RSM Ruffy

There isn't much on the product reveiw search for this kit. Anyone have one or flown one? If so what engine set up did you use?

I flew one back in the early 60s, with a Fox 35. Today, I would go with more power; say, a Brodak 40, an OS 35-S, a SSW OS 35/40 FP, etc. An old Redhead McCoy 40 would work, too.

Ditto Currell!

Although mine was not heavy (39 oz. as I remember) it also had a Fox .35 and it was not quite enough power.

The biggest change that I see from the 50's and 60's is that we had to design and build planes around a few engines which were all some what comparable in power. Today just build what you want... there is always an engine that will have enough HP for the job!

If anybody reviewed it the thread may have gone to bit heaven??? I noticed my review of the RSM Skylark has disappeared, not sure if it was deleted or got caught in one of the crashes.

I had three Ruffy's over the years. The first was built from plans in the late 50's and used a 57 Nobler wing. This one used a K&B green head 35 with a muffler and was a great flying plane.The next one was kit built and I will include a picture of it. It was built around 1963 and flew ok as it was very heavy and the Fox 35 powered .The third was built in 1973 also plans built and flew very well with a Fox 35. The first picture shows the Ruffy with my oldest daughter and she is 44 now. The second picture with the Jet in front of it may be the old 1959 Ruffy as this picture dates from 1961.I still have the Jet and it is good flyer even with over three inches if sweep back in the wing.I think the Ruffy is a great plane if kept under 40 oz.
Ed

Wasn't this a Sterling kit at one time?

Yes it is a Sterling kit. The kit #S-15 and is 50" W.S. If you would like the original kit, I have a spare kit available. Please e-mail me if you need or want the kit.

LAST EDITED ON Mar-09-04 AT 03:40 PM (CDT)
 
I've got an RSM kit that is in the line for build when I get time. The wood in my kit is very light and Eric Rule tells me that this is typical of his current kits. The Ruffy is not a large airplane, being about the size of the Green Box Nobler. Built from the RSM kit, this airplane could be built very light compared to one from a Sterling kit, and a Fox 35 (particularly one of Larry Foster's)should be plenty of power.

I heard an interesting story about the unusual name for the airplane. Palmer already had the Smoothie, and Macfarland not being as smooth, designed the "Roughy". Not sure if it is true, but I thought it made a good story.

Steve
The older I get, the better I used to fly!

True story about the naming of the Ruffy, Steve. I grew up (as much as I ever intend to) in Lexington, and flew with Lew and Al.

In fact, in the original Shark45 the "radio box" behind the pilot was labeled "Humbler"; to contrast with GSMs "Nobler"!

Oops! Meant GMA's "Nobler" . . .