[NSRCA-discussion] Header Brace now turned smaller planes andvehicles

[Dr. Mike Harrison]

Bob,
I built the Fusion, modified for pattern and put in the 1.2 OS AX.  After some work, it flew really well.  My observations are that profiles are a lot more work and trouble than a standard fuse, they don't fly as well, they are just as much work at the field.  

I have no interest in going smaller, I am just looking for minimal investment, quick and easy practice so that I don't destroy a front line competition model.  I have done electrics, they don't fly very well, I just explained profiles, so now I am trying the 50 size.  It needs to be quick and easy and fly pretty well.  BTW, I figured the profile cost about $250-300 to build, $250-300 for engine, so it wasn't cheap.  

Regarding vehicles, look at the full size van.  I have the Chev 1500 express customized.  Bought it in 1999, now has almost 200,000 miles and gets about 16 mpg.  Very versitile and durable.  Never done any major repair. 

Mike
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Richards 
  To: NSRCA Mailing List 
  Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 8:11 AM
  Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Header Brace now turned smaller planes andvehicles


  Ed,

  A lot has been said about the smaller planes being less expensive, but as soon as the smaller size is established then the expense will come right back in the way of high tech composite airframes and all the other equipment.

  What you are saying about size makes perfect sense -- being able to transport easily. I have a full size Ford van, and before the 2m limit was imposed, there were no 2m planes, everything was was smaller based on the displacement limit. I could fit my Finesse (and the Runaround before that) in the back of my van in one piece, which made my practice sessions very quick and convenient. Very little setup time, pretty much fuel and fly.

  Bigger does fly better, however. There was a similar situation considered in IMAC, they created the Mini-MAC class. To my knowlege, there has not been the Mini-MAC class flown at any of the recent IMAC contests, apparently since there has not been much interest in it.

  The video that someone posted of a profile pattern plane is interesting. There are a few guys in our club that have flown the OMP Fusion, and it does pattern pretty well. I've bought one, and my son may end up flying that in a few pattern contests if we get the chance.

  http://ohiomodelplanes.com/67fusionarf/

  As for using a pickup, I have a small Nisson Frontier. I have considered building a custom box to fit, which would extend past the tailgate so I could transport larger planes than would fit in a normal shell.

  Bob R.


  Ed Miller <edbon85 at charter.net> wrote:
    >From a practical standpoint what has been going on in auto industry is 180 
    degrees to what pattern has done, we have grown BIG, Guppy like 2M planes 
    while cars and trucks are getting smaller. I've been out recently looking 
    at a replacement ( about 2 or 3 years away ) for my 2001 Astro van which 
    easily fits 2 - 2M planes and could carry 4 just as easily along with a 
    driver and passenger. In light of GM and Ford's decision to stop producing 
    minivans and the demise of the Astro van in '05, it looks like domestic 
    full size vans/pickup trucks or foreign minivans is all that will be left. 
    I chose the Astro in '01 to carry 2 - 2M planes with support gear AND it's 
    ability to tow more than a paperweight. An Astro van set up like mine 
    easily tows my 6x12 enclosed trailer with my Harley dresser inside ( approx. 
    2600 lbs ) AND it has also towed an 1800 lb flat trailer with 6 Harley's on 
    it over 250 miles several times, figure a total weight of approximately 5500 
    lbs. With tape measure in hand I have been measuring P/U beds and it seems 
    the GM full size "short bed" is 80" from inside the forward wall to the 
    inside of the tailgate. To me the fwd minivan offerings, though they make 
    great people and plane movers, cannot tow anything more than 1,000 lbs 
    reliably over the long haul, so they are not an option at least for me. 
    Besides, as long as I can I will buy from one of the big 2, I consider 
    Chrysler a foreign company now. I'd hate to "downsize" from the 2M planes 
    as they fly much better than their older, smaller counterparts but it would 
    be nice to be able to buy smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles to transport 
    them. Is anyone out there using an extended cab ( 2 rear mini suicide 
    doors ) GM P/U with the standard 6.5ft bed to transport 2M planes ?? I know 
    the same truck is available with the 8ft but it is really too 
    looonnnggg.........
    Ed M.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: "Dean Pappas" 
    To: "NSRCA Mailing List" 
    Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 9:39 PM
    Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Header Brace





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