RADIO CONTROL: SCALE
Jeff Troy 200 S. Spring Street, Ambler, PA 19002
Our Fokker D.VII build-along is on pause this month while I finish an Ikon Stinson SR-8 for a friend in South Jersey. I’ll show a photo or two in the next issue.
Those following the Fokker project have probably already cut the rib-addition modifications I indicated previously. If you’ve had difficulty constructing wing panels with the new under-camber additions at the noses of the ribs, try positioning the plans so the spar is at the very edge of the workbench and let the rib noses overhang the bench. We’ll get back on track with the D.VII next month.
Modelers' Projects
- James H. Johnson, San Marcos, TX — Sent photos of his Uravitch Fokker D.VII and a few suggestions for modifying interplane struts. His D.VII is powered by an O.S. .108 FSR, guided by a JR Century VII radio, finished in Randolph dope over Sig Koverall, and weighs 15 lb 10 oz. Although the model appears accurate, James finished it in a non-scale scheme; I’ll call that category “Fun Unlimited Scale.”
- Jerry Farr, Abilene, TX — Built a Stinson AT-19 Reliant at 2 in = 1 ft scale. Span: 83-1/2 in; weight: 9 lb. Jerry reports it flies well on a .60 engine. He built it as a Nats RC Scale entry (RC Scale was unavailable this year).
- Bob Pickney, Whitesboro, NY — Dressed a 1/3-scale Cub in military insignia.
- A large 36-pound model (unnamed) has more than 200 flights. It is covered with Ceconite and powered by a Zenoah G-62.
If you’ve built something of interest lately, send a photo to share with readers. Include radio system, engine, covering, finish, weight, plans, and any special construction or finishing techniques you developed.
Docu-Search
I’m happy to print research information requests. Send Docu-Search response items (three-views, plans, drawings, photographs) directly to the modelers requesting them — do not send them to me for forwarding. Below are requests received this month:
- Jerry W. Amelang
500 W. Lincoln St., Tullahoma, TN 37388 Interested in constructing a Ryan YO-5/YO-51 "Dragonfly" (and related documentation). He and his father are targeting a 1/5-scale project with operating leading-edge slats and Fowler flaps. Please send three-views or related materials directly to Jerry if you can help.
- Pat Healy
129 W. 24th St., Deer Park, NY 11729 Needs photos or three-views of Curtiss JN-6H and gunnery-training variants of the "Jenny" (Hisso-powered, except radiator/nose profile). These are modified JN-4s and can be tougher to document.
- John Raymond
68 Gordon Parkway #2, Syracuse, NY 13219 Seeks information on several subjects: Capelis XC-12, Thalmann T-4 Special, Hirsch H-100, Chance Vought Seawolf, Nakajima types, Rita Koken, Mooney, Al Loiai, Loire 130, and the Wellesley (Vickers) prototype biplane. John runs a fledgling research service.
- Edward T. Kimble
8465 Windfall Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80908 Wants everything available on the F.E.2b. Edward saw Bill Logan’s control-line version in the May 1994 Model Aviation and is motivated to build an RC version.
- Dennis Bohlmann
P.O. Box 11044, Eugene, OR 97440 Needs accurate documentation for the D-145 Monocoupe. Commercial sources found so far lack the accuracy he requires (he was mistakenly sent a Fokker D.VII package that didn’t help).
- Dave Millard
P.O. Box 15, Schaghticoke, NY 12154 Desperately seeking accurate color chips for German WWI upper- and lower-surface lozenge patterns circa 1916–17 to complete 1/4-scale and larger models.
- Todd Slaughter (via AMA HQ)
120 New York Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 Interested in the fate of a P-47N named The Shell Pusher and its pilot, Capt. R.T. Forrest, who flew with the 463rd Fighter Squadron, 507th Fighter Group, 20th USAAF in the Western Pacific in July 1945. Any info appreciated.
Additional specific requests — please send material directly to the requesters:
- Plans for Midwest’s kit of Nick Ziroli’s ducted-fan He 162 Salamander. Nick reports his original design was altered for the Midwest kit and his original plan won’t work; Midwest is out of stock on the kit plan.
- Grumman F7F Tigercat documentation (military, civilian, fire-fighter variants).
- Piotr Zawadka, Osiedle Przyjazni 22M, m. 141, 61-680 Poznan, POLAND — Seeking documents for the PA-25, preferably with crop-spraying equipment mounted (has glider-tow docs but needs crop-duster material).
- Robert R. Cooke III
1024 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, Apt. A-102, San Jose, CA 95129 Wants Citabria documents and an address or phone number for A & A Models (Citabria kit producer). Also researching a Grumman Tiger AASB.
- Wallace Icenhour
310 W. Sycamore Street, Chase City, VA 23924 Wants photos, three-views, history, and other information on the Petrel amphibian (one example shown on p.25 of Sept. 1993 Model Aviation).
- Richard L. Good
P.O. Box 8375, Fort Mohave, AZ 86427 Needs line drawings or plans for a 1940–42 Interstate Cadet and a 1938–1941 Piper J-4 Cub Coupe.
Keep the requests coming — it works.
Manufacturers' News
Until recently, sturdy servo arms for powerful servos and large control surfaces have been a noticeable shortcoming. Three companies have added beefier servo output devices that should help:
- Du-Bro and Sonic-Tronics — glass-filled nylon servo arms.
Du-Bro Products: P.O. Box 15, Wauconda, IL 60084. Sonic-Tronics: 7865 Mill Road, Elkins Park, PA 19117.
- Hangar 9 (Horizon Hobby Distributors) — CNC-machined aluminum arms, wheels, and pull/pull components; good solution for large-throw linkage durability concerns.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Road, Champaign, IL 61821.
Bob Holman Plans has offered the plan set for Mick Reeves’ world‑champion Sopwith Camel for some time. Bob’s accessory for builders of Mick’s 1/3- or 1/4-scale Camel is a scale Clerget engine kit with vacuum-formed crankcase and nine black rubber cylinders. Contact: Bob Holman Plans, P.O. Box 741, San Bernardino, CA 92402.
With Midwest’s AT-6 Texan kit proving popular, Rich Uravitch has produced a cosmetic dress-up kit for that airframe. It adds a dummy radial engine, air/oil scoops, light lenses, front and rear instrument panels, gauge faces, a tailwheel fairing, and other ABS plastic accessories. Contact: Rich Uravitch, 15 Newcomb Trail, Ridge, NY 11961.
A note of curiosity: MIGS, etc., Inc. ran an ad offering cockpits-with-a-test-pilot experiences in Russian supersonic fighters (fees starting around $5,500). For those interested, they can be faxed at (813) 923-8815 (no mailing address provided).
Scale modeling lost a good friend when Jim Pepino passed away in July 1994. His friendship and kindness will be dearly missed by all who knew him — especially his wife, Ann.
I’m out of steam for this issue. Until next time, build straight and fly safely.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
