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.

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.

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

rsv1cox wrote:Wen Mac/Gilbert doesn't get much love here on the Cox Engine Forum.   Mark Boesen is a big fan though.

Bob, I don't think it is a matter of love, it is more related to what people here are familiar with and have played with. However all things considering, your posts has made us all aware of the Gilberts and Wen Mac RTF models and engines that I didn't even know. My brother had the last of the Wen Mac F4U Corsair (in shiny chrome back in Christmas 1966), but your posts made me aware of its long legacy history from the 1950's.

So, it has made me appreciate my Gilbert motor collection even more so.

@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 ) Lazy Bee powered by the Gilberts.

@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.

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

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

Bob,
Don't stop posting. I'm sure there are more people watching than you know. Unfortunately this site doesn't show a "views" counter.

Know that you post remarkable restorations that do inspire us to "do things." Sometimes what you do is just so clean, fabulous, out-of-this-world that any more words from "the peanut gallery" might just sully the work and documentation.

I'm digging this overhaul. I wish I had fewer responsibilities and more personal time. I'd love to add a Wen-Mac or Testors engine to my collection because you make the marque look so interesting.

944_Jim wrote:Unfortunately this site doesn't show a "views" counter.

It does if you click on MORE LATEST TOPICS at the bottom of the LATEST TOPICS list on the left menu bar (desktop web version).

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.

Well, well, well! As of this morning this thread had over 300 views. See, Bob, we do pay attention. Keep those fingers nimble and the projects visible.

Neat. My brother in law restored a 90's Cox Skyraider with Plastex. Greatest stuff ever for plastic repair.
He restored it to Glossy Sea Blue paint and markings from my dad's squadron during the Korean War, VF-194.
Chris...

stuntflyr wrote:Neat. My brother in law restored a 90's Cox Skyraider with Plastex. Greatest stuff ever for plastic repair.
He restored it to Glossy Sea Blue paint and markings from my dad's squadron during the Korean War, VF-194.
Chris...

Hi Chris,

I had heard about Plastex but never used it.  Looked it up on ebay




Not cheap and shipping @ $23+ isn't either.  Must be some hasmat in there somewhere.  But, if it works the results are worth it.  I believe your Dad's squadron flew the F2H Banshee.  I remember them from Pensacola.  Neat aircraft.

They could have at another time. I believe they were an F-4 squadron when it was disbanded. During Dad's cruise they flew the Skyraider AD-3 and -4's. Interestingly, the ship's company were a quartet of foto recon Banshees. He said they only flew at night and were all lost by the time the ship went home. USS Boxer, Task Force 77, 1953 .
Chris...

Hi Bob, Great post, i need to check in more often!
The Testors Skyraider is pretty rare and pretty cool! I remember an article in Flying Models (?) early 70's somebody building a semi-scale stunt ship of the Skyraider)



Here's mine, total rebuild from two baskets, needs decals:

Enjoy a Cox Skyraider flight…

https://youtu.be/ydulMG0i1zg?si=LJRNIpAcxhmIJtG8

Jerry wrote:Enjoy a Cox Skyraider flight…

https://youtu.be/ydulMG0i1zg?si=LJRNIpAcxhmIJtG8

Good one! Thankfully the three bladed prop has that spring starter, I have been bit by them a few times.

Hello Bob. Just caught on to this Topic. Nice planes. Earlier you said that the Skyraider was Cox best C/L plane. Is that because of its flying qualities ? Thanks. Mark

Greenman38633 wrote:Hello Bob.  Just caught on to this Topic.  Nice planes.  Earlier you said that the Skyraider was Cox best C/L plane.  Is that because of its flying qualities ?   Thanks.  Mark

Accuracy in detail and quality Mark. I never flew one. But I have seen youtube videos of it flying C/L along with my R/C Airfield model, both pretty fantastic especially the Airfield model. The flyer did everything with it, and fast..really fast. That electric motor really tore up my knee, still is healing and sore.

Oh I’m sorry.  I didn’t hear about your injury.  Hoping you will have a quick recovery