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 When building my
Enterprise-E
control stunt airplane, I knew that the amount of control surface throw available
for both flaps and elevator was extreme, but I wanted to have the reserve capability
in case it was needed. It was definitely NOT needed! Fortunately, because
of the way the top fuselage hatch is designed for removal there is easy access to
the flap control horn, and thereby the ability to move pushrod clevises around to
decrease throws. Even with doing that, however, the model is still very sensitive
to control line handle movements. My only solution was to obtain a control line
handle with line spacing less than the 4-1/4" on the stock Sullivan handle. That
spacing has been a little too much for other models as well, so an alternate handle
would be nice anyway.
 I have always admired the custom wooden control
line handles built by other modelers, so it seemed like the logical thing to do
for myself. Fortunately, my daughter's step father-in-law, Glenn Samuels, owns and
operates GPS Hardwoods,
in Kernersville, North Carolina. He graciously provided me with a couple end pieces
off 1-1/8" thick planed walnut boards, so along with a couple other small projects,
I used it for this custom adjustable throw control line handle. If you are a woodworker
and need very high quality walnut, cherry, or sycamore furniture-grade material,
please contact Glenn.
Dimensions were determined from the size of my hand and shape of my grip. Overall
height worked out to about that of the Sullivan control handle. Finished thickness
is around 1" at the back of the handle, and then I filed and sanded the interior
to conform comfortably to my fingers. A piece of 3/32" thick by 7/16" wide aluminum
bar is drilled in pairs of holes spaced 2-7/8", 1-7/8", and 7/8" apart
(nothing special about the spacing, BTW). The inner
holes will probably never be needed, but they help make the handle lighter
(just kidding). Other hole spacings can easily be
accommodated simply by replacing the entire aluminum bar with another. Eye bolts
with 4-40 threads, washers, and locking nuts are installed to provide the elevator
throw setting. Line length equalization is accomplished with a 6-32 bolt, a couple
washers, and wingnut. The finish is four sprayed coats of Minwax semi-gloss polyurethane,
with light sanding between coats. Brass wood screws hold the aluminum bar to the
wooden handle. The safety thong is a leather shoelace.
Posted September 9, 2024
(updated from original
post on 1/9/2016)
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