The weather has been real good, so no building yet, but as the sponsor of this contest I need to get started.  This is one of my entries.  It has not been stated yet.  With state of the packers season, Sundays should be good building days.

I hope to use a Norvel 074, and cover it with clear lamination film. Clowns are pretty small about 200 square inches, and will fly with a TD 049, but people use heavy .15's on them. 

We are going for small and light.  With minimum finish on it. 

10/23 update. 
Fitted engine bearers.  The engine is a Norvel .074 converted heli engine.  It is a lot narrower and lighter than the fox 15 show in the plans.  Shimmed it up to fit.  Used the perma-grit  to round the hardwood.  That rocks!

More progress, going together quickly.  Love using the weights rather than pins. 

Wing is done and covered whit clear Mylar.  Rest of the airplane is waiting for some warmer weather so I can a apply some dope and tissue and finish this clown up.  orange Krylon on the framework covered up with doculam.  A few wrinkles but still OK.  

update 11/18 2017.  The clown is done except for some clear dope and a little tissue trim.  That will have to wait for warmer weather.  Tried some new things on this one.  the yellow is department store tissue paper attached with water based polyurethane.  Tried the tissue on the horizontal stab and it warped badly. 

The win is spray pained with orange krylon and covered with .005 Mylar.  Still need to learn how to work with that.  The Engine is a Norvel Helicopter engine.  I added a uniflow line to the 1oz tank.   The gear is single wheeled and a park flier wheel.  

On line Plan sources:


There are a lot of places to get plans now some are free, and have a lot of designs. Here are some that have a lot of control line content. Usually the plans are in PDF, sometimes full size and you can take them to Kinkos to print them out. To support the building contest I have started a small plans page

The most well known plan archive is outerzone. This plan site gets a majority of its plans from RC groups. they have plans for all classes of model airplanes
you do not have to sign up and there is an archive list.
https://outerzone.co.uk/index.asp

Other sites require a free membership. Aerofred ( I didn't pick the name) has a lot of airplane ship and other plans. It requires free membership
https://aerofred.com/

Hi Pocket aeronautical is a builders forum that has a plan site lots of CL and FF stuff there as well as scale information. You do need a free membership.
http://www.hippocketaeronautics.com/

There are other sites that sell plans
Our AMA, god love them for $ 75 them plans should be free?
AMA plans service http://www.modelaircraft.org/plans/plans.aspx

Flying models: I hope the magazine comes back
Flying model plans service
Model airplane news
Model airplane news still has some ukie stuff in it.
Barry Baxter plan service
http://www.controllineplans.com/
Randy Smith
http://www.aeroproduct.net/clplans.htm
Tom Dixon
http://tomdixon.tripod.com/plans.htm
Aeromodeler
http://aero-modeller.com/free-plans-list-catalogue/
There are many others but you get the idea.

update 11/18
Attached is a picture of my Ringmaster which is waiting for paint on the fuse and final assembly. I have also added a picture of the various weight of the parts. It is presently at 26 + oz. My goal is 28 so I should be close. The only problem I have had is painting the fuse. Putting too much white Rustoleum on too soon causes the paint to winkle in spots. The wing is covered in monokote with a silkspan base. Once the painting is done I will seal it with water based Polycrylic. The stab and elevator will also be trimmed with blue and red strips.

This is a pic of my soon to be completed Ringmaster which is my entry for the club building contest. The fuselage and tail components are covered with water based polycrylic and silkspan. The wing will be covered with silkspan for strength, followed by a covering of Monokote. The power will be an OS FP 25. Target weight is 28 oz. I intend to fly this at VSC in March provided  I learn the Old Time pattern by then.
Pete

 There is a wealth of information on small engines on the internet. 

Both RC Universe and RC groups has information on 1/2 engines.  RC universe has a very nice Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on both COX and Norvel engines. 

Cox engine forum is a dedicated form due to cox engines.  There are a lot of control line activity there.  If you need an answer they probably can find it. The group runs contests and events that can be done by video.  very popular is Reed valve speed is popular.  Rules are simple and you must video you flying the airplane 10 laps.  Models must be semi scale and it may be an inspiration for anyone building a 1/2a for this contest. 

Model builder magazine had series on reworking reed and other cox engines for maximum performance .  They were written by Cox engine master Dale Kirn.
I will be breaking this down over the winter. 

Circle Masters 2017 building contest

• 3 classes, sport competition and  1/2a challenge$5 one class $10 multiple entries multiple, classes
• Enter by Dec 3 2017

Proceeds split between picnic for contestants and field box fund
Sport and Competition Models general  

• Judging by contestants (form provided)
• Any new construction must start after September 1 2017.  No rebuilds, ARF’s or old projects.
• Control line models only. 
• Kits, plans or original designs are allowed.
• Model must be constructed, finished and flown by June 15. Proxy flying encouraged. Video allowed 
• Must provide photos and bring projects to the winter meetings.  Pictures will be posted.
• Enter as many times as you wish one winner  

Cox engine challenge

• Rules from above plus
• Build a model based on a cox product engine and fly it
• Flight is 3 laps minimum.  
  

Judging Rules

Grade the model based on the criteria below.  Individual results will be confidential; and totaled up for a winner.  Scores in each category are weighted
Part I: Title

1. Workmanship  scored 1- 10 General build quality fit and finish, construction methods 40 % of score
2. Score    _______
3. Flightworthiness 20%  scored 1-10   Does it look like it will fly well, are the controls and propulsion system set up properly

1. Score    ______
2. Uniqueness of subject 20% scored 1-10 is the aircraft is interesting difficult or just plain weird.  
3. Score    ______
4. Finish  10%  scored 1-10  quality of paint and or covering, fit and finish attention to detail
5. Score    ______
6. Design 10%  scored 1-10  Interesting design features, plans build aircraft. 
7. Score    ______
   

This ought to be fun. 
I have images of stuntman 23's and baby ringmasters clawing through the air, or a scientific hollow log flying like a brick on a struggling single port cox.  Anyone can bolt a Norvel on it, but can you make a product engine run?  Run well?

The idea came about when a new club member brought a box of cox product engines to the October club meeting.  The engines had been used in a middle school industrial arts program.  Every year they were disassembled, reassembled and ran.  Needless to say the engines are in need of a little TLC.

1/2 A stuff is not everywhere anymore, but I am here to help.   
Engine Parts

Several parts sources are available for gaskets an all that
Contact Art Johnson, ask a club member for his email.

Cox international purchased the remaing stock of engines and parts when Cox quit making engines.  they have complete engines, NOS and new parts and some new products, like a throttle.