The Streak Flys!

Kim Sat Nov 07, 2020 5:12 pm

While at the "Fall S.M.A.L.L.", Stan Fronabarger of Vintage Performance Models presented me with a prototype of his Flite Streak. I want it to receive Rusty's Traveling Engine Fox .35 when it comes this way.

My only problem is not wanting to engage with the few details left to get it on a set of cables...namely: Hinging the flaps and elevator, installing horns and their related hardware, and for some reason, fighting the need to put eyelet terminals on it's leadouts.

While this is all "In the Mood Necessary" work, I got to get on the stick to be ready for Rusty's Engine. So, today was designated "Hinge Stitching Day". They aren't as pretty as I'd have liked, so I may hide them in plane sight with some black Brodak dope, but they do work. Got the control horns installed on the flaps and elevator, so now just have to do the linkages (Ain't NO soldering gonna happen tonight!) and the leadout eyelets.

I'm hoping for an intense Folgers High in the morning to boost me through the last items, with maybe a test flight at Breezy Hill later in the day.

That's what I got.

Dr. Frankenstein would be proud:

Ken Cook Sat Nov 07, 2020 5:29 pm

Kim , a very underrated incredible flying plane. I have Walter Umland's version but my son and I were just discussing purchasing the Vintage Performance version.

Marleysky Sat Nov 07, 2020 5:32 pm

That all black flightstreak is just one mean looking airplane! Hope it flys as good as it looks!

rsv1cox Sat Nov 07, 2020 6:06 pm

It doesn't have to be pretty to work Kim. The devils in the finishing details. The fussy work drove me nuts at one time, now I just cope.

I had a Flight Streak at one time, but I can't remember what happened to it, a crash or give-away maybe.

Good luck with your project.

Kim Sat Nov 07, 2020 6:25 pm

Thanks guys! Got me some white stickers that ought to set off the Streak in homage to "The Big Bunny".

Ken Cook Sun Nov 08, 2020 6:29 am

Kim, I just noted something on your build. Did you provide flaps or is the kit made like that? I never had a Streak require flaps. Even my giant 900 sq inch Streak cuts a corner sharp flapless. I would love to hear about the results of this. It always concerned me on close coupled planes ( Short nose, long tail ) that flaps might be a penalty. I personally never tried it so I'm just curious. Please post your results positive or negative. The beauty of a full bodied plane is less vibration, the tank situated directly behind the engine feeds superior to a profile mounted version. Generally, they're also lighter in weight. My version has aluminum gear but I remove that most of the time I'm flying it. I was fortunate to have Brian Gardner supply me with some outstanding Fox .35 ABC replacements which one is in the nose. I passed on the Super Combat Streak for years building the traditional profile. Had I known about how well this plane flew 40 years ago, it would've advanced my flying abilities 20 years ahead. Ken

Levent Suberk Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:20 am

Kim, you can cut the bunny logo from A4 white vinyl adhesive backed sheet. Let me know the length of red arrow. I'll send A4 size stickers.

getback Sun Nov 08, 2020 7:32 am

That's definitely a big black ship , i think the hinges look fine if that makes you feel better . It thats time to get them right and sometimes still don't look like you want ?!?Looking forward to a perfect maiden . Very Happy

NEW222 Sun Nov 08, 2020 10:17 am

Good job there. I also really like your sewn hinges. Since I had figured out how to make them where they look decent, they are my go-to as well.

Kim Mon Nov 09, 2020 11:32 am

Ken Cook wrote:Kim, I just noted something on your build. Did you provide flaps or is the kit made like that? I never had a Streak require flaps. Even my giant 900 sq inch Streak cuts a corner sharp flapless. I would love to hear about the results of this. It always concerned me on close coupled planes ( Short nose, long tail ) that flaps might be a penalty. Ken

Hey Ken,
The flaps came with the plane from Stan. Part of the testing was about how effective/useful the flaps might be. Once I get it flying, I'm gonna call in Breezy Hill Flyer Leo, to fly it and give his opinion. He is the most pattern-experienced flyer among us, and I'm anxious to see what he says about throw ratios between the the elevators and flaps. At the very worst, I could lock the flaps and fly it with elevator alone, and still have a big time.

I'd always assumed that stunt flaps help put a "soft edge" to help round out corners, but that could be totally wrong.

Kim Mon Nov 09, 2020 11:34 am

Levent Suberk wrote:Kim, you can cut the bunny logo from A4 white vinyl adhesive backed sheet. Let me know the length of red arrow. I'll send A4 size stickers.

Hey Levent,
I really appreciate the offer, but I'd earlier ordered some vinyl stickers on ebay.
Thank You for the offer though!
Kim

Kim Mon Nov 09, 2020 11:41 am

getback wrote:That's definitely a big black ship , i think the hinges look fine if that makes you feel better . It thats time to get them right and sometimes still don't look like you want ?!?Looking forward to a perfect maiden .

Thanks Eric!

This was a case of "Let's Get It Done", and sometimes my work suffers a bit. I normally do three sets to a hinge (I know many flyers go the whole length, but I don't have the gumption to do that), with the outboard "8's" doubled.

These will easily work for the life of the plane, as I have yet to see them fail except in the case of a horrendous impact.

She's ready now...so the next good day will see it fly.

Marleysky Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:35 pm

Hey! Nice offer there Levent! I really liked that bunny magazine. Try to find where the “hidden” bunny was on the front cover of every new issue, then read the jokes and articles. Old Bugger

roddie Mon Nov 09, 2020 7:17 pm

Hi Kim! That's a steely-stealthy looking bird man! Kinda resembles a Combat Streak on steroids. Best of luck with it. Thumbs Up

Kim Fri Nov 13, 2020 8:54 am

During a sudden lull in the winds that have been blasting across the hill all week, I jumped on the chance to put in the first flight with Vintage Performance Model Airplane's version of the Flite Streak.

Being too lazy to pack out everything for a run to Breezy Hill, I'd gotten the OK to fly it from the mowed soy bean field behind the south barn. A nice level spot, but VERY stubbly and unfriendly toward keeping kinks out of the cables, so I only put in one flight.

It DOES look mighty "Streakish" inflight, and with it's current flap/elevator ratio, gave me some very tight inside loops. I left the outside stuff for the next flight, which will be at Breezy Hill, and am now confident that it's gonna make a nice mount for "Rusty's Traveling Engines Fox .35".

..........................................

https://youtu.be/SduMg3JL1wE

getback Fri Nov 13, 2020 9:42 am

Cool That pull out on take off had me on the end of my chair. It does have some tight insides , what length lines were you using ? Bunny's give it a sleek appearance Cool

Kim Fri Nov 13, 2020 12:08 pm

getback wrote:Cool That pull out on take off had me on the end of my chair. It does have some tight insides , what length lines were you using ? Bunny's give it a sleek appearance

Hey Eric!

I was running it on 60 x .015's...probably could knock the lines down to .012's without trouble.

Yeah, it was a deep swoop off the stooge from a dead start, though it did have a considerable tailwind that didn't help.

I've got an idea in my head for a rolling dolly---just two wheels and an axle as in the Me 163...that would just drop off it's belly, letting the plane roll across the table after being released by my pin & string stooge.

Yeah, I do like that long-lean appearance...Maybe should have named her the "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress"...though "Big Bunny" is a bit snappier...!

TLAnderson Fri Nov 13, 2020 1:14 pm

Cool plane Kim. Looks like a good flyer.

Kim wrote:

I've got an idea in my head for a rolling dolly---just two wheels and an axle as in the Me 163...that would just drop off it's belly, letting the plane roll across the table after being released by my pin & string stooge.

I have a drop off gear setup on my Skyray that works pretty well.

[/quote]

Kim Fri Nov 13, 2020 1:44 pm

TLAnderson wrote:Cool plane Kim. Looks like a good flyer.

Kim wrote:

I've got an idea in my head for a rolling dolly---just two wheels and an axle as in the Me 163...that would just drop off it's belly, letting the plane roll across the table after being released by my pin & string stooge.

I have a drop off gear setup on my Skyray that works pretty well.

[/quote]

There we go!!!!

getback Sat Nov 14, 2020 7:54 am

Thanks Kim , Was wondering cause it seem to bee moving around pretty fast , from the handle . I remember that setup TL and liked it a lot !!

Kim Sat Nov 14, 2020 8:20 am

I've got to get a set up like TL's, or wait for someone to hand-launch the Streak, because I can't attach my little key fob cameras to it's wingtips when using my kitchen mat stooge...and THAT is the footage I really want to get!

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