SCOT - - Sure wish, but no, not that big or fancy. This was back in the dark ages - - ha ha. Mine was about 1/3 that size - - had to keep it small and make it so it could be carried in my car - rather ON my car. It had four small engines. I had bomb bay doors on it and could drop bombs on command - - they were about the size of a 38 bullet. It was fun - - 'til it got fiesty and independent and took off for greener pastures. I made all the electronics, so my guess is I blew it somewhere. I had made some great flights with though for about 2 years before that horrible day. Probably a tube blue from the vibration. Yeh, you heard right - - TUBE. (oh oh, I think I just told my age - - - bummer)

That B29 in that URL you posted was at the meet in my URL. He is quite famous for his drop with the small "prototype" plane. Some really neat planes at this meet. Have not been there but seen a lot of pics from it - - my friend is there every year.

Bob

 

Wonder if anybody still uses dope and fabric anymore. I remember after I discovered Monokote I gave fabric up.

 

I soldered hundreds of subminiature vacuum tubes into AN/SRR-11 and 13 receivers when I was in the Navy. They were noisy and vibration sensitive. Finding out which of the 29 tubes (usually several) were marginal was the difference between just making spec (15 microvolt sensitivity) and extreme performance (5 microvolt sensitivity)

 

It was tough enough keeping my mobile ham rig up and running back before the transistors. Can't imagine the vibration in one of these RC units. Sure was fun though.

 

Here's something I got into a little bit- radio controlled skydiver. He can static line or free fall, and two servos work the arms to steer and flare the parachute.

http://youtu.be/RBpmObMoLeo

 

Thats pretty neat.

 

That would put it in the wrong order though : Awe is supposed to come after shock.

If you go to an air show, and there is a guy, or more often two or three, that show up in the same truck wearing those orange Futaba shirts, put your stuff back in the car and just watch. I have seen several videos of Futaba sponsored folks doing craziness like that, and it astounds me still. There is a group that flys much smaller electric planes every weekend in the field next to the garage, and I can attest that just getting those things off the groound and flying in a circle is a challenge for most people.

 

On a commercial flight last year I sat next to an AF Capt. He said he flew F-16s but had been "stuck" flying drones for the last year.
He corrected himself and said that "stuck" wasnt correct.
He didnt want to fly them at first but believes he is actaully accomplishing more flying a drone than he was flying the fighter
and said he has gotten more kills flying a drone than he ever would have in the F-16.

Interesting stuff.

 

I need to get mine out and give it another try. There is a 1/4-section south of McCook that is for the local RC airplane club's members to use as an airfield.

I have to buy ready-to-fly, or almost-ready-to-fly. Me and small parts don't get along real well.

 

I'd highly recommend getting a simulator to practice, and an Apprentice for a plane. It is tough, parts are cheap, and it flies very well. It does inverted and basic aerobatics better than most high wing trainers, so you won't likely get bored.

If you guys go to a competition, I'd recommend going to the free style part, which is usually on the last day. Instead of everyone trying to fly a designated routine, freestyle lets the fliers do what they want, set to music.

Here's a video I shot of Daniel Holeman. He's sponsored by Specktrum and Extreme Flight, and I think worked at a drone company.

http://youtu.be/zg_c2wslHJc

 

Now thats something you don't see anymore..
Made In USA


These look something like the vacuum tubes that were in my old Orbit Tone Transmitter in the late 50's.

Good fuel delivery, never stuttered in any position, I wonder how many he crashed getting that good.