship.jpg (104303 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="232" HEIGHT="125"></a>

</blockquote>


 

<big>Nicad alternatives – part ??</big>

<blockquote>
I picked up another charger circuit off the net.  It is available at <a href="http://www.mygale.org/~f2d/zpterel/charger.txt">http://www.mygale.org/~f2d/zpterel/charger.txt</a>.

As best I can recall, this charger solicited some comment on the SFML as to the
suitability for Lithium Manganese cells, but appeared OK for lithium ion cells.
Another source for charger circuits and components that I have located is MAXIM. They
have many dedicated and reasonably priced charger IC’s. You can get more information
at <a href="http://www.maxim-ic.com">http://www.maxim-ic.com</a>.
Here is a scan of the first page of the data sheet for the Max712/Max713 Nicd/NiMH fast
charge controllers. 
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/maxim_1.gif"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/maxim_1_small.gif" alt="maxim_1.gif (27077 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="99" HEIGHT="125"></a>
I have a few of these IC’s – now all I need is the time to experiment with
them!! I also found the following table.
<div align="center"><center><table BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="1" CELLPADDING="4" WIDTH="90%">
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00">Maxim Part No.</td>
<td WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00" colspan="4">Chemistry</td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00">Description</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00"> </td>
<td WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00">Li+</td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00">NiCd</td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00">NiMH</td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00">Multi</td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP" BGCOLOR="#ffff00"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">MAX745</td>
<td WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP">Switch-mode, stand alone</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">MAX846A</td>
<td WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP">Linear-mode, Stand alone System or Microcontroller adjustable</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">MAX1647/1648</td>
<td WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP">Switch mode w/SMBus interface</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">MAX2003A</td>
<td WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP">Switch mode, stand alone</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">MAX712/713</td>
<td WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP">Linear mode, stand alone</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">MAX1640/1641</td>
<td WIDTH="14%" VALIGN="TOP"> </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">Q </td>
<td WIDTH="25%" VALIGN="TOP">Switch mode, Current source</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div>For more information on any of these IC’s, consult the Maxim
website and/or relevant data sheets.
Jaques Wakae <<a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=jacques&d=vision.net.au">jacques(at)vision.net.au</a>>
is working on a top of the line u-processor controlled charger for lithium cells like the
Tadirans. It features a personalised LCD display and can do up to three cells singly or in
combination. More information may be obtained directly from Jaques.
</blockquote>

 

<big>Whats happening out there in Internet land??</big>

<blockquote>
Simon Thomas <<a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=Simon.Thomas&d=aldomecq.com">Simon.Thomas(at)aldomecq.com</a>>
has sent in details of Indoor radio scale slow-flyers that he and his mates are having fun
with – they look great too!!
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="90%">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="50"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/../../jul/wiw/emaillab.gif" alt="emaillab.gif (1621 bytes)" WIDTH="42" HEIGHT="126"></td>
<td bgcolor="#E8E8E8">From:Simon Thomas - <a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=Simon.Thomas&d=aldomecq.com">Simon.Thomas(at)aldomecq.com</a><hr>
Dear Wayne,
Thanks for your efforts putting together this column - it's a great place to see all
the latest developments.
I thought people might be interested in seeing some slow-fly scale planes that we've
been flying here in the U.K. We call ourselves the Aeronutz and fly just about anything
indoors - lots of rubber and electric free flight and now these scale slow-flyers. The
photo was taken at one of our fun fly events where we had a dogfight between the SE5a,
Pup, and Fokker Triplane.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/uk_planes.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/uk_planes_small.jpg" alt="uk_planes.jpg (116344 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="141" HEIGHT="125"></a>
Model details are as follows:
Mark Denham's Fokker Triplane: 26" span, weight 120g. Ceto
receiver and servos. Westechnik DC5-2.4 motor on 7x50mAh cells. Coupled rudder and
rotating centre wing. Construction entirely from 2mm wallpaper insulation foam. Makes my
knees tremble when I fly it (especially when you get bounced by an SE5a!)
Dave Ridgeway's SE5a: 26" span (I think, from memory). Ceto
receiver, HS50 servos, Westechnik motor. Made from hot wired white foam. Similar weight to
Triplane.
Ray Holliday's Pup: 26" span, HS50 servos, not sure about the
receiver. Ceto motor. 2mm wallpaper foam construction.(Ray has also done a nice delta,
soon to have a ducted fan). Similar weight to Triplane.
My Moisant Flyer: 34" span, weight 95g, Ceto RX, HS50 servos,
6x50mAh cells, Westechnik motor. Originally designed as a trainer because it flies so
slowly. 2mm wallpaper foam construction.
My NASA design: Designed as a test machine for various motors, it was
my first indoor R/C plane. 24" span, weight 50g, Kenway motor, 5x50mAh cells, Ceto RX
without the case, Westechnik servos (the early ones you had to build yourself, later ones
are even better). 2mm wallpaper foam construction (entire airframe weighs 12g). p.s. NASA
= Nice And Safe Aeroplane.
All of these fly at the magic 2oz per square foot wing loading and use Fraser Black's
Proflight speed controller. The NASA plane is now a 19" biplane at about 55g with
Westechnik motor and is very easy to fly - it doesn't really need the elevator.
Flying Scale Models magazine should have some plans and constructions details on these
in the next few issues.
These planes now seem quite big, I'm sure we will be building much smaller scale
slow-fliers in the near future - I'll keep you all posted. I'm hoping that Santa will
bring me some Lithium Polymer batteries for Christmas if I'm a good boy...
Regards, Simon</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div> 
Last month, I published the saga of Neil Stainton’s <<a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=neil&d=tmsoft.co.uk">neil(at)tmsoft.co.uk</a>> efforts to get his Foam Delta
ready for some holiday fun. Neil has sent in some photos to illustrate the design (and
prove the story was fact!?! – mind you, we never publish ‘fiction’ here, do
we?)
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="90%">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="50"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/../../jul/wiw/emaillab.gif" alt="emaillab.gif (1621 bytes)" WIDTH="42" HEIGHT="126"></td>
<td bgcolor="#E8E8E8">From: Neil Stainton’s - <a href="http://rcgroups.com/shared/nospam.php?u=neil&d=tmsoft.co.uk">neil(at)tmsoft.co.uk</a><hr>
Hi Wayne,
You were very kind(!) to include my story in your last E Zone column. I received
several emails from people who are interested in making something like it, and taken some
photos to illustrate it.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta5.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta5_small.jpg" alt="delta5.jpg (8023 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="181" HEIGHT="125"></a>
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta4.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta4_small.jpg" alt="delta4.jpg (9201 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="200" HEIGHT="75"></a>
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta6.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta6_small.jpg" alt="delta6.jpg (12958 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="158" HEIGHT="125"></a> <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta3.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta3_small.jpg" alt="delta3.jpg (26965 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="173" HEIGHT="125"></a>
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta2_small.jpg" alt="delta2.jpg (13718 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="165" HEIGHT="125"></a> <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/delta1_small.jpg" alt="delta1.jpg (14505 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="178" HEIGHT="125"></a>
Thank you for all your work in creating your monthly column.
Regards,
Neil.</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div> 
Continuing the discussion on "muscle-wire", Holger Reutel <<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/mailto:%20hkreutel(at)mail.cso.net">hkreutel(at)mail.cso.net</a>> has sent in some data
and a challenge to you ‘experts’ out there.
<div align="center"><center><table border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="90%">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="50"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/../../jul/wiw/emaillab.gif" alt="emaillab.gif (1621 bytes)" WIDTH="42" HEIGHT="126"></td>
<td bgcolor="#E8E8E8">From:Holger Reutel - <a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/mailto:%20hkreutel(at)mail.cso.net">hkreutel(at)mail.cso.net</a><hr>
Dear Wayne,
thank you for your column. It is most interesting to read, not only for slow-flyers,
but everybody interested in miniature lightweight RC-equipment.
One of your readers from Texas mentioned in your recent column "muscle-wire"
that contracts when heated (i.e., when electric power is applied). This would make a
simple extremely lightweight servo. I was lucky to purchase here in Austria a simple
electronics kit called Space-Wings. It uses about 5cm of Flexinol 100 HT wire to move a
pair of butterfly-wings at a frequency of about 30 cycles/minute. Power is 3V and
current-consumption 200mA. By reducing power I could change the closing angle of the wings
at will. So this experiment started very promising but in my excitement I ruined the wire
by applying too much power. For further experiments I have to wait for a new supply of
muscle-wire. 
Flexinol 100HT Muscle Wire Data: <ul>
<li>Diameter 100 microns</li>
<li>Linear Resistance 150 ohm/m</li>
<li>Typical Current 180 mA</li>
<li>Force when heated 150 gramms</li>
<li>Typical Cycle Rate 50 cycles/minute at 20 centigrade (faster when cooled by moving air)</li>
<li>Shortening Rate 3 - 5%</li>
</ul>
I hope some electronics experts will read this and find a way for a simple
muscle-wire-servo.
Regards, Holger</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center></div><blockquote>
<blockquote>
 
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>

 

<big>9g Servo Modifications</big>

<blockquote>
Last column I published details of the servo mods to insert a resistor between the
motor and amplifier board, to reduce the current draw and prevent glitching with some
BEC’s. Here is a larger version of that picture. Note that the resistor value should
be 4.7ohms.
<a href="/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/servomod.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/ezonemag/1998/dec/wiw/servomod_small.jpg" alt="servomod.jpg (19754 bytes)" border="2" WIDTH="253" HEIGHT="125"></a>
</blockquote>


 

<big>Touchdown</big>

<blockquote>
Well, that’s my lot for 1998. Thank you for joining me in the slowfly world.
Wherever you may be in that world – have a happy and peaceful Festive Season. Enjoy
the company of your family and friends, and remember, you are part of the world wide
slowfly movement – do it low and slow!! PEACE
</blockquote>