super clown- to flap or not to flap

Just got a Brodak Super Clown kit from Lone Star Balsa-great people and service. The plans say build it with or without flaps. Any ol'timers out have an opinion on this? Also the plans reccomend the Fox 35. How about a OS las 25 instead?

Thank you in advance, Bruce

LAST EDITED ON Oct-08-04 AT 11:54 AM (CDT)
 
Well, I scratch built one off John's plans and have flaps. Having not built or flown one without flaps I can't make a performance comparison. That said, I like it with the flaps and built it with the intention of flying it in OTS and forfeiting the "no-flap" bonus. One of these days I'll learn the OT pattern and do it.

Forgot, I fly mine with a McCoy .29 Red Head.

Its a fun airplane, but no Nobler by any stretch!

by any act, error, or omission, I have, intentionally or
unintentionally, displayed any breedist, disciplinist, sexist, racist,
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to get over it.

I built one without flaps. Powered with a fox 25 4bolt backplate and bolt on venturi. Great flying plane. Did the oldtime pattern easily and was capable of flying in some decent wind. This plane is not a Nobler and as a result it should fly faster then one.
I'm sure that no matter how you do it you'll have a good plane.
Dennis

I kit-built one with either fixed ot movable flaps....Fox .25 for power...a Fox. 35 is okay, but I would suggest a nose tripler....

The Super Clown is one of olny a few OTS models that may be flown with or without flaps...

They are not terrific flyers....but fun and a quick build.

See Ya

I set mine up so I could switch back and forth. My impression is that saving the weight by fixing the flaps will do you more good than having working flaps will.

Mine was powered by a DDD converted OS 25 fp. Worked great except for the unreliable run time. Final contest with the plane I had one run too short to finish the pattern and the next an overrun. Both with the same amount of fuel!

Sold plane, engine, lines, and a gallon of fuel on the spot!

Well, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. I have one that I like great with flaps and a good Fox .35. Needs to fly in the 4.6-4.8 range to perform well. (60' lines) I had one when I was a kid but in had flaps so I don't know about the un-flapped version. Mine was scratch built from traced original PDQ kit parts. Weighs 31 ozs RTF and flys really well.

I flew mine in my first OTS contest last summer. Built it with flaps, and use a Hybrid McCoy 29 (Red head with a Series 21 Dykes ring piston/cylinder jug)and a 9-5 old Top Flite paddle blade. More than enough engine!. Flies great for what it is: an OTS profile.
It's not a "full blown stunter" like we use in PAMPA or classic,but it's a ball to fly! Under 5 sec. laps on 60' eye to eye lines.
If I were to build another, I would go with the fixed flaps to gain the 10 points in contest setting.

Bill <><

I'd try the S-Clown with fixed flaps. I built mine pretty much stock except for adjustable tailwheel and line guide. I started with a Fox .35 that practically shook the plane apart. It was re-engined with a detuned OS .25FSR. Plenty too much power. It flys much better with the elevator-to-flap ratio increased over what is shown on the plan. (I moved the pushrod in on the elevator horn.) I'm using 60' lines, with about 2-3/4" handle spacing, a MA 9x5 black plastic prop with engine set for a solid 2-cycle, and the plane flying fairly fast. It's teaching me overhead eights now. Wish I knew how to trim it right!

BigR built one to teach Mikey to fly. They ended up moving the wheel location aft to improve landings. I think (?) that one had fixed flaps and an OS LA.25.

Enjoy building your plane and have fun Clowning Around.

Dave
LA_Flyer

PS-My modified Baby Clown might be an even better flyer than the S-Clown. It is QUICK!

I had the flaps on my Super Clown. They worked great on it. I saw some fly without them to, and they flew good like that. I just liked the flaps on mine. I had an OS 25FP in mine and it had plenty of power for it to fly the pattern nice. My super clown is about ready to fall apart because I have that many flights on it beating it around and stuff from the years i flew it, but i siil get a few flights with it now and then even though it dont fly that well anymore. I have a new kit of one of the shelf If I ever want to build another one.

LAST EDITED ON Oct-08-04 AT 04:14 PM (CDT)
 
Ah yes, the PDQ Super Clown......A flying buddy of mine (during my high school days) was flying a very light one back in 1955, with moving flaps, silk covering and a Forster .29. I favored the Ringmaster/K&B .29 Greenhead at that time. Those were the days. After college I joined the Navy, but when in port I frequented the base hobby shop on a regular basis....a magical place. I bought my PDQ Super Clown ($2.95) at the Naval Station Hobby Shop, Norfolk, VA in 1964. After leaving the Navy in 1965 and coming back home to begin a teaching career, I found time to put it together. I built it with moveable flaps and liked it very much for sport flying. The year was 1967. Wings were covered with parachute nylon from a Navy parachute I had picked up while on active duty and power was an early Super Tigre Combat plain bearing engine.....Aerogloss finish, of course. The Clown was totaled and rebuilt in 1968. After rebuilding the plane, I used it to train local kids to fly control line. The Super Clown makes a great trainer. Power was my old original K&B .29 Greenhead, I obtained in 1954. During this time it became fuel soaked and was totaled again. In 1976, I rebuilt it once more, replacing the motor mounts, plywood on the fuselage, flaps, rudder, stab and elevator. I also covered it again with Navy parachute nylon and Aerogloss clear/insignia blue trim (one parachute will do you for a lifetime). I now fly it with moving flaps and the power is a "WELL USED" early 1950's Fox .35 and a 10/6 Top Flite nylon prop. It is a little heavier than I would like.......but HEY, it is still a great old sport plane....even after all these years. Yes, I always like the old PDQ Super Clown. Oh yeah, if you haven't done the math, the plane is now 40 years old and still flying!..........T.Durrill

Put an OS LA 25 in it and if you compete no flaps but for fun put flaps it flies much better. See Ya NEAL

I have flown both, with & without using flaps. The noflapped version was like flying a Ring Master (Quick Turns). The Flapped SSSSuper Clown was a breath of fresh air and with the LA25, it was a real performer.
With the LA25 running a 4-2-4 break made it even nicer. Flew the complete pattern on the first try.

I liked this combo so much that I ordered me a SSSSuper Clown & a LA25 through my local hobby shop. By all means use the flaps.

>I have flown both, with & without using flaps. The noflapped
>version was like flying a Ring Master (Quick Turns). The
>Flapped SSSSuper Clown was a breath of fresh air and with
>the LA25, it was a real performer.
>With the LA25 running a 4-2-4 break made it even nicer. Flew
>the complete pattern on the first try.
>
>I liked this combo so much that I ordered me a SSSSuper
>Clown & a LA25 through my local hobby shop. By all means use
>the flaps.
>
>Mike Clark

I'm with Mike on the recommendation of using Flaps for the Super
Clown. My Super is the best flying Super I have seen. It flys
outrageously well, very tight and yet smooth.. It handles wind well
too; maybe because it weighs 21oz's and is powered with a Marz .15
diesel. The flap travel is 10 degrees each way and elevator travel is
28 degrees each direction. It's covered with orange Micafilm and the
finish is Airbrushed Pactra Lacquer(for RC Car Lexan bodies). If the
Super Clown is going to be powered with a 7-8oz engine, you'll need
more flap deflection because of the higher wing loading. It will still
fly very well at 26-29oz's.

Here's mine, I was at work before and couldn't send it.

Randy,

Give us the specifics on this gorgeous bird! Engine, covering, etc.

Thanks, Bruce

LAST EDITED ON Oct-08-04 AT 09:49 PM (CDT)
 
Well, Its scratch built from Brodak plans. I added the cheek cowl for a little more strength. Covering is blue silk with Brodak dope. Painted portion is sealed with 2 coats of Brodak clear then sprayed with Duplicolor Scratch & Dent Filling gray primer, well sanded and finished with Royal Blue Rustoleum.

Oh, and like I said before, its powered by a McCoy .29 Red Head.

Fun airplane!

Always wanted to try and post a picture on Stuka Stunt and this thread seemed like a good place to try since I have a picture of
my unfinished Super Clown. (Flaps not yet attached) Hope this
works

LAST EDITED ON Oct-10-04 AT 00:52 AM (CDT)
 
Darrel, your "Super Clown" looks "Pro-Stunt"! Bring it to the meeting next Friday night. "Git 'er done!" Steve

I don't question the success of flapped Super Clowns at all, but isn't the coupling moment a little short for the flaps to be really effective? Currell

>I don't question the success of flapped Super Clowns at all,
>but isn't the coupling moment a little short for the flaps
>to be really effective? Currell

Nope!