1/2A vs wing area

Ron:

"I would assume at one time 1/2A was really hot and lot's of folks were doing it. So what gives?" - Ron

I believe you've answered you own question.

What gives is that 1/2A is no longer as popular as it was.  

Kit manufacturers produce what will sell (same as Bernie with parts)

SD

Phil,

I was mistaken at 116 for the CW. I must have been thinking Bean. I have most of those kits to include the Stork which I have not repaired fully yet.

Still. Not too many choices there.

Dave, what I was getting at, is if it was a "hot" sport then where are all the old designs?

Even in plan form they seem scarce.

yes, not that many choices. It is disappointing.

couple more choices here
http://minnesotamodeler.webs.com/
Phil

Thanks Phil, maybe I'm just too picky. Larry Renger designed a couple and RSM has the Pinto. I could just get off my duff and design my own I guess.

Ron

Ron:

The "Pinto" would a good choice for you. They're available if you do some looking.

Lots of wing area, wing flaps, built-up fuse, beam mount BUT pricey. Mine sits partially completed awaiting a "around2it" motivation. It will allegedly do the full AMA pattern. (BTW, the "Pinto" as LOUSY plans with a lot of "guesswork" neccessary)

At the present time I'm spending my "hobby money" repairing the on-board Onan two-cylinder generator in our 21 foot "Mini-Winnie" motor home.

SD

SuperDave wrote:Ron:

What gives is that 1/2A is no longer as popular as it was.  

SD

The fact that 1/2a engine and fuel prices have gotten borderline insane and with electrics getting smaller, lighter, easier to use, a lot more powerful and a whole lot cheaper, it's only going to push 1/2a even and further away.  I hate to say this, but unless there is a Hail Mary come back and prices drop, 1/2a could end up becoming just a memory. It's a sad thing for sure! I have so many fond childhood memories of me and all the other kids in the neighborhood playing with 1/2a stuff.  I can remember all those Summer days being outside playing at any given time and hearing that all too familiar high pitched scream coming from down the street. I'd hop on my bike and pedal as fast I could to the source of the noise only to find a bunch of my friends flying planes or running cars or they would come over and give me an overhead finger twirl signal which meant let's go flying.

Shawn

I know I am missing more sites that sell kits
http://www.rsmdistribution.com/index-2.htm
can't forget Blackhawk, while they are still in business.
http://www.blackhawkmodels.com/

Phil

Back in the 'Golden age' of 1/2a, many of the kits were designed to be flown with early fifties engine technology, your average kid didn't know much about fuel props, compression, line length, etc., etc.. They bolted a worn out Wen-Mac with a inefficient K-Sun prop with what ever fuel their Dad picked up at the Western Auto and it flew!

As far as 1/2a being an entry level into aeromodelling, 1/2a gas powered models have been dead about the time Estes bought out Cox...we just didn't realize it as we were too busy enjoying them.

I was wondering the same thing Mark. Not many kids had Cox planes when I was young.

Most of the older guys I fly with now tell me to lose the 1/2A stuff as the big stunters fly better. To a large extent that is true however, I have seen and flown 1/2A planes that are very capable. What I like about the large planes is they fly so much slower and are very graceful wheras 1/2A requires quick reaction with less sky.

To each his own I suppose. I would just like to see more designs that fly well. Like I said earlier there is nothing stopping me from creating my own that appeals to me.

Ron

Have you seen this site:
http://www.outerzone.co.uk/
Tons of plans and you can print them at whatever wing span/area you want.

Jim

in the early seventies Cox was king! I'd crash a plastic and still have the Babe Bee, i loved it! Cox bit more kids with the model airplane bug then anybody or anything ever did or ever will!

JPvelo wrote:Have you seen this site:
http://www.outerzone.co.uk/
Tons of plans and you can print them at whatever wing span/area you want.

Jim

That's funny I was just browsing in there. Scaling down would be an option. I wonder what a scaled down Manx Cat IV would fly like........

Ron

The Manx Cat is very high on my build list. I love the looks of that plane. The few vids I have seen of it make it out to be a pretty sporty bipe!

You could always scale up the Queen Bee. Meant for a TD .010 or PeeWee .020

Rolla

The manx cat at 150 squares and a bladder fed TeeDee....

http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=2453
http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=378

You should check out the AMA plans service, it's a bit cumbersome but there's good stuff on it.

Jim

Dang Jim,

I have seen the Mirage, but the Cobra whoa nellie! That is a sharp one. That has the Pinto beat hands down. Looks like a pro-stunter in 1/2A!

Rolla, I too like the Manx cat. I would like one in both sizes. I have no idea how to scale down plans though.

Ron

Mark Boesen wrote:in the early seventies Cox was king! I'd crash a plastic and still have the Babe Bee, i loved it! Cox bit more kids with the model airplane bug then anybody or anything ever did or ever will!

Must have been great to have been of age in the 70's.

I was but a wee lad of 5yrs in 1979.

Cribbs74 wrote:Dang Jim,

I have seen the Mirage, but the Cobra whoa nellie! That is a sharp one. That has the Pinto beat hands down. Looks like a pro-stunter in 1/2A!

Rolla, I too like the Manx cat. I would like one in both sizes. I have no idea how to scale down plans though.

Ron

Download the plan to a memory stick thingy, take it to kinkos or whatever your local print shop is and tell them what size you want it printed. Large format copies will set you back about $2.50. 1/2a size plans easily fit on one sheet. You have to wing it on wood size but you've built enough models to know what works.

Jim

Jim,

Will do.

Ron

Back when the Manx Cat was published I built a scaled-down one that would be 1/2A today, then powered by a K&B .09. WOW!

For a more conventional plane from plans, check out Keith Trostle's "Tercel" from AMA plans.

George

Has a 33" wing.
Plan costs $8 from the AMA

I'd like that a lot more if the cockpit was in the center of the fuse. Quite the span on that one!

I just got word from Ray at Minnesota Modelers that my "Sky Writer" kit is in the mail and "The Snapper " will follow soon! I will report on the kit this week end!

For the record....I was there in 1955 flying the Cox PT19 trainer. We all loved that one because we were flying in the street & when we crashed all that was needed was more rubberbands,in just a few minutes it was ready for the next kid to fly. I also built the 1/2a Snapper & used the Baby Bee from the trainer!

RK Flyer