October 2004 133
LAST MONTH I covered some of the manufacturers’ kits and ARFs
at the Toledo R/C Expo in Toledo, Ohio, in April. There are always so
many great Scale models at Toledo in static competition, and this
month I’ll take a look at those. Many designers and Sport Scale
competitors bring their new aircraft to Toledo for static competition.
What better way to show off a new design or a new project than to
bring it to a trade show and compete with it?
One of several jets at this year’s show belonged to longtime
competitor Terry Nitsch of Grove City, Ohio. He built a model of a
restored and currently flying full-scale North American F-100F Super
Sabre, which Dean Cutshall of Fort Wayne, Indiana, owns. Terry
bought the kit from Bob Violett Models. It was powered with an AMT
AT-450 turbine and controlled by a JR 10X radio system.
Some of the added details included an opening canopy,
retractable landing lights, and a tail skid. Terry added more than
50,000 simulated rivets and screw heads to the model’s surface.
He covered the F-100F with Coverite Presto, Flite-Metal, and
paint. It included brakes, a pneumatic speed brake, and a
machined exhaust nozzle with simulated hydraulics.
Terry went on to win the title of “Mr. Top Gun”—again—at
the Top Gun Invitational Tournament later in the month,
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Terry Nitsch’s Bob Violett Models F-100F Super Sabre.
Wayne Ulery’s Scale electric-powered 1905 Wright Flyer.
Tom Pierce’s Douglas SBD Dauntless from Jerry Bates Plans.
Robert Cooper and Paul Knapp’s Sopwith Snipe has lots of
detail.
Rick Boyer’s 1⁄3-scale Pitts S-1S has a beautiful gloss finish.
10sig5.QXD 7/23/04 9:23 am Page 133
134 MODEL AVIATION
after he won Best Jet at Toledo.
Wayne Ulery of Springfield, Ohio, entered the 1905 Wright Flyer
III shown in Non-Military Sport Scale. He designed and constructed
the model as the “first practical airplane.” This aircraft is different from
the 1903 and 1904 Flyers in several ways. The canard elevator section
was moved forward 41⁄2 feet and enlarged. This helped solve the
pitching problems with the earlier full-scale aircraft.
Wayne’s Flyer III spanned 48.5 inches, weighed 32.6 ounces, and
was powered by two Hacker B20-31S brushless motors geared 4:1.
Battery power was Li-Poly. Control of the model was by wing warping
with rudder and elevator control.
Tom Pierce of Newark, Ohio, came to compete at his first Scale
competition with a new model that he built from Jerry Bates Plans.
Tom has experience with plastic models, but this was his first venture
into RC Scale.
He picked a popular aircraft that has been seen in many different
color schemes and guises in the past few years. His Douglas SBD
Dauntless was built to a wingspan of 85 inches. Power was provided
by an FPE 3.2 cu. in. gas engine, and a Futaba receiver controlled eight
channels with Hitec servos. Tom completed the interior and added
many details to the model. He scratch-built the guns and ammo belts,
which he added to the rear of the cockpit.
Weathering was one of the apparent aspects of Tom’s and several
other models at Toledo this year. The Dauntless’s exterior, canopy
framework, seat, pedals, guns, engine, cowling, and the crew and their
uniforms were weathered realistically. Tom’s experience with plastic
models obviously came into use on this World War II veteran’s finish.
He won a well-deserved Best of Show with his model.
Rick Boyer of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, constructed the Red
Devils Pitts S-1S shown in one of the photos. He built it to replicate
one of the three Pitts Specials that the precision aerobatic team flew
during the 1970s. The model is of Charlie Hillard’s aircraft, and it was
built from Sheber plans in a two-year period.
Rick’s model was powered by a Brison 4.8 cu. in. twin engine and
finished with aircraft epoxy paint. It spanned 68 inches, was 62 inches
long, and weighed 19 pounds. It also went on to compete at Top Gun
in April. It looked like a true aerobatic show airplane—especially with
the gloss finish and not a speck of dirt on it. I’ve never seen an
aerobatic pilot who would let his mount stay dirty.
Another model at Toledo this year that I must mention was a
stunning joint project. Robert Cooper and Paul Knapp’s Sopwith Snipe
was a treasure to behold. It was extremely realistic and included fullscale
construction as well as detailing throughout.
This project started with Lew Blackmore, who built the 1⁄4-scale
Bentley BR2 rotary engine in approximately 1981. Paul used a how-to
book about building the BR2 to construct several improved versions of
the engine. Paul learned about Robert’s interest in building models
from their mutual friend Dick Hansen. When Robert was approached,
he was excited about building a model around one of these realistic
radials.
The plan was to build a Snipe to fly, but since so many problems
remain unsolved, Paul and Robert decided that it was impractical to
run the engine in the model—much less fly it. This model will be on
static display while another is built to fly with the BR2.
At Toledo, the Snipe was displayed unfinished, with the fabric
covering over the framework. Access panels were left open to allow
everyone to view the full-scale construction techniques used on the
model. The details were too many to list here, but the more you looked
at the aircraft and its construction—much less the engine—the more
details oozed out at you. It was beautiful.
Bookshelf: Canadian Warplane Heritage: Canada’s Flying Museum
(ISBN 0-9688936-0-0) by Patrick T. Keenen is published by the
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. This booklet describes the
aircraft that are currently on display at this wonderful facility. Scale
modeler Jim Rediske visited last summer, and he came back enthused
and ready to build Scale airplanes.
The museum is located at Mount Hope, Ontario, at Hamilton
International Airport. Most of the aircraft on exhibit are airworthy, and
some can be rented for rides. The museum’s aim is to display aircraft
that are significant to Canada’s aviation history.
The book can help you identify the airplanes and learn their
operational history and background when you are in the museum.
Patrick Keenen’s Canadian Warplane Heritage booklet.
Aircraft on display at the time this booklet was published were the
Avro Lancaster Mk X, Bristol Bolingbroke Mk IV W, Consolidated
PBY-5A Canso, Grumman CS2F-2 Tracker, North American B-25J
III, Fairey Firefly AS-5, Hawker Hurricane Mk XIIB, Sopwith Pup,
Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI, Sikorsky H-5, Avro Canada CF-100
Mk VD, de Havilland Vampire D.H.100, Hawker Hunter F.6, and
Lockheed CT-33An.
Also, the Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter, North American F-86
Sabre Mk VI, Northrop CF-5, Avro Anson Mk V, Boeing Stearman
PT-17, Cessna Crane Mk I, de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk, de
Havilland D.H.82C Tiger Moth, Fairchild PT-26 Cornell, Fleet Finch
Mk II, North American Harvard, North American T-28 Trojan, North
American Yale, Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor, Douglas DC-3 Dakota,
Fairchild F-24 Argus III, Auster AOP-VI, Fleet Model 21K, Grumman
G-44 Widgeon, and Westland Lysander Mk III.
Some of the aircraft in the museum are common, but many are rare,
such as the Anson Mk V twin-engine advanced trainer, which has the
basic layout of the Cessna T-50. It’s a low-wing twin with a single
rudder, and the gear partially retracts into the cowling.
The Cessna Crane Mk I is the designation for the Canadian version
of the Cessna T-50 Bobcat in its various designations. The Canadian
version of the de Havilland D.H.82C Tiger Moth, with its full sliding
canopy, was used for primary training, like the US Stearman PT-17.
Another interesting aircraft depicted in the book is the Bristol
Bolingbroke Mk IV W. It looks much like a Bristol Blenheim Mk IV.
It was being rebuilt from eight different aircraft at the time of
publication.
The book would be perfect if it included color photos, but it does
give you an idea of what you can see while at the museum and can
serve as your guide. If you’re at Niagara Falls on vacation, take a day
and drive to the museum; it’s only 47 miles west of there. Take many
rolls of film or disks and enjoy the day. Thanks, Jim!
For further information, contact the Canadian Warplane Heritage
Museum, 9280 Airport Rd., Hamilton International Airport, Mount
Hope, Ontario, LOR 1W0; Tel.: (905) 679-4183; Fax: (905) 679-4186;
E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.warplane.com.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
10sig5.QXD 7/23/04 9:24 am Page 134
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/10
Page Numbers: 133,134
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/10
Page Numbers: 133,134
October 2004 133
LAST MONTH I covered some of the manufacturers’ kits and ARFs
at the Toledo R/C Expo in Toledo, Ohio, in April. There are always so
many great Scale models at Toledo in static competition, and this
month I’ll take a look at those. Many designers and Sport Scale
competitors bring their new aircraft to Toledo for static competition.
What better way to show off a new design or a new project than to
bring it to a trade show and compete with it?
One of several jets at this year’s show belonged to longtime
competitor Terry Nitsch of Grove City, Ohio. He built a model of a
restored and currently flying full-scale North American F-100F Super
Sabre, which Dean Cutshall of Fort Wayne, Indiana, owns. Terry
bought the kit from Bob Violett Models. It was powered with an AMT
AT-450 turbine and controlled by a JR 10X radio system.
Some of the added details included an opening canopy,
retractable landing lights, and a tail skid. Terry added more than
50,000 simulated rivets and screw heads to the model’s surface.
He covered the F-100F with Coverite Presto, Flite-Metal, and
paint. It included brakes, a pneumatic speed brake, and a
machined exhaust nozzle with simulated hydraulics.
Terry went on to win the title of “Mr. Top Gun”—again—at
the Top Gun Invitational Tournament later in the month,
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Terry Nitsch’s Bob Violett Models F-100F Super Sabre.
Wayne Ulery’s Scale electric-powered 1905 Wright Flyer.
Tom Pierce’s Douglas SBD Dauntless from Jerry Bates Plans.
Robert Cooper and Paul Knapp’s Sopwith Snipe has lots of
detail.
Rick Boyer’s 1⁄3-scale Pitts S-1S has a beautiful gloss finish.
10sig5.QXD 7/23/04 9:23 am Page 133
134 MODEL AVIATION
after he won Best Jet at Toledo.
Wayne Ulery of Springfield, Ohio, entered the 1905 Wright Flyer
III shown in Non-Military Sport Scale. He designed and constructed
the model as the “first practical airplane.” This aircraft is different from
the 1903 and 1904 Flyers in several ways. The canard elevator section
was moved forward 41⁄2 feet and enlarged. This helped solve the
pitching problems with the earlier full-scale aircraft.
Wayne’s Flyer III spanned 48.5 inches, weighed 32.6 ounces, and
was powered by two Hacker B20-31S brushless motors geared 4:1.
Battery power was Li-Poly. Control of the model was by wing warping
with rudder and elevator control.
Tom Pierce of Newark, Ohio, came to compete at his first Scale
competition with a new model that he built from Jerry Bates Plans.
Tom has experience with plastic models, but this was his first venture
into RC Scale.
He picked a popular aircraft that has been seen in many different
color schemes and guises in the past few years. His Douglas SBD
Dauntless was built to a wingspan of 85 inches. Power was provided
by an FPE 3.2 cu. in. gas engine, and a Futaba receiver controlled eight
channels with Hitec servos. Tom completed the interior and added
many details to the model. He scratch-built the guns and ammo belts,
which he added to the rear of the cockpit.
Weathering was one of the apparent aspects of Tom’s and several
other models at Toledo this year. The Dauntless’s exterior, canopy
framework, seat, pedals, guns, engine, cowling, and the crew and their
uniforms were weathered realistically. Tom’s experience with plastic
models obviously came into use on this World War II veteran’s finish.
He won a well-deserved Best of Show with his model.
Rick Boyer of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, constructed the Red
Devils Pitts S-1S shown in one of the photos. He built it to replicate
one of the three Pitts Specials that the precision aerobatic team flew
during the 1970s. The model is of Charlie Hillard’s aircraft, and it was
built from Sheber plans in a two-year period.
Rick’s model was powered by a Brison 4.8 cu. in. twin engine and
finished with aircraft epoxy paint. It spanned 68 inches, was 62 inches
long, and weighed 19 pounds. It also went on to compete at Top Gun
in April. It looked like a true aerobatic show airplane—especially with
the gloss finish and not a speck of dirt on it. I’ve never seen an
aerobatic pilot who would let his mount stay dirty.
Another model at Toledo this year that I must mention was a
stunning joint project. Robert Cooper and Paul Knapp’s Sopwith Snipe
was a treasure to behold. It was extremely realistic and included fullscale
construction as well as detailing throughout.
This project started with Lew Blackmore, who built the 1⁄4-scale
Bentley BR2 rotary engine in approximately 1981. Paul used a how-to
book about building the BR2 to construct several improved versions of
the engine. Paul learned about Robert’s interest in building models
from their mutual friend Dick Hansen. When Robert was approached,
he was excited about building a model around one of these realistic
radials.
The plan was to build a Snipe to fly, but since so many problems
remain unsolved, Paul and Robert decided that it was impractical to
run the engine in the model—much less fly it. This model will be on
static display while another is built to fly with the BR2.
At Toledo, the Snipe was displayed unfinished, with the fabric
covering over the framework. Access panels were left open to allow
everyone to view the full-scale construction techniques used on the
model. The details were too many to list here, but the more you looked
at the aircraft and its construction—much less the engine—the more
details oozed out at you. It was beautiful.
Bookshelf: Canadian Warplane Heritage: Canada’s Flying Museum
(ISBN 0-9688936-0-0) by Patrick T. Keenen is published by the
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. This booklet describes the
aircraft that are currently on display at this wonderful facility. Scale
modeler Jim Rediske visited last summer, and he came back enthused
and ready to build Scale airplanes.
The museum is located at Mount Hope, Ontario, at Hamilton
International Airport. Most of the aircraft on exhibit are airworthy, and
some can be rented for rides. The museum’s aim is to display aircraft
that are significant to Canada’s aviation history.
The book can help you identify the airplanes and learn their
operational history and background when you are in the museum.
Patrick Keenen’s Canadian Warplane Heritage booklet.
Aircraft on display at the time this booklet was published were the
Avro Lancaster Mk X, Bristol Bolingbroke Mk IV W, Consolidated
PBY-5A Canso, Grumman CS2F-2 Tracker, North American B-25J
III, Fairey Firefly AS-5, Hawker Hurricane Mk XIIB, Sopwith Pup,
Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI, Sikorsky H-5, Avro Canada CF-100
Mk VD, de Havilland Vampire D.H.100, Hawker Hunter F.6, and
Lockheed CT-33An.
Also, the Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter, North American F-86
Sabre Mk VI, Northrop CF-5, Avro Anson Mk V, Boeing Stearman
PT-17, Cessna Crane Mk I, de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk, de
Havilland D.H.82C Tiger Moth, Fairchild PT-26 Cornell, Fleet Finch
Mk II, North American Harvard, North American T-28 Trojan, North
American Yale, Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor, Douglas DC-3 Dakota,
Fairchild F-24 Argus III, Auster AOP-VI, Fleet Model 21K, Grumman
G-44 Widgeon, and Westland Lysander Mk III.
Some of the aircraft in the museum are common, but many are rare,
such as the Anson Mk V twin-engine advanced trainer, which has the
basic layout of the Cessna T-50. It’s a low-wing twin with a single
rudder, and the gear partially retracts into the cowling.
The Cessna Crane Mk I is the designation for the Canadian version
of the Cessna T-50 Bobcat in its various designations. The Canadian
version of the de Havilland D.H.82C Tiger Moth, with its full sliding
canopy, was used for primary training, like the US Stearman PT-17.
Another interesting aircraft depicted in the book is the Bristol
Bolingbroke Mk IV W. It looks much like a Bristol Blenheim Mk IV.
It was being rebuilt from eight different aircraft at the time of
publication.
The book would be perfect if it included color photos, but it does
give you an idea of what you can see while at the museum and can
serve as your guide. If you’re at Niagara Falls on vacation, take a day
and drive to the museum; it’s only 47 miles west of there. Take many
rolls of film or disks and enjoy the day. Thanks, Jim!
For further information, contact the Canadian Warplane Heritage
Museum, 9280 Airport Rd., Hamilton International Airport, Mount
Hope, Ontario, LOR 1W0; Tel.: (905) 679-4183; Fax: (905) 679-4186;
E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.warplane.com.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
10sig5.QXD 7/23/04 9:24 am Page 134