Flying For Fun - 2006/01

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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
ugly prototypes just for the sake of being different. These include
a Monoprep, a Luton Minor, a Rearwin Junior, a Druine
Turbulent, a Jodel Bebe, a Wittman Big X, a Loening M-8, and a
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 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 LE, 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. But 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
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 of 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.
Terry Holbrook fell in love with the
Storch after finding an old profile
publication about it. This led to his reading
everything he could find about the aircraft,
and that’s at least half the fun of developing
an out-of-the-rut prototype.
After several years of research Terry
chose to build a Dennis Bryant (of
January 2006 75
Ryan YO-51 “Flying Motorcycle” three-views in the March 1942
Model Airplane News. This was an early US attempt at a STOL
design. It had Handley Page LE slots and Fowler flaps.
Balsa USA Erocoupe by Lamoine Buel. The finish is automotive
acrylic with clear coat. This lovely rendition flies well.
The deBolt Champ, in the July 1955 Model Airplane News, was considered an RC Scale
model 50 years ago. A new laser-cut kit would make a great sport model today.
Some of those were rubber-powered FF models, some were CL
Scale aircraft, and others were for RC Scale. However, all were
delightful in development and in flying.
As many Scale builders have learned, it’s neat to have other
modelers and spectators ask “What is that?” or exclaim “That’s a
… !” And the ultimate compliment is “Now don’t tell me; I know
that airplane but can’t come up with a name.”
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 colorand-
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 custommade,
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 270-
horsepower, inverted six and weighed
2,050 pounds empty. It had a range of 109
mph top speed and 32 mph low speed.
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.
Lamoine Buel of Independence,
Kansas, built an attractive Erocoupe 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 PK propeller. It flew
solid and at near-scale speed when I saw it.
The Erocoupe 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 Erocoupe,
including Airco, Erco, Forney, and Alon
(in McPerson, 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 multidiscipline event), Ernie
Babcock Jr. won the high-point overall
trophy. The prize was a full-scale
Erocoupe (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!
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 the previously
mentioned Bob Holman Plans. He has a
huge list of designs from around the
world, with England and the old
Aeromodeler Magazine topping the list as
his sources.
Another of my favorites 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 US.
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 kitters don’t, but it’s certainly
refreshing.
Some prototypes that I think would
make superb Scale models (kits or ARFs)
are the Luscombe Model 10, the Navion in
its various forms, the Globe Swift, the
Comper Swift, the Culver V, and my alltime
favorite: the Piper Skycycle.
I’ve included an old ad photo of Hal
deBolt’s Aeronca Champ kit from 1955
for a couple reasons, one of which is to
consider 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
no throttles, this design was considered a
wonder. Although it looks primitive and
not too scalelike 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 all 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 such 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