Hi OZPAF/John.
Thanks very much for the further post and interest.
Regarding the "no stainless lines and leadouts" this is certainly a Barton MFC rule
for all control line team racing models. I don't fly aerobatic C/L models - so am unsure as to whether this rule applies to these, also.
Please see the attached 'screenshot' - taken from 'Google Maps'. The red arrow is the access to the Barton MFC site - it is through a 'crash gate' of the 'Manchester Barton Aerodrome' (which I am told is the original Manchester Airport). The Barton MFC's site is outlined in red. The area outlined in blue is a Police Helicopter compound and that in black is an Air Ambulance Compound. At one time, they flew combat in the 'mown' area, to the left of the access - but no longer allowed - for quite some years. One of the grass circles had a line length/height restriction - possibly might not even be used any more. At one stage, all models in flight had to fly level/land when the police helicopter was taking off/landing - but I'm not sure that this is the case any more. I do know that club officials are required by the aerodrome authorities to attend the regular (quarterly?) 'health and safety' (probably the incorrect term) meetings that all other Aerodrome (full-size) users have to go to. So, it's probably fair to state that the Barton MFC's use of the site is closely regulated.
I have been told (I've never looked that closely) that stainless wire has a central strand (or 'core') with other strands wound (spiralled?) around it. As I understand it, the logic is that the central core could be damaged by a pull test - but the damage not be apparent until 'full down' is applied, to shut off the motor for a pit stop, when all the force (again maybe not the correct term) is momentarily applied to the 'down' line, causing it to fail. The model is then only tethered by the 'up' line, which could also then fail - resulting in a flyaway (of whatever stability and duration).
Some may argue that the above is nonsense. It really doesn't matter, either way. It's a Barton MFC rule. Their club, their rules - no comply - no fly. Simples!!
The easiest 'traditional carbon steel' lines to find, in the U.K. at least, are those supplied by Progress Aero Works [PAW] - not least because Tony (and Chris) Eifflaender are Club members and Tony usually has some lines and other bits with him at competitions.
I have attached a couple of 'screenshots' from his website - the first gives some details of the specifications (and prices) and the second - some (different) prices. Not listed on the website - but there is also 18 thou. line in 40 metre(?) lengths. It is three stranded - I don't know, off-hand, where one would get solid lines in the U.K.. I've never had a set - but I seem to recall reading that they can be problematic in the wet - binding - treating with 'Windex' to reduce this problem?
I've found the PAW 'Staystrate' lines to be really good - you need to be a bit more careful, in use, with them than with stainless lines - they are a bit more 'springy'/less flexible and much less tolerant of 'kinks' - but otherwise no issues.
Yup, two horns - and you are correct as to the function of each of the two. The wing is set low in the fuselage - too low to site the bellcrank under the wing, on the outboard side of the fuselage. No space on the outboard upper side of the wing. The elevator could be on the outboard side, only - but then how do you get the pushrod (neatly and easily) from the inboard, to the outboard, side of the fuselage? Just simplest/easiest to have the installation that you see.
The 'L' shaped bellcrank support is one of my 'stolen' ideas.
Credit needs to go to a gentleman who posts under the name of 'Sibbsie ' on the Barton MFC's 'Forum' website. The attached 'screenshot' is of his 'Texas Quickie Rat' model, Enya 40 (Model 6002?) powered - constructed from oak boards that had originally formed part of the flooring in his house!!
He used to take a lot of 'ribbing' from people about that, when he competed with it.
Regarding the mounting of the support - yes, on the fuselage - epoxied (and screwed) to a 'hard point' (small piece of beech engine bearer) let into the balsa fuselage before the 1/32" ply doubler sides and balsa cheek pod are fitted. The final attached 'screenshot' shows this, and the further two 'hard points' for the fuel tank fixing screws (the fuel shut-off is soldered to the bottom of the tank, rather than requiring a separate screw fixing).
Cheers,
Jez Wilkins
