Happy
Birthday F2D Proto!
Yes folks, it's true,
It's 2009 and thanks to the BBB, Mike Hazel and John
Thompson, F2D Proto is one year old. Those of you who hang around the speed circle may have
noticed some of the attributes.
1. They're
fast!
2. Easy
to start, run, and fly.
3. Engine
and muffler are to a formula. (stock engines are very competitive)
4. APC
props work well. Range 7 x 3 to 7 x 4
5. You
don't need special lines or handles.
The variables turn out to be mostly head clearance and
prop to push the speed into a faster bracket.
Like all one year olds, the proto event is making itself
known, there have been several inquiries from around the country about our
infant.
Most are
from fliers like you and me who want to try it out, most seem to like the
formula and the high quality engines. There have been some critics suggesting
that it is not a"real" speed event because it allows braided line
and adjustable handles. The BBB's response is simply this: If the event
becomes so popular that the need for uniform rules exists then they will
likely morph to the AMA set of rules. In the meantime, it is still the same
ol' user friendly and safe SPEED event that it was intended it to be.
Airplane:
Profile only, wing area of 100 square inches minimum,
not counting the stabilizer and elevator.
It must have a canopy but a painted outlines will be
allowed, a vertical fin, external controls but the centerline of the bellcrank
can be inside the fuselage as long as it is exposed when deflected. This
will allow you to use a pin through the fuselage to take the pull of the
model instead of the wing. The model must be painted or trimmed colorfully
... no clear finishes. There must be two wheels at least 1" in diameter
and separated by 2-1/2" min.
Engine:
Must be a legal F2D engine as well as legal muffler,
no modifications are allowed to the muffler or to the venturi i.d.
From the FAI Sporting Code:
Engines with glow plug
ignition shall have their exhaust port(s) connected to silencer(s) (one
or two),consisting of a simple chamber with one circular cross-section outlet
aperture of 8mm (1) or 5.65 mm (2) diameter(s) opposing the exhaust port
connection. The minimum total volume of the exhaust system shall be 12.5
cm 3. In the case of two exhausts, each silencer shall have a minimum volume
of 6,0 cm 3. The maximum total length of the exhaust system from exhaust
port(s) of the cylinder to and including outlet(s) is 15 cm. The motor shall
have a maximum effective venturi diameter of 4,00 mm (see 4.4.6.d for field
Lines
and handle:
.015 x 52 ft, same as F2D combat, Adjustable handles
allowed, safety and pull test are patterned after the Clown racing event
of 25 lbs. If you use metal buttons on the bellcrank you will be required
to use double loop construction on the line terminations. If the lines contact
a non metal surface then single loop is allowed. (if you have a nylon bellcrank
single loop wire is okay to terminate.)
Complete
rules:
http://www.flyinglines.org/rules.f2dproto.html
PHEW! What a lot of stuff just to make a simple event!
"What works for you guys? " you ask.
Here is a simple and effective formula.
Wing:
1/4" or 3/8 x 31" x 3.25" soft balsa (put some sort
of short spar in it for wing) bellcrank mounting. You may get some flex
with 1/4".
Airfoil:
N.A.C.A. 63-008
Stabilizer :
1/8" or 3/16" med-hard balsa
20-30 sq" 10" x 3"
Fuselage :
3/8" med balsa
16-18" long
CG.
25% wing chord
Motor mounts:
hard maple or buy aluminum F2D mounts from Jeffrey
Rein. Vertical fin:
1/16" plywood or sandwich 1/64 ply and 2 ea 1/16 blasa. Finish: 4 coats
of thin nitrate dope, light coat of primer, color or trim in either dope,
epoxy or Lustre Coat. Fuel Tank: Any fuel system can be
used, I use a small bladder tank that is stretched between two anchor points
when it is empty. When you fill it the tension will ease but should be enough
to keep the tank in place. The shape is very streamlined, I use 1/4"
dia surgical tube cut about 1-1/4" long. Flying: Keep on your toes ! When
taking off, be 10 degrees ahead of the model, hold your arm up so you will
force the outboard Wing
down when released. They can turn left and come visit you if you fall asleep,
but you are allowed to whip to get the model airborne so take some advantage
here. The
fun of this event is in the actual races you will encounter, they can be
very close so learn all you can about props and how to modify them. Head
clearance and what it does and doesn't do. ZZ Prop has a good news letter
in circulation, you can also join the North American Speed Society for other
engine tips and ideas. http://www.clspeed.com/parts.htm
Flying Lines is another place for speed tips along with F2D sites such as
Mark Rudner's http://f2dnews.homestead.com/Resources.html
For those who wish to learn how to set head clearance here is an excellent
article by Mark at http://f2dnews.homestead.com/Resources.html. Kenny-b
and The Bod Busters This page was upated April
1, 2009
