Classic TOC Class: New Classic Pattern Event!


There has been no other event that has shaped the face of R/C precision aerobatics like the “International Tournament of Champions”. The format brought together the finest FAI pilots from around the world competing for a special trophy, earning a part of history AND prize money. The maneuver schedules required different approaches and design paths creating innovation of model design, control and propulsion systems.

In 1978, the "Tournament of Champions" (TOC) organizer's Bill Bennet of Circus Circus Hotel & Casino , Art Schroeder, Editor of Model Airplane News, Jerry Nelson, Contest Director changed the format from little toy pattern airplanes to scale outline planes with a minimum of 800 square inches for monoplanes and 1200 for biplanes. The maximum size limitation was 2500 for monoplanes. These changes required the invited modelers a tremendous challenge of designing eligible models as well as execute new, more difficult maneuvers.

Hanno Prettner was asked why he chose to make his model to such a large size he said "...I thought it best represented the intent of the contest organiser's...' Hanno's model was a 2500 square inch monster Dalotel 165 with (2) Webra .60's with pipes, retracts and was flown at a very constant speed which dwarfed the other models in size and performance. One of my pals, a very respected FAI and IMAC judge said that he arrived at the 1978 event, just in time to see Hanno fly in almost dead calm evening air and say “…the most spectacular flight I have ever witnessed…”

Ed Keck presented the Akromaster at the 1977 TOC as a demo and like any seemingly decent model...no fewer than (6) showed up for the 1978 inaugural Prototype pattern event. Most were powered by the Webra .91 on a muffler which allowed the 9 - 10 pound model to "...complete a vertical eight from the bottom with no problem..."

Wouldn't it be fun to have a bunch of guys build one of these "Akromasters" or other TOC Prototype Pattern models flown from the 1978/1980 Tournament of Champions.

About this thread-

- Establish guidelines for a "Classic TOC" event...Chicago Classic Pattern Championships May 2011
- Video of Hanno Prettner flying his 1982 Dalotel
- Provide information for TOC semi-kits for the Akromaster, Zlin, Laser
- Contruction threads for the TOC semi-kits for the Akromaster, Zlin and Laser
- Flying and trimming information for the TOC semi-kits for the Akromaster, Zlin and Laser

Special video- The "anchor" for this thread will be a special video of Hanno Prettner flying his Dalotel at the 1982 TOC. I am working through the technology issues of posting a 500MB file...it is spectacular and includes the eery sound of the geared Super Tigre .91's!!!

Thank you for your interest and contributions!

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Awesome.
I have a legal sized Cap 10 with a 1.08 already. Does it matter what designer or manufacturer? Mine is a VQ ARF from Hobby People.
I'm so conflicted anyway because the Pappy Spinks Acromaster and Stephens Acro Laser designs were so huge in my early full scale aviation life. I want to build them all!
Chris...

Cool thread! [8D]

I had a Spinks Acromaster in the late 1980's (picture) with a K&B-65 Sportster...Not sure who kitted it (??) Back when I put a 60 sized engine in a 60 sized airframe , a habit long since abandoned.

My dad built it and it was even in an issue of MA where folks send in little pictures of their stuff- Never could find the issue again though.

Thanks for building it dad!

James

Rusty - Great idea ! Another TOC serie's would really solidify the resurgence of the older pattern avenue's. A lot of older pattern flyer's may come forward to compete in a meet like that, now that they have more time and dough. A whole year to get ready.

Crank

Hats off to you Rusty, hats off!
I hope that Zlin is eligible andat least I know what I'll be doing come October!
Mark

Classic TOC Class: New Classic Pattern Event!

Why Classic TOC?

Rusty- Quite simply...to fly the models created/flown by some of the best modelers of all time. Like you, I learned about the TOC from the magazine coverage, attended a few of the later events and thought about the models, the costruction, control/propulsion system innovations and pilots...all of the time.

What are the rules...are they complicated?

Rusty- The rules are simple and may be best described as "guidelines".

Eligible airplanes- Any primary or back-up model flown in the 1978 or 1980 TOC. Any propellor driven "demonstration" model flown at the 1978 or 1980 TOC...could include the Byron's 1/3 scale Pitts Special flown by Dean Copeland during the noon airshow in 1978 or the larger (2) place Zlin 526 flown by Steve Rojecki in 1980.

Wingspan minimum- 800 square inches for monoplanes and 1200 square inches for biplanes.

Maximum weight- 18 pounds RTF without fuel but with battteries if electric powered.

Propulsion- Any glow, gas or electric power system may be used.

Scale outline- The models should meet the original 10 - 15%% scale outline requirement established for the 1978/80 TOC. The models may have different airfoils, wing/stab locations, widths...(like SPA).

Manuever schedules- Any known or unknown sequence flown at the 1978 or 1980 may be flown. Contest Directors are encouraged to publish the sequences to be flown prior to the event.

Regarding the models, what is your real intent?

Rusty- I do not want this to become a check book, shiny object, horsepower driven event. The goal is to fly models replicating the power to weight ratios of the models flown in 1978 and 1980. The rules/guidelines are flexible enough to encourage the greatest participation. I would expect "old school" modelers will probably chose an original Webra or modern .90 or 1.20 glow, current F3A pilots will chose electric and the IMAC crowd will want to use gas engines.

Pilot skill generally earns the highest marks rather than the most expensive, push the rules based design or propulsion system.

edited for acuracy, spelling and continuity...

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Classic TOC Class...a new classic competition class!

Rusty, can you list a few of the available models and original motor combinations?

Available Semi-kits- "Rusty's Elves Classic Kits" currently has the Model Airplane News/Ed Keck Akromaster and the Model Aviation/Bonnema Zlin 526 available as a semi-kit. Each kit features high quality balsa and/or light plywood laser cut parts and CNC cut foam wing/stab/turtle deck/fin/rudder from 1 pound foam and are offered in a glow and "E" version.

Each model has been re-engineered and re-drawn by masters/FAI pattern pilot Dave Snow AKA "Master Laser" using the latest construction and weight saving techniques. The parts fit perfectly and may be assembled dry and then glued with CA. Dave has a number of builder friendly methods for both the glow and "E" versions. The "E" versions utilize a wing tube and hatch for easy access to batteries. The Akromaster and Zlin laser cut parts are about $95 plus shipping.

The foam parts have been engineered and are produced by master builder pattern/IMAC judge extaordinaire Tom Miller AKA "Master Foamy" using the lates CNC techniques and super light 1 pound foam. The Akromaster and Zlin foam parts are about $110 plus shipping.

Canopies/Cowls and landing gear- The Akromaster canopy is a 15/16" Sig and the landing gear is from Great Planes both for about $12.00.

Engines/motors- I have found a number of NIB Webra .91 on Buy-Bay for prices ranging from $95 - $140.00. I am using a Great Planes Rimfire 120/60 amp 60 amp speed control/4350 6S lipo battery/16" x 8" for my Akromaster/Zlin "E" prototypes.

Rusty's Elves receive 100% of the proceeds and are simply trying to recover the development costs!!!

Rusty's Elves new offering...Ulery Laser 200 85" will soon be available (wings only). This 1978 model was designed by Wayne Ulery and flown by Dean Koger at the 1978 TOC. The stick built fuse and tail and foam wings may very well be the best choice of the (3) Rusty's Elves offerings. The original was powered by a Webra .91 and a Cline belt drive...Rusty's will have Hacker C50-14XL Comp with a 10S lipo.

Classic Kits hard to find but available-

MK Akromaster- Naruke flew what turned into the MK version Akromaster at the 1978 event with the prototype YS 120 4 cycle. The kits are about $500 and the YS 120's are plentifull for about $275.

Yellow Aircraft Cap 10B- Ivan Christenson flew the Cap10B...it looks like an exact match to the Yellow Aircraft kit. I found one locally for about $400 and will use a Super Tigre 3000 with OS carb and 18 x 6-8 prop.

Byron's 1/3 scale Pitts Special- Dean Copeland flew a demo at the 1978 TOC noon airshow with a Rossi/pipe on the Byro-drive...rare, heavy if painted, Super Tigre 3000/3250 and 50CC gas.

Great Planes 1/3 scale Pitts Special- Eligible to due to the exact same size of the Byron's and has much lighter built-up structure with Monokote covering and was an ARF. Although not still manufactured, they are available on Buy-Bay or locally for about $300 - $350.

Bridi/Great Planes 1982 Dalotel- Although this was from the 1982 event...it will be eligible. The smallest of Hanno's Dalotels, the plans show the Webra .91 for power. Kits can be found on Buy-Bay, held by collectors for $250+. I have copies of the original plans ($25), an original kit and have the original Great Planes "demo" model that is being restored.

Super Cool Project...the 1978 Prettner Dalotel!

Hanno's Dalotel was enormous, even by today's standards with a wing area around 2500 square inches. The model was powered by (2) Webra .61's piped and connected with a gear reduction unit spinning a 18" prop. Rusty's Elves are very interested in creating this awesome model...to be powered by a DA-50 rather than dealing with the complexity and risks associated with replicating the gear drive. Details as available.

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Is a 1/4 scale Lanier Laser cool? It is 855 squares. Might fit in the Escort too!
Chris...

Hi,

In the past "1M" made a "TOC Laser 200" kit, maybe it will fit to this classic TOC project also?

Specification:
120-200 2-stroke or 160-240 4-stroke
Wingspan 2220 mm / 87.4 inch
Length 1640 mm / 64.6 inch
Wing area 81 dm2 / 1255.5 square inch
Weight 7500-8500 gram / 16.5-18.7 pound
4-5 channel

/Bo

Good looking model, Bo. Certainly it's a big one!
Chris...

Subscribed and intrigued!

Old thread, Dave.
Rusty is under arrest at RCU, so check here for the latest on Classic TOC and Chicago Classic Championships.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1406962
Chris...

where we can see the video of hanno prettner flying his giant Dalotel?

This one would be great its got a 120 4 stroke and retracks it was Jon britts plane for TOC

Rumor has it Steve Rojecki still has the Zlin Ken Bonnema designed and built for him to fly in the 1980 TOC.  We might see sone sctual TOC planers being flown again by their pilots.  How cool is that!  [8D]


Rob

Guys Air Age Publications has a sale on plans in the RC Store. They are 50% off for now. Thought you might want to pick up a few..

turbo

My father has one of the Ulery built Laser's for the 78' or 80' TOC with all of the original equipment. Pretty cool piece!

Wow... that's me with Hanno and his dad in the first picture... at his Klagenfurt field, 1981.