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Escapement

Single channel RC usually meant control of one function - rudder. Early units used a rubber band escapement or a rubber band powered servo.
A 1960's single channel transmitter was a metal box with an on/off switch and a key or a momentary push button. Inside the airplane were the receiver/batteries that operated an electric magnet. When the push button on the transmitter was pushed (and everything worked) the magnet was energized. When the transmitters button was released, the electric magnet was off.
Also inside the airplane, usually under the wing was the escapement. The heart of the escapement is a wheel attached to a rubber band that extended to the rear of the aircraft. Once the rubber band is wound up, the wheel wants to turn but a latching mechanism operated by the electric magnet holds the wheel in a certain position. 
The escapements wheel was also attached to a torque rod that connected to the airplanes rudder. This wheel had 4 positions; 0 degree = neutral, 90 degree = right, 180 degree = neutral and 270 degree = left. Therefore as the wheel rotated we would see the rudder go from neutral to right rudder then to neutral then to left rudder and then back to neutral etc. The latch mechanism would hold the wheel at neutral, either the 0 or 180 degree position. When the button on the transmitter was pushed, the electric magnet would allow the wheel to rotate a 1/4 turn to either the right or left rudder position. When the transmitters button was released the electric magnet would release the latch allowing the wheel to rotate another 1/4 turn back to neutral.
All of this translates to..... When the button is pushed on the transmitter, the rudder moves full right (for example) and remains at full right until the button is released which allows the rudder to return to neutral. The next time the button is pushed the rudder moves full left and remains there until the button is released which allows the rudder to return to neutral. The 3rd time the button is pushed the rudder moves right etc. etc................ until the rubber band unwinds.
Flying was a series of button taps, sometimes called "once for right and two for left". If you made a right turn and then wanted to make another right turn. The pilot would push and hold for the first right turn - release, push and release for a very fast left followed by push and hold for the 2nd right turn.

"Escapement Interface" allows you fly with your escapement using a modern RC system.
I have only the interface electronics and do not have the escapements themselves for sale.
The "Escapement Interface" is a circuit that plugs into your airplane between the receiver and your escapement. You may plug the interface into the receivers aileron port and the escapement will be energized ever time the transmitters aileron stick is pushed.
Option,
You can replace the transmitters landing gear switch with a push button and then plug the "Escapement Interface" into the landing gear port of the receiver. This push button then becomes the old time - "push once for right and twice for left"

The model selected for this interface should be a slow flier. Keep in mind, in the day, RC models were guided free flight airplanes. Since you are using a modern radio, you might want to plug in a throttle servo as well.

Single Function Actuator.

A single function actuator was used to operated the rudder. The actuator was much like a servo except instead of a motor there was an electric magnet - and the rudder flapped or pulsed. Probably the most common single function actuator was the "Adams Actuator" used with many Ace RC radio systems.
The rudder flapped left/right at a rate of about 11 times per second. Proportional control was achieved by an off set or changing the center of the flapping.

"Single function Interface" allows you fly with your actuator using a modern RC system.
I have only the interface electronics and do not have the actuators themselves for sale.
The "Single function Interface" is a circuit that plugs into your airplane between the receivers aileron port and your (Adams) actuator. The actuator will be energized and pulse when the RC system is turned on. The aileron stick on your transmitter will then change the off set or center of flapping to operate your rudder.

The model selected for this interface should be a slow flier. Keep in mind, in the day, RC models were guided free flight airplanes. Since you are using a modern radio, you might want to plug in a throttle servo as well. Yes you can use the aileron servo reversing feature in your transmitter if necessary.

Three Function Actuator - Galloping Ghost

Galloping Ghost usually used one motor/actuator to operate 3 functions in your model, rudder, elevator and throttle. The most popular actuator was probably the Rand LR-3. The control surfaces flapped left/right and up/down at a rate of about 11 times per second. Proportional control was achieved by an off set or changing the center of the flapping. In the case of throttle, the throttle did not flap/pulse - well maybe a little at full up elevator. The LR-3 actuator provided 5 throttle positions from low to high. The transmitters used had two throttle push buttons, one for high and one for low. The pilot then blip-ed the throttle push buttons to try to find something other than full or idle.
These actuators had a couple of unique features that a pilot had to learn to live with.
Rudder in either direction also gave up elevator, more rudder - more up.
Throttle in either direction also gave full up - only when the pilot was on the transmitters push button, thus the blips.

"Galloping Ghost Interface"
"Galloping Ghost Interface" allows you fly with your LR-3 actuator using a modern RC system.
I have only the interface electronics and do not have the actuators themselves for sale.
"Galloping Ghost Interface" is installed in the model and has 3 servo connectors that plug into the receiver; rudder (aileron), elevator and throttle ports. There is also one connector that plugs into the LR-3 actuator. 
When the receiver is powered up, the circuit sends out 10 pulses a second (adjustable) to the actuator. 
As the transmitters elevator stick is moved up/down the pulses decrease/increase. When the transmitters rudder (aileron) stick is operated there is an off set or change in the center of flapping, for left/right.
The transmitters throttle stick is normally left in the center or mid position and can be blip-ed up/hi and or blip-ed down/low to get one of the 5 positions of throttle from the LR-3 actuator. The throttle stick must then be returned to the mid position.
Option,
You may want to add a spring to the throttles joy stick in your transmitter. The spring will make the throttle stick sit at neutral (mid position) and you can push or blip "up" for high throttle OR push or blip "down" for low throttle

The model selected for this interface should be a slow flier. Keep in mind, in the day, RC models were guided free flight airplanes. Yes you can use the servo reversing feature in your transmitter if necessary.



















Galloping Ghost -

3 Function Interface



Single Function Interface

Escapement Interface               

Galloping Ghost
Galloping Ghost was a term used in the 1960's for a single channel RC system. While there were many other versions of single channel, Escapement, rudder only etc.  Galloping Ghost gave you proportional control of rudder, elevator and throttle. This inexpensive RC system had one drawback - the control surfaces flapped left/right and up/down at a rate of about 11 times per second. Control was achieved by an off set or changing the center of the flapping. The servo or actuator used had only one motor for the 3 functions and was a mechanical marvel. The most popular was probably the Rand LR-3 actuator.


I  have 3 different "Interface electronics" that will allow you to fly either; Escapement, Single function actuator or the 3 function Galloping Ghost actuator with today's RC systems. I do not have the actuators themselvs for sale, just the interface electronics.

Escapement Interface....$50

Single function Interface....$65 (Available soon)

3 function Interface....$175 (Available soon)






click on thumbnails

Galloping

Ghost

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