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.
Sea Master
About a year ago you published Ken Willard's Sea Master flying boat model construction article. (Editor: It was in the May 1982 issue.)
In order to avoid the usual problems one is apt to have with open-framework wood construction models when used on water, we decided to substitute foam construction. The rather angular, flat-sided surface makes it an ideal subject for foam construction.
The radio compartment is hollowed out, but it is waterproofed using a compartmentalized sealed lid much like the type that boaters use. This eliminated the potential for water problems inside the hull or in the radio. Covering is the usual 1/16" balsa with fiberglass/resin, with a 1/32" ply bottom forward of the step.
The accompanying picture tells more about the plane than words can describe. The Sea Foam Master is a great design.
Tom Pearson Effingham, IL
It's Appreciated
I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for your efforts in making Model Aviation into a very enjoyable and readable magazine—top quality throughout. Graphics are well done, layout interesting—color photos especially liven up the pages.
Model Aviation keeps me in touch with all aspects of the hobby, like Free Flight and Control Line, which I am not now actively engaged in but which I have in the past enjoyed—and I appreciate that. I always look forward to Hank Clark's artwork and his cartoon panel.
I've been a member of the AMA since 1964 when I was 14 years old. At no time have I felt that I was getting more satisfaction from AMA's efforts for modelers than right now. For example, the biggest boost to RC that I can imagine has taken place just recently—the FCC's approval of our new frequencies. Please convey my appreciation to Bob Aberle and his group for this wonderful breakthrough.
My particular interest is RC sailplanes. The more sailplanes there are in the sky, and the longer they stay up, the happier I am. Basically, the new frequencies will help me to be a much happier person! Interference-free RC airplane modeling has always been sought after, and with the new frequencies we can attain that safe goal.
Thanks to you and the AMA for your hard work these past few years.
Warren C. Drew Wheaton, IL
Likes Kopski Series
Many thanks for the first in the electric flight series (September issue, "All About Electrics," by Bob Kopski). I am just getting started in EF, and articles such as these are invaluable. Manufacturers offer little help in even telling us what we need for EF, and their instructions with equipment are practically non-existent.
Until I joined SEAM and received its newsletter, I didn't know what was really required in the way of components, such as a fuse, prop stop, etc. I look forward to the remainder of Bob Kopski's fine articles.
I personally feel that electric flight is one wave of the future, and any information you can print will help forward the concept.
Roy Inman Parker, CO
Glad that you like the series, Roy. We, too, think that Bob Kopski is doing a fine job in laying out the basics. Folks interested in this kind of modeling would do well to join SEAM (Society of Electric Aircraft Modelers), 11632 Flamingo Dr., Garden Grove, CA 92644.
Vacation Modeling
When our nephew, Bryan Loose, visited us from Boulder, CO, a very important part of the vacation was to introduce Bryan to model airplanes—flying as well as building.
The resulting photograph I took is a classic. I am sending it to you with permission to print it if you wish.
Evelyn S. Loose Chelmsford, MA
If Bryan doesn't become a very active modeler, we'll be very surprised.
Drela's Balsa Stripper
I read the details of Mark Drela's balsa stripper in the August issue of Model Aviation (Letters column), and I thought of a revision that some modelers may prefer.
It is the use of 6-32 screws in place of the 4-40 screws. This would allow a one-turn adjustment of 1/32" for modelers who use fractional balsa sizes.
Tom Sanders Santa Ana, CA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
