RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Jeff Troy 19 East Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Ambler PA 19002
SHOW SEASON is here and it seems as though this might be a very powerful year for Radio Control aircraft. The Radio Control Hobby and Trade Association's annual Model and Hobby Show in October at Rosemont, Illinois had record consumer attendance, its trade days were busy, and international attendance was very strong.
I'm getting ready for a trip to California for the Endless Horizons Show in Long Beach and the International Modeler Show (IMS) in Pasadena. On the rare occasions when home and scholastic schedules allow, I get to bring my wife and daughter on these road trips—they've really been looking forward to this one. My daughter Devin is six, and she's finally going to meet Mickey, Donald, and Goofy on their own ground. I'll get to see great models on the shows' static tables and an endless sea of products and craftsmanship in the manufacturers' exhibits.
I hope to have good photographs for you. I intended to bring plenty of coverage from Rosemont, but barely three of the eight rolls of film I shot produced anything usable, and none of it was suitable for the magazine.
Manufacturers' News
IKON N'West has a relatively new aircraft series. Emil Neeley and company have released a 62-inch Hawker Hurricane under their IKON N'West "Minnies" banner. The model will weigh approximately 5 3/4 pounds and is intended for .60 two-stroke or .80 four-stroke engines. As in the larger IKON kits, the Hurricane's parts are hand-cut and a clear molded canopy is provided. The model has a fiberglass cowl and, if more bells and whistles are desired in the performance department, the kit's full-size plans show the installation procedure for functional flaps and retracting undercarriage. For more specific information, contact IKON N'West at Box 306, Post Falls ID 83854.
John C. Fredriksen's Model Warplanes, 1996 Vol. 3; World War 2, 1939–1945 — Axis has been on the market for several months. The complete collection lists more than 10,000 model plans, kits, photos, scale drawings, and sources. Volume three details 143 aircraft types and directs you toward 281 kits, 628 plans, and 204 sources. For pricing and a list of available volumes, contact John C. Fredriksen, 461 Loring Ave., Salem MA 01970.
There's hardly a Gee Bee fan who doesn't know Henry Haffke—he has devoted many modeling years to researching Gee Bees and their multitalented family of creators. In 1989 Henry's work paid off when his wonderful book Gee Bee — The REAL Story of the Granville Brothers and Their Marvelous Airplanes was released by ViP Publishers. The book has roughly 160 pages of facts, drawings, and authentic photographs. Did you know that there were Gee Bee bipes, Gee Bee floatplanes, and ski-equipped Gee Bees? Henry's book is not new, but sure is good. Write to ViP Publishers, Inc., Box 16103, Colorado Springs CO.
Saito's 56 four-stroke engine (SAI EO56) is available in the standard version and a terrific-looking Golden Knight version (SAI EO56GK), which features a striking baked-on black finish and polished gold valve covers. The 56 is a bored-out upgrade of Saito's popular 50 four-stroke—weight is identical, but there is a remarkable power difference and a dramatic increase of 1,000 rpm on an APC 12 x 7 prop. For additional information contact Horizon Hobby Distributors, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61821.
One of the reasons people are interested in modeling is the clever devices that perform mechanical services for them. A perfect example is Robart's 630 Series retracting landing gear—the very ones (by no coincidence) that will be used on the Dynaflite Spitfire Build-Along. As the models are constructed and modified to accept an undercarriage that will retract outward in proper Spitfire fashion, you will see many of the superior features Robart quality units have in their corner.
Robart 630 pneumatic retracts use sturdy, heat-treated aluminum alloy side frames, 1/4-inch-diameter steel alloy oleo struts, and triple-sealed 1/2-inch-bore air cylinders. In case you have projects on your horizon other than the Spitfire, Robart 630s are available with 85- or 90-degree straight struts, 85- or 90-degree offset struts, and there is a 105-degree nosegear unit. The system is surprisingly affordable, so you purchase peace of mind without compromise.
Robart produced a special axle-mounting modification for the Spitfire project where the axle is angled against the strut—more like a proper Spitfire's ought to be. Those who will be building along are encouraged to contact Chuck Sostak at Robart to discuss the gear. Robart will be happy to make one of those special sets or they will advise you on the changes they could make on the Robart equipment you own. Write to Robart at 625 N. 12th St., St. Charles IL 60174.
Docu-Search
My Docu-Search bin is empty for the first time since the feature began, indicating that you've all had a very busy and very fulfilling holiday.
More letters have come in regarding the Briggs C-124, and I request that you not ask for assistance in contacting Mr. Briggs. I have no way of reaching him and he has not responded to attempts through the publication, but I appreciate your letters and your efforts.
For those who are new to the "RC Scale" column, Docu-Search is a free system to help you find the information you need to get those off-beat projects underway. On rare occasions when the local library and the commercial documentation services don't have the three-view, photographs, drawings, or set of plans you're looking for, just send me a postcard with your request, name, and address. I'll submit your request as part of the column and if what you need is somewhere on Earth, there's a chance that one or more of Model Aviation's readers will come up with it and contact you. The response is usually very good. If you send a letter with a self-addressed stamped envelope, I'll send you a form letter advising you in which issue to look for your request.
There are only two Docu-Search no-nos:
- First, don't send information for me to forward to the modelers in need. I'm happy that you're able to help, but not happy enough to operate a private post office for the modeling community. If you send information to me, it will not be forwarded.
- Second, you should not ask for help about subjects that can be handled with a telephone call to commercial documentation services. We don't need to search for information on Cubs, Mustangs, and Cessna 150s when so much is readily available.
Send your postcards or letters to me at 19 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Ambler PA 19002-4217.
Modelers' Projects
John Deden of Missouri City, Texas sent photos and outlined his escapades with the plan-built 60-inch S.E.5 he completed a couple of years ago. I'll spare you the horror stories of reversed elevator control and airscrew-forward landings; John finally got the S.E.5 performing properly. The Scout weighs about 11 pounds wet and flies on a Saito 80 four-stroke on 15% nitro, with a 14 x 6 Master airscrew clearing a path. The model is painted in the colors of a US Army S.E.5 purchased from England and brought stateside for training and use.
Chuck John sent photographs of his colorful AT-6 built from Nick Ziroli's award-winning design. The Texan has a fiberglass fuselage; its wood surfaces have been covered with INDY R/C's WorldTex fabric, primed with seven coats of automobile primer, then painted with automotive Ultra-Silver lacquer, and cleared with two coats of polyurethane.
This 101-inch model is powered by a Brison/Sachs 4.2 with electronic ignition and propped by a Zinger 22 x 10. The combination turns about 7,500 rpm — more than enough to easily handle the 25-pound model. Du-Bro's five-inch threaded foam wheels have Du-Bro's new aluminum covers and are raised and lowered by Robart's HD retract system (which Chuck claims operates smoothly and reliably). He uses a one-liter soft-drink bottle for an air tank — it works fine and yields about 10 cycles per charge.
Well, it's off to California. I'll be back next month with more photos, more stories, and (hopefully) more energy. Until then, build straight and fly safely. We'll do this again.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
