Letters to the Editor
All letters will be carefully considered; those of general interest will be used. Send to Model Aviation, 815 15th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
Modifying RC Scale for CL
Whenever I appear at the Flushing Meadow flying site with my 1½-inch scale Fokker Triplane, I am approached by other modelers who want to know where I got the kit. There is always a disappointed "Oh" when I inform them that the model is scratch-built. There is a dearth of scale kits available that are suitable for control line (CL).
With all the emphasis on RC, manufacturers apparently have turned their backs on the control line scale enthusiast. Most RC scale kits are too large. Stick-and-tissue kits are too small. Experience has shown that scale models up to 48 in. span, but not less than 30 in., behave well on lines and, in addition, present no transportation problem.
I have successfully modified Flyline's Great Lakes Trainer from RC to CL. It flies nicely. Models in this category, spanning about 40 in., meet the control line requirements handily.
Why don't the manufacturers include control line information on the plans? Many youngsters are deterred from attempting CL scale because very few kits are available. These kids lack the skills necessary for scratch-building, but express a desire to participate in CL scale activities.
There's a market waiting for scale offerings in the control line area.
Jack Finkenthal Astoria, NY
Editor: We can remember a time when there were mostly CL scale kits and very few for RC. Then modelers would modify the CL planes for RC. Now the pendulum has swung the other way. It seems it would be a fairly simple matter for a manufacturer to include CL details on an RC scale kit of appropriate size, and the market might just be out there as Jack Finkenthal suggests.
Grumman Avenger
For quite a while I have been thinking about writing to you about a model I have been building from scratch. I have it just about completed. It is a TBF Grumman Avenger, as you can see from the enclosed pictures.
It has a wingspan of 80 in., a K&B .61 engine, and a seven-channel radio. This model has taken me nearly a year to build, as I have an eye problem which slows me down a bit. Also, that's why I have to build all my planes big and bigger.
I haven't tried to fly the Avenger yet. I'm not a beginner at modeling, but I am new to RC, so I have built a Sig Cadet Jr. for training purposes. I still have some more work to do on the TBF: the retract system still needs to be installed, and I think I may rework the cockpit area to include an operating canopy.
Harold Benjamin Beloit, WI
NASM Photocopies
Several members of the Academy of Model Aeronautics have written the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Library asking for photocopies of model airplane plans and drawings, which they believed could be obtained from NASM at no charge provided a self-addressed envelope was furnished. This is not factual.
Photocopies of magazine articles are available at a charge of $0.10 per page for reproduction.
We have attached an excerpt from the Copyright Law of 1976 stating that photocopies may be used for "private study, scholarship or research" and that no further use of the material is allowed without prior written permission from the copyright holder. Individual plans and drawings are sometimes subject to copyright law and cannot be reproduced in any case.
Catherine D. Scott, NASM Librarian Washington, DC
Editor: Checks should be made payable to the Smithsonian Institution and addressed to the National Air and Space Museum Library, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560. In addition, we suggest (as per Bill Warner's original advice) that requests also be accompanied by a large pre-addressed and stamped envelope. If a whole article is wanted (which may be the easiest way), it's probably best to include payment of a dollar to cover the several pages to be photocopied. The NASM provides important services in many ways to modelers—for which we are most appreciative.
1942 RC Target Drones
Recently I acquired a 1942 radio-controlled power-driven aerial target aircraft. These "drones" had a wingspan of approximately 12 ft.; construction was with steel tubing for the fuselage and tail, and wood for the wing structure—fabric covering throughout. They were designed, developed, and manufactured by the Radioplane Company of Van Nuys, CA, for the U.S. Army Air Forces (OQ-2A) and the U.S. Navy (TDD-1).
My purpose in writing is to scan the model aviation community for additional information on this early RPV.
I am in need of a power plant. This engine had two cylinders, horizontally opposed; it was air-cooled and had a shaft that was equipped for contra-rotating propellers.
Any information, especially sources of power plants, would be appreciated. My objective is to restore this aircraft for static display.
Charles H. Hostetter 216 Old York Rd. New Cumberland, PA 17070
Editor: When we wrote Mr. Hostetter to inquire if he had a picture of the target drone in its present condition, we related that we were glad the planned restoration is for display only, as we feel that flight would be dangerous in most circumstances. The picture he sent (reproduced above) doesn't show the fuselage shape very well, as the bottom blends into the asphalt background. Anyone who can help, please correspond directly with Mr. Hostetter.
Wild Fleet Biplane
If someone wants to build the Fleet from your September 1980 issue (1930 Fleet Biplane by Gary E. Brown, MA Plan No. 310 for $6.25) in an unusual color scheme, I'd have duplicate slides made at cost.
The guy who had this Fleet at Oshkosh in 1979 is from St. Joseph, MO. He claims that the color scheme was designed by the son of some Nicaraguan dictator and actually was used on the airplane. Actual or not, it's absolutely wild. Wouldn't it make an unusual Fleet model?
Dee B. Mathews 506 South Walnut Greensburg, KS 67054
Editor: The picture shown, a quick-and-dirty conversion of a color slide onto B&W Polaroid film, unfortunately doesn't give proper gray tones to some of the colors. The top of the fuselage, for instance, appears to be orangey-red. There are four 35mm slides of different views in the set.
Safety / Preston
A range check might have saved our friend's scale model that had the receiver antenna coiled up inside the fuselage. Now we can go and fly—but be sure to wiggle those control surfaces one last time before takeoff. It could be that you didn't check your biorhythms and this just isn't your day for anything, let alone flying model aircraft. If anyone has a checklist with additional items that we missed, let's hear from you. Have a safe month.
John Preston 7012 Elvira Court Falls Church, VA 22042
For Fun / Winter
If you're in trouble, you can really slow-fly the Kadet. Throttle back and hold up elevator; it makes a descent like Luther Hux's parafoil. You can cruise about like an Old-Timer if it isn't overweight—mine has an O.S. .35 instead of a .40. I would have little trouble doing simple aerobatics, but when you are "reborn" you often find takeoffs a mental block, and when that vanishes you begin to worry about approaches. If you have this trouble, fly endless circuits until it becomes second nature. Fortunately, I have no left-right problems.
Last evening the approaches began to come back. On the way, I thought. Then after the first circuit, climbing out, the engine faded (perhaps a glitch?), and, fearing to stretch for a go-round, I elected to put it down fast downwind, in the weeds off the runway, and I gave slight up—but it tore through the weeds so fast that it pulled off all three wheels! The nose strut came out, leaving everything intact. The front tire was off. That 11-ounce tank was still full. Some hot-shot! I could have used trim to slow it had I been quick-minded. Will I ever get my act together? Fellows, don't give up on me; I need all of you.
On a heavenly evening, we drove the 50 miles to Shangri-La and put up our 20-year-old Airknocker. Just rudder and engine. It is as smooth as silk, accurately responsive, and you can contour-fly the rolling terrain, working power as needed. Or you can circle high into the blue vault and sail for a half hour on idle, and then glide forever. The rubber-scale guys who frequent the spot love the Airknocker with its reliable old Enya .09. Sometimes a guest RC'er thinks he is flying the stick on...
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
