RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Jeff Troy, 200 S. Spring Street, Ambler, PA 19002
Attending the WRAM Show in White Plains, New York each year is an experience I always enjoy. No matter how many times this show runs, the action seems to be more and more intense.
This February, the exhibits were plentiful, useful, and informative. The static models in every category were outstanding to the last, and the helpful courtesy displayed by this progressive New York host club seemed to be second to none. No one within driving distance should miss this annual occasion for any reason.
The show seemed to be even busier than usual, but I managed to find enough time on Sunday to cruise the aisles for an hour, speak with most of the exhibitors, and try to sneak a few photographs of the Scale displays on the static tables. There was a lot to see.
Manufacturers' News
Nick Ziroli has been designing, building, and flying model airplanes for a long time, and from the beginning there was never any doubt that he was quite good at his craft. Ziroli scale airplane designs have been delighting modelers and spectators on the sport circuit and cleaning house on the contest circuit since the first one rolled from his workbench. It looks like his latest creation is destined for the same pleasing and winning roles. If ever there could be an airplane to light the fire of every RC modeler's aspirations, it would surely be Nick's new Lockheed P-38 Lightning.
The giant Lockheed design spans 114 inches and comes in at precisely 2.2:1 scale. Finished prototypes weigh approximately 40 pounds, and Nick suggests that it is best powered by a pair of Zenoah G-45s.
Robart Manufacturing has just the right retract landing gear system available, and modelers of average skill or better should have no trouble doing a first-class job with this model. Remember, there are no hard-to-build models; some just take a little more time than others.
As displayed at the WRAM Show, the P-38 had built-up, planking-strip pod construction, but Nick says that fiberglass center pods and fuselage booms will be available in the final design. For information on the new P-38 and other proven RC Scale designs, send an SASE to Nick Ziroli Models, 29 Edgar Drive, Smithtown, NY 11787.
Paul Major, of Northeast Screen Graphics (better known to most RC modelers as Major Decals), has several new items of interest. When I stopped by to pick up a set of Iron Cross water decals for the Uravitch Fokker DVII, I got the full tour of Paul's newest wares—every one should be essential to the art of Scale aeromodeling.
There is a definite leaning toward larger models in the Scale community. The reasons for this are sound and have nothing to do with whether bigger models are more pleasing to the eye. A smaller model will come in at a far higher wing loading than a larger model of the same subject if both are detailed to the same level, carry the same amount of mechanical options, and use the same type of radio equipment. Simply stated, the aerodynamic result of higher loading is that the smaller model will have to fly faster than the larger model to maintain its lifting capability.
In spite of this, there is also a trend toward smaller Scale models—not necessarily of the competition caliber, but simple, fun-scale, schoolyard models that can be flown with the same casual attitude as an Ugly Stik. These small-model enthusiasts are Paul Major's latest target group.
Major Decals now offers eleven of their most popular Scale markings packages in three mini scales: Series 7000 (1/20), Series 5000 (1/16), and Series 3000 (1/24). These marking sheets come in your choice of press-on or water-soluble modes, and each is of the same exceptional quality you've come to count on from Major. I have used Major decals for many years and have never had anything but success. You will, too.
The other useful new product from Major was a far cry from their usual area of repute, yet it left a very positive impression with me. Paul has packaged variously sized vibration-dampening engine mounting bolt kits that feature an additional component far different from the others in the field.
Major Decals' Aircraft Mounts include four socket-cap bolts and four rubber-grommeted threaded brass insert nuts (with screwdriver-slotted holes) in each package, but the special component you don't see elsewhere is the included extra-dampening patch of rubber-backed, high-quality vinyl that absorbs a tremendous amount of vibration on its own.
This patch can be installed on a model's firewall behind a typical radial engine mount, or it can be cut into strips and placed on the mounting arms, underneath an engine's side mounting lugs. No matter which way (or both ways) you choose to use the dampening patch, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results this new system can give you.
For information on what's available in markings and vibration-dampening engine mounts, send an SASE to Major Decals, Northeast Screen Graphics, P.O. Box 304, 21 Fisher Avenue, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Be sure to let Paul know you got the scoop in Model Aviation.
Yellow Aircraft's latest pride and joy is an offering for sport fliers and modelers who may not be quite ready for the mental, physical, and monetary commitments to an all-out, twin-fan super-scale ship. Their new F/A-18 Hornet is a single-engine design that retains the basic scale appeal of their more complex model. This model is easier to construct and operate, but still looks great and flies rock stable.
There is a long list of optional accessories available for this model, from retracting gear to Sparrow missiles and a drop tank, with plenty of other good ideas in between. The price is reasonable, considering the project, and this model looks like an excellent way for any competent sport flier to crash the gates of the fan world painlessly.
I took two pictures of the smooth-looking white-and-blue Hornet at the Yellow booth, but unfortunately the pictures didn't develop well, and you'll have to trust me on this one. Still, it won't cost you more than an SASE to hear the story from Yellow Aircraft. Write to them at 203 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02173.
Modelers' Projects
Last month I mentioned Tom Poplanski's plan set for his Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe, but I finally got to see it at the WRAM Show. This is a most impressive bird, to say the least. Every fan of WWI aeroplanes who saw this model on the static table froze in his tracks until he had taken it all in.
Since I gave details last month, I won't elaborate again. I brought the model up again because it was a very important part of the WRAM Show static scene this year. If you want some basic information on Tom's Snipe, please refer to the June issue of Model Aviation; otherwise his plans are available from Great War Plans, 42 Eastwood Boulevard, Centereach, NY 11720. Write for a price.
Jim Hagopian of Cresskill, New Jersey brought a well-executed Goldberg Sukhoi to the WRAM Show. The model is equipped with a Webra 1.2 four-stroke, with a Slimline smoke muffler and a TME smoke pump. Top Flite's MonoKote handled the high-gloss covering job, and Futaba's popular Super 7 radio system handled the in-air guidance. Jim's 26 came in at 9-1/2 pounds. It was a nice-looking model.
Nick Ziroli Jr. of Selden, New York displayed his famous new F6F-3 Hellcat. This warbird is decked out in British colours and features a 94-inch wing, sliding canopy, and functional exhaust. Nick laid the canopy, fuselage and cowlings from his own hand-made molds, and brought the whole project in at only 49 pounds. The Hellcat's finish is lacquer, and it carries Robart retracts and an Airtronics Vision computer radio system.
Sal Iasilli, of East Norwich, New York, brought his very cleanly modeled Fokker Dr.I to this year's show. Sal's Fokker flies on an O.S. 1.2 four-stroke and Futaba PCM radio gear. It spans 70.87 inches at a mere 14-1/2 pounds. Some of the unusual features of Sal's Dr.I are its functional shock-absorbing landing gear and tail skid, its hand-laminated 26-inch static prop, and its (yes, he really counted them) 2,258 individual rivets.
One of this Fokker's true niceties is its scratch-built Oberursel engine, which is actually a very impressive scale model in itself. Well, my friends, you just shoulda' been there to see it!
Guess what Charlie Nelson built! Uh, uh, uh, could it be another Waco? Could it be, ready? Yes, friends—Charlie's new model is a huge 30-pound VKS7F at 93 inches, and it looks terrific. It's a bit bigger than his last model and should look every bit as impressive in flight as it does on the ground.
Charlie made his own molds for the glass cowl, wheel pants, and aileron covers. The model also features a stunning number of handmade aluminum accessory parts. To date, the model has fifteen successful flights, powered, incidentally, by a Seidel seven-cylinder radial engine. Charlie says this model is "goin' to the Gun" (Top Gun '94, West Palm Beach, Florida).
Bill Curless has apparently gone to Nelson's School of Waco (or wacko, as the case may be). His WMF5 was constructed under Charlie's expert guidance and follows most of the same construction and finishing techniques that Mr. Nelson employs on his incredible contest-circuit models.
The WMF5 was covered with Sig Koverall and doped with Sig nitrate dope, followed by butyrate color, much in the tradition of full-scale finishing technique. Bill's model is powered by an Enya R-120 and weighs 19 pounds. Yes, guys, it's from the Pica kit. Nice!
Docu-Search
Ben Stilwell is in need of whatever you have on the Fairey Swordfish. Primarily, he is looking to score a large-scale kit or plans. If any of you know of such an item that is readily available, please pass the information on to Benjamin W. Stilwell, M.D., P.O. Box 11401, Tamuning, Guam 96931.
Chris Spierings is building Great Planes' Gold Edition Corsair as a preliminary to his target project: Ziroli's Corsair. He wants to get all the pertinent documents about the airplane before he starts the two-stage undertaking. Chris wants to know about the Corsair flown by Ike Kefford as a member of VF-17 in the Pacific theater. He believes that this particular airplane has been modeled before, so he is hoping that someone out there might have exactly what he needs. If you do, please forward it to Chris Spierings, 123 Woodview Drive, Cottage Grove, WI 53527.
Fokker Build-Along
Next month, I'll get to the changes on the wing, complete with a new rib pattern. Simply stated, I'll have you add undercamber by gluing a little filler piece to the bottom of each rib at the nose, rather than relieving the bottom of each rib at the center. You'll find this addition very easy, and only a slight change will be required at the wing saddle to keep the wing's angle of attack in order.
The next obvious change will be to add 1/64" plywood sheeting to the leading edges of each wing panel, properly replicating the sawtooth pattern on the upper surfaces of the full-scale aeroplane. For now, go ahead and complete the fuselage as it was designed and kitted. Any significant changes will be made in other areas.
Last month WRAM, next month Toledo. (Lord, this is a tough life.) Build straight and fly safely. I'll talk with you again.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
