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Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006 2:02 AM
Subject: [ffml] OOS Squirrel
Hi List,

Our son visited us in Wiesbaden last spring. I had no models ready for fun so we went on the Internet, downloaded the SQUIRREL (Darcy White design), and with a slight modification, built and took it up to the brow of the hill, a big walkers and pet exercise area. There is a Roman watch tower there so we think it is the highest point in Wiesbaden.

We cranked in a few turns and while we were trimming and testing with short flights, we noticed a gentleman reading the newspaper. He was watching over his glasses. We sent up a few mid-power flights and decided too crank in some turns. We got it up to 80-90 percent and gave it a toss.

It was a sunny, cool day with the slightest breeze from the SSE. The model spiraled almost straight up and then began a more gentle circle to the left as the power came off. After a few circles we realized it was in rising air and we watched it get smaller and smaller as it tracked North. Just before it specked out as it flew over the city, the gentleman reading the paper put it down and asked in perfect English, ‘is your name on the airplane?’ I said,’ yes- also my address and telephone number.’ He said something like this. If that comes down in town and causes a car accident, they’ll know who to call for the suit! We laughed but later I wondered if he was kidding or was voicing a real concern. Regardless, the telephone never rang about the model and Hung is the only one who knows where it is.

The modification I made to the power system was to slant the toothpick that holds the rubber for the rear hook. I re-read the instructions later and found the reason the toothpick is pointed straight down is so when turns are depleted the rubber slips off which changes the CG and brings the model back down- a built in DT! Bill Kuhl has Squirrel video on his website.

Rolf