Focal Point - 2005/03
Model Aviation, 5161 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
VTOL H-Wing
Ran D. St. Clair (1048 Jones Ct., Redwood City CA 94063; E-mail: [email protected]) designed and built his VTOL H-wing, capable of vertical and horizontal takeoff and landing. The model spans 24 inches and weighs 5 pounds 11 ounces, excluding the removable "swing gear."
The airframe is made from 4 mm Coroplast and is powered by an O.S. .61 FX engine with a 14 x 4 propeller. Onboard radio gear includes an FMA Direct FS8 receiver with integrated Co-Pilot, three rate gyros, an in-line mixer, a custom control switch (to bypass the gyros), and a prototype FMA Direct flight recorder.
According to Ran, forward flight is "normal," and the model is adept at high-alpha Harrier maneuvers. The Co-Pilot and gyros make the model fully stable in hover mode, allowing vertical takeoff and landing by a nonexpert pilot.
Semiscale Robin
Bill Hastings (269 N. 5th St., Creswell OR 97426; E-mail: [email protected]) built a 99-inch-wingspan Curtiss Robin from a World Engines kit. It is powered by a SuperTigre 4500 engine and features oleo spring-loaded landing gear. The covering is UltraCote. The Robin weighs 23 pounds and has graphics supplied by Rainbow Graphics in Creswell, Oregon.
According to Bill, "It flies like a dream!"
Peregrine Freestyle 45
Edward D.J. DeLaura (4 Jefferson Dr., East Lyme CT 06333; E-mail: [email protected]) engineered, designed, and scratch-built the prototype "Peregrine Freestyle 45," intended as a Pattern and Freestyle aerobatic craft.
The model spans 53.5 inches, weighs 5 pounds, and is covered with 21st Century film. It is powered by a SuperTigre .45 ABC engine and uses a four-channel Hitec radio with five servos.
Edward has produced full-size AutoCAD drawings for this model and is selling them, along with a vacuum-formed cowl and wingtips. Contact him for details.
42% Nemesis
Marty Meyer (160 Locust Ave., New Rochelle NY 10805) built a 42%-scale Nemesis racer from Wendell Hostetler plans. The model spans 106 inches and weighs 32 pounds. The two-piece wing joins with two carbon-fiber tubes. A Desert Aircraft DA-100 engine, fitted with a Mejzlik 26 x 12 propeller, powers the model, which is guided by a JR radio system.
Marty covered the Nemesis with UltraCote and finished some parts with DuPont ChromaBase acrylic paint.
Modified Kadet Senior
Don Bortz Sr. (107 Crest Ct., Lake Placid FL 33852) modified a Sig Kadet Senior by extending the wingspan from 78 to 91 inches, adding flaps and ailerons, and upgrading from the suggested 40-size engine to a Zenoah G-26 turning a 16 x 8 propeller.
He used a cowling from a Goldberg Chipmunk kit and moved the vertical fin aft 4 inches to allow a full-depth rudder. The rudder modification required splitting the elevators and driving them with a joiner horn. The model is covered with Solartex and four coats of clear sealer.
"Many thanks to my good friend Don Strong, who is a great builder/designer, for all his technical advice and help," wrote Don.
Extra 300S
With his father Jeff's help, Travis Raaberg (1842 Jefferson St., Concord CA 94521) assembled a Great Planes 40-size Extra 300S in roughly three weeks. The 6-pound model is covered with red, white, and blue MonoKote. Travis selected an O.S. .46 AX engine and a Futaba radio system.
"It was difficult to fly and take off at first, but now it is my favorite airplane to fly!" he wrote.
Bristol M.1
Chuck Bennett (669 Baker St., Mount Gilead OH 43338; E-mail: [email protected]) built a 63-inch-span Bristol M.1 from a Balsa USA kit. It is powered by a Tower Hobbies .46 engine turning a 12 x 4 propeller. The model is covered with Super Coverite, finished with flat spray paint, and the roundels were painted by hand.
Chuck describes this monoplane as an "old reliable" in his fleet. "This predictable slow flyer has suffered only a few mishaps in its 7-year life," he wrote.
Scratch-Built Bombay
Terry Overton (20005A 25th Ave., Shoreline WA 98115) designed and built an unusual Bristol Bombay twin-engine RAF transport/bomber, based on the 1938 production prototype. He built the model to 11.5% scale, resulting in an overall length of 95 inches and a wingspan of 132 inches. The model weighs approximately 38 pounds and is powered by two Enya R120GP four-stroke engines.
Aluminum MonoKote was used for covering except for the ailerons, elevators, and rudders, which are covered with Solartex silver fabric. The model is set up to release four bombs, simulating the full-scale aircraft's four 500-pound bombs.
A Keeper!
Ray Shroba III (101 Pioneer Dr., Minooka IL 60447; E-mail: [email protected]) modified a Sig Four-Star 60 by removing all dihedral from the wing, adding operating flaps, extending the wingspan to 78 inches, enlarging the tail surfaces, and mounting the engine on its side to allow for a cowling. He chose a Magnum 91 four-stroke engine and installed a Futaba T9CAP radio system. The 10-pound model is covered with UltraCote.
"It flies rock-solid stable, with very smooth control authority at all speeds," he wrote. "It has a very good roll rate with and without flaps deployed. This one's a keeper."
Patriot Ultra Sport 40
George Muir (81-582 San Luis Ct., Indio CA 92201; E-mail: [email protected]) submitted a photo of his patriotic Great Planes Ultra Sport 40. He chose an O.S. .46 FX engine and a JR R/C system. The model is covered with MonoKote, and his daughter Kara provided the Barbie pilot figure. George configured the model with optional retractable landing gear and reports that it "flies beautifully."
First Loop
Mitchell Heller (3110 Harrison, Glenview IL 60025; E-mail: [email protected]) photographed 10-year-old Scott Riggs on the day he performed his first loop.
Several weeks earlier, Scott and his mother came to the Ned Brown Woods facility, home field of the Chicagoland Circle Cutters, and learned to fly using a club-owned Cox PT-19 trainer. Scott was so eager to fly that the club members presented him with a Ringmaster that Al Onkin built. Within a week of receiving the Ringmaster, Scott had performed his first loop.
Martin PBM-5
Herb Hall (1842 Tattenhall, Houston TX 77008) crafted a rarely modeled Martin PBM-5 flying boat. The model spans 11.5 feet and is powered by two Magnum 91 four-stroke engines. It is fitted with a JR radio, working flaps, and working cabin and navigation lights.
Herb built the model from foam, balsa, and plywood, covered it with printer's aluminum, and added complete rivet detailing. Herb offers plans for this behemoth; please send inquiries directly to him.
Raptor 60 Jetranger
Ferdinand S. Custodio (11792 Wills Creek Rd., San Diego CA 92131; E-mail: [email protected]) submitted a shot of his Raptor 60 V2.0 fitted with an old Kalt Jetranger fiberglass fuselage he bought at auction. The mechanics fit perfectly inside the fuselage.
Modifications include installing the tail rotor on the opposite side, running the control rod above the tailboom, and relocating the tail servo next to the gyro. Automotive paint reproduced a Philippine Airlines scheme, honoring his father who was an avionics crew chief. A Thunder Tiger .70 engine powers the helicopter, which uses carbon-fiber blades, a blinki-mc4 battery monitor, and Futaba electronics.
Avistar on Floats
John Hansen (Tulsa OK) photographed Jacob MacKorell’s Avistar 40 on floats. Jacob MacKorell (5012 Mary Ellen Cir., Smyrna TN 37167; E-mail: [email protected]) made V-hulled floats from 1-pound-density foam and covered them with two layers of 6-ounce fiberglass applied with West System epoxy.
Two Ernst rudders, coupled with a tie rod and actuated by a single servo, provide steering. The model is powered by an O.S. 52 four-stroke engine swinging an 11 x 7 APC propeller. “The only change I made to the Avistar was to install a ventral fin for added stability,” wrote Jacob.
First Building Project
Steve Busse (1030 Bannock St., Livermore CA 94551) shared a photo of his son Michael with the Sukhoi Su-26 that Michael built from a Carl Goldberg Models kit at age 16. This was Michael's first model and, according to Steve, he built it entirely by himself.
The Su-26 is powered by an O.S. .91 FX engine, guided by Futaba electronics, and covered with UltraCote. Steve reports that it flies great.
Brodak Hurricane
Frank Stetson (RR 3 Box 2319A, Townsend GA 31331) built a Hawker Hurricane from a Brodak Manufacturing kit and modified it to resemble the desert version of the full-scale airplane by adding a sand-filter profile under the nose.
Frank powers his camouflaged fighter replica with a Double Star .40 engine turning an 11 x 5 propeller. It is finished with Brodak modeling dope. “It flies great and does the full pattern very nicely,” he wrote.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
