Author: J. Troy
Edition: Model Aviation - 1993/06
Page Numbers: 94, 95, 96, 98, 128, 129
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RADIO CONTROL SCALE

Jeff Troy, 200 S. Spring St., Ambler, PA 19002

RCHTA show highlights

Every size and description of aeromodeling marvels graced the static tables at this year's Radio Control Hobby Trade Association (RCHTA) show. Models entered in the scale categories drew particular attention, from basic scale subjects to intricate, immaculate replicas.

A few of the standout entries and features:

Notable scale models

  • Clarence Scholla — Sig J-3 Cub
  • Olive-drab and white military scheme (similar to the Goldberg Anniversary Cub kit box).
  • Replaced stars-and-bars with earlier vintage U.S. markings (sans bars).
  • Yellow numerals instead of traditional white.
  • Powered by a Super Tigre .75; 84-inch wingspan; about 14 pounds. Flown with an Airtronics radio system.
  • Clarence is a member of Chicagoland Radio Control Modelers, Inc.
  • Daniel Rubschlager — Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
  • Ace R/C kit; 56-inch span; 5-1/2 pounds; powered by a Fox .45.
  • Covered with Silkspan/Coverite. Daniel is also with Chicagoland Radio Control Modelers, Inc.
  • Gary Dye — McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (ducted-fan)
  • Built from a Yellow Aircraft kit; powered by a pair of O.S. .91 ducted-fan engines driving Dynamax fans.
  • JR PCM-10 radio with 15 servos. Zap adhesives used exclusively. Finish: Ditzler lacquers and Delclear clear coat.
  • Features custom Aeroloft markings, Yellow Aircraft retracts, Robart wheel air systems and Hollis brakes. A crowd-stopping static display.
  • Jim Kummerow — 1930 Fleet biplane (115-inch span)
  • Futaba PCM radio; original smoke system; fully scratch-built dummy engine.
  • Covered in Sig Koverall and finished with butyrate dope. Weighs about 34 pounds.
  • Paul and Debbie Grubich — 1/3-scale Stearman PT-17(s)
  • Paul built two 1/3-scale Balsa USA Stearmans; impressive, highly detailed work.
  • Paul's Stearman: 113-inch span; 52 pounds; powered by a 64-cu.in. A&M Sachs engine turning a 26 x 12 Clark airscrew.
  • Kevlar cable used on pull-pull control surfaces. Over 1,000 hours of construction (October–May). Three successful flights at the show with only minor trim changes for hands-off flight.
  • Flown with an Airtronics Vision 8P system and equipped with a home-built "Grubich Special" smoke system producing puffy white trails. Finished with Coverite 21st Century fabric and matching 21st Century paint on cowl and aluminum panels.
  • Wittman Bonzo (1/3-scale)
  • Noted as a relatively small model compared with a 1/3-scale Stearman, which is large enough to humble most builders.

Monocoupe — Dick Konkle

Dick Konkle (Smyrna, Georgia; works for Lockheed) built a Monocoupe starting from Bill Effinger's W.E. Technical plans, then heavily modified and redesigned the airframe. Complex landing-gear fairings were molded directly on the model from clay, then glassed over with resin; most clay was removed with hot water to reveal contoured fairings that fit perfectly.

New kits and accessories

  • Jim Meister — BF-109 Messerschmitt semi-kit
  • 100-inch span, designed for 2.5-cu.in. power and optional Fun-Trax retracts.
  • Plans-built with time-saving accessories available: canopy, 7-1/2-inch spinner, formed plastic exhaust scoops.
  • Jim offers a scale flight-trimming manual and will cut a complete kit for purchase. For a free catalog, pricing and availability:

Jim Meister, 993 C-184 South Santa Fe, Vista, CA 92083. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope (SASE).

CAD, software and tutorials

  • American Small Business Computers (ASBC) — ModelCAD
  • ModelCAD is a CAD program aimed at model airplane and railroad hobbyists. It is more basic than DesignCAD 2-D or 3-D but offers most designers adequate capability without large cost or steep learning curves.
  • ASBC, One American Way, Pryor, OK 74361.
  • ViaGraphics — tutorial videocassettes
  • Offers three-tape instructional sets for DesignCAD 2-D and DesignCAD 3-D, and a single cassette covering ModelCAD basics. Also produces tutorials for Aldus PageMaker 4.0, Windows 3.1, WordPerfect 5.1, Lotus, and other popular programs.
  • ViaGraphics, 5 South Vann, Pryor, OK 74361.

The author notes recent exposure to ASBC's three CAD programs and plans to report more in depth after gaining experience.

Collectibles and replicas

  • Aviation Collectibles — Blue Max replicas and other items
  • Offers patches, models, aviation art and related items in a two-page folder. Send a SASE to: Aviation Collectibles, P.O. Box 855, Syosset, NY 11791.
  • Replica Engines — 1/4-scale Gnome Nine-Cylinder Rotary Engine replica
  • Handcrafted, exact-looking replica: 3.97-cu.in. displacement; swings a 24 x 10 prop; full nine inches in diameter; runs at a scale-like 2,400 rpm.
  • Production runs are short; this is a premium-priced item. Replica Engines, 16640 S. 104th Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462.

Membership and resources

  • N.A.S.A. (National Association of Scale Aeromodelers) — scale-specialist group affiliated with the AMA
  • Membership: $8 per year. Benefits include Replica (bimonthly newsletter), a patch, a decal, a membership card, and the Scale Data Source List (an invaluable resource for documentation and suppliers). Regular updates to the source list are mailed to members.
  • To join, send your check to: Bert Dugan, N.A.S.A. Secretary, 11909 Phyllis Dr., Clio, MI 48420.

Closing

The Chicago RCHTA show featured some of the best scale airplane collections in recent memory. If you enjoy scale modeling, try to attend next year's show — you won't be disappointed.

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