Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer  
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Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/5/2008 2:51:04 AM   
hallstro



Posts: 35
Joined: 12/26/2007
From: Mt. Vernon, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Is anyone familiar with this pattern ship from 1971...the Valley Flyer?

Apparently it was a design collaboration between these flyers: Larry Leonard, Bill Northrop, Joe Bridi, Don Butman, Joe Upton, Earl Harting, Whit & Bob Stockwell, Nate Rambo, & Dick Sondheim. Wow...did they each design one rib??

The airplane came in either mid-wing or low-wing configuration and took a .35 to .49 engine. It has the early lines of a Kwik-Fli or a Kaos and I suppose this is no coincidence given its designers. The plans are from RCM (February, 1971) and look like an interesting project.

Valley Flyer (Entire construction article if anyone is interested.)

Dave



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< Message edited by hallstro -- 2/5/2008 3:59:17 AM >
       Post #: 1

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/8/2008 2:04:12 AM   
buzzard bait


 

Posts: 1015
Joined: 1/1/2003
From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Status: offline 		I see no one is beating down your door, Dave. I've always been attracted to the low wing version, for some reason. It's no beauty, but I like it anyway. It's a very small airplane for the engine size range. I've thought about building it light and using a strong .25 to .30, or at most, a .36. Are you going to try it? I'd follow your thread if you do. Jim

(in reply to hallstro)
       Post #: 2

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/8/2008 5:19:45 AM   
hallstro



Posts: 35
Joined: 12/26/2007
From: Mt. Vernon, WA, USA
Status: offline 		I throw out these posts to stimulate the conversation and to try and keep the older designs alive. It's amazing the variety of plans available from RCM and others. I have several projects in front of me, so this one will have to wait.

Having trolled every imaginable forum and online plans source, I have amassed quite a collection of electronic resources. Since I am homebound for a week after gall bladder surgery, I have had time to dig through the archives and post tidbits like the Valley Flyer. I love to see types like the Dirty Birdy, Kaos, & Curare being built. The more unusual designs peak my interest as one might show up at the field one Saturday with a (non-ARF) design that no one else has seen in years.

Nice to hear from you.

Here are a couple of excerpts from the vault:

- Two images of the original Top Flight Orion instruction manual (complete with hand-written signature of Ed Kazmirski)
- One image of an old HobbyPoxy ad signed by "John E. Poxy" himself!

Dave

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(in reply to buzzard bait)
       Post #: 3

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/8/2008 9:16:19 PM   
Boeing727


 

Posts: 67
Joined: 5/13/2002
From: Brunswick, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Dave -
I've had three of them over the years--- and retired all of them without damage after much flying !
The design was based on Bridi's thinking and consequently is an easy build and equally easy flyer.
Go for it ! ....

(in reply to hallstro)
       Post #: 4

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/9/2008 12:01:39 AM   
buzzard bait


 

Posts: 1015
Joined: 1/1/2003
From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Status: offline 		What did you use for power? Do you know what they weighed? Good to hear from someone who built it.

Jim

(in reply to Boeing727)
       Post #: 5

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/9/2008 1:11:43 AM   
Boeing727


 

Posts: 67
Joined: 5/13/2002
From: Brunswick, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Dave-
I originally used an Enya 45 ( that dates the first build doesn't it ! ) and it was more than enough for pleasant flying and very reliable.
I never exceeded a 45 as I didn't feel it necessary.
The initial build was finally retired after 5 years or rather constant flying..it was fuel soaked really -- and I had rebuilt the Enya twice during that period.
Later power was a Webra 40 / K-B 40 and more recently an OS unit.
All powered the model very well. I prefered the low wing version--- but the midwing flew about the same. No surprises.

It's an easy build and a really nice sport airplane.....

(in reply to buzzard bait)
       Post #: 6

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/9/2008 5:52:20 AM   
bkhart


 

Posts: 18
Joined: 9/30/2004
From: Cayucos, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I recently rebuilt my Valley Flyer and converted it from electric to glow. I made a post about it over in the Vintage forum.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6711109/anchors_6711109/mpage_1/key_valley+flyer/anchor/tm.htm#6711109

(in reply to Boeing727)
       Post #: 7

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 2/9/2008 4:28:44 PM   
hallstro



Posts: 35
Joined: 12/26/2007
From: Mt. Vernon, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Wow! Thanks for the replies, everyone. Sounds like this ship should be placed into the "Wish List" for future reference. With my recent surgery, I am missing this year's Pacific Northwest RC Expo, so I will have to confine my dreaming to following the many building threads available. Keep on posting!

Dave

(in reply to bkhart)
       Post #: 8

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 5/19/2008 6:41:05 PM   
tony-howard


 

Posts: 284
Joined: 9/28/2004
From: Monroe, WA, USA
Status: offline 		I was recently going thru my files trying to weed out some of the excess stuff I have. In among some of my magazines I found I have a copy of the RCM that had the Valley Flier article (RCM 2/71). I probably got it in a group I had to buy when I was looking for another issue. It's in good condition and I don't see any missing pages. I did check the VF article and plans and they are complete

I remembered this thread when I found it and I'll be glad to send it to anyone who wants it for the price of mailing it to you. First come, first served. PM me.



_____________________________

Tony
pacific-scaled-aircraft.com

(in reply to hallstro)
       Post #: 9

RE: Designed by Committee: The Valley Flyer - 6/7/2008 10:37:29 PM   
jmfrost


 

Posts: 1
Joined: 10/3/2004
From: Raleigh, NC, USA
Status: offline 		This is really a very nice flying airplaneits basically a shortened Kaos .40 wing and fuselage shape, with a turtledeck added that adds to the appeal. You'll also see the Kaos influence in the tail shape. It builds very quickly.

I've built and flown 4 or 5both midwing and low wing, and both tricycle and tail dragger. Even had one with retracts at one point that my dad built back in about 1973 or so. They all flew very well. The low wing/taildragger makes a good "very standoff scal" P-51B if you use a little imagination!

A .40 is plenty of power and if built light it's very fast but slows down nice for landing with the fairly thick wing. You'll like it!

(in reply to tony-howard)
       Post #: 10

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