A test-review of the new...   HUFF & PUFF...   the very first  very small glow powered dc pusher model... (class "A", not really a "½ A" as touted)
    Jim Baxter, March 1999

I received a copy of the current plans and instructions along with one of the completed prototype models Rick had built during the final design and development stage.   The first thing I noted was that the plans and instuctions nearly outweighed the model itself!    The three,  very large  (33" x 44"),  plan sheets and the numerous  (35?)  pages of highly detailed instructions are almost overwhelming.    If you have a small shop/workarea as I do,  you may find it difficult to work with such large plans for such a small model?  You may want to consider wallpapering your shop with the plans until finished?

However,  I was blessed with not having to do any building,  and the model received was of quality workmanship, typical of what one would expect of an engineer like Rick.    I did scan the instructions and made numerous suggestions for excess verbage removal,  along with a replacement of a few photos.     The plans are highly detailed and even include a beautiful 3d view of the model.   However,  I noted the measurements are in decimal,  not fractions, which many modelers including myself, find timeconsuming to work with.    These CAD drawings are good,  but if handdrawn,  the entire model,  sans the 3d view,  could be placed on a single sheet.

So much for the preliminaries....   What we really wanted to know is: Just how well does this little beauty fly?    As for starting that .061 Norvel engine,   well,  being an old military guy,  I always have a problem with anything made in Russia.    I guess this .061 takes a little getting used to, along with the right fuel (high nitro),  the the right valve setting,  and holding your tongue just right when cranking it.   It is a little awkward sandwiching either your hand or electric starter between the rotor and vertical tail fins,  but that`s a small price we pay for a small pusher model.   Anyway,   with the balance and all checked as per the instructions,  a personal assurance from Rick that the thing "really does fly",  I cranked it up and trotted out for a hand launch into a rather light breeze of only 2 or 3 knots.   With a a trusty photographer at my side,   I hand spun the rotor and walked into the breeze.   When I noted the acceleration into autorotation,  the lift was obvious as well as the, more than adequate,   power of the Norvel at full throttle.  

At release it entered a slightly right,  descending turn.    Response to a correction was immediate and smooth.... it was very stable and easy to handle.  Left and right turns were smooth, though perhaps a bit rapid,  probably due to the extra throw I had installed as a personal habit.  This pusher design, as noted by Rick during initial flight testing, requires a CG very close to the center of thrust and lift.... thus it will roll more rapidly than the usual tractor gyro model.   Also I noted that if you exceed normal flight banking of about 30 degrees, the rate of roll will increase, and you must reduce the bank angle immediately.   If you look closely at the photo at the right, you will see the model in a right turn with a bank angle of perhaps 70 to 80 degrees...   I`ve been told it will do a fine axial roll, and I have no doubts about its ability to do this.  In future test flights I expect it will perform excellent loops as well as rolls.     I was pleasantly surprised that it was easier to maintain orientation with this model, versus many of the tractor models.  Naturally,  a model that is basically stable is easier to follow, since it does not tend to wonder off unexpectedly.    Approach and landing is simple and easy..... However with the configuration of this model  (near central CG location)  one must be cautious to keep the touchdown forward speed to a minimum due to the high potential of the model to flip over forward onto its back.

The model I am flying has a serious flaw that has already been corrected with the newer/current version.  My model has a thin aluminum landing gear,  that is also positioned a bit too far aft,  enhancing the chance of it tumbling forward on landing.    The aluminum gear would completely collapse with each landing.   This problem has already been recognized and corrected.   The current plan  (being mailed)  shows a new 1/16" music wire gear that has also been moved forward,  thus hopefully correcting both problems.   I also feel the vertical fins are highly subject to breaking off too easily.   I suggest the model builder insert two standard straight pins  (horizontally)  into the fin / stab joint to add additional strength.

Possibly more comments later as I conduct more test flights.....
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