Eloy, AZ

[Mitch]

Hi Guys,

Just got back from a visit with my Dad in AZ. There was a contest in Eloy, and although I did not fly I went for one morning. Thought I would share some pictures and tips from the pros (them not me).

It was mostly Endurance flying but there was a bit of Scale Models. I was there for the WW2 Dogfight. I will refrain from calling it a mass lauch as there were only 2 planes!

Here is Don's Wildcat:


and here is Herb's Russian Yak:


Since there were only 2 flyers they wound at there stooges...




Herb's Yak flew for over a minute and 30 seconds:

While Don's shorter motor in his Wildcat made his model fly for about 1 minute and 15 seconds.

I like the way Don transports his models... He has a custom built case that is designed for carry on, and his model comes apart:

He also has a larger case that he checks into baggage when he has to board flights!

I plan to make a box like Don's so I will never again be at a contest without SOME planes to fly...

Hope you enjoy and questions are welcome... If I do not know the answer I can contact Don or Herb...

Mitch

[Steve Blanchard]

Hey Mitch, was the WWII dog fight listed as an FAC event?

Steve

[Mitch]

Yes, but no kanone was awarded as they had only 2 entrants... So I am sure Don and Herb would have liked for me to have a model ready. I think they require at least 3 entrants before they will issue the kanone.

FYI: For those who do not know in FAC winners get a kanone. German for "cannon" (big gun) and when you reach 15 kanones you will be awarded the Blue Max (Pour le Merit) "For Merit". Germany's highest Military award, but is no longer issued in the military. It is called the "Blue Max" because it is a Blue Cross and the first recipient in WW1 was Max Immelmann.

[Wildpig]

Thanks for posting. I checked the weather for Eloy. Low '70's during the day. Nice.

[Steve Blanchard]

Mitch<

That's why I asked. I was going to say, even if you had something that wasn't contest worthy it would have been worth a test glide in round 1 to make it official! By the way, the Blue Max comes at 16 victories or Kanones. It is a wonderful little piece of hardware. Mine hangs in my workshop right in the middle of it all. Sounds silly but it is one of my most prized possessions. I like the way the FAC does the rankings as well. It's fun to see where you fall each year when the list comes out. I never keep track during the year so I have no idea until they issue the official list.

Steve

[Mitch]

Steve, et al...

That's why I NEED to make a travel box. I only found out about the contest a week before I went to AZ, but glad I made the side trip. I am sure both Herb and Don have the Blue Max... I just like to give them a little competition... and force them to go into "combat"... You never know... I have seen collisions etc...

FYI: One might wonder why the Highest German Award is written in French "Pour le Merite" The medal originated in King Fredrich 's time in the 1700's (?) and in the royal courts all over Europe at that time, French was the spoken language.


The Blue Max


Max Immelmann


My Fokker E IV, scratch built, and Guillow plastic parts (same scale as the Fokker Dr1) To be test flown in the spring!


Mitch

[Steve Blanchard]

Mitch,

That's a real beauty! I hope it flies as good as it looks. Will you be going to Geneseo for the Nats this year?

Steve

[Mitch]

Steve...et al,

Thanks , and the Eindecker was the belle of the show at The Museum of Flight in Seattle! (For small non-RC planes). I plan to attend as many FAC events as I can and keep learning to build better, and fly farther. I do not know my work schedule that far in advance. I hope the Fokker will fly, I have been told planes with that type of tail can be very tricky to trim. The wing load was the best for me at that time (I do not remember right now) but I expect it should fly.

I need to:

1. Start taking notes and keep a build journal.
2. Get more organized
3. Build more models

I still have not met with my local group (the Eagle Squadron), but I did email and hope to fly with them in the Spring.

Mitch... Keep Building, Keep Flying, Keep Learning

[Steve Blanchard]

Mitch,

I built a 38" version of the Eindecker that I destroyed at the 2004 FAC Nats. I did have a larger tail than on the plans. The tail on the actual aircraft was WAY too tiny. That is usually the issue with these. Mine did fly pretty well before I killed it. What did it in was a loose nose block. During the power phase of the flight it got up to about 40 feet in the air and the nose block jumped and flipped over so all of the down-thrust became up-thrust. It stalled and dove in. The End! It was still one of my favorite models. I was still kind of green back then. Only about 3 years in the FAC and a few Kanones. I definitely would have done some things differently with what I know now. I learn more every time I build, fly, or even read a magazine or forum. It's a great hobby. The best I've ever been a part of. Keep up the great work.

Steve

[Mitch]

Steve,

I did build the tail larger (I don't have notes) I scaled up the tail 10, 15 and 20 percent from the real aircraft, I think I chose 15 percent. Also from the advice on this forum the wings are made with 2 dowels passing though the ribs (I forgot about that) So if I can tighten the wing wires I can achieve a real wing warping effect.

It is cold and wet in Seattle this time of year. I will attempt to fly this model in the spring when I get hooked up with my local FAC group (Eagle Squadron) and hopefully get some advice and have a nice field to fly.

This model was suppose to have a 28 inch ws but ended up with about 30 inches... Since I built this model I see the Dumass Company now produces an E III in there 30 inch category. My model is NOT that one. If my model crashes, I think I will purchase the Dumass kit and see how they engineered there model.

Mitch