RADIO CONTROL: SCALE
Jeff Troy 200 S. Spring Garden Street, Ambler PA 19002
I'll be returning from a trip to London to visit Irvine Ltd., makers of Irvine engines. Hopefully I'll have some photographs and product news—especially any engine-related developments on the horizon. After England I'll have a week in the office, then I'll be off to Chicago for the Radio Control Hobby & Trade Association's annual National Model Hobby Show. The Chicago show is a good one for hot new products and fabulous displays.
Docu-Search
Docu-Search is a free service. Just send a letter or postcard describing your request and a self-addressed stamped envelope; if space permits I'll include your request in my monthly column and will send a form letter telling you which issue to expect your entry in. Please do not send money.
Requests and inquiries:
- Jerry Pate — Has been a modeler for more than 25 years and is the owner of a 1/4-scale de Havilland D.H.98 Mosquito. He would like information about the full-scale aircraft and what can be expected of a 1/4-scale model. Contact: Jerry Pate, 818 Main Street, Elsmere KY 41018.
- Maury Coplan — Seeking information on the McGregor, built by the Canadian Car and Foundry Company in the late 1930s. Maury believes the airplane was a radial-engine biplane with an enclosed cockpit, retractable gear, and an inverted-gull wing. He wants plans, views, specifications, photographs, etc., to build an accurate 1/4-scale model. Contact: Maury Coplan, 17757 Tramonto Drive, Pacific Palisades CA 90272.
- Correction: A previous Docu-Search entry seeking information on the Model 113 Monocoupe had a name garbled by spell-check. The correct name is Mr. A. Lynn Lockrow.
- Walt Pleier — Needs information on the Kaiser-Fleetwing. Walt also seeks any data on the XBTK-1 (1945 Jane's indicates five full-scale XBTK-1 aircraft were built); he has constructed a flying model set from Walt Mooney's Model Builder drawings but has been unable to determine the fate of the full-scale aircraft. Contact: Walt Pleier, 103 Prince Place, Greenville NC 27858.
- Frank Abbott — Seeking definitive three-views, photos, or specifications for the Great Lakes BG-1 biplane (operational with the Navy and Marines 1934–1937). Contact: Frank Abbott, Suite 101, 255 University Drive, Coral Gables FL 33134.
Manufacturers News
Few things are more important to a scale project than good documentation. In addition to Docu-Search and Scale Model Research Scale Plans & Photo Service, consider the following resources:
- NASA (National Association of Scale Aeromodelers) — The Special Interest Group representing the scale community (radio control, control line, free flight) within the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Annual membership is $8 and includes the Scale Data Source List guide, which directs you to:
- Government agencies, museums, libraries
- Books, periodicals, journals
- Photos, three-views, documentation
- Scale model plans
- Specialized organizations
Become a NASA member via Secretary-Treasurer Bert Dugan: 11090 Phyllis Drive, Clio MI 48420.
- Motorbooks International (parent of Zenith Books) — Publishes full-scale and modeling books on a wide range of subjects. New titles include Spitfire: The Combat History; T-6: A Pictorial Record of the Harvard, Texan and Wirraway; Boeing Jetliners; and Classic Aircraft of World War II. Request a catalog: Motorbooks International, Box 1, 729 Prospect Avenue, Osceola WI 54020-0001.
- WW-I Aero and Skyways — Outstanding full-scale aviation journals. WW-I Aero covers the early aeroplane through the end of WW I; Skyways covers the airplane 1920–1940. Published by Leo Opdycke, four issues annually. Available through World Wide Aeroplanes, Inc., 15 Crescent Road, Poughkeepsie NY 12601. Back issues and price/availability lists are offered.
- Replicraft — Jim Giger has compiled an exceptional plan set for the Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a. The set includes nine 30 x 77-inch sheets with extensive detail, a 1/25-scale five-view, three sets of 1/2-scale five-views showing different markings, and a folder of authentic color chips. The plans were compiled from hundreds of authentic RAF drawings and preserved examples; part numbers and many original drawing references are included. This set is extraordinary for modelers and full-scale builders alike. For a complete list of Replicraft plans and prices, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (and a dollar) to Replicraft, 1400 Gomes Road, Fremont CA 94538.
- IKON N'West — Offering a 1/5-scale Lockheed Vega "Winnie Mae" kit. Features hand-selected wood, inked plans, and fiberglass accessories (wheel pants, cowling). The kit spans 102 inches, weighs approximately 19 pounds, and is intended for engines in the 1.2 four-stroke range. Loading is about 25 oz./sq. ft.; wing panels detach for transport. Options include decals, sprung landing gear, and a sprung tailwheel. IKON N'West catalog: $4. Order from IKON N'West, Box 306, Post Falls ID 83854.
Modelers' Projects
- Jon Theisen (Philadelphia) — Completed a Fokker D.VII (still needs guns, squadron insignia, and dog ears). The airplane is covered with 21st Century Fabric. Jon belongs to the Northeast Philadelphia R/C Aircraft Club.
- Byron Cap — Built a 231 model weighing 196 pounds; a Moki 180 provides power. A great flier.
- Jim Adams — Built an unusual Waterman Aerobile with a six-foot wingspan. The model flies beautifully; elevator travel was increased from the original 14° to 22° positive to achieve a decent lift-off. An elevon angle was determined using a profile free-flight test version of the model (advice credited to Frank Zajac).
Closing note: I've got more to share but I'm out of time and space. Until the next issue—build straight and fly safely.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
