Conference vmszoo::rc

    Just as I hit the return key to enter .0 I remembered that I have
    seen a model in one of the UK magazines sometime over the last year
    or so.                                         
    
    Can't remember if it was a build-up or just a finished model feature.
    
    Let me know if you want me to look it up and photo-copy it for you.
    
    Brian
    

><<< Note 1206.0 by HAMPS::WARWICK_B "Stay young -- keep your wheels in motion" >>>
>                             -< Brooklands Optica >-
>
>    Kay,
>    
>    In your video reviews posted Monday you commented re: the Optica
>    
>    "Sure wish those plans would be published ..."
>    
>    Well you just rubbed the magic lamp -- and I am your genie.

Hot damn.  I've been compiling a list of possible future scale projects and
your timing is great.  So far my list consisted of

Der Jagger
L19 Bird Dog
Pa18 Super Cub
Husky
Zero
Skyraider
Mammoth Scale Berliner-Joyce P16
Taylorcraft
Weeks Special
Clipped Wing Taylorcraft
Chance Vought SB2U-1 Vindicator
Grob
Cessna Skymaster O-2
Curtis Jenny
Stefanyffis SS3
Piper Super Cruiser
N9M Flying wing

Of course I'm still working on a Royal Zero and can't start anything
new till I finish 2 gliders then the Zero but...

>    R C M & E over here in the Uk have published a plan -- the only
>    one I have seen so far. I quote from the entry in Model Aircraft
>    Plans Handbook 1989-90 ...
>    
>    RSQ 1584 ( plan number ) Optica design by J Wright

Do you have the issue that the plan was first published in?

>    If you'd like a set of photos of a prototype then let me know --
>    it would be an interesting exercise -- the factory ( which I think
>    may be closing ) is on the south coast and I'd be really chuffed
>    to ask the Police for permission to photograph one of their planes!

Before I say yes to this I'd like to find out if there are any of these
in New England.  I'll probably ask the Flying Notes file.  But I have an
article about the plane that was published in Flying magazine in March 1989
and it shows a police paint job.  Basically all white with Police
on the central Duct tube and a black and white checkerboard stripe behind that.
Registration number is G-BMPF on the boom and there is a Brooklands insignia
on the port vertical stabilizer.  Looks very nice and also very simple
except for the Brooklands insignia which from the little I can see looks
like it may be difficult.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
################################################################################
                     
     

>    >    R C M & E over here in the Uk have published a plan -- the only
>    >    one I have seen so far. I quote from the entry in Model Aircraft
>    >    Plans Handbook 1989-90 ...
>    >    
>    >    RSQ 1584 ( plan number ) Optica design by J Wright

>    Do you have the issue that the plan was first published in?
     
    Sorry -- no chance of a freeby here Kay -- although some of the
    UK mags publish free pull-out plans they also publish only mail
    order the designs of individuals and the Optica plan is one of those 
    -- it's never been published as a free pull-out!
    
    Incidently the Model Aircraft Plans Handbook Service now have the
    Bob Holman giant scale plans available in the UK.
    
    I'm very taken by the Optica myself -- it would make a really different
    model.
    
    But it looks from your list as if it will take you a number of years
    to get around to one with so many on the list ahead of it ;^8)
    
    Keep us up to date on your plans re: an Optica.
    
    Good luck
    
    Brian
    
    P.S. do you want a photocopy of the article if I can find it?
    

    Brian,
    
    I'm sure Kay was fishing for a copy of the construction article, not a
    free source of plans.  Of course, I _could_ be wrong and, if so, charge
    the piker double!  :B^)  :B^)  Too bad I donated all those RCM&E's and
    RCMW's I got from you and Bob Day cause I remember seeing and reading
    the construction article on the model optima but, unfortunately,
    couldn't begin to hazard a guess when it appeared or in which magazine.
    
    The optima just HAS to qualify as one of the world's homliest aircraft
    but, I guess it _does_ possess a certain charm.  One thing's fairly
    certain: you'd probably have the only Optima on the field no matter
    _where_ you went!  Why does this seem like such a natural Kay Fisher
    project??   ;b^)
						 __
				|      |        / |\	   	       
      	         \|/		|______|__(o/--/  | \	   	       
      | |        00	       <|  ~~~  ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
    |_|_|        (O>o		|\)____/___|\_____|_/	   Adios amigos, Al
      |     \__(O_\_	        |	  |___/	 o	   (The Desert Rat)

>    I'm sure Kay was fishing for a copy of the construction article, not a
>    free source of plans.  Of course, I _could_ be wrong and, if so, charge

Exactly - our magazines only publish constructions articles and pictures
and sometimes at best a complete drawing but you would have to blow
it up and they are cheap enough to order the full size one.
But sometimes the "how does it fly" and the construction pictures
are worth their weight in Gold.  So I would like the issue of the
magazine that has the article - in exchange I can furnish you with
some American magazine.

>    The optima just HAS to qualify as one of the world's homliest aircraft
>    but, I guess it _does_ possess a certain charm.  One thing's fairly
>    certain: you'd probably have the only Optima on the field no matter
>    _where_ you went!  Why does this seem like such a natural Kay Fisher
>    project??   ;b^)

Hey - I resemble that remark!
I don't think it is homely at all - I think it is beautiful.
I would worry about CG with all the glass up front and strength of the
nose on landings - but...

Yes - I have a long wish list but the Optica is right up there!

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
---------------O---------------
################################################################################

>    < Note 1206.5 by K::FISHER "Stop and smell the balsa." >
>                         -< Beauty is only cowl deep >-
>
>>    I'm sure Kay was fishing for a copy of the construction article, not a
>>    free source of plans.  Of course, I _could_ be wrong and, if so, charge
>
>Exactly - our magazines only publish constructions articles and pictures
>and sometimes at best a complete drawing but you would have to blow
>it up and they are cheap enough to order the full size one.
>But sometimes the "how does it fly" and the construction pictures
>are worth their weight in Gold.  So I would like the issue of the
>magazine that has the article - in exchange I can furnish you with
>some American magazine.
                                                   
    Right -- you're on! I'll start the search tonite -- may take a day
    or two to find but find it I will -- I'll put in another reply when
    I find it.
    
    Sorry for suggesting you were a cheapskate, Kay and thankx to Al
    for pointing out my error -- it's amazing how the same language can
    lead to mis-understandings - no disrespect intended ;8^}
    
    Best regards
    
    Brian
    
    
    

>    Sorry for suggesting you were a cheapskate, Kay and thankx to Al
>    for pointing out my error -- it's amazing how the same language can
>    lead to mis-understandings - no disrespect intended ;8^}

But Brian - I am a cheapskate!

I didn't read anything into your reply other than the technical details.

Just as an aside - I still have this great plan for a slope plane
that was published in RCM&E with a "FULL" size fold out plan and ironically
it is roughly the same shape as the Optica - that is dual pods and common
high elevator.  In fact that is on my list as the first plane that I
will cut foam wings for - if I ever get set up to do it.  Speaking
of foam wings I vacuum bagged the second Chuperosa wing last night.
Guess I didn't put enough catalyst in because it didn't harden for about
4 hours!  The first wing wasn't wonderful either!  I'm beginning to think
Eric Henderson is right - that you have to have a motor running for 24 hours
to do it right.  I had a real panic search last night to find a little
pin hole in the bag and I had to get up every couple of hours thru the
night to go down in the basement and pump some more!  There has got to
be a better way.

Optically yours,
Kay R. Fisher
    
    
    

    Kay
    
    I have the construction article for the Optica. Like you, I have it on
    my future (long term) wish list. Also, I have several photographs that I
    took of one at the Australian Bicentennial Airshow in 1988. One of the
    reasons I haven't built one is that the prototype flight pattern is boring.
    How would you compete in scale if your only manoeuvre is slow and low?
    Maybe touch and goes might count! 
    
    Please mail me @SNO if you want anything.
    
    Tony

    Kay,
    
    A photocopy ( from the Winter 1988 Radio Control Scale Aircraft
    Quarterly -- that's why Al remembered it! -- I used to send this
    to him ) is in the mail to you.
    
    It contains the construction article ( 4 pages ), an article on
    the prototype ( 3 pages including a one page 3-view -- sorry the
    photocopy is only B&W ) and a photocopy of the mag cover which has
    a 5 plane formation.
    
    I like to hold on to my mags for future use but may be persuaded
    to 'loan' it to you ( for the colour ) if you speak nicely to me
    -- actually, maybe Al still has his copy? I'm not sure if a back
    issue is available -- want me to find out?
    
    Good luck
    
    Brian_who_is_now_getting_heavily_into_gliders
    

    RE: Brian_who_is_getting_heavily_into_gliders
    
    I should not get into them too heavily - it ruins the glide angle !
    
    Sorry - roll on 5:30, I feel some flying coming on.
                                
    Richard

    Re: .10, Brian/Kay,
    
    Yes, the RCMW Scale Quarterly is doubtless where I saw the article on
    the Optica.  As Brian mentions, he used to send them to me before I got
    "cut off" by...but that's another story.  Unfortunately, I no longer
    have the magazine.  I cleaned house a year or so back and donated all
    magazines except for SR/CM to the 1/8 AF PX which sells them for a
    pittance at our Scale Fly-In's.  Sorry 'bout that.
						 __
				|      |        / |\	   	       
      	         \|/		|______|__(o/--/  | \	   	       
      | |        00	       <|  ~~~  ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
    |_|_|        (O>o		|\)____/___|\_____|_/	   Adios amigos, Al
      |     \__(O_\_	        |	  |___/	 o	   (The Desert Rat)

    For anyone who would like to see an Optica in action, there is a
    British science fiction film out on video tape now. I think it's
    called "Slipstream". Although I saw it 5 days ago, it's so eminitely
    forgettable that I'm not positive of the title. Anyway, the first
    6-8 minutes and the last 2-3 minutes contain some flying and ground
    footage that gives a good feel for what this unusual bird is all
    about. There is absolutely NO reason to watch any other parts.
    Don't say I didn't warn you.
     Terry