stupid question

Just getting back into c/l after many years away, but was wondering are mufflers required on all engines and if so where would be a good place for old Fox and Enya engines. Thanks Boris

boris

Check with Leonard, he should have some mufflers to adapt to them.--DOC

Hi Boris!

I grew up in Millington flying control line at the Navy Base back in the 60's and 70's.

Unfortunately, Memphis may be similar to Atlanta - you may get into trouble right away without mufflers. There's still a lot of cotton and afalfa pretty close, though - so use your best judgment.

In the city, I don't think you have a choice - and I'm in the same situation in Atlanta.

Len's Stuka Stunt site itself is a pretty good start for mufflers. The tongue mufflers are super light (very, very, light), and you can get them from several sources for a Fox 35 (Brodak, RSM, Randy Smith, Tom Dixon, Virginia Hobby Shop) besides Len. I'm not at the point where I'm very concerned about the weight difference from a standard muffler, but it reduces the chances of ruining your CG on an existing plane.

I still have a problem finding them for my Fox 15's, and I may try tongue mufflers soon on my Combat Specials. Len also makes them custom, and there are universal ones available with hose straps.

The two most important things I have learned from the forum:
1. The existense of light, tongue mufflers. Also, 10% or higher nitro will restore the power to a Fox 35 (and other engines) that may be lost with a muffler.
2. Don't use typical modern fuels with a Fox 35, or your other old control line engines. Use 20% oil (1/2 castor or more) or better, 25% at least for a Fox 35. Fuels with this much oil content will not be found in a modern hobby shop, unless they cater specifically to CL.

Thanks Tom, It is interesting starting all over again. Have started building a Nobler Ive had for years and will use a Fox 35 and try and find a tongue muffler since its inverted, the learning curve is pretty steep but glad to be back. Boris

If, as I suspect, your engines are old enough, you will need a strap on muffler. There have been several places mentioned that carry these for the Fox especially. They can be had for about any of the old engines.
With the strap on muffler youwill need to extend the exhaust cut out in the cowl up to allow the muffler to already be in place. (did that make sense?)
As to fuel, Tom is right. The old iron piston engines like the Fox need 25% (or more) all castor oil. That could be difficult to find in the LHS. Sig (5%-10% nitro/25% all castor) and Powermaster (GMA blend) make good fuels for the old engines. There may be more out there, but these are probably the easiest ones to get or have ordered.
A Nobler and a Fox 35...... always loved that combination.
Bill <><

Bill, thanks for the info, tryed Brodak but no luck there if you know of any phone numbers or addresses for the mufflers would be in your debt. Chuck

>Bill, thanks for the info, tryed Brodak but no luck there if
>you know of any phone numbers or addresses for the mufflers
>would be in your debt. Chuck

Tom Dixon Models
http://members.tripod.com/~TomDixon/tomdixon.htm
770-592-3270

Aero Products, Randy Smith
http://www.aeroproduct.net/
678-407-9376

Stuka Stunt Works
http://www.clstunt.com
[email protected]

RSM Distribution
http://www.rsmdistribution.com/
951-678-1406

Virginia Hobby Sport
http://www.virginiahobbysport.com/
703-503-5205

All of these places have tongue mufflers ... should keep you busy for awhile.

Thanks Tom, getting phone and credit card ready,,again Thanks Chuck

Tom, will call Brodak about mufflers but was wondering,I used to cover in silk or silk span is that outdated by monokote and the new stuff.. Chuck

LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-04 AT 11:48 AM (CST)
 
>Tom, will call Brodak about mufflers but was wondering,I
>used to cover in silk or silk span is that outdated by
>monokote and the new stuff.. Chuck

My opinion - this is kind of like asking Ford or Chevy?:

Silk is the ultimate for longevity and strength, but unless done carefully, it can end up weighing a ton.

It appears the majority still use silkspan, although "polyspan" is a popular substitute that is punture-proof (almost). Here's a source:
http://www.modelresearchlabs.com/index.html

I don't think there's anything wrong with monokote. My first Nobler was covered in the stuff, soon after the iron-on version was released. RC'ers use it almost exclusively. A monokote iron helps, and a sock will prevent any creases or dents in the wood. Balsarite is good for spots you may have fiberglassed. Use rubber cement on a computer printed page with your decorations, glue it to the monokote, and you can cut them out along with the monokote at the same time. A little Windex (yes - Windex!) sprayed lightly on the area on the plane, and the cutout will slide into place, and prevent any bubbles when you apply the iron.

I usually monokote the hinge line edges, then install and pin the hinges with toothpicks and cut them flush. Covering the control surfaces after that is a snap.

Good luck!

Tom, again thanks for all the info and when you mentioned Millington I probley saw you fly as my father was retired Army and did all the shopping on base,we lived in Helena Ar. Would sit and watch at the circles between hobby shop and exchange while they did the hard work.Thought Id drop that on you..Chuck

>Tom, again thanks for all the info and when you mentioned
>Millington I probley saw you fly as my father was retired
>Army and did all the shopping on base,we lived in Helena Ar.
>Would sit and watch at the circles between hobby shop and
>exchange while they did the hard work.Thought Id drop that
>on you..Chuck

There's another fella on the forum that may be close to you - Zuriel Armstrong. He was at the base during the time I was doing most of my flying. He's in Arkansas, but I don't know exactly where his town is located. We also started up a thread awhile ago about the base in Millington. Turns out Robert Storick (Sparky12366) came in and flew a Ringmaster Supertiger on pressure one day - excited me so much I flew Combat for the next few years. You've probably seen his outstanding posts on his piped P-47.

My wife and I were married in the Navy Chapel that bordered the other side of the flying circle from the hobby shop.

This is the one I posted on NAS Memphis, with some pictures:
http://www.clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=10644&forum=DCForumID1

Here's Robert's thread in response:
http://www.clstunt.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=10634&forum=DCForumID1

>Just getting back into c/l after many years away, but
>was wondering are mufflers required on all engines and if so
>where would be a good place for old Fox and Enya engines.

Not required, but it just makes for good sense (and good neighbors). Should be no problem for the Enya. The Fox might be a problem from a performance and mounting issue. Only the very latest Fox 35's have a usable muffler attachement system, and the earlier engines with the over/under mount holes are particularly prone to problems, both with the muffler falling off, and with the case distorting around the holes. Unless you have the engines with the side-to-side lugs that come all the way to the edge of the exhaust stack, I wouldn't use it.

Our host can supply them in any configuration.

Brett

Brett, finding off-the-shelf mufflers for Enyas is a considerable challenge. I've gotten to where I'll buy an engine I absolutely do not need for the sake of the muffler. If you know of a convenient source, I'd be much obliged.
Thanks,
Kelvin

Re your silkspan question...Silkspan (and silk) coverings are rare for RC builders these days, but CL fliers (and many here) still use the stuff. There have been a number of posts at SSW on application techniques, Rit dyeing, etc, related to silkspan. Sig still sells it, and Brodak handles it. You also can get Sig Plyspan (not Polyspan, a different material), which essentially is silkspan in colors, from Sig, and decent hobby shops.

And, the opposite is true: there are some CLers who have adapted to Monocote, Ultracote, etc, mainly for the convenience.

LAST EDITED ON Nov-22-04 AT 05:30 PM (CST)
 
>Brett, finding off-the-shelf mufflers for Enyas is a
>considerable challenge. I've gotten to where I'll buy an
>engine I absolutely do not need for the sake of the muffler.
>If you know of a convenient source, I'd be much obliged.
>Thanks,
>Kelvin

Bought all my Enya mufflers from our host Leonard