Help identify this model
11-14-2008, 03:32 PM
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Help identify this model
I received this model yesterday from a friend of mine in Texas. I would like to know what it is so any help appreciated. It is 55 span 39 length side panels are removable triangular fuselage. Tail looks kinda like Tri-squire. Thanks Bill
(Just kidding!)
11-14-2008, 09:32 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
ORIGINAL: billmod12
I received this model yesterday from a friend of mine in Texas. I would like to know what it is so any help appreciated. It is 55 span 39 length side panels are removable triangular fuselage. Tail looks kinda like Tri-squire. Thanks Bill
I received this model yesterday from a friend of mine in Texas. I would like to know what it is so any help appreciated. It is 55 span 39 length side panels are removable triangular fuselage. Tail looks kinda like Tri-squire. Thanks Bill
It's definitely a Berkley design. I think it's the 'Bootstrap' I'll have to check some old magazines to make sure. But it is from the early 50's to be sure.
Dennis
11-14-2008, 09:40 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
Dennis, I just had a bootstraps about a month ago and it is not the same. Could still be a Berkeley of some kind.
11-14-2008, 09:59 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
That big door and fuselage looks rudder bug, but the bug was a big model, 72" I think, could be a smaller re-design by someone for the new transistorised receivers, with a new fin, maybe...
Evan.
Evan.
11-15-2008, 10:11 AM
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RE: Help identify this model
I was thinking Rudder Bug also but not quite sure...
Hey, Bill, I don't know what the escapement brand is. That plane has sure been around for some time though. I'm going to look through some of my information sheets because the tail looks a bit "different" from what I remember...but that could just be the "gray hair" thang....
Soft landing.
Hey, Bill, I don't know what the escapement brand is. That plane has sure been around for some time though. I'm going to look through some of my information sheets because the tail looks a bit "different" from what I remember...but that could just be the "gray hair" thang....
Soft landing.
11-15-2008, 10:32 AM
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RE: Help identify this model
Just found my Rudder Bug info: 1949 Good brothers design. 74" X 12" wing; 49" long fuselage; stab 28" X9 1/2". The wing and stab have a slight taper on the rear outer edges and the wing is held on by rubber bands in a single ling via dowels as opposed to the mounting at the rear of the wing in the above photos, also the wheels were tucked up closer to the "belly" of the Rudder Bug. In addition the rear of the side doors and the "windows" are different on the RB with prominant "angles"
In looking at the above photos I note the slight rear taper on the wing, the front "door" tapers and a few other little RB looking details; especially the rear taper of the fuselage above the stab. Also note the difference in wood texture/color starting at the rear of the door and encompassing the top rear fuselage parts (but NOT the fuslage side bottom).
Could this be a smaller version of the Rudder Bug that was then revised when repaired after the initial build? During the time this Rudder Bug design was in the magazines builders would take the magazine plan and grab their dividers and drafting tools to enlarge the given plan to size. Many were capable of enlarging the plan for a model size to fit a particular engine they had at hand. Perhaps this is what happened here and the drafter/builder made a few "modifications" (as many of us still do today when we build) to suit i.e., the tail area. Just a few thoughts.
Soft landings.
In looking at the above photos I note the slight rear taper on the wing, the front "door" tapers and a few other little RB looking details; especially the rear taper of the fuselage above the stab. Also note the difference in wood texture/color starting at the rear of the door and encompassing the top rear fuselage parts (but NOT the fuslage side bottom).
Could this be a smaller version of the Rudder Bug that was then revised when repaired after the initial build? During the time this Rudder Bug design was in the magazines builders would take the magazine plan and grab their dividers and drafting tools to enlarge the given plan to size. Many were capable of enlarging the plan for a model size to fit a particular engine they had at hand. Perhaps this is what happened here and the drafter/builder made a few "modifications" (as many of us still do today when we build) to suit i.e., the tail area. Just a few thoughts.
Soft landings.
11-16-2008, 08:46 PM
#11
RE: Help identify this model
The escapement looks like the old Bonner Varicomp. Had a couple back in the days. Probably the most dependable I ever had, but a bit large for many models.
01-25-2009, 09:03 AM
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RE: Help identify this model
I think I found it. It's a Bill Winter design called "Electron" which was published in a 1952 issue of Mechanics Illustrated. There's a copy of the article listed over on Fleecebay. Search in Toys and Hobbies for Electron. It sure looks like it!
Ahhh, nope. On another look, the fuselage construction is defferent. Nevermind!
Ahhh, nope. On another look, the fuselage construction is defferent. Nevermind!
01-25-2009, 10:28 AM
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RE: Help identify this model
Michael, I have since started stripping the plane and have found that it is a scratch build. All the formers have pencil tracings on them and measurements/notes and you can see where they were cut out. It is so close to a rudder bug that you would just about have to be reading a rudder bug plan for the cabin build. I think the builder added his own taste like the sheeting on the spine, shape of the fin, shape of stab. the wing is constructed just like a Debolt wing but to the exact same measurments and shape of the rudder bug wing scaled down to 55 inches. What I think: I think someone scaled down a rudderbug from 72 inches to 55 and added there own personal touches. Knowing the plane was built in the earley 50s and the RudderBugs popularity at the time I am sure it influenced the builder. My plans are to build a RudderBug fin and replace the one there now and add elevator following the shape of the later 54 inch RudderBug E.
01-30-2009, 07:49 AM
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RE: Help identify this model
50+AirYears' is correct. The escapement is indeed a Bonner Vari-Comp. I flew several bigger models that used the Vari-Comp, and had real good luck with them too. The arm hanging down is soldered at the top end to the pivot wire (or actually a wire and hard balsa stick combo) back to the rudder, where a linkage similar to those required for Galloping Ghost was fitted
Bonner somehow got the unique shape of that weird-shaped cam groove just right. That meant that if the timing between your dot-dash signals wandered around a little the escapement was still almost 100% reliable when it came to moving the rudder in the desired direction. It made a loud click-clack when it operated, so loud you could easily hear it in the glide while the model was still at a fair altitude. Nicely made too. I seem to remember paying $7.95 for them back then.
Bonner somehow got the unique shape of that weird-shaped cam groove just right. That meant that if the timing between your dot-dash signals wandered around a little the escapement was still almost 100% reliable when it came to moving the rudder in the desired direction. It made a loud click-clack when it operated, so loud you could easily hear it in the glide while the model was still at a fair altitude. Nicely made too. I seem to remember paying $7.95 for them back then.
02-04-2009, 09:47 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
For those interested in Rudder Bugs I have started a restore/rebuild thread here http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...d=1#post558423 as well as posted some good info. Cheers! Bill
03-05-2009, 09:55 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
Well, after about a year and a few months I am getting really close. The research was as as much fun as the restore and conversion to electric.. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now. I am still weighing my options as to a power system. Any suggestions would be appreciated Cheers! Bill
03-06-2009, 12:38 AM
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RE: Help identify this model
Thumbs up to you Bill, for taking the time and effort to preserve a little piece of someone's modeling history. Well done!
[sm=thumbup.gif]
Doug
[sm=thumbup.gif]
Doug
03-12-2009, 10:25 AM
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RE: Help identify this model
Hi,
I got into this a little late, but what i think the plane is is a Berkeley Royal Rudderbug, possibly built from plans. I have on of the kits in my collection. It is a 56" wingspan. It was probably scaled down so that Berkeley could offer the kit at a lower price.
James Fuller
I got into this a little late, but what i think the plane is is a Berkeley Royal Rudderbug, possibly built from plans. I have on of the kits in my collection. It is a 56" wingspan. It was probably scaled down so that Berkeley could offer the kit at a lower price.
James Fuller
03-12-2009, 07:55 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
James, The Berkley kit was a 62 inch and came out in 1954. Mine was a scratch build built before then. Here is the build thread and if you go to post number 12 you can find some history you may enjoy looking at. Cheers Bill http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...958802&t=41013
03-12-2009, 10:08 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
James I totally understand that memory thing. Just an interesting note, If you look at your plan, when Berkeley kitted the Royal Rudder Bug they made the center section of the wing flat. I never understood why they did that, not that it matters, but they did a lot of their high wing models that way. Cheers! Bill
03-20-2009, 05:16 PM
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RE: Help identify this model
Well, I guess I'm done, just waiting on the motor and speed control. Next post should be a flight report. Cheers Bill
