WESTFAC IV

[Mitch]

Calling All Pilots... Pre Trip Briefing:

Reality is starting to sink in. Here is what I think I can do and not embarrass myself. I will NOT be entering any TIMED EVENTS.

Day 1 (Wed) : Scale Model Judging, I plan to enter 3 models
Day 2 (Thu) 0830 : WW1 Mass Launch - Fokker EIV
Day 3 (Fri) 0830 : WW2 Mass Launch - P-51 Mustang
Day 3 (Fri)1230 : WW2 Mediterranean Mass Launch - Afrika Corps - Me-109
Day 4 : (Sat) no entries for me... Awards diner

My SE5a is a bit heavier than the Eindecker. The Fokker has solid landing gear strongly attached to the fuselage. The SE5a has more breakable parts as well.
My Mustang has been a consistent good flyer and best performer I have.
My 109 id the Lightest and with better rubber, I might be surprised.

So I think I will plan to fly those three, I will also bring the SE5a and the FW 190 and Zero. Maybe get help on trimming those in. The Zero has been repaired from the Engine Explosion and ready to go back in combat.

So I will spent tomorrow with my Art pen in hand and adding mg's to my Fighters...

Mitch

[atesus]

Mitch, best of luck to you! Come back with stories to tell and pictures to show .

--Ates

[Mitch]

Thanks... and here's the line up:

First Up, Fokker E-IV:


Back up plane, SE5a: I decided I will enter in scale inspection and be ready for back up if Eindecker has a problem:

Although she is heavy, she was built to fly... I plan to build another after the event.

I will post pics of Me109 and P-51 later today...

Mitch

[Charles_c]

Good luck, Mitch.... Bring back photos....

Charles

[Mitch]

End of the Day... getting ready,

P-51 top:

bottom:

and side:


Me-109 top:

bottom:

and side:


I have the Air scoop for the P-51 but forgot to put it on for the photo shoot...
I think I just have the minimum required. I do not expect to impress anyone with these two...

That's it for now... I'll be leaving in the AM... Mitch

[kittyfritters]

See you there on Thursday.

Howard

[Mitch]

A little change in my "Flight Line Up", but got my models though Inspection today and was down at the Flight Field. I took a bunch of pics at the Inspection station, but you will have to wait until I return home.

Mitch

[Mitch]

Hey Guys...still at my Dad's house in AZ.

Made a bunch of new friends, meet Howard, and I flew in 3 Mass Launches!!!

WW2 Mass Launches

General: P-51
Battle of Midway: Zero
Mediteranian: Bf-109

I GOT 3RD PLACE for my Bf-109!!! Her best time was 38 seconds. I blew up the engine in the final heat at 1294 winds!

I am SO HAPPY to come away with a plaque!!!

I will post pics when I get home...

Mitch

[Wildpig]

Way to go, Mitch!!!

I'm really glad you had such a good time.

3rd place in a Mass Launch with that crowd is a good showing. Show 'em what Guillow model can do.

[Mitch]

Thanks go out to ALL of you, and my NEW friends in the FAC, I could not have done it without EVERYONE's help... NO MAN IS AN ISLAND!

Also there was a bit of luck involved... Very unfortunatley Don, editor of the NFFS (National Free Flight Society) which I will join ASAP... very sadly LOST his Beautiful P-47 in Free French colors He did not set his DT (De-Thermelizer)...these guys are VERY GOOD!

Mass Launch is 3 Heats and you have 15 minutes to return... He chased his model but it went up in a thermal and was lost.

But that's the way WAR is... and to get ready for the next Battle I blew up my engine and I did NOT have a "Blast tube"... I now have 4... the vendor showed up the next day...

That was the worst damage... I will have pics when I get home...

AGAIN... Thanks to ALL of YOU, Mitch

PS All what I learned will go into the construction of Miss Gernot Bf-109G...Defence of the Reich!

[atesus]

Congratulations Mitch, great job!

[jpuke]

Mitch,
You mentioned that you found a vendor for blast tubes - any chance they can be found online? I haven't had any luck.
Nice work on the 400 series P-51. I'm building it right now from a kit I bought back in 1998.
Thanks,
Jeremy

[Mitch]

To ALL pilots who fly...

There are a few items that will make your life easier and flying more enjoyable:

1. Motor Loader
2. Crocket Hooks
3. Blast tubes

You will also want to fly with props about 40 pecent of ws... I was using 9.5 inch props for 400 series
As you get better you will want DT's... De-Thermalizers

There was a vendor that came to WESTFAC IV that had all this stuff...

Starlink-Flitetech.com
858-231-4994

ALL my models will fly again... the worst damage was to the Bf-109. It withstood the damage that 6 strands of 3/16 rubber did when it broke at 1294 winds... I was using the same rubber all week. As I did not have much rubber with me. Everyone else installs NEW rubber when they go into battle.

I am still learning but had a GREAT TIME. I am planning my build and FLIGHT LINE UP for the next event!

I will post pics and answer ALL questions when I get home... My first NEW build will be my new and improved Me Bf-109G!

Mitch

[kittyfritters]

The term "Blast Tube" is no hyperbole. It's possible for a large rubber motor, like the ones in the giant scale rubber models, to store up as much energy as a quarter stick of dynamite. Fortunately, if the motor breaks the energy is not released in quite the same way, but you might think so to see what it can do to a model..

Howard

[Mitch]

Looking back in retrospect I had too much rubber and was over powering my prop. I think I would have gotten a better flight time with LESS rubber... Again the "new" kid thought MORE is BETTER. I was testing with 4 strands of rubber, but for event time, after a poor flight of my P-51, I decided to add another loop. I was using the same rubber from model to model ALL week long.

6 strands of 30 inches of tan super sport II rubber with 1294 winds broke off at the crocket hook and tore though the inside of the Messerschmitt in an instant. Latter with the help from Don (who lost his P-47) we extracted the rubber without further damage.

This is what some people call "lightening the structure". I already did that in the contruction, but now more balsa bits came out... I will need to patch the tissue in 8 places. The fuselage longrons were not damaged so after the patch work of paper is finished the model should be fine.

Mitch... Battle Damage = Badge of Courage