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This November 1961
installment of American Modeler magazine's "Sketchbook - Hints & Kinks"
column has a very interesting alternative to the traditional "stooge" that is
used when a helper is not available to assist in launching a control line
airplane model. The drawing is a bit confusing, but what's going on is the flyer
starts and holds the model at a point just outside the dashed line circle, and
the pole is set midway of the diameter of the circle. That gives the airplane
half the circle to take off before it is free of the pole. Then, it is flown
normally. I can see where, as the inventor states, the process could be a spooky
until the flyer has gotten used to it. The risk, as I see it, is that if the
model lifts off and clears the pole before making its half circle, the control
lines will go slack until the the plane flies out far enough to tighten them
again. It probably requires the pilot to be prepared to step back quickly to
keep the lines tight. There is also a unique method for using a timer to stop a
Cox engine with a built-in fuel tank. When a separate tank is used, the timer
can pinch off the fuel line, but here, in the absence of a fuel line, it pushes
a rubber plunger against the air intake hole at the back of the engine. Read on
for other good ideas.
Sketchbook
 Got a new idea for construction. adjustment or operation of model planes. boats
or R/C? "AM" pays $10 for each "hint & kink" used. Send rough sketch and description
to Sketchbook. c/o American Modeler. Please note that because of the very large
number of submissions, none can be returned to the sender.
Otto Lion, Mountain View, California, bandsaws shaping tool from block balsa, lines
it with sandpaper, gets uniform airfoil contour at leading edge for more efficient,
better looking wing.
Flood-off engine timer adaptable to several types of Cox engines involves replacement
of Tick-Off timer pointer with actuator arm, linkage to air choke. No drilling needed.
From Donald Brown, Omaha, Nebraska.
Control model handle, trimmable in flight, contributed from Uruguay by A. Grattan.
Knurled knob, turned to right or left, adjusts lengths of leadout lines from handle
automatically.
When scale location of steerable tail wheel is too far forward for direct linkage
with rudder of R/C model, Ross Smith, Gagetown, Michigan, rigs additional rudder horn
and pushrod to tailwheel arm.
Easy transfer of sheet balsa part outlines to stock is possible, sez James P.
Vogt, Cincinnati, Ohio. Color dope dabbed through stencil patterns leaves sharp
outlines, strengthen parts.
Possible successor to "stooge" is Francis Hareslak's (Old Bridge, New Jersey) control-line
auto-launch. First half circuit is tricky, admits inventor, but the set-up works.
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