[NSRCA-discussion] Breakthrough Pattern plane designs

[Rusty Fried]

Dick Hansen and Meryl Hyde along with David Guerin have been the US main
stay. 

International hands down is Hano Pretner and Wolf Gang Matt. 

All of these guys were  equally important to pattern. If you would like to
go back further please let me know. My long term memory is still Ok.

Rusty Fried.

 

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of billglaze
Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 2:49 PM
To: bob at toprudder.com; General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Breakthrough Pattern plane designs

 

I wasn't interested in pattern at all, until I saw Dick Hanson's Excell at a
meet.  The owner said "it's supposed to be an Extra 300, if you can get past
an Extra with retractable gear."

I felt that, if it was possible to fly such a good looking airplane in
pattern and do well, (and it was, in fact, possible to do so) then I could
take an interest.  I have always preferred airplanes that look like
airplanes,and not like an Irish Battle Club. 

Dave Guerin put it very succinctly one time when he said:  "the pattern
flyers of today have no idea just how much they owe Dick Hanson."  And, if
Dave says it....................... Bill Glaze

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Bob Richards <mailto:bob at toprudder.com>  

To: General pattern discussion <mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>  

Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:09 AM

Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Breakthrough Pattern plane designs

 


Some planes were breakthroughs just because they broke the mold. I would put
the Astro Hog in that category. Most others took advantage in advancements
in technology. I would put the Bootlegger in that category (tuned pipe
internal instead of hanging outside). 

 

One plane that has already been mentioned is the Mach I. This advanced
pattern into the ballistic age. The thin wing and really streamlined
fuselage.... beautiful.

 

Someone already mentioned the Focus. What was breakthrough about that was
not the design per se, but the fact that it was an affordable ARF that could
be built easily yet could (and did) win the NATS. Up until then, you had to
pay an arm and a leg for a plane that probably required a LOT of work to be
competitive.

 

Elements of technology that changed pattern: Digital proportional radios;
Retracts; Schneurle ported engines; Tuned pipes; Four-strokes (ok, that was
a rule thing, but still...). Lipo batteries made electric pattern not only
possible, but competitive.

 

I think the biggest changes (won't really call it 'breakthrough') have been
the rules. Pattern planes could have been larger than they were had it not
been for the limit in engine size. The story I heard was that Duke Fox
designed the .78 for pattern, but then they came up with a rule to limit the
engine size to .61. Then the rule to allow up to 1.20 four-strokes due to
the 'power disparity'. (???) Then came turnaround, and the designs were
forced to change. Then the unlimited engine size. I've always said that a
lot of manufacturers shy away from pattern since it has always been a moving
target. 

 

I have to think back to Tom Miller's "Reaction" design. It did not have much
impact on the sport, probably because it was too far ahead of its time. Back
when guys were still flying ballistic planes with 2 strokes, tuned pipes and
retracts, here he comes with a fixed gear, taildragger, fat fuselage
(relative to the times), four-stroke plane and said "this is where we are
headed". Give that man a prize!!!

 

And the beat goes on....

 

Bob R.



--- On Mon, 12/15/08, Woodward, Jim (US SSA) <jim.woodward at baesystems.com>
wrote:

From: Woodward, Jim (US SSA) <jim.woodward at baesystems.com>
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Breakthrough Pattern plane designs
To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 2:23 PM

Hi Guys,

 

What do you think were some of the most breakthrough or pivotal pattern
designs?  When I started there the Prophecy was top dog.  A couple years
later the Smaragd was designed.  I see a lot of planes have been designed
off the Smaragd platform.  I think the PassPort is a heck of a plane. 

  

What do you guys think have been some break-out designs over the years that
have transformed pattern aircraft design?  In the last nine years, I?d say
the Smaragd was the most transformational plane. 

  

Thanks, 

Jim W. 

  

_______________________________________________
NSRCA-discussion mailing list
NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion

  _____  

_______________________________________________
NSRCA-discussion mailing list
NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.nsrca.org/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20081216/19d5a9fd/attachment.html>