THE STRAINER
(Model No. 33)

The style of this own-design model was very much influenced by the RCM&E Groin Strain plan. It's not exactly the same, but used similar dimensions and control surface areas. Its flight envelope was equally as entertaining as RCM&E described the original to be

Various experiments were tried-out on this model, such as autogyro rotors - one single rotor, one double rotor (counter-rotating), and also one wing was tried with a rotor at each end. The same fuz was also used to try a kite-style flex-wing and also an extra tall fuz add-on for easier knife-edge flight. I also fitted a manually adjustable engine down-thrust facility for use with the different wings, and at one time tried a servo-operated 'engine-wobble' facility. The "EWF" moved the "hinged" engine mount (and of course the engine) to an angle of about 30 degrees to starboard - which made knife-edge flight a "hands-off" operation (but only "left-wing-down" of course) - this turned-out to be really good fun, until one day when the servo rod became detached, allowing the engine to move so far that the prop chopped into the wing!

For a period a HAL auto-pilot was installed behind 'windows' in the wing (see picture above). This enabled auto-pilot controlled (hands-off) prop-hanging - which proved to be great fun!

The model was put aside in 2003 when the covering had become decidedly "tatty." In 2005, and remembering how well the model used to fly, I decided to re-cover it and take it flying again. At the same time I remembered that knife-edge flight wasn't so good with the model in "standard" form, and that these days I like flying knife-edge circuits and loops. So I decided to re-build the top of the fuz with knife-edge flight in mind. I also decided to fit Side Force Generators to the wings:

Yes, I know . . . . it's very ugly! But ugliness is fine in my book - just so long as the flying characteristics are good - and they were brilliant!

Knife-edge flight with the SFG's in-place needed no top-rudder correction whatsoever (unless the model was flying very slowly indeed), and even without SFG's fitted it knife-edged beautifully

The model was lost in my workshop fire before I'd had chance to fly it "enough!"

 

Tony's Model Planes