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Bye Bye Blue Foamie
From: Pat Mattes email: Pat-Ingrid-Mattes@Juno.com
9732 Lafayette Center Road
Yoder, IN 46798-9723
 I actually dreaded the day this might happen, but the time has come to halt Blue
Foamie production for a while. I say "halt" because I would certainly like to resume it some time in the future. But for
the near term, I have to say goodbye to it.
It's certainly been a LOT of fun. I've gotten great pictures of all kinds of strange
applications of this beast, and as many "normal" pictures, too.
About every strange configuration you could ever dream of! I've learned a lot
about foam cutting in the process, and on a micro scale I've learned a lot about how to run a business. From the demands of
keeping up with orders to the joys of seeing such an ugly little airplane make it into 7 different magazines! From the rigors of late
hours hunched over a smoking hot-wire, to the joy of hauling a van load of boxed kits to the Post Office! Many other paradox, as
well...
Our Freeze Fly in 1998 marked the "birth" of the Blue Foamie, and so
it only makes sense to have our Freeze Fly in 2000 be the time to put it on hold for a while.
I was really torn over this decision, but as you know it would take a VERY
IMPORTANT MATTER for me to actually stop production. (Mattes child #4 is due this summer!) Better to get things halted
and finalized now, though, as I've got a lot of other items to address in the meantime.
So, a big "THANK YOU!" to all my loyal customers. You are all a
fantastic bunch of people. Total kits sold in two years was just shy of 700, and by the time I clear out my order queue and some
left over blue foam, I'm sure it will hit this value. (That's a lot of pickup truck loads of blue foam!)
I appreciate the interest people have expressed in this little endeavor, and without
the electric flight "community" behind it this simply would not have gone as far as it did. It has far exceeded my
expectations, but as I mentioned above ITS BEEN FUN!
February 19th will be the last day I take any orders in house, and will reflect that on
my web page. I will still support replacement parts, though, so current Blue Foamie owners need not fear. Delivery time might be
extended, so please be patient with me.
Again, thanks a million... Pat
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Tip from the Eflight List:
From: Ron Fikes, Palo Alto, CA email: srfikes@earthlink.net
FYI - found lightweight wheel retainers for 1/16" LG wire - use Goldberg
"Snap Nuts", #GBG362. These are nylon and fit tightly to the wire - heat the retainers with a heatgun, push wire
through - hold well, light and streamlined...
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A-20 Havoc
From: Dan Parsons email: danpars@worldnet.att.net
Ken,
I figured you and Keith would like this picture that I took of the latest in electrics
here in Albuquerque. This A-20 Havoc was designed and built by Don DeGasprei and first flown by Gary Kyle about two weeks
ago. It's around a 45 inch wing span and has a rather high loading because Don detailed it as the picture shows. Many of us
were skeptical that it would fly. Boy, were we wrong! It flies great and really moves out. Here are the specs. on this little
beauty: wing span: 45.5"; wing area: 263 sq. in.; wt.: 43 oz.; two speed 400’s; Graupner 6.5x4 props; 7 cells, capacity
unknown; probably 1200's.
I've been flying my 57" Hellcat and getting her trimmed out. Goes pretty well, but
I'm not satisfied yet---still experimenting with props, gear ratios and after things are about as good as they're going to get, will add
a couple more 1900 cells to the 16 I'm using now. The Model Tech ARC slope soarer 50" P-51 that I've converted to
electric is about ready to fly. It will have the same setup I had in the 48" Sea Fury---MaxCim motor and controller and 2.5:1 gear
box; 10 -1900 Sanyos turning a 10-8 Aeronaut. It should be a fine machine, as good or better than the S.F. All this is new stuff
(for me) lots of fun and most interesting. Really looking forward to the big meet in July.
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Lanzo "Bomber" Help Requested
From: Merle Davies email: mp_davies@yahoo.com
Hi Ken,
I obtained the uncovered carcass of a 72" Lanzo "Bomber" at a
recent estate sale. As a rather inexperienced builder, I could use assistance in the location and installation of the Electric and
R/C equipment in this unusual fuselage. I am sure one of your readers has had experience in electrifying this model, and could
offer some valuable information on producing a good flying model. I am a longtime reader of your newsletter, and have learned
much from its contents.
I am still looking for Phil Smith to explain the "spider wire" bracing on his
36 inch "Electric Playboy". Maybe a printed request will prompt him to do so. His idea is helpful in producing a light
electric aircraft. Thanks Ken for your great contribution to the Electric Cause.
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George Sparhawk’s SR Batteries X-250
From: John A. Williams email: qyetfli@home.com
Ken,
This is George's X-250. He has a really nice color
scheme. It is stock SR power system with 10 500 cells. The only non stock item is nose wheel steering, like Luther's and mine.
He put it in the air a little tail heavy on the first flight and dunked it into the water runway. That was a break as it was
undamaged. He has 4 flights on it now, and is now getting more accustomed to it. It looks just like mine in the air except it still
looks a little tail heavy to me. The position of the on off switch on mine limits the battery movement forward, so I re-drilled the
mount and moved the motor forward 1/4 inch. I agree, it is easy to get these tail heavy. I think my wing hold down system may
have caused my problem. I agree a lot with Larry's comments. I like the way it flies stock
I'm going to build an Embat. That is designed as a go fast plane.
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Toledo 2000
Here are some photos of the electrics submitted for judging at the Toledo exposition.
TlupelovTu-4 "Bull" Superfortress SovietB-29
by GeorgeMaiorana Sterling Hts. Mi.;
4 Maxcim Neo 13Y 2.72:1 48 cells 13x10
Astro-Hog (Sig) MaxCim 20 cells by Cort Hepner
Top Flight P-51 by Tom Cimato; MaxCim 20 cells 3.7:1 Planetary gearbox 15x12
Here are a couple of really neat new products that I managed to get photos of.
This is the new Astro Flight Firefly indoor motor with a
quarter to give the idea of size. It weighs 12 grams with a 16:1 or 4:1 gearbox on it. It's about 9mm in diameter and looks very
much like a "AA" pencell. On 8 cells and a Braun prop it was drawing 400mAh on 8 50mAh cells. It sold for $60 at
the show.
The Bill Griggs’ F9F Panther for Minifan 480 was very
interesting. The construction uses CNC cut foam parts and laser cut wooden parts.
The F9F Panther accepts the Wemotec Minifan 480 and Graupner speed 480 Race
BB motor. It can also use the HP 200/200-6, Astro 05 brushless, Velkom VM-2020/27, Aveox 1010-2Y, Max products CEM 480,
Kyosho AP-29 and Kontronics 400 40.
Bill notes that it is not a beginner’s plane, but it is smooth enough to be flown by
any pilot with a bit of flying experience.
Gabe Baltaian was roaming around with one of his blimps
and kindly gave a demonstration for several of us in the hallway. Thanks Gabe. Really neat piece of engineering.
Castle Creations showed off their new brushless controller. It is small, light and
efficient. It is designed for 35 amps continuous (60 amps surge) and handles the Aveox 1005 and 1010 series motors, as well as
others. Patrick’s line of controllers from the Sub Micro Pixie 7 7-amp controller through the Griffin-55 55-amps continuous (80
amps surge) are excellent.
Pica had a couple of kits that I found very interesting. They are 1/12 scale models
of the Me-109 and Fairchild PT-19. Both have numbers that look good for the same power system (Multiplex Turbo 450 &
7 2000mAh NiMH cells) I’m using in my X-250.
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Upcoming Northern Alberta Electric Fly In
AUGUST 19 & 20 (2000). Two days of general flying and hanger talk at the St. Albert Aero Modellers Society club
field near Edmonton, Alberta. Shared flying with IC powered aircraft on Friday for those that arrive
early.
Pilots choice awards for Best Scale, Most Inventive, Best of the Meet. 8 Cell
Scale event will be run only if more than three or more people are interested, draft rules will be available shortly.
Primitive camping allowed at the field (the only amenity on the field is the
outhouse). Entry fee is 10$ CDN for the 2 days. Bring your own steak to BBQ on Saturday night at the field.
Contact Guy Fawcett at (780) 987-3920 or
gfawcett@nrcan.gc.ca. for more information.
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Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology
From: Tom Hunt Email: THunt95147@aol.com
This September, the Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island are holding a "follow
on" electric meet to continue the nearly 2 decade tradition of the promotion of electric model flight in the US started by the
Keystone R/C Club of Hatfield, Pa.
The KRC members put on an excellent show for so many years. I personally
attended the last 7. Not single-handedly, but certainly, this show influenced more people to try electric model flight than any other.
With over 250 pilots and a couple of thousand of spectators the last few
years.... their "influence" was certainly being displayed.
SEFLI would like to build on this tidal wave....Many modelers have asked to
resurrect the event. There is a desire, there is a way, there is a site!!!
On Sept 22, 23, 24th of this year.... and hopefully for many years to come, The
NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology) Fair, will be held a little farther north than Allentown Pa., in Downsville, NY.
This site was acquired with the help of Joe Beshar and his friend "Ski." A campground, along the east branch of the
Delaware River, has a lot to offer, not only to the modeler, but the vacationer. The new site will obviously be closer for some,
farther for others, but the beauty of this place, and the immense flying field is worth the extra drive.
A TREMENDOUS grass field, REAL toilets/showers, more than enough room to
grow well past the size the largest KRC did, and best of all.... at a fair price to the organizers....
The meet will be "hosted" by SEFLI, but will also be supported by the
Grumman Wingnutz R/C Squadron (a mixed wet/electric club) and individuals from wet/electric clubs in the Tri-state area....
making this affair a real "group effort" of modelers dedicated to the advancement of electric flight.
Two websites to visit:
The Virtual Home of the NEAT Fair, hosted by Gabe Baltaian of NY Blimps ( a
SEFLI member, and terrific inventor) can be reached at: www.nyblimp.com/NEAT.htm
The site is still under construction and will be "fluid" for some time, visit
it often for updates.
The other is the Peaceful Valley campgrounds..... the virtual site to the
"physical" site where the event will be held. See them at: www.peaceful-valley.com
If the NEAT website does not answer all your questions, you may email us at
Neatfair@aol.com. Gabe Baltaian has done a wonderful job with the NEAT fair website
If you plan on attending (and flying) please pre-register (form on the site). If you
plan on coming but don't plan on flying, please also use the separate form there too. Both will help us and the campsite owner
plan the event.
Pre-registration fees are fully refundable, just in case you cannot make it.
Pre-registration does a few good things.. (1) it will save the modeler a few bucks. (2) It will help SEFLI plan the event (3) it will
warn us of any "overloaded" frequencies and give modelers a chance to change them if they can. (4) SEFLI is not a
cash rich club, it will allow some working capital to get the snowball started.
ALL fliers must hold an AMA or MAAC card.
There are over 200 campsites available, a few B+B rooms and two cabins. You
are responsible for making your own reservations with PV.
Although only verbal at this point... many of the "BIG" electric vendors
have pledged to come. As the vendors "officially" respond, we will list them on the site.
Response to the announcement of the event at the WRAM show was
tremendously encouraging. SEFLI will not promise a first year re-coup of all that the previous KRC's were, but it should big quite
big still!!
Event Directors have been selected for the three day event:
Tom Hunt representing the Grumman Wingnutz R/C Squadron will be the ED on Friday.
Bob Aberle representing SEFLI (host club) will be the ED on Saturday.
Joe Beshar representing the Old-Time Eagles of NJ will be the ED and close on Sunday.
Hope to see you there....
and lets all give an electric round of applause to KRC for all the years they gave us!!
Regards,
Tom Hunt and all of SEFLI
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Upcoming C.H.I.E.F.S. ELECTRIC INTERNATIONAL
June 17, 2000, Canadaigua, New York --- The field will also be open for flying on Friday and Sunday. Camping is available
all weekend (no hook-ups). AMA/MAAC license required.
There will be a number of events at the meet:
Open flying all day (except during pylon race)
Pylon racing - speed 400 & sport/piker 400
Speed run
Spot Landing
Chicken
T
imed flight
If you have any questions, please contact me at:
email: Todd Sheehan utoad@visto.com or tms@pt.com
Phone: 716-223-7523
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Second Annual E-FLI-OWA
Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10, 2000
Place: Seven Cities Sod Farm - Junction of I-80 and Iowa 130. For detailed map contact the CD
AMA Sanction #00592 *** AMA License Required
There will be a $15.00 landing fee which will include a raffle ticket for two Hitec Focus III
radios to be given away, one for each day. You must be present to win.
Flying will commence both Saturday and Sunday at 08:30 AM and end at 5:00 PM on Saturday and 4:00 PM on Sunday
This will be a fun-fly only. NO competitive events.
Buy, sell or trade is welcome.
For further information:
Jon McVay AMA 6004
5 Hillcrest Heights
Mt. Vernon, IA 42314
319-895-6527 or email: Togflier@aol.com
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River Valley Flyers (WI) Electric R/C Event
From: Charles Benner email: cjbenner@tznet.com
Phone: (715) 424-5179
 The meet will be held June 10th and 11th in central Wisconsin. Information can
be found on the River Valley Flyers site, www.rvf-rc.org
We are expecting about 40 pilots this year, and 6-12 vendors, and interest is
building rapidly in our event.
We have blocks of rooms reserved until May 5th through three different
motels: Wisconsin Rapids Quality Inn (715) 423-5506, EconoLodge in Wisconsin Rapids (715) 423-7000 and at Wisconsin Rapids
Super 8 (715) 423-8080. The weekend of our event, there will be a high-school-age State Soccer Tournament in Wisconsin
Rapids, so you need to reserve a room as soon as possible, or you may not be able to reserve a room after the May 5th deadline.
We also have primitive camping (free) at the club field (Two port-a-potties are
the facilities) or reserve a site in one of the county parks for a small fee. Sites can be reserved at the Lake Wazeecha public
campground, near the club flying field, by calling the Wood County parks department at (715) 421-8422.
Early arrivals on Friday the 9th are welcome to fly at our club field after 5
P.M. We are located within a 60-75 minute drive of Wisconsin Dells, which have many scenic parks and campgrounds, antique
stores and shopping, water park, paper mill tours, local history museums, casino, cranberry agriculture and cranberry museums to
interest the rest of the family if they would like to come along.
The local chamber of commerce telephone number is (715) 423-1830, if you
would like more information on tours, accommodations, etc. They could also put you in touch with the Wisconsin Dells Chamber
of Commerce.
* * * * *
This would be a great meet to plan your family vacation around. If
you’ve not been to the Wisconsin Dells, you are in for a real treat. Lots of fun for the whole family. The folks in the
River Valley Club are great, and you’ll have a good time at the meet too. KM
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Electric World Championships 2000
And
International Electric Flight Festival 2000
San Diego, California August 3-12
For only the second time in electric flight history, the Federation Aeronautique I
nternationale (FAI) World Championships for F5B (sailplane) and F5D (Pylon Racing) electric powered model aircraft will be
held here in the United States in August of 2000. The Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego and the Academy of Model Aeronautics,
will co-host the 2000 World Championships competition August 6-12, on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay Park, San Diego, California.
This event is limited to teams (seven official members) selected by the National Aero Club of each country represented.
In conjunction with the World Championship events, the International Electric
Flight Festival (IEFF) will be held August 3-6. The IEFF is open to pilots of all skill levels and since the F5B and F5D teams use
this event as a "warm-up" for the World Championships, electric modelers of all skill levels have the opportunity to compete
against the best pilots in the world.
Seeing this as a unique opportunity to promote electric flight here in the US,
The Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego, the host club, decided to expand the IEFF to include as many opportunities as possible for
those individuals who love to fly electric powered aircraft. Normally, the IEFF consists of four events -- F5B, F5B600 (10 cell),
F5D and a unique event known as "Sunrise to Sunset."
We have expanded the IEFF from a day and a half event into a full four-day
celebration of electric flight. In addition to the events named above, the San Diego version of the IEFF will include two additional
FAI events, F5A (Aerobatics) and F5C (Helicopters), and one they haven't thought of yet…F5B-7Cell. Since most of the US
pilots fly something other than FAI events we decided to add an American flavor to the IEFF by adding the following AMA
events: Class A Old Timer (617); Class A Sailplane (609); Class B Sailplane (611); and Fun Scale (520) for electric. In addition to
these, we incorporated a couple of NEAC events: Speed 400 Pylon and Sport Sailplane.
To further enhance the opportunity for as many pilots as possible to enjoy these
expanded events, we have, with the exception of F5B 7 Cell which will be flown with the other F5B events, scheduled them for
the weekend of August 5 and 6.
We are very appreciative for the generous support of our major sponsors,
Sanyo Energy, USA, the National Electric Aircraft Council (NEAC), Aveox, Inc., Hitec/RCD, ShredAir, R/C Direct and
Sailplane and Electric Modeler Magazine.
A special thanks goes to NEAC for a couple of reasons. NEAC is the Special
Interest Group that runs the AMA Electric Nats each year. Due to a scheduling
problem that could not be modified, the IEFF and the Electric Nats have conflicting dates. When I advised Ralph Weaver, NEAC
President, of this, he was extremely understanding and cooperative. Thanks to his efforts, we are able to hold the same type
events at the IEFF as AMA and NEAC is holding at the Nats. In addition, NEAC Past President, Doug Ward learned of the
sponsorship program and made a personal commitment to raise $2,500 from NEAC members for a Platinum Sponsorship. His
first $1,000 came from the NEAC treasury. The remaining $1,500 came from 45 individual NEAC members all across the US in
donations ranging from $10 to $100. This is truly and
organization that is dedicated to the advancement of electric flight. If you are not already a member, you should give serious
consideration to joining.
For complete information on these two events I direct your attention to the
Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego web site (www.sefsd.org) which is your one stop web
site for the World Championships and the IEFF. Please bear with us as we are continually updating and upgrading the site with
the most current information in order to make your involvement in this world class "happening" as much fun as possible. If I can
be of any assistance, please let me know.
Ron Scharck, Director
Electric World Championships 2000
Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego
San Diego, CA
619-491-0787
Scharck@aol.com
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2000 Land of Lincoln E-Fly
Saturday June 3rd and Sunday June 4th
Springfield, Illinois
Sponsored by
Knights of the Air R/C
Electric Aircraft and Helis Only!
- Food and Beverages Available Both Days
- 15 Minutes from Motels, Restaurants
- Local Attractions for non-flying family members
For more details contact: Tim McDonough, Contest Director
Phone: (217) 523-8652 (Evenings 6pm-9pm), Email: tim@mcdonough.net,
http://www.mindspring.com/~tmcdonough/knights.htm
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Sea Fury in Albuquerque
From: Dan Parsons email: danpars@worldnet.att.net
Hi Ken,
After many years flying the IC's, I recently discovered the fun and challenge of
electrics. Stopping by the local electric and sailplane field I was astounded to see what Gary Kyle was doing with his 50 inch
P-47, P-51, Hellcat and Spitfire. Over the years, the few electrics I had seen did not stir my interest, but what Gary was doing
with those fighters immediately made me think "I've got to do that."
I jumped in with both feet and built a Balsacraft 48" Sea Fury. With a
Maxcim motor and controller and 10 Sanyo 1900's I had a going machine!! I love performance and this combination provided it in
spades. It was a great flying machine that was a joy to fly (lost her in a mid-air about 3 months ago). I have a Heritage 57"
Hellcat ready to go and a 50" P-51 about ready. The electrics have gotten my R/C juices to flowing again the likes of
which I haven’t felt in quite a few years----hallelujah!
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Upcoming June EFO Meeting
From: Tord Eriksson email: tord@natverkstan.net
The June EFO meeting will be held at the Midwest R/C Society Flying Field on 5
Mile Rd, just west of Ridge Rd. The date is SATURDAY, June 3. There will be a very, very important meeting at 9 A.M. on
the upcoming Mid-Am plans. Please try and be there. There may be flying time available, if the Midwest field is not too busy.
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Experience with Cellular Phones ...
Date: 5/3/00 3:59:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: Tord Eriksson tord@natverkstan.net
Note to Ampeer Readers: While I’m sure Tord would agree, I
wanted to note that when you are flying, you should be flying and flying only. This is presented here as
precautionary information. KM
Dear Ken,
Just a short note on the dangers of mixing mobile phones and electric flight. I had a
powered Studio 'B' Avro Vulcan in my lap, powered by a Kyosho car motor, and a 8:1 Graupner gear box and a seven cell
RC2000 pack. It was not running or anything, but it was armed when I decided to make a call on phone, and as soon as I had
dialed the number the engine started to run at full speed! With the Tx on one side of me (it was on) and the plane in my lap I
never would have thought it could run like that. Happily, for this event at least, the prop collet was loose on the shaft, so I was not
damaged, just scared and puzzled.
The ESC was one of those ultra-safe Gordon Tarling speed controls, that you
have to arm by throttling fully up and then down before they start the motor. It had been armed, but I would never have guessed
that it would run when the cellular tried to contact the nearest repeater.
Further testing showed the transmitter to be totally unaffected (it was a Graupner
mc-15 - a close relative to the JR computer radios) but getting the cellular's antenna close to any metal part of the Rx, the wiring
or the pushrods set the motor off again! This with the rubber duckie antenna on the Tx in place and just two feet away! While the
Tx passed with flying colours the kit-built Rx did not! I guess any Rx would have similar problems - glad that the Tx seems OK with phones ;-)!
Do turn off your cellular before playing with your models. Had this been a big model with one of my Aveoxs, god knows if I've been around now!
We had 28+ C last week, pretty fair for March in Sweden!
Safe flying!
Tord,
Sweden
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Bob Clapp Passes
| Active EFO member Bob Clapp passed away in January. I was not made
aware of this until May 1. Bob and I spent many pleasant hours flying his LT-40. Bob was always ready to lend a hand to any
EFO project. He will be missed. |
Bob Clapp stands behind Richard Utkan at the Rushton Rd. field. |
Long Time EFO Member Doug Kursinsky Passes
 |
During the week before Easter, while working on a plane in his basement, Doug fell victim to a
massive heart attack. Doug was an active member of the EFO for over 10 years. We will all certainly miss him. We send our
warmest and most sincere wishes to his family and friends. |
 |
Return to "What's In This Issue?"
To Reach Ken Myers, you can land mail to the address at the top of the page. My E-mail
address is:
KMyersEFO@aol.com
EFO WEBsite: http://members.aol.com/KMyersEFO/
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