Author: J.A. de Vries
Edition: Model Aviation - 1990/07
Page Numbers: 40, 41
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Radio Control: Giant Scale

Author

John A. de Vries Colonel, USAF, Ret. 4610 Moffat Ln. Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Fiberglass sheet materials to simulate metal

A few columns ago I suggested it would be useful to be able to purchase sheets of fiberglass to use as model covering to simulate metal. The response has been large and helpful.

  • Bruce C. Ihde (retired American Airlines crew chief) — Conolite (generically V-board).
  • Size: 3 × 12 ft. sheets.
  • Thickness: 1/32" and 1/16" (the 1/32" being more appropriate for models).
  • Both sides are smooth; the weave is visible and can be felt. May need some filler.
  • Thanks to Mr. Ihde for the information.
  • Clancy Arnold (Indianapolis, IN) — printed-circuit-board insulation sheet.
  • Size: 3 × 4 ft. sheets, about $15 each.
  • Thickness: .005".
  • Properties: takes paint and CA glue well; can be bent to a 1/4‑in. radius without cracking; dull finish that provides enough tooth for paint.
  • Typical use: insulation between stacked printed circuit boards; Clancy has used it on championship Control Line Scale models.
  • Supplier: Trakon Industries, Inc., 16 Hunt Road, Amesbury, MA 01913; tel. (617) 388-9200.
  • Designation: "printed circuit board material per MIL‑P‑36248, .005" thick, zero copper either side." It comes rolled in a square mailing tube. Thanks, Clancy!
  • Nat Penton (DeQuincy, LA) — impregnated fiberglass cloth.
  • Description: glasslike on one side, rough on the other; comes in two weights (Nat sent the lighter).
  • Supplier: Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co., P.O. Box 424, Fullerton, CA 92632 (availability uncertain). Thanks, Nat!

I plan to try one or more of these fiberglass sheet materials on my next Giant Scale project. They should be easier to use than fiberglass cloth, resin, and brushes, and should cut hours off sanding while delivering a good finish.

Full-scale composite Mustang

A California company (Flight Training Devices, Inc.) has pulled a mold from a real P‑51D and intends to build full‑scale flyable Mustangs. Key points:

  • Configuration: P‑51D fuselage with a slightly modified P‑51H wing.
  • Construction: composite materials (a full‑scale fiberglass approach).
  • Power: planned 850‑hp Pratt & Whitney PT6B‑35 turboprop.
  • Weight: reported to be about one third of the original P‑51.
  • Estimated kit price: $125,000–$150,000 (if sold as kits).
  • Reported in Kitplanes magazine.

It would be a spectacular build — and you'd have to take flying lessons to fly it.

Quarter-scale Fokker Triplanes and plans

I've received several requests for information about quarter‑scale Fokker Triplanes. Recommended resources:

  • Plans by Nick Zirolis (popular among builders).
  • Nick Zirolis, 29 Edgar Drive, Smithtown, NY 11787.
  • Hangar One Hobbies — parts kit matching the Zirolis drawings.
  • Hangar One Manufacturing, 1402 Madison Ave., Montgomery, AL 36107; tel. (205) 262‑8235.
  • Other references: Joe Nieto drawings; Smithsonian 3‑in‑to‑the‑foot scale; Bill Effinger (W.E. Technical Services, Inc., 526 Lorell Terrace, Atlanta, GA 30328) offers a good set of Triplane plans for those who prefer to cut parts and build from plans.

Small Quadra Zenoah engines provide suitable power for these quarter‑scale Triplanes; the models are straightforward to build.

Etrich Taube full‑scale replica (Owls Head Museum)

Jim Rockefeller reports that the Owls Head Museum (Maine) has completed a full‑scale flying replica of the Etrich Taube; first flight was scheduled for April 1990. Notes:

  • The replica uses an upright Ranger engine to simulate the original Argus/Mercedes powerplant.
  • The project involved about seven years of research.
  • If you are building Bill Stohlman’s Taube model (a Jeannin Taube — Flying Models Plans Service) or dressing up Balsa USA’s Taube kit, a visit to Owls Head offers valuable full‑scale examples of construction and wing‑warping techniques.

Bill Hawke figures and kits

Bill Hawke (Knights of the Air, Inc., Sky Manor Airport) is again producing realistic Giant Scale pilot busts and full figures in 1/4‑ and 1/5‑scale — useful for empty cockpits. He has also resumed manufacture of ducted‑fan kits.

  • Upcoming interest: anticipated 3/4‑scale PBY Catalina with ~20‑ft span, estimated 88 lb, powered by two G‑62 engines (subject to change).
  • Contact: Bill Hawke, Knights of the Air, Inc., Sky Manor Airport, P.O. Box 187, Pittstown, NJ 08867.

Keil‑Rider R4 documentation kit

For builders of Bert Thompson’s Giant Scale Keil‑Rider R4 pylon racer:

  • The Williams brothers have produced a precise 1/2"‑scale plastic kit of the R4 (Schoolboy Firecracker) that serves as excellent documentation for competition‑minded builders.
  • Bert Thompson, 219 White City Blvd., Springfield, IL 62703.

Pylon races for quarter‑scale models

Dick Smith (Century Chapter 100, IMAA) notes that southern California Giant Scalers are sponsoring pylon races for quarter‑scale models. These races should be lively and colorful — like miniature Goodyear, Formula 1, Greve, or Thompson Trophy events.

Computer Assisted Model Airplane Design and Testing (CAMADAT)

A new book from VIP Publishers, Inc.:

  • Title: Computer Assisted Model Airplane Design and Testing (CAMADAT)
  • Author: Curtis Givens, Dayton, OH.
  • Contents: a variety of computer programs (for IBM compatibles) covering tasks such as plotting Clark Y airfoils, analyzing rubber power, and estimating weight and power requirements before building.
  • Price: $19.95 + $2 P&H.
  • Companion disk: 5‑1/4‑in., 360K MS‑DOS & BASIC disk available for $9.95; no P&H if ordered with the book (disk not sold separately).
  • Order/address: VIP Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 16103, Colorado Springs, CO 80935.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.