CEF speed contest Design Discussions (2014)

I expect to get a go at it. I'm expecting my Sig 35% fuel to arrive Friday. If not I'll go with 25% Cox Super Power I have on the shelf. I expect to be a bit faster this time, though the plane will be basically the same Mustang. Either Thursday, Saturday or Sunday I'll do it at the fort. The weather is forecast to be sunny with no fronts moving through the whole week. As usual, pushing the deadline.
Rusty

I'm working on it Jim. I have some extra added pressure as I am proxy flying for Ian as well. Hope to get the flights done this weekend.

Ron

Cribbs74 wrote:I'm working on it Jim. I have some extra added pressure as I am proxy flying for Ian as well. Hope to get the flights done this weekend.

Ron

I think that mine is the winner anyway! It has already done 5,000+ miles at over 500 mph!

The video deadline is extended to Dec 31st so everyone has a chance to participate, there will be no further extensions.

Also, dust off those Tee Dee .049/.051 engines for next years contest!

Jim

And thank goodness for that.

Railed a tree today and Ian's needle valve is turning the same RPM as the engine...

Ouch!
A little fuel tubing for the needle, a little epoxy for the airframe and your back in business!

Jim

This looks like fun.I'm looking into entering next year just got to build a model is there a date set on when it's gonna start? (Bandit)

Ugh, thats a tough one Ron.
I hope it's salvagable, and you only knocked a little "pretty" off her.
Bob

He can fix it.
I preflighted mine yesterday and ran a bladder full of my new Sig 35 through it. Not turning the RPMs I hoped for, about 18.6 on the ground, but hopefully it will unload and zoom in the air. I have a few props to try tomorrow and if I get adventurous I might try different compression settings. Right now it has 4 shims in the Merlin Globee head.
Rusty

TDbandit wrote:This looks like fun.I'm looking into entering next year just got to build a model is there a date set on when it's gonna start? (Bandit)

I will post updated rules by the end of January,

Jim

Rusty,

Get a APC 4.75x4, fastest prop I've found by far.

Jim

dckrsn wrote:Ugh, thats a tough one Ron.
I hope it's salvagable, and you only knocked a little "pretty" off her.
Bob

It'll never be as pretty, they never are, but it will fly again.

JPvelo wrote:Rusty,

Get a APC 4.75x4, fastest prop I've found by far.

Jim

I remember you mentioning that. I was testing with an APC 4.75x3. Seems like that might turn faster on the ground than the 4p. Maybe my engine just isn't up to par. I have a KB backplate and a Tee Dee #4 P/C set. Maybe the P/C isn't broken in enough. I didn't bore the air inlet but I didn't think it needed it. Tomorrow will be warmer, upper 50s, so maybe 3 shims and some warm fuel will get 'er going.

In the last race I used a cut down 4.5x4 rubber ducky, iirc. Now that we have a few more days, I can order one of those APCs. Omnimodels has it for $3.09 plus $1.99 shipping. I really like that store, I don't fret about buying 1 or 2 items at a time. It's always the first place I look.

http://stores.ebay.com/OmniModels/R-C-Aircraft-Accessories-/_i.html?_nkw=APC+4.75x4+propeller&submit=Search&_fsub=3&_sid=139091328


I see Ron posted while I was writing. That white and blue plane is a nice looking piece of work. It'll probably fly better now. You hit a tree! Who ever heard of that happening.

JPvelo wrote:

TDbandit wrote:This looks like fun.I'm looking into entering next year just got to build a model is there a date set on when it's gonna start? (Bandit)

I will post updated rules by the end of January,

Jim

Thanks man appreciate it!

JPvelo wrote:

TDbandit wrote:This looks like fun.I'm looking into entering next year just got to build a model is there a date set on when it's gonna start? (Bandit)

I will post updated rules by the end of January,

Jim

Awesome. That should mean entries can be made at any time after the official rules are posted.

Not looking good for me to get a flight in this year.

Phil

I'd like to give it a go for round 3.. but I don't have a Tee Dee. Will there Bee a reed-class event possibly?

Ron, see if you can find a field with softer trees.. just kidding.. The little SS looks nice in white/blue. When I think about white and blue racers.. my all-time favorite comes to mind..

pkrankow wrote:

Awesome.  That should mean entries can be made at any time after the official rules are posted.
Phil

Exactly, I'll make sure you get at least eleven months to build and fly in 2015.

Jim

roddie wrote:I'd like to give it a go for round 3.. but I don't have a Tee Dee. Will there Bee a reed-class event possibly?

Yes, there will be a reed class, if you get a TeeDee you are welcome to join both classes.

Jim

I got my first flight on video today. With blood on the prop! Damn APCs. The engine ran great and it balanced so much better without the LG, that I did a loop after my laps. I don't think it was fast enough though. I was surprised when I typed it into the speed calculator, I could have sworn it was moving faster. But now with the deadline extension I'll get another go or two.
Rusty

Cribbs74 wrote:And thank goodness for that.

Railed a tree today and Ian's needle valve is turning the same RPM as the engine...

Mmmm! I tested the engine in the plane before I sent it. The usual waggling it about with the engine running to make sure the tank was OK. Then, I took the engine out - cleaned it and the tank so that it wouldn't smell of fuel for posting. Treated the engine to after run oil.

I must have misassembled it. I thought I had put a new piece of neoprene on the NVA and it was one of those fine NVAs. Oh dear, how sad, well never mind! At least you got it running, your fuel won't be the same as my home brewed 20% nitro methanol. I could be arrested any time for having a gallon of pure, unadulterated nitro if the new law is retroactive.

You never said how you managed to ding the tree! Was the plane all over the place and had you running around?

There is no pressure with the "Rocking Donkey" - dihedral, no tip weight and clockwise running engine. Should be easy peasy   Hope the engine survives!

It does seem though that this contest is prone to the production of splinters and I am pleased that misadventures are being documented. That should make it easier for members to participate.

What is the worst that can happen? You have to be in it to win it and the thought of any failure shouldn't be off putting.

No worries Ian,

I had spare piece of neoprene so all is well again. I am using 35% fuel and the tree is no longer a problem.

Cribbs74 wrote:No worries Ian,

I had spare piece of neoprene so all is well again. I am using 35% fuel and the tree is no longer a problem.

Don't ya love it when trees jump out in front of ya when ya least expect it Plane and Helicopter eaters they are!
I managed to prune an oak with my expensive .50 size r/c helicopter not long ago while doing tight turns over the top of it. got a little too close and clipped a branch with a blade tip and in she dived straight into the tree and mechanical carnage ensued as it beat up the inside of the tree. Needless to say, the tree god won