Electric Old Timers Fact Sheet

Here is some information about 'Electric Old Timers' a facet of our hobby that the AEFA is actively developing and promoting. A 'Fact Sheet' covering this material can be accessed here .

‘Old Timers’ come in all shapes and sizes but note the term describes a particular variety of model aircraft, not their pilots.

In essence they are vintage models, based on designs published or available as kits during the “golden era of model aviation”, the decade of the thirties to the beginning of WWII. The Society of Antique Modelers (SAM), recognized as a world wide authority and advocate of these aircraft, calls models prior to 1939,“antique”, and before 1942, “old timer”. Aircraft up to 1956 are in the “nostalgia” category. There are ‘chapters’ of SAM throughout Australia, encouraging all age groups to experience the pleasure of building and flying these character filled models.

Competition among ‘old timer’ flyers has led to the development of rules and regulations that make sure the models look like their vintage counterparts while allowing modern building materials and structural improvements. Replacing ignition or glow motors with electric power is now also an option.

‘Old Timer’s were originally free flight models powered by ignition engines or rubber motors. In that era, there were two types of competition, one for a limited motor run, the other for a limited fuel allowance. Current competition rules emulate those concepts.

Rules for events currently flown by the AEFA are in the Rules section of this website (here) or downloadable here . In broad terms they are: Texaco - limited battery (fuel) allowance based on aircraft weight

Duration - limited motor runs, battery based on wing area

Height Limited - single, limited motor run to a capped ceiling

1/2A Texaco - the same idea as Texaco but aircraft are limited in size and battery options are reduced

Vintage Glider - 7 minute flight. Single motor run with an electronic plug-in device limiting motor run time and aircraft height under power.

Starting out with ‘old timers’ might seem a challenge but selecting a good design, and appropriate power package can be very simple if we look at what currently works for others Here are some tables describing some of the models currently competing in AEFA events.They show that one or two designs dominate and that mid to low price range motors give good results.

DURATION Model Wingspan Weight Motor Prop Battery/Current Playboy 80” 2030mm 49oz 1390g 2848-4800 in-runner Astro gear Bolly 12” 2200-3S 100A Sunduster 88” 2235mm 60oz 1720g Scorpion HK4015-1050 12x6 1800-6S 89A Airborne 114” 2895mm 67oz 1900g Scorpion 3026-890 13x8 2200-4S 70A Playboy Cabin 102% 79.5” 2020mm 47oz 1332g Hyperion ZS3025-10 12x6 1800-4S 50A Record Hound 68” 1727mm 50oz 1470g MVVS 13x10 1800-4S 53A Lanzo Bomber86% 78” 2000mm 59oz 1417g Scorpion 4020-12 13x6 1800-6S 50A Playboy 80” 2030mm Axi 12x6 2200-3S Cumulus 79” 1778mm 56oz 1588g Neu 1509 14x10 2200-4S 140A

HEIGHT LIMITED Model Wingspan Weight Motor Prop Battery /Current Record Hound 68” 1727mm 50oz 1417g MVVS 4.6/840 13x10 1800-4S 53A Playboy 80” 2030mm 49oz 1390g 2848-4800 in-runner Astro gear Bolly 12” 1750-3S 70A Airborne 114” 2895mm 67 oz 1900g Scorpion 3026-890 13x8 2200-4S 60A Airborne 48” 1220mm 22oz 624g Hyperion 2218-10 12x6 1300-3S 18A Lanzo Bomber70% 67” 1710m 35oz 992g Hyperion 3025-8 11x5.5 1200-3S 28A Lanzo Bomber70% 70” 1780mm 31oz 880g Eflite Power 15 10x8 2200-2S 20A Sunduster 88” 2235mm 60oz 1720g Scoprion HK4015-1050 13x6 1800-3S 70A Dallaire Sportster 108” 2740mm 88oz 2495g Turnigy 3648-850 14x7 2600-3S 63A

TEXACO Model Wingspan Weight Motor Prop Battery/Current Lanzo Bomber 70% 70” 1780mm 31oz 879g Eflite Power 15 13x6 920-2S 18A Airborne 114” 2895mm 67 oz 1900g Scorpion 3026-890 13x8 900-4S 55A Lanzo Bomber70% 70” 1780mm 26oz 750g 400 size Turnigy outrunner 10x6 800-2S 12A Lanzo Bomber70% 67” 1710mm 34oz 964g Hyperion 3025-8 11x5.5 900-2S 20A Nimbus 123” 3125mm 154oz 4365g Turnigy 5065-400 16x8 2200-4S 35A Dallaire Sportster 108” 2740mm 88oz 2495g Turnigy 3648-850 12x6 1600-3S 32A