CONTROL LINE: SCALE
Bill Boss 77-06 269th St. New Hyde Park, NY 11040
WRAM SHOW '92
The 24th annual WRAM Show was held on February 22–23, 1992 at the Westchester County Center in the White Plains, New York area. Because temperatures were in the fifties, it wasn't necessary to lug around a heavy winter coat, so visiting the show was a little easier and more comfortable than usual. The floor arrangement of the 150-plus exhibitors provided wider aisles and less congestion. It was a great show.
While I attended to find new products that might interest readers of this column, I also enjoyed the opportunity to greet many longtime modeling friends whom I only get to see at these affairs. Below are notes on some items I found at the show.
Dynaflite — Fun Scale™ series
Dynaflite has a series of Fun Scale™ models suitable as crowd pleasers for Sunday-afternoon demonstrations. The models are of built-up construction (including tail assembly) and use plastic film covering. These lightweight kits are designed for fairly quick construction and ease of finish. Powered by .40- to .60-size engines, they range in weight from about 4 lb. to 6½ lb. and have 51- to 62-in. wingspans.
Models in the series include:
- 51-in. and 62-in. Mustang
- 56-in. Spitfire
- 54-in. Corsair
- Cessna Trainer with tricycle landing gear
Vinyl stick-on decals are available for most of Dynaflite's kits. For details and prices, write Dynaflite, P.O. Box 1011, San Marcos, CA 92079. Telephone: (619) 744-9605; Fax: (619) 744-7923.
Wichita Historical Aircraft Modelers newsletter
An outstanding newsletter is being produced in Wichita by editor Jim Kutkuhn for the Wichita Historical Aircraft Modelers. Annual dues are $12; a subscription to the newsletter is $6. This mixed free-flight and radio-control group has club contests and dinner meetings; members travel to regional and national-level contests. The group includes talent such as Bill Schmidt, Jim O'Reilly, and Ernie Linn, so original articles from the newsletter are often copied by other editors and columnists.
Send money to the treasurer: Jack Phelps, 5149 Armstrong, Wichita, KS 67204.
A recent article by Bill Schmidt on converting Fox .29- to .35-size stunt engines to ignition was copied by SAM Speaks and by John Pond. If you missed those copies, try getting a back issue from Wichita. If all else fails, I will copy the article for a SASE and a loose uncanceled, unlicked stamp.
SAM (Society of Antique Modelers)
The national SAM newsletter is better than ever, and there is a book of approved gas-model designs. Plans from the estate of Chet Lanzo include rubber, gas, and RC designs such as the 300-in. rubber cabin version of his famed 1940 300-sq.-in. stick version. The $15 annual fee is well spent for the newsletter quality. Send to Bob Dodds, 209 Summerside Lane, Encinitas, CA 92024.
Corrections and apologies
Several errors of omission and commission occurred in the May 1992 column:
- "Mik" Mikkelson should have been credited for the four photographs.
- I intended to suggest using 1/32° right thrust (not 1/8 in.) before attempting the first flight of the Albatros.
- When I said the trailing edge of the ribs was too thin, I was referring to the Albatros, not the Convertible.
Apologies to all.
Major Decals
Major Decals offers one of the largest selections of water-transfer and pressure-sensitive types. New decal series include the 3000, 5000, and 7000 Series featuring U.S. stars, U.S. stars and bars, and insignia for several countries (German WW I and WW II, British, British WW I, French WW I, Canadian, Nationalist Chinese, Russian, and American WW I). The new decals are sized 1/24, 1/16, and 1/12, designed for models built to scales of 1/2 in. to the ft., 3/4 in. to the ft., and 1 in. to the ft.
Major Decals has also added three propeller-manufacturer decals: Sensenich, Axial, and Dowty Rotol. These are available in 1/8-, 1/6-, 1/5-, and 1/4-scale water-transfer types only. For information and prices, write Northeast Graphics, P.O. Box 304, 21 Fisher Ave., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Tel: (413) 525-4110; Fax: (413) 525-7794.
Wings of Color — Pin Hole Filler
Wings of Color introduced Pin Hole Filler, a two-part system consisting of a base mixture (polyester resin, styrene monomer, and microballoons) activated by a cream hardener (benzoyl peroxide in an ester-type plasticizer). Although called Pin Hole Filler, it can also be used to fill dents and make fillets, and it can be used on wood, fiberglass, or metal.
Key features:
- Sands very easily when cured
- Forms a very strong bond between components
- Can be used for simulated fillets and other repairs
Caution: Use in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer's instructions. For information and prices, write Wings of Color, 176 Railroad Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601; tel: (201) 489-2107.
Tru-Turn Spinners (Precision Model Products)
Tru-Turn Spinners are precision-made entirely from aluminum bar stock. Spinner sizes range from 1/2 in. to 5 in., with shapes to fit FAI, standard, cone, and Big Bird needs in two- and three-bladed propeller types. Precision Model Products also provides prop nut adapter kits, motor mounts, and other accessories. They will attempt to supply special-size spinners on request. Call (713) 943-1867 to discuss requirements. For full details, write Romeo Mfg., Inc., P.O. Box 836, South Houston, TX 77587.
Skinn-Dip (Innovative Model Products)
Skinn-Dip is a two-part "real aluminum finish" consisting of a spray metal (aluminum) paint and a polishing powder. It can be applied to paint, fabric, plastic films, or fiberglass surfaces that are free of blemishes. When properly applied, Skinn-Dip leaves a semigloss aluminum finish that can be buffed and dulled to obtain different degrees of finish and shine.
For information and pricing, write P.O. Box 4365, Margate, FL 33063, or call (305) 978-9033.
Magic Magnet Builder (Eldon J. Lind Co.)
Magic Magnet Builder is a building system consisting of a magnetic (steel) baseboard (16 in. x 48 in.), a series of magnets, and attachments that hold model parts (such as wing leading and trailing edges and ribs) in place during construction and gluing. Vertical clamps hold the leading edge in place, height-adjustable vertical steps hold the trailing edge at the correct height, and smaller height-adjustable magnets hold ribs at the proper height or angle.
The system helps build accurately and produce parts—especially wings—without warps or distortion. EJL Co. also produces an E-Z Paint Jig for holding and rotating models during painting, and a series of Duplicator Sanding Shapers for shaping leading edges. Write EJL Co., 3151 Caravelle Dr., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403 for details and costs.
Rules omission (CL Flying Scale line sizes and pull tests)
A call from Sam Abdow of Fall River, Massachusetts brought to light an omission in the CL Flying Scale table of line sizes and pull-test requirements on page 125 of the 1992–1993 Competition Regulations handbook. The table box for multi-strand three-line systems for models weighing 8 to 15 lb. was left blank, and the associated pull-test entry read 8 Gs.
A check with Bob Underwood, AMA Technical Director, confirmed the error. The omission appears to have occurred when reformatting the rule book to a larger print size. The correct entry is:
- Line size: three lines of .021 in. stranded wire
- Pull test: 5 Gs (minimum 55 lb., maximum 80 lb.)
Bob Underwood will publish a correction in a future issue of Model Aviation.
Contest activity and submissions
According to Probable Cause, the newsletter of the Rocky Mountain Aeromodellers, their CL Championships will take place in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, July 25, 1992. Sport and Profile Scale will be among the CL events offered. A barbecue will be held on Saturday night. Watch the Model Aviation Contest Calendar for full listings and details.
Note for meet organizers:
- To have meet activity mentioned in this column, I must receive details at least three full months ahead of the month in which the meet will take place.
- Some submissions arrive too late; please send information early and follow up with a phone call to the editor.
- Please also send photos or news reports about the event.
Send ideas, notices of upcoming CL Scale events, contest reports, and especially photos of CL Scale activity to me at the address at the top of this column.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
