The Jabberwock’s First Flights - Start to Finish - Thermal Rides

I love days like this one. This film shows the start to finish build and the first trim flights with the 1939 Jabberwock, a rubber-powered free-flight model, designed by Wally Simmers. This one was covered in "corn-buster" colors for easier retrieval in the crops. Filmed by Tom Hallman, using a Canon PowerShot SX20, iPhones 11Pro & 14Pro. Music: "The Garden" by Beneath the Mountain, "Her Land" by Carlie Fairburn, and "Captivated" by Cristof Walters via artlist.io, who breathes life into my films.
*** 10 steps to trimming a rubber model, by John Koptonak: www.flyingacesclub.com/PFFT/Tr...
Free Jabberwock plan: outerzone.co.uk/plan_details....
Badge Classic DT & spring: starlink-flitetech.com/badge-t...
Article on the use of dethermalizers: www.hallmanstudio.com/DT.pdf
13.5" Prop blank measurements: hallmanstudio.com/Jabberwock_G...
13.5" prop diameter documentation via Wally Simmers: hallmanstudio.com/Gollywock_pr...
Here's my Jabberwock story from November 12, 2023:
My energy was fading too fast, too early on Saturday night, but I was awake enough to check the forecast. I saw a rather good window for Wawa on Sunday, so I cleared the cobwebs, kicked into gear and had the car loaded by 11PM. Then I added the DT spring to the new Jabberwock’s line before I hit the sack near midnight. Still energized by the unexpected, I didn’t drift off until 12:45am, but then got up at 5:15am to get on the road.
Arrived around 8:30am to a beautiful morning, thick grass on the trim field, 100s of crows and a few passing flocks of geese. Sod farmers were harvesting in the far southeast corner. Otherwise, I was alone for the day. It was 32º when I got there, but rose to 45º around noon. Zero to 4 mph all day, with the direction flipping 90º-180º throughout. Wild. Glad I had a streamer to quickly check the latest.
The Jabberwock came in just under 70 grams, but needed roughly 4-5g of nose ballast.
After a few test glides, I started out with low winds to check the circle. I gave her a 1/20” shim of up elevator, then backed off the downthrust a couple of times. Max turns would be around 1550.
She did the circle at 400 turns, gave me a couple of circles at 600, then started to climb
once I got to 800-1200. She seemed a bit tired at start of the 1200 flight, but kept with the right circle. It looked like a so-so hand launched flight, though she kept going, and started to climb methodically with each circle. Got up to about 100’ and eased about for her first max, a few seconds past 2 minutes.
She’s not as clean and lofty as the Gollywock, but very similar to the slightly larger span Dyna-Moe, who also has a knack for finding the air and riding it. You’d think she’s ready to come down, but instead just hangs there. I’m convinced that the 13.5” carved prop is a big part of this scenario.
Next test was to get closer to max winds and try an ROG. I gave the motor 1450 turns, which just barely kept her above the grass after leaving the table. But she recovered and started her climb to around 200’ where she was in cruise mode, drifting down the field toward the shed. Still on the rise or at least holding steady, she DT’d at 2:35 and landed five sections away with a 3:05. What a flyer!
At 1:30pm I tried one more ROG, this time bumping up to 1520. The head wind helped her lift off cleanly, as she gave me another long flight that drifted to the north, and the far side of the grassy trim field. Again she DT’d, coming in just short of 3 minutes.
There were still 2-3 hours of sunlight left, but I’d seen everything and more than I had expected to see. It couldn’t have gone any better. I know that I’ve been late to the party, but that Wally Simmers has designed quite a trio.
***************
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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
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[@richard1472]

One of the coolest things about rubber power is that you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. Lovely video, Tom.

[@mitchilito99]

Tom, your videos just make me happy. Thanks for that.

[@turnermorgan1176]

Super video! Excellent flier! Thank you for the construction and the video. I enjoyed it.

[@paulnelson5314]

Zinnia must be one heck of a pilot for saving that first ROG ❤, thanks for posting Tom, awesome video

[@maxfliart]

Haha. She's learning.

[@JonSauter]

Beautiful as always.

[@shop970]

It's beyond words to tie together the video images and say what year I'm in! ( born) Because the spirit of free flight is like a child in a timeless meadow! Fabulous ❤

[@maxfliart]

Thx.

[@Lordcirdan]

Super beautiful Jabberwock! Very good video Tom!

[@charlesbola1971]

Beautiful and very relaxing.🧘‍♂️

[@michaelshimshak1173]

As always; an inspiration. Just too many boats, planes, and telescopes

[@georgehiotis]

I see the dethermalizer. Excellent video as always.

[@martinsaunders2942]

Magical! I was transported back to my youth in the 1960s. Thank heavens we didn’t have any internet, mobile phones or PlayStations !

[@oneand-only3815]

Your builds combined with your videography is inspiring. Makes me want to build again! Thank you for sharing.

[@johnlouden8978]

Such an excellent flyer from the getgo! You, sir, are a master model builder. I loved the DT flight - she looked like a helicopter heading to the barn. Thanks for sharing.

[@maxfliart]

Thx, I was glad to see the DT pop.

[@harrykeel8557]

Beautiful.

[@CheshireTomcat68]

Heart warming as always. Always satisfying to stay up until d-t.

[@rostislavpolednik2027]

Perfect! And system for propeller setup (right and down) is super.

[@luissouza5501]

Show !!!!!!!!

[@nilim9606]

C'est vidéos de construction et puis de vol sont d'une belle poésie, merci 👍

[@maxfliart]

Merci. Je suis heureux que vous les appréciiez.

[@paulhelman2376]

Simmers used the Eiffel 400 in his design series which a ls. of course french.

[@paulhelman2376]

Wally Simmers the designer was the "S" of K&S.

[@paulhelman2376]

😢Try a single blade folder.

[@paulnelson5314]

Gosh, that Dyna-Moe is one handsome airplane

[@maxfliart]

I agree. There's some serious stylin' going on with that bird. Looks incredible above.

[@edhage374]

Really fun to watch your videos,so peaceful....God bless from the Netherlands

[@XXfea]

Thank you!!

[@johnmajane3731]

Excellent video, artwork.

[@TerorEror-xr5uz]

Beautiful Plane ❤ good job my friend

[@miguelpaixao1317]

Simply beautiful. You make it just like if it was dream. Motivating everyone to do Zen modelism.😊. Thank you

[@maxfliart]

Thx. I like that. It feels that way at the field.

[@freddy7700]

Wonderfully, loving it. Greetings from Germany.

[@maxfliart]

Thx, Freddy. Glad u enjoyed the flying.

[@williamrobinson7435]

Seeing this lovely Jabberwock soi disant 'in the white', the airframe reminds me somewhat of the old KK Competitor, with which I know you're very well acquainted, as I've seen your wonderful film thereof, and it's excellent little brother, the KK Eaglet - there's a similar polyhedral and wingtip shape, as well as the cabin shape and a slightly Barnes Wallacey vibe to the fuselage construction. The logo is most ingenious, and peace, love and understanding are certainly the very things we need more of in this world, more than ever right now. Maybe with Zinnia in the pilot's seat this wish can come true, after all, magicians really ought to believe in magic! ⭐👍

[@maxfliart]

Thx, William.

[@TheMendipman]

Another great addition Tom! Noel

[@maxfliart]

Thx, Noel. I'm a bit late to the Wally Simmers party, but I'm really enjoying it.

[@bokusimondesu]

Beautiful build. Beautiful flight. And as always - your videos are amazing little stories. 😊

[@bokusimondesu]

When taking off from the table, wouldn't it be a "safer" takeoff if the prop got up to speed - ten turns or so - before letting go?

[@maxfliart]

@@bokusimondesu For sure. I normally do that, but I lost my focus in the moment. Next time for sure.

[@ZUSMANELEN]

Another Master Piece takes the Sky!!!😉 Awesome video with impressive building quality... very instructive as well🤓 Once again, the "cries of the geese" add up to the magic...😃 Very cool collection of similar models, I hope i'll have one like that one day!🙁😊 Thanks for sharing!😉🤗😊

[@maxfliart]

Yes...start building!! She's a flyer! Right off the board. Crazy good.

[@mjkluck]

Good stuff, Bubs.

[@paulgammidge-jefferson9536]

Things of beauty and joy. ❤ I love Gollywock. Flies like a dream and takes me with her. ❤ Thank you.

[@maxfliart]

Thx, Paul.

[@chrismofer]

great flights awesome work as always

[@nhschreiner]

You never cease to amaze me with the altitude your planes and the planes you video. Beautiful plane and video.

[@igorhlavaty2060]

amazing 🙂

[@stephensowell9578]

Most beautiful.

[@rafaelsuarez7415]

wow, bravoooo

[@samuelcruz9258]

Congratulations . Ese tipo de cosas son las que traen a ese niño que fuistes. Verry emotional.

[@maxfliart]

Gracias por las palabras amables.

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

WOW Tom, that J-Wock is such a fantastic flyer!! Thanks for sharing with us! Mr. Simmers was a talented designer of model airplanes!

[@maestrimq]

You are gifted .. Beautiful work.

[@masbeetleboy9169]

That was impressive to watch.

[@javiersanti4705]

Excelentes, como cada modelo tuyo... gracias por compartir

[@maxfliart]

gracias

[@GabrielPHahn]

Incredible!

[@davidquerry8869]

Your vids are always so enjoyable

[@maxfliart]

Thx.

[@ChristopheD_]

I absoluty LOVED the photo of the pilot. ❤

[@maxfliart]

Thx. I do too.

[@nicksrc908]

Nice work! What a beautiful field.❤

[@karensavarese5684]

What a great design! So attractive, and just wants to fly. Your beautiful, and light build, certainly doesn't hurt, but those early designers really nailed it?. Right? What?,,,Izzy Strong,,gotta be,,,,

[@diegobarcella6044]

Excelente👏

[@Martin-on2pp]

Beautifull!!!! It made me smile the whole video, it is in a way "a lovely" plane (I don't know if I am using the right words, I am Dutch🇳🇱). One time it is not about bigger, heavier, more expensive, faster etc... I love it. Greetings from Europe👍🇳🇱🇪🇺

[@maxfliart]

Thx, I agree. The Jabberwock is a simple model, inexpensive...one that anyone could build, yet it can bring such joy. Truly one of my best days ever with FF.

[@EASTSIDERIDER707]

Good camera work and edit.

[@maxfliart]

Thx, Glad u enjoyed it.

[@RCscale101]

Beautiful and peaceful video! I wish I had the skills to make such gorgeous fliers!

[@maxfliart]

Thx. Give it a shot. The Jabberwock is an easy build. Or try the Flying Aces Moth.

[@RCscale101]

@@maxfliart Thanks very appreciated!

[@mpetersen6]

I've never done any stick and tissue modeling. The closest l have come is card modeling which comes close in some ways. Particularily in the wing construction on some models. Only it usually requires less ribs* due to the stiffer nature of the skinning material. *not all card models requiremuch in the way of wing ribs. Some have hardly any or much beyond a spar depending on the designer.

[@maxfliart]

With ur paper modeling skills, you'd be a natural for stick n tissue free-flight. Give it a shot. Check my channel for the Free-Flight Basics series. There are also many other resources here on YT to get you going. Have fun.

[@larryfisher7056]

Pretty little bird.

[@johnmajane3731]

I have a Midwest kit of this plane. Want to build it.

[@maxfliart]

Go for it! I think the kit supplies a 12" prop blank, but the model did in fact use a 13.5" prop, as documented by Wally Simmers, late in his life. Here's the article. volareproducts.com/blog/?product=gollywock-13-5

[@user-iy5kh7gb1p]

MacBeth Act 3, Scene 3 - “…fly, fly, fly!”

[@user-cq4nq8ci9o]

Hello Maxfliart: First to congratulate you for your beautifull airplanes you build. I would like to start to build an rubber powered airplane , I dont't have any experience on this matter but I have plenty skills on restoring musical instruments, Could you please recomend a model to start and also any manual to learn how to build and tune the airplanes? Thank you!

[@maxfliart]

Thx for the kind words. I’d suggest a non-scale model that will be somewhat less of a challenge to trim. I recently created this trimming tutorial of the 24" Flying Aces Moth. Links to kits or plans of the model are in the film description. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4ive6yKiLN9e6s Check out some of the other Free-Flight Basics episodes on my channel. I’d also suggest this link to tutorials on the Easy Built Models site. They discuss selecting a first model, along with many other subjects that would be important to newcomers to free-flight rubber. easybuiltmodels.com/start.htm#gsc.tab=0 easybuiltmodels.com/tips.htm#gsc.tab=0

[@user-cq4nq8ci9o]

@@maxfliart Thank you so much Max, you gave me a lot of information. Thak you, Happy Flying!

[@willgraves5288]

Well, with Z at the controls, you could hardly expect better, could you?

[@kevinbrennan6546]

how do you wind your springs, is there a jig for that available?

[@maxfliart]

I make my own using an old, one of a kind tool that was from a flyer's estate, however Volare Products was selling a spring maker for awhile. You could ask if they still offer them, though I didn't see it on their website. The Badge Classic DT that I bought from Starlink Flitetech Models offers a good spring that works well with their reliable DTs. starlink-flitetech.com/badge-timers.php I've use their Badge Classic, but not the SLFT Viscous Timer, so I can't vouch for that one.

[@Mark-ew8dk]

Tom, I noticed some nice building pins that you used. Where did you get them? My pins are very old and need some new ones. I dislike T-pins

[@maxfliart]

Hi Mark. I bought these from a cottage industry in the mid 90s, but sadly he doesn't offer them anymore. If he did, I'll bet folks on this channel would be keeping him busy!

[@aeromodeller1]

1:55 the paper seems rather dimply. Is it specially treated? The motor is equivalent to 8 strands of 1/8". Using a turns coefficient for pretty good Tan II, I get breaking turns of 2,232. Longer flight deck is needed to get up to flying speed.

[@maxfliart]

The tissue texture is what happens after u peel it off the bond paper after going through the inkjet printer. It goes drum tight once it's on the frame. I'll try the 8 strands and see how close I can get to ur numbers. Thx.

[@maxfliart]

However, I believe it's 10 strands of 1/8". 1.25" width of rubber.

[@aeromodeller1]

@@maxfliart You are right, I miscounted. That means my cross section was also off and the estimated breaking turns would be 1,996.

[@aeromodeller1]

@@maxfliart That dimpling may help keep the tissue from warping the structures. A 6" span of tissue might shrink 1/16". Imagine the force to stretch a 6" span of tissue 1/16", that is what is warping your structure. Dimpling the tissue may shorten it by a similar amount, so when it drys, the tissue pulls up straight at true length. Straightening the dimples takes up the shrinkage. Several methods have been proposed to prevent warping. Preshrinking doesn't work because the paper was originally cast in a wet state and wetting and drying it again returns it to its original state. Crumpling works, but it is difficult to get consistent results. Sometimes it will still warp structures and sometimes it will be limp. You want the tissue to come up taught, not too loose and not too tight. Dimpling it by pressing it against window screening with a damp cloth gives consistent results. www.endlesslift.com/a-new-method-of-preventing-shrinking-tissue-from-warping-light-balsa-structures/

[@carlb5451]

When launching ROG, do you launch unto the wind or with the wind?

[@maxfliart]

Always into the wind. On the first ROG, there was very little headwind...and the turns were lower, so it took a few feet to gain some lift. At the end of the film, the headwind was 2-3mph, which helped it lift quickly...along with the extra turns. I love ROG flying.

[@dmcbride43]

Wocks rule!

[@maxfliart]

Late to the party, but I hear u Duncan!

[@DirtyBob2001]

What's so funny about?

[@maxfliart]

When u nearly dork the launch, but it recovers, all u can do is laugh and smile.

[@DirtyBob2001]

@@maxfliart I was eluding to Nick Lowe, what's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding. Love the videos btw.

[@maxfliart]

@@DirtyBob2001 Ahhh...sorry....of course. I should have known better. Now I'll need to set it up on Spotify. Thx for the reminder.