Radio Control: Scale
Jeff Troy, 19 East Mt. Pleasant Ave., Ambler PA 19002
Never limit yourself
NEVER LIMIT YOURSELF. Although your primary interest may be in radio control Scale models, you can learn a great deal by reading about other modeling categories. Read construction articles of any kind—they're packed with useful building tips and suggestions. Read the Control Line and Free Flight columns. Read and understand the Soaring columns, and you'll never be afraid of a dead-stick landing. Read the boat stuff. Read the car stuff.
The more you take in, the more you'll use. Even if you learn about what not to do, you can benefit from others' experiences.
- Read construction articles of any kind.
- Read Control Line and Free Flight columns.
- Read Soaring columns to learn dead-stick techniques.
- Read boat and car modeling articles for cross-discipline tips.
Docu-Search
John McLauchlin is constructing a 1/6-scale Curtiss BFC-2 Goshawk. Using a combination of measurements taken from a full-scale Goshawk, Wylam F-11C (an early version of the BFC-2) drawings, and a half-set of BFC-2 plans provided by the Smithsonian, John has drawn his own plan for the model.
The plans that John received from the Smithsonian were taken from the August 1979 RC Model Builder, which is John's problem. Those plans are the second part of a two-part set, and John has been unable to locate the first part. The first half of the plans set was published in the July 1979 RC Model Builder, and the Smithsonian does not have that magazine available.
Can you help? John would be happy to have the missing first article and Westberg drawings, a computer set of three-views, or better still, a copy of the complete Westberg drawing that has not been reduced to magazine size.
If you can offer assistance or information, please write to: John S. McLauchlin, 3314 Bailey Station Rd., Collierville TN 38017-9706.
Manufacturers' News
I built one of Nick Ziroli's Fokker Dr.I triplanes years ago, but I sold it to a friend who wanted to fly a scale-like model of one of those early aeroplanes.
I enjoyed my triplane, and I have acquired another kit from Chuck Gill at The Aeroplane Works in New Jersey. When I asked Chuck about getting a high-quality fiberglass cowl for the Dr.I, he referred me to Lenny Stanko, owner of Take Flight Model & Mold.
I called and chewed the model-industry fat with Lenny for a half-hour or so, and the next day the new Dr.I cowl arrived at my doorstep.
As I had hoped, the quality of this piece was strictly first-class. The cloth was laminated with a light-colored resin, resulting in a part that is easier to prepare for priming and finishing than other custom fiberglass work that I've seen or used.
#### Take Flight Model & Mold
Take Flight Model & Mold offers fiberglass cowls and many accessory parts, such as wheel pants, drop tanks, and belly pans for several Scale model lines and plans sets, including most of Nick Ziroli's field-proven designs. Take Flight also has parts for Midwest kits, Jim Meister designs, Dynaflite, Great Planes, and Top Flite kits, and a selection of Carl Goldberg models.
For pricing and availability, send one dollar and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Take Flight Model & Mold, Inc., 5350 McIntosh Pt., Suite 120, Sanford FL 32773.
#### Nick Ziroli designs
Nick Ziroli's designs have been satisfying the Scale community—sport modelers and serious competitors—for more than three decades. From his simple 1/4-scale Fokker Dr.I triplane to a series of exciting multiengine military and civilian aircraft, the Ziroli lineup will probably show you something you'd really like to build and fly.
Nick has added an 80-inch Ercoupe to his fleet, and it's likely to be the right model for entry- to mid-level competition, and an impressive Sunday Scale flyer at every level.
Nick's plans are available from: Nick Ziroli Models, 29 Edgar Dr., Smithtown NY 11787. Send a buck with an SASE for a complete list of terrific Scale projects.
#### Reid's Quality Model Products
Reid's Quality Model Products is also offering Ercoupe plans, for a 1/3-scale rendition. Spanning 72 inches, the model is ideal for 1.2 to 1.5 two- or four-stroke engines. Reid's Ercoupe is an all-wood model, and a fiberglass cowl is available from the manufacturer.
For information, send an SASE to: Reid's Quality Model Products, 30 Clifton St., Phelps NY 14532.
#### Custom-cut kits
When you've got the Ziroli plan of your choice, but you don't want to endure the drudgery of rib- and bulkhead-cutting, full custom-cut kits are available from two first-rate sources.
I've received several fine models cut by Chuck Gill at The Aeroplane Works, including the Ziroli Dr.I and a pair of 1/4-scale for-fun WW I fighters designed by Rich Uravitch. If you'd like to see what this master craftsman has available, send an SASE to: Chuck Gill, Aeroplane Works, 2134 Gilbride Rd., Martinsville NJ 08836-2231.
Ziroli designs are also available as quality full kits from Gary Madden, Madden Models. Although I have not completed one of Gary's kits, Nick tells me the quality and fit are outstanding. Nick's endorsement is enough to pass Gary's name with confidence. For availability and pricing, send one dollar and an SASE to: Madden Models, 278 Horicon Ave., Brant Lake NY 12815.
Dave Platt and instructional videos
I met Dave Platt in 1980. I was flying an old Veo Thunderbird Control Line model on a school athletic field in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I noticed that another guy was setting up his Control Line stuff on the opposite side of the track, so I walked over to say hi.
Coincidentally, I had just completed a Dave Platt Fw 190 (now available as a kit from Pica Enterprises), and was very happy to meet the designer of the model. I had long admired his work as the subject of numerous modeling magazine articles.
Since then, Dave has been a friend and, although at a distance, a mentor. The man is a walking encyclopedia of modeling skills and technical knowledge, and he seems happy to share whatever is needed with anyone who takes the time to ask.
Awhile back, Dave released Secrets of Weathering, the first videotape in his Black Art instructional series. At this year's Weak Signals RC show in Toledo, Ohio, Dave presented me with his latest Black Art video offering: Building & Fiberglassing Techniques, Volume I.
Building & Fiberglassing Techniques will take viewers into the master's workshop, where they will see a competition-level model constructed from the plan upward.
In this first installment, Dave demonstrates the fuselage and tailgroup construction, while showing several shortcuts and time-proven techniques to enhance almost anyone's inventory of Scale modeling skills. In his familiar, witty style, Dave shares more than 50 years of modeling experience with every modeler who aspires to build better Scale models.
Dave is a member of the AMA Hall of Fame, creator of RC Modeler's original "Scale in Hand" column, many-time winner at the AMA Nationals, and the recipient of numerous pilots' choice and critics' choice awards.
Building & Fiberglassing Techniques, Volume I runs approximately two hours, and is available direct from: Dave Platt Models, Inc., 1306 Harve N.E., Palm Bay FL 32907. At $34.95, which includes priority mail to your doorstep, this video presentation is packed with serious modeling value.
Cockpits and accessories
If you're building one of Dave's 1/5-scale designs, or most any other 1/5-scale heavy-metal warbird, you should look into what is available in molded-resin cockpit and accessory kits from Jack Dorman Models.
Jack produces cockpits and accessories for several models, including Platt's Fw 190A series. When I prepared my kit for construction, I selected Jack's cockpit and his detailed machine gun kits, which nestle quite correctly ahead of the canopy, under the model's lifting hood.
For a complete rundown of what is offered, write to: JD Models, 317 Jonquil Ave., Ft. Walton Beach FL 32548.
There's plenty more to come, so try to be here next time. In the meantime, build straight and fly safely. We'll do this again.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
