RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Jeff Troy, 19 East Mt. Pleasant Ave., Ambler PA 19002
Model Aviation's December issue was packed from cover to cover with reports on the AMA National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats). As much as I wanted to attend this year's contest, I had already spent almost a week in Muncie for the Grand Event, and business commitments rarely permit me to make more than one summer trip to AMA's International Aeromodeling Center.
Stan Alexander graciously handled the Radio Control (RC) Scale event coverage in my stead. When you see him, don't forget to thank him for his blow-by-blow, first-hand account in the December issue.
Stan sent some information on the next FAI (Federation Aéronautique Internationale) F4 World Scale Championships. The Y2K worlds will run from August 20–26 at Interlaken, Switzerland, which is one of the most breathtaking cities on the planet.
The team qualifying events will be concurrent with next year's Nats, from July 4–10. If you plan to compete in the AMA events, you should give some consideration to an entry in the FAI team trials. The team selection events will be flown: F4C Radio Control Scale and Radio Control Large Scale, and F4B Control Line Scale.
FAI rules differ from AMA's, so make sure that you're prepared. There's nothing worse than bringing your tuba to a rock gig. FAI rulebooks are available through AMA Headquarters; write or call for information on how to receive one.
I had the pleasure of visiting Interlaken in 1976. While on vacation in England, I flew into Geneva, Switzerland, rented a little Volkswagen Golf, and drove to Interlaken, where I spent five beautiful days. It is a scenic mountain city that rests at the connecting point between five Swiss lakes, hence the origin of the city's name.
As a native Manhattan NYC boy, I've been oblivious to anything even remotely scenic for most of my life; if I'm going to notice an earthquake, it pretty much has to occur right under my feet. It isn't that I don't notice beautiful scenery. It's more that I just don't care much about it. Despite this cherished fault in my character, Switzerland—Interlaken in particular—made a strong visual impression on me.
In the city of Interlaken, I stayed in a magnificent hotel at the base of the 13,000-foot Jungfrau—one of the three tallest peaks in the Swiss Alps. During my stay, I rode a cable car to the 10,000-foot-high observation platform at the top of the Schilthorn, where I found what is one of the most impressive views that I've ever seen.
The cable car was the one that Telly Savalas and Roger Moore rode to film their classic fight to the death in the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. If I didn't know better, I'd guess that this particular cable car trip was what caused Savalas to lose his hair; it's really up there!
If Switzerland sounds as if it might be as good for you as it proved to be for me, plan an August Y2K vacation at Interlaken. You couldn't ask for a more colorful setting.
Manufacturers' News
Ikon N'Wst — Pinking shears for fabric applications
Obtaining properly sized pinked tape for fabric applications is a dilemma for aeromodelers. A new set of pinking shears from Ikon N'Wst can help you cut fabric reinforcing tapes in two sizes: a small-tooth set with a 1/8-inch cut, and a 1/4-inch cut available by request. Ikon suggests the 1/8-inch cut is correct "for about any rag airplane of 1930 to 1950."
For more information, write to: Ikon N'Wst, 3806 Chase Rd., Post Falls, ID 83854.
Bob Holman Plans — WW I lozenge fabric stencils
Bob Holman Plans is a longtime source for many WW I items, including new laser-cut WW I German lozenge fabric stencils: the ideal solution to the problem of painting lozenge patterns accurately. The stencils are laser-cut from card stock and include one stencil for each of the different colors. They are CAD-drawn and can be cut to accommodate any scale, and specific color information is provided with each set.
Contact: Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino, CA 92402.
Gus Morfis — 1/2-scale fighter plans
Gus Morfis offers easy-build plans for an ever-increasing selection of 1/2-scale fighter aircraft. Primarily designed for RC Combat, these models are ideal for small-scale, for-fun projects. One of Gus's most recent designs is the Bell P-39 Airacobra: an airplane with all of the elements of a stable warbird in any scale. The 34-inch-span design offers balsa-and-plywood construction, sheet tail surfaces, and no landing gear. The canopy can be duplicated with a simple over-the-counter bubble type, and .15-size engines are recommended.
For more information, contact: Gus Morfis, 4709 Green Meadows Ave., Torrance, CA 90505-5507.
RC Flight Simulators — current options and upcoming comparison
Right now there is a better-than-ever selection of RC flight simulators. If you'd like to try new maneuvers in the relative safety of your personal workstation, or if you're just a happy video-gaming member of the armchair brigade with no intention of ever flying a model, you should look into the constructive fun you can have with one of these systems.
I'm working on a side-by-side comparison, and in my next column I'll give you my pro-and-con evaluation of the latest versions of the industry's most popular simulators. The subjects will be Version 10 of the CSM 3-in-1 flight simulator from Horizon Hobby Distributors, the RealFlight simulator and RealFlight Add-Ons Volume 1 from Great Planes Model Distributors, and RCFS Version 5 from Dave Brown Products. Each offers excellent value and hours of practical enjoyment. If you're a modeler with a personal computer, one or all of these sophisticated systems should reside on your hard drive.
Regardless of who you ask for product material, sending a buck with your request will help the manufacturer cover postage and recoup a portion of the catalog printing and production costs. Fair's fair. So try to consider the other person in your quest for information.
Docu-Search
- Boeing 757 at Weak Signals RC Expo
- In my coverage of the Weak Signals RC Expo (Toledo, OH), I ran a photograph of the Boeing 757 built by Jim Carlson. I scribbled down a few of the model's details at the show, but did not attempt to get any contact information.
- Bob Sweebe of Alabama is building a Boeing 777-200 and would like to reach Mr. Carlson to ask a few questions concerning his 757's engine installation. If John Carlson, or someone who knows John Carlson, is reading this, please ask him to drop a line to:
- Bob Sweebe, 66 Pheasant Pr. Dr., Decatur, AL 35603.
- Four-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller (static)
- E.M. Sealand is building an F4U Corsair from plans and is requesting information—specifically plans—for a four-bladed Hamilton Standard propeller. The prop will be used for static display, not flying.
- Contact: E.M. Sealand, 5335 E. Twin Lakes Dr., Tyler, TX 75704.
- Douglas AD Skyraider kit
- Douglas L. Prouty is looking for a Douglas AD Skyraider kit with a 72-inch wingspan. A cursory look through routine sources turned up nothing. If you know of such a kit, please let Mr. Prouty know:
- Box 276, Mountain Ranch, CA 95246-0276.
- Schleicher AS-K14 motor-glider three-view
- Greg Graham is searching for a good three-view for the Schleicher AS-K14 motor-glider. He's been through the usual foreign and North American catalogs and has come up blank. If you have photos, a three-view, or accurate drawings, please contact:
- Greg Graham, 49 Mercey Ave., Tiburon, CA 94920-1344.
I thank Stan Alexander once more for his outstanding RC Scale coverage in December's Nats issue. Until next time, build straight and fly safely. We'll do this again.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
