CL to RC conversion?
 

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.

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

In my experience... anything is possible. A lit of C/L planes have fixed rudders and uneven wing spans so there would be significant modification and the use of mini or micro servos would be likely unless you are refering to the large C/L planes.

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

IraqVet,
Thanks for your service. I was there too. OK, you could probably do it if the wing has an airfoil. I doubt you would be very successful with the Cox plastic type CL planes, but hey, I could be wrong. Should you do it, please post a flight video.

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

The Nobler is one as I recall and somewhere in the dark recesses of the past I think someone did a Ringmaster........
Was the Topflight Contender a madeover for RC?

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

There are a number of models available that were originally designed for CL but have been released as RC, the Nobler being one of them.

Personally, at one extreme I built an RC model based on my competition stunter with the only major change being a much more bulky fuselage to hold all the radio gear. It flew magnificently (by my son, not by me :)).

At the other extreme I built a competition stunter that didn't come up to expectations so I took off the tuned pipe and hid nearly all the RC gear in the pipe tunnel. It flew great too even with the leadouts still dangling from the wingtip. It was just a bit too fragile for RC flying though...one rough landing put an end to it.

Any of the modern CL stunt designs would make perfect (and unusual) RC models.

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

Most C/L models don't have dihedral. They don't need it nor do they want it.

Dihedral helps. If you can do so, think about using some dihedral. It's often worth having.

A lot of C/L models are very short coupled. Those were designed to loop in a LOT TIGHTER radius than most RC planes will ever be asked to turn. You're not going to need the surface deflections the C/L used, and you're certainly not going to want them. And when the tail moment is short, the CG location has a narrower range of placement. None of these are a real problem, just something to keep in mind.

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

You really need to watch the buildup of some of the older CL models. They are not very large, have quite large engines for their size, and very rugged (meaning lots of hardwood and plywood) structures (I'm also talking about a lot of designs from the '50's to late '70's when CL stunt was really popular). There are a few I'd like to convert, but they'll require a complete structural redesign to lighten them up so they will be functional as RC planes.

One plane I'm working on right now is a kit produced by Balsa USA called the Smoothie II (it's been out of production for quite a while now). It's based on the original CL Smoothie stunt ship.

Hogflyer

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

I think it would work fine as long as the wings were the same size on both sides. On some CL models the inside wing is longer than the outside one. You might also have to change the CG a little, but probably not.

LT-40

RE: CL to RC conversion?
 

Hey Man, No beega' probleem! In ukie days we thought a brick would fly on Control Lines. Some CLers were bricks. :D 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!