Engine cowling construction on the Balsa USA Fokker D.VII
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
THE BALSA USA
1/4-scale Fokker D.VII
build is moving along
slowly but steadily.
One of the attractions
to building the D.VII
is that the full-scale
aircraft lacked landing
and flying wires. This
was because the wings
were of cantilever
construction. The
same holds true for the
popular Fokker Dr.I
triplane.
The wings were built strong enough to be self-supporting and did
not require external bracing. The absence of all these wires is a bonus
when constructing and assembling the model. However, unlike rotarypowered
aircraft that sported a large, round cowl, which on the model
is fabricated from fiberglass or ABS and easy to install, the D.VII was
powered by an in-line six-cylinder engine that was enclosed by a more
modern, complex cowling.
This translates into more work to construct the front end of the 1/4-
scale D.VII. Even so, the instructions, photos, and full-size plans
The arrows denote where the cowling separates from the fuselage
on the author’s Balsa USA Fokker D.VII.
Long Island, New York’s Cradle of Aviation Museum is located on
the site where the famous Mitchell Field was located.
These are some of the RC Giant models on display at the museum
entrance during the flying models exposition.
Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York, finished his 1/3-scale
Balsa USA Stearman in N2S Navy colors.
This is one of the images on the N2S. The graphics and stencils
were made by Chris Sellmann of Wildmann graphics.
Also included in this column:
• Cradle of Aviation Museum
hosts modelers’ weekend
• Lou Cetrangelo’s 1/3-scale
Stearman N2S
• David Plummer’s scratch-built,
electric-powered Lockheed
P2V-7
July 2006 107
108 MODEL AVIATION
David Plummer’s electric-powered 1/12-scale Lockheed P2V-7
Neptune is scratch built and weighs 23 pounds.
The P2V-7 Neptune sub chaser, built primarily from balsa sticks
and sheet, has amazing cockpit detail.
provide ample resources to successfully build and finish the engine
cowling. In the accompanying photo, the cowl—excluding the dummy
in-line engine—has been built and fitted to the fuselage. The arrows
show where the cowl separates from the fuselage.
The size of the cowl has been well thought out. Once removed,
there is plenty of room to work on the engine, throttle assembly,
throttle pushrod, and fuel system. There is ample space available to
install a smoke tank. What’s the point of having World War I aerial
dogfights without leaving a trail of smoke?
I have my fingers crossed that by the next issue I will be ready to
cover the model. Stay tuned!
Models Rock the Cradle of Aviation Museum: On the weekend of
March 18-19, 2006, the Cradle of Aviation Museum hosted a flyingmodel
exposition. The museum was invaded by aircraft of all sizes and
shapes. Everything including electric, gas, RC, rubber powered,
gliders, and helicopters was on display throughout the facility. Many
were displayed beside the full-scale exhibits.
Long Island is steeped in aviation history. An ideal location for
flying, with its natural prairie known as the Hempstead Plains, intense
flying, activity occurred here for more than 50 years. Notable aircraft
manufacturers such as Grumman, Republic, Brewster, Sperry, etc. built
their reputations on the island.
In addition, many historic flights including Lindbergh’s Atlantic
crossing began at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. As a matter of fact,
the museum owns Lucky Lindy’s Curtiss Jenny and has the aircraft
hanging overhead as you walk past the early aviation section. In 1923
Charles Lindbergh purchased this aircraft in Americus, Georgia, for
$500. It was the first aircraft he ever owned.
You will find other notables such as a Grumman Wildcat, Republic
P-47, and the F9F Cougar. For more information on this great
museum, please visit its Web site at www.cradleofaviation.org.
Great Big Biplane: Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York,
recently completed an outstanding Balsa USA 1/3-scale Stearman. This
is one of the largest models produced that can be purchased in kit
form.
The aircraft spans 116 inches, has a length of 92 inches, and has a
whopping 3,617 square inches of wing area. The model weighs 53
pounds and is powered by an RCS five-cylinder, four-stroke, gaspowered
radial. The engine powers a massive 32-inch propeller.
Since Lou is a former Navy man, he chose to finish the model as
the Navy N2S-4 version. It is covered with Solartex material and a
combination of hair-set tape and thousands of small sections of
monofilament fishing line to simulate rib stitching and pinking tape.
Lou painted the Stearman with Behr’s exterior latex paint and
coated it with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane clear semigloss
finish. He installed a Sullivan Skywriter smoke system with a 24-
ounce tank for smoke fluid.
One of the more interesting accessories that Lou installed was a
pair of optical servo-extension cables from the engine throttle and
choke servo back to the receiver. This was to reduce the chances of
transferring unwanted ignition interference to the receiver.
Wildmann Graphics made all the emblems, numbers, and stencils
that were used on this model. The photo of one of the fuselage images
depicts how accurate scale nomenclature can be applied using a stencil
pattern.
Whats in YourShip?
Lithium Ion Batteries*Power System Components*Accessories
www.fromeco.org Fly what the BIG BOYS Fly!
Quality
Service
Loyalty
Price
used trainer for the US military during World
War II. The Army designation was PT-17; the
Navy first designated it the NS-1, which
evolved into the N2S series. In excess of
10,000 variants were built and more than
1,000 are still flying today.
David F. Plummer’s Lockheed Neptune:
David F. Plummer of Bellevue, Washington,
is shown with his scratch-built, 1/12-scale,
electric-powered Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune.
The model spans 108 inches and weighs 23
pounds. It is powered by Astro 25 electric
motors for the propellers and 600-size motors
for the outboard EDFs (Electric Ducted Fans).
Dave writes that the model was started
roughly two years ago in an attempt to get a
good friend and former P2V-7 pilot involved
with the project. Sadly, declining health
prevented the friend from participating.
The model was based on and built from
three-views found in Squadron/Signal
publication #68, photos of the aircraft at the
Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon, and a nose
section being restored at Arlington Airport,
Washington. David also used the book
Lockheed P2V Neptune, An Illustrated
History by Wayne Mutza.
The model is built primarily from balsa
sticks and sheet, with a little foam used for
some areas. It has a fully detailed cockpit,
operating Fowler-type flaps, and retractable
landing gear. It is covered with Polycover
polyester film, although some areas are
painted. All of the large decals are stick-on
vinyl by Bill Fulmer.
David belongs to the Marymoor RC
model club of Redmond, Washington. The
club flies from a grass field located in the
King County’s Marymoor Park. David is a
retired Boeing engineer who loves to build
models. All of his airplanes are electric
powered and include a Boeing 314 Clipper, a
Dornier Do 26B, and a Martin P6M-2.
The Lockheed P2V Neptune is unique
because it is the only American naval landbased
patrol airplane ever designed expressly
for that purpose. The Neptune began
assuming patrol duties shortly after the end of
World War II and saw its first combat during
the Korean Conflict.
One of the more notable achievements of
a Neptune was a nonstop flight in 1947 from
Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio. This
world-record flight of 11,235 miles stood for
nearly 40 years. It was broken in 1986 by
Burt Rutan’s Voyager aircraft which circled
the world. During the production run of all its
variants, 1,036 Neptunes were produced.
That wraps it up for this month. The next
column will include new products and
services that I found at the annual Toledo
Show that are specifically designed for those
who build and fly larger models.
Remember, this year the Warbirds Over
Delaware International Miniature Aircraft
Association event will be held July 13-16. I
plan to attend, so pack up your RC Giant
warbird and come enjoy a weekend of great
flying and tall tales.
Til then, smooth landings. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/07
Page Numbers: 107,108,110
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/07
Page Numbers: 107,108,110
Engine cowling construction on the Balsa USA Fokker D.VII
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
THE BALSA USA
1/4-scale Fokker D.VII
build is moving along
slowly but steadily.
One of the attractions
to building the D.VII
is that the full-scale
aircraft lacked landing
and flying wires. This
was because the wings
were of cantilever
construction. The
same holds true for the
popular Fokker Dr.I
triplane.
The wings were built strong enough to be self-supporting and did
not require external bracing. The absence of all these wires is a bonus
when constructing and assembling the model. However, unlike rotarypowered
aircraft that sported a large, round cowl, which on the model
is fabricated from fiberglass or ABS and easy to install, the D.VII was
powered by an in-line six-cylinder engine that was enclosed by a more
modern, complex cowling.
This translates into more work to construct the front end of the 1/4-
scale D.VII. Even so, the instructions, photos, and full-size plans
The arrows denote where the cowling separates from the fuselage
on the author’s Balsa USA Fokker D.VII.
Long Island, New York’s Cradle of Aviation Museum is located on
the site where the famous Mitchell Field was located.
These are some of the RC Giant models on display at the museum
entrance during the flying models exposition.
Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York, finished his 1/3-scale
Balsa USA Stearman in N2S Navy colors.
This is one of the images on the N2S. The graphics and stencils
were made by Chris Sellmann of Wildmann graphics.
Also included in this column:
• Cradle of Aviation Museum
hosts modelers’ weekend
• Lou Cetrangelo’s 1/3-scale
Stearman N2S
• David Plummer’s scratch-built,
electric-powered Lockheed
P2V-7
July 2006 107
108 MODEL AVIATION
David Plummer’s electric-powered 1/12-scale Lockheed P2V-7
Neptune is scratch built and weighs 23 pounds.
The P2V-7 Neptune sub chaser, built primarily from balsa sticks
and sheet, has amazing cockpit detail.
provide ample resources to successfully build and finish the engine
cowling. In the accompanying photo, the cowl—excluding the dummy
in-line engine—has been built and fitted to the fuselage. The arrows
show where the cowl separates from the fuselage.
The size of the cowl has been well thought out. Once removed,
there is plenty of room to work on the engine, throttle assembly,
throttle pushrod, and fuel system. There is ample space available to
install a smoke tank. What’s the point of having World War I aerial
dogfights without leaving a trail of smoke?
I have my fingers crossed that by the next issue I will be ready to
cover the model. Stay tuned!
Models Rock the Cradle of Aviation Museum: On the weekend of
March 18-19, 2006, the Cradle of Aviation Museum hosted a flyingmodel
exposition. The museum was invaded by aircraft of all sizes and
shapes. Everything including electric, gas, RC, rubber powered,
gliders, and helicopters was on display throughout the facility. Many
were displayed beside the full-scale exhibits.
Long Island is steeped in aviation history. An ideal location for
flying, with its natural prairie known as the Hempstead Plains, intense
flying, activity occurred here for more than 50 years. Notable aircraft
manufacturers such as Grumman, Republic, Brewster, Sperry, etc. built
their reputations on the island.
In addition, many historic flights including Lindbergh’s Atlantic
crossing began at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. As a matter of fact,
the museum owns Lucky Lindy’s Curtiss Jenny and has the aircraft
hanging overhead as you walk past the early aviation section. In 1923
Charles Lindbergh purchased this aircraft in Americus, Georgia, for
$500. It was the first aircraft he ever owned.
You will find other notables such as a Grumman Wildcat, Republic
P-47, and the F9F Cougar. For more information on this great
museum, please visit its Web site at www.cradleofaviation.org.
Great Big Biplane: Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York,
recently completed an outstanding Balsa USA 1/3-scale Stearman. This
is one of the largest models produced that can be purchased in kit
form.
The aircraft spans 116 inches, has a length of 92 inches, and has a
whopping 3,617 square inches of wing area. The model weighs 53
pounds and is powered by an RCS five-cylinder, four-stroke, gaspowered
radial. The engine powers a massive 32-inch propeller.
Since Lou is a former Navy man, he chose to finish the model as
the Navy N2S-4 version. It is covered with Solartex material and a
combination of hair-set tape and thousands of small sections of
monofilament fishing line to simulate rib stitching and pinking tape.
Lou painted the Stearman with Behr’s exterior latex paint and
coated it with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane clear semigloss
finish. He installed a Sullivan Skywriter smoke system with a 24-
ounce tank for smoke fluid.
One of the more interesting accessories that Lou installed was a
pair of optical servo-extension cables from the engine throttle and
choke servo back to the receiver. This was to reduce the chances of
transferring unwanted ignition interference to the receiver.
Wildmann Graphics made all the emblems, numbers, and stencils
that were used on this model. The photo of one of the fuselage images
depicts how accurate scale nomenclature can be applied using a stencil
pattern.
Whats in YourShip?
Lithium Ion Batteries*Power System Components*Accessories
www.fromeco.org Fly what the BIG BOYS Fly!
Quality
Service
Loyalty
Price
used trainer for the US military during World
War II. The Army designation was PT-17; the
Navy first designated it the NS-1, which
evolved into the N2S series. In excess of
10,000 variants were built and more than
1,000 are still flying today.
David F. Plummer’s Lockheed Neptune:
David F. Plummer of Bellevue, Washington,
is shown with his scratch-built, 1/12-scale,
electric-powered Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune.
The model spans 108 inches and weighs 23
pounds. It is powered by Astro 25 electric
motors for the propellers and 600-size motors
for the outboard EDFs (Electric Ducted Fans).
Dave writes that the model was started
roughly two years ago in an attempt to get a
good friend and former P2V-7 pilot involved
with the project. Sadly, declining health
prevented the friend from participating.
The model was based on and built from
three-views found in Squadron/Signal
publication #68, photos of the aircraft at the
Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon, and a nose
section being restored at Arlington Airport,
Washington. David also used the book
Lockheed P2V Neptune, An Illustrated
History by Wayne Mutza.
The model is built primarily from balsa
sticks and sheet, with a little foam used for
some areas. It has a fully detailed cockpit,
operating Fowler-type flaps, and retractable
landing gear. It is covered with Polycover
polyester film, although some areas are
painted. All of the large decals are stick-on
vinyl by Bill Fulmer.
David belongs to the Marymoor RC
model club of Redmond, Washington. The
club flies from a grass field located in the
King County’s Marymoor Park. David is a
retired Boeing engineer who loves to build
models. All of his airplanes are electric
powered and include a Boeing 314 Clipper, a
Dornier Do 26B, and a Martin P6M-2.
The Lockheed P2V Neptune is unique
because it is the only American naval landbased
patrol airplane ever designed expressly
for that purpose. The Neptune began
assuming patrol duties shortly after the end of
World War II and saw its first combat during
the Korean Conflict.
One of the more notable achievements of
a Neptune was a nonstop flight in 1947 from
Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio. This
world-record flight of 11,235 miles stood for
nearly 40 years. It was broken in 1986 by
Burt Rutan’s Voyager aircraft which circled
the world. During the production run of all its
variants, 1,036 Neptunes were produced.
That wraps it up for this month. The next
column will include new products and
services that I found at the annual Toledo
Show that are specifically designed for those
who build and fly larger models.
Remember, this year the Warbirds Over
Delaware International Miniature Aircraft
Association event will be held July 13-16. I
plan to attend, so pack up your RC Giant
warbird and come enjoy a weekend of great
flying and tall tales.
Til then, smooth landings. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/07
Page Numbers: 107,108,110
Engine cowling construction on the Balsa USA Fokker D.VII
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
THE BALSA USA
1/4-scale Fokker D.VII
build is moving along
slowly but steadily.
One of the attractions
to building the D.VII
is that the full-scale
aircraft lacked landing
and flying wires. This
was because the wings
were of cantilever
construction. The
same holds true for the
popular Fokker Dr.I
triplane.
The wings were built strong enough to be self-supporting and did
not require external bracing. The absence of all these wires is a bonus
when constructing and assembling the model. However, unlike rotarypowered
aircraft that sported a large, round cowl, which on the model
is fabricated from fiberglass or ABS and easy to install, the D.VII was
powered by an in-line six-cylinder engine that was enclosed by a more
modern, complex cowling.
This translates into more work to construct the front end of the 1/4-
scale D.VII. Even so, the instructions, photos, and full-size plans
The arrows denote where the cowling separates from the fuselage
on the author’s Balsa USA Fokker D.VII.
Long Island, New York’s Cradle of Aviation Museum is located on
the site where the famous Mitchell Field was located.
These are some of the RC Giant models on display at the museum
entrance during the flying models exposition.
Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York, finished his 1/3-scale
Balsa USA Stearman in N2S Navy colors.
This is one of the images on the N2S. The graphics and stencils
were made by Chris Sellmann of Wildmann graphics.
Also included in this column:
• Cradle of Aviation Museum
hosts modelers’ weekend
• Lou Cetrangelo’s 1/3-scale
Stearman N2S
• David Plummer’s scratch-built,
electric-powered Lockheed
P2V-7
July 2006 107
108 MODEL AVIATION
David Plummer’s electric-powered 1/12-scale Lockheed P2V-7
Neptune is scratch built and weighs 23 pounds.
The P2V-7 Neptune sub chaser, built primarily from balsa sticks
and sheet, has amazing cockpit detail.
provide ample resources to successfully build and finish the engine
cowling. In the accompanying photo, the cowl—excluding the dummy
in-line engine—has been built and fitted to the fuselage. The arrows
show where the cowl separates from the fuselage.
The size of the cowl has been well thought out. Once removed,
there is plenty of room to work on the engine, throttle assembly,
throttle pushrod, and fuel system. There is ample space available to
install a smoke tank. What’s the point of having World War I aerial
dogfights without leaving a trail of smoke?
I have my fingers crossed that by the next issue I will be ready to
cover the model. Stay tuned!
Models Rock the Cradle of Aviation Museum: On the weekend of
March 18-19, 2006, the Cradle of Aviation Museum hosted a flyingmodel
exposition. The museum was invaded by aircraft of all sizes and
shapes. Everything including electric, gas, RC, rubber powered,
gliders, and helicopters was on display throughout the facility. Many
were displayed beside the full-scale exhibits.
Long Island is steeped in aviation history. An ideal location for
flying, with its natural prairie known as the Hempstead Plains, intense
flying, activity occurred here for more than 50 years. Notable aircraft
manufacturers such as Grumman, Republic, Brewster, Sperry, etc. built
their reputations on the island.
In addition, many historic flights including Lindbergh’s Atlantic
crossing began at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. As a matter of fact,
the museum owns Lucky Lindy’s Curtiss Jenny and has the aircraft
hanging overhead as you walk past the early aviation section. In 1923
Charles Lindbergh purchased this aircraft in Americus, Georgia, for
$500. It was the first aircraft he ever owned.
You will find other notables such as a Grumman Wildcat, Republic
P-47, and the F9F Cougar. For more information on this great
museum, please visit its Web site at www.cradleofaviation.org.
Great Big Biplane: Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York,
recently completed an outstanding Balsa USA 1/3-scale Stearman. This
is one of the largest models produced that can be purchased in kit
form.
The aircraft spans 116 inches, has a length of 92 inches, and has a
whopping 3,617 square inches of wing area. The model weighs 53
pounds and is powered by an RCS five-cylinder, four-stroke, gaspowered
radial. The engine powers a massive 32-inch propeller.
Since Lou is a former Navy man, he chose to finish the model as
the Navy N2S-4 version. It is covered with Solartex material and a
combination of hair-set tape and thousands of small sections of
monofilament fishing line to simulate rib stitching and pinking tape.
Lou painted the Stearman with Behr’s exterior latex paint and
coated it with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane clear semigloss
finish. He installed a Sullivan Skywriter smoke system with a 24-
ounce tank for smoke fluid.
One of the more interesting accessories that Lou installed was a
pair of optical servo-extension cables from the engine throttle and
choke servo back to the receiver. This was to reduce the chances of
transferring unwanted ignition interference to the receiver.
Wildmann Graphics made all the emblems, numbers, and stencils
that were used on this model. The photo of one of the fuselage images
depicts how accurate scale nomenclature can be applied using a stencil
pattern.
Whats in YourShip?
Lithium Ion Batteries*Power System Components*Accessories
www.fromeco.org Fly what the BIG BOYS Fly!
Quality
Service
Loyalty
Price
used trainer for the US military during World
War II. The Army designation was PT-17; the
Navy first designated it the NS-1, which
evolved into the N2S series. In excess of
10,000 variants were built and more than
1,000 are still flying today.
David F. Plummer’s Lockheed Neptune:
David F. Plummer of Bellevue, Washington,
is shown with his scratch-built, 1/12-scale,
electric-powered Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune.
The model spans 108 inches and weighs 23
pounds. It is powered by Astro 25 electric
motors for the propellers and 600-size motors
for the outboard EDFs (Electric Ducted Fans).
Dave writes that the model was started
roughly two years ago in an attempt to get a
good friend and former P2V-7 pilot involved
with the project. Sadly, declining health
prevented the friend from participating.
The model was based on and built from
three-views found in Squadron/Signal
publication #68, photos of the aircraft at the
Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon, and a nose
section being restored at Arlington Airport,
Washington. David also used the book
Lockheed P2V Neptune, An Illustrated
History by Wayne Mutza.
The model is built primarily from balsa
sticks and sheet, with a little foam used for
some areas. It has a fully detailed cockpit,
operating Fowler-type flaps, and retractable
landing gear. It is covered with Polycover
polyester film, although some areas are
painted. All of the large decals are stick-on
vinyl by Bill Fulmer.
David belongs to the Marymoor RC
model club of Redmond, Washington. The
club flies from a grass field located in the
King County’s Marymoor Park. David is a
retired Boeing engineer who loves to build
models. All of his airplanes are electric
powered and include a Boeing 314 Clipper, a
Dornier Do 26B, and a Martin P6M-2.
The Lockheed P2V Neptune is unique
because it is the only American naval landbased
patrol airplane ever designed expressly
for that purpose. The Neptune began
assuming patrol duties shortly after the end of
World War II and saw its first combat during
the Korean Conflict.
One of the more notable achievements of
a Neptune was a nonstop flight in 1947 from
Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio. This
world-record flight of 11,235 miles stood for
nearly 40 years. It was broken in 1986 by
Burt Rutan’s Voyager aircraft which circled
the world. During the production run of all its
variants, 1,036 Neptunes were produced.
That wraps it up for this month. The next
column will include new products and
services that I found at the annual Toledo
Show that are specifically designed for those
who build and fly larger models.
Remember, this year the Warbirds Over
Delaware International Miniature Aircraft
Association event will be held July 13-16. I
plan to attend, so pack up your RC Giant
warbird and come enjoy a weekend of great
flying and tall tales.
Til then, smooth landings. MA