Radio Control: Giants
John A. de Vries
4610 Moffat Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80915
Gary Miller — de Havilland Chipmunk (82-inch span)
In the November 1997 issue I promised a whiz-banger of a model photograph — it's included here. Gary Miller of Charlotte, NC, is an outstanding Giant Scale modeler. His de Havilland Chipmunk began as an Ohio Radio Control kit but was modified into an 82-inch-span Giant.
Modifications and details:
- Wing was split for easier transportation and its dihedral was slightly reduced.
- Fuselage formers and firewall were shaved for refinement.
- Powered with a G-38 engine and a 19 x 10 propeller.
- Landing gear was tweaked: the wheels were moved slightly forward from the kit position, producing a taildragger with excellent ground handling.
- Finished in a camouflage scheme based on Doc Pepino's documentation of the full-scale Chipmunk.
Gary quips that his airplane “flies better than it looks.” His hangar also includes an 86-inch scratch-built French Dewoitine D.510 (pre–World War II fighter, about 20 lb with a G-62) and an Aerotech Interceptor (84-inch span with a .41). When he wrote in June 1997, plans for a Pilot Diablo were on his workbench.
Bill Power — Curtiss O1C-2 conversion (from Balsa USA Phaeton 90)
I included two biplane photos that are actually of the same model — see if you can identify the lineage. Bill Power of Priest River, ID, built and modified what appears to be a 1930s Navy Curtiss O1C-2.
History and work:
- The model was first built as a radial-engine two-seater with an observer’s gun ring.
- A Maloney 125 radial didn’t produce sufficient power, so Bill replaced it with a Ryobi conversion that simulates an inline engine and rebuilt the cowling.
- The airframe started out as a Balsa USA Phaeton 90.
- Bill rounded the wingtips and performed major surgery on the rudder and stabilizer.
- The resulting model flies well and took third place in Fun Scale at the Northwest Regional Scale Masters Qualifier.
John Nicolaci — PBM-3 Martin Mariner (1/10 scale)
Longevity isn’t usually a feature of the average R/C model, yet John Nicolaci of Marion, MA, has a 22‑year-old PBM-3 Martin Mariner Giant that has held up remarkably well.
Specifications and history:
- Scale: 1/10; overall length/span equivalent to an 11 ft 9 in patrol bomber.
- Construction: foam core covered with fiberglass; ~1,500 hours of build time during 1974–1975.
- Power: two SuperTigre Schnuerle 75s with Eastcraft remote starters.
- Radio/controls: nine-channel PCM radio, ten servos operating pneumatic bomb-bay doors, twin-engine controls, Fowler flaps, JATO rockets, and primary flight controls.
- Fuel capacity and weight: holds approximately one gallon of fuel distributed among the nacelles, bomb bays, and hull; empty weight about 42½ lb.
- Operational record: when John sent a videotape and model specifics, it had logged 62 hours 32 minutes of flight time across eight U.S. states, Canada, and Bermuda.
Notable incident: the model was damaged once when D12-0 Estes rocket motors added to simulate JATO exploded soon after takeoff. The foam-and-fiberglass airframe was repaired in under four hours and returned to flight.
Miscellaneous notes and classifieds
- Lost correspondence: I received a letter from a modeler who wanted plans and asked questions about a 105-inch Martin B-10 bomber I had drawn. I misplaced the letter while cleaning my office but retained the checklist. If that modeler will drop me a line, I’ll send the answers.
- For sale: Harry Braunlich (47 Lynaugh Road, Victor, NY 14654-9320) has documentation he wants to move — 14 World War I profiles, 14 World War II profiles, and 15 Squadron Signal books. Contact Harry if interested; he’s getting into Giant Scale modeling.
- Bob Holman’s laser cutter: Ol’ buddy Bob Holman is putting his new laser-parts cutter to good use. He’s prefabricating kits from scratch-building plans and taking custom cutting jobs. Bob has used the cutter to prepare formers and ribs for his 1/4-scale Fokker D.VIII and to outline 1/4-inch ply firewalls. He’ll also cut parts for designs by British friend Philip Kent. Check the classified ads for his contact information.
- Marty Young: Marty’s stunning Ziroli P-61 Black Widow that I featured recently brought good news — he won the Southwest Masters regional. Bad news: he couldn’t attend this year’s Scale Masters Finals because reserves required presence when other Scale experts were competing. He’s keeping a stiff upper lip and moving on.
Although the date on the front of this magazine is January 1998, you’ll probably receive it before Santa Claus makes his yearly visit. I hope he’s using a C-5 transport, or at least a Boeing 747, to bring you your Giant Scale goodies. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Giant Scale fans!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
