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Admiralty Forum

Riding a slightly different wind

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/16/2011 : 04:50:27

First, sometimes it feels like I'm a past owner, because it is now seven years since sailing last but I'm in hopes of a cruise this season.

This offering will be a short story.

Several years ago (my log says 2005) I traded a steering conversion kit with Buzz Marring, who then sailed a C25 in Central Texas, for a RC model airplane I think he had won at an RC fun fly event and not being his exact interest area was surplus to him and was as we say in the RC community still new in the box (NIB).

The plane was a good fit for me as it was a 1.20 size PT-19 which suited my interest area to a tee. The PT-19 was a low wing primary trainer during the WWII era and like the venerable PT-17 Stearman biplane had two open cockpits.

Out of a hanger of many well thought of planes, the PT-19 acquired from a fellow sailor holds the distinction of being the most endeared. The reasons: it is a semi scale design meaning it looks like an historical plane, it really flies well and it is the only plane I've owned that will do a tumble maneuver called the Lumcevak, invented by a Czechoslovakian and meaning head ache.

The maneuver is executed after a climb to altitude to give room for a free fall and recovery. It is entered by first doing a snap roll and after a required patient wait for the right moment, throwing the elevator from full up to full down while holding full power, full left ailerons and full left rudder.

If the snap roll was performed with the right amount of climb rate and speed, the timing of the elevator throw just right, the plane goes into a full stall and free falls and while doing so reverse tumbles. A really pretty one will have the wings somewhat level to the ground and will tumble four times before recovery to controlled flight.

It is claimed to be a four axis maneuver, using the traditional three axis of pitch, yaw and roll and the fourth being the gyroscopic force of the engine at full power.

While this has nothing to do with sailing, it does relate a story of how a trade was made between two sailors that brought a great deal of personal enjoyment. I flew that plane yesterday on one of the few warm nice days of this winter season and cranked out one of its best tumbles and from the flight line was heard a punctuated, YESSSSSSSSS.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224

N/E Texas and Great Lakes
Arlyn's Sailing Site

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 02/16/2011 05:34:23

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2011 : 07:10:49

Very Cool!

Paul

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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2011 : 07:21:08

I love to watch RC guys do there thing. Ive toyed with the idea of getting into it but I imagine it can get pretty costly as with any hobby. The planes are fun to watch and I admire there skill but I was thinking more about the RC sailboats. We have about 4 different ponds that they sail at that aren't far from me and would be fun in the late fall or early spring when I'm not sailing for real. Great looking plane.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2011 : 07:48:15

R&R must be growing air-barnacles! They're the worst kind...

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2011 : 08:39:08

Hi Arlyn,

It made my day to see your post! You did a beautiful job of building that airplane, and I'm happy that it is a joy to fly.

This is my first post in over four years. I still lurk and read posts here everyday, but I've had some serious blows over the past few years, and I can't afford to sail (or anything else for that matter).

Nevertheless, I will never give up <i>Freya</i> ... I love that boat, and I hope to get her back in the water before I am worm bait. She sits stored on her trailer, patiently waiting for me to get my act together.

Thanks again, Arlyn, and I hope you get <i>R&R</i> wet again real soon!

'Later ... Buzz

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/16/2011 : 12:48:12

Hey Buzz.... I didn't know if you lurked here yet. I check in perhaps once a week but mostly to the C250 forum.

Hope good fortune returns your direction.

I've joined the ranks of the semi retired but still enjoy being in the game with a building project occasionally.

My son in Austin who has had our Hobie Cat there for a few years shared that he hasn't sailed it in a couple of years as it needs some hull repair. Evidently water trapped in the hulls and froze and split them. I'll try to get it back to East Texas and see if its repairable.

For several years, we were blocked from traveling off to cruise because of an infirm mother in law, and the local lakes were so low one couldn't get a sailboat on them. With more time now, I might get reinvigorated into sailing again. Still have my 250 of course.

The RC field is less than five miles away and I've known a good many of those guys now for thirty five years so it has been fun and is so convenient.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.