Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / January 2005

Okay, I got it down today after the plane had an overnight stay in that
tree. This morning I surveyed the plane. The tail section was sticking out a
bit. I also brought my Laser Range Finder (used when I play golf), and
determined the plane to be 11 yards up (33') and not the 50 or 60 feet that
I originally thought. Hey, when your first plane is in a tree, you think it
was 1,000 feet up.  :-)

So, I went to Home Depot and bought a three 10' sections of 1-1/4" PVC
piping and two couplers to join them together. I ran 200# monofilament
fishing leader line through the pipe and tied a big loop on one end. The
other end, I tied a stick to it (so as to not lose the end of the line up
into the pipe).

My plans were to place the loop over the tail section, and then pull the
other end of the line through the pipe to tighten the "noose" and pull the
plane out.

However, when I went back to the tree that afternoon, the winds had swayed
the branches and the plane had settled in a bit more deeply into the tree.
The tail section was no where to be seen from out from under the tree
canopy. I could, however, see the plane standing directly under the tree.
There were so many branches and leaves that there was no room for the loop
be able to go around any part of the plane. So, at this time, I proceeded to
just poke the plane. It fell about seven feet lower into the tree before
getting hung on another branch. Finally, another couple of pokes freed the
plane and I tried to catch it with one hand (while balancing this 30' pipe
with the other). I managed to slow its decent down with my hand which
flipped it upright and it landed directly on its wheels! No damage
what-so-ever!

I guess I'm lucky *this* time.  ;-)

I've had luck with the following ~
5-6 six foot lengths aluminum tubing, 5/8 inch ID, 3/4 OD
5-6 six foot lengths aluminum tubing, 3/4 inch ID
10-12 pieces of coat hanger, 3-6 inches
one (auto) muffler clamp, 2 (auto) heater hose clamps

use the hose clamps to fasten the muffler clamp "hook"
to the end of one piece of tubing.
alternate large and small tubing, sliding each approx
six inches onto the next; drill a small hole approx 3 inches
from the end of each tube, and slide a coat hanger wire
through to attach them, bend the ends of the wire. You
now have the equipment ready ~ disassemble it.......
The tubing is NOT strong enough to hoist to a vertical
position while it's assembled, but by sliding and snaking
each section (starting with the hook) into the tree, and
connecting a new section as you lift the assembly, you can
feed the device up through the branches, towards the plane,
using the branches for support. Once you get to the plane,
hook, push, rattle, pull, do whatever it takes. Expect some
damage, but you've recovered (no pun intended) your gear.

Another quick trick involves an archery bow, and a fishing
arrow ~ the arrow has a spring-loaded barb that will
penetrate the wing/fuse, but cannot be pulled back out.
It has a line attached to a spool on the bow. Shoot and
yank.

Caution with aluminum tubes ~ check carefully for electric
wires, and avoid contact.
Caution with arrow ~ expect several misses, and be aware
of where the arrow will fall if it speeds past the plane. Don't
shoot straight up at the plane....

DC3

The key here is to "throw over the tail". That would be the part that is the
most difficult.  :-)

Find some electric company guys with a bucket truck out working. Ask them.

My local club has a local tree surgeon who after being called in once saw
the business opportunity and keeps his business cards stocked at our
frequency board :)

A couple of fellows I know were flying and got a plane stuck in a tree....
no problem said one, I'll just call the fire dept. to come get it out....
well he did, but the dispatcher didn't catch the 'model' plane part, and
thought it was a real plane and sent every piece of emergency equipment they
had....... when the chief got there, he was not amused..... and everyone
left with the plane still in the tree...

One thing we use is a bow and arrow with a light line. Once the light line
is over the plane, a heavier line is pulled up with a small grappling hook
attached... it usually comes down in pieces, but sometimes.... big pieces.
.
Arne, USA (I would take up golf, but I don't have the time)

Just in case the monkey wont come down, this may help:

How To Get A Gorilla Out Of A Tree

Get the following:
1) Long Pole
2) Heavy Net
3) Pit Bull (the dog training comes in handy here)
4) Shotgun
5) Helper

Go up the tree with the pole and use it to shove the gorilla out of the
tree. (Leave the net and the shotgun down with your helper)

Train the pit bull to use it's powerful jaws to grasp the fallen gorilla
by his nuts, thus immobilizing him until you and your helper can get the
net on him.

Sometimes the gorilla will knock you out of the tree. In that case,
instruct your helper to shoot the dog.

Why go to all that trouble Bod?  You just put a dollop of cat food in the fuse
before each flight - plane stuck up in tree - cat goes up tree to get food  -
get fire dept to get cat down - and 'while you blokes are up there...."

David

Paintball gun.  Trust me, it works.  I've retrieved many a plane with one
with minimal damage.  Wal-Mart will have a decent one for about $60 dollars,
gun, balls, and CO2.  It can be used later at the field to try and shoot
down other warbirds and makes combat interesting.

Mike

I used a wrist rocket sling shot - some heavy gage fishing line and a sinker.
Tie the end of the fishing line to the sinker - put the spool on a stick,
pencil, etc. Have a friend hold it so it will unwind. Use the sling shot to
flick it up over the model. Actually, if you get it around the nearby branches,
you can pull on the line and usually have the branches flip the plane out. If
it falls into the next level of branches - no prob, rewind the line on the
spool and start again. Never failed me yet!

Good luck with it!

FredD

Standard equipment here in the Appalachians!

Morris

I find that it always tankes at least a 20ga.  ;^)

--
Paul McIntosh
http://www.rc-bearings.com

Tried the first, but too high.

Used s cheap bow to get line up, got it round branch, still wouldn't come.

Eventually spent several afternoons with an air rifle shooting the
airframe to pieces, and the expensive bits came down undamaged.

Apart from the LIPO battery, which after 3 weeks was beyond recall.

Free fligh models sometimes fly off the field to land in a tree. The method
above does work quite well, even with trees 20m tall. One additional feature
that I have planned, not needed to try yet is to use a chain saw. Instead of
shaking the shoot, use the rope to pull the saw around the branch holding
the plane and saw the branch off. If you miss and get the rope around a
branch too high, just work your way down to the right branch...

-Tapio

And if the rear end of your car and the transmission hold up.

how about hiring a cherry picker on a trailer?

Bob Tomlinson

Aussie RC Enthusiast and Rugby Fanatic.

Thank heavens the USA hasn't discovered and packaged Rugby.

I knew one instance where the owner of the plane shot at it with a .22 cal.
After some 10 rounds the plane came down, but the Rx was perforated...