"I love Airplanes and Rockets Website Homepage (Kirt Blattenberger)"

2022-10-19 18:12:32

About Airplanes & Rockets Kirt BlattenbergerBSEE - KB3UONMy Engineering Web: RF Cafe Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!)Even during the busiest times of my life I have endeavored to maintain some form of model building activity. This site has been created to help me chronicle my journey through a lifelong involvement in model aviation, which all began in Mayo, MD ... Airplanes And Rockets Copyright 1996 - 2026 All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images and text used on the Airplanes and Rockets website are hereby acknowledged. My Main Modeling Websites Academy of Model Aeronautics Tower Hobbies Horizon Hobby Sig Mfg Brodak Mfg - Welcome to the Airplanes & Rockets Website -"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible." Lord Kelvin, 1895Model Aviation & Aerospace Headline News-Archives -•NASA TestingAsteroid Deflection Scheme•Flight Simulators CanBring Sport Aviation to Your Desktop •Classic Airplanes and Classic Cars Come Together •Saturn V Was Loud But Didn't Melt Concrete •Comp Air AnnouncesComposite Kit Airplane•International Aircraft Dealers Association OfferingAviation Scholarships•The Clock Ticks on100LL Avgas•National Air Traffic Controllers Association Honors Members•TwoOshkosh Alternative Fly-InsBlohm Voss 141-B Article & PlansAirplanes and Rockets website visitor LievenM. requested that this article on the Blohm Voss141-B (BV141-B) be scanned and posted from the August 1970 edition of American Aircraft Modeler magazine. The BV141-B, designed by Mr. Terry Aldrich, is a unique scale subject in that it is a World WarII German fighter-bomber featuring an asymmetrical configuration. It looks sort of like a P-38 Lightning with the right boom missing. The engine in on the left at the nose end of the single fuselage boom, and the pilot compartment is on the right, on the wing. The horizontal stabilizer span is about 80% to the left of the vertical fin, and 20% to the right of it. Construction uses sheet balsa for the wings, tail surfaces, and profile fuselage. Power is provided by a single 049 engine...eVTOLs: The Promise and the Risk"TheeVTOL movement came on the scene around 2012, promising fast, point-to-point, intra-urban transportation -after an Uber-in-the-sky vision. Their futuristic looks and eco-friendly, mainly lithium battery-powered electrical propulsion systems garnered plenty of publicity and enthusiasm. A blizzard of designs ensued. Transport Up, a website that tracks news related to electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, says there are some 98 designs now in the works - not counting hoverbikes and other single-person aircraft. The Vertical Flight Society's Electric VTOL News), also covers the industry. It lists a whopping 679 designs, divided among vectored thrust, lift and cruise, wingless multi-copters, electric rotorcraft, and hoverbike categories. The National Business Aircraft Association reported that 400 companies are involved in some segment of this future aviation vision, be it in UAM (urban air mobility), AAM (advanced air mobility - including longer-range..."Bombs of the World WarThese are not your father's bombs; in fact, they're your great-grandfather's bombs. Note that per the title "Bombs of the World War," there was no "I" or "1" appended to it. That is because as we learned in grammar class in elementary school while being instructed on creating outlines, one does not assign a number "1" or a letter "a" or "A" if there will be no number "2" or letter "b" or B." Since what we now refer to as World WarI was "the war to end all wars," there was no expectation that there would someday be a World WarII. Hence, up until the end of 1941, people referred to the 28 July, 1914 through 11 November, 1918 conflict simply as the "the World War" or "the Great War." But I digress. Many of the bombs shown here were tossed out of the cockpit by either the pilot or back seat bomber/gunner. BTW, when I saw that the Whitehead Aircraft Torpedo supposedly had an 8,000 yard (24,000 feet, or 4.5 miles) range running on compressed air...Bounty Hunter Article & PlansAirplanes and Rockets website visitor Mel G. wrote to ask that I scan and post this article on Dick Mathis' famousBounty Hunter 1/2A free flight airplane. It appeared in the September/October 1965 issue of American Modeler magazine. Mel says he built one from a kit bought at MAL Hobby (Model Aircraft Laboratories) back in the 1980s. According to their website MAL Hobby has been in business in Irving, Texas, since 1948, but according to Archive.org their website appears to have disappeared sometime about 2014. I could not find the Bounty Hunter kit listed on their website. If you are looking for an article or plans not already posted here, please send me an e-mail and I will be glad to do so if I happen to have the issue you need...Paul Harvey - Radio Control ModelerWhilst looking through some old issues ofAmerican Aircraft Modeler magazine, I was quite surprised to find that none other than radio greatPaul Harvey is (or was) a builder and flyer of radio controlled airplanes. The first feature on Paul Harvey appeared in the May 1972 edition in a monthly column titled, "On the Scene." (see below) Mr. Harvey then wrote a regular column titled "Paul Harvey Views." Understandably, the column only ran for a few months - probably because of his extremely busy schedule. I did a Google search to try to find information on Paul Harvey's modeling activities, but could not find anything at all. That is when I decided to go ahead and reprint this one article from the May 1974 edition of American Aircraft Modeler. I hope he won't mind...Wright J5 "Whirlwind" 9−Cylinder Radial EngineFor a few months, Air Trails magazine ran a series of scale line drawings called "Aircraft Engine Scrapbook" which were meant to be cut out and put in a 3-ring binder. They were one-page information sheets on various powerplants of the day containing dimensions, mechanical specifications (displacement, horsepower, compression ration, rotations per minute, etc.), and a brief note on the engine's production and usage history. This drawing for the9−cylinder Wright J5 "Whirlwind" radial engine must be the first of the series because it is numbered as "−1." Interestingly, the Fokker company is included in the list of "American" aircraft manufacturers who used the J5. I thought Fokker was primarily a Germany / Netherlands company, but according to the Wikipedia entry Anthony Fokker established a presence in the United States in 1927, and eventually merged with General Motors and then North American Aviation. It is ironic that the builder of the P-51 Mustang and the B-25 Mitchell bomber...How to Fold a Bandsaw Blade into 3 RingsSometimes when I change or replace the blade on my bandsaw, I have to re-learn how to fold the blade into that nifty 3-ring configuration it has in the package when new. Even with trying to carefully note how the new blade unfolds, it can still difficult to get the old blade back in its original format. It can be confounding and almost seems impossible to be able to fold the stiff blade into that third loop without bending it. In fact thebandsaw blade folds quite easily when done properly. This time after figuring it out once again, I decided to make a video of the process. There is probably a complicated equation in knot theory which mathematically described the complex curve formed by the folded bandsaw blade...FOD Discovered on Mars!This is kind of weird. It's either a phenomenal discovery or bad news for the Ingenuity coaxial helicopter making the airborne rounds on Mars. The video clip shows the 'copter descending without anything hanging from its landing gear leg, and then there is a wispy object dangling from it after taking off again. It looks like a weak water flow from an aerated faucet - which obviously it cannot be - or maybe a piece of Saran Wrap - which it also cannot be (... or could it be litter from a Martian's sandwich?). NASA has designated it asForeign Object Debris (FOD). It'll be interesting to learn of NASA's conclusion.Build the S.S.P. HelicopterImagine if your path to flying an R/C helicopter involved first designing, then building, and then troubleshooting the contraption. That was the burden of pioneers. We have people likeS.S.P. Helicopter designer Gene Rock to thank for being able to enjoy the state-of-the-art models that are available today. This article from the August 1972 edition of American Aircraft Modeler magazine describes the process of machining all the metal parts for an Enya .45-powered craft. Mr. Rock even designed a very successful mechanical gyro for keeping the tail under control. If you have ever tried flying an R/C heli without any type of gyro (I have, on a DuBro Tristar), you will fully appreciate what a pleasure it is to not have to manually counter torque changes (throttle) with tail rotor stick input from the transmitter. Around 2008 I bought a Blade MCX2 coaxial rotor helicopter for flying inside, and the gyro is so good on that thing that you can put it in a full speed pirouette...That Feminine Touch - AMA '59 NatsAs I have written many times, the lack of proportional representation ofwomen and girls in the model airplane realm is not because when they do show up, no attention is paid to them. In fact it is just the opposite. Go to any flying field of any type - R/C, C/L, or F/F, and watch what happens when a girl shows up with a model if you doubt it. In 1960 and in 2022, and all the years in between, the fairer sex is sought out and highlighted by model aviation magazines. They are never exploited, ignored, or criticized - just the opposite. You can be sure that any female model builder/flyer and/or contest official receives due attention and credit. The 1959 Academy of Model Aeronautics Nationals (Nats) is a prime example of that which I claim to be so. Many other examples can be found in the articles posted here on the AirplanesAndRockets.com website...How Douglas Created the DC-3"We celebrate National Aviation Day with a look at the world's first successful commercial passenger transport airplane. TheDouglas Aircraft Company was a pioneer in early aviation and produced a number of different aircraft. However, it is best known for its DC−3, among the most important aircraft ever built. In Part 1 of this two-part series, the genesis of Douglas Aircraft and the DC−1 and DC−2 were profiled. The DC−2 Started the Revolution As recounted in Part 1, the DC−1 and DC−2 were developed after a request by Transcontinental and Western Airlines (TWA). What was then United Airlines was TWA's rival in transcontinental air service, using the Boeing 247. Because Boeing (then named United Aircraft and Transport Corporation) also owned United, TWA sought an aircraft that would allow it to compete. Douglas and his talented team designed and built the DC−1 in 1932-33..."Auto Progress: Down Memory LaneAir Trails HOBBIES for Young Men magazine, which was published in the 1950s and 1960s, covered a wide array of subjects including model cars, boats, trains, rockets, and helicopters. It may have billed itself as targeting young men, but men of all ages enjoyed its monthly contents. The December 1945 edition had this spread on some early cars such as thePierce Silver Arrow and 1922 Durant. The image of line drawings and brief descriptions would also make a good wall poster if you want to print it out. If you are a vintage car aficionado, then most likely you have visited the Jay Leno's Garage website. He has one of the nicest private collections of antique automobiles and motorcycles in the world...Rockets & Missiles on Display at Udvar-HazyOn May 10, 2012, Melanie and I visited theSteven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the National Air and Space Museum, in Chantilly, Virginia. It is the first time we have ever been there, although we have been to the main museum in Washington, D.C., two or three times. The collection of airplanes, helicopters, rockets, spacecraft, and associated engines and paraphernalia is utterly amazing. Unfortunately, we only had two hours to take in the entire experience, so we rushed around taking pictures and reading as many of the placards as possible in that time. It is at the same time both heartening discouraging to see the names of wartime manufacturing companies that no longer exist due to consolidation or the exporting of work to other countries - even enemies like Red China...Starting Control Line CombatAccording to this 1960 Air Trails magazine "Starting Control Line Combat" article, the contest event first appeared in the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) rulebook in 1950. Hard to believe that was 72 years ago as of this writing. Control line combat remains a very popular sport today, and is one of the relatively few aspects of the hobby which has not changed considerably. Engines have gotten more powerful and reliable, and building materials have improved, but the basic outline of the airframe is about the same. The story reports on combat rounds having up to five planes flying at once, duking it out for air superiority. Too bad there's not a video of it with all the flyers trying desperately to not become entangled in each other's lines or even keeping out of each other's way. There must have been a lot of smashed balsa after that event. Anyway, this article provides a lot of detail concerning all aspects of model construction, engine and fuel tank setup, and flying. Interesting fact: In the early days of control line combat, prolonged inverted flight was permitted...Blade 230 S Helicopter Parts for SaleMy Blade 230 S Smart R/C Helicopter had an unfortunate meeting with my foot. The result of my stupidity is broken fuselage frame, blade holders, and a bent tail boom. That appears to be the extent of the damage. I could buy the parts to restore and fly it again, but I'm not that interested at this point. Prior to the Big Foot incident, I had about 50 flights, all in the Stability mode, so it has not been subject to strenuous conditions. Instead, I am offering all the components shown here for a total of just $175 (+shipping). The BNF version of the Blade 230S helicopter (which this is, purchased from Horizon Hobby in March of 2022) currently costs $249.99 - although as of this writing they are on backorder. There are well over $300 worth of parts here (including spares) that would make a good investment for excusing your own mishaps...Flying High at Zero AltitudeMy flight simulator software (MS Flight Sim 2002) and computer it runs on (HP i7 notebook) are each more powerful than the software and computer that ran theDouglas DC-8 pilot training simulator featured in this 1958 article in Popular Electronics magazine. Two racks of 1000+ vacuum tubes did the figurative electronic heavy lifting while massive DC motors did the literal physical cockpit heavy lifting. The computer needed to handle as many as 40 variables at one time, including 6 differential equations of motion. 100 servomotors, 540 amplifiers and 2,200 gears drove the instrument panel gauges, dials, and movie projector mechanisms. The instrument panel description conjures images of the inside of a modern office-grade copying machine with its very dense conglomeration of gears and axels...Cockpit Details for the Scale ModelModern day scale models are amazingly detailed with functional miniature instruments, control yokes and joysticks moving in unison with stabilizer, rudder, ailerons, throttle, and others. Access to relatively inexpensive 3-D printing, laser printers, and laser cutters has greatly enabled scale modelers. The state of the art has advanced for far that competition is extremely stiff. Even so, in the 1960's when this "Cockpit Details for the Scale Model" article appeared in Air Trails magazine, the skill level was quite impressive given the resources available at the time. This particular subject is an instrument panel for a Piper J3 Cub, but photos from scale contents of the era showed highly detailed cockpits for civilian and military aircraft...Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge"Sustainable air travel has made big progress over the last two years. Many airlines and carriers have exploited the opportunity afforded by the drop in passenger numbers to scrap older, less economic and less efficient planes. Planes spew out carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxides (NOx), which also helps form ozone in the upper troposphere. They also emit particulates and leave water-vapor trails (contrails), both of which trap heat. Sustainable air travel has made big progress over the last two years. With airlines and plane manufacturers keen to improve their environmental credentials, one simple solution is to power aircraft with bio-fuel, known assustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the trade. Existing aircraft can use jet fuel mixed with 50% SAF without needing to be modified in any way. Doing so can slash emissions by up to 80% compared to ordinary jet fuel, with Rolls-Royce and Boeing having already carried out test flights..."A-justo-jig and Great Planes Wing JigSometime in the 1970s, a radically new model airplane building tool appeared in R/C Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, and other model aviation magazines - the "A-justo-jig." It was pitched as the answer to all the many misaligned wings and fuselages that were preventing everyone from being a world class radio control and/or control line pattern flyer and/or scale master. Undoubtedly, use of a jig to align and hold in place ribs, leading and trailing edges, fuselage side and formers, etc., did/does result in a more perfect model airframes; however, in the many hundreds of model aircraft building articles I have seen in magazines, to my recollection not one featured an A-justo-jig. Many showed custom jigs designed by builders, but none in a commercial jig. Sometime in the 1990's Great Planes introduced a Precision Wing Jig...Dynamic Attitude-Aware Motor Speed Control for E-Powered Control Line AircraftThere is currently a big shift from internal combustion engines to electric motors for powering model vehicles of all sorts - airplanes, helicopters, boats, and cars - and of all control modes - autonomous (free flight), radio control, and control-line. The state of motor and battery technology has passed the point where the weight and thrust available with electric power meets or exceeds that of engines for most applications. I'm throwing this idea out to companies like Winged Shadow Systems, who make some ingenuous peripheral products like the How High altimeter and the Thermal Scout thermal detector, and the Sky Limit altitude/time limit motor cutoffs. Surely those guys can design and affordably market a dynamic, attitude-aware motor control for electric-powered control line airplanes. I provide here a basic outline of the concept, what I title "A Programmable Dynamic Attitude-Aware Motor Speed Control for Electric-Powered Aircraft©." While its indented initial application is for control line aircraft, it is possible to extend the usage to free flight and other modes of flight...Construct a Solid of the Army's New Martin "167"Plastic model kits were rare in 1939. For that matter plastic "anything" was rare at the time. It was not until after World WarII that injection molded plastic was commonly found in commercial and household items. Accordingly, the majority of small static display models were carved from balsa, basswood, pine, or other soft woods with straight grain and no knots. Many craftsmen honed their skills carving, sanding, painting, and detailing solid models such as thisMartin 167 bomber which appeared in the December 1939 issue of Flying Aces magazine. Boats, ships, cars, trains, trucks, and other types of vehicles and equipment was commonly modeled, for both military and civilian varieties. In one of the vintage modeling magazines - possibly Flying Aces - there was a photo of a guy with his extensive model of a circus, including tents, beasts, human performers, transport trucks and trailers. Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes...Please see theAirplanes and Rockets Homepage Archives for previous items of interest...