RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Jeff Troy, 19 East Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Ambler PA 19002
DOCU-SEARCH
Robert Plecha wrote to express his interest in Jerry Pate's 1/5-scale D.H.98 Mosquito. Robert would like to construct a Mosquito of his own, and he wonders if plans are available. Robert may be relatively new to the Scale community and may not be aware of where to look for what he needs (and that an eight-mile-high stack of information is available). I've already suggested the commercial documentation services, but perhaps some of you have particular items available for this popular airplane that go beyond the necessary photos and three-views we will need to get started. Contact Robert at: 216 Vine St., Geneva OH 44041.
James Cook is about to begin construction on an F-82 Twin Mustang, and he would like to make it as realistic as possible. I got the impression James already has either plans or a kit on hand. If you have any information on this interesting aircraft, James would like you to share it with him. James is at: 13915 Stoneshire, Houston TX 77037.
Tim Hunt would like to model the Helio Courier in the 78–84 inch range. He's already got a set of free-flight plans that bring the model in at 39 inches, but he would rather construct the airplane from a set of radio-control plans, provided some are available. He has documented the aircraft in camouflage schemes but would appreciate information that documents the natural-metal appearance. Tim is at: 717 Monroe Ave., Moberly MO 65270.
INDUSTRY NEWS
The East Coast Hobby Show took place March 30 through April 1 in the Philadelphia suburb of Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. I have no photographs, and I won't delve too deeply into the show floor because the event doesn't relate specifically to RC Scale. I do feel, however, that a show like this is long overdue, and I'm personally very happy to see it beginning to take hold.
Over the years, every level of the modeling community has given lip service to the challenges of getting newcomers involved in our hobby. At one point or another, most of us have heard (or used) phrases like "preaching to the choir" and "trying to reach the vast majority." We all want new blood because new blood will ensure our sport's continued existence. Scott Pressman's East Coast Hobby Show did a first-class job of bringing part of the "vast majority" to his show in significant numbers. Here, at last, is exactly what we asked for—thousands of curious and eager people of every age group, male and female, looking for something cool to do with their time and money.
This show presents modeling clubs and the hobby industry with a golden opportunity to show non-modelers what we do, to give them the gentle nudge they may need to take the initial plunge, and then to try to see that they start off on the right foot. Exhibitors with entry-level products enjoyed a successful weekend, and perhaps the next East Coast Hobby Show will see greater participation from the Radio Control aircraft community. We Scale designers can still make a decent trainer, can't we?
LDM Industries, Inc. has a number of interesting and useful products for us. One of the simplest is the Con-Do-It kit: a set of clear PVC tubes specifically designed for modeling use. Con-Do-It tubes mount inside a wing or fuselage to provide positive routing for servo leads, air lines, fuel lines, or other plumbing that must pass unobstructed through ribs or bulkheads. Con-Do-It kits are inexpensive; each includes two 24-inch lengths of 1/2-inch-diameter tubing. For more information, send $1 to: LDM Industries, Inc., Box 292396, Tampa FL 33687-2396.
The benefits of vibration dampening are inarguable and should be recognized in smaller models just as they are in large-scale aircraft. Du-Bro Products has several sizes of vibration-dampening mounts to accommodate conventional two- and four-stroke engines in the most popular displacements. The T-style mounts have sturdy aluminum plates, and the rubber grommets (elastomeric grommets) are long-lasting and replaceable without buying a new set of mounts.
Take a good look at these mounts. They'll help ward off all sorts of troublesome vibration-related problems, including broken hinge barrels, loosened clevises, fuel foaming, and radio component damage. Du-Bro manufactures almost every imaginable model aircraft, boat, and car accessory to high quality standards. Free catalogs are available; contact: Du-Bro Products, Inc., Box 815, 480 Bonner Rd., Wauconda IL 60084.
Saito offers three four-strokes in their Golden Knights (GK) series that follow the lead of their original .50, .65 and .80-inch-displacement GKs. The newer Golden Knights are:
- FA-.91SGK
- FA-1.20SGK
- FA-1.50SGK
These additions have gloss-black finished cases with polished gold valve covers and extended carburetor venturis for improved airflow. For technical specifications and additional information contact: Horizon Hobby Distributors, 4105 Fieldstone Road, Champaign IL 61821.
Pattern aircraft are not the usual fare for this column, but learning a trick or two from the pattern flying end of the category could benefit many Scale fliers. There is some truth to the oft-heard statement that we can build a lot better than we can fly. Improving our flying skills is a good idea regardless of the discipline—Pattern, Scale, Soaring, Pylon, Free Flight, or Control Line. Electronic simulators such as the computer-based flight simulators from Dave Brown and Ambrosia are excellent aids.
Two books are available to help hone your flying skills: Proficient Flying and Crosswind Flying. Both are first-class, helpful publications that explain many of the forces at work when your model is in the air and the transmitter is in your hands.
Proficient Flying, by Wayne Apostolico, is an interesting combination of a pilot's manual, a self-help guide, and a flight instructor's training guide. Crosswind Flying, also by Apostolico, is aimed at sport and pattern fliers. It deals with subjects such as rolling into the wind, using pitch inputs to correct drift, and rolling the "right" way in Cuban 8s. While we'd all like to spend more time at the bench than reading about maneuvers, these books can really help make some of us better model pilots. For prices and ordering information, contact: Gemstone Publications, 3502 W. 96th Circle, Westminster CO 80030.
Bob Holman Plans is offering a full-size plan set for Don Wilson's (no, not the Ventures' guitar player) 1/6-scale Westland Lysander. The model spans 100 inches and weighs approximately 11 pounds. The UK prototype flew with a .90 four-stroke, but Bob recommends engines in the 15 to 20cc (.90 to 1.20) range. Contact: Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino CA 92402.
MODELERS' PROJECTS
Jeff Pogar, an old Soaring buddy from the Valley Forge Signal Seekers now in East Patchogue, New York, built a Fokker D.VII from the Sterling kit. The model spans 58-1/2 inches, uses Williams Bros. scale machine guns and wheels, and is finished in 21st Century fabric and paint. The markings, however, were Jeff's main reason for writing.
Ann Graphics (42A Nancy St., West Babylon NY 11704) used the kit-supplied water-slide decals to create vinyl self-stick markings that are fuelproof to 15% nitro. Jeff has used these markings for more than two years with no signs of failure or fuel seepage. Ann Graphics may need original art to produce what you want, but Jeff was excited about the quality of their work.
John Cole has completed and flown his de Havilland D.H.1A. This is a fabulous model of a very interesting subject; it offered John a balance of pleasure and pain. The 1/6-scale de Havilland spans 82 inches and weighs a little more than nine pounds. It's powered by a PAW .60 diesel, swinging an 18 x 6 home-brewed propeller.
John's original full-size plans were roughly based on Wylam's drawings and were modified where he felt improvements could be made. Super Coverite was airbrushed to simulate the original's linen covering, and John did a superb job recreating the 120-horsepower Beardmore inline six-cylinder engine. He used a combination of materials, mostly cast resin and wood, to duplicate one of three known Beardmore engines located just miles from his home in Mesa, Arizona, at the Champlin Fighter Museum.
We've come to expect nothing less than the best work from John Cole, and he hasn't let us down.
SCALE MASTERS
Scale Masters announcements have been mailed. The main event will take place this year at the Spook Hills Flying Site in Mesa, Arizona, October 31–November 3. Jim Deming will be Contest Director; Roy Pratt will be Contest Manager; and Kent Walters will handle Chief Judge responsibilities. Regional events are held at different times throughout the United States and Canada. For specific information regarding the main event or the qualifiers, contact: Scale Masters Chairman Harris Lee, 4986 Lamia Way, Oceanside CA 92056.
TIP OF THE MONTH
Reading instructions is a good idea. While installing Du-Bro's vibration-dampening mounts, I learned a handy method for marking engine mounting beams for the engine's mounting lug holes when a template is not available.
Coat the beams with a light smear of Vaseline (petroleum jelly), hold the engine in its proper position, and sprinkle a little talcum powder through the holes in the mounting lugs. Remove the engine and the powdered spots that remain will indicate precisely where to drill and tap your bolt holes. Simple. Effective. Good mounts, good information. Case closed. Thank you, Du-Bro.
BUILD-ALONG PROJECT
I need your help here. Extensive travel and numerous unplanned business commitments have thus far prevented me from completing the D.VII we started a couple of years ago. However, if the letters and photos I've received are any indication, most of you have suffered no such setbacks and have finished and flown your models without having to wait for me to catch up.
The bottom line is that I'm itching to build something new. I don't want to leave any of you hanging if you've been waiting for me to get my act together, but if your model is already completed, it wouldn't serve anyone's interest to take up magazine space with that particular project. If you want something new on your building board, here are the projects I'm considering now:
- Dynaflite's giant Spitfire — a solid project that could cover finishing and detailing. We could install retracts and flaps to make the model more interesting or keep it simple and concentrate on finishing and markings.
- A new Bleriot XI-2 in the 33–40% range for competition — a serious time and dollar commitment, much more involved than the Spitfire, and more limited in audience interest.
- The Aeroplane Works Uravitch S.E.5 kit — to pair with our D.VII and satisfy fans of the English side of WWI.
- A new Zirolli Fokker Triplane — could be fun.
- Or something new discovered at the Toledo show.
Please let me know if you're interested in any of these projects or if you would rather have me finish the D.VII. For now, it's off to Toledo.
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.
