Monday, July 21, 2014

World's Tallest Symbol of Freedom & Hope

Thanks to Andrew Fleming for this inspiring video:

Standing 400 feet tall, the new Acuity Insurance Flagpole is the tallest flagpole in North America.  Located on the Acuity Insurance headquarters campus in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, along Interstate 43 between Milwaukee and Green Bay, the pole supports a 60-foot-wide by 120-foot-long American flag.  Located at the base of the flagpole is a brick paver patio featuring the names of Sheboygan County residents killed in active duty.

Flagpole Facts:
400-foot flagpole weighs approximately 420,000 pounds
There are two versions of the 60- by 120-foot flag:
- 220 pound flag is flown during normal conditions
- 350 pound flag is flown during harsher weather
Each star is 3 feet high and each stripe is 4 1/2 feet wide
680 cubic yards of concrete used in foundation
Over 500 gallons of paint cover the pole
11-foot diameter at base tapers to 5 1/2-foot diameter at top
Three pendulum-style tuned mass dampers reduce movement and vibration
Designed to withstand a low temperature of -42°F


Click on: http://mortenson.wistia.com/medias/tejnwpitig

Monday, July 14, 2014

HUGE SUCCESS!! NATIONAL CHAMPION!!

Congratulations to George Maiorana!! Your Dover 133 Fan Club is thrilled by your achievement!! And so proud to have had the privilege of meeting you and seeing your baby up close and personal at our Reunion. Thank you for sharing it with us!

Hi,

What a wonderful week we had with the C-133. Here are some pictures of her flying. Dave flew her about 16 times from Thursday's maiden till the end of the contest on Sunday afternoon.

We took first place in our division (Team Scale). Because I had many problems with my 3 blade props we had to fly with 2 blades. I'm sure there are better pictures out there and video also.


More to come when available.

Smiles all around here.  :))

George



                                                 Dave, our pilot 








Thursday, July 10, 2014

Maiden Flight

Just got the following from our Giant 133 Model-maker, George Maiorana. And below is his full power, ground run-up photo (tethered to the fence) on 7/05.

Check out the NATS event in Muncie, IN, where he’s making his Maiden Flight: http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats.aspx . Click on Nats Schedule, to see George’s category, 2014 RC & CL Scale Nats.

Dick H.

From: George
Subject: C-133 maiden flight
Date: July 10, 2014 at 6:59:07 AM CDT


Hi,

All packed and off to the NATS to tempt fate :-)

Back Monday.

George



Monday, July 7, 2014

Classic 133 Incident

Breaking news from Giant 133 Model-maker George Maiorana!

Does this bring back more memories or what???

Hi Guys,

Well it's been a traumatic week here. I was running up the C-133 to full power and checking static thrust (19.5 lbs) when #3 threw a blade. The resulting instant vibration tore the motor off the fire wall and took a chunk out of the cowl. It was a moment that I reflected upon for an hour or so.  The good part of the problem is that the blade went into the garage about 30 feet and not thru the fuse or me. Had to count my blessings. Another blessing is that it happened here and not in the air (total disaster if it had occured in the air).

I took all 6 of my props and did a complete mod B to them. Yesterday I ran all 6 props in a "bunkered" test stand for 4 minutes at WOT. All survived. The motor mount and cowl are repaired and I just came in from running up the plane teathered to a fence. What an awesome sound.  No problems!  So I'll begin getting all my ground support equipment sorted out ready for the trip to the AMA NATS.

The "plan" is for me to arrive at the site Thursday afternoon (July 10th) and set the plane up ready for the maiden. My pilot, Dave along with his wife Vicki, plans to be at the site Thursday afternoon around 6 PM and take her up. If he gets there early enough and all goes well we may be able to get a second flight in.  Friday we will get the plane static judged and fly some more.  Contest is Saturday and Sunday with two judged flights each day.

Here is a link to the AMA NATS news and you can keep track what is going on during the contest.     http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx

Cross your fingers :-)

George