FF SCALE
The MiG remained only a memory until a few years ago when my buddy Gene Klemanek made one as a hanging display for Wings Hobby Shop in Lakewood, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb. I always admired Klemanek’s work and his MiG-15 is a fitting tribute to the quality of the Simplex kits. I took a few photos to give you an idea of the finished product.
In starting my clone of the kit, I decided to fabricate a cardboard box like the one used for the original. A visit to a local art-supply store led me to white tag board, which was similar in thickness to the brown cardboard used for the original kit. After a couple of hours of careful measuring, cutting, and fitting, I replicated a box for the MiG-15. Cleveland’s kits in the 1950s featured boxes printed in red, white, and blue and the Simplex line followed that tradition.
I duplicated the graphics by making full-color photocopies of the box. I elected to photocopy the replica artwork onto Avery full-sheet labels (stock no. 5353).
Avery’s labels are 8 1/2 x 11 inches, but the kit is more than 18 inches long. I solved this challenge by using four sheets of labels to copy the graphics in full color. Each sheet showed approximately one-half of the kit’s front and back and one-half of one of the kit’s sides. I overlapped the copies to ensure full coverage and to create a nearly seamless joint when I attached sections to the box.
Cuts were made over a rubberized mat with a straightedge and X-Acto knife with a new #11 blade. The first half was carefully adhered to the box and the second half precisely aligned and butt-joined to the first. The process was then repeated for the remainder of the box. The art on the end flaps was copied and carefully attached.
A replica of the construction plans was made by carefully passing the tattered set through an engineering copier with surprisingly good results.
The wood in the original kit consisted of three sheets of 1/16 x 3-inch balsa sheet stock, upon which the parts were printed in blue ink in classic Cleveland tradition. The new parts were die cut to pop free of the sheets without the labor of cutting. The MiG’s tail surfaces were also die cut from a 1/16-inch sheet. For reasons unclear, that sheet was not preprinted, but die cut.
Die cutting my replica’s parts was out of the question. Today the parts would be laser cut, but the cost of laser cutting the parts for a replica kit would be prohibitive. I opted to copy the original three parts sheets onto full-sheet labels, which were carefully cut and fitted to 1/16-inch sheet balsa. If Richard wants to build the replica kit, he can cut the parts from the sheet and peel off the labels before assembling the model.
Because the sheet for the tail surfaces was die cut, I elected to make a drawing of the parts on it, which I transferred to full-sheet labels as before and adhered to a fourth sheet of balsa.
The Simplex MiG-15 had turned balsa parts for the nose intake and tail exhaust. These were duplicated by turning pieces of thick balsa sheet on a Dremel tool using a 1/16-inch tapered rat-tail file. The original parts were probably turned on a lathe, but the Dremel-turned copies closely matched the originals.
The Simplex models had precut leading edges (LEs) and trailing edges (TEs) for the wings. The LEs were preshaped and the slots for the ribs were precut. I couldn't find commercial, preformed LEs to match the MiG, so I made my own from 1/4-inch square balsa strip.
The rib slots were carefully cut in the square stock using a bandsaw before shaping the LE. I hand-shaped the LE using a blade and a sanding block. I found some appropriately sized, preformed TE stock in a dusty bin at Wings Hobby. Slots for the rib TEs were cut into this with a bandsaw.
The fuselage stringers were cut in 15-inch lengths from a 1/16-inch square balsa strip. The original kit came with wheels and preformed wire gear, which I replicated using .047-inch piano wire. I would have turned the wheels from hardwood, but I had received a number of Cleveland wheels as payment for plans that I drew for E.T. Packard in the late 1960s. I found three that closely matched those in the kit.
The original Simplex kit provided white Japanese tissue for covering and a small sheet of red stars intended as markings for the finished model. Rather than duplicate these items, I elected to place a sheet of silver Esaki tissue in the replica kit along with red stars printed on label stock that could be cut out, leaving a 1/16-inch white border and then pressed onto the model.
As I mentioned, the original cockpit canopy was badly damaged and unusable. I carved a canopy mold from balsa block using the plans drawings as a reference. I formed a great-looking new canopy from 0.10-inch-thick clear butyrate sheet to replace the damaged one.
Klemanek's MiG-15 kit was missing a canopy and he had used a nonscale substitute. With his permission, I replaced the canopy. I added some cockpit interior detail including a headrest, instrument panel, and reflector sight. I also carved a pilot bust from Styrofoam and painted it with acrylic to look like a pilot from a Central Asian republic.
I sent the completed duplicate kit to Richard in early January 2012 as a belated Christmas gift. He was delighted.
FAC Jet Catapult Event
With the advent of Rapier rocket motors a few years ago, there was renewed interest in building jet- and rocket-powered FF Scale models. For a few seasons, the Flying Aces Club (FAC) contests blossomed with dozens of Rapier-powered models, but currently Rapiers are unavailable and we are forced to look for other means of propulsion. Small ducted fans are coming into the market and might be the best choice for small jet and rocket models in the immediate future.
In an effort to keep the jets flying, the FAC is urging its members to consider flying in the FAC Jet Catapult (Jet-Cat) event. Rules for this are in the latest FAC rule book that you can download from the FAC website.
FAC rules limit contestants to launching from a motor stick no greater than 9 inches with a power source of a single 9-inch-or-less loop of rubber, so models for this event will probably be small.
Air Ace Models (AAM) is exploring the introduction of a line of jet subjects to be flown in conformity with FAC Jet-Cat rules. AAM's proposed line would have a 6-1/2-inch or smaller wingspan.
AAM will provide full-color markings printed on 8 1/2 x 11-inch plain label stock. When the models' components are cut out, the covering for each component will be cut from the label stock and pressed on.
AAM's approach may be seen in its small Hawker Hunter model, which is currently being tested. AAM's contact information is in the "Sources" list if you'd like more details.
Thermals to all this flying season!
SOURCES
- Air Ace Models
Dennis O. Norman 11216 Lake Ave. Cleveland, OH 44102 (216) 906-6146 [email protected]
- Cleveland Model & Supply Company
(317) 257-7878 www.clevelandairline.com/default.asp
- National Museum of the United States Air Force
(937) 255-3286 www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
- Wings Hobby Shop
17112 Detroit Ave. Cleveland, OH 44107 (216) 221-5383
- FAC
[email protected] www.flyingacesclub.com
- National Free Flight Society
Tucson 1/2A MEPS contest
by Bill Boss [email protected]
Once again I'll put the spotlight on 1/2A Profile Scale models. Robin Sizemore was the CD for the 2011 1/2A Multi-Engine Profile Scale (MEPS) contest, which was held on Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9, at Christopher Columbus Park in Tucson, Arizona. The skies were sunny with light winds, providing excellent conditions for the flying part of the competition.
Ted Kraver and Sergio Garza took on the static judging chores and flying started shortly afterward.
As in the past, the 1/2A MEPS contest offered two classes of flying: Limited and Unlimited.
Limited
- For models without throttle control or any other operational functions.
- Flights were scored for takeoff, level flight, realism in flight, and landing.
- There was a five-point bonus for two or more engines running at takeoff, and another five-point bonus for models with two wings.
Unlimited
- For models with throttle control.
- Pilots chose three maneuvers from the following: proto taxi, sustained flying above 30°, wingover above 60°, inside loop, lazy eight, touch-and-go, and an operational function if performed by the full-scale subject.
Of all the Unlimited entries, only one aircraft, the first-place Focke-Wulf Fw 191 flown by Leroy Black, completed two of the three optional maneuvers. The other entry in this class was Ed Culver's Fokker D.XXIII, which did not fly.
There were 10 entries in Limited, which has been consistent for the past three or four annual contests. One new competitor was added to the contest: Ed Culver from Wilder, Idaho, who flew in both Limited and Unlimited.
Standings in the Limited class:
- Ed Culver — de Havilland D.H.89B Dominie — 110.0 points
- Lou Wolgast — de Havilland D.H.88 Comet — 107.0 points
- Keith Trostle — Westland Whirlwind
Note how close the competition was; only four points separated first and third places.
CD Robin Sizemore noted that it was a great weekend of model flying, and great camaraderie among the contestants. Robin thanks everyone for their help in making the fifth annual 1/2A MEPS 2011 contest a great success. Mike Keville was the event director, Ken Guilliford judged, and Peggy Capitanelli was the flight score recorder.
The next 1/2A MEPS is tentatively scheduled for October 13-14, 2012. Robin Sizemore will be the CD. Please contact Robin for any change in the schedule.
1/2A Fun-Fly in Canada
Gerry Boyd reported on an annual fun-fly hosted by the Vancouver Gas Model Club in British Columbia, Canada. Although the fun-fly is not a true Scale event, all models entered must resemble a military aircraft fighter or bomber of World War II, be capable of performing a brief set of maneuvers, and have a .10 maximum engine size for single or multiengines.
Maneuvers include takeoff, three laps of level flight, a standard wingover, two inside loops, two figure eights, a maneuver of the pilot’s choice, and a smooth landing.
Contestants pay a $5 entry fee, and at the time of entry will receive a goody bag containing the following:
- A judge’s badge (we need many judges)
- An official judge’s pen to use during flight scoring
- A Hortons $3 gift card, good for coffee and a muffin
- One #11 blade and holder, good for last-minute repairs
- A special model-cleaning cloth to soak up oil
- A small bottle of CA adhesive
- One 6 x 4 Rev-Up propeller
- A card of four building clamps
Receiving all of these items is a good reason to enter this fun event. There will also be prizes for those placing first through third in the contest.
Gerry told me that this fun-fly was held for the first time in 2007 and had only three entries; the 2011 event had 11. The club is going in the right direction by making it a fun event.
This year’s fun-fly will be held on July 1, 2012. The location of the flying field, which the club leases from the city of Richmond, is at Rice Mill Road in Richmond, British Columbia. For full contest rules and information, please contact Gerry Boyd. His contact information can be found in the “Sources” listing.
Thanks to Gerry Boyd and Bruce Duncan for their generosity in providing the means for this great fun-fly event.
1/2A at the Nats
While on the subject of 1/2A models and events, let me remind you that there will be a special 1/2A Profile Scale event at this year’s Nats. Allen Goff, from the Fellowship of Christian Modelers (FCM), was instrumental in getting the contest scheduled.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
