I have an old Atwood 51, the glow plug version, and I would like to know if it would make a good stunt engine? It needs some work in any case. Can anyone refer me to someone who works on old Atwoods? Would I be wasting my time and money getting this engine to working condition? Also, what OTS airplanes would be good for this engine? The Belfry Bound?
Nick Vanmatre
I have two of them and love them. Don Blackburn and Bob Oge (among others) do rework jobs on the old stuff. GMA once told me that Charlie Bruce is THE Atwood man on the planet so you might want to talk to him too.
The glow Triumph will work on jobs up to a Super Duper Zilch. There is a model which is a real sweet job that was designed around this engine that is called "Triumphant". Bare has the plans and if you want to build one I have the construction article if you'd like a copy. Cool airplane.
I saw the designer of the Triumphant (George Lieb) fly his Triumphant in OTS at the Wichita contest a few years ago. The Atwood pulled the airplane very well. The engine is loud!
Davey Slagle's Checkala Roma was powered by this engine. I946 National winner, plans were drawn up by master illustator Lee Scott and also included a cut-away drawing in the issue of Air Trails this appeared in. Not sure which issue I have too many, more on this story can be found in Charlie Mackey's book, Pioneers of Control Line Flying. Bob Parker had his hands full when he built this plane when it came time to do the cockpit area. I would also bet the Humongous would be a great plane for this engine, with a 2" thick wing section an engine with some pulling power might be just right. An FP 40 worked fine on this plane till the wind would blow a little, I am going to try an Enya 45 6001 next just for it's pulling power. It seems the OT stunters don't fly any better with OT engines but it keeps the event fun, and that's what this is all about. Jim J
George Lieb the designer for the Triumphant is still flying here in Omaha. He also gets down to Florida at least once a year to fly with friends there. He built a nice looking Triumphant and was flying it with a Atwood 51 a few years back. Please note that if you build it light a Fox 35 would fly the Triumphant. Oh and by the way this may be the loudest piston engine I have ever experienced.
Bob Furr
Ron B.
F4Fguy
I have the .49 version in my Humoungous.Lots of fun,easy to needle,but LOUD.I finaly figured a way to put a chip muffler on it,but it's still noisy.
On Dave Day's site of OT planes, it lists the Checkala Roma as published in Air Trails April 1947. The Lee Scott cut-away is a fabulous work of art. While doing research for my book I found out that the only artist/modeler inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame was Cal Smith, who is best known for his cover art on the Air Trails Annuals. There were many great artists, my favorite Harold Stevenson did many great covers for FM, Air Trails Hobbies for Young Men,and Air Progress. The other great artist Jo Kotula, that everybody knows as the cover artist for MAN for over 35 years, both these men should be nominated for induction. Men of lesser contributions have been inducted and it is time to honor these two great men. How many of us have been inspired by their artistic talents. JIm J
Cal did a bunch more than just the AT Annuals. He did a lot of the regular issues too, as well as doing cutaway drawings for this and other mags in addition to his model designs and other artwork.
Nick - I have been using the Atwood .49 for three years in my Stunt Rocket. I think it's one of the best of its kind that I've ever used. I made a few mods that I consider mandatory. Unmuffled, it is very loud but works well with a slightly modified muffler from a Max-S .35. Hundreds of flights using an 11-6 Top Flite wood and Powermaster 5% nitro, 22% 50/50 oil. As far as I know, the .49 and .51 share everthing but a piston, head and liner.
Bob Z
Great info you guys! I appreciate the advice and the picture of the Stunt Rocket posted by Bob Z.
Nick Vanmatre