NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011


PLEASE NOTICE
Effective in 2011, The Windy Sock will be published on a bimonthly basis.
Please see details below.
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Hopefully, this scene foretells a future FAC Nats at Geneseo, but for the present we can only commend Erica and her mom for participating in the FAC spirit at that memorable 2011 Non-Nats. Get a load of that awed delight that comes with a smooth Embryo launch. It never gets old, and thanks to the Maxecuter web site for the photos.
 
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Here's your editor's latest effort, the Mauraine-Saulnier 325; the plan for the Peanut version appeared in July 2004 Windy Sock, but I enlarged it to 16" wingspan. Using the same balsa sizes, I hoped the larger version would help compensate for the weight penalty of that huge landing gear. I expected something of a "lead sled" even in the larger size, and I was right. The model proved to be extremely nose heavy in the trimming process, and even a sizeable hunk of clay in the tail and considerable decalage did not compensate enough. The corrective surgery shows that the nose block has been replaced with stick-and-tissue structure, the plastic prop with a much liter one, and generous lightening holes (later covered with silver tissue) have been cut into the landing gear. Glide tests indicate the nose is no longer heavy but powered flights have not yet been attempted.

Under construction, this is Joshua Finn's Owl Racer, the OR-65 "Pogo" built from a Chris Starleaf plan. Josh says, "A later version beat the famous Nemesis at nearly 300 mph – all on a stock 100 hp Continental." We quoted you directly on that one, Josh, so the proof of that pudding is solely in your hands!

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Joshua Finn's Riley Burrows R.5 racer. Josh admits it's not the model for competition, "being heavy and touchy, but it is a nice little plane that looks great in the air with those stubby wings." He built it from a Volare plan, and then modified it to get as close to exact scale as possible. Result: "….it racked up near max static points in scale judging….it's a heavy bird, but easily does 50 seconds most of the time."……Hopefully the times will go into the 70-second range with an enlarged stab to allow less nose weight and more stability."

Our Top Gun for the year, Alex Techuk is decked out with his new Blue Max and his chief weapon, the Gollywock. Al says, "After so many crashes, lost models, the Blue Max is mine. I'm not the only one who owns the 'Blue,' since there must be hundreds if not more who own one, but it is an accomplishment. Not bad for a Russian immigrant son, born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y.C. Who knows – there may have been aeromodelers in my European family generations past. However, one of my brothers, Harry, had influenced me down the rocky road of model building as a member of the Bronx Aero Club during the WWII era. I spent hours in our basement, then flying rubber jobs in Van Cortland Park, and other places in the N.Y.C. area, along with some gas-powered ones. Of course, I recall some contests I intended, but never won a thing except sunburn and a good time with Bro. It was a great sport for a kid who used to play stickball on our street, with my father wondering if he would have to shell out some dough for a broken window. Anyway, that is the way it was, thanks to the Bronx Aero Club, Alamo Escadrille, and FAC for the opportunity to show my stuff……Alexcey Techuk, Alamo Escadrille, SATX August 2011."
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SUBSCRIPTIONS

NOTICE
Effective in 2011, The Windy Sock will be published on a bimonthly basis, which means there will be only six issues per year. The first bimonthly issue will be Jan/Feb, released now at the end of February.
Unexpired current subscriptions will receive the same remaining number of issues but they will be spread over a longer period of time. But as subscriptions come up for renewal, the new price will be $10 per year. Also, please note that all new subscriptions will expire at the same time, in December of each year; consequently, renewal in some cases will cost more than $10 and will cover a period of more than one year. For example, if your subscription expires in March 2011, renewal will cost $17 and extend to December 2012. Subscribers can subscribe with either two options: (1) Count the remaining number of issues in the current year and pay $1.67 each, or (2) Pay that amount for the current year plus $10 for the following year. Make your check payable to Joe G. Joseph, otherwise our bank will reject it. Mail it to Windy Sock, 8311 Babe Ruth, San Antonio, TX 78240.
The price for individual issues is $2.00 each. We welcome foreign subscriptions and will extend the same price internationally. We hope this will encourage participation by our foreign friendly free-flighters that will invigorate our hobby on both sides of the Big Ponds. As before, please make your check payable to Joe G. Joseph; our bank will not accept it otherwise. Mail it to the address shown below.

Published bimonthly, six issues per year. Price $2 per copy, $10 per year, foreign and U.S.
Subscriptions include Alamo Escadrille membership. Send your check, made payable to Joe G. Joseph, to:

Windy Sock/Alamo Escadrille
c/o Joe Joseph
8311 Babe Ruth Street, San Antonio, TX 78240

e-mail: JJOSEPH70@satx.rr.com
Issue
Published by the 15th of:
Jan/Feb
February
Mar/Apr
April
May/Jun
June
Jul/Aug
August
Sep/Oct
October
Nov/Dec
December
The Windy Sock is the newsletter of the Alamo Escadrille,
Flying Aces Club Squadron #26, San Antonio, TX.
The 1st FAC Newsletter On-Line — And on the Web for 17 Years.
Due to server space restrictions, we will be posting only the current newsletter,
plus three previous issues.
Past articles/plans not on the current web site are available by ordering past WS issues
in hard copy form from Editor, Joe Joseph, at the address above.
Click here for an index of past issues of the Windy Sock.    Click here for an alphabetic index of plans.