R Truman Special (oz230)

About this Plan

NZ 1939 Texaco class contest winner.

Quote: (from AVANZ News no.145) "In 1936 the Texas company (Australasia) Ltd presented a Brown Junior motor to the NZMAA to be competed for by New Zealand model aero clubs. The engine was sent to the cormpeting clubs in turn, and the highest duration flightmade in accordancewith the contest rules was the winner.

Models were Iimited to a maximum span of 12 feet, and could be free flight, or flown as tethered machines on the end of a line. An ROG takeoff was required, but wing-tip assistance was permitted. The engine run was limited by the amount of fuel carried, which was calculated on the basis of one eighth of an ounce of fuel for every pound of all-up model weight. Time-keepers were allowed to use binoculars to keep the model in sight. Of course the contestants had to use the special fuel supplied by Texaco!

The winning club became the owner of the Brown Junior, and the club member who made the winning flight received a trophy. In subsequent years, the rules for the contest were changed to keep them in line with other gassie contest rules, and when Reg won in 1936, the twenty second motor run rule was in force. After 1936, the engine competed for each year was a Neu Zealand made Acme, built by Bert Dacombe in Christchurch.

For the record, in 1936 the Brorm Junior was won by A Mahoney of the Pukekohe MAC, in 1937 the l/4 hp Acme was won by Doug Kennedy of the Aorangi (Oamaru) MAC, in 1938 the Baby Acme was won by Norm Ayers of the Christchurch MAC, and in1939 the l/4 hp Acme was won by Auckland MAC's Reg Truman with his Ohlsson 23 powered design. The engine he won was Iater sold by the club, and is now owned by Reis Jones.

Fortunately, Reg has an excellent memory, and has been able to produce an accurate sketch from which a full size plan has been prepared. The biggest probIem for Reg was to get the shape of the fin and rudder correct, but after study of a photograph of the originalmodel, he is satisfied that the outline shown is accurate. Reg has been consulted from time to time in order to clarify some of the details of hls model, and has in nearly every case been able to recall exactly how each part wasmade and fitted. He has even kept examples of the original Texaco and Power Chief stickers which were provided by the Texas company for the contests - Extracted from article by Maurice Poletti."

Allen Teal mailed in with this photo saying: "Have taken this new photo of the actual model that Reg Truman built. Hope that it’s helpful."

Corrections?

Did we get something wrong with these details about this plan (especially the datafile)? That happens sometimes. You can help us fix it.
Add a correction