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I think I understand Now…. - 8/20/2007 1:12:31 AM   
tommytorino



Posts: 195
Joined: 2/17/2004
From: East Islip, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Had a great day at the field today and now I think I understand.

I’m 40 and returned to RC about 3 years ago. Now don’t grimace but for the moment all my models are electric.

My Childhood was filled with going to the field with my Pops. He flew mostly Kaos/ Kobra style models. At first I was the kid who would eagerly clean the models down with Windex. When I was big enough I might get to retrieve the models, or hold one up for a run up. Does Nitro remind me of my Childhood? You Bet!

Pop’s taught me U-Control first and I soon soloed on one of his may Stick variations. Got the basic 40 size aileron trainer and flew that for a season. Got lucky and moved up to a very old glow soaked <read nose heavy> P-51 B. Fell in love with warbirds and never really looked back.

My Father on the other hand was feeling the effects of aging. Kobras were soon out of the picture and he mostly flew sticks. Their boxy fuses and semi-symmetrical wings were kinder and gentler for him. Made for fast repairs as well!

Pops eventually moved on to Model trains <His entire life was full-scale aviation filled though> and I to vintage cars.

Well 30 years later I’m flying again. Electric power has given me the avenue to build a lot of hours close to home. I’m still a hack on the sticks, but I’m a Sport flying hack!

The models of my youth still hold a lot of attraction for me. So while most of my electric collection is 30 size Warbirds, I just recently put into service a bad ARF made in the 80s in the spirit of the Kaos.

A Year ago I yanked all the gear out of this trike after I found it to be like a lot of the early ARFs, junk. However with a little more modeling under my belt, and another years advance in electric power I gave it another shot.

I think I get it now.

Not only is this little trike the neatest model bouncing over our clubs grass runway, it looks timeless in the air. The model now sports oversized ailerons, with 1 servo per aileron. It rolls like a drill with just a touch of differential! The long tail moment gives me arrow straight loops my warbirds only wish they could accomplish.

A semi symmetrical wing with a reward CG rewards me with decent inverted flight. You have to laugh at the site of 3 wheels pointed in the wrong direction! <Even if it is at 5 mistakes high!>

With a relatively high wing loading it still just floats in for a landing. Oh yes, this one is a keeper!

My warbirds might have gotten a 2nd look at the field now and then. But this model, it seems everyone has a story to share and I like that a lot!

Now is somehow we can figure out how to make spent electrons smell like Nitro I would be home free.

Pops would have liked this one a whole lot.

Tommy D



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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/20/2007 11:05:26 PM   
Nathan King



Posts: 1474
Joined: 5/29/2007
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		Wow, that does look similar to the Kaos. I'll bet you have a lifetime of good memories at the field with your father. I never realized how precious that time was until it passed and could never come back.

I can see you do "get it". If sport fliers realised how well pattern airplanes fly, they would all have one just for fun flying.

P.S. Just put some glow fuel in an empty cologne bottle and give yourself a spritz when you get to the field.

Good luck. The learning never stops with this hobby!

Nate

< Message edited by Nathan King -- 8/20/2007 11:06:54 PM >


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Nate,
WACO Brotherhood #99

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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/21/2007 3:20:25 AM   
rainedave



Posts: 5399
Joined: 7/21/2005
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Status: online 		Eau de Glow. I like it.

(in reply to Nathan King)
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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/21/2007 2:48:53 PM   
WEDJ



Posts: 1075
Joined: 2/21/2007
From: East Haddam, CT, USA
Status: offline 		That first photo sure looks like the old Top Flight Contender.

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Pilot dog FTW!

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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/21/2007 3:25:39 PM   
tommytorino



Posts: 195
Joined: 2/17/2004
From: East Islip, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Guys and thanks for the warm welcome.

Yes Precious memory’s they were. Pop’s last words were “airplane”, if you would have known him, it makes sense.

I went out on a limb when I made mention of electric. For many I bet its blasphemy to use that word in this forum! Having restored many an old auto I know how I would feel seeing a vintage US Auto with say a Jap motor in it!

Anyway yes, that is a TF Contender. It was a very popular model here on L.I. for a lot of years. The “Balsa Battleship” sure seemed to fly nice with the wingtip mod and center flap.

Nate, great ideas on the glow spray! Now if you can figure out how to make smoke on an electric <without the obvious “Oh no!” smoke> you will be my new hero!

Looking hard at the Tower Kaos now. I think if I strip the covering and re-do it I might earn a few more points with the glow guys at the field!

Have a good one!

Tommy D


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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/21/2007 10:45:47 PM   
Nathan King



Posts: 1474
Joined: 5/29/2007
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline 		I know of a really easy way to get some blue smoke to leak out of the airplane.

Yes, I like it. Eau de Glow!!


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Nate,
WACO Brotherhood #99

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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/22/2007 4:03:47 AM   
rainedave



Posts: 5399
Joined: 7/21/2005
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Status: online 		Tommy, here's a thread that 8178 started on the Tower Kaos. There's some good info in it. I've never owned one, but the consensus is that it's a great bargain, especially with a Tower coupon.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3735219/mpage_1/key_tower%2Ckaos/tm.htm

David

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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/22/2007 7:49:45 PM   
tommytorino



Posts: 195
Joined: 2/17/2004
From: East Islip, NY, USA
Status: offline 		David

Thanks for the link!

Well I could not resist this one any longer. It was on sale for $99 with a $10 coupon for future purchases.

Also got the last 3 spare canopys. They showed "clear" and I really hope they are. This is a must have for a pilot display!

2 sets of "scale" robart fixed gear covers, to jazz up the gear, some Dave Brown 3" ultralight wheels, props, ect.

Spent $149 with an extra cupon $25 off. So that takes up down to a buck and a quater with free shipping.

Can't wait to come up with a color scheme.

Tommy D

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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/23/2007 2:31:26 AM   
rainedave



Posts: 5399
Joined: 7/21/2005
From: Greensboro, NC, USA
Status: online 		Yes, the canopies are clear. I bought one for my Super Kaos Jr. that I scratch built a few months back. I hope Tower gets more in!

David

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RE: I think I understand Now…. - 8/24/2007 1:23:37 AM   
tommytorino



Posts: 195
Joined: 2/17/2004
From: East Islip, NY, USA
Status: offline 		Dave

Super news on the canopy! If you need one, and get in a bind, shoot me a PM and Ill send you one of the ones I have comming.

I had been tossing around the idea of tring to put a chin on the Kaos to resemble the contender. It would be a GREAT place to put a ESC, right out in the cold air! Yet after I see the fine closed cowling job you have it's hard to fathom what I'm thinking! You did a super job and it really captures the 1970 scene!

Can't wait to see whats under the ARFs covering. Going electric makes me think Ill be removing a lot of weight!

Tommy D

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