Flying For Fun - 2006/01
Let's hear it for variety!
D.B. Mathews | [email protected]
Also included in this column:
- Unusual RC scale models
- Scale plans sources
- Bob Holman's deBolt Aeronca Champ "short kit"
For those who do not have access to the Internet (and there are quite a few of you), my mailing address is 909 N. Maize Rd. #734, Wichita, KS 67212. Please include a SASE (#10 size) if you would like a reply.
The September 2005 MA was exceptional—not only for the first use of full color throughout, but for its inclusion of photos of unusual scale models. Included were the Westland Lysander on the cover, a Fairey Swordfish, a Nakajima Jill, a monster Hughes flying boat, a Sikorsky S-39, a Miles Messenger, a Vought Vindicator, two Ford Flivvers, and a Bellanca "Miss Veedol."
A big hurrah to the various contributors for choosing something besides the usual collection of prototypes that are modeled repeatedly! I am admittedly biased toward unusual prototypes as a salute to originality on the part of creative modelers who have the courage to dip into the nearly limitless choices for scale subjects.
This slanted thinking has led me to design and publish some oddball prototypes just for the sake of being different, including:
- Monoprep
- Luton Minor
- Rearwin Junior
- Druine Turbulent
- Jodel Bebe
- Wittman Big X
- Loening M-8
- Taylor E-2
Following that theme, I'm going to present unusual RC scale models this month, if for no other motive than to hopefully encourage others to follow the "less trodden path."
Terry Holbrook's Fieseler Storch
Terry Holbrook's Fieseler Storch is novel in many ways. It is a model of the only fully STOL (short takeoff & landing) production aircraft of World War II. The Germans first flew the prototype in 1936. Other STOL prototypes were developed by Ryan (O-51), Bellanca (O-50), and Vultee (L-1) later in the war years but were never placed into series production. Much of the slotted wing leading edge, huge flaps, extra-long landing gear, etc., pioneered by this German utility lightplane were later adapted to such American designs as the Helio series, made here in Kansas after the war. This is solid testimony to the Storch's advanced design concept.
You might ask, "But wasn't the Lysander a STOL airplane?" Not really; it was used repeatedly during World War II to insert and extract agents, prisoners, and downed airmen from inside enemy lines in Europe and the Far East. Its virtues were associated more with its ability to fly into and out of rough, unimproved runways while exhibiting a remarkable rate of climb combined with extraordinary sturdiness. Take a close look at the Lysander landing gear.
The Storch, on the other hand, was used by the Axis powers as a forward observation airplane, an air ambulance, and to pluck the likes of Benito Mussolini off a mountainside when Italy capitulated. The Storch saw action on all fronts but was particularly useful in North Africa and Russia. It became the aircraft of choice for many German generals to use to pop in and out of forward positions; it was well suited for this sort of use. I had the pleasure of watching a restored Storch in action at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, many years ago and was extremely impressed with its ability to drop huge flaps and jump into the air with what looked like a 20-foot forward roll. In addition, it could nearly hover and land on a dime. This was an impressive aircraft—and the design was around long before helicopters became operational.
After several years of research, Terry chose to build a Dennis Bryant (of England) design, available as plans from Bob Holman Plans. (See the ad in this issue.) The company also sells fiberglass cowls and laser-cut-parts packages for this design.
Terry’s Storch is finished in the color-and-markings of the No. 1 Desert Rescue Squadron as flown in North Africa in 1943. He covered the model with Super Coverite, painted it with desert tan and light blue Perfect Paints, and applied markings from Vinyl Rite Graphics, 3361 Mt. Veeder Rd., Napa, CA 94558.
Terry powered his model with a Saito 80 four-stroke engine and used a custom-made, shock-absorbing undercarriage from Unitracts (which Bob Holman Plans stocks). Slow flight and short takeoffs with this model have to be seen to be believed. Terry says it flies like a trainer and remains fully under control throughout its flight envelope.
Built in 1/6 scale (2 inches to the foot), the model spans 93 inches, stands 20 inches above the runway, and is 65 inches long. The Storch was a large single-engine aircraft. The full-scale prototype was powered with an Argus As 10C, a 270-horsepower inverted six, and weighed 2,050 pounds empty. It had a top speed of 109 mph and a low speed of about 32 mph. According to my information the takeoff required 213 feet, but I swear the one at Oshkosh didn’t use that much runway. Then again, the specifications are probably for the aircraft fully loaded to 3,498 pounds; the one I saw was probably much lighter. Those same specifications list a landing run of only 61 feet.
Ercoupe at a recent fly-in
Lamoine Buel of Independence, Kansas, built an attractive Ercoupe from a Balsa USA kit that caught my attention at a recent fly-in. It is covered with Sig Koverall and painted with automotive acrylic.
The model weighs 37 pounds and is powered with a Zenoah G-62 engine swinging a 24 x 6 P.K. propeller. It flew solid and at near-scale speed when I saw it.
The Ercoupe is a favorite of mine since it was the first airplane in which I ever flew (in 1946). The aircraft was built by a number of manufacturers, with some subtle changes in the spelling of Ercoupe, including Airco, Erco, Forney, and Alon (in McPherson, Kansas).
When Alon folded, the Mooney Aircraft Company purchased the dies, fixtures, and unassembled parts. The twin vertical fins were replaced with a single fin, and the aircraft was to be named the "Mooney Cadet." To my knowledge, only one was produced before Mooney also fell on hard times.
At the New York Daily Mirror meet in 1946 (a huge multidisciplinary event), Ernie Babcock Jr. won the high-point overall trophy. The prize was a full-scale Ercoupe (which at that time was valued at $3,450!). What is really amazing is that he won another a few weeks earlier at the Philadelphia Flying Circus, which was sponsored by The Philadelphia Record newspaper.
Scale plans and sources
Those who write scale columns for this and other magazines often include sources for plans, three-views, and photos of incredible numbers of prototypes. One of my favorite sources is Bob Holman Plans. He has a huge list of designs from around the world, with England and the old Aeromodeller magazine topping the list as his sources.
Another favorite is Bob’s Aircraft Documentation (see ad this issue), which contains a list of thousands of photos and many three-views. This catalog is $10 in the U.S.
Unusual ARFs and suggested prototypes
The Asian ARF producers, particularly large ones, have introduced some unusual scale models as well. I’ve noticed a surprising variety on my dealer’s shelves lately, such as a Ford Flivver, a Velocity XL canard, and a Sea Wind. I don’t understand these ARF producers’ willingness to go for weird designs when the kit makers don’t, but it’s certainly refreshing.
Some prototypes that I think would make superb scale models (kits or ARFs) are:
- Luscombe Model 10
- Navion (in its various forms)
- Globe Swift
- Comper Swift
- Culver V
- Piper Skyscycle
Hal deBolt's Aeronca Champ (1955 short kit)
I’ve included an old ad photo of Hal deBolt’s Aeronca Champ kit from 1955 for a couple of reasons: one is to show the quantum leap RC scale has made in the ensuing 50 years; the second is to mention that Bob Holman now has a kit of plans and laser-cut parts for the model.
Back in those days of motorized escapements, single-channel radios, and engines of the Nelson variety, even so-called "scale" models were primitive in appearance. Although it looks primitive and is not too scale-like compared to contemporary scale models, it was, and is, a delightful 15-size, three-channel sport model.
The Holman version is what is called a "short kit"; that is, it has the shaped wood but no dimensional balsa or hardware. The construction techniques are classic for the period, but odd by modern standards. But then, it doesn’t have to be built with Ambroid or Synco or covered with Gas model silkspan, or painted with multiple coats of dope.
Building a Champ from Bob Holman’s kit with cyanoacrylate, heat-shrink covering, and a modern radio and engine would be an easy—and rewarding—project. The reward would be a neat, way-off-the-beaten-path sport model.
I hope I’ve stimulated some readers to pursue building a scale model of an unusual prototype. If not, at least I’ve had an excuse to show off pictures of some rare aircraft.
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
