TEAM racing, introduced two years ago on the West Coast, is still very new to many localities. If you haven't yet tried it you are missing some of the biggest thrills you can get from flying model planes, including the thrill of direct competition with your opponents from the start of the first lap to the checkered flag at the end of the race.
But team racing is not all thrills. Winning a feature race is only the final result of a lot of preparation on the part of the team of pilot and mechanics. Although this type of event deals with speed, it is the elapsed time from the beginning of the race to the end of the last lap that determines this speed. There are several things which affect this elapsed time, the flying speed of the plane being only one. The number of laps the plane will fly on its 1 oz. tank, and the rapidity with which the mechanics can refuel and restart the model are also determining factors, and they can mean the difference between winning and losing. Of course a very important part of the team is the model itself. Team racing is grueling business for both men and machines-just ask a mechanic at the end of a 140-lap feature event! The plane must be able to stand up under several heat races and one or two long races as well, with no time out for repairs nor even for inspection for impending failures. At the same time it must handle easily during the confusion of a race when the pilot must continually be glancing around to keep track of other pilots and planes. Also it must have good take-off and landing characteristics. A plane with bad take-off habits (which seem quite prevalent among team racers) can not only cause trouble for its pilot, but also for the other pilots in the race as well. And a broken prop on landing means losing the race almost certainly.
Able Mable is a development of two seasons in team racing competition, and was designed to give the best possible performance under the conditions encountered in this type of flying. It features light weight, rugged yet simple construction, ease of maintenance, and clean lines. The original model weighs just 21 oz., has a top speed of 94 mph, flies 39 laps at 82 mph. and has been flying in competition for 5 months.
Before starting construction it will be necessary to enlarge the plans to full size. This can easily be done since they are printed half size. If you do not wish to enlarge them yourself you can obtain a full size set, or have them photostated up to the correct size.
Fuselage. Cut the two sides from 1/8" thick hard balsa sheet to outline shown on plans. Cut two 1/16" plywood doublers, indicated by shaded area on plans, and cement in place on sides of fuselage. Slow cement the 1/4" x 1/2" maple engine bearers to the fuselage sides over the doublers. While allowing these side assemblies to dry, cut out the 1/8" plywood firewall and 1/8" sheet balsa bulkheads. Bend the 1/8" piano wire landing gear to shape and install on fire wall with 1/8" J-Bolts, being sure not to obstruct the air outlet openings in the firewall. Cement a piece of 1/8" sheet balsa between upright legs of landing gear as a mount for the fuel shut-off. Next fasten fuel shut-off to firewall with a bracket made from brass shim stock.
Assemble the fuselage sides to firewall and bulkheads, using clamps and pins to hold it together while the cement sets up.
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