When Halifax Ruled the International Tiny Gliders Scene

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JohnOSullivan
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When Halifax Ruled the International Tiny Gliders Scene

Unread post by JohnOSullivan » Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:20 pm

In 2000 when Harley Michaelis, A renowned US Sailplane expert created the Whipperwhiz 6" hand launched glider for his grandson. Charles River modellers ran an international contest, the Halifax fliers John Richards, Jim Haliburton, a young flier Daniel O'Brien (lost track of him) and I, cleaned up on the titles. http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/ ... z_2000.htm
Following this Harley and I ran the International 6" and 8" span "Tiny Gliders" contests for many years. http://www.windandwavemodels.com/Postal2003.html

Harley and I co-developed what is known as the RDS (Rotary Drive System) and Harley put it into production. http://kimbroughracingproducts.com/pdf/ ... e-Side.pdf
The principle is simple, a rotating shaft from the servo is fed to a slotted box in the aileron and as it rotates, it provides angular movement to the aileron (rudder, elevator or flaps). The main advantage is that it provides aileron control that is entirely concealed within the wing and has no drag causing extensions outside the wing.
I adapted it so it would run two aileron servos off the one servo
http://www.windandwavemodels.com/DoubleRDS.html

Unfortunately, Harley died in October at the great age of 99. He was still quite active in modelling matters until recently. About 15 years ago he had a fall in which he broke his neck which limited his flying a bit.
John
MAAC #5401 L
MACI (Ireland) IRL#26

astroflyer
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Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:14 pm

Re: When Halifax Ruled the International Tiny Gliders Scene

Unread post by astroflyer » Sat Nov 07, 2020 10:35 am

Fantastic post John! I wasn't aware of any of this. Thank you!

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