I’m about to embark upon a build of the Berkeley North American AT-6 scale control line model to give me the opportunity to relive my youth. I built one when I was around 13 and it was this model that started my fascination with scale planes that continues to this day. I need help in determining which engine to use. I don’t remember what I used before. I do remember having a lot of Fox 35’s. They were always in my stunt planes like the Barnstormer and Ringmasters. The AT-6 is a much smaller model. The plans recommend a .19 to .35. Does anyone have any experience with this model with a modern engine? I’ll attach a then and now set of images. Thanks, Dan.

Good Man, Mr. Dan:

It seems a lot of modelers are going back to their earlier times. As far as the engine for the Berkely goes, I had this one at the last USAF model meet, June 1967, I ever flew in. Being an Air Training team member, I was going to the USAF Champs. My boss was less than happy with me. "You're taking two weeks to fly toy airplanes while we here are short-handed with a war going on." While I did drop my team membership for a 3rd week to attend the AMA NATS, HA, next Spring I joined up with United Air Lines.

Back to the engine. Mine flew very well with a K&B Greenhead .23. Back then 3rd line or electric engine control was just a dream so we flew Scale just like any other CL model. More fun than work back then. The Fox 19 and 25s are all excellent engines if you use at least 22% oil, half castor. A super Tigre 23 or older small case 29 would do well. I don't think you would like a larger heavy engine. That Tango-Six has a very thin wing and it doesn't slow down well for landings. A heavy nose will love to assist a nose-over. BTDT [X(]

These pictures show my getting ready to attend the meet and the model with a fellow team member. I forget his name but we all really had a lot of fun in those days. In fact, I gave him that airplane and engine after that meet. Somewhere I lost a large number of pictures of those good 'Ol days.

Enjoy your trip back in time.

Horace, Great pics of the SE-5 and the Texan. Do you have any more to share?
Texan in exile...

Hi Horrace, Thank you for that great reply. Seeing that T-6 in front of you has really got me inspired. It's just the way I remember it. I can't wait to get started. Now that you mentioned it, I do remember having one of those black and red Olsohn and Rice 23's. Maybe that is what I used. I will probably go with an OS .25LA. There are very few contol line engines to pick from. The ball bearing ones are running too heavy. I did have the OS in a modern day Barnstormer that gave me marginal performance but it was good enough for me since I can barely fly U/C now and going around in circles on an ounce and a half of fuel was just about all I could take. I'll post some images of the build as soon as I get started. Maybe some more old control line guys will get inspred. Thanks again, Dan.

You're very welcome, Mr. Dan. BTW that is not me at the table with the T-6. Never been slim like that!

Great looking Barnstormer.

Maybe as a returnee to CL you might like to look at these sites. Brodak Mfg. Co. www.brodak.com The place to go for CL stuff, along with SIG Mfg. If you still use it, Brodak's dope is the best ever.

John Brodak has over the past 10 years really brought CL back to life.

http://stunthanger.com CL web site.

Great information Horrace. I can use the websites. Getting control line hardware is impossible in the Los Angeles area. I've attached an image of a Zilch I built a few years ago along with the Barnstormer to continue to try to get back into U-Control but it did not work out. I used to be king of the U-control circles but the 55 years that have passed have taken their toll. The T-6 will be one more try at it. thanks again, dan.

Dan, you gotta' quit showing these beautiful planes. Makes me very jealous. I am a fair builder but a lousy finisher. If I had my way, I would outlaw sand-paper. Just hate it Hate it! Well not the sand-paper so much as actually using it.[:@]

You do beautiful work, Dan.

One thing I should pass on is that Brodak publishes a quarterly magazine called Control Line World. It contains all sort of CL stuff from 1/2 A to the largest Stunt and Scale stuff plus not only competition, but also just fun stuff.

I have it since its inception, about 2 years now. It's well worth the money, although pricy - $25 year for 4 copies - and all the CLers advertise in it. Old time stuff up to and including the latest advancements. Usually about 100 pages and the pages are fairly stiff paper. It's on the website with picture of Jim Silhavey. Check it out.

Another CL web site for supplies is Sam's Stuff and Hobbies - http://www.sshobbies.com/index.html

Now Dan, I'll bet I'm older than you. [:-] We may not have that quick-draw that we once did and our maneuvers may bottom out a few feet higher than shoulder height, but we can be there rooting for those young guys while still making them earn their points. HA! BTW, I'm earning my 74th year. As Red says, on my 74th trip around the sun. -Ell of a ride!
Looking forward to seeing that Tango-Six of yours.

Thanks for another website. You got me! I'm only 70. I need those extra feet of altitude that R/C gives me. Controle line flying is too close to the ground. It did not bother me when I was 12 but it does now. Dan.