Pacemaker
 

Back in the early eighties, when I started my F3A modelling, the first design I used in competition was the Ken Binks Pacemaker. Ken has won the British Nats more times than he probably cares to remember and the Pacemaker was his last design before the change to turnaround in '84.
Pictured below are my example from the 80's and Kens version with rear exhaust engine. Ken has allowed me to look into producing kits and the first production prototype is in the workshop now.
Enjoy!

RE: Pacemaker
 

looks good please keep us updated with pic during build please!

RE: Pacemaker
 

Fuselage with upper deck sheeting and front sheeting carved and sanded to shape.

RE: Pacemaker
 

Very neat! Its always great to read about an unknown ( at least on this side of the pond).

RE: Pacemaker
 

Tailplane with elevators cut out and edged. Note lite ply ends to prevent damage to these fragile areas.

RE: Pacemaker
 

The wing under construction. Flying surfaces sheeted in selected balsa and adhered in a veneering table rather than a bag. Easier to do.
Wing with leading edge, trailing edge and tips held in place with masking tape.
Intended for fixed U/C for grass field flying in this case. Wing cut out for U/C blocks and servo box (made in-house form lite ply, fully interlocking, 10 gms in weight)
1/8th inch insert strip covers the slot used to cut the servo lead hole.

RE: Pacemaker
 

Very nice Steve, will it make it to Sleape in April to compete with the Tornados?

RE: Pacemaker
 

That's the plan. Will we see you there?

RE: Pacemaker
 

This is Ken Binks' British Nationals record flying the Pacemaker. Obviously the design was developed over the years and I assume the one being built here by Steve is the final 1983 version before Ken moved on to his Adajio, Excalibur and Stylist designs.

1978 2nd
1979 2nd
1980 2nd
1981 1st
1982 1st
1983 1st

Ray

RE: Pacemaker
 

Not relevant.

RE: Pacemaker
 

The final version of the Pacemaker was the XR version utilising a rear exhaust Redshift and internal pipe in the top of the fus. The Adagio and Stylist are also on the cards for the future. The XR version is shown in the picture.

RE: Pacemaker
 

so far I've got the Marabu and Tornado in airworthy condition, and just need to cover a King altair and fit it out so I'm hoping to be a little better prepared this year. Last year Iwent along with an Acrowot and Panic, but left the Panic's batteries at home. Things can only get better.

RE: Pacemaker
 

Looks a lot like a 'Lightning' (Hardaker) design...
Evan, WB #12.

RE: Pacemaker
 

The later versions certainly did. Shot taken at the 1978 Nationals shows Ken with the "Mk 1" and behind him Dave Hardaker with his Lightning.

I believe this first version of the Pacemaker was based on a modified (enlarged) Crescent Tornado which Ken had used at the 1977 Nationals and placed 4th. Think he called it the Crescendo.

Hint taken David - I was just too lazy to look for any. Hope you like these :D

Ray

RE: Pacemaker
 

Nice pictures Ray. The nostalgia comes flooding back. Proves which came first! Dave H was always the master at rolling manouevres, probably why the development went the way it did.

RE: Pacemaker
 

Just to complete the sequence of Ken's post Pacemaker designs, here are Adagio (1984) Excalibur (1988) and Stylist (1990)

I make it nine times including six in succession (1981-1986) - not too shabby ;)


Ray

RE: Pacemaker
 

Any further progress on the Pacemaker Steve?

Ray

RE: Pacemaker
 

I'll take some pictures this afternoon Ray, fus is finished, tail to cover, wing all profilmed ready for servos and U/C.

RE: Pacemaker
 

As promised, piccies of progress so far.

RE: Pacemaker
 

Steve,

beautiful finishing job! I'm impressed with the covering/paint match between the wing and fuse.

Would you care to elaborate on the finishing approach you took? What is Profilm? I know that on that side of the pond the coverings, although mostly the same, all have different names.

David

RE: Pacemaker
 

Where can one get the plans?

RE: Pacemaker
 

Nice work Steve, any idea on kit release date?

Dave

RE: Pacemaker
 

Profilm is the UK name for Oracover, a German made polyester covering film. Sold in the USA as Ultracote I believe.

Thanks for pictures Steve - very neat variation on Ken's original scheme.

Ray

RE: Pacemaker
 

As regards the finishing, the fuselage is glassed with 25gm cloth but is put on with G4 Pond Sealer (you haven't mis-read that!), two coats, rubbing down between coats. Applied with a brush used for french polishing (Shellac), it is really easy to use, comes out light and sands OK. Spray on a coat of two pack filler primer, rubbed down to remove most of it.
White and colours are automotive base coat with a clear two pack over the top.
As Ray has said, Profilm is Oracover, produced in Germany. It is the only covering I have used for years, you can really heat it up and pull it round wing tips for a smooth finish. BTW the paint shop did an excellent job of matching the paint to the film. As I write, I have filmed the underside of the tail and rudder, top and elevators today then installation.

There are four retro events in the UK this year, the first being at Sleap airfield in Shropshire in April. That is when the kit and model will be 'launched'.

Pattern Pilot: I have re-drawn the model for CNC work, I can produce a plan for you if you wish.

RE: Pacemaker
 

Sat on it's wheels for the first time. Now for installation.