10 MODEL AVIATION
Giles CL Stunters
Phil Cartier (1249 Jill Dr., Hummelstown PA 17036), left, and
Gil Reedy fly these Giles Stunters. The big profile design is modeled
after the full-scale aerobatic airplane.
The Giles features a unique hollow foam wing with I-beam
construction, resulting in a light, stiff structure. Most of the fuselage
is a foam-core profile sheeted with 1⁄16 balsa. The front end is solid
3⁄4 balsa covered with fiberglass for stiffness.
The model spans 60 inches with 750 square inches of wing area.
All-up weight is roughly 45 ounces. An O.S. Max 40 LA provides
plenty of power to turn an 11 x 4 or 12 x 4 propeller.
“These airplanes turn in a heck of a pattern and are easy and fast
to build to boot,” wrote Phil.
Comet Clipper
Raymond H. Barnes (3215 Seven Lakes West, Seven Lakes NC
27376) scratch-built this Comet Clipper 43 years after the first one
that he built in 1939, when he was 14.
This airplane is powered by a Saito 30 engine. According to him,
it “ ... purrs on high throttle for 10 or 15 minutes at altitude.”
The model is equipped with throttle, elevator, and rudder control.
“It is good to be alert for an unexpected thermal, as the Clipper
gets very small up there,” wrote Ray.
Kit-Bashed Albatros
Herman Burton (2918 Sea Ledge Dr., Seabrook TX 77586; Email:
[email protected]) kit-bashed the Fred Reese-designed
vintage biplane into a model that resembles Gerhard Bassenge’s
Albatros D.III of 1917.
Herman added many features, including Williams Bros. scale
machine guns and scale wheels, a leather-padded cockpit opening,
flying wires, a tail skid with functional bungee cords, and an
instrument panel using J’Tec instruments.
He painted the model using The Home Depot’s Painter’s Choice
paint, and then he fuel-proofed it with a coat of cross-linked, waterbased
polyurethane from Nelson Hobby Specialties.
Verville-Sperry R-3
Gerald W. Bunn (1225 NW 21st St. Apt. 314, Stuart FL 34994;
E-mail: [email protected]) scratch-built this airplane from a
Paul Matt three-view. He modeled it after the full-scale airplane that
won the 1924 Pulitzer Prize race at a speed of 219 mph.
The model has a wingspan of 80 inches and weighs roughly 10
pounds. It is powered by a Thunder Tiger 1.20 two-stroke engine.
According to Gerald, it flies very well.
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:45 pm Page 10
November 2004 11
Sweet-Flying Pica P-51
Rick Carlo (402 Spaceway Dr., San Antonio TX 78239) built his
1⁄5-scale P-51 Mustang from a Pica kit.
The model spans 89 inches, weighs 35 pounds, and is fitted with
Robart retracts that feature synchronized landing-gear doors. It uses
a Zenoah G-62 engine for power.
It took Rick four years to build the P-51, and he finished it using
automotive paints and a Du Pont clear coat.
“The first flight was a handful because of a tail-heavy situation,”
he wrote. “But that’s been corrected now and she’s a sweet-flying
airplane.”
Swoose
Pete McLaughlin (Box 1210, Castle Dale UT 84513) constructed
this Swoose from Nick Ziroli plans that were published in the
October 1989 Model Airplane News magazine. The design was
originally a FF model from 1946. It was scaled up and converted to
RC operation.
The wing and fuselage are covered with Super Coverite. The
balsa floats are covered with fiberglass and polyester resin, and the
entire 62-inch-span model was painted with 21st Century paint.
“The Swoose flies well with a GMS-47 for power,” wrote Pete.
Wing Mfg. B-25
Charlie Teixeira (1711 Bowline Rd., Houston TX 77062; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄9-scale North American B-25J from a
Wing Manufacturing kit.
It is powered by two Saito 72 four-stroke engines, has Robart
retracts, and is controlled by a Futaba 9C radio with 11 servos. The
engines use EMS glow drivers and a Futaba MSA-10 for
synchronization of the engine servos.
The 22-pound model was finished with lightweight fiberglass
cloth, West System epoxy, and Perfect Paint.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
Catawba Valley Extra
Mary Thornburg (1005 S. Main Ave., Newton NC 28658) sent
this photo of fellow club member Mark McClellan’s 40% Extra
330L.
It was built from a 3W kit and is powered by a 3W-150 twin
spark engine. Guidance is provided by a JR radio system using 11
JR 8411 servos and a 2721 servo on the throttle. The Extra has two
10-channel PCM receivers onboard, each with its own battery
system.
The airplane weighs 40 pounds and has a 118-inch wingspan.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:48 pm Page 11
12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Swept-Forward Experiment
Tim Czerwonka (880 Violet Ln., Oregon WI 53575; E-mail:
[email protected]), who is a 1992 Charles Hampson Grant
scholarship recipient, decided to try designing an RC model. His
first effort resulted in this swept-forward-wing design.
The airplane is powered by a .25 engine and has a wingspan of
48 inches. There is 5 inches of forward sweep in the wing planform.
Construction is of traditional balsa, with a carbon-fiber arrow-shaft
spar in the wing.
“It’s fun to fly and is unexpectedly stable in the air,” wrote Tim.
Aquatic T-Craft
Mike Remsberg (3060 Tohopekaliga Dr., St. Cloud FL 34772; Email:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄3-scale Taylorcraft and then
converted it for float-flying operation.
It is powered by an O.S. 1.60 FX engine and weighs 19 pounds.
“After flying exclusively 1⁄4-scale aerobats and living on a large
lake in Central Florida, it seemed like a natural to get the T-Craft
onto floats,” wrote Mike. “The first flight was ‘inconclusive’ due to
a minor structural failure. I expect great performance with some of
the structural improvements I’ve made.”
Fairey Firefly
Vance Mosher (4700 NE 58th St., Vancouver WA 98661; Email:
[email protected]) designed and built this 80.5-inch-wingspan
Fairey Firefly Mk.V Korean War-era British two-seat fighterbomber.
He made the molds for the cowling, canopy, wing pods, guns,
and other parts. The model is balsa-and-plywood and weighs 20
pounds. It flies on a Saito 120 engine and has specially made CJM
retracts.
“The Firefly is an exceptionally smooth flier and is easy to land
compared to other fighters,” wrote Vance.
Enlarged Cheap-Shot
Lenie L. Lawrence (87 Makalani Pl., Makawao HI 96768; Email:
[email protected]) sent this photo of his giant flying-wing
Slope Soarer. It spans 110 inches.
The foam cores for this sailplane were purchased from
FlyingFoam.com. The wing is an enlargement of a 48-inch flying
wing called the Cheap-Shot. Lenie’s model features carbon-fiber
spoilers that are set directly above the CG, and it has a total of six
servos.
“It is an extremely good flier,” wrote Lenie.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:50 pm Page 12
November 2004 13
First Giant Scale Project
Robert Tew (3311 Falls Creek Dr., Nashville TN 37214) built
this 1⁄5-scale Top Flite P-51D for his first Giant Scale project.
A Zenoah G-62 engine fitted with a custom-made muffler
powers the model, which features a Futaba 9C radio system, a
lighting system, droppable wing tanks (not shown), and Robart
retracts with sequenced gear doors that operate like the full-scale
ones.
Robert’s model spans 85 inches and weighs 27.2 pounds. It is
painted with custom aluminum pigment lacquer, with primer panel
lines, and has custom graphics to match its full-scale counterpart.
“It needs a long runway!” wrote Robert.
Waiting for the Wind
Bob See (8043 Stoneridge Dr., Cheyenne WY 82009; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 6.75-pound Ultimate 40-size biplane
from a Great Planes kit.
The model spans 43 inches and is covered with MonoKote. It is
powered by a Saito 72 four-stroke engine which turns an APC 13 x
6 propeller. Bob uses a Futaba Super 8U transmitter and receiver for
guidance, and he uses Hitec high-torque, ball-bearing servos to
power the control surfaces.
“I am waiting for the Wyoming ‘breeze’ to let up before the
initial test flight,” he wrote.
Nostalgic C-130
James Corkern (113 Belle Cherie Dr., Slidell LA 70461; E-mail:
[email protected]) modeled this C-130 Hercules after the ones he
flew in Southeast Asia.
It is powered by four Saito 30 engines and is controlled via an
ACE Micropro 8000 radio.
The model was painted using Behr house paint that was colormatched
to photos of full-scale airplanes that James flew. It features
a fiberglass fuselage and foam-core wings that were sheeted and
fiberglassed.
“Takeoffs are very realistic, and so is the flight performance,” he
wrote.
Proud of your latest building/flying effort? Share it with MA’s readers
and/or visitors to AMA’s Web site (www.modelaircraft.org)! Send us a
glossy color print or digital photo on CD-ROM (minimum 300 ppi) with an
appropriate description of the model, and we will publish or post the best
submissions.
No E-mailed photos, laser copies, ink-jet copies, or photocopies will be
accepted. Restrict content to the model with or without the owner/builder.
Inappropriate photos will not be published.
Supply your full address (and E-mail address if available) so that
interested parties may contact you directly. Send all submissions to Bob
Hunt, Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083, ATTN: Focal Point. Because of this
section’s popularity, it may be several months before your model is
featured.
Easy Sport
Steve Wissink (7035 Mountain Rd., Pickett WI 54964; E-mail:
[email protected]) was away from model-building for 30 years, and
this is the first airplane he built upon his return to the hobby/sport.
He powers his Great Planes Easy Sport with a Thunder Tiger Pro
.46 engine. He chose a Futaba 6XAS radio system for guidance, and
the model is covered with MonoKote.
“The airplane flew just great on the first flight and needed only
minor trim adjustments to fly straight and level,” wrote Steve.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:51 pm Page 13
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/11
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/11
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13
10 MODEL AVIATION
Giles CL Stunters
Phil Cartier (1249 Jill Dr., Hummelstown PA 17036), left, and
Gil Reedy fly these Giles Stunters. The big profile design is modeled
after the full-scale aerobatic airplane.
The Giles features a unique hollow foam wing with I-beam
construction, resulting in a light, stiff structure. Most of the fuselage
is a foam-core profile sheeted with 1⁄16 balsa. The front end is solid
3⁄4 balsa covered with fiberglass for stiffness.
The model spans 60 inches with 750 square inches of wing area.
All-up weight is roughly 45 ounces. An O.S. Max 40 LA provides
plenty of power to turn an 11 x 4 or 12 x 4 propeller.
“These airplanes turn in a heck of a pattern and are easy and fast
to build to boot,” wrote Phil.
Comet Clipper
Raymond H. Barnes (3215 Seven Lakes West, Seven Lakes NC
27376) scratch-built this Comet Clipper 43 years after the first one
that he built in 1939, when he was 14.
This airplane is powered by a Saito 30 engine. According to him,
it “ ... purrs on high throttle for 10 or 15 minutes at altitude.”
The model is equipped with throttle, elevator, and rudder control.
“It is good to be alert for an unexpected thermal, as the Clipper
gets very small up there,” wrote Ray.
Kit-Bashed Albatros
Herman Burton (2918 Sea Ledge Dr., Seabrook TX 77586; Email:
[email protected]) kit-bashed the Fred Reese-designed
vintage biplane into a model that resembles Gerhard Bassenge’s
Albatros D.III of 1917.
Herman added many features, including Williams Bros. scale
machine guns and scale wheels, a leather-padded cockpit opening,
flying wires, a tail skid with functional bungee cords, and an
instrument panel using J’Tec instruments.
He painted the model using The Home Depot’s Painter’s Choice
paint, and then he fuel-proofed it with a coat of cross-linked, waterbased
polyurethane from Nelson Hobby Specialties.
Verville-Sperry R-3
Gerald W. Bunn (1225 NW 21st St. Apt. 314, Stuart FL 34994;
E-mail: [email protected]) scratch-built this airplane from a
Paul Matt three-view. He modeled it after the full-scale airplane that
won the 1924 Pulitzer Prize race at a speed of 219 mph.
The model has a wingspan of 80 inches and weighs roughly 10
pounds. It is powered by a Thunder Tiger 1.20 two-stroke engine.
According to Gerald, it flies very well.
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:45 pm Page 10
November 2004 11
Sweet-Flying Pica P-51
Rick Carlo (402 Spaceway Dr., San Antonio TX 78239) built his
1⁄5-scale P-51 Mustang from a Pica kit.
The model spans 89 inches, weighs 35 pounds, and is fitted with
Robart retracts that feature synchronized landing-gear doors. It uses
a Zenoah G-62 engine for power.
It took Rick four years to build the P-51, and he finished it using
automotive paints and a Du Pont clear coat.
“The first flight was a handful because of a tail-heavy situation,”
he wrote. “But that’s been corrected now and she’s a sweet-flying
airplane.”
Swoose
Pete McLaughlin (Box 1210, Castle Dale UT 84513) constructed
this Swoose from Nick Ziroli plans that were published in the
October 1989 Model Airplane News magazine. The design was
originally a FF model from 1946. It was scaled up and converted to
RC operation.
The wing and fuselage are covered with Super Coverite. The
balsa floats are covered with fiberglass and polyester resin, and the
entire 62-inch-span model was painted with 21st Century paint.
“The Swoose flies well with a GMS-47 for power,” wrote Pete.
Wing Mfg. B-25
Charlie Teixeira (1711 Bowline Rd., Houston TX 77062; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄9-scale North American B-25J from a
Wing Manufacturing kit.
It is powered by two Saito 72 four-stroke engines, has Robart
retracts, and is controlled by a Futaba 9C radio with 11 servos. The
engines use EMS glow drivers and a Futaba MSA-10 for
synchronization of the engine servos.
The 22-pound model was finished with lightweight fiberglass
cloth, West System epoxy, and Perfect Paint.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
Catawba Valley Extra
Mary Thornburg (1005 S. Main Ave., Newton NC 28658) sent
this photo of fellow club member Mark McClellan’s 40% Extra
330L.
It was built from a 3W kit and is powered by a 3W-150 twin
spark engine. Guidance is provided by a JR radio system using 11
JR 8411 servos and a 2721 servo on the throttle. The Extra has two
10-channel PCM receivers onboard, each with its own battery
system.
The airplane weighs 40 pounds and has a 118-inch wingspan.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:48 pm Page 11
12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Swept-Forward Experiment
Tim Czerwonka (880 Violet Ln., Oregon WI 53575; E-mail:
[email protected]), who is a 1992 Charles Hampson Grant
scholarship recipient, decided to try designing an RC model. His
first effort resulted in this swept-forward-wing design.
The airplane is powered by a .25 engine and has a wingspan of
48 inches. There is 5 inches of forward sweep in the wing planform.
Construction is of traditional balsa, with a carbon-fiber arrow-shaft
spar in the wing.
“It’s fun to fly and is unexpectedly stable in the air,” wrote Tim.
Aquatic T-Craft
Mike Remsberg (3060 Tohopekaliga Dr., St. Cloud FL 34772; Email:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄3-scale Taylorcraft and then
converted it for float-flying operation.
It is powered by an O.S. 1.60 FX engine and weighs 19 pounds.
“After flying exclusively 1⁄4-scale aerobats and living on a large
lake in Central Florida, it seemed like a natural to get the T-Craft
onto floats,” wrote Mike. “The first flight was ‘inconclusive’ due to
a minor structural failure. I expect great performance with some of
the structural improvements I’ve made.”
Fairey Firefly
Vance Mosher (4700 NE 58th St., Vancouver WA 98661; Email:
[email protected]) designed and built this 80.5-inch-wingspan
Fairey Firefly Mk.V Korean War-era British two-seat fighterbomber.
He made the molds for the cowling, canopy, wing pods, guns,
and other parts. The model is balsa-and-plywood and weighs 20
pounds. It flies on a Saito 120 engine and has specially made CJM
retracts.
“The Firefly is an exceptionally smooth flier and is easy to land
compared to other fighters,” wrote Vance.
Enlarged Cheap-Shot
Lenie L. Lawrence (87 Makalani Pl., Makawao HI 96768; Email:
[email protected]) sent this photo of his giant flying-wing
Slope Soarer. It spans 110 inches.
The foam cores for this sailplane were purchased from
FlyingFoam.com. The wing is an enlargement of a 48-inch flying
wing called the Cheap-Shot. Lenie’s model features carbon-fiber
spoilers that are set directly above the CG, and it has a total of six
servos.
“It is an extremely good flier,” wrote Lenie.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:50 pm Page 12
November 2004 13
First Giant Scale Project
Robert Tew (3311 Falls Creek Dr., Nashville TN 37214) built
this 1⁄5-scale Top Flite P-51D for his first Giant Scale project.
A Zenoah G-62 engine fitted with a custom-made muffler
powers the model, which features a Futaba 9C radio system, a
lighting system, droppable wing tanks (not shown), and Robart
retracts with sequenced gear doors that operate like the full-scale
ones.
Robert’s model spans 85 inches and weighs 27.2 pounds. It is
painted with custom aluminum pigment lacquer, with primer panel
lines, and has custom graphics to match its full-scale counterpart.
“It needs a long runway!” wrote Robert.
Waiting for the Wind
Bob See (8043 Stoneridge Dr., Cheyenne WY 82009; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 6.75-pound Ultimate 40-size biplane
from a Great Planes kit.
The model spans 43 inches and is covered with MonoKote. It is
powered by a Saito 72 four-stroke engine which turns an APC 13 x
6 propeller. Bob uses a Futaba Super 8U transmitter and receiver for
guidance, and he uses Hitec high-torque, ball-bearing servos to
power the control surfaces.
“I am waiting for the Wyoming ‘breeze’ to let up before the
initial test flight,” he wrote.
Nostalgic C-130
James Corkern (113 Belle Cherie Dr., Slidell LA 70461; E-mail:
[email protected]) modeled this C-130 Hercules after the ones he
flew in Southeast Asia.
It is powered by four Saito 30 engines and is controlled via an
ACE Micropro 8000 radio.
The model was painted using Behr house paint that was colormatched
to photos of full-scale airplanes that James flew. It features
a fiberglass fuselage and foam-core wings that were sheeted and
fiberglassed.
“Takeoffs are very realistic, and so is the flight performance,” he
wrote.
Proud of your latest building/flying effort? Share it with MA’s readers
and/or visitors to AMA’s Web site (www.modelaircraft.org)! Send us a
glossy color print or digital photo on CD-ROM (minimum 300 ppi) with an
appropriate description of the model, and we will publish or post the best
submissions.
No E-mailed photos, laser copies, ink-jet copies, or photocopies will be
accepted. Restrict content to the model with or without the owner/builder.
Inappropriate photos will not be published.
Supply your full address (and E-mail address if available) so that
interested parties may contact you directly. Send all submissions to Bob
Hunt, Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083, ATTN: Focal Point. Because of this
section’s popularity, it may be several months before your model is
featured.
Easy Sport
Steve Wissink (7035 Mountain Rd., Pickett WI 54964; E-mail:
[email protected]) was away from model-building for 30 years, and
this is the first airplane he built upon his return to the hobby/sport.
He powers his Great Planes Easy Sport with a Thunder Tiger Pro
.46 engine. He chose a Futaba 6XAS radio system for guidance, and
the model is covered with MonoKote.
“The airplane flew just great on the first flight and needed only
minor trim adjustments to fly straight and level,” wrote Steve.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:51 pm Page 13
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/11
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13
10 MODEL AVIATION
Giles CL Stunters
Phil Cartier (1249 Jill Dr., Hummelstown PA 17036), left, and
Gil Reedy fly these Giles Stunters. The big profile design is modeled
after the full-scale aerobatic airplane.
The Giles features a unique hollow foam wing with I-beam
construction, resulting in a light, stiff structure. Most of the fuselage
is a foam-core profile sheeted with 1⁄16 balsa. The front end is solid
3⁄4 balsa covered with fiberglass for stiffness.
The model spans 60 inches with 750 square inches of wing area.
All-up weight is roughly 45 ounces. An O.S. Max 40 LA provides
plenty of power to turn an 11 x 4 or 12 x 4 propeller.
“These airplanes turn in a heck of a pattern and are easy and fast
to build to boot,” wrote Phil.
Comet Clipper
Raymond H. Barnes (3215 Seven Lakes West, Seven Lakes NC
27376) scratch-built this Comet Clipper 43 years after the first one
that he built in 1939, when he was 14.
This airplane is powered by a Saito 30 engine. According to him,
it “ ... purrs on high throttle for 10 or 15 minutes at altitude.”
The model is equipped with throttle, elevator, and rudder control.
“It is good to be alert for an unexpected thermal, as the Clipper
gets very small up there,” wrote Ray.
Kit-Bashed Albatros
Herman Burton (2918 Sea Ledge Dr., Seabrook TX 77586; Email:
[email protected]) kit-bashed the Fred Reese-designed
vintage biplane into a model that resembles Gerhard Bassenge’s
Albatros D.III of 1917.
Herman added many features, including Williams Bros. scale
machine guns and scale wheels, a leather-padded cockpit opening,
flying wires, a tail skid with functional bungee cords, and an
instrument panel using J’Tec instruments.
He painted the model using The Home Depot’s Painter’s Choice
paint, and then he fuel-proofed it with a coat of cross-linked, waterbased
polyurethane from Nelson Hobby Specialties.
Verville-Sperry R-3
Gerald W. Bunn (1225 NW 21st St. Apt. 314, Stuart FL 34994;
E-mail: [email protected]) scratch-built this airplane from a
Paul Matt three-view. He modeled it after the full-scale airplane that
won the 1924 Pulitzer Prize race at a speed of 219 mph.
The model has a wingspan of 80 inches and weighs roughly 10
pounds. It is powered by a Thunder Tiger 1.20 two-stroke engine.
According to Gerald, it flies very well.
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:45 pm Page 10
November 2004 11
Sweet-Flying Pica P-51
Rick Carlo (402 Spaceway Dr., San Antonio TX 78239) built his
1⁄5-scale P-51 Mustang from a Pica kit.
The model spans 89 inches, weighs 35 pounds, and is fitted with
Robart retracts that feature synchronized landing-gear doors. It uses
a Zenoah G-62 engine for power.
It took Rick four years to build the P-51, and he finished it using
automotive paints and a Du Pont clear coat.
“The first flight was a handful because of a tail-heavy situation,”
he wrote. “But that’s been corrected now and she’s a sweet-flying
airplane.”
Swoose
Pete McLaughlin (Box 1210, Castle Dale UT 84513) constructed
this Swoose from Nick Ziroli plans that were published in the
October 1989 Model Airplane News magazine. The design was
originally a FF model from 1946. It was scaled up and converted to
RC operation.
The wing and fuselage are covered with Super Coverite. The
balsa floats are covered with fiberglass and polyester resin, and the
entire 62-inch-span model was painted with 21st Century paint.
“The Swoose flies well with a GMS-47 for power,” wrote Pete.
Wing Mfg. B-25
Charlie Teixeira (1711 Bowline Rd., Houston TX 77062; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄9-scale North American B-25J from a
Wing Manufacturing kit.
It is powered by two Saito 72 four-stroke engines, has Robart
retracts, and is controlled by a Futaba 9C radio with 11 servos. The
engines use EMS glow drivers and a Futaba MSA-10 for
synchronization of the engine servos.
The 22-pound model was finished with lightweight fiberglass
cloth, West System epoxy, and Perfect Paint.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
Catawba Valley Extra
Mary Thornburg (1005 S. Main Ave., Newton NC 28658) sent
this photo of fellow club member Mark McClellan’s 40% Extra
330L.
It was built from a 3W kit and is powered by a 3W-150 twin
spark engine. Guidance is provided by a JR radio system using 11
JR 8411 servos and a 2721 servo on the throttle. The Extra has two
10-channel PCM receivers onboard, each with its own battery
system.
The airplane weighs 40 pounds and has a 118-inch wingspan.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:48 pm Page 11
12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Swept-Forward Experiment
Tim Czerwonka (880 Violet Ln., Oregon WI 53575; E-mail:
[email protected]), who is a 1992 Charles Hampson Grant
scholarship recipient, decided to try designing an RC model. His
first effort resulted in this swept-forward-wing design.
The airplane is powered by a .25 engine and has a wingspan of
48 inches. There is 5 inches of forward sweep in the wing planform.
Construction is of traditional balsa, with a carbon-fiber arrow-shaft
spar in the wing.
“It’s fun to fly and is unexpectedly stable in the air,” wrote Tim.
Aquatic T-Craft
Mike Remsberg (3060 Tohopekaliga Dr., St. Cloud FL 34772; Email:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄3-scale Taylorcraft and then
converted it for float-flying operation.
It is powered by an O.S. 1.60 FX engine and weighs 19 pounds.
“After flying exclusively 1⁄4-scale aerobats and living on a large
lake in Central Florida, it seemed like a natural to get the T-Craft
onto floats,” wrote Mike. “The first flight was ‘inconclusive’ due to
a minor structural failure. I expect great performance with some of
the structural improvements I’ve made.”
Fairey Firefly
Vance Mosher (4700 NE 58th St., Vancouver WA 98661; Email:
[email protected]) designed and built this 80.5-inch-wingspan
Fairey Firefly Mk.V Korean War-era British two-seat fighterbomber.
He made the molds for the cowling, canopy, wing pods, guns,
and other parts. The model is balsa-and-plywood and weighs 20
pounds. It flies on a Saito 120 engine and has specially made CJM
retracts.
“The Firefly is an exceptionally smooth flier and is easy to land
compared to other fighters,” wrote Vance.
Enlarged Cheap-Shot
Lenie L. Lawrence (87 Makalani Pl., Makawao HI 96768; Email:
[email protected]) sent this photo of his giant flying-wing
Slope Soarer. It spans 110 inches.
The foam cores for this sailplane were purchased from
FlyingFoam.com. The wing is an enlargement of a 48-inch flying
wing called the Cheap-Shot. Lenie’s model features carbon-fiber
spoilers that are set directly above the CG, and it has a total of six
servos.
“It is an extremely good flier,” wrote Lenie.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:50 pm Page 12
November 2004 13
First Giant Scale Project
Robert Tew (3311 Falls Creek Dr., Nashville TN 37214) built
this 1⁄5-scale Top Flite P-51D for his first Giant Scale project.
A Zenoah G-62 engine fitted with a custom-made muffler
powers the model, which features a Futaba 9C radio system, a
lighting system, droppable wing tanks (not shown), and Robart
retracts with sequenced gear doors that operate like the full-scale
ones.
Robert’s model spans 85 inches and weighs 27.2 pounds. It is
painted with custom aluminum pigment lacquer, with primer panel
lines, and has custom graphics to match its full-scale counterpart.
“It needs a long runway!” wrote Robert.
Waiting for the Wind
Bob See (8043 Stoneridge Dr., Cheyenne WY 82009; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 6.75-pound Ultimate 40-size biplane
from a Great Planes kit.
The model spans 43 inches and is covered with MonoKote. It is
powered by a Saito 72 four-stroke engine which turns an APC 13 x
6 propeller. Bob uses a Futaba Super 8U transmitter and receiver for
guidance, and he uses Hitec high-torque, ball-bearing servos to
power the control surfaces.
“I am waiting for the Wyoming ‘breeze’ to let up before the
initial test flight,” he wrote.
Nostalgic C-130
James Corkern (113 Belle Cherie Dr., Slidell LA 70461; E-mail:
[email protected]) modeled this C-130 Hercules after the ones he
flew in Southeast Asia.
It is powered by four Saito 30 engines and is controlled via an
ACE Micropro 8000 radio.
The model was painted using Behr house paint that was colormatched
to photos of full-scale airplanes that James flew. It features
a fiberglass fuselage and foam-core wings that were sheeted and
fiberglassed.
“Takeoffs are very realistic, and so is the flight performance,” he
wrote.
Proud of your latest building/flying effort? Share it with MA’s readers
and/or visitors to AMA’s Web site (www.modelaircraft.org)! Send us a
glossy color print or digital photo on CD-ROM (minimum 300 ppi) with an
appropriate description of the model, and we will publish or post the best
submissions.
No E-mailed photos, laser copies, ink-jet copies, or photocopies will be
accepted. Restrict content to the model with or without the owner/builder.
Inappropriate photos will not be published.
Supply your full address (and E-mail address if available) so that
interested parties may contact you directly. Send all submissions to Bob
Hunt, Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083, ATTN: Focal Point. Because of this
section’s popularity, it may be several months before your model is
featured.
Easy Sport
Steve Wissink (7035 Mountain Rd., Pickett WI 54964; E-mail:
[email protected]) was away from model-building for 30 years, and
this is the first airplane he built upon his return to the hobby/sport.
He powers his Great Planes Easy Sport with a Thunder Tiger Pro
.46 engine. He chose a Futaba 6XAS radio system for guidance, and
the model is covered with MonoKote.
“The airplane flew just great on the first flight and needed only
minor trim adjustments to fly straight and level,” wrote Steve.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:51 pm Page 13
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/11
Page Numbers: 10,11,12,13
10 MODEL AVIATION
Giles CL Stunters
Phil Cartier (1249 Jill Dr., Hummelstown PA 17036), left, and
Gil Reedy fly these Giles Stunters. The big profile design is modeled
after the full-scale aerobatic airplane.
The Giles features a unique hollow foam wing with I-beam
construction, resulting in a light, stiff structure. Most of the fuselage
is a foam-core profile sheeted with 1⁄16 balsa. The front end is solid
3⁄4 balsa covered with fiberglass for stiffness.
The model spans 60 inches with 750 square inches of wing area.
All-up weight is roughly 45 ounces. An O.S. Max 40 LA provides
plenty of power to turn an 11 x 4 or 12 x 4 propeller.
“These airplanes turn in a heck of a pattern and are easy and fast
to build to boot,” wrote Phil.
Comet Clipper
Raymond H. Barnes (3215 Seven Lakes West, Seven Lakes NC
27376) scratch-built this Comet Clipper 43 years after the first one
that he built in 1939, when he was 14.
This airplane is powered by a Saito 30 engine. According to him,
it “ ... purrs on high throttle for 10 or 15 minutes at altitude.”
The model is equipped with throttle, elevator, and rudder control.
“It is good to be alert for an unexpected thermal, as the Clipper
gets very small up there,” wrote Ray.
Kit-Bashed Albatros
Herman Burton (2918 Sea Ledge Dr., Seabrook TX 77586; Email:
[email protected]) kit-bashed the Fred Reese-designed
vintage biplane into a model that resembles Gerhard Bassenge’s
Albatros D.III of 1917.
Herman added many features, including Williams Bros. scale
machine guns and scale wheels, a leather-padded cockpit opening,
flying wires, a tail skid with functional bungee cords, and an
instrument panel using J’Tec instruments.
He painted the model using The Home Depot’s Painter’s Choice
paint, and then he fuel-proofed it with a coat of cross-linked, waterbased
polyurethane from Nelson Hobby Specialties.
Verville-Sperry R-3
Gerald W. Bunn (1225 NW 21st St. Apt. 314, Stuart FL 34994;
E-mail: [email protected]) scratch-built this airplane from a
Paul Matt three-view. He modeled it after the full-scale airplane that
won the 1924 Pulitzer Prize race at a speed of 219 mph.
The model has a wingspan of 80 inches and weighs roughly 10
pounds. It is powered by a Thunder Tiger 1.20 two-stroke engine.
According to Gerald, it flies very well.
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:45 pm Page 10
November 2004 11
Sweet-Flying Pica P-51
Rick Carlo (402 Spaceway Dr., San Antonio TX 78239) built his
1⁄5-scale P-51 Mustang from a Pica kit.
The model spans 89 inches, weighs 35 pounds, and is fitted with
Robart retracts that feature synchronized landing-gear doors. It uses
a Zenoah G-62 engine for power.
It took Rick four years to build the P-51, and he finished it using
automotive paints and a Du Pont clear coat.
“The first flight was a handful because of a tail-heavy situation,”
he wrote. “But that’s been corrected now and she’s a sweet-flying
airplane.”
Swoose
Pete McLaughlin (Box 1210, Castle Dale UT 84513) constructed
this Swoose from Nick Ziroli plans that were published in the
October 1989 Model Airplane News magazine. The design was
originally a FF model from 1946. It was scaled up and converted to
RC operation.
The wing and fuselage are covered with Super Coverite. The
balsa floats are covered with fiberglass and polyester resin, and the
entire 62-inch-span model was painted with 21st Century paint.
“The Swoose flies well with a GMS-47 for power,” wrote Pete.
Wing Mfg. B-25
Charlie Teixeira (1711 Bowline Rd., Houston TX 77062; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄9-scale North American B-25J from a
Wing Manufacturing kit.
It is powered by two Saito 72 four-stroke engines, has Robart
retracts, and is controlled by a Futaba 9C radio with 11 servos. The
engines use EMS glow drivers and a Futaba MSA-10 for
synchronization of the engine servos.
The 22-pound model was finished with lightweight fiberglass
cloth, West System epoxy, and Perfect Paint.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
Catawba Valley Extra
Mary Thornburg (1005 S. Main Ave., Newton NC 28658) sent
this photo of fellow club member Mark McClellan’s 40% Extra
330L.
It was built from a 3W kit and is powered by a 3W-150 twin
spark engine. Guidance is provided by a JR radio system using 11
JR 8411 servos and a 2721 servo on the throttle. The Extra has two
10-channel PCM receivers onboard, each with its own battery
system.
The airplane weighs 40 pounds and has a 118-inch wingspan.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:48 pm Page 11
12 MODEL AVIATION
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Focal Point
Swept-Forward Experiment
Tim Czerwonka (880 Violet Ln., Oregon WI 53575; E-mail:
[email protected]), who is a 1992 Charles Hampson Grant
scholarship recipient, decided to try designing an RC model. His
first effort resulted in this swept-forward-wing design.
The airplane is powered by a .25 engine and has a wingspan of
48 inches. There is 5 inches of forward sweep in the wing planform.
Construction is of traditional balsa, with a carbon-fiber arrow-shaft
spar in the wing.
“It’s fun to fly and is unexpectedly stable in the air,” wrote Tim.
Aquatic T-Craft
Mike Remsberg (3060 Tohopekaliga Dr., St. Cloud FL 34772; Email:
[email protected]) built this 1⁄3-scale Taylorcraft and then
converted it for float-flying operation.
It is powered by an O.S. 1.60 FX engine and weighs 19 pounds.
“After flying exclusively 1⁄4-scale aerobats and living on a large
lake in Central Florida, it seemed like a natural to get the T-Craft
onto floats,” wrote Mike. “The first flight was ‘inconclusive’ due to
a minor structural failure. I expect great performance with some of
the structural improvements I’ve made.”
Fairey Firefly
Vance Mosher (4700 NE 58th St., Vancouver WA 98661; Email:
[email protected]) designed and built this 80.5-inch-wingspan
Fairey Firefly Mk.V Korean War-era British two-seat fighterbomber.
He made the molds for the cowling, canopy, wing pods, guns,
and other parts. The model is balsa-and-plywood and weighs 20
pounds. It flies on a Saito 120 engine and has specially made CJM
retracts.
“The Firefly is an exceptionally smooth flier and is easy to land
compared to other fighters,” wrote Vance.
Enlarged Cheap-Shot
Lenie L. Lawrence (87 Makalani Pl., Makawao HI 96768; Email:
[email protected]) sent this photo of his giant flying-wing
Slope Soarer. It spans 110 inches.
The foam cores for this sailplane were purchased from
FlyingFoam.com. The wing is an enlargement of a 48-inch flying
wing called the Cheap-Shot. Lenie’s model features carbon-fiber
spoilers that are set directly above the CG, and it has a total of six
servos.
“It is an extremely good flier,” wrote Lenie.
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:50 pm Page 12
November 2004 13
First Giant Scale Project
Robert Tew (3311 Falls Creek Dr., Nashville TN 37214) built
this 1⁄5-scale Top Flite P-51D for his first Giant Scale project.
A Zenoah G-62 engine fitted with a custom-made muffler
powers the model, which features a Futaba 9C radio system, a
lighting system, droppable wing tanks (not shown), and Robart
retracts with sequenced gear doors that operate like the full-scale
ones.
Robert’s model spans 85 inches and weighs 27.2 pounds. It is
painted with custom aluminum pigment lacquer, with primer panel
lines, and has custom graphics to match its full-scale counterpart.
“It needs a long runway!” wrote Robert.
Waiting for the Wind
Bob See (8043 Stoneridge Dr., Cheyenne WY 82009; E-mail:
[email protected]) built this 6.75-pound Ultimate 40-size biplane
from a Great Planes kit.
The model spans 43 inches and is covered with MonoKote. It is
powered by a Saito 72 four-stroke engine which turns an APC 13 x
6 propeller. Bob uses a Futaba Super 8U transmitter and receiver for
guidance, and he uses Hitec high-torque, ball-bearing servos to
power the control surfaces.
“I am waiting for the Wyoming ‘breeze’ to let up before the
initial test flight,” he wrote.
Nostalgic C-130
James Corkern (113 Belle Cherie Dr., Slidell LA 70461; E-mail:
[email protected]) modeled this C-130 Hercules after the ones he
flew in Southeast Asia.
It is powered by four Saito 30 engines and is controlled via an
ACE Micropro 8000 radio.
The model was painted using Behr house paint that was colormatched
to photos of full-scale airplanes that James flew. It features
a fiberglass fuselage and foam-core wings that were sheeted and
fiberglassed.
“Takeoffs are very realistic, and so is the flight performance,” he
wrote.
Proud of your latest building/flying effort? Share it with MA’s readers
and/or visitors to AMA’s Web site (www.modelaircraft.org)! Send us a
glossy color print or digital photo on CD-ROM (minimum 300 ppi) with an
appropriate description of the model, and we will publish or post the best
submissions.
No E-mailed photos, laser copies, ink-jet copies, or photocopies will be
accepted. Restrict content to the model with or without the owner/builder.
Inappropriate photos will not be published.
Supply your full address (and E-mail address if available) so that
interested parties may contact you directly. Send all submissions to Bob
Hunt, Box 68, Stockertown PA 18083, ATTN: Focal Point. Because of this
section’s popularity, it may be several months before your model is
featured.
Easy Sport
Steve Wissink (7035 Mountain Rd., Pickett WI 54964; E-mail:
[email protected]) was away from model-building for 30 years, and
this is the first airplane he built upon his return to the hobby/sport.
He powers his Great Planes Easy Sport with a Thunder Tiger Pro
.46 engine. He chose a Futaba 6XAS radio system for guidance, and
the model is covered with MonoKote.
“The airplane flew just great on the first flight and needed only
minor trim adjustments to fly straight and level,” wrote Steve.
For more great Focal Point photos, go to: www.modelaircraft.org/mag/index.htm
11sig1.QXD 8/23/04 2:51 pm Page 13