RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Jeff Troy, 19 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Ambler PA 19002
THE 1996 WRAM SHOW, held February 23–25, was as spectacular as ever, with two packed floors of industry exhibitors, hundreds of first-class static-display models, and thousands of dedicated aeromodelers in attendance. Unusually fair weather made a healthy contribution to the event, keeping the airports and major highways open, and ensuring that White Plains, New York would be conveniently accessible.
The WRAM agenda offered a new feature this year: there was a series of informative daily seminars on modeling techniques by some of the industry's most knowledgeable and colorful speakers. Faye Stilley shared many of his impressive MonoKote techniques, and Larry Sribnick of SR Batteries opened our eyes to the ever-changing technology of electric flight.
Modelers who attended these seminars viewed them as a destination point instead of just something to see while passing a booth. I believe that this fact caused them to be most successful.
The WRAM show's RC Scale static tables are always a treat, but a 20-foot-long model of the American aircraft carrier USS Forrestal stole the show for me and (probably) everyone else who saw it. I have no qualms about mentioning this ship model in a scale-aircraft column, largely because the carrier's deck, elevators, and storage areas were jam-packed with more than a hundred magnificent examples of scale-aircraft modeling at its best.
Of course, as is customary at WRAM, the static aircraft were on par with the world's best. The coveted Best of Show award went to Graeme Mears' fabulous Tiger Moth. This model was presented in pristine form, totally unweathered and factory-fresh. Details were abundant, and the workmanship was at the level we've come to expect from Mr. Mears. This was a marvelous airplane that seemed to offer more to see the longer I looked at it. Congratulations, Graeme.
Among the many other notable models were Tom Polapink's Sopwith Snipe and Sal Iasilli's Fieseler Storch.
Modelers' Projects
- Walt Gadney, Kutztown, Pennsylvania, sent a photo of his Aeronca LB, constructed using the Golden Age plans. The LB spans 108 inches, weighs 19 pounds, and is powered by a Webra .120. 21st Century Fabric covers the open surfaces, and 21st Century Film emulates the full-scale aluminum areas. The cowl is finished with 21st Century paint. Walt was eager to note that his engine cooling ring was created from an eight-inch Tupperware lid.
- Dick Barbosa did a splendid job on his Top Flite Models Gold Edition P-40E. Covered with Coverite and 21st Century primer, the model was shot with Model Master sprays by Testors. Markings and panel lines were applied, and the completed surface was coated with Black Baron satin clear to seal everything. Dick's model has the appropriate prop and spinner from Top Flite, as well as their auxiliary fuel tank (not shown) and drop mechanism. The retract system is from Century Jet Models. A Futaba F7-UAP handles the guidance. Power is supplied by an O.S. .91 Surpass four-stroke; at 10-1/2 pounds, Dick says the model is a great flier.
Manufacturers' News
- Nick Ziroli Models (605 E. Monroe, Little Falls NY 13365) has released the plan set for their new 100-inch-span Douglas Skyraider. The massive prototype model was displayed at the WRAM show; Nick's plan shows all-wood construction. A fiberglass cowl and fuselage are available, and Aeroplane Works has a full kit available for those who wish to bypass cutting out all the parts. Write to Nick for more information.
- Chuck Gill's Aeroplane Works has two new offerings: a 1/3-scale Fokker D.VIII "flying razor" and a 1/3-scale Fleet biplane. The Fleet spans 111 inches and claims a whopping 3,320 square inches of area. Weights from 26–29 pounds and engines from 2.4–3.7 cu in. are recommended. Plans for the D.VIII and the Fleet are available from Ron Weiss at 11 Linda Place, Huntington NY 11743; full kits are available from Aeroplane Works at 2134 Gilbride Road, Martinsville NJ 08336.
- Bob Holman is constantly updating his inventory of scale offerings; one of his latest is a set of machine-cut ribs from Brian Taylor's 81-inch de Havilland Mosquito. If you've had a Mosquito in your head for a while, there's no reason to hold back any longer. Brian Taylor's plans are also available from Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino CA 92402.
- Ultra Precision Technical Services offers an array of electronic retract-gear control mechanisms and accessories; among them is the new U.P. 7 Low-Pressure Safety System. The simple one-ounce unit fits between your receiver and your retract servo and assures you of proper gear extension if the model's air supply drops below 50 psi. Servo endpoints are fully adjustable and the control-point pressure is also adjustable from 30–80 pounds. The price is reasonable, and the workmanship is first-class. Write to Philip Soden at Ultra Precision Technical Services Ltd., 1244 Honeysuckle Crescent, Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6H 2S8.
Docu-Search
Modeling skills and techniques are largely a matter of personal experience, and one technique with which I have had no experience is the duplication of corrugated metal. Frank Campbell (11 Catalpa Avenue, Hackensack NJ 07601) is interested in corrugated .008 nickel-plated brass sheets, with five corrugations per 1/2 inch for his 5/16 Ford Tri-Motor.
If any of you has knowledge of this technique, please try to help. His questions are:
- A) Can this material be obtained commercially?
- B) How can the corrugated metal be bent (formed) over the leading edge of the tapered portion and still have the corrugations line up on the top and bottom of the wing?
- C) If corrugated metal is not available, can plastic corrugated sheets be purchased at 5/16 scale?
The photo of Jim Adams' Waterman Aerobile in the February column struck a chord with some readers. If any information on the full-scale machine is available, or model plans or views are available, please contact J.D. Havens at 703 Monona Ave., Apt. 18, Des Moines IA 50315, and John E. Hale at 2804 Alcott Ave., Louisville KY 40220.
John M. Gray purchased a partially constructed 119-inch model of the Piper Pawnee Ag Duster. The problem is that there weren't any plans with the airplane, and there is still quite a bit of construction left to be completed. Assembly sketches indicate that the model was manufactured by SAC of Neodesha, Kansas, but John's efforts to contact them have led to naught. The model is made from glassed-and-sheeted blue foam. Do any of you know this model? Do you have a set of plans or a construction manual? Please contact John M. Gray at 23456 Eton St., Dearborn Heights MI 48125.
I plan to attend two modeling shows between now and the end of April: the East Coast Hobby Show in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and the "Weak Signals" annual show in Toledo, Ohio. The Toledo show will run from April 12–14 and is expected to set attendance records once again. Year after year, the Weak Signals' operation proves just how powerful a show can be when it has strong organizational skills behind it and the support of modelers and the industry.
March 29–April 1 will see the second running of the new East Coast Hobby Show. Last year, promoter Scott Pressman used several imaginative methods to let non-modelers see what we're all about. Scott arranged for weekend performances by a traveling Thomas the Tank Engine troupe; a play area sponsored by the Discovery Zone; and autograph-signing appearances by Gary Dell'Abate of K-ROCK radio and two Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders.
It's interesting to see how far the definition of "hobbies" can stretch. In addition to the usual displays of RC airplanes, boats, and cars, visitors to the first ECHS were treated to exhibits from hobby shops, full-scale kit-car companies, full-scale ultralight manufacturers, and a fully enclosed in-the-cockpit flight simulator. The show was very interesting, and could easily become an influential contributor to our industry. Innovation often brings success.
Next month's column will have photos from both shows, as well as the usual monthly features. If you need to write to me, note that I have moved and am no longer at the S. Spring Garden Street address. My new address is 19 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Ambler PA 19002. Your letters and Docu-Search cards are welcome, but please understand that, with the exception of Docu-Search items, there will be a slightly longer-than-usual delay in my response time due to the move.
Until next issue, build straight and fly safely. I'll talk with you again.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
