84 MODEL AVIATION
Focal Point
Robby Dufrane (2318 Eastridge Rd., Timonium MD 21093; Email:
[email protected]) converted his circa 1985 Balsacraft
International Ltd. BiFly 25 kit from glow to electric power. The 36-
inch-wingspan model is powered by an AXI 2820/10 motor and
features a Jeti Advance 40 speed controller. A Thunder Power threecell,
2100 mAh battery is used, and a Graupner 10 x 6 propeller
generates the thrust.
Robby’s model is covered with SuperFabric covering and
features graphics by Callie Graphics, obtained through Hobbies, ‘N
Stuff.
Bill Remner (5505 S. Grove St. #201, Rocklin CA 95677; Email:
[email protected]) is an admirer of Travel Air
Company history and a one-time part owner of a Travel Air 2000.
He built this Travel Air Model R “Mystery Ship” from a short kit
that the late Fred Reese designed and produced under the name of
Golden Age Models.
The model features an 88-inch span, built-up wing, and
fiberglass fuselage. The wings are covered with MonoKote, and
the fuselage, cowl, and wheel pants are painted with LustreKote.
Power is a Saito 300 engine, and guidance is via a JR radio
system. The model’s flying weight is 17.5 pounds. All flying
wires and the 4:40 miniature clevis linkages on the wires are
Nelson Hobby Specialties products.
Mystery Ship
Converted BiFly 25
Robert Sonnleitner (724 W. Gruenwald Ave., Oshkosh WI
54901) built his replica of Jim Clements’ modified Wittman
Tailwind. Jim’s full-scale version was built with a wing that was a
foot shorter than stock, and this 1/4-scale version reflects that.
Robert’s model spans 69 inches and has an O.S. .91 four-stroke
engine for power. It is covered with Super Coverite and painted
with automotive paint. A five-channel Airtronics radio is used for
guidance chores.
“The collecting of the necessary photos and information,
drawing the plans, and building the model has taken about 12 years
to complete,” wrote Robert. “Jim Clements says he can build a fullscale
one in about a year!”
Replica Tailwind
Robert D. Juncosa (25 Cabernet Cir., Fairport NY 14450; Email:
[email protected]) is shown with two of his three Aeromasters.
The smaller one is the original Lou Andrews version. It has an O.S.
.61 two-stroke engine, JR servos, and is covered with UltraCote.
The larger is the Giant Aeromaster with a Zenoah G-45 engine,
Hitec servos, and MonoKote covering. It has a Sullivan Products
SkyWriter smoke system that works great according to Robert.
“They both are pussycats when flown gently, but when opened
up they are quite responsive,” he wrote. “They can certainly handle
all the aerobatics that I am capable of doing. The third one that I
have is the Great Planes ‘Super Aeromaster.’ It is still in the box,
and when finished it will have the same color scheme and complete
the series.”
Aeromaster Family
11sig3.QXD 9/25/06 2:23 PM Page 84November 2006 85
Adrian Land (283 Vine St., San Carlos CA 94070; E-mail:
[email protected]) and his son Andrew (age 31/2) built this
Dick Sarpolus Electric Skyraider from MA plans. Andrew is learning
to fly CL with it.
“The quiet-running electric power system allows Andrew to fly in
the local school fields without worrying about noise,” wrote Adrian.
“With the battery well forward for stability and the control throws set
for gentle response, the Skyraider works well as a basic trainer.”
Adrian purchased Dick’s recommended Feigao geared motor and
most other key parts from BP Hobbies. A JMP timer provides the
motor-control smarts.
Ray Terry (12801 Spring Run Rd., Midlothian VA 23112; Email:
[email protected]) designed this sleek Elliptical 2 in concert
with MA “Micro-Flying” columnist Dave Robelen.
The model spans 52 inches, weighs 35 ounces ready to fly, and is
covered with Microlite. It features an NACA 2415 airfoil.
Radio gear is by Hitec. A Hacker A30-8XL motor provides the
thrust by swinging an APC 11 x 7 propeller. The battery is a 3700
mAh Li-Poly type, and a Phoenix-45 ESC controls the power to the
motor.
“An identical Elliptical 1 was a victim of failure to extend the
transmitter antenna,” wrote Ray.
Father-Son CL Skyraider
Elliptical 2
Brian Arsenault (302 Natchez Rd., Enterprise AL 36330; E-mail:
[email protected]) built his Stinson from a Top Flite kit and painted
and trimmed it to look like an AT-19B, as used by the British in
World War II as a navigational trainer.
The model spans 100.5 inches and is finished with indoor latex
paint. A Zenoah G-38 engine provides the power, and a Futaba ninechannel
radio-control system is used. Graphics by Custom out of
Louisiana provided the insignia. The GI Joe action figure is from
roughly 1968!
Pete Ploog (1428 County Rd. 4 Apt. 1, Leadville CO 80461) credits
his dad with teaching him his model-building skills, which came into
play in assembling and finishing this Herr Engineering Pitts Special.
“Everything went together very accurately, and the Pitts flew right
out of the box,” Pete wrote about the laser-cut kit.
A Norvel .074 engine originally powered Pete’s Pitts Special, and
then an O.S. .10 was fitted. One more change was made, to an O.S. .15
that powers the model at this time. The covering is MonoKote.
Father-Son Pitts
Stinson AT-19B
See page 183 for submission guidelines
Focal Point
11sig3.QXD 9/25/06 1:57 PM Page 85
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/11
Page Numbers: 84,85
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/11
Page Numbers: 84,85
84 MODEL AVIATION
Focal Point
Robby Dufrane (2318 Eastridge Rd., Timonium MD 21093; Email:
[email protected]) converted his circa 1985 Balsacraft
International Ltd. BiFly 25 kit from glow to electric power. The 36-
inch-wingspan model is powered by an AXI 2820/10 motor and
features a Jeti Advance 40 speed controller. A Thunder Power threecell,
2100 mAh battery is used, and a Graupner 10 x 6 propeller
generates the thrust.
Robby’s model is covered with SuperFabric covering and
features graphics by Callie Graphics, obtained through Hobbies, ‘N
Stuff.
Bill Remner (5505 S. Grove St. #201, Rocklin CA 95677; Email:
[email protected]) is an admirer of Travel Air
Company history and a one-time part owner of a Travel Air 2000.
He built this Travel Air Model R “Mystery Ship” from a short kit
that the late Fred Reese designed and produced under the name of
Golden Age Models.
The model features an 88-inch span, built-up wing, and
fiberglass fuselage. The wings are covered with MonoKote, and
the fuselage, cowl, and wheel pants are painted with LustreKote.
Power is a Saito 300 engine, and guidance is via a JR radio
system. The model’s flying weight is 17.5 pounds. All flying
wires and the 4:40 miniature clevis linkages on the wires are
Nelson Hobby Specialties products.
Mystery Ship
Converted BiFly 25
Robert Sonnleitner (724 W. Gruenwald Ave., Oshkosh WI
54901) built his replica of Jim Clements’ modified Wittman
Tailwind. Jim’s full-scale version was built with a wing that was a
foot shorter than stock, and this 1/4-scale version reflects that.
Robert’s model spans 69 inches and has an O.S. .91 four-stroke
engine for power. It is covered with Super Coverite and painted
with automotive paint. A five-channel Airtronics radio is used for
guidance chores.
“The collecting of the necessary photos and information,
drawing the plans, and building the model has taken about 12 years
to complete,” wrote Robert. “Jim Clements says he can build a fullscale
one in about a year!”
Replica Tailwind
Robert D. Juncosa (25 Cabernet Cir., Fairport NY 14450; Email:
[email protected]) is shown with two of his three Aeromasters.
The smaller one is the original Lou Andrews version. It has an O.S.
.61 two-stroke engine, JR servos, and is covered with UltraCote.
The larger is the Giant Aeromaster with a Zenoah G-45 engine,
Hitec servos, and MonoKote covering. It has a Sullivan Products
SkyWriter smoke system that works great according to Robert.
“They both are pussycats when flown gently, but when opened
up they are quite responsive,” he wrote. “They can certainly handle
all the aerobatics that I am capable of doing. The third one that I
have is the Great Planes ‘Super Aeromaster.’ It is still in the box,
and when finished it will have the same color scheme and complete
the series.”
Aeromaster Family
11sig3.QXD 9/25/06 2:23 PM Page 84November 2006 85
Adrian Land (283 Vine St., San Carlos CA 94070; E-mail:
[email protected]) and his son Andrew (age 31/2) built this
Dick Sarpolus Electric Skyraider from MA plans. Andrew is learning
to fly CL with it.
“The quiet-running electric power system allows Andrew to fly in
the local school fields without worrying about noise,” wrote Adrian.
“With the battery well forward for stability and the control throws set
for gentle response, the Skyraider works well as a basic trainer.”
Adrian purchased Dick’s recommended Feigao geared motor and
most other key parts from BP Hobbies. A JMP timer provides the
motor-control smarts.
Ray Terry (12801 Spring Run Rd., Midlothian VA 23112; Email:
[email protected]) designed this sleek Elliptical 2 in concert
with MA “Micro-Flying” columnist Dave Robelen.
The model spans 52 inches, weighs 35 ounces ready to fly, and is
covered with Microlite. It features an NACA 2415 airfoil.
Radio gear is by Hitec. A Hacker A30-8XL motor provides the
thrust by swinging an APC 11 x 7 propeller. The battery is a 3700
mAh Li-Poly type, and a Phoenix-45 ESC controls the power to the
motor.
“An identical Elliptical 1 was a victim of failure to extend the
transmitter antenna,” wrote Ray.
Father-Son CL Skyraider
Elliptical 2
Brian Arsenault (302 Natchez Rd., Enterprise AL 36330; E-mail:
[email protected]) built his Stinson from a Top Flite kit and painted
and trimmed it to look like an AT-19B, as used by the British in
World War II as a navigational trainer.
The model spans 100.5 inches and is finished with indoor latex
paint. A Zenoah G-38 engine provides the power, and a Futaba ninechannel
radio-control system is used. Graphics by Custom out of
Louisiana provided the insignia. The GI Joe action figure is from
roughly 1968!
Pete Ploog (1428 County Rd. 4 Apt. 1, Leadville CO 80461) credits
his dad with teaching him his model-building skills, which came into
play in assembling and finishing this Herr Engineering Pitts Special.
“Everything went together very accurately, and the Pitts flew right
out of the box,” Pete wrote about the laser-cut kit.
A Norvel .074 engine originally powered Pete’s Pitts Special, and
then an O.S. .10 was fitted. One more change was made, to an O.S. .15
that powers the model at this time. The covering is MonoKote.
Father-Son Pitts
Stinson AT-19B
See page 183 for submission guidelines
Focal Point
11sig3.QXD 9/25/06 1:57 PM Page 85