Focal Point - 2012/07

Skybolt
JP Schumacher (1921 S. Grinnell Ave., Sioux Falls SD 57106; email:
[email protected]) built and covered this Great Planes Super
Skybolt from a kit.
JP wanted a different covering scheme and decided on a fl ag in
motion. It took a lot of trial and error to get it just right—and a lot of
MonoKote.
JP wrote: “Having two wings adds to the depth of the color
scheme. The bottom is done entirely in two-inch square gold
checkerboard and the contrast looks great in the air.
Scratch Flyer
Ray Quarles (Box 1192, Emigrant MT 59027; email: raymarcel@
gmail.com) started fl ying in April 2010 at Skattum International Field
in Paradise Valley. He built this model in August and September of
2011.
Ray wrote: “This is my fi rst scratch-built plane, a Jim Vigani design
aptly called the Scratch Flyer, from plans given to me by Bob Taylor
of Clyde Park, Montana, a founding member of the Crazy Mountain
Flyers.
“The plane is all-balsa construction. The wingspan is 40 inches
and it is 32 inches long. It’s powered by an EMP C2836/12-750
brushless motor, a Desire Power 1300 mAh battery, and a 10 x 7 Slow
Flyer propeller I got from Abell Hobbies in Billings.”
Avenger
Ric Dittman (Box 14, Willow AK 99688) wrote: “I’ve returned to this
great hobby in a big way after an 18-year hiatus.”
Ric’s stick-and-tissue Grumman TBF-1 Avenger is from an old
Comet 20-inch kit. He built it for AMA Nats Rubber Scale.
“This kit would make for a great mini-electric RC model I would think"
Ric noted.
XB-35
James Rose (2524 Meloy Rd., Kent OH 44240; email: jimrose7@
juno.com) wrote: “It’s been more than a year now since I saw that
AMA ‘Plans Showcase’ on the XB-35.
“Maybe it’s because I love the different airplanes. Or that I like the
ones that almost didn’t make it to production. The only changes I made
were to put in brushless motors and LiPo batteries.
“The motors are 22mm outrunners from Radical RC with 15-amp
speed controls. I wired the two motors to two 2000 mAh cells, one for
the inboard and one for the outboard. I fl ew her with my Futaba T6XA
and I am very pleased with my results.”
Ace RC 4-20
Steve Shoop (3394 Green Valley Rd., Nashville IN 47448; email:
[email protected]) wrote: “Enclosed are prints of my Ace
RC 4-20. I had one back in the 1990s. I put it in hard, so I went out and
got another kit. The kit never got built.
“I moved from the Chicagoland area to Nashville, Indiana, 17 years
ago. I found the kit this year and decided to build it.
“Power is by a Saito 30 with a 9 x 6 propeller. The radio is a
Spektrum DX6i. The fi rst fl ight it fl ew great. Sure wish we still had
Waco
Marty Churilla (140 Scenery Rd., Wheeling WV 26003; email:
[email protected]) built this 1980s original kit of Dave Platt
Models Waco YMF-3 biplane. Completion took a full year working on
the airplane sporadically.
This Waco has a 60-inch wingspan and weighs 7.5 pounds. Power
comes from an O.S. .55AX engine swinging a 12 x 6 propeller with a
JTEC muffl er under the cowl and a Futaba six-channel radio system.
Covering is MonoKote and automotive lacquer with scale decals from
Cajun R/C Specialties and ChartPak Graphics tape used for the panel
outlines. The Park Flyer Plastics dummy radial front gives the Waco
that vintage look.
Details such as the fuel caps, vent tubes, airspeed indicator,
navigation lights, door/hatch handles, aileron “rakes,” and cockpit
details were fabricated from scraps of metal, balsa, and plastic. One
servo controls the rudder and the pilot’s head, which turns in the
direction of the rudder movement.easy kits to build. I now look for them at swap meets.”
Sopwith Pup
Elvin Sellars (22742 Lawrence 1160, Verona MO 65769) built this
1/6-scale Sopwith Pup from a Balsa USA kit.
Powered by a Magnum .51 four-stroke engine, controls are Futaba
throughout with Solartex covering. The wheels and hardware are
made by Du-Bro.
Elvin wrote: “I was into CL in my teens when I decided to join
the U.S. Navy. Now at 72 I’m having a blast with modeling (second
childhood thing).
“I am totally amazed at the technology and array of model choices
available today and pleased to see modeling alive and well.”
Cub
Phil (L) and Neal Raiford (80 Clearfi eld Rd., Pinson TN 38366) are
both in the process of learning to fl y.
Pictured is their Piper J-3 Cub ARF from Horizon Hobby. The model
spans 80 inches with a 49-inch fuselage. Power comes from a .46
Evolution engine and control is through a four-channel system using
fi ve servos.
Phil and Neal wrote: “A special thanks to all helpers at the Magic
Valley Air Force Club in Henderson, Tennessee.”