Unusual Wen Mac model - "Rare" yada yada

While plastic go-arounds don't excite many, they are still an important part of the control line scene.  Many of us (but not me) have been introduced to control line flying through them, some never to return by disappointing experiences.  I was lucky enough to start with Walt's Scientific designs.  

But that does not discount the contribution that Plastics has made to our hobby.  Affordability and instant gratification are a couple.  I think I have at least one example (except Comet) plastic C/L model made in the US.  Aurora is far and away the best for detail and design, Wen Mac for diversity, Cox, well that engine! Gilbert, beautiful airframe, heavy engine. I still am impressed by the architecture employed by each manufacturer.  Basically the same but using different approaches.

This Wen Mac Douglas AD-6 (later A-1) is a fun comparison with the same model Cox.  To early to get into it now, but maybe later.  

Whoever had it before applied decals that were either incorrect or misplaced and they had to go.  A warm water soapy soak loosened the color enough to peel it off,  Berryman's and 91% alcohol did the rest.  





True to Wen Mac form the fuel tank nipple had broken off.  Aerosol straw will fix it.  Fuel tank got a cleaning with Berryman's and a hot water rinse. Filler and vent are subject to castor blocking too.  Needles down the stack ensure function. No fuel, no go.  




The engine and starter were castor locked, Berryman's and heat cured that.  And yet another different Wen Mac engine case, I have never seen an off the shoulder designator design like this.





Different needle too.  First one I have seen with a flat milled into the end.  Position feel maybe.



Oh yes, Forgot.  My son sent me this picture.  I remember those airplanes.  Probably touched them at one time.  409 and 411.  I worked on the second level in administration.  I could type.....learned in high school because that's where the girls were. (Future wife too) I used to go down and talk with the mechanics and pilots.  Contemptious of jets - "Sucking Air and blowing Smoke" they would say.  

I can see Commander Harlan Foote (Commanding Officer VA-35) in the lead plane. I typed out a lot of things for his signature.



Going over to my Son's house tomorrow, taking my daughters.  We are all going to the Fire House there for breakfast to celebrate Veterans Day.  Going to wear my VA-35 hat.  Mark was in VA-35 also coincidencely and also served on the Nimitz.

Well, my prized Wen Mac....ultra-rare AD-6 Skyraider isn't getting much (any) love, but I'm still going to keep banging away at it because I think that it's neat.  

The added trim probably created in the head of a 12 year old had to go.  I replaced the orange paper backed wing tip trim with red vinyl electrical tape and removed the misplaced decals on both upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal stab..  I also substituted a throttled engine for the non-throttled version and replaced the broken fuel tank nipple with an aerosol straw cut to length and cemented it in.  Progressivly larger drill bits up to 3/32" the diameter of the straw doesn't damage the plastic..  Overnight cure of the Testors.  

I took some comparison pictures with the Cox version.  The Wen Mac model is bigger and heavier and has more features.  The bomb release is a simple flexible release flap which a control line threads into, about the same action as the throttle control line.  The plastic on the Cox version has yellowed over time, even the NIB protected example while the W/M finish has held up well.  Elevator control exits from under the wing on the Cox, which I like.  The W/M line from above the wing which looks rather clunky.  

I still haven't found another example of the Wen Mac Skyraider or the MkVIII engine.

Ah.......I found a MKVIII running

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=wen+mac+mkVIII&mid=F3E6BDF0377E3278408AF3E6BDF0377E3278408A&FORM=VIRE

I was going to let this thread die a natural death but I thought this add-on interesting.

My son was over the other day and reminded me that he had found me a Gilbert "Bombs Away" set and the bombs might fit on the Wen Mac AD-6. Dug it out and they do however a bit out-sized. Same tab friction fit as found on the W/M bomb. Pull the string and the bomb drops.

He also reminded me that he had given me a Gilbert "Stooge" which might do for the P-38. Probably not, it's new in the box and I don't want to get it all castor goo so Ill be going with the catapult ramp under construction.

NEW222 wrote:Just another fine example of a great 'restoration'! I really like the Skyraider as well. Never saw one in real life, but first saw them when they 'saved some bacon' in Flight Of The Intruder. Just something about their size and shape that drew me in I guess.

Thanks Chancey for breaking the ice. Wen Mac/Gilbert doesn't get much love here on the Cox Engine Forum.

Mark Boesen is a big fan though.

Bob

@Kim has shown us the practical run aspects of the Gilberts on his various videos he's shown of his (I think, mind fuzzy - comes with age Wink ) Lazy Bee powered by the Gilberts.

I believe your right George. I noticed his post from long ago and thought...a miracle....Kim got two of them to run at the same time. I believe one was a 7 the other a 11.

GallopingGhostler wrote:

rsv1cox wrote:I believe one was a 7 the other a 11.  

Bob, yes, he had both mounted in parallel, similar to the Cri-Cri, one of the smallest real aircraft around. (Cri-Cri is the sound a cricket makes in Spanish and possibly French.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colomban_Cri-cri

Have you seen the new "flying car"? Switchblade or something like that........................

Don't feel badly Jim, I did not know that site existed within the forum either. Not that I thought much about it.

BTW........Thanks for the "Atta boy"......... I post a lot of stuff. Too much maybe.....I ought to keep my keyboard shut! This is the only forum that I visit so I might post to excess.

Jacob to his credit established an "Off Topic" option and I take advantage. "One does not live by bread alone." Diversity I believe helps keep this forum alive and active. I would hate to see it die due to lack of interest or participation.