Focal Point
Elf Biplane
Don Brichacek (Box 127, Truro, IA 50257) built his Elf biplane from 1984 MA plans.
The model is powered by an inverted Saito .40 four-stroke engine and idles well. Power is adequate; the ready-to-fly weight is only 5 pounds. Don modified the landing gear to mimic his Cavalier's undercarriage design because it was extremely rugged and simple to build. Wheel pants and cowling are built from balsa per the plans.
"The Elf biplane has flown twice with no damage and has been retired as I fear it might get dinged up," Don wrote. "The airplane is displayed by my bride of 50 years."
- Builder: Don Brichacek
- Plans: 1984 MA
- Powerplant: Inverted Saito .40 four-stroke
- Ready-to-fly weight: 5 lb
- Notable features: Modified landing gear, balsa wheel pants and cowling
P-51B Mustang
It took Steve Hancock (18875 NW Hwy. 335, Williston, FL 32696) six weeks to bash this P-51B from a Top Flite Giant Scale ARF.
The model spans 85 inches and is powered by an 80cc gas engine turning 26x10 or 24x12 propellers. JTEC custom-made the muffler. The model has flaps and retracts and, according to Steve, is exceptionally smooth in flight. He replaced the original film covering with UltraCote, which doesn't wrinkle in the Florida sun.
Steve employs an older Airtronics Stylus radio. The only programming used is on throttle—to slow response off idle—and on tail-wheel steering, to delay until almost full rudder travel. As of this writing, the Mustang had made four successful test flights.
- Builder: Steve Hancock
- Source: Top Flite Giant Scale ARF (bashed)
- Wingspan: 85 in
- Powerplant: 80cc gas engine; props 26x10 or 24x12
- Muffler: Custom JTEC
- Covering: UltraCote
- Radio: Airtronics Stylus (throttle and tail-wheel programming)
- Features: Flaps, retracts
Proctor Antic
Miles Fry (75-5771 Makelina Pl., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740; e-mail: [email protected]) built his Proctor Enterprises Antic more than 47 years ago and has been flying it since then. Proctor Enterprises sells several Antic models, including shoulder-wing and parasol types, in varying sizes.
The biplane originally had a Saito .80 twin engine, which Miles replaced with a Saito 1.00 twin that powers it beautifully. "She's a great (slow) flyer, but doesn't like much wind, as you can tell by the patches in the covering. I was going to recover her, but the guys at the field said no. They like the patches!
"I don't know how many guys there are out there flying 47‑year‑old airplanes, but I sure love this one and purchased the kit from Lou Proctor in San Diego."
- Builder: Miles Fry
- Source: Proctor Enterprises Antic kit (purchased from Lou Proctor)
- Powerplant: Originally Saito .80 twin; now Saito 1.00 twin
- Notes: Longtime flyer, patched original covering retained by field friends
Super Quaker
Robert Livin (3041 Hwy. 12, Marion, IA 52302; e-mail: [email protected]) built his Super Quaker from AMA plans number 20160.
Matt Kania's 1941 free-flight design makes a great conversion to RC electric. It is powered by DEWALT A123 cells, a Castle Creations ESC, and an AstroFlight 40G brushless motor. Covering is Icarex polyester ripstop fabric from Hang-em High. All outlines and airfoil sections are true to the original model, except for a slight lengthening of the nose. The O&R .60 engine is made from a pasteboard cylinder, thin plywood fins, and a few balsa bits.
Retractable landing gear makes for a clean fuselage and damage-free landings, but takeoff attempts using it have been unsuccessful. "It has proven a good thermal hunter largely because of the clean fuselage and wing profile that is thinner than those used on most designs of the period," wrote Robert.
- Builder: Robert Livin
- Plans: AMA #20160 (Matt Kania 1941 FF design)
- Power: Electric — DEWALT A123 cells, Castle Creations ESC, AstroFlight 40G motor
- Covering: Icarex polyester ripstop (Hang-em High)
- Features: Retractable landing gear (good landings, unsuccessful takeoffs), faithful outlines/airfoils except slightly longer nose
Consolidated B-24
Benjamin Roper (1231 Cedar Branch Dr., Wylie, TX 75098; e-mail: [email protected]) built his B-24 Liberator from an American Eagle kit.
"My wife's grandpa flew this airplane in WWII," wrote Benjamin. "It is actually a B-24D with a modified nose turret that was added in the field." Ben is using the Futaba FASST 10C radio, and the B-24 is powered by four Saito .82a engines with Graupner propellers. Ben tapped into the mufflers so that a bit of smoke oil can be pumped into them to produce contrails in the air.
The model weighs 40 pounds with no fuel; its retracts and wheels are from Robart Manufacturing. The B-24 also has Fowler flap hinges, functional bomb doors, and a FlyCamOne onboard video camera mounted in the top turret.
- Builder: Benjamin Roper
- Kit: American Eagle
- Scale/Type: B-24D (with field-modified nose turret)
- Radio: Futaba FASST 10C
- Powerplant: Four Saito .82a engines; Graupner propellers
- Weight: 40 lb (no fuel)
- Features: Robart retracts/wheels, Fowler flap hinges, functional bomb doors, FlyCamOne in top turret, smoke-oil contrails
38 Special
Joe Thompson (10602 Forest Lawn Ct., Saint Louis, MO 63128) constructed his 38 Special from a Brodak Manufacturing kit.
He designed and scratch-built the fuselage because the kit is a profile design. Joe covered the model with MonoKote in a Weeks Special color scheme. The 38 Special weighs 38 ounces, and Joe's AMA number is on the wing.
"I have been flying Control Line since 1957," wrote Joe. "I also fly Quarter-scale RC."
- Builder: Joe Thompson
- Kit: Brodak Manufacturing
- Covering: MonoKote (Weeks Special scheme)
- Weight: 38 oz
- Notes: Scratch-built fuselage; AMA number on wing; longtime Control Line and Quarter-scale RC pilot
Fieseler Storch
Robby Dufrane (2318 Eastridge Rd., Timonium, MD 21093; e-mail: [email protected]) built his Storch from E-Star Models' laser-cut kit.
The model spans 52 inches and weighs 36 ounces including the battery. Graphics are from Callie Graphics. Robby uses a Jeti Advance 30-amp ESC and an AXI 2808/20 outrunner motor, turning an 11x4.7 Slow Flyer propeller. Six Hitec HS-55 servos are used with a Hitec receiver. The battery is a three-cell, 2100 mAh pack.
- Builder: Robby Dufrane
- Kit: E-Star Models (laser-cut)
- Wingspan: 52 in
- Weight: 36 oz (including battery)
- Power: AXI 2808/20 outrunner motor; Jeti Advance 30A ESC; 11x4.7 Slow Flyer prop
- Servos/Radio: Six Hitec HS-55 servos; Hitec receiver
- Battery: 3S 2100 mAh
- Graphics: Callie Graphics
T-Craft 20
Kevin Williamson (382 Shafer Wylie Horton Rd., Harpursville, NY 13787; e-mail: [email protected]) built his Taylorcraft from a 20-size Great Planes kit.
It spans 56 inches and uses an O.S. .26 four-stroke engine. Futaba electronics are employed, along with a Hitec HS-55 microservo for the ailerons. Kevin designed the gold-and-turquoise color scheme after the Taylorcraft symbol. The covering is UltraCote.
"Have yet to complete a successful maiden flight," he wrote. "Plane looks so nice; I want to keep it that way."
- Builder: Kevin Williamson
- Kit: Great Planes (20-size Taylorcraft)
- Wingspan: 56 in
- Power: O.S. .26 four-stroke
- Electronics: Futaba radio, Hitec HS-55 (aileron servo)
- Covering: UltraCote
- Notes: Attractive gold-and-turquoise scheme; maiden flight pending
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
