MANY WHO ENJOY stick-and-tissue modeling
today (I am included) have been involved in many
aspects of the model-airplane hobby, from CL to
RC. I rediscovered stick-and-tissue almost 20 years
ago and have enjoyed this aspect of the hobby
immensely.
I still take a CL model around and around
occasionally and have fun with some club RC
Pylon Racing, but I always come back to stick and
tissue. If you would like to try it again or for the
first time, take a look at Mike Stuart’s Web site. He
has a great tutorial for building a Scale stick-andtissue
model of the Comper Swift racer.
Another great Web site is Small Flying Arts.
Join the fun. If you haven’t gone digital yet, join
the Flying Aces Club (FAC) for six issues of its
great newsletter. Send $15 to FAC GHQ.
Bob Clemons built a beautiful Keith Rider R-2“Bumble Bee” for the FAC Greve Race
event. The R-2 has to be one of the most
colorful Golden Age racers.
The model has a wingspan of 18.75
inches and weighs 32.60 grams. The 7-inch
plastic propeller is powered by four strands
of 1/8-inch rubber. The fuselage is covered
with red JCI tissue.
Bob is a big fan of JCI tissue. For a time
it was unavailable, but apparently it is being
produced again. I inquired on some online
forums and got feedback from one person
who had purchased JCI tissue in the last
year. He was pleased with the service.
Dick Covalt and his flying buddy/modelengine
machinist Bob Mattes have been
using Little Red Caps for their fuel bladders
for the last year. They have been happy with
these items; they provide plenty of fuel
pressure to the engine but not so much
pressure that a special needle valve is
required to get a good needle setting. If you
have a TD .049 but no KK needle valve, you
can get a good needle setting with the
standard needle valve.
Dean McGinnes has also been using the
Red Caps, and he reports that the pressure is
similar to that of a single balloon tank. Their
advantage is that unlike balloons, they are
fuelproof and can be used for several
contests.
One “bump” is just right for 1/2As; use
two for larger engines. They are Ace
Hardware item 1202647.
George White’s impressive S.E.5 was built
from a Midkiff/RockyTop Models kit. He
used a glue stick to cover the airplane with
green Esaki issue on the top and white on
the bottom.
The markings, which are those of No. 92
Squadron, are from a color three-view
supplied with the kit. The roundels are paper
(sanded thin) that was also supplied with the
kit.
The finish is two coats of 25%
nitrate/75% thinner sprayed using the Preval
sprayer from an auto-parts store. The finish
was followed by a mist coat of Glossy
Wood Tone Floral Spray from Michaels
craft store. That gave the model an olive
drab color on top and a tan color on the
bottom. The last step was a mist coat of
Krylon clear.
The S.E.5 flies on two loops of 1/8 Super
Sport that is 30 inches long and drives an 8-
inch Peck-Polymers propeller cut down to 7
inches. The empty weight is 47 grams.
Trimming was done under Mike
Midkiff’s guidance. The model didn’t fly
well until he got a hold of it. One of the
most important parts of the trimming
process was shortening the propeller.
Biplanes have considerable drag; they fly
best with a shorter, lower-pitch propeller.“Mike Midkiff and Buzz Trabbic of
RockyTop Models, working together, have
produced a very light kit with excellent
wood and laser-cut parts that fit better than
any I have seen,” said George.
RockyTop Models has rights to kit the
Earl Stahl series of models. The 27.5-inchspan
Spitfire has already been released. Next
in line will be the Howard DGA15 P, which
will soon be followed by the MiG-3. All
those are excellent fliers.
The latest kit from the Classic Aircraft
Model Company (CAMCO) is for the 16-
inch-span Dime Scale Pitcairn Fleetwing.
With its long nose and bountiful wing area,
it should be a great flier. It also has classic
lines that are so appealing to those who love
airplanes of the Golden Age of aviation.
Send $15 for the kit plus $7.25 for
shipping to CAMCO.
The Civy Boy is one of the most distinctive
and beautiful Nostalgia designs. Harry
Klarich is kitting the 66-inch version—the
one Gene Wallock and Paul Gilliam
redesigned in September 1953. They
corrected the long fuselage’s twisting
problem. Gene recalls that the old design
was a heart stopper under power; some
would literally screw themselves apart after
launch.
Larry Davidson scratch-built his Civy
Boy 66 from Gene Wallock’s 1953-version
plans. Weighing 32 ounces, Larry’s model is
powered by an O.S. MAX III .29 engine
turning an APC 9 x 4 propeller. The model
is covered with Polyspan and finished with
butyrate Randolph dope and K&B
SuperPoxy for fuel-proofing.
Relive those thrilling days of yesteryear
with your own Civy Boy 66.
Larry Kruse has had great success flying a
Majestyk P-30. Because of his fondness for
the Thom Greenhalge design, Larry decided
to build a Majestyk Too. It is basically the
same model, but with a rolled-tube fuselage
and built-up pylon wing mount.
The 1/20 balsa motor tube is doped inside
(before the tube is formed) and covered with
Japanese tissue on the outside. The plans
call for a “two rail” wing mount that is
approximately 1/2 inch high and the length of
the wing chord. Larry built an airfoiled
pylon that is roughly 11/2 inches high to
have room for the viscous timer and to
streamline things a bit.
With the tracker and no additional
ballast, Larry’s model came in at 41.2
grams—just a shade more than the
minimum allowable 40 grams. He uses 76
inches of 3/16 Tan Super Sport rubber made
into two loops. That makes a 9.8-gram
motor—10 grams when lubed. It gives a 48-
to 50-second motor run on 950-1,000 turns.
Braiding the motor is not required
because of the tensioner in the GizmoGeezer
front end. The front end and propeller give
an additional 10 seconds of motor run
because of the GizmoGeezer propeller’s
higher pitch.
Larry’s Majestyk Too trimmed out in
approximately three flights, with only the
incremental addition of downthrust and right
thrust—an easy screw adjustment with the
GizmoGeezer front end. He installed a nylon
screw for stabilizer incidence adjustments,
but he hasn’t had to change it since setting it
up for the glide.
Larry is extremely pleased with the
model. He finished third in last year’s Labor
Day contest in Denver, Colorado, against
some stiff competition.
You can purchase Majestyk plans for $5
+ $1 shipping and handling from Thom
Greenhalge. He says the modified version
resulted from Gene Wallock’s request for a
tube rather than the built-up fuselage. Gene
loves it and says it’s the best-flying P-30
he’s seen.
Lee Campbell has a short kit and plans
for the original Majestyk, which flies great.
The wing and stabilizer are the same for the
Majestyk Too, so if you don’t have the time
or inclination to cut your own, you can
purchase the wing and stabilizer rib sets
from Lee. He does not have the Majestyk
Too plans.
If you are unfamiliar with the
GizmoGeezer front-end assembly, check it
out. It enables adjustment of the thrustline,
is freewheeling, has a motor-tensioning
system, and has a clutch that holds the
propeller while you are waiting for lift.
Once made only with a P-30-size
propeller, the front end is now available
with smaller propeller sizes. They are great
for smaller Scale models.
If you Nostalgia Gas fliers are having
trouble finding the four-exhaust-slit Cox
Medallions and are tired of paying $10-$12
for glow heads, try the Fox FAI .049. The
Foxes now reside with Doug Martin. They
are still $50 plus $5 per order shipping and
handling. Glow heads are $4. Reports are
that Doug is continuing the high level of
service that Randall Hopkins established.
Bob Mattes can supply an adapter ring,
which screws into the Fox, that allows the
use of a Cox or a Galbreath Nelson head.
Don’t forget that the Ramrod 250 is the
National Free Flight Society’s One Design
model of the year for 2008.
Those of you in the Minneapolis,
Minnesota, area might be interested in
joining the Minneapolis Model Aero Club
(MMAC). It has been in existence since
approximately 1940 and has scheduled full
contest seasons since that time. The club has
one of the top flying fields in the country,
with the cooperation of local sod-farm
owners and farmers.
The MMAC has roughly 25 active
members and welcomes newcomers. Out-of-state applications are encouraged. Many
MMAC members attend the Nats each year at
Muncie, Indiana. Contact Dave Edmonson for
further information.
My apologies to Duke Horn. I mistakenly
attributed his Heath Parasol in the July 2007
column and his Gee Bee in the November
2007 column to Buzz Trabbic.Sources:
Ace Hardware
(866) 290-5334
www.acehardware.com
Bob Mattes
(636) 447-9580
[email protected]
CAMCO
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
Campbell’s Custom Kits
1831 Fletcher St.
Anderson IN 46016
www.campbellscustomkits.com
Dave Edmonson
(612) 220-5239
[email protected]
Doug Martin
1510 Locust St.
Canon City CO 81212
[email protected]
FAC GHQ
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
GizmoGeezer Products
(306) 955-1620
www.gizmogeezer.com/index.htm.
JCI
(714) 315-1927
www.jcimodels.com
Klarich Custom Kits
(916) 635-4588
www.klarichkits.com
Mike Stuart’s Comper Swift
www.ffscale.co.uk/comper.htm
RockyTop Models
(615) 452-4127
www.rockytopmodels.com
Small Flying Arts
www.smallflyingarts.com
Thom Greenhalge
15770 Primrose Ln.
Westminster CA 92683
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 126,127,128,129
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 126,127,128,129
MANY WHO ENJOY stick-and-tissue modeling
today (I am included) have been involved in many
aspects of the model-airplane hobby, from CL to
RC. I rediscovered stick-and-tissue almost 20 years
ago and have enjoyed this aspect of the hobby
immensely.
I still take a CL model around and around
occasionally and have fun with some club RC
Pylon Racing, but I always come back to stick and
tissue. If you would like to try it again or for the
first time, take a look at Mike Stuart’s Web site. He
has a great tutorial for building a Scale stick-andtissue
model of the Comper Swift racer.
Another great Web site is Small Flying Arts.
Join the fun. If you haven’t gone digital yet, join
the Flying Aces Club (FAC) for six issues of its
great newsletter. Send $15 to FAC GHQ.
Bob Clemons built a beautiful Keith Rider R-2“Bumble Bee” for the FAC Greve Race
event. The R-2 has to be one of the most
colorful Golden Age racers.
The model has a wingspan of 18.75
inches and weighs 32.60 grams. The 7-inch
plastic propeller is powered by four strands
of 1/8-inch rubber. The fuselage is covered
with red JCI tissue.
Bob is a big fan of JCI tissue. For a time
it was unavailable, but apparently it is being
produced again. I inquired on some online
forums and got feedback from one person
who had purchased JCI tissue in the last
year. He was pleased with the service.
Dick Covalt and his flying buddy/modelengine
machinist Bob Mattes have been
using Little Red Caps for their fuel bladders
for the last year. They have been happy with
these items; they provide plenty of fuel
pressure to the engine but not so much
pressure that a special needle valve is
required to get a good needle setting. If you
have a TD .049 but no KK needle valve, you
can get a good needle setting with the
standard needle valve.
Dean McGinnes has also been using the
Red Caps, and he reports that the pressure is
similar to that of a single balloon tank. Their
advantage is that unlike balloons, they are
fuelproof and can be used for several
contests.
One “bump” is just right for 1/2As; use
two for larger engines. They are Ace
Hardware item 1202647.
George White’s impressive S.E.5 was built
from a Midkiff/RockyTop Models kit. He
used a glue stick to cover the airplane with
green Esaki issue on the top and white on
the bottom.
The markings, which are those of No. 92
Squadron, are from a color three-view
supplied with the kit. The roundels are paper
(sanded thin) that was also supplied with the
kit.
The finish is two coats of 25%
nitrate/75% thinner sprayed using the Preval
sprayer from an auto-parts store. The finish
was followed by a mist coat of Glossy
Wood Tone Floral Spray from Michaels
craft store. That gave the model an olive
drab color on top and a tan color on the
bottom. The last step was a mist coat of
Krylon clear.
The S.E.5 flies on two loops of 1/8 Super
Sport that is 30 inches long and drives an 8-
inch Peck-Polymers propeller cut down to 7
inches. The empty weight is 47 grams.
Trimming was done under Mike
Midkiff’s guidance. The model didn’t fly
well until he got a hold of it. One of the
most important parts of the trimming
process was shortening the propeller.
Biplanes have considerable drag; they fly
best with a shorter, lower-pitch propeller.“Mike Midkiff and Buzz Trabbic of
RockyTop Models, working together, have
produced a very light kit with excellent
wood and laser-cut parts that fit better than
any I have seen,” said George.
RockyTop Models has rights to kit the
Earl Stahl series of models. The 27.5-inchspan
Spitfire has already been released. Next
in line will be the Howard DGA15 P, which
will soon be followed by the MiG-3. All
those are excellent fliers.
The latest kit from the Classic Aircraft
Model Company (CAMCO) is for the 16-
inch-span Dime Scale Pitcairn Fleetwing.
With its long nose and bountiful wing area,
it should be a great flier. It also has classic
lines that are so appealing to those who love
airplanes of the Golden Age of aviation.
Send $15 for the kit plus $7.25 for
shipping to CAMCO.
The Civy Boy is one of the most distinctive
and beautiful Nostalgia designs. Harry
Klarich is kitting the 66-inch version—the
one Gene Wallock and Paul Gilliam
redesigned in September 1953. They
corrected the long fuselage’s twisting
problem. Gene recalls that the old design
was a heart stopper under power; some
would literally screw themselves apart after
launch.
Larry Davidson scratch-built his Civy
Boy 66 from Gene Wallock’s 1953-version
plans. Weighing 32 ounces, Larry’s model is
powered by an O.S. MAX III .29 engine
turning an APC 9 x 4 propeller. The model
is covered with Polyspan and finished with
butyrate Randolph dope and K&B
SuperPoxy for fuel-proofing.
Relive those thrilling days of yesteryear
with your own Civy Boy 66.
Larry Kruse has had great success flying a
Majestyk P-30. Because of his fondness for
the Thom Greenhalge design, Larry decided
to build a Majestyk Too. It is basically the
same model, but with a rolled-tube fuselage
and built-up pylon wing mount.
The 1/20 balsa motor tube is doped inside
(before the tube is formed) and covered with
Japanese tissue on the outside. The plans
call for a “two rail” wing mount that is
approximately 1/2 inch high and the length of
the wing chord. Larry built an airfoiled
pylon that is roughly 11/2 inches high to
have room for the viscous timer and to
streamline things a bit.
With the tracker and no additional
ballast, Larry’s model came in at 41.2
grams—just a shade more than the
minimum allowable 40 grams. He uses 76
inches of 3/16 Tan Super Sport rubber made
into two loops. That makes a 9.8-gram
motor—10 grams when lubed. It gives a 48-
to 50-second motor run on 950-1,000 turns.
Braiding the motor is not required
because of the tensioner in the GizmoGeezer
front end. The front end and propeller give
an additional 10 seconds of motor run
because of the GizmoGeezer propeller’s
higher pitch.
Larry’s Majestyk Too trimmed out in
approximately three flights, with only the
incremental addition of downthrust and right
thrust—an easy screw adjustment with the
GizmoGeezer front end. He installed a nylon
screw for stabilizer incidence adjustments,
but he hasn’t had to change it since setting it
up for the glide.
Larry is extremely pleased with the
model. He finished third in last year’s Labor
Day contest in Denver, Colorado, against
some stiff competition.
You can purchase Majestyk plans for $5
+ $1 shipping and handling from Thom
Greenhalge. He says the modified version
resulted from Gene Wallock’s request for a
tube rather than the built-up fuselage. Gene
loves it and says it’s the best-flying P-30
he’s seen.
Lee Campbell has a short kit and plans
for the original Majestyk, which flies great.
The wing and stabilizer are the same for the
Majestyk Too, so if you don’t have the time
or inclination to cut your own, you can
purchase the wing and stabilizer rib sets
from Lee. He does not have the Majestyk
Too plans.
If you are unfamiliar with the
GizmoGeezer front-end assembly, check it
out. It enables adjustment of the thrustline,
is freewheeling, has a motor-tensioning
system, and has a clutch that holds the
propeller while you are waiting for lift.
Once made only with a P-30-size
propeller, the front end is now available
with smaller propeller sizes. They are great
for smaller Scale models.
If you Nostalgia Gas fliers are having
trouble finding the four-exhaust-slit Cox
Medallions and are tired of paying $10-$12
for glow heads, try the Fox FAI .049. The
Foxes now reside with Doug Martin. They
are still $50 plus $5 per order shipping and
handling. Glow heads are $4. Reports are
that Doug is continuing the high level of
service that Randall Hopkins established.
Bob Mattes can supply an adapter ring,
which screws into the Fox, that allows the
use of a Cox or a Galbreath Nelson head.
Don’t forget that the Ramrod 250 is the
National Free Flight Society’s One Design
model of the year for 2008.
Those of you in the Minneapolis,
Minnesota, area might be interested in
joining the Minneapolis Model Aero Club
(MMAC). It has been in existence since
approximately 1940 and has scheduled full
contest seasons since that time. The club has
one of the top flying fields in the country,
with the cooperation of local sod-farm
owners and farmers.
The MMAC has roughly 25 active
members and welcomes newcomers. Out-of-state applications are encouraged. Many
MMAC members attend the Nats each year at
Muncie, Indiana. Contact Dave Edmonson for
further information.
My apologies to Duke Horn. I mistakenly
attributed his Heath Parasol in the July 2007
column and his Gee Bee in the November
2007 column to Buzz Trabbic.Sources:
Ace Hardware
(866) 290-5334
www.acehardware.com
Bob Mattes
(636) 447-9580
[email protected]
CAMCO
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
Campbell’s Custom Kits
1831 Fletcher St.
Anderson IN 46016
www.campbellscustomkits.com
Dave Edmonson
(612) 220-5239
[email protected]
Doug Martin
1510 Locust St.
Canon City CO 81212
[email protected]
FAC GHQ
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
GizmoGeezer Products
(306) 955-1620
www.gizmogeezer.com/index.htm.
JCI
(714) 315-1927
www.jcimodels.com
Klarich Custom Kits
(916) 635-4588
www.klarichkits.com
Mike Stuart’s Comper Swift
www.ffscale.co.uk/comper.htm
RockyTop Models
(615) 452-4127
www.rockytopmodels.com
Small Flying Arts
www.smallflyingarts.com
Thom Greenhalge
15770 Primrose Ln.
Westminster CA 92683
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 126,127,128,129
MANY WHO ENJOY stick-and-tissue modeling
today (I am included) have been involved in many
aspects of the model-airplane hobby, from CL to
RC. I rediscovered stick-and-tissue almost 20 years
ago and have enjoyed this aspect of the hobby
immensely.
I still take a CL model around and around
occasionally and have fun with some club RC
Pylon Racing, but I always come back to stick and
tissue. If you would like to try it again or for the
first time, take a look at Mike Stuart’s Web site. He
has a great tutorial for building a Scale stick-andtissue
model of the Comper Swift racer.
Another great Web site is Small Flying Arts.
Join the fun. If you haven’t gone digital yet, join
the Flying Aces Club (FAC) for six issues of its
great newsletter. Send $15 to FAC GHQ.
Bob Clemons built a beautiful Keith Rider R-2“Bumble Bee” for the FAC Greve Race
event. The R-2 has to be one of the most
colorful Golden Age racers.
The model has a wingspan of 18.75
inches and weighs 32.60 grams. The 7-inch
plastic propeller is powered by four strands
of 1/8-inch rubber. The fuselage is covered
with red JCI tissue.
Bob is a big fan of JCI tissue. For a time
it was unavailable, but apparently it is being
produced again. I inquired on some online
forums and got feedback from one person
who had purchased JCI tissue in the last
year. He was pleased with the service.
Dick Covalt and his flying buddy/modelengine
machinist Bob Mattes have been
using Little Red Caps for their fuel bladders
for the last year. They have been happy with
these items; they provide plenty of fuel
pressure to the engine but not so much
pressure that a special needle valve is
required to get a good needle setting. If you
have a TD .049 but no KK needle valve, you
can get a good needle setting with the
standard needle valve.
Dean McGinnes has also been using the
Red Caps, and he reports that the pressure is
similar to that of a single balloon tank. Their
advantage is that unlike balloons, they are
fuelproof and can be used for several
contests.
One “bump” is just right for 1/2As; use
two for larger engines. They are Ace
Hardware item 1202647.
George White’s impressive S.E.5 was built
from a Midkiff/RockyTop Models kit. He
used a glue stick to cover the airplane with
green Esaki issue on the top and white on
the bottom.
The markings, which are those of No. 92
Squadron, are from a color three-view
supplied with the kit. The roundels are paper
(sanded thin) that was also supplied with the
kit.
The finish is two coats of 25%
nitrate/75% thinner sprayed using the Preval
sprayer from an auto-parts store. The finish
was followed by a mist coat of Glossy
Wood Tone Floral Spray from Michaels
craft store. That gave the model an olive
drab color on top and a tan color on the
bottom. The last step was a mist coat of
Krylon clear.
The S.E.5 flies on two loops of 1/8 Super
Sport that is 30 inches long and drives an 8-
inch Peck-Polymers propeller cut down to 7
inches. The empty weight is 47 grams.
Trimming was done under Mike
Midkiff’s guidance. The model didn’t fly
well until he got a hold of it. One of the
most important parts of the trimming
process was shortening the propeller.
Biplanes have considerable drag; they fly
best with a shorter, lower-pitch propeller.“Mike Midkiff and Buzz Trabbic of
RockyTop Models, working together, have
produced a very light kit with excellent
wood and laser-cut parts that fit better than
any I have seen,” said George.
RockyTop Models has rights to kit the
Earl Stahl series of models. The 27.5-inchspan
Spitfire has already been released. Next
in line will be the Howard DGA15 P, which
will soon be followed by the MiG-3. All
those are excellent fliers.
The latest kit from the Classic Aircraft
Model Company (CAMCO) is for the 16-
inch-span Dime Scale Pitcairn Fleetwing.
With its long nose and bountiful wing area,
it should be a great flier. It also has classic
lines that are so appealing to those who love
airplanes of the Golden Age of aviation.
Send $15 for the kit plus $7.25 for
shipping to CAMCO.
The Civy Boy is one of the most distinctive
and beautiful Nostalgia designs. Harry
Klarich is kitting the 66-inch version—the
one Gene Wallock and Paul Gilliam
redesigned in September 1953. They
corrected the long fuselage’s twisting
problem. Gene recalls that the old design
was a heart stopper under power; some
would literally screw themselves apart after
launch.
Larry Davidson scratch-built his Civy
Boy 66 from Gene Wallock’s 1953-version
plans. Weighing 32 ounces, Larry’s model is
powered by an O.S. MAX III .29 engine
turning an APC 9 x 4 propeller. The model
is covered with Polyspan and finished with
butyrate Randolph dope and K&B
SuperPoxy for fuel-proofing.
Relive those thrilling days of yesteryear
with your own Civy Boy 66.
Larry Kruse has had great success flying a
Majestyk P-30. Because of his fondness for
the Thom Greenhalge design, Larry decided
to build a Majestyk Too. It is basically the
same model, but with a rolled-tube fuselage
and built-up pylon wing mount.
The 1/20 balsa motor tube is doped inside
(before the tube is formed) and covered with
Japanese tissue on the outside. The plans
call for a “two rail” wing mount that is
approximately 1/2 inch high and the length of
the wing chord. Larry built an airfoiled
pylon that is roughly 11/2 inches high to
have room for the viscous timer and to
streamline things a bit.
With the tracker and no additional
ballast, Larry’s model came in at 41.2
grams—just a shade more than the
minimum allowable 40 grams. He uses 76
inches of 3/16 Tan Super Sport rubber made
into two loops. That makes a 9.8-gram
motor—10 grams when lubed. It gives a 48-
to 50-second motor run on 950-1,000 turns.
Braiding the motor is not required
because of the tensioner in the GizmoGeezer
front end. The front end and propeller give
an additional 10 seconds of motor run
because of the GizmoGeezer propeller’s
higher pitch.
Larry’s Majestyk Too trimmed out in
approximately three flights, with only the
incremental addition of downthrust and right
thrust—an easy screw adjustment with the
GizmoGeezer front end. He installed a nylon
screw for stabilizer incidence adjustments,
but he hasn’t had to change it since setting it
up for the glide.
Larry is extremely pleased with the
model. He finished third in last year’s Labor
Day contest in Denver, Colorado, against
some stiff competition.
You can purchase Majestyk plans for $5
+ $1 shipping and handling from Thom
Greenhalge. He says the modified version
resulted from Gene Wallock’s request for a
tube rather than the built-up fuselage. Gene
loves it and says it’s the best-flying P-30
he’s seen.
Lee Campbell has a short kit and plans
for the original Majestyk, which flies great.
The wing and stabilizer are the same for the
Majestyk Too, so if you don’t have the time
or inclination to cut your own, you can
purchase the wing and stabilizer rib sets
from Lee. He does not have the Majestyk
Too plans.
If you are unfamiliar with the
GizmoGeezer front-end assembly, check it
out. It enables adjustment of the thrustline,
is freewheeling, has a motor-tensioning
system, and has a clutch that holds the
propeller while you are waiting for lift.
Once made only with a P-30-size
propeller, the front end is now available
with smaller propeller sizes. They are great
for smaller Scale models.
If you Nostalgia Gas fliers are having
trouble finding the four-exhaust-slit Cox
Medallions and are tired of paying $10-$12
for glow heads, try the Fox FAI .049. The
Foxes now reside with Doug Martin. They
are still $50 plus $5 per order shipping and
handling. Glow heads are $4. Reports are
that Doug is continuing the high level of
service that Randall Hopkins established.
Bob Mattes can supply an adapter ring,
which screws into the Fox, that allows the
use of a Cox or a Galbreath Nelson head.
Don’t forget that the Ramrod 250 is the
National Free Flight Society’s One Design
model of the year for 2008.
Those of you in the Minneapolis,
Minnesota, area might be interested in
joining the Minneapolis Model Aero Club
(MMAC). It has been in existence since
approximately 1940 and has scheduled full
contest seasons since that time. The club has
one of the top flying fields in the country,
with the cooperation of local sod-farm
owners and farmers.
The MMAC has roughly 25 active
members and welcomes newcomers. Out-of-state applications are encouraged. Many
MMAC members attend the Nats each year at
Muncie, Indiana. Contact Dave Edmonson for
further information.
My apologies to Duke Horn. I mistakenly
attributed his Heath Parasol in the July 2007
column and his Gee Bee in the November
2007 column to Buzz Trabbic.Sources:
Ace Hardware
(866) 290-5334
www.acehardware.com
Bob Mattes
(636) 447-9580
[email protected]
CAMCO
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
Campbell’s Custom Kits
1831 Fletcher St.
Anderson IN 46016
www.campbellscustomkits.com
Dave Edmonson
(612) 220-5239
[email protected]
Doug Martin
1510 Locust St.
Canon City CO 81212
[email protected]
FAC GHQ
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
GizmoGeezer Products
(306) 955-1620
www.gizmogeezer.com/index.htm.
JCI
(714) 315-1927
www.jcimodels.com
Klarich Custom Kits
(916) 635-4588
www.klarichkits.com
Mike Stuart’s Comper Swift
www.ffscale.co.uk/comper.htm
RockyTop Models
(615) 452-4127
www.rockytopmodels.com
Small Flying Arts
www.smallflyingarts.com
Thom Greenhalge
15770 Primrose Ln.
Westminster CA 92683
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/01
Page Numbers: 126,127,128,129
MANY WHO ENJOY stick-and-tissue modeling
today (I am included) have been involved in many
aspects of the model-airplane hobby, from CL to
RC. I rediscovered stick-and-tissue almost 20 years
ago and have enjoyed this aspect of the hobby
immensely.
I still take a CL model around and around
occasionally and have fun with some club RC
Pylon Racing, but I always come back to stick and
tissue. If you would like to try it again or for the
first time, take a look at Mike Stuart’s Web site. He
has a great tutorial for building a Scale stick-andtissue
model of the Comper Swift racer.
Another great Web site is Small Flying Arts.
Join the fun. If you haven’t gone digital yet, join
the Flying Aces Club (FAC) for six issues of its
great newsletter. Send $15 to FAC GHQ.
Bob Clemons built a beautiful Keith Rider R-2“Bumble Bee” for the FAC Greve Race
event. The R-2 has to be one of the most
colorful Golden Age racers.
The model has a wingspan of 18.75
inches and weighs 32.60 grams. The 7-inch
plastic propeller is powered by four strands
of 1/8-inch rubber. The fuselage is covered
with red JCI tissue.
Bob is a big fan of JCI tissue. For a time
it was unavailable, but apparently it is being
produced again. I inquired on some online
forums and got feedback from one person
who had purchased JCI tissue in the last
year. He was pleased with the service.
Dick Covalt and his flying buddy/modelengine
machinist Bob Mattes have been
using Little Red Caps for their fuel bladders
for the last year. They have been happy with
these items; they provide plenty of fuel
pressure to the engine but not so much
pressure that a special needle valve is
required to get a good needle setting. If you
have a TD .049 but no KK needle valve, you
can get a good needle setting with the
standard needle valve.
Dean McGinnes has also been using the
Red Caps, and he reports that the pressure is
similar to that of a single balloon tank. Their
advantage is that unlike balloons, they are
fuelproof and can be used for several
contests.
One “bump” is just right for 1/2As; use
two for larger engines. They are Ace
Hardware item 1202647.
George White’s impressive S.E.5 was built
from a Midkiff/RockyTop Models kit. He
used a glue stick to cover the airplane with
green Esaki issue on the top and white on
the bottom.
The markings, which are those of No. 92
Squadron, are from a color three-view
supplied with the kit. The roundels are paper
(sanded thin) that was also supplied with the
kit.
The finish is two coats of 25%
nitrate/75% thinner sprayed using the Preval
sprayer from an auto-parts store. The finish
was followed by a mist coat of Glossy
Wood Tone Floral Spray from Michaels
craft store. That gave the model an olive
drab color on top and a tan color on the
bottom. The last step was a mist coat of
Krylon clear.
The S.E.5 flies on two loops of 1/8 Super
Sport that is 30 inches long and drives an 8-
inch Peck-Polymers propeller cut down to 7
inches. The empty weight is 47 grams.
Trimming was done under Mike
Midkiff’s guidance. The model didn’t fly
well until he got a hold of it. One of the
most important parts of the trimming
process was shortening the propeller.
Biplanes have considerable drag; they fly
best with a shorter, lower-pitch propeller.“Mike Midkiff and Buzz Trabbic of
RockyTop Models, working together, have
produced a very light kit with excellent
wood and laser-cut parts that fit better than
any I have seen,” said George.
RockyTop Models has rights to kit the
Earl Stahl series of models. The 27.5-inchspan
Spitfire has already been released. Next
in line will be the Howard DGA15 P, which
will soon be followed by the MiG-3. All
those are excellent fliers.
The latest kit from the Classic Aircraft
Model Company (CAMCO) is for the 16-
inch-span Dime Scale Pitcairn Fleetwing.
With its long nose and bountiful wing area,
it should be a great flier. It also has classic
lines that are so appealing to those who love
airplanes of the Golden Age of aviation.
Send $15 for the kit plus $7.25 for
shipping to CAMCO.
The Civy Boy is one of the most distinctive
and beautiful Nostalgia designs. Harry
Klarich is kitting the 66-inch version—the
one Gene Wallock and Paul Gilliam
redesigned in September 1953. They
corrected the long fuselage’s twisting
problem. Gene recalls that the old design
was a heart stopper under power; some
would literally screw themselves apart after
launch.
Larry Davidson scratch-built his Civy
Boy 66 from Gene Wallock’s 1953-version
plans. Weighing 32 ounces, Larry’s model is
powered by an O.S. MAX III .29 engine
turning an APC 9 x 4 propeller. The model
is covered with Polyspan and finished with
butyrate Randolph dope and K&B
SuperPoxy for fuel-proofing.
Relive those thrilling days of yesteryear
with your own Civy Boy 66.
Larry Kruse has had great success flying a
Majestyk P-30. Because of his fondness for
the Thom Greenhalge design, Larry decided
to build a Majestyk Too. It is basically the
same model, but with a rolled-tube fuselage
and built-up pylon wing mount.
The 1/20 balsa motor tube is doped inside
(before the tube is formed) and covered with
Japanese tissue on the outside. The plans
call for a “two rail” wing mount that is
approximately 1/2 inch high and the length of
the wing chord. Larry built an airfoiled
pylon that is roughly 11/2 inches high to
have room for the viscous timer and to
streamline things a bit.
With the tracker and no additional
ballast, Larry’s model came in at 41.2
grams—just a shade more than the
minimum allowable 40 grams. He uses 76
inches of 3/16 Tan Super Sport rubber made
into two loops. That makes a 9.8-gram
motor—10 grams when lubed. It gives a 48-
to 50-second motor run on 950-1,000 turns.
Braiding the motor is not required
because of the tensioner in the GizmoGeezer
front end. The front end and propeller give
an additional 10 seconds of motor run
because of the GizmoGeezer propeller’s
higher pitch.
Larry’s Majestyk Too trimmed out in
approximately three flights, with only the
incremental addition of downthrust and right
thrust—an easy screw adjustment with the
GizmoGeezer front end. He installed a nylon
screw for stabilizer incidence adjustments,
but he hasn’t had to change it since setting it
up for the glide.
Larry is extremely pleased with the
model. He finished third in last year’s Labor
Day contest in Denver, Colorado, against
some stiff competition.
You can purchase Majestyk plans for $5
+ $1 shipping and handling from Thom
Greenhalge. He says the modified version
resulted from Gene Wallock’s request for a
tube rather than the built-up fuselage. Gene
loves it and says it’s the best-flying P-30
he’s seen.
Lee Campbell has a short kit and plans
for the original Majestyk, which flies great.
The wing and stabilizer are the same for the
Majestyk Too, so if you don’t have the time
or inclination to cut your own, you can
purchase the wing and stabilizer rib sets
from Lee. He does not have the Majestyk
Too plans.
If you are unfamiliar with the
GizmoGeezer front-end assembly, check it
out. It enables adjustment of the thrustline,
is freewheeling, has a motor-tensioning
system, and has a clutch that holds the
propeller while you are waiting for lift.
Once made only with a P-30-size
propeller, the front end is now available
with smaller propeller sizes. They are great
for smaller Scale models.
If you Nostalgia Gas fliers are having
trouble finding the four-exhaust-slit Cox
Medallions and are tired of paying $10-$12
for glow heads, try the Fox FAI .049. The
Foxes now reside with Doug Martin. They
are still $50 plus $5 per order shipping and
handling. Glow heads are $4. Reports are
that Doug is continuing the high level of
service that Randall Hopkins established.
Bob Mattes can supply an adapter ring,
which screws into the Fox, that allows the
use of a Cox or a Galbreath Nelson head.
Don’t forget that the Ramrod 250 is the
National Free Flight Society’s One Design
model of the year for 2008.
Those of you in the Minneapolis,
Minnesota, area might be interested in
joining the Minneapolis Model Aero Club
(MMAC). It has been in existence since
approximately 1940 and has scheduled full
contest seasons since that time. The club has
one of the top flying fields in the country,
with the cooperation of local sod-farm
owners and farmers.
The MMAC has roughly 25 active
members and welcomes newcomers. Out-of-state applications are encouraged. Many
MMAC members attend the Nats each year at
Muncie, Indiana. Contact Dave Edmonson for
further information.
My apologies to Duke Horn. I mistakenly
attributed his Heath Parasol in the July 2007
column and his Gee Bee in the November
2007 column to Buzz Trabbic.Sources:
Ace Hardware
(866) 290-5334
www.acehardware.com
Bob Mattes
(636) 447-9580
[email protected]
CAMCO
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
Campbell’s Custom Kits
1831 Fletcher St.
Anderson IN 46016
www.campbellscustomkits.com
Dave Edmonson
(612) 220-5239
[email protected]
Doug Martin
1510 Locust St.
Canon City CO 81212
[email protected]
FAC GHQ
3301 Cindy Ln.
Erie PA 16506
GizmoGeezer Products
(306) 955-1620
www.gizmogeezer.com/index.htm.
JCI
(714) 315-1927
www.jcimodels.com
Klarich Custom Kits
(916) 635-4588
www.klarichkits.com
Mike Stuart’s Comper Swift
www.ffscale.co.uk/comper.htm
RockyTop Models
(615) 452-4127
www.rockytopmodels.com
Small Flying Arts
www.smallflyingarts.com
Thom Greenhalge
15770 Primrose Ln.
Westminster CA 92683