RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Jeff Troy, 200 S. Spring Garden Street, Ambler PA 19002
I've been somewhat long-winded over the last couple of issues, so I'll give the procedural angles a rest for a while to show photos of some of the great models you've built.
Modelers' Projects
- Tom Senften — Middletown, Ohio (Miami Valley Radio Control Club)
Tom built a striking Fokker D.VII from modified Rich Uravitch plans. The model weighs 18 1/2 pounds, spans 75 1/2 inches, and carries a Quadra .40 up front. The D.VII's paint scheme emulates that of Ernst Udet, using Mooreguard red and white latex house paint and Accent Acrylic Country Colors (for the lozenge pattern) over Solartex fabric from England. Tom reports, "It's a great flier, but as you might expect, the narrow gear keeps you on your toes."
- John Cole — Peoria, Arizona
Regular readers will recognize John Cole from his Proctor Jenny cockpit photos that sparked quite a few letters. John's latest project is a scratch-built DH-1A based on Wylam's full-scale drawings, brought to 1/6 scale. The finished model will span 82 inches with a length of 58 inches. John says this is his first scratch project. The Jenny has been finished and qualified John for an invitation to the U.S. Scale Masters; I'll have a full report in an upcoming issue.
- Bud Roane — Melbourne, Florida (photographed by Jerry Smith)
Bud built a scratch Sopwith Pup from his own 25% plans. It's powered by an O.S. .120 four-stroke, weighs about 14 pounds, and is covered with Super Coverite and dope for a realistic finish.
- Alex Morton — Issaquah, Washington
Alex is building a JN4-D2 and contributed a method for simulating brass wrappings on propeller tips, spar ends, and interplane struts. Key points:
Materials:
- .003" copper foil (Craftwoods, Box 527, Timonium MD 21094-0527; catalog #320-003; 12 x 24 x .003; $3.95 per sheet plus S&H).
- Masking tape.
- Revlon curved-blade fingernail scissors (#2378) for cutting small curves (drug store purchase).
- Thin cyanoacrylate (CyA) glue.
- Small grommet or sharpened brass tubing for simulating rivets.
- Thinned clear finish to retard oxidation.
Procedure:
- Apply masking tape to the part and draw the correct shape; remove tape and apply it to the foil, cutting along the drawn lines.
- Cut the foil with curved-blade scissors to handle tight curves.
- Flatten creases by rubbing the back side with your fingernail while laying the foil on flat glass or plastic.
- Form the foil around the wood part; secure with thin CyA.
- For prop tips: cut the foil about 1/4" oversize on all edges except the inboard curve to allow forming. Form with fingers, then trim leaving about a 1/32" overhang. Apply the back side first, then the front so the front overlaps the back by about 1/32".
- To simulate rivets: use a small grommet or the sharpened end of brass tubing to impress 1/16" circles about 1/8" on center around the circumference. Use gentle pressure.
- Finish with a thinned coat of clear to slow oxidation.
Sounds like a simple means to execute a tough job. Thanks, Alex.
- Dale Sebring — Blackfoot, Idaho
Dale built a compact Japanese Ki-100 ("Tony") from Gus Morfis' 1/12-scale plans. The finish was described as "a variation of the home defense scheme"; some RC Combat pilots even used a reddish Japanese primer. Gus joked about how funny it would be if Scale judges allowed that finish. Some 1/12 Combat models can make excellent low-budget, entry-level Scale models for those with solid flight time: fairly fast, highly maneuverable, and capable of scoring well when properly set up. There are many 1/12-scale WWII fighter kits and plans available—light, inexpensive, and useful as test beds while developing Scale skills.
Manufacturers' News
- Progressive Miniature Aircraft (Ron Parchment)
I recently acquired a 1/12-scale Mk. XIV Spitfire kit from Progressive Miniature Aircraft. Though small, the kit's quality is high: wood parts are cut and sanded to shape, neatly packaged, canopy molded well, and the plans/manual are clear. The Mk. XIV spans 38 1/2 inches, uses only three channels (ailerons, elevator, throttle), and will work with many decent .15 engines. For information, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Progressive Miniature Aviation, 214 Goldenrod Road A-16, Orlando, FL 32807.
- Gus Morfis (plans)
Gus offers 1/12-scale plans including the Tony mentioned above, a new Curtis P-36, and many WWII fighter plans. Send SASE to: Gus Morfis, 4709 Green Meadows Avenue, Torrance, CA 90505-5507.
- Bob Holman Plans
Bob is handling Dennis Bryant's quarter-scale SE-5 plan. The Bryant SE-5 spans an even 80 inches and will weigh approximately 15 pounds, depending on finish and construction. Bob plans to offer laser-cut wing and tail ribs for the SE-5. Bob Holman also offers full kits for Mick Reeves' world champion Sopwith Camel in 1/4 and 1/3 scale; kits include hardware, wheels, cowling, machine guns, stainless fittings, control cable, and more. For information, write: Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino, CA 92402. Enclose $5 for the complete Holman catalog if you request multiple items.
- Aerotech Models (Wayne Siewert)
Wayne Siewert is offering his Mooney Turbo Prop, a P-51D, a Nakajima Ki-84 "Frank", retracts, sequencing gear doors, and a new accessory called Servo-Slow through Aerotech Models. Servo-Slow helps slow servo action for gear-door bomb bays and other accessories. For information and product listings, send SASE to: Aerotech Models, 2740 31st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55406.
Docu-Search
It must be flying season—Docu-Search requests have been low for a few months. While you're flying, collect the documentation you need before winter. Participation in Docu-Search costs only a stamp and a few moments to jot down the aircraft name that's stumping your research. Readers have frequently come to the rescue.
This month's request:
- Craig Diederich is looking for photos or color-scheme drawings of a particular Piper Cub that flew for Budweiser on the air-show circuit about 12–15 years ago. At the time, Bill Barber's Stearman carried "Michelob" and there was a white Cub with "Budweiser" and an Anheuser-Busch "A" on the tail. Craig has already contacted commercial documentation services and visited the Busch brewery without success. If you can help, write to:
Craig Diederich, 226 Watkins Lane, Battle Creek, MI 49017.
Fokker D.VII Build-along
I will resume the Uravitch/Aeroplane Works Fokker D.VII build-along in the next installment. Most of the business-related projects that forced me to table this build have been put behind me. When last left, the fuselage was pretty much complete, the tail feathers constructed, and the wings were the next scheduled target. I'll pick up there and keep the project on track until completion.
Thanks to everyone who completed their Fokkers this flying season and sent top-shelf photos for the column. For those who have waited patiently, I appreciate your patience and intend to move forward with a vengeance.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
