FLAMINGO
120
F3A Model designed
by Wilhem Kalkbrenner, Stephen Mitchell
and Hanns Lim.
This model by H.Lim.(Built 1993-94)
This model design
was far ahead of its time in design and looks.
Had a torsional
rocking engine mount with the same concept as todays latest mounts.
It was one of
the first 120 four strokes to take part in competition in Australia.
The design was
supervised by Mr S.Mitchell aerodynamicist.
This plane really
grooves. It is still a pleasure to fly.
Scenes from F3A
competition at Metford/Australia.(1994)
Bathurst F3A Competition
1994
Tom Prosser and
yours truly.
Thumbs up after
Tom's test flight.
Bathurst
unique sloping flight line
(Like flying into
the side of a mountain)
Bragg Box
Flamingo 120
Flamingo
Technical details.
Flamingo
ready to paint. We tried to go for the semi scaled look back in 1993.
Note
P-51 style canopy at mid wing position.
Details
of rocking engine mount.
The
engine ws fastened to two aluminum rails which were attached to a rear
bulkhead
and
forward bulkhead via lord style rubber mounts. (4 mounts). This ensured
the
motors front end was not waving in the breeze as was the trend in those
days
where most motors were back mounted to a plate and four Lord type mounts.This
of
course improved the firmness of the positioning of side and down thrust.
The effect
was
the same as having a nose ring. The concept of this mount was to hold the
motor
rigid
in the vertical and horizontal planes and allow the motor to rock from
side to side
about
the axis of the shaft. This method of shock absorption is has been employed
in
the
Hyde and new YS style mounts. Because we made our own fuselages the glassing
was
done in a spiral fashion so that the torsional forces created by the rocking
motion
could
be dissipated into the fuselage construction. The engines side thrust could
be changed
easily
by adjusting the allen key bolts on the rear bulkhead. This produced an
extremely
light
mount as having 2 bulkheads ment that we could use 4mm ply in the front
and back yet
have
the thinnest glass wall in the front of the fuselage.This design was supervised
by Stephen
Mitchell
who designs full size composite structures.
Above: Rear Allen
key bolts which fitted into the rubber Lord style mounts.
Above: Front showing
bolts fastening to the front Lord style mounts.
Views Showing
OS 120 Surpass with pump. Just pre Super Charge era.
Here
is the latest improved Flamingo made by Peter Sikora.
It
has all the modifications and has been named the Adventure.
The
model is powered by Super Tigre 90 and has fixed gear.
Note
the neat header arrangement. Who said you can't use a
side
exhaust motor and rear pipe arrangement. Wrap around
header
arrangement works very well and has minimal drag effect.
Those
guys who will be using the ST2300 this year take note.
This
aircraft has been superbly crafted by Peter, a professional
model
builder.
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