Flying CzechMate

[Ken from PG]

Re: Flying CzechMate

If I'm remembering right, Czech Mate once had lime green wings and raced under the name Peristroyka, Race 101, by Bob Yancey (Bless his Soul, a wonderful man). Bob told me that the name was picked because in Russian the word means "change(s)", a popular word at the time, and the Yak had been through so many changes. Anyone remember what the plane was named before that? And how did this little Russian trainer end up with a big American engine.

[RAD2LTR]

Re: Flying CzechMate

I think the engine originally came from Bob Yancy's F4U. I have always liked Czechmate, even when it had the green wings. I don't know much more about it than that however. I thought I heard a story from our mechanic when I was growing up, (he worked in Tulelake from time to time) that Bob bought the Yak, with the intention to really go racing as its smaller and lighter than the F4U, so the engine was adapted from the Corsair to the yak. A few other things were done but I really don't know what.

Will

[laminar]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Czech Mate Wails!!!

[forbergler]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Thanks Mr. Smoot. Just so you know, in case you haven't heard, the roar from the crowd when you passed two planes on the front stretch was deafening. Thanks for the great effort you and your team put into racing.

[ignomini]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Sierra Fox - that third shot is awesome. I'd sell my soul for the chance to stand wherever you can get that sort of angle.

[wyhdah]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Sierra Fox - that third shot is awesome. I'd sell my soul for the chance to stand wherever you can get that sort of angle.

Surely something could be worked out. >

[FlyinLo]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Approach speed is 124 KIAS with Full Flaps and power. It's always close to the edge because any faster and this baby will float all the way down the runway!

Sherm,

I can understand the float all the way down the runway thing with slick racers. My biplane racer is flown at about 110MPH on the approach down to about 100MPH over the fence to a wheel landing (here my problem is opposite yours). I once (and only once) tried to three point it and I ate up more than half of a 10,000 foot runway trying to slow down to a three-point speed before it got real mushy and not terribly friendly, but still floating. At which point I added power and went around for the wheelie. Getting this thing into RHV (3100 feet less a 499 foot displaced threshold) is a whole lotta fun! Maybe we can swap rides sometime and compare notes!

Jeff

[BuckyD]

Re: Flying CzechMate

I agree - Sierra Fox that 3rd shot w/Race #13 in back is what it's all about! I'd sure like a copy of that one for my photo scrap book of topper shots. SUPER JOB with the camera! Buckmeister

[hm66sk]

Re: Flying CzechMate

If I'm remembering right, Czech Mate once had lime green wings and raced under the name Peristroyka, Race 101, by Bob Yancey (Bless his Soul, a wonderful man). Bob told me that the name was picked because in Russian the word means "change(s)", a popular word at the time, and the Yak had been through so many changes. Anyone remember what the plane was named before that? And how did this little Russian trainer end up with a big American engine.

Mr. Smoot, thanks for taking the time to give us a first person account of what it's like to fly the "little bird that could". I've cheered that plane on since Bob Yancey's first debut with it in '87 when it sported that funky "homemade" looking short spinner. I'm pretty sure it was just "RACE 101". Everyone else just called it "Yancey's Yak". I'm a sucker for anything different out there with a BIG engine on it. His 3rd place gold finish in '93 was amazing. I don't think I ever cheered so loud!
I do have a question though. When the decision to enlarge the tail was made, why was a square design chosen instead of a rounded one that would have matched the lines of the rest of the craft? I'm sure there's a perfectly aerodynamic explanation for it but, it's something I've wondered about since it was done.
Thanks again for the story. Can't wait to read more.

[HiredBitSlinger]

Re: Flying CzechMate

I've cheered that plane on since Bob Yancey's first debut with it in '87 when it sported that funky "homemade" looking short spinner. I'm pretty sure it was just "RACE 101".

Here is one from 87.

Dan Plunkett

[p51fan]

Re: Flying CzechMate

If I'm remembering right, Czech Mate once had lime green wings and raced under the name Peristroyka, Race 101, by Bob Yancey (Bless his Soul, a wonderful man). Bob told me that the name was picked because in Russian the word means "change(s)", a popular word at the time, and the Yak had been through so many changes. Anyone remember what the plane was named before that? And how did this little Russian trainer end up with a big American engine.

Was it called Czech Ride?

[Ken from PG]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Was it called Czech Ride?

I think you're right.

Please write more Sherm, you're story is fascinating!

[race86]

Re: Flying CzechMate

I'm back fellas, sorry for the delay. Now that I'm a winemaker, sometimes wine comes first...
Part 2 of Flying Czechmate.

Lets see, you all have the speeds of this lil' plane, so lets move on. Someone posted a question about why the tail mod. Well, when I was first flying the plane, we had a prop the was 8" shorter. At race power the longitudinal axis was "manageable" with that prop. When we decided to go with the current prop, I encountered "unmanageable" yaw characteristics at high speeds. Remember, we come down the chute at speeds of 500 mph or more. By the way, Dreadnaught had the same probs when they went to the 4360. After consulting the Sanders, we decided to lengthen the vert. stab. to rectify the problem. It worked! The yaw problems became manageable again. One of the biggest problems I have with this plane is yaw control. I need to keep the proverbial ball in the center. Not an easy task at the speeds we do when coming inside the cockpit can be fatal. Under race power, we are pulling more torque than I even want to discuss. More later!

[hm66sk]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Someone posted a question about why the tail mod.

Mr. Smoot, that was my question. I understand the need for the tail mod but I was wondering why a square design was chosen over a rounded one that would have matched the lines of the rest aircraft.
Thanks again for all the info. It's much appreciated!

[Red]

Re: Flying CzechMate

Mr. Smoot, that was my question. I understand the need for the tail mod but I was wondering why a square design was chosen over a rounded one that would have matched the lines of the rest aircraft.
Thanks again for all the info. It's much appreciated!

I personally love the rudder shape. I think it compliments the rest of the plane well