Focal Point - 2011/03

76 MODEL AVIATION
Focal Point
Gordon J. Dey (6805 Devonshire Cir., Pensacola FL 32506; email:
[email protected]) built this de Havilland Tiger Moth
using a D&L Designs plans set and rib kit with a fiberglass cowl.
The model uses a Magnum .52 four-stroke engine, and control is
via a Futaba seven-channel transmitter with aileron/rudder coupling.
The airplane weighs slightly more than 10 pounds.
Gordon wrote:
“It’s a realistic flyer. Loops and rolls are no sweat with the
Magnum at 3/4 throttle. I use power on landing approaches and it
comes down the slot very nicely.”
Tiger Moth An article in the February 1981 MA about the full-scale 1930s
British racer inspired Charles R. Smith (243 Cater Ln., Libertyville
IL 60048; e-mail: [email protected]) to create the version shown
from plans and molded plastic parts from Tom Hunt’s Modelair-
Tech.
The 53-inch-span, built-up, fully sheeted wing has split TE flaps
and a few degrees of washout at the tips. Charles built the fuselage
frame in left and right halves, joined them, and then sheeted them.
The molded plastic wheel pants were scanned to create patterns
for more durable fiberglass-resin-over-balsa versions.
Covering is MonoKote. The G-AEXF registration marks were
made from lower-temperature TowerKote. Logos and other details,
including a replica instrument panel, were produced using ink-jetprinted
water-slide decals.
Power is a six-cell, 4350 mAh pack and a Hyperion HP-Z4020-
14 brushless motor spinning a 14 x 7 propeller. Guidance is via a
Futaba 12FGA FASST system with Hitec HS-5245MG digital
servos.
Dan Sobieralski (8933 Simmons Rd., Redding CA 96001; email:
[email protected]) built this 85% version of a Sig
Four-Star 40.
It uses an E-flite 480 motor, 40-amp ESC, and three-cell, 2200
mAh Li-Poly battery pack for power, and is equipped with Hitec
HS-81 and HS-55 servos along with a Hitec Neutron 6S receiver.
The model is stick-built and covered with Coverite Microlite.
“The one and one half-pound Four-Star 40 flies just like the
Four-Star, easily doing snap rolls and flying inverted almost as well
as upright,” wrote Dan. “A fun plane to fly for 15-20 minutes on a
charge.”
Scaled-Down Four-Star 40
Inspired Mew Gull
Lee Hunt (19600 Singing Hills Dr., Northridge CA 91326; email:
[email protected]) built this model from plans he obtained
from the AMA Plans Service.
OCCA of Omaha originally kitted the El Engone in 1952. The 5-
ounce, shoulder-wing, 1/2A FF design is powered by an Atwood
Wasp engine.
Covering and decorations are Japanese tissue. The timer is a
Spitfire pneumatic, which still works after nearly 60 years.
“The model is legal for early nostalgia,” wrote Lee.
El Engone
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Paul Zing photographed this model that Larry Margolin (70-12
Kissena Blvd., Flushing NY 11367) built from plans that he drew
more than 25 years ago.
“When E-power became available, I decided to try building it,”
wrote Larry.
He uses a 28-30-1100 Kv motor and four A123 cells turning a 10
x 5 propeller. The aircraft spans 44 inches, and its wing loading is 16
ounces per square foot.
“The plane is great to see when flying and it feels great as well,”
wrote Larry. “So much so that I am drawing plans for a larger
version that will carry an inverted four-stroke engine.”
Tony Corvino (471 Christian Herald Rd., Valley Cottage NY
10989; e-mail: [email protected]) built his Art Chester’s Jeep
from Wendell Hostetler plans.
The model weighs 30 pounds and is powered by a ZDZ 60cc gas
engine.
Tony wrote:
“I always loved the Golden Age racers. I saw an old Coverite Art
Chester Jeep at the Rhinebeck event three or four years ago and
that’s when the bug bit me. When I found out that Wendell Hostetler
had plans for a 42.5% version, I was all over it.
“This is my first attempt at building from plans. It flies great!”
Tim Bann (238 W. 23rd Pl., Yuma AZ 85364) assembled this
Piper Pawnee 40 ARF from Hangar 9.
It spans 80 inches, with an overall length of 55.8 inches. Tim
spent more than 840 hours reworking the aircraft to turn it into the
N4440Y glider tow you see here.
“It is now a scale replica thanks to Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
that was worked from,” wrote Tim. “Most scale details had to be
hand built!”
Repurposed Pawnee
Golden Age Jeep
Margolin Original
Walt Wilson ([email protected]) submitted this photo of Les
Richman’s (12243 Prinster Dr., St. Louis MO 63146; e-mail:
[email protected]) 1/4-scale replica of Charles Lindbergh’s
Monocoupe D-145.
The full-scale aircraft is hanging on display in Lambert-St. Louis
International Airport. Walt conceived of the project and researched
and photographed the D-145, and then he modified an Ikon
Northwest Monocoupe 90A kit to build the basic airframe. He then
sold the unfinished project to Les.
Les engaged Jim Rawlings to help him finish the model, which
took nearly a year. It has a SuperTigre 3000 engine with self-starter
and modified muffler to dispense smoke.
The Missouri Historical Society arranged a cherry picker ride for
Les, so he could photograph the original Monocoupe’s interior. He
engineered the engine/starter installation and designed a full lighting
system. He also had a scale instrument panel built and custom decals
made.
The D-145 is covered with Coverite 21st Century material and
finished with matching paints. It weighs slightly more than 20
pounds and has yet to be flown as of this writing.
Monocoupe D-145
See page 163 for submission guidelines
Focal Point
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