Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying

Kim Tue Nov 17, 2020 9:07 am

So, this little kit popped up on Ebay, and I stalked it for a few days before a last-minute pounce netted me another project in my crowded shop.

This is yet another "Snubbing My Nose at the Past" affair, having built a Little Tom Tom when I was 13 or so, and ending up with WAY-less-than-nice results. The build went well, but I was strapped for money to buy the incredibly expensive bottles of Aerogloss dope to finish it.

My youthful impatience took charge and, instead of waiting and working to get the funds, I decided to try finishing the model with spray paint from some cans I'd found in our old coal shed. As I said, the results were WAY less than nice, with Little Tom Tom's fuel-soaked gooey finish being impossible to clean, or even handle without it leaving it's traces on your fingers.

Like many others, it's life ended in a "Viking Funeral", and another early Life Lesson learned.

This one will be different. It's gonna get a finish of similarly expensive Brodak Dope on silkspan (from my precious stash of that macho tissue), with a base color of cream, red trim, and copying the scheme from it's box photo.

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Dsc_0081

The kit's die-cutting and balsa are actually pretty nice, and I had few problems getting the parts loose from their sheets. I'd assumed, because of it's similarity to the other 1/2A VECO kits that it was designed by the legendary Joe Wagner, but a fellow named "J.E. Barr" is listed instead. The plane is very close in size to my Uncle Wayne's Dumas-kitted "Scout", and was my choice back in the day to add a bit of variety to our flight line.

Little Tom Tom will be powered by the .049 I won in a raffle at S.M.A.L.L. (Super Thanks to Matt & Bernie for their sponsorship of the wonderful event!), with a 3/8 oz wedge tank holding the go-juice.

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 0_035

My kit building seems to take forever these days, with lots of "stopping and staring breaks" as projects crawl along, and with plenty of interruptions to walk my gravel road and think about things. Eventually, I get stuff framed up enough for photo-ops that helps spur my enthusiasm.

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 0_713

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 1_176

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 2_158

I'm currently resisting the urge to pirate the wheels from one of my two beloved Wen Mac Aracobras---I know: the plane is a flying dump truck---but it's wheels are beautiful little things. A set has been flying on Uncle Wayne's Scout since 1968, so if anyone has a couple they'd be willing to part with, I'd be happy to buy them.

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Wen_ma11

Levent Suberk Tue Nov 17, 2020 11:42 am

Great buying Kim. Very Happy

It is very nice feeling that opening an old kit box, cutting and sanding old balsa. I think that dope is an additional feeling which is a remembrance from younger days. Very Happy

Ken Cook Tue Nov 17, 2020 2:52 pm

One of my favorites. I have the profile version for 1/2A and .35 size. Very good flying planes.

Kim Tue Nov 17, 2020 5:35 pm

Thanks Guys !!!

rsv1cox Tue Nov 17, 2020 6:36 pm

Kim wrote:

I'm currently resisting the urge to pirate the wheels from one of my two beloved Wen Mac Aracobras---I know: the plane is a flying dump truck---but it's wheels are beautiful little things. A set has been flying on Uncle Wayne's Scout since 1968, so if anyone has a couple they'd be willing to part with, I'd be happy to buy them.

I got ya covered Kim, but your going to have to take the whole darn plane. Small payment for all the things you have done for me over the years. Missing the cowl, and it has my ill-conceived replacement canopy but it should do the job.

I think I still have your address around somewhere, if I don't i'll PM ya.

Bob

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying P1010560

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying P1010561

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying P1010562

GallopingGhostler Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:14 pm

Really nice, Kim, I built one back in high school 1971, painted the fuselage with Sunburnt Orange acrylic enamel, same paint I used on my 1967 Datsun PL411 Bluebird sedan that I repainted. Was a victim of my military service when I left it in my old bedroom at my parent's house. Sad Goodbye

However, if I ever wanted to build, Outerzone has the profile version called the Half-A Tomahawk. Eyebrows

**Cribbs74** Tue Nov 17, 2020 8:35 pm

Apart from the wingtips and stabs it looks eerily similar to the Scout! You just keep building buddy! I envy you.

Ron

getback Wed Nov 18, 2020 7:09 am

Nice that the die cut parts are popping out for you , I got a kit i was going to built and it had those cut dents in it soooo i closed it for then lol I really like the looks of full body planes they just seem to stand out and well Look like a airplane !! sunny

GallopingGhostler Wed Nov 18, 2020 7:21 am

As I recall, Dumas kit was very decent with quality wood and clean die cutting, unlike Sterling and Comet. Guillow overall had reasonable die cutting except for a few gotchas once in awhile, but much of the wood was of denser, heavier and harder balsa, made for rubber powered that flew fast and heavy. Scientific overall had clean die cutting, must have been the influence of the late Walt Musciano with the company.

Kim Wed Nov 18, 2020 7:31 am

rsv1cox wrote:
Kim wrote:

I'm currently resisting the urge to pirate the wheels from one of my two beloved Wen Mac Aracobras---I know: the plane is a flying dump truck---but it's wheels are beautiful little things. A set has been flying on Uncle Wayne's Scout since 1968, so if anyone has a couple they'd be willing to part with, I'd be happy to buy them.

I got ya covered Kim, but your going to have to take the whole darn plane.

Well, that's great Bob! Shoot me a note about the shipping!

Kim Wed Nov 18, 2020 7:48 am

Cribbs74 wrote:Apart from the wingtips and stabs it looks eerily similar to the Scout! You just keep building buddy! I envy you.

Ron

Thanks Ron!

Yeah, the wing frame and fuse look to be just about identical to the Scout...there may be a story behind that deal.

I hope to keep all this silliness going 'till the end, and am thankful I can still see to build these little suckers, and be able to turn with them on their lines.

This Forum has often fired me to go out and "Do Some Model Stuff"...so it's Jacob's fault!

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Dsc_0083

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Dsc_0082

Kim Thu Nov 19, 2020 9:10 am

The continuing saga of "Little Tom Tom the Circle Turner".

Don't know if my retro controliner is gonna be ready for Breezy Hill's "Black Fly Day" on the 27th but, if not, it may be up there as a "Show-&-Tell" static display. The Flyers appreciate the work and time it takes for this special kind of silliness.

After a bunch of carving and sanding, it's time to start the finishing process, which often takes longer than the building process. The paints used---Brodak Dope in this case---must be allowed curing time between coats, along with a light sanding before each new coat is applied.

Since I can't keep the shop heated all the time, Little Tom Tom will be brought inside between each painting session to help set the finish, so the house will be filled with the special aroma that used to get me banished to the front porch.

It's wing frame will get a brushed-on clear coat to adhere it's silkspan covering. Then more over-all layers 'till it starts to shine, when the paint gun comes out and a thin white coat is applied for a base color. This is followed by scheme color and trim, and a floor littered with bits of masking tape.

As Rudy Pittman (my ex-father-inlaw) might say, "It's looking mighty airplaney!"

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 7_54

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getback Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:59 am

Frame up looks Good But i must ask why are you using (what appears to bee fishing line ) for lead outs ? I have stopped using those because i had a few issues with burning them with the monokote iron and that's a repair before first flight i don't want to do anymore Mad

With built up rib wings of course. Fishing

Kim Fri Nov 20, 2020 9:31 am

getback wrote:Frame up looks Good But i must ask why are you using (what appears to bee fishing line ) for lead outs ? I have stopped using those because i had a few issues with burning them with the monokote iron and that's a repair before first flight i don't want to do anymore With built up rib wings of course.

It's another one of my goofy "things". I was given a huge spool of carpet thread back in '68 or so as a gift intended for flying line. I quickly figured out that it was way heavier than the dacron we all used, but found it was great for lead-outs on my PT-19's and other RTF's.

My Big Otto has been using it since 2000 with no problems, and that old dog has seen a lot of flying time. I only use it with nylon bellcranks and plastic tube guides, figuring their hardness to be similar. It's much lighter than cable lead-outs and I've never really liked the music wire type because of it getting bent where it exits the guide tubes.

That's my only excuse, but I've got high confidence that these lines will still be operational long after I've lost the ability to turn with the little 1/2A.

Levent Suberk Fri Nov 20, 2020 10:24 am

Kim, you use Ambroid glue! Very Happy

Is it available again? Very Happy

GallopingGhostler Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:15 am

BTW, not meaning to pull the fire out of this thread deviating a little off-topic but not off-topic, the Veco Half-A Little Tomahawk, profile version of the Half-A Tom-Tom II (original Tom-Tom had no jet-like styling):

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6841

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 684110

Here's a modern build, don't know if Tony Leong of Singapore is a member here:

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 00312

It's got a perky Cox gracing the nose of it.

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying 00610

Kim Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:38 am

Levent Suberk wrote:Kim, you use Ambroid glue! Is it available again?

Not to my knowledge...just my gradually dwindling stash. Sad

Kim Fri Nov 20, 2020 11:41 am

GallopingGhostler wrote:BTW, not meaning to pull the fire out of this thread deviating a little off-topic but not off-topic, the Veco Half-A Little Tomahawk, profile version of the Half-A Tom-Tom II (original Tom-Tom had no jet-like styling):

Oh yeah! I love all these kits and versions.

GallopingGhostler Fri Nov 20, 2020 8:50 pm

No problem, Kim. BTW still got the 30" Pilot Cessna 177 Cardinal CL with Enya .09-III and 46" Berkeley Impulse with Cox .09 Medallion RC to complete, 90% framed each. That Tom-Tom II has a place in my heart as I built in 1971 while in high school. Even then I enjoyed the quality of the Dumas kit over the other manufacturers. Dumas (Veco) did a really nice job on their kits.

Ken Cook Sat Nov 21, 2020 7:20 am

Dumas referred to the 1/2A version as the Little Tomahawk. Mine has been crashed more times then I can recount. My early engines were Black Widows and I had one that would just quit without notice. I discovered later that the black backplate was cracked around the screw bosses. Off with the Black Widow on with the TD. Using the TD the tank was offering issues but a rich run would generally suffice even though it defeated the purpose of it going fast. However, I used to fly with .008" steels and they broke causing it to go into the asphalt from atop the circle straight in. I rekitted that baby but was determined and put it back together. I've had this plane for nearly 40 years and still fly it today. Norvel powered now and I wouldn't look back as it's a excellent flying plane even though it's a bit heavy. The larger Dumas Tomahawk was offered in two versions, Veco made one version which Dumas carried over but Dumas offered their version as well. The .35 size profile looks just like the 1/2A version, almost Flite Streakish. Some subtle differences such as rounded nose but aside from that it shares the same qualities as a Flite Streak. No profiles fly as well as the Streaks do. As old of a design, I've yet to see any profiles offered even modern outfly one in terms of turning. The only thing that supercedes one is a combat wing.

andrew Sat Nov 21, 2020 8:17 am

Here's another interesting build that I'm going to follow -- lots of nostalgia for this design.

My first foray into larger C/L planes was Carl Goldberg's Buster (which had a lifespan of about 5 seconds). The second was the .19 sized Tom Tom that I was able to successfully fly into an oily mush before hanging it up.

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Tom_to10

roddie Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:02 am

Hey Kim, That's a good-looking little ship! I had a concern which you may have already addressed.. but I didn't read anything further on the engine-mount.

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The distance between the tank and firewall. If you're mounting the engine with wood-screws, I'd beware of their length possibly piercing the front of that tank. Perhaps your using 4-40 T-nuts/screws? If not; maybe cut a piece of 1/8" birch-ply for a firewall doubler?

Is it too late to re-orient the engine's backplate 90 degrees; facing the needle out the inboard side of the cowl.. and a more direct (and shorter) fuel-line install.. with the tank's feed-tube being right there? Would probably only require an inch of fuel-line in that configuration.

GallopingGhostler Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:59 am

Roddie, knowing Kim's meticulous modeling construction work, it would not surprise me that he has already worked the engine mounting details out to contain 2-56 to 4-40 screws and blind nuts, so the tank isn't penetrated. The reason for the forward mounting of the tank is so that the tank's outlet tubing sufficiently penetrates the firewall so there is sufficient length to mount the fuel line to. I've done that on various occasions on both CL and RC aircraft.

Those wedge tanks work great for simple RC (rudder only or rudder and elevator, no throttle), where one doesn't do extended inverted flight. Orient the wedge downward.

roddie Sat Nov 21, 2020 12:20 pm

GallopingGhostler wrote:

Roddie,

Those wedge tanks work great for simple RC (rudder only or rudder and elevator, no throttle), where one doesn't do extended inverted flight. Orient the wedge downward.

Good to know George. I bought several Perfect-brand wedges from Dan McEntee when he offered-up a bunch a few years ago. He also had some "Dr.'s Paper" (examination-table paper-covering) that he was experimenting with, in place of silkspan.

It's nice to see a built-up fuse/framed-wing 1/2A C/L model being showcased.. especially a kit that was designed particularly for that class. Kim always has an interesting project in the works. His writings and photo/video-documentation make it that much more enjoyable to follow!

I scaled-down and built a 1/4A to 1/2A version of a fuse-assembly jig from RCM illustrations, after having built the full-size jig. I haven't used it yet.. but it's there for when I get into retirement model-building.. the Lord willing.

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Rcm_fu12

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Rcm_fu13

Veco/Dumas "The Little Tom Tom"...65° and the Dope is Flying Rcm_fu14

GallopingGhostler Sat Nov 21, 2020 4:33 pm

Nice work Roddie, I've done built up fuselages before, but never to that detail of accuracy. They usually were straight by eyeball, but little quirks would show up here and there. I'd just do whatever minor adjustments were needed and once covered up, was more or less unnoticeable, just like the way carpenters build homes. Laughing

And by the way, excellent work on the self made postage stamp back motor mounts. Thumbs Up

Regarding retirement, once you are set, your weekdays become:

SATURDAY - SATURDAY - SATURDAY - SATURDAY - SATURDAY - SATURDAY - SUNDAY!

Q: How many retirees does it take to replace a light bulb?
A: One, but it might take him all day.

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