AMB

Hi Chris see you are watching for the rest of you my high school bud and Drone 29 man, thats who sent me mine a few weeks back
He was an aggressive C/L guy build fly crash build an other one , good at stunting figure 8s in his sleep martin

JUst got and E mail from him signed up with RCU He also has a NOVO diesel lurking somewhere from that era

Oehler

Martin.  As you may remember I had a number of Drones starting with S/N 144. Which was given to me by one of my lawn cutting customers when I was 12 or 13?  I can’t remember his name but he was probably in his late 30’s at the time and had a garage full of model planes and engines. After this I owned a number of Olson’s including a .19, a number of .23’s, and a 60. About 25 years ago I came across an old Olson .23 complete with coil and condenser, and an engine mount. It ran beautifully.  I tried to get my sons interested in model planes, but to no avail. This engine along with several others has disappeared over the years.   

 

If I recall correctly, Drone put out a number of planes kits including one called a Secret Weapon. I built this plane, but shortened the fuselage by about 4 inches, and flew it at several U/C events. This was the first plane that I had, that could do vertical figure 8’s.

I used to use a 10x10 or a 10x12 prop.  I was told that Drones should not be allowed to run at over 5k rpm if you wanted them to last.

 

Some people thought that Drones were hard to start, but if I remember correctly (It is about 65 years ago) I would start a new Drone by opening the needle valve about a quarter turn. Prime the engine and give it a couple of flips. I would start and run for a few seconds and quit. I would open the needle valve a few clicks and start the process all over again, until the engine continued to run. At this point I might turn the valve up or down until the engine ran smoothly. From this point on I tried never to touch the needle valve, and I would fuel up the tank prime the engine, and after a few flips of the prop I was in business. I never found Drones to be hard to start.    

 

Chris

AMB

well group Chris and I may hold the record for having Drones for the longest time , saw him fly his secret weapon a few times a nice mod, whole new airplane , my home made clunker I did not fly contest martin

AMB

anybody have a pix of the secret weapon c/l plane Chris describes ? goes back a few years martin

nothing came up on google on this one

[email protected]

From a Drone ad in the late 1940's. Jack

Oehler

I wonder if anyone out there knows anything about a Brown engine.  I was given a Brown engine but never got it running,  It was an engine from the late '30 early '40.  All I remember about it was that it had piston rings and was about a .50ci size.

Chris 

AMB

I do recall the secret weapon now, believe Chris had made up a dolly for it when plane lifted off it dropped away easier than a hand launch martin

THX Jack fro the ad pix post

Oehler

Thanks for posting the the Drone ad from the '40's. To think that you could buy a model for $3.95.  I built a number of these model but my favorite was the Secret Weapon. I made a number of changes to mine. In addition to shorting the fuselag, also made a dolly for the plane which leave the plane when it took off. To protect the plane when it landed I put several pieces of hanger wire along the bottom for the plane to skid on on landing. It was somewhat tough on props

For Drone fuel,  I used Martin's father's formul a which never varied and was a  perfect match for the engine.  I also used it in my Novo diesel
 
Chris 

[email protected]

Photos of a Brown Jr. replica 40 years later. Also a chart with info on various original production models. SAM has special events for the Brown Jr. engine. Jack

[email protected]

Brown Jr. reproduction broken in a couple years back with a plug adapter to use a glow plug and no nitro glow fuel. Jack

AMB

Amazing the way things come around my dad was a Pharmacist did a lot of compounding and yes our diesel fuel, your looking at 1947 or so, whats more amazing is Davis which make diesel fuel in the US since around 1975
and myself also have the Marbo skin cream ( see our site Marbo skin care) which my father developed and yes as you note we brought back martin

POST NOTE Forgot yes Pop made diesel fuel, do not remember if it was the drone formula or not we bench tested my drone 29 on it m it was perfect


good lord that was 65 years ago/////////////////////

PLEASE NOTE i HAVE NO BUSINESS AFILIATION WITH DAVIS DIESEL PRODUCTS ONLY THE MARBO SKIN CARE PRODUCTS WHICH IS A SEPARATE CORP.

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Drone BB version with muffler and Aerodyne V/C head. Also modified O.S. motor mount. Some file work then drill and tap mounting holes. Jack

AMB

WHAT IS THE BASIS OF THE MUFFLER??? THX
will have to get a needle valve assembly for my drone only thing missing it did start on a shot down the venturi martin

[email protected]

The Muffler for the Drone BB was custom made by a fellow some years back. He went thru a divorce and I do not know if he is still doing mufflers. I can not remember his name. I checked my Drone folder and could not find his name. Jack

AMB

jack thx for the effort sure we can up with something to adapt with some sort of clamp not a beauty contest have a lot ox extras around just make an adaptor plate martin

right now the needle value assembly is the critical issue

[email protected]

I got some Drone parts from Aero Electric in Michigan a number of years back. Worth a try. Jack

AMB

tried a search Jack NG martin

Recycled Flyer

Yes good, email address -
[email protected]

And just Google 'AERO ELECTRIC.'

[email protected]

8 years or more ago the phone number was 269 665 9693 email [email protected] Jack

Recycled Flyer

Just attached their PDF Jack, its all on there mate.

AMB

THX will give it a shot tomorrow martin

Oehler

Martin;

Back in the good old days, when men were men we never thought of puting a muffler on a nice engine, although I will admit the my Hornet 60 was a bit loud..   :-)

Oehler

Thanks for the info on the Brown,

Chris

Oehler

Martin, we first got involved with model airplanes when we were about 7 or 8 at theYMCA where we built rubberband kits.  Good grief that was over 70 years ago,  By the way your first plane, for your Drone was not a rat, but a first rate model,and if I recall corectly, was still in good condition when you retired it.

Chris .

coriolan

AeroElectric is actually "Woody's Model Engines:
http://www.woodysengines.com/
Woody Bartelt
Aero Electric / Woody's Engines
3706 North 33rd Street
Galesburg, MI 49053-9715
Phone: (269) 665-9693
[email protected]