August 2003 139
CONTROL LINE AEROBATICS
Curt Contrata, 6783 Nightwind Cir., Orlando FL 32818; E-mail: [email protected]
THE DIFFICULTY IN writing a column
about paint schemes is that everyone has
preferences and opinions on what “looks
good,” but that is not what this column is
about; it will be about what presents well in
the air. There is a difference.
When deciding on a paint scheme, one
should take into consideration the nature of
our event and what we are trying to
accomplish. Our models fly a series of
maneuvers at more than 60 mph and have
their paths judged for geometric precision by
people who are standing 150 feet away. The
backdrop for our performances could be trees,
soybean fields, or even a parking lot. For
maximum visibility, your model’s paint
scheme should not look like anything on the
horizon.
Any colors can be used, providing you
choose a combination that has enough contrast
to be visible from a distance. Paul Walker’s
Impacts with their fluorescent colors and
checkerboard trim always showed up well
against trees or sky, but you do not have to get
that wild.
Dave Slagle with 931-square-inch Bippi Stunt models of his own design. Each weighs
80 ounces and is powered by an O.S. .61 on throttle. Slagle photo.
Frank McMillan’s front-row Caudron number 7. Bob Lampione’s clean United IV at the 2002 Nationals.
Stan Powell has a white Dove with skyblue
trim that presents surprisingly well. A
paint scheme should not only make your
model more visible to the judges, but it
should help the model’s appearance in the air.
A scheme that makes flat sides look flatter
and rounds appear rounder is what one should
strive for.
Keep in mind that the same style scheme I
am describing can do the opposite; it can
reveal bad bottoms and crooked sides. It can
accentuate flat spots in rounds and make
round intersections look 8 feet long. It can
exaggerate your mistakes, but your good stuff
can really look great.
A scheme that presents well will
accentuate the path of flight against the
background. Trim on the fuselage should help
the model look as though it is flying level,
and not tail up or down. Avoid lines on the
fuselage that are unparallel with the
thrustline, and make sure that you measure
the long, straight lines twice.
Les McDonald’s Stiletto 660 article in the
July 1977 Model Aviation suggested that
horizontal lines on the fuselage should follow
the thrustline to “enhance the square stuff.”
Les ended his horizontal trim lines at the
stabilizer, thinking that if the trim was more
centered on the pivot point, it would give the
illusion of a tighter corner. His models and
their paint schemes had hard horizontal
references, which really helped him achieve a
“flying on rails” look.
Your scheme should attempt to “stretch
and shape” the model in the right directions
and complement its design. Painting wingtips
in a contrasting color will often give the
model a “clipped wing” look in the air, and
spanwise trim will give the model a larger,
08sig5.QXD 5.23.03 12:38 pm Page 139
more powerful appearance. Just as painted
tips can visually clip the wing in flight, the
same can happen if you paint the tip of the
vertical stabilizer.
Gene Martine had a bright model that was
the first of his John Deere series of SV-22s.
He had painted the wheel pants and the top
of the vertical stabilizer dark green. Although
the model was bright overall, it blended into
the horizon and looked small.
Gene repainted the top of the vertical
stabilizer yellow and reversed the trim on the
SV-22’s wheel pants. These simple changes
resulted in a model that presented much
better against the typical horizon and had a
much more commanding appearance.
Keep in mind that I am referring to
fantasy designs—not semiscale schemes for
which your trim choices may be more
limited. Bill Werwage has been successful in
combining the two by subtly working classic
Stunter trim-scheme concepts into scalelooking
models.
Although a two-color scheme can be
effective, a third color will often add depth to
an otherwise simple scheme. The extra detail
can help make the model easier to see, and it
will certainly be more interesting to look at.
After all, shouldn’t it be your goal to have a
model that the judges want to keep their eyes
on?
You should not be fooled by a video
camera when choosing your scheme. A
model that reads well on your television
screen may have been difficult to see with
the naked eye, and the reverse is also true. A
camera cannot see as much detail, nor can it
deal with contrast ratios as well as the human
eye can.
To a human, black-and-white
checkerboards look nothing like the plants
growing on the horizon. A video camera
prefers larger objects with less detail,
resulting in a larger number of pixels on the
screen that are the same color. More colors
and small detail can work the same as
camouflage to a video camera, becoming just
a blur on the screen.
Whatever scheme you end up with, it is best
to use full-size templates to mark the model
for the masking process. Using full-size
templates instead of a ruler can dramatically
reduce the time it takes to accurately lay out a
model’s trim.
Cut several pairs of holes in the centers of
open areas approximately 1⁄4-inch square on
the full-size pattern. Place a piece of tape over
one hole of each pair. Flip the pattern over
and tape the remaining holes. That is how the
pattern will stay in place as you mark the
model.
Cut a hole at every intersection of two
colors, at every change of angle, and one
every 8 inches or so along long, straight trim.
These holes will allow you to put marks on
the model exactly where the masking will go.
With a light touch use a soft pencil to
mark the model through the holes. Avoid
putting too many marks on the model; it will
only confuse you. Work one color at a time,
in one section at a time. As you make a mark
on the inboard side, flip the pattern over and
do the same one on the opposite panel. (That
is why half of the tape goes over the holes
from the other side.)
On most wings you will have to align
from the tip when working at the tip and from
the fuselage at the center when flipping the
pattern back and forth because of asymmetry.
Try to use a reference line such as the trailing
edge for aligning the pattern on the model.
If your scheme involves curves, you will
have to cut away more of the pattern to
expose the shape so you can trace it. Take
your time when cutting out curves; you will
often need the part you cut off. Sometimes it
is easier to lay tape along the edge of the
pieces you cut out, so don’t throw them away.
This method works on almost every
surface of the model, but sometimes you will
have to be a bit creative. For places such as
stripes running the length of the fuselage, first
mark their vertical locations with a template.
Stretch a long piece of thread across the
marks, and use a small piece of tape at the
nose and tail to keep the stretched thread in
place.
It is much easier to adjust the thread than
masking tape, so keep moving it until it is
right. Once perfect, you have the option to use
the thread as a guide to make your pencil
marks, or you may choose to simply lay tape
along its edge.
Using thread in this fashion, you will be
amazed by how easy it is to make fuselage
“$TOP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR BATTERIE$”
VISIT OUR WEB SITE! http://www.rc-aero.com/biz/bandt
GOLD PEAK 3300 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO 2600 NIMH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75 Ea
SANYO RC-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO CP-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.50 Ea
SANYO CP-1700 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.00 Ea
SANYO CP-1300 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.75 Ea
SANYO KR-1400 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.50 Ea
SANYO HR4U-270 NIMH AAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO KR-600 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-700 AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Ea
SANYO 1700 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-350 AAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.75 Ea
GOLD PEAK 2000 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 1000 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 370 2/3 AAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.95 Ea
CONNECTORS RED & BLACK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Pr
WIRE, SHRINK, BARS AND BRAID ALSO AVAILABLE
B & T R/C PRODUCTS
2905 Guess Road #4 • Durham, NC 27705
Telephone & Fax (919) 471-2060 • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM est
WRITE OR CALL FOR A FREE CATALOG • MASTERCARD & VISA ACCEPTED
trim symmetrical, especially for trim that
goes from the spinner to the rudder. It is
also useful when trim continues around to
the underside of a surface and on compound
curves.
To remove pencil marks, use a soft,
white eraser and a light touch. Even the
lightest marks can show through certain
colors, so it is best to remove them all. Once
you spray over them, they are there forever
(especially under yellow).
You should also try to use natural lines
as aids when laying out your scheme. It can
be a real advantage to place the edges of
trim along construction lines such as the
edges of sheeting and top/bottom block
142 MODEL AVIATION
THE BEST IN SCALE PLANS
ACCESSORIES & LASER CUT PARTS
94" Fiesler Storch $35.00
Laser cut parts available
PLANS
* Spitfire MK 1X 83" $45.00
* Spitfire MK 1 69" $40.00
* Spitfire MK 14/19 69” $40.00
* Spitfire MK 1X 110" $49.00
* Hawker Hurricane 70" $40.00
* Hawker Typhoon 72" $40.00
DH Mosquito 71" $40.00
* DH Mosquito 81" $45.00
Hawker Tempest 61.5” $30.00
* P-47D 76” $45.00
* Hellcat 64" $30.00
* Hellcat 80" $35.00
* F4U-1 82" $45.00
* Storch 72” $30.00
* Storch 96” $35.00
* Harvard 94” $45.00
* P-51D 69” $25.00
* Bf 109E 68” $40.00
* indicates laser parts available
Please add $8.00 for postage.
Best in scale catalog $5.00 + $3.20 p.p.
Cards Ok. • UK and German catalogs available.
BOB HOLMAN PLANS
P.O.BOX 741 San Bernardino CA 92402
909-885-3959 • [email protected] • www.bhplans.com
Please
add
$8.00 for
postage.
Service & Repairs For Most Radio Control Systems,
Utilizing Calibrated Test Equipment & Spectrum Analyzers.
Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Ace, HiTec, Tower, Cirrus, World Engines & More
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seams. You will be more likely to have a
symmetrical scheme and, for certain, one
that is easier to mask. It can also help you
avoid buffing through trim, and it is easier
to knock down the edges of color trim,
making a bump-free edge.
Using natural lines on the model as
trimming aids will also be more prone to
hide building flaws by distracting the
viewer. The best way to hide a seam is to
put a stripe at its edge. The best way to
hide any flaw is to put something else
there for people to focus on when they get
up close. The real trick is making what
you do look as if it was supposed to be
there.
One thing I really enjoy as a result of
writing this column are the letters, E-mail,
and photographs from readers. Please keep
them coming; they are always appreciated.
This month I received a note from
PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model
Pilots Association) Hall of Fame member
and three-time Walker Cup winner Dave
Slagle. MA
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and wall socket. Provides
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(cordless drill, screwdriver, cellular phone, flashlight, etc).
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OK, Guy!
You’ve been seeing all the ads,
and you’ve been meaning to order.
Buuuttt, you keep putting it off.
Now it’s a pretty day but you can’t fly
‘cause your batteries aren’t charged!!!
08sig5.QXD 5.23.03 12:38 pm Page 142
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/08
Page Numbers: 139,140,141,142
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/08
Page Numbers: 139,140,141,142
August 2003 139
CONTROL LINE AEROBATICS
Curt Contrata, 6783 Nightwind Cir., Orlando FL 32818; E-mail: [email protected]
THE DIFFICULTY IN writing a column
about paint schemes is that everyone has
preferences and opinions on what “looks
good,” but that is not what this column is
about; it will be about what presents well in
the air. There is a difference.
When deciding on a paint scheme, one
should take into consideration the nature of
our event and what we are trying to
accomplish. Our models fly a series of
maneuvers at more than 60 mph and have
their paths judged for geometric precision by
people who are standing 150 feet away. The
backdrop for our performances could be trees,
soybean fields, or even a parking lot. For
maximum visibility, your model’s paint
scheme should not look like anything on the
horizon.
Any colors can be used, providing you
choose a combination that has enough contrast
to be visible from a distance. Paul Walker’s
Impacts with their fluorescent colors and
checkerboard trim always showed up well
against trees or sky, but you do not have to get
that wild.
Dave Slagle with 931-square-inch Bippi Stunt models of his own design. Each weighs
80 ounces and is powered by an O.S. .61 on throttle. Slagle photo.
Frank McMillan’s front-row Caudron number 7. Bob Lampione’s clean United IV at the 2002 Nationals.
Stan Powell has a white Dove with skyblue
trim that presents surprisingly well. A
paint scheme should not only make your
model more visible to the judges, but it
should help the model’s appearance in the air.
A scheme that makes flat sides look flatter
and rounds appear rounder is what one should
strive for.
Keep in mind that the same style scheme I
am describing can do the opposite; it can
reveal bad bottoms and crooked sides. It can
accentuate flat spots in rounds and make
round intersections look 8 feet long. It can
exaggerate your mistakes, but your good stuff
can really look great.
A scheme that presents well will
accentuate the path of flight against the
background. Trim on the fuselage should help
the model look as though it is flying level,
and not tail up or down. Avoid lines on the
fuselage that are unparallel with the
thrustline, and make sure that you measure
the long, straight lines twice.
Les McDonald’s Stiletto 660 article in the
July 1977 Model Aviation suggested that
horizontal lines on the fuselage should follow
the thrustline to “enhance the square stuff.”
Les ended his horizontal trim lines at the
stabilizer, thinking that if the trim was more
centered on the pivot point, it would give the
illusion of a tighter corner. His models and
their paint schemes had hard horizontal
references, which really helped him achieve a
“flying on rails” look.
Your scheme should attempt to “stretch
and shape” the model in the right directions
and complement its design. Painting wingtips
in a contrasting color will often give the
model a “clipped wing” look in the air, and
spanwise trim will give the model a larger,
08sig5.QXD 5.23.03 12:38 pm Page 139
more powerful appearance. Just as painted
tips can visually clip the wing in flight, the
same can happen if you paint the tip of the
vertical stabilizer.
Gene Martine had a bright model that was
the first of his John Deere series of SV-22s.
He had painted the wheel pants and the top
of the vertical stabilizer dark green. Although
the model was bright overall, it blended into
the horizon and looked small.
Gene repainted the top of the vertical
stabilizer yellow and reversed the trim on the
SV-22’s wheel pants. These simple changes
resulted in a model that presented much
better against the typical horizon and had a
much more commanding appearance.
Keep in mind that I am referring to
fantasy designs—not semiscale schemes for
which your trim choices may be more
limited. Bill Werwage has been successful in
combining the two by subtly working classic
Stunter trim-scheme concepts into scalelooking
models.
Although a two-color scheme can be
effective, a third color will often add depth to
an otherwise simple scheme. The extra detail
can help make the model easier to see, and it
will certainly be more interesting to look at.
After all, shouldn’t it be your goal to have a
model that the judges want to keep their eyes
on?
You should not be fooled by a video
camera when choosing your scheme. A
model that reads well on your television
screen may have been difficult to see with
the naked eye, and the reverse is also true. A
camera cannot see as much detail, nor can it
deal with contrast ratios as well as the human
eye can.
To a human, black-and-white
checkerboards look nothing like the plants
growing on the horizon. A video camera
prefers larger objects with less detail,
resulting in a larger number of pixels on the
screen that are the same color. More colors
and small detail can work the same as
camouflage to a video camera, becoming just
a blur on the screen.
Whatever scheme you end up with, it is best
to use full-size templates to mark the model
for the masking process. Using full-size
templates instead of a ruler can dramatically
reduce the time it takes to accurately lay out a
model’s trim.
Cut several pairs of holes in the centers of
open areas approximately 1⁄4-inch square on
the full-size pattern. Place a piece of tape over
one hole of each pair. Flip the pattern over
and tape the remaining holes. That is how the
pattern will stay in place as you mark the
model.
Cut a hole at every intersection of two
colors, at every change of angle, and one
every 8 inches or so along long, straight trim.
These holes will allow you to put marks on
the model exactly where the masking will go.
With a light touch use a soft pencil to
mark the model through the holes. Avoid
putting too many marks on the model; it will
only confuse you. Work one color at a time,
in one section at a time. As you make a mark
on the inboard side, flip the pattern over and
do the same one on the opposite panel. (That
is why half of the tape goes over the holes
from the other side.)
On most wings you will have to align
from the tip when working at the tip and from
the fuselage at the center when flipping the
pattern back and forth because of asymmetry.
Try to use a reference line such as the trailing
edge for aligning the pattern on the model.
If your scheme involves curves, you will
have to cut away more of the pattern to
expose the shape so you can trace it. Take
your time when cutting out curves; you will
often need the part you cut off. Sometimes it
is easier to lay tape along the edge of the
pieces you cut out, so don’t throw them away.
This method works on almost every
surface of the model, but sometimes you will
have to be a bit creative. For places such as
stripes running the length of the fuselage, first
mark their vertical locations with a template.
Stretch a long piece of thread across the
marks, and use a small piece of tape at the
nose and tail to keep the stretched thread in
place.
It is much easier to adjust the thread than
masking tape, so keep moving it until it is
right. Once perfect, you have the option to use
the thread as a guide to make your pencil
marks, or you may choose to simply lay tape
along its edge.
Using thread in this fashion, you will be
amazed by how easy it is to make fuselage
“$TOP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR BATTERIE$”
VISIT OUR WEB SITE! http://www.rc-aero.com/biz/bandt
GOLD PEAK 3300 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO 2600 NIMH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75 Ea
SANYO RC-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO CP-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.50 Ea
SANYO CP-1700 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.00 Ea
SANYO CP-1300 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.75 Ea
SANYO KR-1400 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.50 Ea
SANYO HR4U-270 NIMH AAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO KR-600 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-700 AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Ea
SANYO 1700 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-350 AAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.75 Ea
GOLD PEAK 2000 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 1000 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 370 2/3 AAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.95 Ea
CONNECTORS RED & BLACK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Pr
WIRE, SHRINK, BARS AND BRAID ALSO AVAILABLE
B & T R/C PRODUCTS
2905 Guess Road #4 • Durham, NC 27705
Telephone & Fax (919) 471-2060 • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM est
WRITE OR CALL FOR A FREE CATALOG • MASTERCARD & VISA ACCEPTED
trim symmetrical, especially for trim that
goes from the spinner to the rudder. It is
also useful when trim continues around to
the underside of a surface and on compound
curves.
To remove pencil marks, use a soft,
white eraser and a light touch. Even the
lightest marks can show through certain
colors, so it is best to remove them all. Once
you spray over them, they are there forever
(especially under yellow).
You should also try to use natural lines
as aids when laying out your scheme. It can
be a real advantage to place the edges of
trim along construction lines such as the
edges of sheeting and top/bottom block
142 MODEL AVIATION
THE BEST IN SCALE PLANS
ACCESSORIES & LASER CUT PARTS
94" Fiesler Storch $35.00
Laser cut parts available
PLANS
* Spitfire MK 1X 83" $45.00
* Spitfire MK 1 69" $40.00
* Spitfire MK 14/19 69” $40.00
* Spitfire MK 1X 110" $49.00
* Hawker Hurricane 70" $40.00
* Hawker Typhoon 72" $40.00
DH Mosquito 71" $40.00
* DH Mosquito 81" $45.00
Hawker Tempest 61.5” $30.00
* P-47D 76” $45.00
* Hellcat 64" $30.00
* Hellcat 80" $35.00
* F4U-1 82" $45.00
* Storch 72” $30.00
* Storch 96” $35.00
* Harvard 94” $45.00
* P-51D 69” $25.00
* Bf 109E 68” $40.00
* indicates laser parts available
Please add $8.00 for postage.
Best in scale catalog $5.00 + $3.20 p.p.
Cards Ok. • UK and German catalogs available.
BOB HOLMAN PLANS
P.O.BOX 741 San Bernardino CA 92402
909-885-3959 • [email protected] • www.bhplans.com
Please
add
$8.00 for
postage.
Service & Repairs For Most Radio Control Systems,
Utilizing Calibrated Test Equipment & Spectrum Analyzers.
Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Ace, HiTec, Tower, Cirrus, World Engines & More
D&M ELECTRONICS • 1236 Marigold St. NW, Hartville, OH 44632 • 330-877-1445
Shipping & Insurance Extra – – UPS • U.S. Mail • C.O.D.’s
Visit our home page at http://www.dnmelectronics.com • Email: [email protected]
AMA # 256123-Dave ARRL WB8YSQ
D & M E L E C T R O N I C S
• WE USE GENUINE FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS
• Endorsed by AMA/RCMA as Sticker Station #105
• 1991/1998 Narrow Banding & Certification
• FCC Licensed
• Speed Control Repairs
• Quality Service
• Fast Turn Around
• RCD / HITEC R/C Dealer
• Miniature Aircraft Dealer
X-CELL Helicopters
® 3-in-1 Lathe/Mill/Drill
OWN A MACHINE SHOP!
GUARANTEED
to pay for itself!
CALL TOLL FREE
1-800-345-6342
Visit us at www.Smithy.com
• Easy to use – No experience
required, call us Toll-Free
for machining help.
• Versatile – Fix or make almost
anything made of metal,
wood, or plastic.
• Affordable – 6 models
to choose, starting
as low as just $995.
• CNC Compatible
FREE!
Info
Kit
Write: Smithy Co., P.O. Box 1517 Dept MA, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
SMITHY OWNERS SAY:
“I can fix ‘most anything.
I don’t know how I lived
without my Smithy. It
paid for itself in no time.”
seams. You will be more likely to have a
symmetrical scheme and, for certain, one
that is easier to mask. It can also help you
avoid buffing through trim, and it is easier
to knock down the edges of color trim,
making a bump-free edge.
Using natural lines on the model as
trimming aids will also be more prone to
hide building flaws by distracting the
viewer. The best way to hide a seam is to
put a stripe at its edge. The best way to
hide any flaw is to put something else
there for people to focus on when they get
up close. The real trick is making what
you do look as if it was supposed to be
there.
One thing I really enjoy as a result of
writing this column are the letters, E-mail,
and photographs from readers. Please keep
them coming; they are always appreciated.
This month I received a note from
PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model
Pilots Association) Hall of Fame member
and three-time Walker Cup winner Dave
Slagle. MA
Plugs between your charger
and wall socket. Provides
constant, safe, trickle for
radio or glo-starter chargers.
Can also be used on most any small charger rated 4 to 7 watts.
(cordless drill, screwdriver, cellular phone, flashlight, etc).
ORDER ONLINE or send check /
money order for $29.95 (plus $5.50 s&h;
outside U.S. add $7.50 s&h)
RK PRODUCTS
Dept A • P.O. Box 4145 • Enterprise, FL 32725-0145
Tel: (386) 574-2750 • Fax: (386) 574-2304
visit our website: www.liltrickler.com
Trademark Registered; Patent Pending RK PRODUCTS
Only
$29.95
OK, Guy!
You’ve been seeing all the ads,
and you’ve been meaning to order.
Buuuttt, you keep putting it off.
Now it’s a pretty day but you can’t fly
‘cause your batteries aren’t charged!!!
08sig5.QXD 5.23.03 12:38 pm Page 142
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/08
Page Numbers: 139,140,141,142
August 2003 139
CONTROL LINE AEROBATICS
Curt Contrata, 6783 Nightwind Cir., Orlando FL 32818; E-mail: [email protected]
THE DIFFICULTY IN writing a column
about paint schemes is that everyone has
preferences and opinions on what “looks
good,” but that is not what this column is
about; it will be about what presents well in
the air. There is a difference.
When deciding on a paint scheme, one
should take into consideration the nature of
our event and what we are trying to
accomplish. Our models fly a series of
maneuvers at more than 60 mph and have
their paths judged for geometric precision by
people who are standing 150 feet away. The
backdrop for our performances could be trees,
soybean fields, or even a parking lot. For
maximum visibility, your model’s paint
scheme should not look like anything on the
horizon.
Any colors can be used, providing you
choose a combination that has enough contrast
to be visible from a distance. Paul Walker’s
Impacts with their fluorescent colors and
checkerboard trim always showed up well
against trees or sky, but you do not have to get
that wild.
Dave Slagle with 931-square-inch Bippi Stunt models of his own design. Each weighs
80 ounces and is powered by an O.S. .61 on throttle. Slagle photo.
Frank McMillan’s front-row Caudron number 7. Bob Lampione’s clean United IV at the 2002 Nationals.
Stan Powell has a white Dove with skyblue
trim that presents surprisingly well. A
paint scheme should not only make your
model more visible to the judges, but it
should help the model’s appearance in the air.
A scheme that makes flat sides look flatter
and rounds appear rounder is what one should
strive for.
Keep in mind that the same style scheme I
am describing can do the opposite; it can
reveal bad bottoms and crooked sides. It can
accentuate flat spots in rounds and make
round intersections look 8 feet long. It can
exaggerate your mistakes, but your good stuff
can really look great.
A scheme that presents well will
accentuate the path of flight against the
background. Trim on the fuselage should help
the model look as though it is flying level,
and not tail up or down. Avoid lines on the
fuselage that are unparallel with the
thrustline, and make sure that you measure
the long, straight lines twice.
Les McDonald’s Stiletto 660 article in the
July 1977 Model Aviation suggested that
horizontal lines on the fuselage should follow
the thrustline to “enhance the square stuff.”
Les ended his horizontal trim lines at the
stabilizer, thinking that if the trim was more
centered on the pivot point, it would give the
illusion of a tighter corner. His models and
their paint schemes had hard horizontal
references, which really helped him achieve a
“flying on rails” look.
Your scheme should attempt to “stretch
and shape” the model in the right directions
and complement its design. Painting wingtips
in a contrasting color will often give the
model a “clipped wing” look in the air, and
spanwise trim will give the model a larger,
08sig5.QXD 5.23.03 12:38 pm Page 139
more powerful appearance. Just as painted
tips can visually clip the wing in flight, the
same can happen if you paint the tip of the
vertical stabilizer.
Gene Martine had a bright model that was
the first of his John Deere series of SV-22s.
He had painted the wheel pants and the top
of the vertical stabilizer dark green. Although
the model was bright overall, it blended into
the horizon and looked small.
Gene repainted the top of the vertical
stabilizer yellow and reversed the trim on the
SV-22’s wheel pants. These simple changes
resulted in a model that presented much
better against the typical horizon and had a
much more commanding appearance.
Keep in mind that I am referring to
fantasy designs—not semiscale schemes for
which your trim choices may be more
limited. Bill Werwage has been successful in
combining the two by subtly working classic
Stunter trim-scheme concepts into scalelooking
models.
Although a two-color scheme can be
effective, a third color will often add depth to
an otherwise simple scheme. The extra detail
can help make the model easier to see, and it
will certainly be more interesting to look at.
After all, shouldn’t it be your goal to have a
model that the judges want to keep their eyes
on?
You should not be fooled by a video
camera when choosing your scheme. A
model that reads well on your television
screen may have been difficult to see with
the naked eye, and the reverse is also true. A
camera cannot see as much detail, nor can it
deal with contrast ratios as well as the human
eye can.
To a human, black-and-white
checkerboards look nothing like the plants
growing on the horizon. A video camera
prefers larger objects with less detail,
resulting in a larger number of pixels on the
screen that are the same color. More colors
and small detail can work the same as
camouflage to a video camera, becoming just
a blur on the screen.
Whatever scheme you end up with, it is best
to use full-size templates to mark the model
for the masking process. Using full-size
templates instead of a ruler can dramatically
reduce the time it takes to accurately lay out a
model’s trim.
Cut several pairs of holes in the centers of
open areas approximately 1⁄4-inch square on
the full-size pattern. Place a piece of tape over
one hole of each pair. Flip the pattern over
and tape the remaining holes. That is how the
pattern will stay in place as you mark the
model.
Cut a hole at every intersection of two
colors, at every change of angle, and one
every 8 inches or so along long, straight trim.
These holes will allow you to put marks on
the model exactly where the masking will go.
With a light touch use a soft pencil to
mark the model through the holes. Avoid
putting too many marks on the model; it will
only confuse you. Work one color at a time,
in one section at a time. As you make a mark
on the inboard side, flip the pattern over and
do the same one on the opposite panel. (That
is why half of the tape goes over the holes
from the other side.)
On most wings you will have to align
from the tip when working at the tip and from
the fuselage at the center when flipping the
pattern back and forth because of asymmetry.
Try to use a reference line such as the trailing
edge for aligning the pattern on the model.
If your scheme involves curves, you will
have to cut away more of the pattern to
expose the shape so you can trace it. Take
your time when cutting out curves; you will
often need the part you cut off. Sometimes it
is easier to lay tape along the edge of the
pieces you cut out, so don’t throw them away.
This method works on almost every
surface of the model, but sometimes you will
have to be a bit creative. For places such as
stripes running the length of the fuselage, first
mark their vertical locations with a template.
Stretch a long piece of thread across the
marks, and use a small piece of tape at the
nose and tail to keep the stretched thread in
place.
It is much easier to adjust the thread than
masking tape, so keep moving it until it is
right. Once perfect, you have the option to use
the thread as a guide to make your pencil
marks, or you may choose to simply lay tape
along its edge.
Using thread in this fashion, you will be
amazed by how easy it is to make fuselage
“$TOP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR BATTERIE$”
VISIT OUR WEB SITE! http://www.rc-aero.com/biz/bandt
GOLD PEAK 3300 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO 2600 NIMH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75 Ea
SANYO RC-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO CP-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.50 Ea
SANYO CP-1700 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.00 Ea
SANYO CP-1300 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.75 Ea
SANYO KR-1400 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.50 Ea
SANYO HR4U-270 NIMH AAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO KR-600 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-700 AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Ea
SANYO 1700 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-350 AAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.75 Ea
GOLD PEAK 2000 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 1000 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 370 2/3 AAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.95 Ea
CONNECTORS RED & BLACK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Pr
WIRE, SHRINK, BARS AND BRAID ALSO AVAILABLE
B & T R/C PRODUCTS
2905 Guess Road #4 • Durham, NC 27705
Telephone & Fax (919) 471-2060 • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM est
WRITE OR CALL FOR A FREE CATALOG • MASTERCARD & VISA ACCEPTED
trim symmetrical, especially for trim that
goes from the spinner to the rudder. It is
also useful when trim continues around to
the underside of a surface and on compound
curves.
To remove pencil marks, use a soft,
white eraser and a light touch. Even the
lightest marks can show through certain
colors, so it is best to remove them all. Once
you spray over them, they are there forever
(especially under yellow).
You should also try to use natural lines
as aids when laying out your scheme. It can
be a real advantage to place the edges of
trim along construction lines such as the
edges of sheeting and top/bottom block
142 MODEL AVIATION
THE BEST IN SCALE PLANS
ACCESSORIES & LASER CUT PARTS
94" Fiesler Storch $35.00
Laser cut parts available
PLANS
* Spitfire MK 1X 83" $45.00
* Spitfire MK 1 69" $40.00
* Spitfire MK 14/19 69” $40.00
* Spitfire MK 1X 110" $49.00
* Hawker Hurricane 70" $40.00
* Hawker Typhoon 72" $40.00
DH Mosquito 71" $40.00
* DH Mosquito 81" $45.00
Hawker Tempest 61.5” $30.00
* P-47D 76” $45.00
* Hellcat 64" $30.00
* Hellcat 80" $35.00
* F4U-1 82" $45.00
* Storch 72” $30.00
* Storch 96” $35.00
* Harvard 94” $45.00
* P-51D 69” $25.00
* Bf 109E 68” $40.00
* indicates laser parts available
Please add $8.00 for postage.
Best in scale catalog $5.00 + $3.20 p.p.
Cards Ok. • UK and German catalogs available.
BOB HOLMAN PLANS
P.O.BOX 741 San Bernardino CA 92402
909-885-3959 • [email protected] • www.bhplans.com
Please
add
$8.00 for
postage.
Service & Repairs For Most Radio Control Systems,
Utilizing Calibrated Test Equipment & Spectrum Analyzers.
Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Ace, HiTec, Tower, Cirrus, World Engines & More
D&M ELECTRONICS • 1236 Marigold St. NW, Hartville, OH 44632 • 330-877-1445
Shipping & Insurance Extra – – UPS • U.S. Mail • C.O.D.’s
Visit our home page at http://www.dnmelectronics.com • Email: [email protected]
AMA # 256123-Dave ARRL WB8YSQ
D & M E L E C T R O N I C S
• WE USE GENUINE FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS
• Endorsed by AMA/RCMA as Sticker Station #105
• 1991/1998 Narrow Banding & Certification
• FCC Licensed
• Speed Control Repairs
• Quality Service
• Fast Turn Around
• RCD / HITEC R/C Dealer
• Miniature Aircraft Dealer
X-CELL Helicopters
® 3-in-1 Lathe/Mill/Drill
OWN A MACHINE SHOP!
GUARANTEED
to pay for itself!
CALL TOLL FREE
1-800-345-6342
Visit us at www.Smithy.com
• Easy to use – No experience
required, call us Toll-Free
for machining help.
• Versatile – Fix or make almost
anything made of metal,
wood, or plastic.
• Affordable – 6 models
to choose, starting
as low as just $995.
• CNC Compatible
FREE!
Info
Kit
Write: Smithy Co., P.O. Box 1517 Dept MA, Ann Arbor, MI 48106
SMITHY OWNERS SAY:
“I can fix ‘most anything.
I don’t know how I lived
without my Smithy. It
paid for itself in no time.”
seams. You will be more likely to have a
symmetrical scheme and, for certain, one
that is easier to mask. It can also help you
avoid buffing through trim, and it is easier
to knock down the edges of color trim,
making a bump-free edge.
Using natural lines on the model as
trimming aids will also be more prone to
hide building flaws by distracting the
viewer. The best way to hide a seam is to
put a stripe at its edge. The best way to
hide any flaw is to put something else
there for people to focus on when they get
up close. The real trick is making what
you do look as if it was supposed to be
there.
One thing I really enjoy as a result of
writing this column are the letters, E-mail,
and photographs from readers. Please keep
them coming; they are always appreciated.
This month I received a note from
PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model
Pilots Association) Hall of Fame member
and three-time Walker Cup winner Dave
Slagle. MA
Plugs between your charger
and wall socket. Provides
constant, safe, trickle for
radio or glo-starter chargers.
Can also be used on most any small charger rated 4 to 7 watts.
(cordless drill, screwdriver, cellular phone, flashlight, etc).
ORDER ONLINE or send check /
money order for $29.95 (plus $5.50 s&h;
outside U.S. add $7.50 s&h)
RK PRODUCTS
Dept A • P.O. Box 4145 • Enterprise, FL 32725-0145
Tel: (386) 574-2750 • Fax: (386) 574-2304
visit our website: www.liltrickler.com
Trademark Registered; Patent Pending RK PRODUCTS
Only
$29.95
OK, Guy!
You’ve been seeing all the ads,
and you’ve been meaning to order.
Buuuttt, you keep putting it off.
Now it’s a pretty day but you can’t fly
‘cause your batteries aren’t charged!!!
08sig5.QXD 5.23.03 12:38 pm Page 142
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/08
Page Numbers: 139,140,141,142
August 2003 139
CONTROL LINE AEROBATICS
Curt Contrata, 6783 Nightwind Cir., Orlando FL 32818; E-mail: [email protected]
THE DIFFICULTY IN writing a column
about paint schemes is that everyone has
preferences and opinions on what “looks
good,” but that is not what this column is
about; it will be about what presents well in
the air. There is a difference.
When deciding on a paint scheme, one
should take into consideration the nature of
our event and what we are trying to
accomplish. Our models fly a series of
maneuvers at more than 60 mph and have
their paths judged for geometric precision by
people who are standing 150 feet away. The
backdrop for our performances could be trees,
soybean fields, or even a parking lot. For
maximum visibility, your model’s paint
scheme should not look like anything on the
horizon.
Any colors can be used, providing you
choose a combination that has enough contrast
to be visible from a distance. Paul Walker’s
Impacts with their fluorescent colors and
checkerboard trim always showed up well
against trees or sky, but you do not have to get
that wild.
Dave Slagle with 931-square-inch Bippi Stunt models of his own design. Each weighs
80 ounces and is powered by an O.S. .61 on throttle. Slagle photo.
Frank McMillan’s front-row Caudron number 7. Bob Lampione’s clean United IV at the 2002 Nationals.
Stan Powell has a white Dove with skyblue
trim that presents surprisingly well. A
paint scheme should not only make your
model more visible to the judges, but it
should help the model’s appearance in the air.
A scheme that makes flat sides look flatter
and rounds appear rounder is what one should
strive for.
Keep in mind that the same style scheme I
am describing can do the opposite; it can
reveal bad bottoms and crooked sides. It can
accentuate flat spots in rounds and make
round intersections look 8 feet long. It can
exaggerate your mistakes, but your good stuff
can really look great.
A scheme that presents well will
accentuate the path of flight against the
background. Trim on the fuselage should help
the model look as though it is flying level,
and not tail up or down. Avoid lines on the
fuselage that are unparallel with the
thrustline, and make sure that you measure
the long, straight lines twice.
Les McDonald’s Stiletto 660 article in the
July 1977 Model Aviation suggested that
horizontal lines on the fuselage should follow
the thrustline to “enhance the square stuff.”
Les ended his horizontal trim lines at the
stabilizer, thinking that if the trim was more
centered on the pivot point, it would give the
illusion of a tighter corner. His models and
their paint schemes had hard horizontal
references, which really helped him achieve a
“flying on rails” look.
Your scheme should attempt to “stretch
and shape” the model in the right directions
and complement its design. Painting wingtips
in a contrasting color will often give the
model a “clipped wing” look in the air, and
spanwise trim will give the model a larger,
08sig5.QXD 5.23.03 12:38 pm Page 139
more powerful appearance. Just as painted
tips can visually clip the wing in flight, the
same can happen if you paint the tip of the
vertical stabilizer.
Gene Martine had a bright model that was
the first of his John Deere series of SV-22s.
He had painted the wheel pants and the top
of the vertical stabilizer dark green. Although
the model was bright overall, it blended into
the horizon and looked small.
Gene repainted the top of the vertical
stabilizer yellow and reversed the trim on the
SV-22’s wheel pants. These simple changes
resulted in a model that presented much
better against the typical horizon and had a
much more commanding appearance.
Keep in mind that I am referring to
fantasy designs—not semiscale schemes for
which your trim choices may be more
limited. Bill Werwage has been successful in
combining the two by subtly working classic
Stunter trim-scheme concepts into scalelooking
models.
Although a two-color scheme can be
effective, a third color will often add depth to
an otherwise simple scheme. The extra detail
can help make the model easier to see, and it
will certainly be more interesting to look at.
After all, shouldn’t it be your goal to have a
model that the judges want to keep their eyes
on?
You should not be fooled by a video
camera when choosing your scheme. A
model that reads well on your television
screen may have been difficult to see with
the naked eye, and the reverse is also true. A
camera cannot see as much detail, nor can it
deal with contrast ratios as well as the human
eye can.
To a human, black-and-white
checkerboards look nothing like the plants
growing on the horizon. A video camera
prefers larger objects with less detail,
resulting in a larger number of pixels on the
screen that are the same color. More colors
and small detail can work the same as
camouflage to a video camera, becoming just
a blur on the screen.
Whatever scheme you end up with, it is best
to use full-size templates to mark the model
for the masking process. Using full-size
templates instead of a ruler can dramatically
reduce the time it takes to accurately lay out a
model’s trim.
Cut several pairs of holes in the centers of
open areas approximately 1⁄4-inch square on
the full-size pattern. Place a piece of tape over
one hole of each pair. Flip the pattern over
and tape the remaining holes. That is how the
pattern will stay in place as you mark the
model.
Cut a hole at every intersection of two
colors, at every change of angle, and one
every 8 inches or so along long, straight trim.
These holes will allow you to put marks on
the model exactly where the masking will go.
With a light touch use a soft pencil to
mark the model through the holes. Avoid
putting too many marks on the model; it will
only confuse you. Work one color at a time,
in one section at a time. As you make a mark
on the inboard side, flip the pattern over and
do the same one on the opposite panel. (That
is why half of the tape goes over the holes
from the other side.)
On most wings you will have to align
from the tip when working at the tip and from
the fuselage at the center when flipping the
pattern back and forth because of asymmetry.
Try to use a reference line such as the trailing
edge for aligning the pattern on the model.
If your scheme involves curves, you will
have to cut away more of the pattern to
expose the shape so you can trace it. Take
your time when cutting out curves; you will
often need the part you cut off. Sometimes it
is easier to lay tape along the edge of the
pieces you cut out, so don’t throw them away.
This method works on almost every
surface of the model, but sometimes you will
have to be a bit creative. For places such as
stripes running the length of the fuselage, first
mark their vertical locations with a template.
Stretch a long piece of thread across the
marks, and use a small piece of tape at the
nose and tail to keep the stretched thread in
place.
It is much easier to adjust the thread than
masking tape, so keep moving it until it is
right. Once perfect, you have the option to use
the thread as a guide to make your pencil
marks, or you may choose to simply lay tape
along its edge.
Using thread in this fashion, you will be
amazed by how easy it is to make fuselage
“$TOP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR BATTERIE$”
VISIT OUR WEB SITE! http://www.rc-aero.com/biz/bandt
GOLD PEAK 3300 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO 2600 NIMH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.75 Ea
SANYO RC-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.50 Ea
SANYO CP-2400 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.50 Ea
SANYO CP-1700 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.00 Ea
SANYO CP-1300 SCR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.75 Ea
SANYO KR-1400 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.50 Ea
SANYO HR4U-270 NIMH AAA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO KR-600 AE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-700 AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Ea
SANYO 1700 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50 Ea
SANYO N-350 AAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.75 Ea
GOLD PEAK 2000 NIMH AA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 1000 NIMH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.95 Ea
GOLD PEAK 370 2/3 AAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.95 Ea
CONNECTORS RED & BLACK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50 Pr
WIRE, SHRINK, BARS AND BRAID ALSO AVAILABLE
B & T R/C PRODUCTS
2905 Guess Road #4 • Durham, NC 27705
Telephone & Fax (919) 471-2060 • 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM est
WRITE OR CALL FOR A FREE CATALOG • MASTERCARD & VISA ACCEPTED
trim symmetrical, especially for trim that
goes from the spinner to the rudder. It is
also useful when trim continues around to
the underside of a surface and on compound
curves.
To remove pencil marks, use a soft,
white eraser and a light touch. Even the
lightest marks can show through certain
colors, so it is best to remove them all. Once
you spray over them, they are there forever
(especially under yellow).
You should also try to use natural lines
as aids when laying out your scheme. It can
be a real advantage to place the edges of
trim along construction lines such as the
edges of sheeting and top/bottom block
142 MODEL AVIATION
THE BEST IN SCALE PLANS
ACCESSORIES & LASER CUT PARTS
94" Fiesler Storch $35.00
Laser cut parts available
PLANS
* Spitfire MK 1X 83" $45.00
* Spitfire MK 1 69" $40.00
* Spitfire MK 14/19 69” $40.00
* Spitfire MK 1X 110" $49.00
* Hawker Hurricane 70" $40.00
* Hawker Typhoon 72" $40.00
DH Mosquito 71" $40.00
* DH Mosquito 81" $45.00
Hawker Tempest 61.5” $30.00
* P-47D 76” $45.00
* Hellcat 64" $30.00
* Hellcat 80" $35.00
* F4U-1 82" $45.00
* Storch 72” $30.00
* Storch 96” $35.00
* Harvard 94” $45.00
* P-51D 69” $25.00
* Bf 109E 68” $40.00
* indicates laser parts available
Please add $8.00 for postage.
Best in scale catalog $5.00 + $3.20 p.p.
Cards Ok. • UK and German catalogs available.
BOB HOLMAN PLANS
P.O.BOX 741 San Bernardino CA 92402
909-885-3959 • [email protected] • www.bhplans.com
Please
add
$8.00 for
postage.
Service & Repairs For Most Radio Control Systems,
Utilizing Calibrated Test Equipment & Spectrum Analyzers.
Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Ace, HiTec, Tower, Cirrus, World Engines & More
D&M ELECTRONICS • 1236 Marigold St. NW, Hartville, OH 44632 • 330-877-1445
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SMITHY OWNERS SAY:
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seams. You will be more likely to have a
symmetrical scheme and, for certain, one
that is easier to mask. It can also help you
avoid buffing through trim, and it is easier
to knock down the edges of color trim,
making a bump-free edge.
Using natural lines on the model as
trimming aids will also be more prone to
hide building flaws by distracting the
viewer. The best way to hide a seam is to
put a stripe at its edge. The best way to
hide any flaw is to put something else
there for people to focus on when they get
up close. The real trick is making what
you do look as if it was supposed to be
there.
One thing I really enjoy as a result of
writing this column are the letters, E-mail,
and photographs from readers. Please keep
them coming; they are always appreciated.
This month I received a note from
PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model
Pilots Association) Hall of Fame member
and three-time Walker Cup winner Dave
Slagle. MA
Plugs between your charger
and wall socket. Provides
constant, safe, trickle for
radio or glo-starter chargers.
Can also be used on most any small charger rated 4 to 7 watts.
(cordless drill, screwdriver, cellular phone, flashlight, etc).
ORDER ONLINE or send check /
money order for $29.95 (plus $5.50 s&h;
outside U.S. add $7.50 s&h)
RK PRODUCTS
Dept A • P.O. Box 4145 • Enterprise, FL 32725-0145
Tel: (386) 574-2750 • Fax: (386) 574-2304
visit our website: www.liltrickler.com
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OK, Guy!
You’ve been seeing all the ads,
and you’ve been meaning to order.
Buuuttt, you keep putting it off.
Now it’s a pretty day but you can’t fly
‘cause your batteries aren’t charged!!!
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