Letters To The Editor
All letters will be carefully considered; those of general interest will be used. Send to Model Aviation, 1810 Samuel Morse Dr., Reston, VA 22090.
Officer Column Space
The Evansville Radio Control Club has directed me by a unanimous vote to write you in regard to the AMA Executive Council's decision to give the District Vice Presidents and the Executive Director more column space at the expense of reducing other sections of the Model Aviation magazine.
The Evansville RC Club opposes this Executive Council action, especially when it means reducing construction articles and also means the possible elimination of other special articles such as aviation museums write-ups, full-size aircraft drawings, and limiting the number of photos on such articles to the point where it will mean almost nothing to our readers.
The Evansville RC Club feels a letter from home every month is justifiable, but feels in this case the Executive Council action to reduce the number of pages of feature articles to satisfy their own personal goals is not in the best interest of aviation modeling nor Model Aviation.
James White, President Evansville RC Club Evansville, IN
Anyone wishing to express himself on this matter should do so in writing to the appropriate District Vice President; names and addresses are in the AMA News section. Please send a copy to the Model Aviation editorial offices.
Hoppe's Gun Oil
On page 60 of your August 1985 issue of Model Aviation is a paragraph condemning our Hoppe's product on the basis that it contains nitrobenzene. To set the record straight: none of our products contain nitrobenzene. We would appreciate it if you would advise your readers of the same.
John R. Benson Manager, Technical Services Penguin Industries, Inc. Coatesville, PA
The referenced article was the CL Speed column authored by Gene Hempel. Gene sent us a photocopy of the label from his bottle of Hoppe's No. 9, and it did, indeed, list nitrobenzene as one of the ingredients.
Our subsequent telephone conversation with Mr. Benson indicated that at one time Hoppe's contained less than 2% nitrobenzene but that the present product has none at all; Gene confirmed that his was an old bottle.
Protection for Plans
Regarding Dave Robelen's "Playmate" article in the April 1986 Model Aviation, the text said in part, "... the plan should be smoothly fastened down ... or you can use one of the kitchen clear plastic wraps (no wax paper, please)."
All my experience with wax paper and kitchen clear plastic wraps indicates that you should not use the plastic wrap (Reynolds, Saran, etc.) unless you intend to cover the framework with it! I have covered several small rubber models (12 to 18-inch wingspan) with cyanoacrylate (CyA) and Reynolds Wrap. It sticks very well (you have to tear the plastic to remove it).
Eldon E. Breazier Kingman, KS
We sent a copy of Mr. Breazier's letter to Dave Robelen, whose comments follow.
This letter raises a very interesting issue: What is the most appropriate material for covering a work surface during framework construction so as to protect the work surface and the framework from undesired adhesive effects?
As pointed out, I called for plastic kitchen wrap to protect the plan sheet. This recommendation was based on the following experiences. Aliphatic glue, white glue, and epoxy glue work well with either wax paper or plastic wrap. In using Ambroid glue on wax paper, I experienced a phenomenon wherein the wax coating weakened the glue joints dangerously, while plastic wrap has no effect. Personally, I have not had problems with CyA glue and plastic wrap, although the RC frameworks involved may not contact the work surface as intimately as the smaller model frames that Mr. Breazier describes in his letter.
Our hobby is becoming increasingly complex with so many products being available to use in various combinations. Perhaps the time has come for our industry to address the matter of a worksheet covering material that would be compatible with any adhesive used in our hobby. If someone markets a product of this sort, I am a strong potential customer.
David B. Robelen Tabb, VA
Willard's Regent
Enclosed are a few pictures of the Regent I built from the plans shown in the May 1983 edition of Model Aviation. This was my first attempt at a scratch-built model. As stated by the author, the plane is stable and forgiving in flight, a must for one with my limited RC flight experience. The only changes are the color scheme and upright mounting of the engine, a K&B .61; that's more power than needed, but the reserve is nice.
Steve Linthicum Saugus, CA
Unfortunately, we can't print all of the pictures. The one we're using shows the model well while it is being held by the writer's wife, Roxanne.
Also Available in U.S.
In the May 1986 issue of Model Aviation, reference was made in the Product Review section to the availability of a new book, Four-Stroke Model Engines, from England. Your readers might want to know that the book is available in the United States from Zenith Aviation Books, 729 Prospect Ave., Osceola, WI 54020. The price is $9.95, plus postage and handling. The book can be ordered by phone using the company's toll-free number, 1-800-826-6600; major credit cards are accepted.
Israeli Modeling
Our sincere commendation to Norm Rosenstock for his excellent article on some of the aeromodelling activities in Israel ("Israeli Modeling, '85") in your May 1986 issue. I was most appreciative and pleased with the great color shots which I assume were also taken by Norm.
There are just two or three points of interest that might help your readers who wish to follow up on Norm's article for more information about the Aero Club of Israel. Dr. Amos Hadas, who is in St. Paul, MN, is the educational director of the club, and Gloria Hertzberg, a biennial competitor in FAI F1A and F1B, is now the president. The club's caliber of competition reached an apex in 1979 at Taft, CA, when Itzhak Ben-Itzhak won the World Championship in Wakefield. The Israeli team placed fifth in last year's World Championships, Wakefield event at Livno, Yugoslavia.
Should your readers be interested in learning more about those 4,000 kids in city clubs around Israel, about pins and patches of the Aero Club of Israel, or about Israeli modeling and aviation, they may send a SASE to 147-02 29th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354-1441.
Samuel Garry, Executive Secretary Friends of the Aero Club of Israel
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
