Control Line: Scale
Bill Boss 77-06 269th Street New Hyde Park, NY 11040
WRAM Show (Westchester County Center — White Plains, NY, February 1990)
The week before the show was mild and sunny, but the weekend brought plunging temperatures, high winds, and snow — making the trek to the show memorable. Once inside, the cold disappeared with warm greetings from longtime modeling friends: Bob Underwood (AMA group), Mike Gretz (Sig), Cora and Harry Higley, and many helpful exhibitors. Attendance was good but not as crowded as in past years, perhaps due to the weather. Noticeably absent were our friends from Top Flite.
As usual, my trip to the show focused on finding a few items useful for Scale modeling or the workshop. Highlights follow.
Show finds
JZ Products: Customized multi-blade flying propellers
JZ Products displayed its Zinger props, spinners, and new customized three- and four-bladed flying propellers — excellent for many WWII fighters. Features:
- Can be dressed up and used on the model for static judging.
- Prop setup uses a pair of plates precision-drilled to hold prop segments, with or without the spinner.
- Individual blade segments can be replaced in the event of damage by removing a couple of screws.
- Prop sizes start at 13 in. diameter with 4-, 5-, and 6-in. pitch, and go to 28 in. diameter with pitches up to 16 in.
- Props can be bought without the spinner so you can supply your own, or with polished aluminum spinners ranging from 3 to 6-3/4 in. diameter.
For a price list, write to: JZ Products, 25029 S. Vermont Ave., Harbor City, CA 90710.
Major Decals: Squadron insignias
Major Decals added mirror-image sets of squadron insignias in 1/2-, 3/8-, and 1/4-scale to its line of pressure-sensitive and water-transfer aircraft nomenclature and insignias. New insignias include Escadrille Lafayette Sioux and Seminole Indian heads, Uncle Sam Hat and Ring, Kicking Army Mule, Flying Tiger A.V.G., and others.
Major Decals also announced that within three to six months squadron markings will be available for WW I and WW II aircraft such as the Fw 190, Bf 109, Ju 87, He 51, P-47, P-51, S.E.5a, Spad, and others. For details and pricing, write to Northeast Screen Graphics, P.O. Box 304, 21 Fisher Ave., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
Balsa Stripper (Gene DuBois)
Gene DuBois supplies a Balsa Stripper that produces 24 sizes of balsa strips from 1/32 in. to 1/4 in. square without adjustments between sizes. Slots are computer-cut and guides are fitted to provide accurate, fuzz-free strips. If you need a reliable balsa stripper, write to: Gene DuBois, P.O. Box C, Acushnet, MA 02743.
Skylite wheels (Sullivan Products)
Skylite is a new super-lightweight wheel seen at the Sullivan Products display. Claimed to be 40–50% lighter than leading competitors, these wheels are scallike in appearance with straight-line treads. They offer low bounce, low compression, and rugged construction. Features include a new Shurlock Wheel Lock that pushes on the axle, is vibration-proof, and is claimed to stay locked during rough landings.
- Available in diameters ranging from 1/4 in. to 3 in., in 1/4-in. increments.
Try your local hobby shop or write to Sullivan Products, P.O. Box 5166, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Wendon Research Laboratories No. 11767 rod
Wendon Research Laboratories demonstrated a No. 11767 rod described as an "effective and efficient joining material," presently available in 1/8-in. rods. Demonstrations showed the material used to join or repair aluminum: holes punched in an aluminum can were heated, the rod scratched onto the hot surface (no flux), and the rod melted from the heat of the can, flowing like molten solder to close the holes. The repairs were extremely strong.
I tried the rods at home and could replicate the can repairs and join light sheet aluminum in overlapping butt joints. Because the method requires a scratching action across the surface, the joint must be held securely in place. The rods can be used on light non-anodized aluminum, heavier aluminum (with proper surface preparation), white metal, and galvanized steel. Proper application of heat and cleaning plated/anodized surfaces are keys to success.
For technical specifications and pricing, write to: Wendon Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 403, Trumbull, CT 06611.
Scale team support
Our FAI Scale team for the CL and RC World Championships in Poland (August 31–September 10, 1990) can use your support. Team managers George Buso and Mike Stott are fundraising by selling a specially designed lapel/tie-tack pin (red, white, and blue trimmed in gold) for a $3 donation to the FAI Scale Team Fund per pin.
- Make checks payable to "FAI Scale Team Fund."
- Send checks to either team manager:
- George Buso, 11 Maple Lane, Hyde Park, NY 12538
- Mike Stott, 1904 Howard Dr., N. Mankato, MN 56001
There are only about 1,000 pins available, so order early. If ordering a pin, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) — that adds 25¢ to the team fund. Donations from individuals, clubs, or organizations are welcome; many thanks to the Mid-Hudson R/C Society for a donation already given. Larger donations (for example, $500) are especially appreciated.
Technical tip — Working props
Working props are part of life for many of us, and it's great fun to have one that really works well. I've had outstanding props that broke at the wrong time; after experimenting with several methods I settled on the following technique to balance and protect prop finishes quickly.
No matter the prop material — wood, carbon, or glass — if you want to balance and protect the finish:
- Use slow-setting cyanoacrylate (CA) glue.
- Rub a thin coat of CA into the repair area with tissue and let it start to set.
- Sand with fine wet/dry paper (about 320 grit).
- Repeat with another thin coat of CA and sand again until the prop is balanced.
If the prop is already close to balance, you can simply apply CA, sand, and bring it to balance. Three or four applications with sanding will produce a durable, respectable finish in relatively little time. The prop can be compounded to achieve a satin-smooth shine.
I welcome practical tips from readers — gather up and let's hear them.
If you'd like to submit column material or want the column mailed, send items to:
- Bill Boss, 77-06 269th Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
You may also send items to the PAMPA newsletter editor:
- Mike Keville, 6109 E. Ivyglen, Mesa, AZ 85205; tel. 1-602/985-3363.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
