Page 24 - MFW Dec 2024

The fourth Cat 1 model was a 1/3 scale Stampe
SVB, a Belgian contemporary of the Tiger Moth.
This model had been built by a sequence of three
Hamilton MAC members and was operated by
Gordon Meads as a sort of team effort. It received a
lot of attention because it is powered by a Zenoah
G62 with a 2.5:1 belt-drive unit. The prop is huge –
36x20 – and the resulting sound is just like the DH
Gypsy of the full-size. There was plenty of power for
scale-like aerobatics.

The Cat 2 model was Stan Hodson’s new Cessna
185 (see photo). It was not flown because it still
requires a test flying programme before certification.
The model is from a Tommys Models ARF from
Thailand. It is fully composite. Stan and Dorian
Darby have installed a 240cc Kolm flat-four
complete with electric self-starter. The motor was
test-run using the starter – very cool. The model is
about 36% scale, with wingspan 157 inches (4m),
and wing area 3300 sq.in. The wing loading of 60
oz/sq.ft might seem a bit scary but, at this size, it
should be fine. Remember the ‘Cube Rule’ – as a
design is scaled up the wing area increases as the
square of the scale factor but the weight increases
as approximately the cube of the scale factor.
Offsetting this, the lifting efficiency of the wing also
increases at about the same rate as the weight.
MANZ Classic Models

There were twenty models that were under 15kg and
so needed no certification and flew according to Part
101. A stand-out was Mike Briggs’ lovely ¼ scale
DHC Chipmunk. This model has wingspan 103
inches (2.6m) and has an OS 40cc four stroke. It
sounds and looks very realistic. Ray Baxendine had
an electric E Flite 2.1m T28 that flew nicely,
demonstrating a very wide speed range. Other
models included a Hangar 9 Beaver (see photo), a ¼
scale Stinson Sentinel in Swiss AF colours (see
photo), a ¼ scale 2.4m Rearwin speedster, a 2.3m
Fletcher, several aerobatic models (Yak, Sukhoi and
Extra), and even a 2.1m Vintage Powerhouse – a
1939 design.

Unfortunately, Tony Christianson lost his new
Seagull Stuka when its motor stopped in a bad
place. He vowed to replace it right away!

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