50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
#1
Thread Starter
50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
A little history:
After Cox introduced the TD .010 engine in 1961, Mr. Ken Willard set out to build a RC plane that utilized it. He called it the Pageboy. Most of the planes small enough to fly with the tiny new TD were of the free-flight variety back then. According to a Model Airplane News article, on March 24, 1962, Mr. Willard was credited with flying the smallest RC plane in the world. Its sole control surface was the rudder actuated by a Babcock escapement.
50 years later:
As a small tribute to Ken Willard, I hope to fly my TD .010 powered Pageboy in his honor 50 years after his first successful flights with the design. As I thought about it, I realized that there are some other Pageboy owners out there who might like to participate as well. For someone interested in the little TD .010 engine, it might be a good catalyst to get one running and in the air. It's an easy plane to build and is fun to fly. I've seen links to the original plans here somewhere and EarlyRC was laser-kitting them for a while. I'm not sure of their availability any more. Maybe others could help with info or links.
My goal is to fly the model as close to March 24, 2012 as possible(Compensating for work, life, weather, etc.) and document the event with some pics or video. Nothing too fancy. Just a modern day modeler paying respect to someone who helped us get where we are today.
Anyone else care to join in?
After Cox introduced the TD .010 engine in 1961, Mr. Ken Willard set out to build a RC plane that utilized it. He called it the Pageboy. Most of the planes small enough to fly with the tiny new TD were of the free-flight variety back then. According to a Model Airplane News article, on March 24, 1962, Mr. Willard was credited with flying the smallest RC plane in the world. Its sole control surface was the rudder actuated by a Babcock escapement.
50 years later:
As a small tribute to Ken Willard, I hope to fly my TD .010 powered Pageboy in his honor 50 years after his first successful flights with the design. As I thought about it, I realized that there are some other Pageboy owners out there who might like to participate as well. For someone interested in the little TD .010 engine, it might be a good catalyst to get one running and in the air. It's an easy plane to build and is fun to fly. I've seen links to the original plans here somewhere and EarlyRC was laser-kitting them for a while. I'm not sure of their availability any more. Maybe others could help with info or links.
My goal is to fly the model as close to March 24, 2012 as possible(Compensating for work, life, weather, etc.) and document the event with some pics or video. Nothing too fancy. Just a modern day modeler paying respect to someone who helped us get where we are today.
Anyone else care to join in?
#3
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Just a little south of Raleigh,
NC
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
As much fun as I've had with my favorite little TD .010s - I don't remember ever having built a Pageboy. Perhaps this would be the perfect winter project I've been casting about for.
I'll see if I can hunt up the plans and make me one too. Thanks for (possibly) getting me off my . . . er, whatever.
I'll see if I can hunt up the plans and make me one too. Thanks for (possibly) getting me off my . . . er, whatever.
#5
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Springfield, IL
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
What you're doing is a great thing. I didn't have a Pageboy, mine was a TD .010 single channel Schoolboy. What a neat plane.
We're certainly indebted to Ken Willard. A Willard design was a flyer for sure!
We're certainly indebted to Ken Willard. A Willard design was a flyer for sure!
#6
My Feedback: (18)
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
Well, here’s my first Page Boy. Built 25 years ago with Tee Dee .010 and Ace pulser. Gave up counting after 350 flights!! Still flies great!! Last flight at the "Glory Days" vintage flyin early this spring!!! Hopefully some more flights next year!!
Bob Harris
Bob Harris
#7
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Upper HuttWellington, NEW ZEALAND
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
Can someone scan the plans and post them somewhere? I've checked Dave Fritzke's site and he doesn't have them.
'ffkiwi' (currently building-off and on-the other one-the PAAgeboy...................the Vic Smeed one-coming up to its 60th (!) anniversary...............)
'ffkiwi' (currently building-off and on-the other one-the PAAgeboy...................the Vic Smeed one-coming up to its 60th (!) anniversary...............)
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Slidell,
LA
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
ORIGINAL: BobHH
Well, here’s my first Page Boy. Built 25 years ago with Tee Dee .010 and Ace pulser. Gave up counting after 350 flights!! Still flies great!! Last flight at the ''Glory Days'' vintage flyin early this spring!!! Hopefully some more flights next year!!
Bob Harris
Well, here’s my first Page Boy. Built 25 years ago with Tee Dee .010 and Ace pulser. Gave up counting after 350 flights!! Still flies great!! Last flight at the ''Glory Days'' vintage flyin early this spring!!! Hopefully some more flights next year!!
Bob Harris
My first Pageboy had an Ace double-ended superhet and Adams Baby actuator. (By that time the CB’ers had made the much lighter Otarion super-regen receiver that Ken used obsolete.)
It was at the absolute max upper weight limit. It flew very well until one day at a company picnic we were flying demos and an afternoon rainstorm forced us to move our models under the cars until it passed.
For whatever reason, it would not fly after that, (extra weight due to moisture, humidity?). After several launches which all ended snapping into the ground, a young fellow (which I had never met) offered his assistance. He said he was an old free flightier and could give me a hand launch. I happily accepted. He threw it like a javelin at about a 30 deg angle. I let it gently climb out straight ahead for 100 yards or so and realized that sooner or later I had to make a turn. The slightest touch of rudder and it spun down full bore with the expected results. I deem that was the absolute upper limit of the wing loading envelope.
Of course I never weighed anything back then. But my current Pageboy with an old Cannon receiver, a single servo and a 50mah batt has an all up weight of 4.2 oz. By comparison the Ace R/C gear alone weighed 2.95oz
AL
#12
My Feedback: (98)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: The Villages, Florida NJ
Posts: 4,677
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
ORIGINAL: Tee Bee
My goal is to fly the model as close to March 24, 2012 ..........and document the event with some pics or video.
Anyone else care to join in?
My goal is to fly the model as close to March 24, 2012 ..........and document the event with some pics or video.
Anyone else care to join in?
#14
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
A kit is available here $23.00
http://www.earlyrcmodels.com/id15.html
That being said should be built from plans in honor of Ken.
Rrragman
http://www.earlyrcmodels.com/id15.html
That being said should be built from plans in honor of Ken.
Rrragman
#15
Thread Starter
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
I'm tickled with the response! I've emailed Early RC and asked if they still have them in inventory. Will post an answer when I get one. Hopefully, some of us will soon be blowing dust off their old Pageboys or building new ones. With all the recent hubbub on the boards about the TD .010 and suitable planes for them, this should give folks something to consider.
Please share any info or pics you can about your Pageboys, the design, construction, or Ken Willard.
Here's a link to an AMA biography of Mr. Willard: https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/WillardKen.pdf
Please share any info or pics you can about your Pageboys, the design, construction, or Ken Willard.
Here's a link to an AMA biography of Mr. Willard: https://www.modelaircraft.org/files/WillardKen.pdf
#16
My Feedback: (22)
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
Sounds like a good idea Tee Bee. I will get one together. I flew one this summer with a GWS electric and single channel. I don't have an .010. Had some issues and stuffed it, but it was fun. Please remind us as time nears. I can cut a short kit for anyone that is interested.
John
John
#19
Thread Starter
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
Tinkered with the engine on mine today. Reversed the prop on it and got it running again with a decent tune. As expected, it spins a bit slower like that but was needling pretty decent. Now I just hope I can find a window of opportunity to fly it soon. Need time off work, cooperative weather, and someone to take video. It's usually hard to coordinate those.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Perth, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 1,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: 50th Anniversary Flight - Pageboy
Much as I'd like to be a part of this gents, it's looking less and and less like its going to happen.
I"m still waiting for my .010 to arrive, so i can carve balsa.
Woe is me.
I"m still waiting for my .010 to arrive, so i can carve balsa.
Woe is me.