I was reading some model aircraft magazines recently and noticed many examples of very large scale models. I'm talking of 1/3 and 1/2 scale craft that weigh 150 to 200 pounds. For example, a 1/2 scale Bristol Bulldog, a 1/2 scale Fokker triplane, 1/2 scale Stearman, and a 1/2 scale ME 109 which weighed 264 pounds and was powered with a 521 cc Hirth engine. How about a 1/3 scale ME 262 with 15 foot wingspan, weighing 74 kg with 50 kg of thrust from two jet engines. And to top it off in the jet category, a 30 foot span B-52 weighing 300 lb with 8 jet engines. Also pictured was an 80% Fokker Triplane which was so big that the man standing next to it could rest his elbow on the edge of the cockpit. These aircraft have aerodynamics similar to full size aircraft and thus fly realistically including long take offs and landings. There is also a lot of money involved when you consider jet engines at $2000-3000 each. I would guess that insurance is also required since they certainly could do a lot of damage if they hit something.

Chapter 7 has had a Heath Parasol project for many years. No progress has been made since a) no one is in charge, and b) no one can fit into the cockpit. Ed Heath was a small man and his designs reflected that, but sometime after WWII, everyone became bigger and heavier. If you look for WWII uniforms, the only ones that you find are the smaller sizes. Even I weighed 135 lb and had a 28 in waist when I was discharged. Ed Heath would have fit in that 80% Fokker Triplane. Anyway, the Heath wing could be raised a few inches and a door could be cut into the fuselage for access but.....Hey, maybe they should turn it into a full scale RC model! Of course, if you want to fly full scale models, you could join the military. You too could be a Predator pilot.

I know that we haven't had a meeting since January, but I would appreciate it if a few more of you would pay your dues. Checks for $20 payable to me please. Thank you.

Last weekend must have been the official take your plane to the airport time fo ‘05. While I was at CJ cleaning the winter off the Cygnet, at least 3 ultralight machines, fuselages at least, showed up, and found a home. I took care of the usual maintenance items like torquing the prop, replacing the bungees, and making a list of to do items for my vacation next week. Hopefully the weather will allow me to complete most of it. The list is small, oil and strainer change, torque heads, adjust valves, gap plugs, check cables and airframe. Nice simple bird.

On the Hatz front, I assembled one lower wing, and am working on the wing walk. Big question is whether to go on a diet or use thicker material. Speaking of material, a dreaded Friday afternoon trip to White Plains (by van) to pick up some aircraft plywood only added to my confusion. It seems that the nice 5 ply 1/4 and 1/8" ply I was buying in small pieces at the hobby store is not the real stuff. The real stuff that Condon’s had has a poplar core, and I don’t like it. The material I want is on its way from Anaheim, European birch (all plies). The 6mm (1/4") has 12 plies. This material is actually cheaper than the domestic stuff as well. Since the center section is the highest stressed component on the Hatz, I want the best materials I can find for it.

Check out hatzbantam.com for a look at a variant of the Hatz made to fit the LSA rules, worth the trip.

Happy Flying!

Chapter 501 at Warwick (N72) Sunday May 15 10am-4pm