How to destroy a Black Widow:

LAST EDITED ON Aug-21-04 AT 04:15 PM (CDT)
 
Here's another observation: I've discovered, or developed, a novel way to destroy a Cox Black Widow: Flying an experimental combat wing with my favorite BW, engine quit overhead, couldn't catch it, hit deadstick pretty hard. Got the picture so far? Knocked the engine off. When I went to pick it up, I noticed the plane was unhurt, the motor mount still intact. Next thing I noticed was the engine backplate/rear of tank/NVA, still firmly bolted to the plane...while the engine was lying about 5 ft. away. Seems the backplate bolts pulled completely through that danged plastic backplate and went with the engine, breaking out the holes of course beyond any hope of repair. So now I've got a really good-running BW with no tank, no mount and no way to hold the NVA. I'll be cannibalizing one of my weaker BWs. Sure wish I could find one of the old metal backplates.
Suggestions?
--Ray
<[photo not recovered: brokeBWVI.jpg]>

Ray,

Can't you use one from a baby bee? If it fits ok you could enlarge the hole behind the reed.

Or use a Golden Bee backplate. Then you wouldn't have to bother plugging the fill/vent pipes.

>Sure wish I could find one of the old metal backplates.

The metal backplates were known to have the same problem from time to time. They also liked to crack where the screw heads were and leak.

Yeah, I imagine a Babe Bee or Golden Bee backplate would work OK...if I had one. I just looked at the backplate from the BW I broke the piston in awhile back, and it has a crack radiating from one of the bolt holes too. Evidently going to plastic didn't solve that problem. Truth be told, I suppose I overtightened the bolts. But I think it's a pretty rotten design--oughtta be more idiot-proof than that. .
--Ray

I picked this up from the classifieds section.

"You can try Dale Kirn... He has an extensive supply of new Cox parts and complete engines.

[email protected]

If that does not take you there send me a private message and I have his phone number.

Phil Hawkins"

I would suggest that you use the type of mount with rubber bands. We use them on our 049 planes. Rubber bands pop off so little or no damage to engine.

Thanks
Paul

>I would suggest that you use the type of mount with rubber
>bands. We use them on our 049 planes. Rubber bands pop off
>so little or no damage to engine.
>
>Thanks
>Paul
>
>I am a retread, - I did C/L in my youth and did not know
>what I was doing then other then having fun. And not much
>has changed.

I have used rubber bands in the past; quit just because I thought it looked tacky. Guess I'll go back to 'em, at least on developing designs. Although I have broken lugs off even with rubber bands.
If the BW's didn't run so well, I'd just give them up...
--Ray

Ray send me an email with your snail mail address and I'll send you 1 or 2.

>Ray send me an email with your snail mail address and I'll
>send you 1 or 2.
>
>Tom

Done. Thanks much!!