Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/02
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13

It’s Not Too Late …
Irle White (473 Thomas Dr., Libby MT 59923; E-mail:
[email protected]) resumed modeling three years ago after a roughly
60-year hiatus. Shown (L-R) are four Radio Control models he has
scratch-built.
The Culver Dart is powered by an O.S. .40. The biplane is a
Beechcraft Staggerwing powered by an ASP .35. The Duster, a
William Winter design published in the March 1999 Model Aviation,
is powered by an O.S. .46 engine. The Playboy is from a redesign
for an electric-powered version of that Old-Timer, but Irle chose to
power his with a Cox .061 engine.
All of the models use Futaba radio equipment
10 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Fokker D.VIII
Frank DiGiacomo (420 Groveland Tr., Michiana Shores IN
46360; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Fun Scale
design by James Gilgenbach from Model Aviation plans number
500.
It is covered with Sig Koverall and Sig dope. The insignia shown
is that of Jasta 11: the Red Baron’s squadron.
The Fokker spans 84 inches and is powered by an O.S. 90 fourstroke
engine. Unlike James Gilgenbach’s design, Frank had to add a
pound of lead in the nose.
PBY Catalina
Robert J. Gillespie’s (737 Campus Dr., Twin Falls ID 83301)
Consolidated Catalina was built from a G&P Sales kit.
It has a pair of MECOA .28 ball-bearing engines for power and a
Futaba 8UHF radio using six servos.
The model features retractable wingtip floats that retract out to
the wingtips, as on the full-scale aircraft. The Catalina weighs just
less than 8 pounds and has a wingspan of 56 inches when the
wingtip floats are extended into the tips.
The fuselage is fiberglass, and the wings and tail feathers are
foam core covered with 3⁄32 sheet balsa. Robert covered the wings
and tail feathers with Clear MonoKote, sanded them lightly, primed
them, and painted them with TopFlite spray paint.
Somethin’ Extra
Art DeSmet’s (9020 Baldwin Rd., Monroe MI 48162) Sig
Somethin’ Extra is powered by a Saito 56 engine with a 12 x 6
propeller. The radio is a Futaba 6XA.
The model is covered with MonoKote. The color scheme is a
modified Gee Bee and Art’s design combined. The Williams Bros.
pilot is wearing a hat that Art made from a Ping-Pong ball and
denim from some old Levi’s.
“I can tell this airplane is going to be a real blast!” he wrote.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:54 pm Page 10

February 2003 11
Skyrocket
This is the fifth twin and the second Grumman Skyrocket that
John G. Giles (3240 N.W. 14th, Oklahoma City OK 73107; E-mail:
[email protected]) has built.
He wanted a twin he could fly from grass fields, so the gear is
overbuilt and fixed. The model weighs 9 pounds and is powered by
Saito 56s using 12 x 6 APC propellers.
“The Saitos will produce 10+ pounds of thrust, so it can be lively
if you want,” wrote John.
Patty’s Extra
Dave Hamblin’s (4567 Eldywood Ln., Batavia OH 45103-1103;
E-mail: [email protected]) Great Planes 60-size Extra 300S is
finished in Patty Wagstaff’s 1999 color scheme. (Visit
www.aerobaticsource.com.)
The kit is covered with 21st Century Fabric in White and
TopFlite LustreKote paint. The decals are by Die-Hard Graphics. A
custom figure by Virtual Reality Pilots sits in the cockpit.
“The engine is a Saito 120 four-stroke, and the radio is a JR
8103,” wrote Dave. “Both have been proven in some of my other
airplanes.”
Windfreak
Paul Rushing’s (2320 22nd Ave., San Francisco CA 94116)
sailplane is a Windfreak built from Radio Control Modeler plans
number 743.
The model spans 99 inches and has rudder/elevator control.
Paul is holding his model at an “excellent slope soaring site.” The
Pacific Ocean is in the background.
Four-Star 60
Steve Rowe (Box 150, Letts IA 52754; E-mail:
[email protected]) powers his Sig Manufacturing model with
a YS 91 AC engine.
The model spans 76 inches and weighs 9 pounds. It has a 28-
ounce fuel tank mounted on the center of gravity (CG), flaps, a 14-
ounce smoke tank, and a sheeted turtledeck. Steve reshaped the tail
surfaces and added shaped wingtips.
“Forty-five degrees of flaps stops the floating, and causes the
airplane to sink nicely for excellent landing characteristics,” wrote
Steve. “With aft CG and 35 degrees of control surfaces it does actual
flat spins that are awesome to see with the smoke on. De-rate control
surfaces for normal flight!”
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:55 pm Page 11

12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12

12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/02
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13

It’s Not Too Late …
Irle White (473 Thomas Dr., Libby MT 59923; E-mail:
[email protected]) resumed modeling three years ago after a roughly
60-year hiatus. Shown (L-R) are four Radio Control models he has
scratch-built.
The Culver Dart is powered by an O.S. .40. The biplane is a
Beechcraft Staggerwing powered by an ASP .35. The Duster, a
William Winter design published in the March 1999 Model Aviation,
is powered by an O.S. .46 engine. The Playboy is from a redesign
for an electric-powered version of that Old-Timer, but Irle chose to
power his with a Cox .061 engine.
All of the models use Futaba radio equipment
10 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Fokker D.VIII
Frank DiGiacomo (420 Groveland Tr., Michiana Shores IN
46360; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Fun Scale
design by James Gilgenbach from Model Aviation plans number
500.
It is covered with Sig Koverall and Sig dope. The insignia shown
is that of Jasta 11: the Red Baron’s squadron.
The Fokker spans 84 inches and is powered by an O.S. 90 fourstroke
engine. Unlike James Gilgenbach’s design, Frank had to add a
pound of lead in the nose.
PBY Catalina
Robert J. Gillespie’s (737 Campus Dr., Twin Falls ID 83301)
Consolidated Catalina was built from a G&P Sales kit.
It has a pair of MECOA .28 ball-bearing engines for power and a
Futaba 8UHF radio using six servos.
The model features retractable wingtip floats that retract out to
the wingtips, as on the full-scale aircraft. The Catalina weighs just
less than 8 pounds and has a wingspan of 56 inches when the
wingtip floats are extended into the tips.
The fuselage is fiberglass, and the wings and tail feathers are
foam core covered with 3⁄32 sheet balsa. Robert covered the wings
and tail feathers with Clear MonoKote, sanded them lightly, primed
them, and painted them with TopFlite spray paint.
Somethin’ Extra
Art DeSmet’s (9020 Baldwin Rd., Monroe MI 48162) Sig
Somethin’ Extra is powered by a Saito 56 engine with a 12 x 6
propeller. The radio is a Futaba 6XA.
The model is covered with MonoKote. The color scheme is a
modified Gee Bee and Art’s design combined. The Williams Bros.
pilot is wearing a hat that Art made from a Ping-Pong ball and
denim from some old Levi’s.
“I can tell this airplane is going to be a real blast!” he wrote.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:54 pm Page 10

February 2003 11
Skyrocket
This is the fifth twin and the second Grumman Skyrocket that
John G. Giles (3240 N.W. 14th, Oklahoma City OK 73107; E-mail:
[email protected]) has built.
He wanted a twin he could fly from grass fields, so the gear is
overbuilt and fixed. The model weighs 9 pounds and is powered by
Saito 56s using 12 x 6 APC propellers.
“The Saitos will produce 10+ pounds of thrust, so it can be lively
if you want,” wrote John.
Patty’s Extra
Dave Hamblin’s (4567 Eldywood Ln., Batavia OH 45103-1103;
E-mail: [email protected]) Great Planes 60-size Extra 300S is
finished in Patty Wagstaff’s 1999 color scheme. (Visit
www.aerobaticsource.com.)
The kit is covered with 21st Century Fabric in White and
TopFlite LustreKote paint. The decals are by Die-Hard Graphics. A
custom figure by Virtual Reality Pilots sits in the cockpit.
“The engine is a Saito 120 four-stroke, and the radio is a JR
8103,” wrote Dave. “Both have been proven in some of my other
airplanes.”
Windfreak
Paul Rushing’s (2320 22nd Ave., San Francisco CA 94116)
sailplane is a Windfreak built from Radio Control Modeler plans
number 743.
The model spans 99 inches and has rudder/elevator control.
Paul is holding his model at an “excellent slope soaring site.” The
Pacific Ocean is in the background.
Four-Star 60
Steve Rowe (Box 150, Letts IA 52754; E-mail:
[email protected]) powers his Sig Manufacturing model with
a YS 91 AC engine.
The model spans 76 inches and weighs 9 pounds. It has a 28-
ounce fuel tank mounted on the center of gravity (CG), flaps, a 14-
ounce smoke tank, and a sheeted turtledeck. Steve reshaped the tail
surfaces and added shaped wingtips.
“Forty-five degrees of flaps stops the floating, and causes the
airplane to sink nicely for excellent landing characteristics,” wrote
Steve. “With aft CG and 35 degrees of control surfaces it does actual
flat spins that are awesome to see with the smoke on. De-rate control
surfaces for normal flight!”
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:55 pm Page 11

12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12

12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/02
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13

It’s Not Too Late …
Irle White (473 Thomas Dr., Libby MT 59923; E-mail:
[email protected]) resumed modeling three years ago after a roughly
60-year hiatus. Shown (L-R) are four Radio Control models he has
scratch-built.
The Culver Dart is powered by an O.S. .40. The biplane is a
Beechcraft Staggerwing powered by an ASP .35. The Duster, a
William Winter design published in the March 1999 Model Aviation,
is powered by an O.S. .46 engine. The Playboy is from a redesign
for an electric-powered version of that Old-Timer, but Irle chose to
power his with a Cox .061 engine.
All of the models use Futaba radio equipment
10 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Fokker D.VIII
Frank DiGiacomo (420 Groveland Tr., Michiana Shores IN
46360; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Fun Scale
design by James Gilgenbach from Model Aviation plans number
500.
It is covered with Sig Koverall and Sig dope. The insignia shown
is that of Jasta 11: the Red Baron’s squadron.
The Fokker spans 84 inches and is powered by an O.S. 90 fourstroke
engine. Unlike James Gilgenbach’s design, Frank had to add a
pound of lead in the nose.
PBY Catalina
Robert J. Gillespie’s (737 Campus Dr., Twin Falls ID 83301)
Consolidated Catalina was built from a G&P Sales kit.
It has a pair of MECOA .28 ball-bearing engines for power and a
Futaba 8UHF radio using six servos.
The model features retractable wingtip floats that retract out to
the wingtips, as on the full-scale aircraft. The Catalina weighs just
less than 8 pounds and has a wingspan of 56 inches when the
wingtip floats are extended into the tips.
The fuselage is fiberglass, and the wings and tail feathers are
foam core covered with 3⁄32 sheet balsa. Robert covered the wings
and tail feathers with Clear MonoKote, sanded them lightly, primed
them, and painted them with TopFlite spray paint.
Somethin’ Extra
Art DeSmet’s (9020 Baldwin Rd., Monroe MI 48162) Sig
Somethin’ Extra is powered by a Saito 56 engine with a 12 x 6
propeller. The radio is a Futaba 6XA.
The model is covered with MonoKote. The color scheme is a
modified Gee Bee and Art’s design combined. The Williams Bros.
pilot is wearing a hat that Art made from a Ping-Pong ball and
denim from some old Levi’s.
“I can tell this airplane is going to be a real blast!” he wrote.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:54 pm Page 10

February 2003 11
Skyrocket
This is the fifth twin and the second Grumman Skyrocket that
John G. Giles (3240 N.W. 14th, Oklahoma City OK 73107; E-mail:
[email protected]) has built.
He wanted a twin he could fly from grass fields, so the gear is
overbuilt and fixed. The model weighs 9 pounds and is powered by
Saito 56s using 12 x 6 APC propellers.
“The Saitos will produce 10+ pounds of thrust, so it can be lively
if you want,” wrote John.
Patty’s Extra
Dave Hamblin’s (4567 Eldywood Ln., Batavia OH 45103-1103;
E-mail: [email protected]) Great Planes 60-size Extra 300S is
finished in Patty Wagstaff’s 1999 color scheme. (Visit
www.aerobaticsource.com.)
The kit is covered with 21st Century Fabric in White and
TopFlite LustreKote paint. The decals are by Die-Hard Graphics. A
custom figure by Virtual Reality Pilots sits in the cockpit.
“The engine is a Saito 120 four-stroke, and the radio is a JR
8103,” wrote Dave. “Both have been proven in some of my other
airplanes.”
Windfreak
Paul Rushing’s (2320 22nd Ave., San Francisco CA 94116)
sailplane is a Windfreak built from Radio Control Modeler plans
number 743.
The model spans 99 inches and has rudder/elevator control.
Paul is holding his model at an “excellent slope soaring site.” The
Pacific Ocean is in the background.
Four-Star 60
Steve Rowe (Box 150, Letts IA 52754; E-mail:
[email protected]) powers his Sig Manufacturing model with
a YS 91 AC engine.
The model spans 76 inches and weighs 9 pounds. It has a 28-
ounce fuel tank mounted on the center of gravity (CG), flaps, a 14-
ounce smoke tank, and a sheeted turtledeck. Steve reshaped the tail
surfaces and added shaped wingtips.
“Forty-five degrees of flaps stops the floating, and causes the
airplane to sink nicely for excellent landing characteristics,” wrote
Steve. “With aft CG and 35 degrees of control surfaces it does actual
flat spins that are awesome to see with the smoke on. De-rate control
surfaces for normal flight!”
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:55 pm Page 11

12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12

12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/02
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13

It’s Not Too Late …
Irle White (473 Thomas Dr., Libby MT 59923; E-mail:
[email protected]) resumed modeling three years ago after a roughly
60-year hiatus. Shown (L-R) are four Radio Control models he has
scratch-built.
The Culver Dart is powered by an O.S. .40. The biplane is a
Beechcraft Staggerwing powered by an ASP .35. The Duster, a
William Winter design published in the March 1999 Model Aviation,
is powered by an O.S. .46 engine. The Playboy is from a redesign
for an electric-powered version of that Old-Timer, but Irle chose to
power his with a Cox .061 engine.
All of the models use Futaba radio equipment
10 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Fokker D.VIII
Frank DiGiacomo (420 Groveland Tr., Michiana Shores IN
46360; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Fun Scale
design by James Gilgenbach from Model Aviation plans number
500.
It is covered with Sig Koverall and Sig dope. The insignia shown
is that of Jasta 11: the Red Baron’s squadron.
The Fokker spans 84 inches and is powered by an O.S. 90 fourstroke
engine. Unlike James Gilgenbach’s design, Frank had to add a
pound of lead in the nose.
PBY Catalina
Robert J. Gillespie’s (737 Campus Dr., Twin Falls ID 83301)
Consolidated Catalina was built from a G&P Sales kit.
It has a pair of MECOA .28 ball-bearing engines for power and a
Futaba 8UHF radio using six servos.
The model features retractable wingtip floats that retract out to
the wingtips, as on the full-scale aircraft. The Catalina weighs just
less than 8 pounds and has a wingspan of 56 inches when the
wingtip floats are extended into the tips.
The fuselage is fiberglass, and the wings and tail feathers are
foam core covered with 3⁄32 sheet balsa. Robert covered the wings
and tail feathers with Clear MonoKote, sanded them lightly, primed
them, and painted them with TopFlite spray paint.
Somethin’ Extra
Art DeSmet’s (9020 Baldwin Rd., Monroe MI 48162) Sig
Somethin’ Extra is powered by a Saito 56 engine with a 12 x 6
propeller. The radio is a Futaba 6XA.
The model is covered with MonoKote. The color scheme is a
modified Gee Bee and Art’s design combined. The Williams Bros.
pilot is wearing a hat that Art made from a Ping-Pong ball and
denim from some old Levi’s.
“I can tell this airplane is going to be a real blast!” he wrote.
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February 2003 11
Skyrocket
This is the fifth twin and the second Grumman Skyrocket that
John G. Giles (3240 N.W. 14th, Oklahoma City OK 73107; E-mail:
[email protected]) has built.
He wanted a twin he could fly from grass fields, so the gear is
overbuilt and fixed. The model weighs 9 pounds and is powered by
Saito 56s using 12 x 6 APC propellers.
“The Saitos will produce 10+ pounds of thrust, so it can be lively
if you want,” wrote John.
Patty’s Extra
Dave Hamblin’s (4567 Eldywood Ln., Batavia OH 45103-1103;
E-mail: [email protected]) Great Planes 60-size Extra 300S is
finished in Patty Wagstaff’s 1999 color scheme. (Visit
www.aerobaticsource.com.)
The kit is covered with 21st Century Fabric in White and
TopFlite LustreKote paint. The decals are by Die-Hard Graphics. A
custom figure by Virtual Reality Pilots sits in the cockpit.
“The engine is a Saito 120 four-stroke, and the radio is a JR
8103,” wrote Dave. “Both have been proven in some of my other
airplanes.”
Windfreak
Paul Rushing’s (2320 22nd Ave., San Francisco CA 94116)
sailplane is a Windfreak built from Radio Control Modeler plans
number 743.
The model spans 99 inches and has rudder/elevator control.
Paul is holding his model at an “excellent slope soaring site.” The
Pacific Ocean is in the background.
Four-Star 60
Steve Rowe (Box 150, Letts IA 52754; E-mail:
[email protected]) powers his Sig Manufacturing model with
a YS 91 AC engine.
The model spans 76 inches and weighs 9 pounds. It has a 28-
ounce fuel tank mounted on the center of gravity (CG), flaps, a 14-
ounce smoke tank, and a sheeted turtledeck. Steve reshaped the tail
surfaces and added shaped wingtips.
“Forty-five degrees of flaps stops the floating, and causes the
airplane to sink nicely for excellent landing characteristics,” wrote
Steve. “With aft CG and 35 degrees of control surfaces it does actual
flat spins that are awesome to see with the smoke on. De-rate control
surfaces for normal flight!”
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12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12

12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Vintage Comet
Richard Tacklind’s (1326 Laurel St., Santa Cruz CA 95060)
daughter Tami Tacklind holds his late-1930s Comet sailplane built
from a John Pond “rib kit.”
The model is covered with UltraCote and Perfect Paint. It has a
geared Astro Cobalt 25 motor with 16 cells, an MEC speed
controller, and an Airtronics radio. Microservos are located in the
tail with no external linkage.
“My dad built one of these in 1940 (Free Flight of course),”
wrote Richard. “This one has been updated for the millennium with
electric power.”
Extra 300S
Gene Coleman (3400 S. Ironwood Dr. #252, Apache Junction
AZ 85220) is shown with his Great Planes 60-size 300S.
It is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, covered with MonoKote,
and has graphics by Signs Now of Mesa, Arizona. The cowl and
wheel pants are by Stan’s Fiber Tech. The Extra has a Futaba 8UA
radio system with S9202 servos.
“It is a very stable flier but can be set up on high rates to do
whatever the flier wants,” wrote Gene.
Seniorita
Longtime modeler Milt Woodham (3091 Avondale Dr., Colorado
Springs CO 80917; E-mail: [email protected]) built this Sig
model to teach his 8-year-old grandson Jacob Sharpton to fly.
The Seniorita uses a MECOA .32 engine for power and an
Airtronics RD6000 radio system for guidance.
That is Pikes Peak in the background of this picture.
Power Scale Soaring
Brian Koester’s (5713 W. 79th St., Los Angeles CA 90045; Email:
[email protected]) Su-35 (at the bottom of the photo) and
F-14 Tomcat were built from AMD (amd.org.hk) slope sailplane kits
manufactured in Hong Kong.
Both have fiberglass fuselages, sheeted foam wings, and solidbalsa
tail feathers.
The 48-ounce Su-35 is painted with Benjamin Moore exterior
latex applied with an airbrush. Its pilot is a 1⁄24-scale G.I. Joe action
figure. The airfoil is an MH-22.
The 33-ounce F-14’s fuselage was painted with LustreKote, and
its wings and tail were covered with MonoKote. The tail emblems
were hand-cut from vinyl.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:56 pm Page 12