Flying Aces Club - Hip Pocket Aeronautics

Editorial
by Ronny Gosselin
Hi! To all low and hi flyers!
It is with great pleasure that we finally got to the second
edition of the Harfang Chronical and mail. This Chronicle is
free, and you are welcome to print it, give it away, or redistribute it through email.
After reading the dozens of letters sent to your editor, I am
publishing the two most interesting ones. The first, from
the famous Zorbach (the pilot that fear itself fears...) and
the other from our friend Russ Brown, with some inputs on
the Pour le Mérite medals that are so coveted.
I also included the answers to the Mystery Airplanes, and I
hope to see some of those magically appear on a judging
tables soon (I should have my fiction flyer by next year).
Congratulations to the only good answer to the mystery
aircraft …Mister John Cooper, from Ottawa. You are the
winner of eternal fame!!!
No one saw that the twin engine aircraft is the SO 7010
Pégase, of French make. It had two V8 engine coupled
together, and they were designed to work separately! Ah!
those Frenchman! Got to love them…. I can't wait to see
who will build the little mono wheel biplane in peanut
scale….sounds like a winner in the “Wow cool! What is that
thing?“ category… (the best category if you ask me!).
Has anybody asked yet my friend Bruce Foster the in depth
reason why he calls is winder attachment G-string? Just
wait for him to turn red and start giggling… Bruce also
deserves a good round of applause for winning the
“Harfang winter challenge”. He came all the way from Philly
to fly in a hurricane type wind!
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Keep the letters coming, and there is more eternal fame to
win.
And remember:
Have fun flying, and forget about good nose moment and
huge surface area, go for the Oho OHohohhh AAAAHH
AHAAAAaaaa category.
Think of Chris Starleaf with is amazing B47, or Greg West
pioneer, pusher, canard, biplane thing… a Fairey
Aerodyne… or Vance's Skroback…
Ronny
Squadron Leader FAC 71
ronny@total.net
Flying Aces Club
Join the fun, join the Flying Aces!
Please send $18 for U.S. members, $25 for Canadians, and $30
for overseas, for a one-year membership, to:
Flying Aces Clu b
General Headquarters (GHQ)
c/o: Ross Mayo C.inC.
4207 Crosswinds Drive
ERIE, PA 16506 - U.S.A.
The Harfang News & Chronicle
Thank You!
Wawayanda, N.Y. - Fall 2009
WWII Mass Launch Report
A big thank you to all our contributors, for the many hours
spent arguing, as well as collecting and preparing this
Chronicle:
 Bernard Dion
 Giorgio Toso
 Gisèle Guilbert Gosselin
 Gustavo Durieux
 Luc Martin
 Octavian Aldea
And of course, our Squadron Leader,
 Ronny Gosselin
W
by Luc Martin, aka. Fantomas
First Officer of Sqdr. 071
e were only 16 on the line, maybe a few more, for the
merciless combat that was about to take place above the
Wawayanda battlefield.
We were here to recreate the battle of France; therefore
Polish, Belgium and Dutch airplane had their chance before but
had been already shot down.
There was a bunch of bad guys, namely the axis forces
(German, Italian and Japs), and the good guys, the allied:
British, American, French and Russian. Japanese and Russian
were a bit ahead of the time for the battle of France but “what
the heck”, the more the merrier.
Like to write? Want to join the gang?
Please get in touch with us, and send your material to
ronny@total.net.
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
Here are the good, the bad and the photographer:
From left to right: Ronny Gosselin, kneeling and taking
pictures, Luc Martin - Arsenal VG33, Chris Starleaf – P51D
(wearing an anti-collision orange day glow tuque), Walt Farell
- Fiat G-55 desert camouflage, Rich Weber - Dewoitine D520,
Dave Mitchell - Tempest MKII, Peter Kaiteris - Ta 152, Doug
Beardsworth (tallest in the line) - Grumman F4F Wildcat, Paul
Stott - Fiat G55 dark green, Greg West - P51A, Dick Gorman Yak 3, Stew Meyers - Mig 3, Tom Nallen2 - Boulton-Paul
Defiant, Mark Fineman - P-63 Kingcobra, Jerry Crawmer R-10, Jim Hemmel - Messerchmit BF109F and (shy) Dallas
Cornelius with Ki-61 Hien, just outside the frame.
On our first mission, I was flying an Arsenal VG33, flanked
by "Wingnut" my trusty wingman with his brand new Dewoitine
D520.
We took off, climbed to 1000Ft, leveled off, then set our
course North, in fact, wherever the wind will push our wings.
The sky was clear, the sun was shining. A day full of great
expectation was ahead of us. We new the enemy was there,
somewhere, already in the air or maybe in our side on the field.
Who knows what fate we will meet. Hey Paul! Nice Fiat G55
you have there... Are you part of the bad guys?
Like in the Battle of France, the brilliant Arsenal fulfilled his
mission. During that patrol, I spotted a lonely German plane
flying low, well into our territory.
I notified my “wingnut” of the enemy presence, then dived on
the unaware German airplane. While I was closing in, I
recognized the characteristic shape of a Bf 109. The German
tried few brutal evasive maneuvers, but in vain. I kept his
airplane in my gun sight. I opened fire at close range and it
went down, after collecting a couple of direct 20mm bullet hits,
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courtesy of the dependable engine-mounted Hispano-Suiza
cannon.
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze-UhKK6E9E
When I leveled up my airplane and throttled back the engine,
I looked for my wingman to confirm that kill. I was alone in the
sky.
Wingnut must have been attacked by another “Gerry”, and we
got separated in the ensuing “mélée”.
After my return to base, I had to wait a few minutes that
seemed like hours to me. The next mission was scheduled
right away. We could not wait for him any longer. The enemy
was invading our territory. We will honor our fallen comrades
when time will allow. I was credited for that victory thanks to
my gun camera. I have learned after the war that the pilot
name's was Jim Hemmel.
First flight casualties:
1.Mig 3 Bf 109F
2.Desert camouflage G55
3.Hien Ki-61
Good guys: 1 down
Bad guys: 3 down
I took off for the second time of the day, for a lonely visual
reconnaissance mission to locate the enemy troops and
estimate how fast they were progressing.
Except for contrail in the East, indicating aerial combats at
high altitude, I did not make any contact with the enemy nor
see any German ground troops. Not finding anything on a
recon mission is a disappointing experience. After a few
seconds that felt like hours (time too is also subject to scale
effects) this painful disappointment was starting to leave place
The Harfang News & Chronicle
going on. I feared not. I knew my guardian angel was with me
in the cockpit. It was my grandpa Marcel, who had also fought
the Germans, from Sept 1939 to May 1940, in an AFV, a
Panhard 178. I could feel his hand on my shoulder. With him
on my side, I was ready for anything.
The big black funnel suddenly opened up to a white powdery
field. I said to myself: that’s it, the free flight heaven! The air
was calm and the propeller was windmilling in silence ahead of
the engine. I was ready to meet the great creator (I can't
believe what load of crap I could invent to make myself
interesting!)
to apathy, when I spotted an aircraft flying on a parallel course.
It was a Wildcat returning to base. It had suffered some battle
damage. I decided to escort him all the way back home. I flew
beside the brave pilot and his wounded machine, providing
moral support and protection until we reach friendly territory.
Physical and mental fatigue took his toll, and the third
mission will prove to be fatal for me.
To escape from the closing “Wermacht”, we had to evacuate
our base and move down South to safer ground. I took off and
set course for our next home base. En route weather was good
then, after a while, it deteriorated rapidly. Without warning,
thick clouds started to form across the horizon. I was still far
from my destination and I started to doubt I could find an
alternate airbase. As minutes passed, I was surrounded by
black clouds. I was attracted in a big swirl forming right
ahead. I shoved the throttle forward (backwards... For French
aircraft?) and kicked left rudder. Nothing happened. My plane
did not respond to my inputs. I was about to be swallowed by
this strange weather phenomena. Something unusual was
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After a few minutes, I felt the gravity suddenly pulling me
down and I had the acute sensation of falling. I was getting out
of the “yogurt” not knowing exactly were I was nor how long I
had been there. The petrol dial gauge was about to hit the
zero mark. I was out of gas… hey.. I mean rubber...
Failed to return from 2nd flight:
1.Dewoitine D520
2.Tempest II
3.P51A
4.Boulton-Paul Defiant
Good guys: 4 down
Bad guys: none
I noticed a river and a P51D, who had to belly land, he too
probably short of petrol, 100 meter short of the river. Clever
decision, Chris!
I continued downwind, hoping to fly over the river on my last
fumes of gas, but in vain.
A close row of tree was about to jump in my face. No time
to think: I pulled the canopy release handle, rolled the airplane
on his back and bailed out in a split second.
The Harfang News & Chronicle
On my way to earth, I watched my faithful arsenal crash in
the deadly trees.
I could not retrieve the airplane on time for the next and last
mission.
4th and last flight result:
1st: Yak 3
2nd: P51D
3rd: G-55 dark green (holding wing with is right hand…)
Missing in action 3rd flight:
1.P-63 Kingcobra
2.F4F Wildcat
3.Karakov R-10
4.Ta 152
5.VG-33, prisoner of a tree
Good guys: 4 down
Bad guys: 1 down
When war was finally over, I learned what happened to my
trusty wingman "wingnut", who disappeared in his Dewoitine
D520 during that historic day. He had run his engine very lean
and went over the channel to land in the middle of the next
patch of grass known as Great Britain, probably a mile away
from home base, setting a distance record. It is a remarkable
achievement for a 16 “ wing span. He joined the Free French
group, and carried on the fight for the next 4 years against the
enemy.
So it was the end of the battle for the French airplanes,
outnumbered, defeated, but proud and convinced that victory
was within reach.
As Wingnut would say later in the officer’s mess, around a
cold beer: “It is the first time I got eliminated of a mass launch
because my airplane flew too well.”
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWjT4NNp4Vk&feature=related
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Picture by Tom Hallman
Editor's Note: A special Thanks to Chris Starleaf for making the
extra-long trip from Chicago to be with us, and amaze all of us
with his magnificent airplanes.
Appendix:
Rescue Mission behind the Enemy Lines
I had barely enough time to bail out before the tree line, and
while hanging from my parachute, I watched my airplane crash
into the trees. To my astonishment, the rescue team was
already there to pick me up. Talk about efficiency!
The Harfang News & Chronicle
I was anxious to find the airplane; I did not want this state of
the art fighter to fall into enemy’s hands.
by one inch diameter, both found on the spot. With the other
end of the rope knotted around my wrist, I threw the
and a rope long enough to reach the branch. I decided to go
back to our base and organize a retrieval expedition.
Stew Meyers lend me his retrieval kit (a 100gr dead weight
plastic bottle (cap was on) acting as a life-buoy then pull gently
toward our side of the river bank.
Sound like a good plan, doesn’t it?
After a five minutes search, I located it in a tree on the river
bank, hanging propeller down from a branch, 10 meters (30 ft)
right over the water. knew I would need special tools: a pole
attached to a nylon string) and Wally Farell lend me his orange
telescopic pole. I also grabbed a roll of duct tape from Ronny’s
tool box.
Back to the river, also known as the “English Channel”,
accompanied by the Nallens (father & son) and Sue, the limo
driver and life saver in her free time. Nobody knows... Sue
could make a big difference if one of the rescuers accidentally
ends in up the drink.
We elected to use the string to pull and bend the branch
over the river bank and free up my bird.
After a couple of attempts, I managed to catch the right
branch with the rope and before starting to pull, I asked Tom
Nallen II to extend the telescopic poll to use it as a back-up
just in case the airplane fell in the river.
Tom was extending the pole when he noticed that the end
cap was missing.
We looked for it for 10 minutes, then eventually gave up.
The darn thing must have fallen in the water! River: 1, Rescue
Team: 0 This won’t be easy.
The pole was too short anyway to reach either the plane in
the branch or in the middle of the river. I needed another
back-up system after it became obvious that a ditching would
be inevitable.
I cut half of the unused rope and duct-taped the end to an
empty plastic bottle and a piece of dead branch 18 inch long
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contraption in the middle of the stream to practice and to
gauge how far I could reach.
The idea was to cast it over the floating plane, with the
So here we are, Tom is pulling on the branch and shaking it
to free-up the airplane. I am 10 meter down stream, ready to
catch my baby once in the water, if it floats. Will it?
The Arsenal did an academic ditching, flat on her belly and it
was coming toward my position. I threw the contraption and
watched in horror… that stupid invention of mine, splash a few
inches short of the fragile bird. The darn rope was too short
and we watched with dismay the plane floating away down
stream. In retrospect, if the rope had been 12 inches longer,
the contraption would have landed directly on the airplane.
Bushes on the river bank were too dense and prevented us
to follow the fast floating plane… God knows for how long!
So we rushed back to the road to follow it, and eventually we
lost it after a minute of chase. Great, an OOS on water, sounds
like a fisherman story!
Tom Nallen II and Sue took the golf cart and went around to
the other river bank.
Tom Senior and I walked 100 yard downstream, as fast as
possible, and I went down the river bank again, hoping for a
miracle, and waited.
Nothing… after 5 minutes… Still nothing.
Was it gone by already? Did it become a submarine and pass
unnoticed? Was it jammed somewhere? All those questions
went through my mind.
The Harfang News & Chronicle
Tom and I started to walk up-stream, our four eyes scanning
for floating debris. After a slow 30 yards battle against the
bushes, we finally saw the plane on the opposite shore.
We called the motorized team, and guided them toward our
position. Tom II picked it up easily and brought it back to us,
after another 5 minutes drive.
I was holding the rescued plane “scratchless” by the belly
radiator when a gust of wind blew it away and onto the golf
While on the subject of this competition, I would like to say a
very special Thank You to Chris Starleaf for having come from
so far way.. It was an honor to fly with you.
To be part of the next edition of this cool competition, you
can contact the contest director, Tom Hallman at:
maxfliart@hallmanstudio.com
cart steering wheel. Water must have softened the glue stick
joint between radiator and the belly. The resulting little tearout in the left wing, was the only damage directly related to my
action.
In conclusion, here is my advice: if your plane is floating
away in the river, unless it is on the edge of Niagara falls, let it
go until it reaches one of the banks.
Thanks again to everybody involved in this rescue
expedition.
The Rescue Team, from right to left:
Tom Nallen2, Tom Nallen, Sue Hook, and Luc Martin
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
The Duct-Tape Affair
or, How to Field-Repair your Craft
D
(from the Internet)
uring a private "fly-in" fishing excursion in the Alaskan
wilderness, the chartered pilot and fishermen left a cooler
and bait in the plane.
And a bear smelled it. This is what he did to the plane.
The pilot used his radio to call for help, and had another pilot
bring him:
•2 new tires,
•3 cases of duct tape,
•and a supply of sheet plastic
•
He patched the plane together, and flew it home!!!
Believe it or not!
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
cave, and all fall in on top. Fate is clear China skies!
Is nice. But, some saidink was work from Dick Knight and
, O’Doul’s Dew drink it, Lothario Doyle was do diss.
Vhat you t’ink? Maybe so, yas?
Letters to the Editor
Ronny Gasoline, Edior,
Harfan (No « G ») Chronicle und Mail,
Somewhere in Canada.
All diss submit by Professor Ahyav Zhorbach, Chief
Aerodynamiker, und Historikan from Slobovian Polyteknik
Institude.
3/15/10
Dear Msr. Ronny,
I just reading first of your publication.
like hell.
Is good
You saidink one of four mystery planes is being
“twin engine.” I t’inking it be # 1.
But, I would dun’t call it twin engine. Is two engine
ship, yas, but hafink two different motor.
The craft, name dun’t know it, is power by Pratt
and Whiskey round enchine up front. Is got Rapier Sable
“X” steam cool enchine behind, so make it abundance of
radiator put it here and there. All diss power was go to
gearbox drivink contra-props, t’inkink for to be made by
Hamstrung Stranded. Two Moss patent superchargits, one
diss side, ‘nudder one udder site, give it big speed and
high service ceiling. Is be said dat all flight
surfaces, strong like bull, was take it from Vultee
Vengeance dive bombers stold it by Japanese sympatizers
from order for goink England by Leand Lease.
Diss cobble togedder craft was operate by unfamous
Panther Squadron. Diss bad guys fly against Flying
Tigers in China-Burma-India zone. Secret base was
t’inkink for to be in India. You remember it, General
Stillwell was criticize because he walking out from Burma
after defeat dere. All peoples was said it he should fly
out so he fast regroup forces.
But, peoples dun’t know it, he get order from White House
for to walk out through India for maybe find it Panther
Squadron base. He was lookin’ good, but dun’t find it.!
Quick like hell, all Panther not seen no more!
Maybe, like all bad guy, have it secret hangar in big
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
How to translate from a foreign language?
by Ronny G.
How do you translate from unknown languages???
One cool thing about the internet is that a 5 minutes search on
an aircraft will generally give you 5 hours of reading… Problem
is, the internet includes the entire world, and different
languages are in there.
I love finding a weird web site somewhere and learning new
stuff. I am reputed for being a guy that likes to “look at the
picture” but knowing what is said in the text is also fun. It
usually includes the history, color, etc.
I often get asked by friends to translate stuff from a French
text, which is fun, and I urge people to still do it to get a “real”
translation, but for those “on the fly” translations, try using the
“Google translation” on the internet. Just go here :
http://translate.google.com/#
... and do a “copy and paste” of your text in the box . Select
auto language selection (sometime it not easy guessing what
language it is), and it automatically will give you a “ruff”
translation that is usually close enough to get the idea of the
text.
Try it you will love it. Broaden your horizons! You will not be
disappointed! Have fun! It may save you from making another
Piper Cub or Mustang...
Lt Ronny Gosselin
Letters to the Editor - Translation
THE PINKHAM FIELD IRREGULARS
SQUADRON 22, FLYING ACES CLUB
4304 MADISON AVENUE
TRUMBULL, CT 06611
3/16/10
Editor,
Harfan Chronicle and Mail
Somewhere in Canada.
I just received your wonderful publication, for
which I thank you from the bottom of my fuel pump. I
haven't enjoyed anything like it since ihe heyday of
Flying Aces magazine.
I was taken by your mystery plane quiz, and offer this
identification for #1.
You indicate that one of the four mystery planes is "a
twin engine." I believe it to be #1. But, I would
hardly call it a twin engine. It is, in reality, a two
engine ship. The following details will make this clear.
The craft, name unknown, is powered by a Pratt and
Whiskey radial engine up front.
A Rapier Sable "X" steam cooled engine is behind it,
hence the abundance of radiators placed here and there.
Their combined power was transferred to a gearbox driving
contra-props believed to be manufactured by Hamstrung
Stranded. Two Moss patent superchargers, one on either
side, gave this fighter/bomber great speed and a high
service ceiling. It is said that all the flight surfaces
were taken from Vultee Vengeance dive bombers purloined
by Japanese sympathizers from an order bound for England
as part of the Lend Lease program.
This cobbled together craft was operated by the infamous
Panther Squadron. These dastardly bunch pit their might
against the Flying Tigers in the China-Burma-lndia
Theater.
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
The location of their secret base was thought to be in
India. You will recall that General Joe Stilwell was
criticized for walking out after the his defeat in Burma.
Popular opinion was that he should have flown out in
order to quickly regroup his forces. This criticism was
unfounded, for General Joe under direct orders from the
White House, actually took a route through India to
conduct a thorough search for the Panther Squadron base.
lt was never found! It may have been, that like all
bases of such organizations, their secret hangar was in
an underground cave which collapsed on them, thus ridding
Chinese skies of this terrible plague. Could their end
be attributed to the covert and final action of Dick
Night and his O'Doul's Dew guzzling sidekick, Lothario
Doyle?
Respectfully offered by Chief Aerodynamicist, and
Historian, Professor Ahyav Zhorback, of the Slobovian
Polytechnic Institute.
in providing me with copies of the plans that were lost when I
lost my documentation coming over to Geneseo. To Duco Guru
for being the Guru and all his great advice and knowledge. To
EZ built Dave for making me buy more than I should have and
to all the other vendors, particularly Shorty's Basement for her
patience and understanding. To the Harfang crowd that are
now officially my brothers! You guys are an inspiration!. To
Joshua for outstanding models and performance. To Diane for
the dance. To the lovely Juanita for putting up with big dumb
Aussies! To Pres Brunning for just being the "Pres" and to
Gizmo for making quality parts for modellers that make all
things go so well. To Pete for his absolute unselfish gesture.
To Geoff and Matt for putting up with my BS in the tent next to
me!!! Good on ya!
And to Vance! You da man! Great entertainment. If I have
missed anyone please accept my apology but you are there in
The aboye has been translated from the Slobovian
language by Parker Brothers, manufacturers of "Scrabble"
and other games.
Letters to the Editor, from Australia
By Maurice
Special Thanks from Australia!
I would like to thank FAC and all its members for staging such
a wonderful event. In particular Ross and the Headquarters
crew for the huge effort they put in. To the Hunters for their
that wonderful memory that makes FAC G town to premiers
event.
See you all again in two years.
Cheers
Maurice
Editor's Note: Maurice is from Brisbane Australia… Thank You
Maurice for being one of "US" and travelling the globe to join in
the fun!)
kidnapping me and showing me around. Also to Jim and his
lovely wife for all their help and friendship. To Paul for
Guillows cockpit assistance and to Dave Diels for his kindness
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
Letters to the Editor
From Russ Brown
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
Product Review
I would like to mention some products I bought in the lasts
months that I really liked.
First, I tried the newly formed company by Alan Cohen “Hobby
Specialties”. I ordered a couple of big props for a jumbo
aircraft. The result is very good. After talking with Alan about
pitch and diameter, we agreed on a size. Two weeks later, I got
my props, made out of balsa. Very good, very light, very
inexpensive… everything you could want in a prop! So I highly
recommend these props.
The time I do not spend doing props, I can spend it doing other
airplanes!
Alan also sells aluminised “Ziplocs” bag for storing rubber.
After trying them out, I love them. They takes a lot less space
than the cardboard boxes. In them, rubber has NO contact
with light and air... and they are a lot easier to bring out on the
field, without worrying about “burning “ them in the sun...
I also need to point out that I actually bought all of these items,
and that I am making these statements based solely on my
opinion... meaning nobody is bribing me to push these
product!!!
Thanks guys for making these available to our small
community, it’s a real gift of love.
Ronny Gosselin
Aircraft Selection
Build a S.L.O.W. racer for the next non-Nats!!!
Here is some ideas for you guys that want to build a SLOW
racer and are missing some inspiration...
Get building, Gentlemen!
FOR THE POOR FLYER:
Alan sell lots of other goodies. Off course, Alan is THE master
for making spoke wheels, the quality is simply mind boggling!!!
Go check it out.:
http://hobbyspecialties.com/index.php
I also would like to mention a kit I bought from “Shorty’s
Basement”. The newest kit they offer, a Goodyear Racer “Ole
Tiger” is all laser-cut,including beautiful laser-cut Japanese
paper letters and some decals for the smaller details.
Everything in the kit is top notch. I did not assemble it yet, but
it is clear that all of the kits they produce are for the serious
FACers. Other goodies are checkered Japanese tissue
bearing,and countless others. Please visit their web site here:
http://www.shortysbasement.com/
Both companies offer secure payment through the Internet. A
real time-saver, if you ask me!
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The Harfang News & Chronicle
FOR THE COMPLICATED FLYER:
FOR THOSE THAT THINK THE Y WON'T CROSS THE CHANNEL:
FOR THE “ELEGANT” FLYER :
FOR THE FLYER THAT DOES NO T HAVE A LOT OF RUBBER:
I will see you on the launching line!
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Lt Ronny Gosselin
The Harfang News & Chronicle
Of Winders and Tripods...
I
by Ronny G.
often get asked what the best winder is. Personally, the one
I like the best is the Gizmo Geezer (it will wind Dime Scale to
Jumbo with ease). I have the really cool torque meter on it, but
I do not think is necessary unless you are super serious about
rubber... I am not!
Now about the Winding Stooges.
I would like to share with you the info I gathered when I was
looking to make myself a good Winding Stooge.
There are basically two kinds. The Pole and guy-wire type,
and the type built from a tripod.
Of course, it is only one guy’s opinion, but I did talk to a lot
of people about it, and built a couple different ones. The best
one I found so far is an old tripod with an adapter to hold the
Advantages of tripod stooge:
•
Collapsible in a smaller, easier to transport volume
•
Only one “spike” to drive. I was told to use an old
screwdriver (works great by hand or foot, most of the time, and
if difficult to drive in, you can always hit it with a hammer (or
your friend’s cell phone)
•
Your spike cannot slip because it is inserted in a metal
hole at the end of one the legs
•
The spike is attached directly to the tripod with Velcro for
easy transport and is secured with a string to make sure it does
not get lost
•
•
No tensioning of the cables needed
Bigger volume to “see” and not trip over when the stooge
is open (I would suggest going one step further and spray paint
it dayglow orange)
Stooge made from an old
telescope tripod. Notice there is
only an old screwdriver in the
back leg. The only modification
required is to screw a metal
bracket to the "back" leg to
insert the screwdriver in the
ground. I also attach the
screwdriver with an orange rope
to the stooge, some velcro
makes it secure for travelling.
Of course, you will need to
"wiggle" the soft foam pad to
hold the nose of the airplane.
model.
Personally, I do not like the ground-level model; it would
just hurt my back.
Have lots of hooks on your stooge for braiding motors, and
for hanging other people’s winders.
I suggest that those who want to make one do first a search
on SFA or Hippocket.
Disadvantages of the pole and three guy wires stooge:
•
Wires get tripped over
Wires do not get stored without making a mess
•
If you have hard ground or you hit a rock, getting the
•
spike in the ground is not easy, and you have to do it three
times...
Your spikes always get dirty...
For transport, you always have a long pole to store and
•
•
lug around
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All tripods come with a 1/4-20 pitch screw that you can use to
attach several special holders, e.g. for you multi-engine, etc.
Easy to transform a photo tripod into a stooge. Most people
have one laying around, or they are easy to find at a garage
sale, for very little money.
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The only modification needed to the tripod is to bolt a metal
strap to the end of one the legs for spiking the stooge to the
ground. This will not prevent you from using it to take pictures!
And now for the part that holds the airplanes:
One block of wood, a little wider than your plane motor peg,
drilled and tapped for the tripod screw, and two pieces
(sidewalls) of ply, high enough to keep the tail of your plane
clear of the support block, and you are all set.
Drill several sets of two holes at different height from the
bottom wood block, and insert piano wire through the holes in
the ply sheets and your aluminum-tubing rear peg to secure
Not all stooges are made equal... The best one is bringing a
friend/older folk/neighbor/children to hold the airplanes for
you!!!
It may cost you a couple of hot dogs on the way back, but
for sure it is "the best".
Mystery Planes #1 - Answers
Here are the answers from the first HC&M issue.
#1
the airplane to the stooge.
Make sure that your tripod is anchored solidly in the ground
before you start winding your killerblurrace entry, or you will
meet your own aircraft head-on!
Personally I prefer the “Stott” way. He uses two brass tubes
that encase the rear peg (which can be aluminum tubing, a
toothpick, or a solid dowel). If you use the two brass tubes
method, you must ensure that you have sufficient friction
between the tubes and the ply sidewalls to provide sufficient
holding force. With the brass tubes, you can still use a steel
wire for those offbeat airplanes with a hollow peg.
Skyly J 2, from the manga “Skycrawler” (The Teacher)
Homemade tripod, with sliding tube and hinge
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#2
#3
Stark A.S.20, Regnier 4D2 engine, 74hp
Top Speed 142 mph, 24,500 ft ceiling
(Flight, September 30th, 1943, p.362)
Kaczka (The Duck) Glider built by
the Polish Gliding Research Institute
(Flight, 28 March 1958, p.437)
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#4
#5
The six passengers SNCASO 7010 Pegase
Using two V-8 engines assembl ed in an X con figuration
(Flight, November 21st, 1946, p.558)
Quénaud Biplane. 238 Km/h with 35 hp?
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Mystery Planes #2
#3
#1
#4
#2
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Flash News
In The Next Issue...
Archeological News:
New unknown hieroglyphs found in an ancient Egyptian king
Tooten-Navion:
If you read this far, you must be a hopeless case, and may
be actually looking for more!
Fear not, in the next Harfang Chronicle & Mail, you will find:





Dime scale Dreadnought
Must see airplane movies
Piaggio P.119 part2
French Lessons: e.g. How to properly say “Latécoère”,
(“Lah-tay-cooh-hair”)
... and much much more...
Happy Flights and Happy Landings to you all!
The archaeologists were unable to find a meaning for this sign.
The HC&M Staff
Readers help welcome.
Great News:
L.K.A.F spokesman officially declared:
“The P-51 Mustang is no longer an endangered species.
Modeler community is invited to save all their spring energy for
modeling rare birds and prevent them to fall into oblivion.”
A message from the Lesser Known Airplane Foundation.
The End
Wanted Add:
I Would exchange my collection of ubiquitous high winger plan
(Piper Cub, Porterfield, and Cessna look-alike) against one
single “never modeled before” subject.
Lt. Luc Martin
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