1/8 A ????
05-20-2002, 10:58 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Fenton,
MI
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1/8 A ????
What in the thunder is 1/8 A? After many (almost 20) years in this hobby I've never heard this term. And what about 1/4 A did someone forget those planes in between?
I like very small planes. I wonder anyone out there building 1/16 A.
Obviously, I'm kidding a bit here, but really......what is 1/8A?
Wiz
I like very small planes. I wonder anyone out there building 1/16 A.
Obviously, I'm kidding a bit here, but really......what is 1/8A?
Wiz
05-20-2002, 11:14 AM
#2
Banned
1/8 A ????
It's a new class gaining some ground...along the lines of a Cox .010 powered plane...almost like a small park flyer but with glow power usually...there have been some ads running in a few of the magazines with a small pattern like 1/8th A plane with a throttled .010 for power...cool stuff...maybe this forum will help push that envelope!
05-20-2002, 07:56 PM
#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
1/8 A ????
I think 1/8A R/C has been around for a couple of decades in rudder-only models. I tried an .010 powered Littlest Stik when the RCM article came out. It didn't fly very well with the .010 but did better with an .020 (I don't remember if it was a Pee Wee or TD). I used and Ace pulse radio with the small actuator. Since I was never very good at trimming rudder-only models I'd have to confess that the model never did fly well. I don't remember exactly what happened to it, but I'm sure it didn't die of old age.
I too have a soft spot in my heart for small models and sometime last year I read about people who were resurrecting the old rudder only designs. So I dug through my back issues (it took a looong time) and found the original article that included full sized plans. Last Summer I built LS number two and powered it with a red tank Cox TD .010 running with 25% Nitro and 20% (half castor). I put a Feather receiver, (2) HS-50 servos, and 110 mah NIMH battery in there too.
I covered the wing with library laminating film with floral spray paint colors sprayed lightly on the glue side. I used water-based urethane varnish to fill the fuselage and tail feathers. More floral spray paint over that then a very light dusting of Rustoleum clear coat over that for fuel proofing.
The only change I made was to add an extra "bay" to each side of the wing to improve the glide (as someone suggested on SFRC, Smallnet, or somewhere else on the 'net). I later learned that there is a web sight somewhere that has plans for the LS and other small designs from that era (alas, I cannot find it now but I'll bet that a check of the Smallnet archives would probably turn it up).
The reason I wrote all of this down is because I have been flying this model a LOT - because it is a LOT of fun - and people NEED to be flying more of these models.
I swear it will do things that I never could do with those "full-sized rudder/elevator models I built all those years ago (before I "discovered" ailerons). But the best part is that it will do all those tricks without ever flying outside the boundaries of the runway. Rolls, loops, all over the place of course. But it'll run inverted for a little while when the tank is still full - and will do a kinda stall turn too if you hold your mouth just right.
Land it as close to your feet as you dare, a squirt of the fuel bulb (Sullivan still sells them and you'll run out the batteries before you empty the bulb once), hold the glow driver down over the glow head, and swat the propeller with your finger ( or use the darn spring thingy until it breaks - they all do), and hand launch again for another couple of minutes of low tension fun.
I have resolved to keep building more of these little screamers from the past (Leastie Beastie, Guided Mite, and a few others whose names elude me at the moment). The old rudder-only (with added elevator) designs are fine for scratching the nostalgia itch - but I also have sketched out an aileron/elevator, swept flying wing design and another that looks too much like a shrunken Wonder for a little more performance.
I also cobbled a "starter cone" together with plastic tubing from Home Depot that is fixed to an antique 05 can motor. Iadded a push-on, push-off switch zip-tied to a crapped out seven-cell battery pack to complete a "custom" starter for the little screamer.
The only negative associated with "1/8A" R/C is that you have to be careful that you don't hog the runway and intimidate the people who are flying "real" models. I try to not fly over the runway if anyone else is in the air. In that case I try to stay to one end of the runway.
I hope you find room for one of these little delights in your modelling future.
Enjoy.
I too have a soft spot in my heart for small models and sometime last year I read about people who were resurrecting the old rudder only designs. So I dug through my back issues (it took a looong time) and found the original article that included full sized plans. Last Summer I built LS number two and powered it with a red tank Cox TD .010 running with 25% Nitro and 20% (half castor). I put a Feather receiver, (2) HS-50 servos, and 110 mah NIMH battery in there too.
I covered the wing with library laminating film with floral spray paint colors sprayed lightly on the glue side. I used water-based urethane varnish to fill the fuselage and tail feathers. More floral spray paint over that then a very light dusting of Rustoleum clear coat over that for fuel proofing.
The only change I made was to add an extra "bay" to each side of the wing to improve the glide (as someone suggested on SFRC, Smallnet, or somewhere else on the 'net). I later learned that there is a web sight somewhere that has plans for the LS and other small designs from that era (alas, I cannot find it now but I'll bet that a check of the Smallnet archives would probably turn it up).
The reason I wrote all of this down is because I have been flying this model a LOT - because it is a LOT of fun - and people NEED to be flying more of these models.
I swear it will do things that I never could do with those "full-sized rudder/elevator models I built all those years ago (before I "discovered" ailerons). But the best part is that it will do all those tricks without ever flying outside the boundaries of the runway. Rolls, loops, all over the place of course. But it'll run inverted for a little while when the tank is still full - and will do a kinda stall turn too if you hold your mouth just right.
Land it as close to your feet as you dare, a squirt of the fuel bulb (Sullivan still sells them and you'll run out the batteries before you empty the bulb once), hold the glow driver down over the glow head, and swat the propeller with your finger ( or use the darn spring thingy until it breaks - they all do), and hand launch again for another couple of minutes of low tension fun.
I have resolved to keep building more of these little screamers from the past (Leastie Beastie, Guided Mite, and a few others whose names elude me at the moment). The old rudder-only (with added elevator) designs are fine for scratching the nostalgia itch - but I also have sketched out an aileron/elevator, swept flying wing design and another that looks too much like a shrunken Wonder for a little more performance.
I also cobbled a "starter cone" together with plastic tubing from Home Depot that is fixed to an antique 05 can motor. Iadded a push-on, push-off switch zip-tied to a crapped out seven-cell battery pack to complete a "custom" starter for the little screamer.
The only negative associated with "1/8A" R/C is that you have to be careful that you don't hog the runway and intimidate the people who are flying "real" models. I try to not fly over the runway if anyone else is in the air. In that case I try to stay to one end of the runway.
I hope you find room for one of these little delights in your modelling future.
Enjoy.
05-21-2002, 11:02 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Fenton,
MI
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1/8 A ????
Well, I'm certainly aware of these tiny models, I've just never heard the term 1/8 A applied to them.
I too, very much enjoy small models, but I tend to do them as electric powered models. My experience with getting the tiny engines to run properly has been rather frustraiting. Anyway, that's not the point. Small planes, electric or glow are a joy to fly.
I just got a Sp400 Push-E-Cat (rather large by 1/8 A standards) for the kids to learn on......Well that's excuse I use for getting it and I'm not changing my story.
I can hardly wait to give it a toss.
Wiz
I too, very much enjoy small models, but I tend to do them as electric powered models. My experience with getting the tiny engines to run properly has been rather frustraiting. Anyway, that's not the point. Small planes, electric or glow are a joy to fly.
I just got a Sp400 Push-E-Cat (rather large by 1/8 A standards) for the kids to learn on......Well that's excuse I use for getting it and I'm not changing my story.
I can hardly wait to give it a toss.
Wiz
05-21-2002, 01:08 PM
#6
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
1/8 A ????
Wiz,
I agree about the cantankerousness (is that a real word?) of the little ox engines. That's why I specified my current fuel blend that's been (knock on wood) working great in this new .010. I think that 25% nitro is probably as low as you can go and the 20% oil with castor is mandatory no matter how high you push the nitro.
We used to run 50 and 60% nitro with all castor when I raced CL mouse. I don't need (or want) that level of performance and maintenance in the Littlest Stik.
Mention of Ken Willard (one of my favorite designers along with Clough, Reese, and Mathews) brings up recollections of his Banana airfoil models that were mostly for .02s and larger - if memory serves. But it might be fun to scale down a Schoolgirl. What size engine did he use in the CannonShot (I think that was the name) that used the tiny Cannon receiver and servos?
Easytiger, Bill Winter was such a gentleman. My favorite modelling literature is the series of editorials he wrote for Model Aviation that captured the real essence of our hobby. I wish the AMA would reprint them for the generation of newer modellers to enjoy - and learn from. I remember his rubber designs and the later designs he did with John Hunton (another fine gentleman). Thanks for reminding me/us about how much he influenced our hobby.
I can't believe how much I am enjoying recalling the good ole, little, days.
I agree about the cantankerousness (is that a real word?) of the little ox engines. That's why I specified my current fuel blend that's been (knock on wood) working great in this new .010. I think that 25% nitro is probably as low as you can go and the 20% oil with castor is mandatory no matter how high you push the nitro.
We used to run 50 and 60% nitro with all castor when I raced CL mouse. I don't need (or want) that level of performance and maintenance in the Littlest Stik.
Mention of Ken Willard (one of my favorite designers along with Clough, Reese, and Mathews) brings up recollections of his Banana airfoil models that were mostly for .02s and larger - if memory serves. But it might be fun to scale down a Schoolgirl. What size engine did he use in the CannonShot (I think that was the name) that used the tiny Cannon receiver and servos?
Easytiger, Bill Winter was such a gentleman. My favorite modelling literature is the series of editorials he wrote for Model Aviation that captured the real essence of our hobby. I wish the AMA would reprint them for the generation of newer modellers to enjoy - and learn from. I remember his rubber designs and the later designs he did with John Hunton (another fine gentleman). Thanks for reminding me/us about how much he influenced our hobby.
I can't believe how much I am enjoying recalling the good ole, little, days.
05-21-2002, 01:37 PM
#7
Member
1/8 A memory
I remember watching the late great Walt Mooney of Peanut Scale Model fame showing up at the field one day with the then new TD .010. Walt was a master of the Allyon Bambi an English diesel which displaced .009ci. He could really make them run! He had mounted the TD on a tiny pylon attached to of all things a Jetco Nordic A-2 glider. The six foot wingspan Nordic was not a light weight and after filling the tank and starting the TD, Walt tossed the model into the wind expecting to see a long slow glide to the ground. Instead the model began to climb, slowly at first, then faster. It didn't take long until the model disappeared overhead, with the engine still screaming! Walt managed to get the thing back after a long chase. Seems the TD was about 8 times more powerful then the old Bambi he was used to! I never saw him use it again, I think he made a tie clip out of it!
05-24-2002, 07:48 PM
#8
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1/8 A ????
I fly the Ace Littlest Stik with a black-tank TD010. After a season of R/O I added elevator, and it's even more fun now.
I have an Earl Stahl Taylorcraft 0-57 kit (R/N Models) that it will be going in next. 32" span is just a little too small for my TD020, believe it or not. It's a rubber jobbie, after all. Another one I'm tempted to try is the Hal DeBolt "Big X"-- a Wittman Tailwind lookalike-- at 29" span.
I think TD010 engines would work on just about anything you'd be willing to hang a geared Speed 280 motor on. When you get up to Speed 400 size it's time to jump to the TD020 or Baby Bee 049.
I have an Earl Stahl Taylorcraft 0-57 kit (R/N Models) that it will be going in next. 32" span is just a little too small for my TD020, believe it or not. It's a rubber jobbie, after all. Another one I'm tempted to try is the Hal DeBolt "Big X"-- a Wittman Tailwind lookalike-- at 29" span.
I think TD010 engines would work on just about anything you'd be willing to hang a geared Speed 280 motor on. When you get up to Speed 400 size it's time to jump to the TD020 or Baby Bee 049.
