Wonder why many of my topic starts do not generate much discussion?

fredvon4 wrote: Wonder why many of my topic starts do not generate much discussion?

Perhaps I am too gruff or strong opinionated...  Hell I don't know

Here goes a new rant!!!!

Well hell, Fred, I don't know. Most of us are big boys, so I don't think it's gruffness. We haven't run off Super Dave yet, so it ain't over opinionation.  

Personally I like gruff people. I guess that's why when I was a copier tech they used to send me to all the print shops. Those are the gruffest unbending bastards ever. I thought it was fun. Maybe you want to know things that aren't as rich in our CEF knowledge base as others... like "Why my Black Widow won't start?" I'd have to see some examples to make a better guess. I tend to blather on because I like to write, so I usually get people responding, but lots of my threads turn into a BS session, just cutting up, but it's fine with me because I'm frequently full of S.

Anyway...
Actually I heard Captain Blackhawk's wife couldn't stand him hanging around and ran him back to the shop and he's now selling again. Could be a rumor, but the site is up.

That does suck that you can't get your combat up to speed for reasonable money and trustworthy people. I wish I had solutions to offer. Actually I do. I have a combat friend in my MCLS club. I'll see if he has any engines for you. I think he's mostly Speed Limit though, like 25 BB engines. He had a freakin scary OS out there the other day and I got trained in launching. That machine truly demands respect, because it can kill you in a flash of inattention. His name is Howard Shenton. I'll ask him if he has any ideas to help you out, or 1/2A combat engines for you. Are you a member at SH in case he wants to PM you?

I take it as a high compliment that you hold me and others here in such high regard. Thanks for that. I have a mental list of such guys too.
Rusty

              SORRY I lost my cool when Rusty started rambling about his past life work... anyway I do hope you get things worked out there buddy I am a friend of frustrations   

Fred,

It's funny how posts go unanswered at times it happens to me once in a while also.

Just keep doing what you are doing. It's too late to clean up your act now   

I may have a contact for your Fox Combat Engines so shoot me a PM and if you still want a Lew Woolard Stunt .35 I will be glad to chase Lew down for you.

Ron

Well poop!
No problem here. When ever I see one of Fred's
posts, my ears go up.
Keep 'em comin' Fred.
Bob

Getback

Yep a long while back the Google thing turned up the link you provided.... those are RC Pylon racing engines and very good ones but not suitable for Fast Combat where .36 is max and we love FAT crankshafts and light weight...Henry Nelson stopped making his special hot engines long ago. Folks still can get them refurbed by him but there is literally no more cases and most owners are holding on to them

Ron
you had sent me Lew's phone num and I guess he and I just play phone tag... I am really more interested in folks who might have HOT combat engines or the know how to keep what I am acquiring working for a few more years....The Fox 35 Stunt engine I won in 1971 was immediately given to a friend with better skills. No cut off, no engine tether to the bell crank.... first mid air the motor landed out on a freeway with no hope to recover safely...as it was free, we shrugged and went back to flying

Wouldn't mind having a real stout Fox 35 or having Lew do his voodoo---- but dedicated right now to expending the buck and effort to find Strong combat engines so I can semi compete against the Nelson guys

Rusty I probably have read and reread every word you have posted and seriously look forward to meeting you this year.... I am very familiar with your area as I did several tests at Ft Jackson We will be going from WVA to Georgia sometime this summer visiting family and friends a day or three In Columbia and hitting my American Legion Post 6 is planned

If I can coordinate it I want to meet Ken Cook when we are near his area or if it falls together maybe at the NATs

I missed Duke last year and wanted to take a day and see if I could scare up SuperDave but that weekend was busy with barely time to eat and sleep..Duke n boys were similarly busy at another contest the same weekend

Any way guys thanks for reading my mild rant probably should write less before the Jack n Coke..grin

Okay, Fred, give me a heads up and I'll be ready for you when you hit Columbia. I live 5 minutes from the Fort. Maybe we can go fly. Looking forward to it.
Rusty

Fred
I have never thought you gruff or anything else of the sort. I also really regret not meeting you at the bladder grabber. Hopefully this year we both can make it. We picked up a good looking 25fx at a swap meet yesterday. I think I'll just pit for my oldest son this year in speed limit.

I did not know Fox was preparing to go out of business.  It's actually very sad to watch the slow demise of the sport.   I share your frustration.  I grew up in Florida, and got my first Carl Goldberg model right after a meet at White House Field back in the late 70's.  I was just an observer, but I won't forget watching the carrier competition.  I thought that was the coolest thing.  Have several kits and all the supplies to make my own, but not the skill, and no one near me to get help.  I am really thankful to have access to this forum.  It has really helped me get back into the sport, even if only for fun.  

I spoke to Larry at Blackhawk.  It was never his intention to immediately shut the doors.  He told me he was going to slowly close down the kits as he sold out of stock, but last time I spoke to him, business was booming.  Maybe that will encourage him to stay longer.  Who knows.  The quality of his kits is outstanding.  I am building two right now, and they are nice.    

Dare was just bought out by Brodak, so I guess he is planning to stay in business, although I don't know how I feel about all the eggs being in one basket.  

There is an Australian website that has a link that discusses the demise of CL.  I found it very thought provoking.  Here is the link:

http://dkd.net/clmodels/wrong.html


Andy

Just a quick note..

I spoke directly with Fox manufacturing while it's true they have halted engine production they have no intention of closing the doors.

Fox manufacturing still does contract work for various outside agencies which has always been more profitable than model engines except for maybe 1950's/60's.

I was told that once the market picks back up they will return to working model engines again.

If you are a Fox fan (like myself) then a gentle reminder sent their way to start building engines again, every once and a while would probably be helpful.

Ron

anm2 wrote:I did not know Fox was preparing to go out of business.  It's actually very sad to watch the slow demise of the sport.   I share your frustration.  I grew up in Florida, and got my first Carl Goldberg model right after a meet at White House Field back in the late 70's.  I was just an observer, but I won't forget watching the carrier competition.  I thought that was the coolest thing.  Have several kits and all the supplies to make my own, but not the skill, and no one near me to get help.  I am really thankful to have access to this forum.  It has really helped me get back into the sport, even if only for fun.  

I spoke to Larry at Blackhawk.  It was never his intention to immediately shut the doors.  He told me he was going to slowly close down the kits as he sold out of stock, but last time I spoke to him, business was booming.  Maybe that will encourage him to stay longer.  Who knows.  The quality of his kits is outstanding.  I am building two right now, and they are nice.    

Dare was just bought out by Brodak, so I guess he is planning to stay in business, although I don't know how I feel about all the eggs being in one basket.  

There is an Australian website that has a link that discusses the demise of CL.  I found it very thought provoking.  Here is the link:

http://dkd.net/clmodels/wrong.html


Andy

Fascinating article Andy.. Thanks for sharing.

Ron I hear what you are saying but I doubt Fox ever returns to C/L engine production unless a LOT happens in OUR world.... even the old purists on Stunthanger, or at Brodak, and quite a few other C/L places/specialty shops are converting to electric more and more.

I think that most of us older folks, returning to CL for nostalgia reasons, have already filled our shelves with much of what we remember from our youth. Not too many future sales I fear. Many of us soon found that a LOT of the Taiwan, Hong Kong stuff is pretty good quality and relatively cheaper.

Try as I might, to support American products and local stores...at the end of the day I usually opt for items with most bang for the buck

I very seriously doubt that I would have this much money and time tied up in C/L combat and 1/2a sport flying if it were not for the internet and online shopping....

In my area electric RC rules and many guys with glow have converted to bigger planes gasoline powered.... Glow RC car racing is still supported so the ONLY local hobby shop supports that pretty exclusively..... Trying to support them, I have bought just about every DuBro and TopFlight item they had even at greatly inflated prices....Unfortunately I rarely ask them to order me something I need... Just infinitely more efficient for me to order it, not pay sales tax, and shop smart for cheap/free shipping

The up side is I am tenacious, found great web sites and forums, made new friends, and when I do get a few hours to burn up glow fuel, get dizzy, and pull a figure NINE (9) I end up laughing my ass off, shaking off the adrenaline rush and sit there with a smoke and sincerely wish I had a local buddy or son/daughter to share the thrill with

The challenge for all of us is to find a kid or young adult...share the hobby some, accept that they WILL move on like we all did, and maybe a few of them will someday return. This dynamic only works if the initial experience was as fun as we all remember our baby steps were.

In my world the next opportunity for me is 5 year old Jackson my closest (Dallas) grandson.... He had a blast the past fall helping me run a few TD .049s and did not object much to me making him wear ear plugs like grandpa now does

Fred, All I can tell you is to keep beating the bushes for the engines. They are out there. I too have been trying to get some hod rod motors. I know its hard.  I've scored some MK IV's and 36X's on the forums. I just got my 1st Nelson .36 last week. It was from a friend of a friend. It wasn't really for sale but I asked and he agreed to let it go. It never hurts to ask. These days it really just comes down timing. One never knows when a combat guy is going to be willing to part with his engines. Keep up the faith and I am sure you will get what you are looking for soon.  If you are ever in Nashville look me up we can fly some matches. Good luck, Mike

You know Fred, I think Don is thinking this is his last year in combat. You might keep that in the back of your mind. And bring cash to the bladder grabber. He didn't have planes left last year and had to borrow one to fly in the finals.

Thanks for the great idea Duke.... last year I tried that but most of what Don and a few others were "cleaning" out was not the competitive stuff I was looking for...I did go home with half a dozen of Jeff Reins fule cut off bell cranks (wow ! $$$)

I keep forgetting to craft a Wanted ad on Flying lines and shoot Jeff Rein, Gene Pape, B Wilson, Mel Lyne and others a note asking if they have still working equipment that I can be competitive with they might sell me

I got a lot of great advice and help last year from that crowd

londke3...thanks for the invite.... usually heading to WVA we head north in the Memphis area but a slid east to Nashville is certainly possible.....

My circle skills right now suck and I fear my first time in the circle with another pilot but know I need to get on to that phase to learn and get better....I have a few weekends planned to fly with Jeff Dawson and maybe Stubblefield and I still need to get my butt up to Lubbock and meet Bob Mears

MOST any or all combat near Texas is F2D fast or speed limit and I screwed up and focused on 1/2aFAST and 36 sized FAST.... kitting up for .15 fast and speed limit adds $$$$ I don't have right now

I planned to be further along by now but the weather locally since last Sept has been a roller coaster of high winds, and high and very low temps....even my RC buddies all have excess fuel from NOT flying much

normally from Late Sept until mid January it is mild, low wind, and almost every weekend supports good flying conditions...just not the year I got juiced to get back to C/L Combat....

No way I could get in the Circle at the Bladder grabber with beginner skills.... that venue, one of few, that still fly Fast Combat is no place to learn

Fred.
Would you be wanting to sell some 1/2A stuff to get money for fast and speed limit? What 1/2A engines do you have? We fly 1/2A here at most events.

Duke... was an idea, but not necessary yet for me to sell off stuff

I am procrastinating selling off my RC gear as I did not really enjoy it that much

I have a budget and can spend a fair amount on my "hobby" if I pay attention

The Three Fox Mark VIs I found were all good low time or new bench run only.... but a fair amount of cash (about $125 for each one) in a short period so I have to save up ( I.E. wait for Uncle SAM to spread some of the retirement $$ my way)

I kitted up to fly 1/2a with a BUNCH of Jeff Dawson birds (3 lite Hawk, 2 Sonic Chicken and 3 Lil Buzzards) as well as a fairly hot TeeDee from Paul Gibeault that I copied to make a few other TDs sing. ( my training engines)

I bought 2 Fora .049s from the Canadian Russian but both arrived with real rough bearings so I plan to send them to Doug Galbreath for his voodooo magic.

I learned here at CEF how to get a fine thread NVA into the snout of a NV .049 AREO and they are pretty hot engines, and so far my best bang for the buck acquisitions.

I bought a real expensive Picco .050 from Doug but traded it to Jeff for a bunch of 36 FAST stuff...Now that new Picco P-0 car engines are unobtainable and Doug's price is at $200 of a combat modified one, I will probably stick to the NVs and Foras for 1/2a

I saw your topic on Stunthanger about Beginner combat and wish I had any one down here that would like to start similar idea. So far (and I know a LOT of local folks) I am a CL flier of one in 5 surrounding counties. Texas had a lot of CL fliers but none near me.....Freaky state is so large many are over 5 hours drive from here

After your last note about Don McKay I sent a donation and a want ad to Flying Lines and a e-mail to Jeff Reins

I know a guy sitting on 15 un-used Nelsons but he is a real tough guy to understand and never plans on flying them or selling until what he thinks will be $500+ prices

What's the skinny on the NV .049 Aero engines? Where do you find them and what did you have to do to them fro proformance 1/2A? And do they compete well against the Fora's?

The AREO is a lot lighter than the $168 FORA and I think it is a very competitive alternative... That said the FORA is stouter, a little faster RPM

The .049 AERO is a short snout Norvel .049 usually sold with a wide open venturi and NVA that is too course threaded to needle bladder pressure very well

Here is link to the $55 AERO version
Ship from USA

OUT of 4 engines I only got one dud (missing Cylinder base gasket)

http://www.nvengines.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=6&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=65


Ken Cook and Rusty have posted the recipe to adapt a Texas Timer sourced Fine thread NVA in place of the fatter Norvel NVA

https://www.coxengineforum.com/t2949-fine-thread-needle-on-norvel-s-and-similar-engines

Another option Ken suggested= https://www.coxengineforum.com/t5351-another-option-for-you-bladder-users

I am using the green props I got from Jeff and some on line from Aerohobby where I bought the dud FORAs
http://aerohobby.ca/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=178

Ken Cook's crowd uses the NVs in 1/2a so I hope he adds his thoughts

So, have you checked the speed, and they are about the same speed? What fuel do you use? And did they fix the engine that needed a gasket?

I have not yet flown a 1/2a with either the Fora or NV
I have just using TeeDee 049s now as I still do some spectacular figure 9s.... the planes don't seem to care, but I usually eat a prop and have to clean or fix the engine

Once I get a bit more time frequently emptying a tank without dorking I will switch to the faster engines

I have adapted the NVAs and run each of the Norvels.... but my tach craps out around 20,000 RPM ... I know they spin the props well over that as they sound a LOT higher pitched than the TDs at 18,900 rpm

I did not run either Fora yet as they both have notchy bearings...I managed to open them up and flush out any swarf but my sense is both rear bearing are crap from the factory...it happens

When I send the Foras off to Doug Galbreath this spring, he said he would set in a good set as he goes through them for me

I watched Jeff Dawson fly 1/2a with both Foras and Cyclons and they are seriously fast on 42' lines
I would gauge each of them about equal with his set up..... I suspect the Norvels will be slightly slower but I doubt by very much

If a feller is real good at 1/2a and wanted fast engines it would be the Cyclon, then Fora, then Norvel, then hot TeeDee

Exotics like Shuriken are out there but I think for the cost should never see the front of a combat plane...well not one I am dorking into the ground anyway...grin

Based on your other posts...might I suggest a few of the corehouse lil hacker 1/2a double kits and either the inexpensive TD 049 or NV 049....you know Paul Gibeault well so I am sure he can set you on the path to a few hot TDs if you already don't have 4 or 5 of them

PS my few TD.051s are not any better that the TD.049s...at least not on the ends of MY lines

If you do use TD 049s to train with...DO get the aluminum carb piece and use the Texas timers NVA asy.... I did not bother to open the venturi diameter as mine run fast enough for my training

Jeff runs riches brew 10% Nitro for almost all his set ups... I am running Sig Champion 25% and they start and run fine

I sent NV a e-mail and they apologized and sent me a envelope with 4 base gaskets... I already had spares so finding the miss assembled engine did not really annoy me that much

If you do get a NV or two...you must take off the head, and open the back and flush out the swarf, crud, metal crap....whatever you call it----it is in there

And never hand prop it slowly to TDC...If you must flip it over...make sure it is oiled, and preferably heat gun the head first.....I broke each in first with a Cox low compression head before moving back to my Nelson Head and plug....small propeller only....these babies need to spin up fast...6x3 is TOO BIG...I used Bernies Yellow 5x3s cut to 4.75 (basically cut off the safety tip and balanced)

Anyone used the NV's in 1/2A proformance combat or seen them run? How do the do against the fora type engines?

Duke, we do that exclusively. We allow .061 plain bushed with ball bearing .049's. We run Cox clipped down rubber duckies on the Cyclons running 10% fuel. The problem is that my opponents don't always do that. Once they start running 25% nitro, game is over. They will run the Russian props and the speeds increase over the top.  The main thing with combat is matching the speeds. You can't have one plane incredibly fast and one slow. The matches are far better when you match the speeds. I run 50-60% nitro in the Norvel's. I'm using the same Norvel for the past 6 years. I would prefer to have a NV class vs flying against the ball bearing engines. Using a Lite Hawk, I clip the wingspan down and keep the plane as light as possible. I can get the speeds close but the Cyclon certainly is easier to tune and once set, it becomes a set and fly arrangement. The Fora essentially is a Cyclon clone and many of the parts interchange but the Cyclon seems to run stronger. Problem is there's no way to differentiate a Cyclon .049, .051, .061. They all use the same case. The question is, will your opponent use the correct piston liner?

The bottom line is that yes it works and can work well. The problem is that we all need to agree what's fair and what to use when flying our opponents. I currently have a modified foamy Sonic Chicken NV .061 Big Mig that will run with the Cyclon no problem.  Ken