Radio Control: Scale
Jeff Troy 200 S. Spring Garden St., Ambler, PA 19002
Holiday suggestions and new kits
- Midwest Products — Sukhoi .40 series
Midwest has released a nice, entry-level scale model in its Sukhoi .40 series, part of the proven Success Series kits that feature detailed, step-by-step instructions with isometric drawings, clean die-cut parts, and full-size plans to help ensure the builder's success. Sukhoi has recently become a favorite of many advanced pattern/scale fliers. Midwest's model is an excellent choice for those looking to bridge the gap between pattern and sport scale disciplines without stretching required building skills.
- 54 in. wingspan
- Finished weight: about 5 to 5.5 lb
- Power: two-strokes .35–.45 or four-strokes .40–.53
- The Aeroplane Works (Chuck Gill) — Nick Ziroli plans kitted
The Aeroplane Works (2134 Gilbride Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836) is kitting many of Nick Ziroli's popular designs, including the D-18 Twin Beech, PT-17 Stearman, Fokker DR-1 triplane, and B-25 Mitchell bomber. These large models are for experienced builder/fliers; prices are reasonable given the subjects' complexity. Send a buck with a stamped, self-addressed envelope for a price and subject list. Rich Uravitch's Fokker D-7 and SE-5a kits are also available.
- Lanier R/C — ABS dummy radial engines
Lanier R/C's Bubba Spivey is producing inexpensive ABS plastic dummy radial engines to dress up the front end of models like the Stinson SR-8. Simple to use: cut the dummy from its sheet, spray black or aluminum paint (or both), add a few bits of scrap to simulate plugs, pushrods, lifters, springs, and wiring; then fit it in the radial cowl. For sizes and prices, write to Lanier R/C, P.O. Box 458, Oakwood, GA 30566.
- Excel Hobby Blades Corporation — tool and blade catalog
If you're tired of the same old hobby knives, request Excel's latest tool and blade catalog. Send a buck and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Excel at 399 Liberty Street, Little Ferry, NJ 07643. Their tools are high quality and include a fine-tooth saw blade that cuts on the back stroke, which gave me a better feel when cutting spruce spars.
Pilot figures
- Vailly Aviation (uses Officers and Gentlemen figures)
Vailly Aviation custom-makes pilots using Officers and Gentlemen (formerly Knights of the Air) full figures and busts to customer specifications. Options include custom painting, sunglasses, marine-style hats, dog tags, even sidearms with shoulder holsters. Prices depend on detail and size; typical turnaround is two to three weeks. Write to Roy Vaillancourt, 18 Oakdale Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11738 (include a stamped, self-addressed envelope).
- MGA Enterprises (Mary and Archie Vosganian)
Mary and Archie produce pilots that require no painting or finishing — remove from the box and place in the cockpit. MGA pilots range from 1/8 to 1/4 scale and include early aviators to present-day jet jockeys; nationalities include American, German, and Japanese, and they even offer a black pilot. For information, write to Mary Vosganian, MGA Enterprises, P.O. Box 5631, Fresno, CA 93755.
Reader mail and corrections
I put my foot in my mouth a few months ago in response to a letter informing me that Paul Poberezny's P-51 was an "H" model. You called me on it — and rightly so. I appreciate hearing from you when I foul up; it keeps me humble and reminds you that one columnist is not infallible. Your letters have also shown me a convenient and accurate way to document future models (tongue in cheek): if I were to write about a Grumman P-39 next, I'd deliberately get every detail wrong to prompt enough corrections to document every rivet and brake line of every Bell P-39 Airacobra that ever rolled off the line.
All kidding aside, I did make an error regarding Poberezny's Mustang and thank you for the corrections.
Requests for help from readers
- Help for Al Cecil
In coverage of the first Orlando International Modelers Show, I ran a picture of Dan MacGeorge's award-winning Yellow aircraft Cap 10-B. If Dan or anyone familiar with construction details of this kit can offer technical assistance to another modeler, please contact Al Cecil: 100 Colfax Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10306. He feels the model may be a bit beyond his present capability but would like to proceed with the kit. Any help appreciated.
- Help for Will Bray
Fourteen-year-old Will Bray is building a Yellow kit, the P-47, and has been flying for four years. He plans to power it with a SuperTiger 3000 and would welcome tips from anyone who has built one of Bert Baker's jigs or has special information about this airplane. Contact Will at 976 North Town and River Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
- Boeing 747-200 flap and undercarriage details needed
Martin Dilby, British Free Flight World Champion Team Manager, forwarded a request from Florian Bulacel, who is building a nine-foot-span Boeing 747-200 with four ducted fans and needs details of the flap and undercarriage mechanisms of the original aircraft. If anyone (maybe a 747 crew member) can help with drawings, photographs, or suggestions, contact: Bulacel Florian, Sos. Buc. Ploiesti XI 24/28, Ap. 2, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania. His English is good.
Merlin engine note and short items
Some months ago I joked about the sound of the Supermarine Spitfire's Rolls‑Royce Merlin and the possible realism of a 1/3-scale Merlin. Martin C. Gregorie of Essex, England, wrote to inform me of the existence of just such an engine. He reports that a Mk XII Merlin won the Boat of Edinburgh Award the year it was shown and that it runs well. Martin writes:
"The Merlin was run with the Rotol locked into constant pitch. The engine hand-started — it started easily with one or two flips. It started on a booster battery and then transferred to magnetos when running, but could only be run in short bursts, as the small cooling channels in the block had poor flow characteristics and the engine overheated quite fast. With hindsight, I wonder how much of this was due to the induced radiator? Once again, there seemed to be a lot of power on tap; whether enough for flight I couldn't judge. As the internal friction in such a complex engine would be high, it was amazing that it ran at all as it did. The engine didn't really idle very slowly; unlike the BR.2."
A short note on a completed model: Ray Cummings of Hilton Head, South Carolina, has finished building and flying one of Rich Uravitch's 1/5-scale Fokker D-VIIs. The model was fun to build and is powered by a SuperTigre 3000 swinging an 18 x 6 prop. Ray commented on the price of a set of Williams Bros. 6-1/2-in. wheels, though a comparable genuine wire pair would likely cost more. Ray finished his Fokker with Supershrink Coverite and Krylon spray paint. He plans to build another, since he loves the D‑VII and feels 1/5 is a practical scale for this aeroplane.
Fly safely. I'll talk with you again.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
