Steve,

The King Altair is the same way in regard to inverted engine placement--it was designed for, and looks great inverted, but sticks out a mile when side-mounted. The downside are the little problems associated with inverted mounting--use of a remote glow driver, removing and installing plugs is a pain, and there is a thing called "hydro-lock" that you have to watch for, where fuel flows into the engine and keeps it from turning over. I have to make sure it is free each time, (or get smarter and clamp the line), before using the starter--otherwise possible engine damage, and my arm coming off. I'm building two Altairs, one to plans, and the other with Jack Dunn's SPA-type mods. I'm mounting the "stock" Altair's engine inverted---haven't quite decided yet on the other one. But for looks, inverted is best hands down.

Can you tell us what the SPA-type mods are to your King Altair?

Thanks.

Jon Lowe

The King Altair is a big plane-especially for the time period, ('67). It flies somewhat slower than other SPA planes, (which doesn't bother me), but is somewhat challenged on verticals with an OS 91 based on its size, relatively thick wing, and higher weight. It also presents beautifully, (IMHO), and is very smooth and graceful looking in the air--has a long tail moment. I have been flying it at home with a Saito 100, and probably will use that engine in Novice class. It gives it a little extra "zing" in the verticals.

Jack Dunn, clipped the wingspan from 80" to 70" by removing wingtips, and about 2 in from each side. He also changed the shape of the vertical fin to give the rudder a vertical hinge line for knife-edge, point rolls etc. The ailerons have been changed from strip to about 18" long on each wing, and 2" wide.

I bought the plane from Rusty Miller when he got out of R/C, and before I joined SPA. I was so impressed with everything about the way the plane flew, (it may not be the perfect SPA plane for the higher class maneuvers, but where I am, it suits me perfectly), that I decided to scratch-build two of them--they are nearing completion if I can just discipline myself to keep working on them a little each day. Since I started building, I have joined SPA, and have been flying other planes to be sure to keep the K.A. in one piece, while I use the original as a reference, (there are a lot of small "engineering" changes made by Jack, and it's helpful to see how he did things).
I am making a concerted effort to remove any unnecessary weight during he building process. Because of the building project, I haven't flown the Altair this season, but I'm planning to bring it to Cullman Oct 8th.

Thanks. Look forward to seeing you in Cullman. I plan to bring my Phoenix 9 if I can get the engine to run!

Jon

Which Phoenix is your favorite to fly? Don't know if I mentioned it elsewhere, but the first plane I built was a Phoenix 1 from RCM plans when I was about 14-15. I showed the picture to your Dad at a Detroit Invitational meet in '66, I think--he just kind of smiled at me. It was a little rough-looking, and I couldn't fly it--but who cares---it looked sooo cool with those swept wings. By the time I was experienced enough, it was too old and brittle to fly. Some day, I'm going to build another just to complete the cycle.

I've included pictures of the Altair and Phoenix

Do you have a copy of the King Altair article in the 4/67 issue of RCM that you could scan or copy and send to me? I've ordered the plans, but since RCM's future is questionable, I don't know if I will ever get them. I've been looking for someone who sells old model magazines (there are a couple of vendors at Toledo), but I can't find anything online.

Jon

Sure--I'd be glad to. Send me a PM with your address, and I'll send it out.

I received RCM plans as recently as 2-3 weeks ago for another of Vic Husak's designs, the Mr Slick, and another plane called the Dart III. I certainly hope both the magazine, and especially the plan service remains alive and well.

Nice photos of the kingaltair. If RCM magazine had some color photos of some newer built models, they might just sell more of the older plans. Another note, I contacted RCM about the availability of all their plans, and most have been scanned from mylar to computer file format. All are available. Wish I could say the same for MAN's. If it's not in their current plan catalog it's gone for good. What a shame.

How does the Mr. Slick compare to the King Altaire? Wingspan is still pretty big for that period. Are they similar in size?

Jon Lowe

I ordered the Mr Slick plans as a "maybe someday" project, based solely on the picture in the RCM plan book, its size, and the designer. I don't have the book in front of me, but the size is about the same--looks like he wanted to make some updates and design changes while retaining the larger size. The Mr Slick is a tail dragger, and has a vertical rudder hinge line. I wish I could tell you more, but the plans are still in the tube--I haven't broken them out to study them yet. (I almost looked them over last night, but got involved in building the Altair fuse(s) instead. If I would have known you'd be asking, I would have made sure to look).

My general feeling right now is that I like the overall looks of the Altair more, and I'd probably make some cosmetic changes to the vertical fin when/if I build it. I'm looking at the article I'm sending to you tomorrow, and the wing area of the K.A. is 860. The clipped wing version is probably around 825 in.

The Dart III was ordered as a possible SPA ship because of its large wing area and span. It's sitting there in the same tube with the Mr Slick.

Duane