ORIGINAL: iraqvet
has anyone attempted to convert a control line plane to full RC or are those planes just not designed for "dimensional" flight? I dig some of the sleek designs from the 50's Brodak produces and wondered if a conversion could be done.
Hey Man, No beega' probleem! In ukie days we thought a brick would fly on Control Lines. Some CLers were bricks.
Some RCs are about the same.
Any model will fly on C-Lines, and any model will fly via RC. With today's small RC stuff, you can adjust any CL model to RC, with the possible exception of those original 1/2 A Cox & Testors plastic garbage-things that did CL in. Those are not in the class of real model airplanes.
Back in the days when we built our own many CL models were converted to RC. At the time Top Flite was a separate company in Chicago-Land. Because so many RCers were flying the CL Nobler with RC, then TF produced the RC Nobler with a fatter fuselage. Other popular kits were the Veco CL P-51H Mustang Stunter and all the old Aristo-Craft CL models. I saw two of the B-36s fly, 6 K&B Torpedo .19s, at the 71 Chicago NATs.
Many of the Profiles have been converted to RC. Just fix the wings to house the RC gear. Very few profiles have the longer wing anyway. If so chop or add to the applicable side. Heck, I built a quick original RC job with a foamboard fuse. and an old CL stunter stunt wing. I had forgotten that one side was an inch longer. It flew RC anyway. Add some weight and trim and go do it.
Here is a picture of a current inventory RC model F4-B that flies very well. Had to really beef up the OLLDDD Japanese CL kit from eBay, but it does very well with a ST .51. I screwed up with the fabric covering and cross-grained the stuff on the wing. I added some clear dope to keep the fabric tight, and I got some very significant warps. Hey note the trim tab on the lower wind with another hidden under the left wing aileron. This machine is easy to trim out and flies very well.
The picture with 3 models shows a 50" w/span Hurricane. That model came from an Easybuilt RUBBER kit, still available. It isn't here now, however not the model's fault. After some 4 years of active flying it was getting tarnished. I cleaned it up, forgot to replace the 4oz. of lead under the engine (.28 Brat) and took off. Tried to get her down but the tail heavy caused a snap on final. Off to model heaven. Beyond repair at the time.
Modelers can do anything they wish to do. That makes this SPORT so much more interesting. Go git 'em Man. It's fun!