RADIO CONTROL: Scale
Jeff Troy, 200 S. Spring Street, Ambler, PA 19002
THE RADIO CONTROL HOBBY and Trade Association's 1994 Chicago show was filled with Scale activity. There were new kits, excellent models on the static tables, and each exhibitor of Scale airplanes or accessories had something of value to contribute to our discipline. Scale was huge.
Walking the show floor could amount to days, if one wanted to take the full impact of everything displayed. In addition to the Scale goodies that were part of the many airplane-related exhibits, you could also take in boat exhibitors, car and truck displays, helicopter kits and accessories, plastic kits, trains and hobby accessories of every size, purpose and description, even gaming, books, and extensive arrays of hand and power hobby tools.
If you looked deep enough past the show's steady flow of onlookers, you would have found none other than Neil Young doing his part for the show, sans guitar, talking to train fans at the Lionel display. You bet Chicago was a kick. Have a look . . .
Top Flite Models, Inc.
If you were an airplane person, Scale or otherwise, you couldn't possibly have gone to this show and missed the Great Planes/Top Flite/Hobbico booth. Their new Top Flite Models "Gold Edition" 1/5-scale Cessna 182 Skylane was, without a doubt, one of the show's definitive high notes. This model was drop-dead gorgeous and stopped most people dead in their tracks to prove the point.
We've all seen Cessna Skylane kits before, but never one quite like this. Top Flite's new airplane has a span of 81 inches and is intended for .60-.90 two-stroke engines or .90-1.20 four-strokes. Overall weight is in the 10–12 pound range, depending on the builder and the choice of finish, and any four- or five-channel aircraft RC system will easily take care of the model's airborne requirements.
Yes, my friends, the fifth channel is for operating the Cessna's flaps; if you'd like to use them, they're there for you. Top Flite's Cessna is constructed of balsa and plywood. It is a builder's kit, but does not require a master craftsman's sensitive touch to complete. Many of the model's more complex shapes, like the cowl and wheel pants, are provided in the form of quality ABS plastic moldings, which cut down on a modeler's time, dollar and EDF (Emotional Debt Factor) investments in the airplane. Simulated corrugations for the aileron, elevator and flap surfaces are also to be found among this kit's list of beautifully molded ABS accessories. An extensive decal sheet is provided, too.
The completed display model was covered with Coverite's Chrome Presto and looks just like it should—gleaming and ready to take on anybody. An information sheet on the Cessna is available from Top Flite Models, Inc., 2904 Research Road, Champaign IL 61821. Don't forget that stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Midwest Products Co., Inc.
Few modelers would argue the popularity of the Extra 300. The abundance of these hot little Scale airplanes in almost every imaginable size at the show was rather impressive.
Perhaps the newest, and certainly one of the better RC model examples of this fine full-scale aerobatic performer was from Midwest Products. Their new 80-inch Extra 300S gave modelers an eyeful and a brainful. The model is set up to accommodate 1.5-2.2 two-strokes, 1.8-3.0 four-strokes, or 2.2-2.8 gas burners. Weight is estimated at just 14–17 pounds.
As the newest member of Midwest's "Success Series," you can be assured that the Extra 300S kit contains only the finest balsa, plywood and Italian poplar (Lite Ply) woods; a magnificent set of full-size plans; and a clear and concise instruction manual. If you have ever had the pleasure of building a Midwest kit, you already know the carefully cut, packaged woods. If you've been buying Midwest wood for years through better hobby outlets throughout the world, you'll get the same fine, first-class wood in the Midwest kit.
Printed information on the Extra was still in progress when the show opened. If anything you need to know is not available, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope or a quick note to Midwest Products Co., Inc., 4005 Indiana St., Hobart IN 46342.
Wing Manufacturing
Our good friend Hal Parenti has a very special new kit for us. Hal's company, Wing Manufacturing, is offering the most complete and accurate B-25 we've had to date. Set up to handle a pair of .40-.60 two-strokes or .48-.90 four-strokes, this 82-inch Mitchell bomber is as formidable in model form as it was in the full-scale versions. The model uses laser-cut and die-cut parts and comes with a long list of molded accessories to help get the detail on the model without any pain.
Hal's B-25 sports some pretty impressive framework. Fans of Sterling, Comet, and Guillows stick-and-tissue models will come instantly alive at their first sight of the B-25's incredible stick-and-former construction. The wing panels and stab are balsa-sheathed foam cores, and clear plastic parts are provided for the canopy, gun windows, turret, tail-gun blister, and light covers. There are formed front and rear cowl sections, formed top nacelle fairings, gun blisters and intake scoops, and much, much more.
Complete—and I mean complete—highest-quality nut, bolt, and nylon hardware is included with each kit, in addition to a full-color decal sheet with squadron and kill markings. For more information, write to Wing Manufacturing, 306 E. Simmons St., Galesburg IL 61401.
Robart
Robart had their usual lines of Scale-proportioned hardware and accessories on display, but there were additions that should make you very pleased. Among them were Robart's new all-metal pressure tanks to fit their (or other) retract installations. Available in high- and medium-pressure designations, these pressure tanks will withstand the greater demands placed on them by today's contemporary high-performance gear setups.
We've heard so many good things about Robart's awesome R780 7-cylinder radial engine, that I thought it might be time to show you a photo. This will probably be as close as I'll be able to get to this engine, but at least that's better than never seeing it at all.
If you have a special Scale project that won't tolerate anything less than the finest large-bore radial engine, Bob and Tom Walker's R780s are ready and waiting. Several R780 options are available, including a McDaniel seven-cylinder glow plug driver, a capacitor-discharge ignition system with electronic advance and distributor, and full collector-ring exhaust system. I'm sure you'll want to know a lot more about this amazing mill, so write to Robart at 625 N. 12th St., St. Charles IL 60174.
Pica/Robbe
There has been quite a bit of attention recently paid to the merging of Pica and Robbe into Pica/Robbe. The Robbe name represents an extremely popular European manufacturer of radio-control products, including fixed-wing powered sport and Scale glow, gas and electric aircraft, boats, ships, racing cars and trucks, fire engines, slope and thermal duration sport and Scale sailplanes, radio systems, electric motors, and any and every possible RC accessory you could imagine.
So much focus has been placed on Robbe's overwhelming product list that some of us may have left Pica's line of built-up balsa craftsman's kits a little out of the picture. I built one of Pica's Focke Wulf FW-190D9 long-nose Dora kits more than fifteen years ago. It was a fine airplane then, and it still is. The FW is one of many 1/4- and 1/5-scale kits in the Pica line, each featuring balsa- and plywood-construction, detailed ABS cowls, formed wire landing gear, full-size plans and concise instructions. These are not beginners' models, but each one will reward a careful builder with a good-looking, fine-performing airplane.
The Focke Wulf can be powered by a .60 two-stroke or a .90 four-stroke, and there is plenty of room in its crutch-style built-up airframe for Scale details of every description. Retracting main-gear installation is shown on the plans, and the addition of flaps or a retracting tailwheel is not difficult.
Other scale offerings from Pica are a P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, T-28 Trojan, and Waco and Jungmeister biplanes. Write to Pica/Robbe for a product sheet: 2637 NE 188 St., Miami FL 33180.
Century Jet Models
Century Jet Models' retract landing gear systems have been getting very popular lately, and it's no small wonder. Their systems are available in 1/6, 1/5, and giant sizes; each is rugged, reliable, and extremely well-detailed.
If the system you need is not commercially available at present, CJM will be happy to create it for you. Contact Century Jet Models at their new address: 11216 Bluegrass Parkway, Louisville KY 40299.
In addition to retract systems, Century has an extensive line of Scale aircraft kits. As their name would imply, most of these kits are jet-powered subjects, and are intended for ducted-fan installations. However, there are two very fine glass-and-foam kits: a North American P-51D and a Supermarine Spitfire (available as a Mk 21, Mk 22, or Mk 24).
CJM's Mustang is an impressive kit. At 81 inches and 18–20 pounds, this airplane flies like a bullet—just like a P-51 should. The glass fuselage features panel line and rivet details and the extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforcement to provide incredible strength while keeping weight under strict control.
Foam wing and stab cores, a clear canopy, and a spun aluminum spinner are all part of the standard kit package. There is a deluxe edition, too, which has hand-cut plywood rails, balsa wood, carbon fiber, Dry Set markings, fuel tank, lots of hardware, and a fully detailed cockpit kit. Both standard and deluxe editions have instructions and full-size plans, separately molded engine cowls and panels, and a construction video that even features full-scale Mustangs.
Finally, CJM offers a super deluxe kit that adds a complete Century Jet Models retract system to the Mustang box, including a scale actuating tailwheel.
So you see, if Scale aircraft is among your list of prime interests, Chicago was a place to be last October. Why not stay tuned for next year's show dates, and make plans to attend?
Docu-Search
Are you stuck? Do you have the urge to build a special model, but can't find the details, plans, or three-views needed to get the job done correctly? When all else fails, try Docu-Search. We make no promises, but Model Aviation's readers add up to an impressive number, and it's possible that someone may have exactly what you're looking for. Just drop me a postcard with the request and I'll submit it for publication in the RC Scale column.
- Jonathan Buell (800 E. Cumberland Road, Orange CA 92665) needs a 5-view or any other available reference material concerning the Canadian Avro CF-105 Arrow delta-wing jet. If you can help Jonathan in some way, please do.
- A usable three-view is also needed for the Boeing YL-15 Scout. If any readers have something available on this post-WWII warbug, please contact Sal Cerrie, 9286 Buffalo Road, North East PA 16428.
- Mike Nolan is trying to locate 3-, 4-, or 5-views for several different airplanes. His descriptions were vague, but perhaps those of you knowing the particular subjects will find them quite clear. Mike needs whatever you've got on the Eagle 220 (was to be manufactured by Bellanca in the early '80s), the 300 or 400 series Air Tractor, the PLZ Kruk, and the Weatherly. Contact Mike at 1235 Penn St. NE, Grand Rapids MI 49505.
- Irwin Weisbrod, Starlight Drive, Norwalk CT 06851, is attempting to locate a source for any of Peter Westburg's Scale drawings. Irwin sent a lovely photo of the Grumman F3F he built from those drawings, but he would like to do another, larger F3F and has long since lost his materials.
- Fellow Pennsylvania modeler Bill Benedick saw an original Petain autogiro lying at Lancaster, Pennsylvania's airport during the mid to late 1930s and would now like to do an autogiro of his own. If you have any information on this unique flying machine, please write to Bill at 190 Musser Rd., Box 107, Blue Ball PA 17506.
- Fred Cronenwett will search his extensive magazine-database for publishing information. For a stamped, self-addressed business-size envelope and a short, specific request, Fred will check which magazine published what and when. Write to him at 7352 Independence Ave., Apt. #201, Canoga Park CA 91303.
Well, my friends, after reformatting my Pentium C-drive after a major four-day computer crash, it is once again approaching three a.m., and I've really had it. Next month we'll get ready to put covering and a finish on our Fokker D.VIIs. That should be quite a discussion. Until then, build straight and fly safely. I'll talk with you again. +
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
