Reamer (oz14056)

About this Plan

Reamer. Control line 1/2A Team Racer model.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Update 7/9/2022: Added article, thanks to RFJ.

Quote: "Reamer. Team Racer for novice events. World-famous USAF record-holding modeler gives prescription to pep up any club: A/2 TR.

It was early in the spring when the Palm Beach, Fla, Cloud Busters voted to try something a little different in the way of a monthly club contest. After a number of suggestions we selected a Half-A U-control event because the Juniors would be able to compete along with the Senior and Open members. It was decided to use a plane that had somewhat the proportions of a Team Racer or Proto Speed ship. After much discussion we hit upon the following rules:

1. Engine displacement not to exceed .049.
2. Fuel tank not to exceed 1/2 fluid ounce.
3. All planes to fly in a counter-clockwise direction.
4. Minimum wing area of 35 square inches.
5. Plane must have a dummy pilot with clear vision cockpit.
6. Plane must have a fixed landing gear.
7. Engine must be cowled with the exception of top two cooling fins on cylinder.

In practice these rules worked out well, and allowed the builder to use his imagination. Some really nice designs were evolved from these rules which resulted in many hotly-contested meets.

One nice thing about the Half-A ships is the fact that they can be flown on short lines. Usually it's hard to find a suitable spot to fly. This too was our problem. The only convenient and suitable place to fly was a concrete block parking lot; the catch here was that 26 ft 3 in lines were the longest we could use. So all our contests were run off on this length .066 lines.

The first several contests were speed dashes for 10 laps from a standing start. My wife, Beth, trimmed all of us with her version of the Reamer in this first race. Incidentally, this was the first plane Beth built that had an engine in it.

Later races were run for 5 miles from a standing start wtih one pit stop manda-tory. This meant 160 laps on 26 ft 3 in lines. The Reamer usually does 100 to 109 laps on this-length lines which gives a good margin of safety. The Reamer set a club record for the 5 mile dash of 5 min. 9 seconds.

If you want things to really get hectic, try flying two or three of these Half-A's at one time. That's when things really get hot. We have flown three ships at once on 26 ft 3 in lines and that was really something to see.

On 35 ft lines these little ships can be flown in heat races the same as full-size Team Racers.

So if you want Something to give your club activities a shot in the arm, try Half-A Team Racing. It worked for us and it can work for you.

Construction: The Reamer is designed around a Cub .049X, although any other engine can be used by altering engine and cowling to suit. I use the Cub .049X because it is a rugged, simple to mount engine that has easy starting characteristics hot or cold and isn't a fuel hog.

First, cut (former A) firewall out of 1/8 plywood, drill engine mount holes and holes to wrap landing gear to firewall. Mount engine to firewall using 4-40 bolts and blind mount nuts. Bend landing gear from 1/16 spring steel wire and wrap securely to firewall with .020 copper wire, and securely glue wraps and landing gear to firewall. Cut formers B, C, and D from 1/16 medium hard balsa. Cut sides of fuselage from 1/16 medium hard balsa and mark former locations on them. On a level place lay out fuselage and securely clue all formers in their proper places..."

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