Focal Point
Mystery Ship
Bill Remner (5505 S. Grove St. #201, Rocklin, CA 95677; E-mail: [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 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.
Converted BiFly 25
Robby Dufrane (2318 Eastridge Rd., Timonium, MD 21093; E-mail: [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 three-cell, 2100 mAh battery is used, and a Graupner 10 x 6 propeller provides the thrust.
Robby's model is covered with SuperFabric covering and features graphics by Callie Graphics, obtained through Hobbies, 'N Stuff.
Replica Tailwind
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 full-scale one in about a year!"
Aeromaster Family
Robert D. Juncosa (25 Cabernet Cir., Fairport, NY 14450; E-mail: [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."
Father-Son Pitts
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; 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 CL Skyraider
Adrian Land (283 Vine St., San Carlos, CA 94070; E-mail: [email protected]) and his son Andrew (age 3 1/2) 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.
Stinson AT-19B
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 nine-channel radio-control system is used. Graphics by Custom out of Louisiana provided the insignia. The GI Joe action figure is from roughly 1968!
Elliptical 2
Ray Terry (12801 Spring Run Rd., Midlothian, VA 23112; E-mail: [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 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.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
