| Ken Erickson |
| What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#1] |
The thing that gave us the most problem, getting our racing going, was the matter of airplane identification. We religiously observed the distances dictated by the AMA Safety code. (our landlord wanted his insurance in effect) Our people had no experience in cut judging or lap counting, so airplane ID’ing was a concern. You could not discern numbers on the wing, even when they were 7 inched wide and bold!! It was easy enough to ID by airplane color, when we had less than 11 participants, because the Skyraiders came in four colors, and we started out doing 3-plane heats. Also, using a rolling matrix, that is:
(7 planes) 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6 7, 1, 2 3, 4, 5 6, 7, 1 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7
or
(11 planes) 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 1 2, 3, 4 5, 6, 7 8, 9, 10 etc.,
we could make up the matrix ahead of time and then assign numbers so there would be no conflict. This worked fine!!
But we wanted to have 4-plane heats!!!
By examining the possible 4-plane matrices, we learned that, with no frequency conflicts, plane number 1 will fly against:
(with 7 participants) 2, 3, 4, 7, 6, and 5 everybody
(with 8 participants) 2, 3, 4, 8, 7, and 6 but not 5!! Also you will not have 2 & 6 or 3 & 7 or 4 & 8!! We only need to have 4 IDs, in 2 sets.
(with 9 or 10 participants, you need 5 IDs, with 11 or 12, 6 IDs. But how often do you get 8 Skyraiders, only two of each color, and 4 LA 40, only 2 the same???
As we got more participants, this was not going to work.
We learned that most of the High Class racers also had the ID problem and were using colored stickers on the top and bottom of the wings. Typically, they used “High Green” High Pink, Low Green and Low Pink. The High and Low determined by the fact the wings are almost vertical in a “Pylon Turn”. Because of frequency issues of the past, they were already using a system of 4 “Lanes”. These lanes are not like lanes on a slot car track, or the highway, they are groups of participants, who do not race against each other in that matrix. Those assigned to “Lane 1” do not race anyone else in “Lane 1”. This avoids frequency conflict and ID problems. Only 4 distinct plane IDs are needed. Therefore the High and Low Green and Pink.
BUT, still two problems. Some had experience with the 5 X 7 stickers and insisted they were too small to be easily seen. Others, did not want to put any stickers on their planes, which were not very easily removable.
A lot of things were tried. I thought I had something, when I test flew a Raider for several weeks with 7 ½ X 10 in. paper, held on by Plastic Wrap. (The paper had to be narrower than the Plastic Wrap so the PW could cling to the wing.) We tried this at the next race. With the planes sitting on the ground, the ID tag fell off the bottom of the wing. The PW did not stick!!! (Wetting the wing slightly would have worked, but confidence was shot.) We added some “Combat Tape” (fairly low tack) to the back of the rear of the paper and flew.
I made up some new tags, using the same colored paper, but not protecting it with the Plastic Wrap. The two pieces were joined on the long side by “Easily Removable Shelf Liner”, approx. ½ inch apart, so the thing would tack to the leading edge. Narrow strips of the same low tack material hold down the rear edges of the paper. These are easily seen. They are easily removed, and can be used more than once (the same day).
You may ask, “But don’t we need to protect them from the exhaust? The answer is, “No, not at all!!”
Take a look at the tags on the planes in the pictures in the October Race Report.
Now we can make our lives simpler by using Paul Herman's "Warbird Racing" program or Hank Kauffmann's printed matrices. Paul's has prettier printouts and handles 3-plane or 4-plane races. The Kaufman matrices can be used if you absolutely will not take a computer to the race.
The roll of "Easily Removable Shelf Liner", which I purchased at a discount store, cost about $6.00 for 24 inches by 18 feet. Just make sure it says "Easy to apply and Remove".
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| 10/25/2006 12:13:26 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#2] |
We have been using the whole 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper for most of 2006. Edited 12/26/2007
This demo is with a piece of white, standard size. All my Pink and Green had already been cut.
Clicking on any picture lets you see it much larger.
Note the paper is on the leading edge, and is 3/4 inch away from the ailerons.
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| 10/25/2006 12:17:35 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#3] |
Preparation:
Here the "Easily Removable Shelf Liner" is cut int 1 1/2 icn wide strips.
Two sheets of paper joined together, 1/4 inch apart, so there will be tack on the leading edge.
Put the backing on to protect the tacky surface.
Trim it for neatness and so the backing is not accidently removed, causing a mess.
One can take a stack of these to the race.
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| 10/25/2006 12:27:37 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#4] |
If we are racing only Raiders and LA Racers:
Continue the preparation by cutting the "E R S L" (Easily Removable Shelf Liner) into 1 inch strips.
Attach these to the rear edge, leaving about 1/4 inch of the tacky area for sticking to the wing. Then cover with the backing and trim.
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| 10/25/2006 12:36:26 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#5] |
I prefer to first cut the "E R S L" into into long strips and keep as rolls. It is a bit of a hassle, but much easier to apply to the paper, later.
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| 10/25/2006 12:40:45 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#6] |
When it has been determined which color to put where on what airplane:
Remove the backing from the middle of the tag. Place the tacky surface on the leading edge of the wing.
Remove the backing from one of the edges. Smooth the paper down and then the tacky surface. Do the other surface of the wing.
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| 10/25/2006 1:06:15 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#7] |
What if the wing is a different size? For instance, smaller?
You could have some tags without the edge "E R S L". Or just remove it.
Attach the tag to the leading edge, as normal. Then cut it so that there will be at least 1/4 inch between the reart of the tag and the aileron. I cut this one too short.
Now use the "E R S L" strip you removed a bit ago, or some from your roll, to tack down the rear of the tag.
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| 10/25/2006 1:13:23 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#8] |
Here we are in October. KISS
Click on it to see a larger image.
The tags worked really well. These are 7.5 X 10 inches. The next bunch will be 8.5 by 11.
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| 10/25/2006 1:18:15 PM | |
| Jim Duda |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#9] |
Ken's system is absolutely perfect for the under 120 MPH racers! A HUGE plus is how easily these tags can be removed and switched around if any conflicts occur during the fly-offs.
What is a good source for these 8-1/2 X 11 flourescent paper sheets?
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| 10/25/2006 3:44:58 PM | |
| Ken Erickson |
| Re: What we learned about identifying airplanes | [#10] |
I got these at Office Depot. They were $0.02 per sheet. Did I mention that the "E R S L" was about $6.00 for 18 inches by 24 feet?
Just see to it that the Red airplanes get Green tags.
This can be done quite easily with Paul Herman's program.
In the October picture, the rear of the tag is only held by a piece of the combat tape. The "E R S L" strip works even better.
Ken
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| 10/26/2006 8:22:02 AM | |
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