RADIO CONTROL: GIANTS
John A. de Vries
4610 Moffat Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80915
Paul D. Crabtree's AT-6 Cockpits
Paul D. Crabtree of Norman, Oklahoma is some kind of Giant Scale modeler. When he received a set of Nick Ziroli's 1/5-scale drawings for the North American AT-6 as a 1987 Christmas present, he set out to duplicate the Advanced Trainer that he'd flown for Uncle Sam. He wasn't satisfied with just the externals; he also wanted to model the AT-6's internal scale details — and he did, to perfection.
It took a massive research effort. Fortunately, Paul had saved the AT-6 flight manuals he acquired during WWII. He also purchased several history books on the North American trainer and its maintenance and erection "tech orders." Since much of his data was printed in black-and-white, he needed color information for the various knobs, switches, and cockpit controls. The only way to get it was to photograph a restored Texan. Although several AT-6s were based near Norman, none were available when he was ready to photograph them, so Paul and his camera traveled to Harlingen, TX to work at the Confederate Air Force museum. His research library grew thicker with prints from several rolls of film.
Next Paul produced 1/5-scale drawings of everything in the AT-6 cockpits. He added another requirement: all items in the scale cockpit had to function like the original. Seats and rudder pedals had to adjust, the control sticks had to move in concert, and the trim-tab wheels had to turn. He discovered the crutch on which the Ziroli AT-6 fuselage is constructed was ideally positioned to hold the scale cockpits' side panels.
For construction he raided his scrap boxes for brass tubing, dowels, sheet brass, and aluminum. He also photocopied instrument-panel photographs because commercially available Giant Scale "instruments" didn't include all the items on the Texan's panels. The photographs attest to the quality of his work — a true restoration of the cockpit environment. The author, who has 1,200 hours in the AT-6, says "perfection is too mild a description" for Mr. Crabtree's accomplishment.
- Paul will provide copies of his AT-6 cockpit construction drawings for $5 (to cover reproduction costs and postage).
- Drawings are designed to fit the Ziroli (and Byron) Texan; smaller Midwest or Top Flite versions can be adapted by photocopy reduction.
- Contact: Paul Crabtree, 1815 Rolling Stone Drive, Norman, OK 73071.
Nor-Ray Products, Inc.
Flexible response is the name of the game at Nor-Ray Products. They produce contest trophies — color plaques on acrylic sheets — using a wide variety of color photographs and drawings.
- They will use customer-provided artwork if written permission to use it freely is provided.
- Typical response time: two weeks (two days if required).
- Example price: $7.95 for a 4 x 5 plaque.
- They add a two-inch clear base to all plaques at no additional charge.
- Club deal: buy five plaques, get the sixth of the same kind free.
Contact: Nor-Ray Products, 5008 Sand Beach Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76310. Tel: (817) 692-4475.
Aerrow Inc. — Quadra Q65 and Q75
Klaus Nowak, president of Aerrow Inc., announced two additions to the Quadra engine line: the Quadra Q65 and Q75. These are higher-performance gas engines.
- Q65: 4.0 cubic inches (two versions) — more power than the older 62.
- Q75: 4.4 cubic inches — available in three configurations, including a racing version.
- Optional Prospark ignition with adjustable timing.
- Weights range 52–63 oz.
Contact: Aerrow, Box 183, Perth, Ontario, Canada K7H 3E3. Tel: (613) 264-0010. Fax: (613) 264-8441.
Dry Ridge Models — Jesse Anglin's Range Rider
If you're tired of the usual J-3 Cubs and Taylorcrafts, Emil Agosta of Dry Ridge Models has a different 1/3-scale high-winger design: Jesse Anglin's Range Rider.
- Span: 135 inches.
- Airfoil: scale Göttingen 387.
- Wing loading: 21.75 oz/sq ft.
- A 16-lb model may be flown with a .90 two-stroke engine; for more realistic scale flight Emil suggests a Saito 1.30 four-stroke twin to better simulate the VW prototype.
Contact: Dry Ridge Models, 59 McCurry Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787. Phone: (704) 658-2663. (Send SASE for information.)
Vaillancourt Aviation — Hawker Hurricane
Roy Vaillancourt of Vaillancourt Aviation has updated his Hawker Hurricane drawings and kits based on customer suggestions.
- Model: 92-inch Giant Scale Hurricane.
- Flying weight: about 20–25 lb.
- Recommended engines: 2.4- to 3.2-cubic-inch engines.
- Available options: fiberglass cowls, air scoops, canopies, spinners, retracts, scale wheels, and other accessories.
- Catalog: $1.
Contact: Vaillancourt Aviation, 18 Oakdale Ave., Farmingville, NY 11738.
Hope you're having a great flying season with your new Giant!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
