Rare 1947 Model - The Comet Stratus Flies Again !

Рет қаралды 5,326

2 ай бұрын

I was pleasantly surprised by the ease of trimming the 1947 rubber-powered free-flight 32” Comet Stratus, built during early COVID by 87 year old Ed McQuaid. He asked me to fly her next time at Wawa, since he could not longer chase. I promised him a film, so here’s the result. After a few test glides to find the CG, I started at 100 & 200 hand winds, then 300. She looked ok, and only needed a slight shift of the sliding canopy & wing, which did a good job of getting the nose down on the climb. Next I stooge wound 400, then 560, and finally 750, for a nice flight over the high grass. I then moved over to the sod field, to increase my drift distance, but by then the air was dropping to 2-3mph. 960, then 1220, and finally 1450 for an ROG, with the same motor I used in the Dyna-Moe. Filmed by Tom Hallman using a Canon PowerShot SX-20, and an iPhone 11Pro & 14Pro. Music via the talented musicians at artist.io, who breathe life into my films.
Plan for the 1947 Comet Stratus designed by Carl Schmaedig, via the AMA plan service: plans.modelaircraft.org/produ...
Free-Flight Basics #1 about braiding motors: • Free Flight Basics #1 ...
Free-Flight Basics #4 about thrust plates and nose blocks: • Free Flight Basics #1 ...
*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: www.flyingacesclub.com/PFFT/Tr...
Also, these tutorials from Easy Built Models: easybuiltmodels.com/tips.htm#...
Here's a source for rubber: www.faimodelsupply.com/produc...
Rubber turns calculator: hallmanstudio.com/rubber_turns...
Article on the use of dethermalizers: www.hallmanstudio.com/DT.pdf
Badge Classic DT & spring (at the bottom of the page): www.starlink-flitetech.com/tim...
Looking for a Flying Aces Club near you? Check out this link: flyingacesclub.com/wp/about-th... If you click on the map at the area closest to you, it will automatically bring up an information request link. That request goes to FAC GHQ and also to the Squadron Commander of record for that squadron.
For more info on free-flight rubber-powered models, check these websites:
brooklyn-balsa.square.site
www.easybuiltmodels.com/
www.volareproducts.com/BUY/
www.flyingacesclub.com
National Free Flight Society - freeflight.org/
Mike Stuart's Flying Scale Models - www.ffscale.co.uk/
www.freeflightsupplies.co.uk
Flying Aces Club merchandise: www.cafepress.com/flyingacesclub
All profits support Flying Aces Club activities.
Center of Gravity merchandise: www.cafepress.com/centergravity

Пікірлер: 45

@JefferyHall-ct2tr Ай бұрын

Hi Tom! Looks like Mr. McQuaid has a DANDY flier there! People sometimes scoff at some of the Comet designs, but some of those fly really, really well! Thanks for sharing all the action! Simply fascinating!

@maxfliart Ай бұрын

I agree, Jeff. None of my friends had ever heard of this model / kit before, and I don't have a 1947-48 Comet catalog to check, but I suspect it wasn't part of the Comet line of rubber jobs for more than a year or two. Glad for Ed'd sake that it got to see air again. But I would enjoy seeing the box art at some point.

@Soapfish Ай бұрын

That plane ✈️ can really fly high up in the sky (magnificent)

@nickmartinez7574 Ай бұрын

Thank you, I was à kid again watching my favorite hobby. I'm 80 nnow!

@doveboyz857 Ай бұрын

Mr. McQuaid Sir, you built a beautiful airplane. I wish my Dad was still around to watch this with me. Bless you both, and thank you for brightening my day 🙏❤️!

@tcary1289 Ай бұрын

Beautiful! Thank you!

@michaelwhinnery164 Ай бұрын

I'd say that's a winner, if you can achieve that level of success in 8 or 9 trim/test flight's then you know you have good design. Well done Tom.

@maxfliart Ай бұрын

Thx, I was pleased....and impressed with the ship.

@harrykeel8557 Ай бұрын

I needed this video. The past few weeks have been very rough for me an my family. But just watching the simplicity of a free flight airplane circling the field takes all of the pain and trouble away. Thank you so much for this awesome video.

@maxfliart Ай бұрын

Thx. Hang in there, Harry.

@jaybird4610 Ай бұрын

Whenever I have troubles I find myself working on model airplanes. Aviation is a great therapy.

@ZUSMANELEN Ай бұрын

Magnificent built (way to go Mr McQuaid!😉), brilliant model with very good flight characteristics, meticulous and rigorous test glides & trim sessions which of course end up by many beautiful flights over the high grass🤓... Just makes me feel that I want to be there lying down in the middle of the meadow looking up at this red bird in the Blue of the sky...😃 Adding as a cherry on the top a cool music🎼 and some great video skills🎬... and you'll find yourself with a very relaxing moment and a good soothing video to watch at the end of a hard working day!!!🤗 THX a lot Mr Tom for sharing!😉😊😎

@maxfliart Ай бұрын

Thx. :-)

@UguysRnuts Ай бұрын

Hi Tom. Spectacular flights. You really brought her to life. Ed must be tickled pink.

@barryharrison5750 Ай бұрын

Loved the great build of a very unusual subject that I have never seen before and watching the flight -trial process! It's great to see a collaborative effort and I enjoyed the learning experience :) Thank you both!

@bokusimondesu Ай бұрын

Beautiful as always 😊 Thank you!

@jeffpiatt3879 Ай бұрын

It's a bigger version of the Cloud Buster. Nice!

@williamrobinson7435 Ай бұрын

Mr Mcquaid has built a lovely vintage cabin model here. 85gms without motor does seem heavy, but as you say Tom she certainly soars. This film is a great trim tutorial too. Nice one Tom! 🌟👍

@raymondo162 Ай бұрын

sheer class

@jonbaker326 Ай бұрын

Wonderful! 🇬🇧

@userTJ39780 Ай бұрын

I flew rubber powered free flight ages 8 - 14. Started RC at 14. This brings me back to my childhood! Had to climb lots of trees in the neighborhood!

@johnlouden8978 Ай бұрын

Loved it!😃

@JaneChristensen. Ай бұрын

Nice!

@johnmajane3731 Ай бұрын

You have to love the lines of the old timers. Beautiful flights. Thanks.

@maxfliart Ай бұрын

Ditto that. So many haven't see air in a long time, so this was so much fun.

@aeroearth Ай бұрын

Love the lines of that design. Flies well though I guessed it was a liitle on the weighty side. I used to cover my rubber models with lightweight Esaki tissue using 50/50 thinned dope as the adhesive. Then water shrink and finish with three coats of 33/67 dope/thinners. Didn't have the colour density of Ed's model so I have plans to add dye probably to the dope which would then get sprayed on. Very lightweight models do not necessarily fly well outside as a couple of my mates found out.

@fredjcarss7788 Ай бұрын

Built a very similar model in the 60’s. Could not afford the paper covering so I doped Kleenex hankies on. Worked fine but I had to be gentle putting dope on 🤣

@imbok Ай бұрын

It just goes to show us all that a well built airplane, with plenty of rubber, combined with a good day, is a formula for some nice flights. Is it heavy? Maybe a bit, but what great flying! Thanks for sharing. These old timers are always fun.

@randall4411 Ай бұрын

Beautiful video . The red plane in the blue sky . 💙

@strattonlad2137 Ай бұрын

Happy to see it flying!

@davidhardy879 Ай бұрын

Quite literally a " Field Of Dreams . " ❤

@Tadrjbs Ай бұрын

Tom, your usual sharp focus is off a bit on this one. What's up? Awesome old timers....both of ya. 😂

@user-xo2yo6jl3o Ай бұрын

Hasn't lost his touch as a builder. What is the covering? Is the dihedral in the horizontal tail there for a bit of extra stability in turns? Hats off from an almost 80 year old...

@maxfliart Ай бұрын

It's tissue with dope. I suspect the stab diheed was intended as such, but I don't know if it was necessary. Still, it seems to work.