PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Qs and As (for follow-ups),
always provide the number as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites
are now placed in a group, separate from
the text, at the end of this column under
“Sources.”
Q412: “As a very young modeler I built
solid scale models for the fun of it. True
they didn’t fly, but I was happy to have
them on display in my room and to show
them to my friends. I couldn’t afford
engines in those days, nor was I near any
flying field. But static scale display models
maintained my interest in model aircraft
for a long time.
“I’d like to revisit some of those old
models. Are there any special interest
groups today that I might contact to see
what other modelers might be doing in this
same area?”
A412: In Don Ross’s “Cross Files” column
that was published in the April 2009
Flying Models magazine on page 48, I was
led to a Web site called the “Solid Shop.”
It references a new link to those who are
interested in building solid models, called
the “Solid Model Memories” discussion
group. That same link can also get you to
the “Solid Model Memories” photo
gallery. That should be a good start.
Trying the various Internet search
engines will get you even more
information. I found a manual dated 1942
titled, Scale Model Aircraft Construction
Procedure. It contains 13 pages of
illustrations showing techniques for
building solid scale models.
This was published during WW II,
when solid models were used to train
observers in the recognition of aircraft. It
was similar to a civil-defense function.
The manual makes for excellent reading.
See the “Sources” list for the Web site. There
is probably much more information available
if you have the patience to search for it.
Q413: “Like so many modelers I have a
large variety of small size Phillips Head
screwdrivers for which I find many
applications. I’ve noted problems when
assembling ARF models manufactured in
the Far East where my screwdrivers don’t
seem to fit properly.
“I assumed this was just poor quality.
But recently I heard that the real problem
is that there is a different size standard
for these Phillips Head type screwdrivers.
What’s the story?”
A413: A reader, Jim Kitchen, brought up
the answer to this recently, and with that
lead, MA Editor Michael Ramsey filled
me in on the details. RJR Cool Tools Inc.
carries the Moody tool line. I learned that
there is a Japanese Industrial Standard
(JIS) screw that looks similar to a Phillips
head but is slightly different.
The fact that our Phillips-head
screwdrivers don’t fit these imported
screws is not a matter of quality. It’s that
the screws are built to a different size
standard. The RJR Web site will give you
information about this product and some
interesting related products that might
interest many modelers.
Q414: “I know you have already reported
on the ‘How High’ altimeter/recording
device. What I was wondering, can they
make a portable unit that would enable
me to transfer the altimeter from aircraft
to aircraft?
“The thought came to my mind
because I’m able to transfer my GPS
system from car to car. Having one
altimeter would save me a lot of money
and the need for dedicated aircraft
installations.”
A414: Dave West of Winged Shadow
Systems sent me a brochure about his
new How High SP. The “SP” stands for
“Self-Powered.”
This altimeter works identically to the
original, but with this version, everything
including the switch and the battery
power is self-contained. So it is strictly a
matter of placing the SP inside a fuselage
and letting it go along for a ride.
No permanent installation is
necessary. You could also consider this
device for use with FF models and
nonpowered aircraft, such as sailplanes
and even hand-launched gliders.
In a pinch, you can slip the SP under
the rubber bands holding the wing down.
It might add a bit of drag, but you might
not want to record the altitude on every
flight anyway.
The How High SP sells for $44.90.
Q415: “I’m interested in simple supports
that can help line up my parts when they
are pinned to a building board. Come to
think of it, what do you recommend for a
building board?”
A415: To answer the first part of your
question, many items and gadgets are
available to aid in the building process.
My friends at Aero Craft Ltd. recently
introduced a new line of support triangles
that help align parts so that they are at
right angles to the building board.
Those supports are made from laser-cut
plywood, and they come in several sizes.
Included are beams or rails that allow the
triangles to stand up with no other
support. You could even add a few drilled
holes and then use T-pins to anchor the
triangles in place.
Aero Craft also sells laser-cut parts
supports; they are slots cut into plywood.
An accompanying photo shows a wing rib
being supported.
Aero Craft will sell these supports
direct. The same building supports will
also be available from Hobby Lobby
International.
The building board question is easy. I
use one that is made from scrap pieces of
balsa. A good source for these is Tower
Hobbies; it sells three sizes, all of which
are 3/4 inch thick. The sizes are 12 x 24,
16 x 36, and 16 x 48 inches—the one I
use. The largest size is currently selling
for $30.
Use one side of each board for as long
as you can, and then flip it over and get
twice the service life out of the piece.
Q416: “I have a rather inexpensive
charger that came with an RTF model that
commands just LEDs to let you know
when charging is in progress and when it
is complete. I would really like to find an
add-on meter that could supply me with
charge current information and the like.
How about it?”
A416: I recently learned that George Joy
of Peak Electronics has introduced a
small LCD readout meter that he calls the
Sirius Charge “FlowMeter.” When
inserted between a battery and charger,
the device will indicate the charge
current, the mAh going into the battery,
and the voltage while under charge.
George thinks of this as an electrical
“fuel gauge.” It can be used in conjunction
with wall wart transformer/chargers or any
charger that doesn’t have its own internal
meter.
Because of the FlowMeter’s small size
and light weight, you could even place it
in your model and let it record how many
mAh (capacity) was used during a flight.
A Version-1 can handle up to 2 amps of
current, and Version-2, which will be
released in the near future, will go up to
4.5 amps.
Q417: “I noted recently in your column
several references to charging micro size
Li-Poly single-cell batteries. My problem
has been finding AC [alternating current]
power for a charger at many of the indoor
flying facilities that I visit.
“I need a charger that is self-powered
to provide me more flexibility. Is
anything available like this?”
A417: Progress in micro/indoor flying
seems to be happening at a monthly pace.
I’ve mentioned the FMA Direct Cellpro
M4 charger and adapter, as well as one
that Bob Selman Designs offers. One of
these chargers will probably provide the
portability for which you are looking.
However, a new charger was brought
to my attention, and I think it might prove
to be exactly what you want. EF
Technologies has developed the Four
Play Pro, which can charge up to four
separate single Li-Poly battery cells at
selectable currents ranging from 20 to
400 mA.
Each of the four outputs can be set to a
different current, so a variety of cells can
be charged at the same time. The best part
is that this charger’s input power is
supplied by only a three-cell Li-Poly
battery pack. You would probably want a
pack rated at close to 2000 mAh in
capacity.
Charging some of these cells at 70,
110, 200 mA, etc. means that you can get
quite a few charges from that three-cell
power source. If you need more charging
capability, take two fully charged threecell
packs to your indoor flying site.
My reader friend is correct; many of
these indoor facilities have no AC power
outlets. It can be time-consuming if you
must return to your car to recharge
batteries after every flight.
The Four Play Pro sells for $69.95. EF
Technologies also sells a 115 VAC to 12-
volt DC power supply to power the
charger, say, when you are in your shop.
On the company’s Web site, I also
found a digital FF timer called the
“Smoothie.” I think many will find this
product interesting. MA
Sources:
Solid Shop
www.ualberta.ca/~khorne/solid/solid.html
Scale Model Aircraft Construction
Procedure
www.ualberta.ca/~khorne/solid/manual.pdf
RJR Cool Tools
(877) 230-2085
www.rjrcooltools.com
Winged Shadow Systems
(630) 837-6553
www.wingedshadow.com
Aero Craft Ltd
(631) 369-9319
www.aerocraftrc.com
Hobby Lobby
(866) 512-1444
www.hobby-lobby.com
Tower Hobbies
(800) 637-6050
www.towerhobbies.com
Peak Electronics
(800) 532-0092
www.siriuselectronics.com
EF Technologies Inc.
(302) 451-1088
www.eftmodels.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 78,79,81
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 78,79,81
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Qs and As (for follow-ups),
always provide the number as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites
are now placed in a group, separate from
the text, at the end of this column under
“Sources.”
Q412: “As a very young modeler I built
solid scale models for the fun of it. True
they didn’t fly, but I was happy to have
them on display in my room and to show
them to my friends. I couldn’t afford
engines in those days, nor was I near any
flying field. But static scale display models
maintained my interest in model aircraft
for a long time.
“I’d like to revisit some of those old
models. Are there any special interest
groups today that I might contact to see
what other modelers might be doing in this
same area?”
A412: In Don Ross’s “Cross Files” column
that was published in the April 2009
Flying Models magazine on page 48, I was
led to a Web site called the “Solid Shop.”
It references a new link to those who are
interested in building solid models, called
the “Solid Model Memories” discussion
group. That same link can also get you to
the “Solid Model Memories” photo
gallery. That should be a good start.
Trying the various Internet search
engines will get you even more
information. I found a manual dated 1942
titled, Scale Model Aircraft Construction
Procedure. It contains 13 pages of
illustrations showing techniques for
building solid scale models.
This was published during WW II,
when solid models were used to train
observers in the recognition of aircraft. It
was similar to a civil-defense function.
The manual makes for excellent reading.
See the “Sources” list for the Web site. There
is probably much more information available
if you have the patience to search for it.
Q413: “Like so many modelers I have a
large variety of small size Phillips Head
screwdrivers for which I find many
applications. I’ve noted problems when
assembling ARF models manufactured in
the Far East where my screwdrivers don’t
seem to fit properly.
“I assumed this was just poor quality.
But recently I heard that the real problem
is that there is a different size standard
for these Phillips Head type screwdrivers.
What’s the story?”
A413: A reader, Jim Kitchen, brought up
the answer to this recently, and with that
lead, MA Editor Michael Ramsey filled
me in on the details. RJR Cool Tools Inc.
carries the Moody tool line. I learned that
there is a Japanese Industrial Standard
(JIS) screw that looks similar to a Phillips
head but is slightly different.
The fact that our Phillips-head
screwdrivers don’t fit these imported
screws is not a matter of quality. It’s that
the screws are built to a different size
standard. The RJR Web site will give you
information about this product and some
interesting related products that might
interest many modelers.
Q414: “I know you have already reported
on the ‘How High’ altimeter/recording
device. What I was wondering, can they
make a portable unit that would enable
me to transfer the altimeter from aircraft
to aircraft?
“The thought came to my mind
because I’m able to transfer my GPS
system from car to car. Having one
altimeter would save me a lot of money
and the need for dedicated aircraft
installations.”
A414: Dave West of Winged Shadow
Systems sent me a brochure about his
new How High SP. The “SP” stands for
“Self-Powered.”
This altimeter works identically to the
original, but with this version, everything
including the switch and the battery
power is self-contained. So it is strictly a
matter of placing the SP inside a fuselage
and letting it go along for a ride.
No permanent installation is
necessary. You could also consider this
device for use with FF models and
nonpowered aircraft, such as sailplanes
and even hand-launched gliders.
In a pinch, you can slip the SP under
the rubber bands holding the wing down.
It might add a bit of drag, but you might
not want to record the altitude on every
flight anyway.
The How High SP sells for $44.90.
Q415: “I’m interested in simple supports
that can help line up my parts when they
are pinned to a building board. Come to
think of it, what do you recommend for a
building board?”
A415: To answer the first part of your
question, many items and gadgets are
available to aid in the building process.
My friends at Aero Craft Ltd. recently
introduced a new line of support triangles
that help align parts so that they are at
right angles to the building board.
Those supports are made from laser-cut
plywood, and they come in several sizes.
Included are beams or rails that allow the
triangles to stand up with no other
support. You could even add a few drilled
holes and then use T-pins to anchor the
triangles in place.
Aero Craft also sells laser-cut parts
supports; they are slots cut into plywood.
An accompanying photo shows a wing rib
being supported.
Aero Craft will sell these supports
direct. The same building supports will
also be available from Hobby Lobby
International.
The building board question is easy. I
use one that is made from scrap pieces of
balsa. A good source for these is Tower
Hobbies; it sells three sizes, all of which
are 3/4 inch thick. The sizes are 12 x 24,
16 x 36, and 16 x 48 inches—the one I
use. The largest size is currently selling
for $30.
Use one side of each board for as long
as you can, and then flip it over and get
twice the service life out of the piece.
Q416: “I have a rather inexpensive
charger that came with an RTF model that
commands just LEDs to let you know
when charging is in progress and when it
is complete. I would really like to find an
add-on meter that could supply me with
charge current information and the like.
How about it?”
A416: I recently learned that George Joy
of Peak Electronics has introduced a
small LCD readout meter that he calls the
Sirius Charge “FlowMeter.” When
inserted between a battery and charger,
the device will indicate the charge
current, the mAh going into the battery,
and the voltage while under charge.
George thinks of this as an electrical
“fuel gauge.” It can be used in conjunction
with wall wart transformer/chargers or any
charger that doesn’t have its own internal
meter.
Because of the FlowMeter’s small size
and light weight, you could even place it
in your model and let it record how many
mAh (capacity) was used during a flight.
A Version-1 can handle up to 2 amps of
current, and Version-2, which will be
released in the near future, will go up to
4.5 amps.
Q417: “I noted recently in your column
several references to charging micro size
Li-Poly single-cell batteries. My problem
has been finding AC [alternating current]
power for a charger at many of the indoor
flying facilities that I visit.
“I need a charger that is self-powered
to provide me more flexibility. Is
anything available like this?”
A417: Progress in micro/indoor flying
seems to be happening at a monthly pace.
I’ve mentioned the FMA Direct Cellpro
M4 charger and adapter, as well as one
that Bob Selman Designs offers. One of
these chargers will probably provide the
portability for which you are looking.
However, a new charger was brought
to my attention, and I think it might prove
to be exactly what you want. EF
Technologies has developed the Four
Play Pro, which can charge up to four
separate single Li-Poly battery cells at
selectable currents ranging from 20 to
400 mA.
Each of the four outputs can be set to a
different current, so a variety of cells can
be charged at the same time. The best part
is that this charger’s input power is
supplied by only a three-cell Li-Poly
battery pack. You would probably want a
pack rated at close to 2000 mAh in
capacity.
Charging some of these cells at 70,
110, 200 mA, etc. means that you can get
quite a few charges from that three-cell
power source. If you need more charging
capability, take two fully charged threecell
packs to your indoor flying site.
My reader friend is correct; many of
these indoor facilities have no AC power
outlets. It can be time-consuming if you
must return to your car to recharge
batteries after every flight.
The Four Play Pro sells for $69.95. EF
Technologies also sells a 115 VAC to 12-
volt DC power supply to power the
charger, say, when you are in your shop.
On the company’s Web site, I also
found a digital FF timer called the
“Smoothie.” I think many will find this
product interesting. MA
Sources:
Solid Shop
www.ualberta.ca/~khorne/solid/solid.html
Scale Model Aircraft Construction
Procedure
www.ualberta.ca/~khorne/solid/manual.pdf
RJR Cool Tools
(877) 230-2085
www.rjrcooltools.com
Winged Shadow Systems
(630) 837-6553
www.wingedshadow.com
Aero Craft Ltd
(631) 369-9319
www.aerocraftrc.com
Hobby Lobby
(866) 512-1444
www.hobby-lobby.com
Tower Hobbies
(800) 637-6050
www.towerhobbies.com
Peak Electronics
(800) 532-0092
www.siriuselectronics.com
EF Technologies Inc.
(302) 451-1088
www.eftmodels.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 78,79,81
PLEASE WRITE IN with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Qs and As (for follow-ups),
always provide the number as a reference.
References to addresses and Web sites
are now placed in a group, separate from
the text, at the end of this column under
“Sources.”
Q412: “As a very young modeler I built
solid scale models for the fun of it. True
they didn’t fly, but I was happy to have
them on display in my room and to show
them to my friends. I couldn’t afford
engines in those days, nor was I near any
flying field. But static scale display models
maintained my interest in model aircraft
for a long time.
“I’d like to revisit some of those old
models. Are there any special interest
groups today that I might contact to see
what other modelers might be doing in this
same area?”
A412: In Don Ross’s “Cross Files” column
that was published in the April 2009
Flying Models magazine on page 48, I was
led to a Web site called the “Solid Shop.”
It references a new link to those who are
interested in building solid models, called
the “Solid Model Memories” discussion
group. That same link can also get you to
the “Solid Model Memories” photo
gallery. That should be a good start.
Trying the various Internet search
engines will get you even more
information. I found a manual dated 1942
titled, Scale Model Aircraft Construction
Procedure. It contains 13 pages of
illustrations showing techniques for
building solid scale models.
This was published during WW II,
when solid models were used to train
observers in the recognition of aircraft. It
was similar to a civil-defense function.
The manual makes for excellent reading.
See the “Sources” list for the Web site. There
is probably much more information available
if you have the patience to search for it.
Q413: “Like so many modelers I have a
large variety of small size Phillips Head
screwdrivers for which I find many
applications. I’ve noted problems when
assembling ARF models manufactured in
the Far East where my screwdrivers don’t
seem to fit properly.
“I assumed this was just poor quality.
But recently I heard that the real problem
is that there is a different size standard
for these Phillips Head type screwdrivers.
What’s the story?”
A413: A reader, Jim Kitchen, brought up
the answer to this recently, and with that
lead, MA Editor Michael Ramsey filled
me in on the details. RJR Cool Tools Inc.
carries the Moody tool line. I learned that
there is a Japanese Industrial Standard
(JIS) screw that looks similar to a Phillips
head but is slightly different.
The fact that our Phillips-head
screwdrivers don’t fit these imported
screws is not a matter of quality. It’s that
the screws are built to a different size
standard. The RJR Web site will give you
information about this product and some
interesting related products that might
interest many modelers.
Q414: “I know you have already reported
on the ‘How High’ altimeter/recording
device. What I was wondering, can they
make a portable unit that would enable
me to transfer the altimeter from aircraft
to aircraft?
“The thought came to my mind
because I’m able to transfer my GPS
system from car to car. Having one
altimeter would save me a lot of money
and the need for dedicated aircraft
installations.”
A414: Dave West of Winged Shadow
Systems sent me a brochure about his
new How High SP. The “SP” stands for
“Self-Powered.”
This altimeter works identically to the
original, but with this version, everything
including the switch and the battery
power is self-contained. So it is strictly a
matter of placing the SP inside a fuselage
and letting it go along for a ride.
No permanent installation is
necessary. You could also consider this
device for use with FF models and
nonpowered aircraft, such as sailplanes
and even hand-launched gliders.
In a pinch, you can slip the SP under
the rubber bands holding the wing down.
It might add a bit of drag, but you might
not want to record the altitude on every
flight anyway.
The How High SP sells for $44.90.
Q415: “I’m interested in simple supports
that can help line up my parts when they
are pinned to a building board. Come to
think of it, what do you recommend for a
building board?”
A415: To answer the first part of your
question, many items and gadgets are
available to aid in the building process.
My friends at Aero Craft Ltd. recently
introduced a new line of support triangles
that help align parts so that they are at
right angles to the building board.
Those supports are made from laser-cut
plywood, and they come in several sizes.
Included are beams or rails that allow the
triangles to stand up with no other
support. You could even add a few drilled
holes and then use T-pins to anchor the
triangles in place.
Aero Craft also sells laser-cut parts
supports; they are slots cut into plywood.
An accompanying photo shows a wing rib
being supported.
Aero Craft will sell these supports
direct. The same building supports will
also be available from Hobby Lobby
International.
The building board question is easy. I
use one that is made from scrap pieces of
balsa. A good source for these is Tower
Hobbies; it sells three sizes, all of which
are 3/4 inch thick. The sizes are 12 x 24,
16 x 36, and 16 x 48 inches—the one I
use. The largest size is currently selling
for $30.
Use one side of each board for as long
as you can, and then flip it over and get
twice the service life out of the piece.
Q416: “I have a rather inexpensive
charger that came with an RTF model that
commands just LEDs to let you know
when charging is in progress and when it
is complete. I would really like to find an
add-on meter that could supply me with
charge current information and the like.
How about it?”
A416: I recently learned that George Joy
of Peak Electronics has introduced a
small LCD readout meter that he calls the
Sirius Charge “FlowMeter.” When
inserted between a battery and charger,
the device will indicate the charge
current, the mAh going into the battery,
and the voltage while under charge.
George thinks of this as an electrical
“fuel gauge.” It can be used in conjunction
with wall wart transformer/chargers or any
charger that doesn’t have its own internal
meter.
Because of the FlowMeter’s small size
and light weight, you could even place it
in your model and let it record how many
mAh (capacity) was used during a flight.
A Version-1 can handle up to 2 amps of
current, and Version-2, which will be
released in the near future, will go up to
4.5 amps.
Q417: “I noted recently in your column
several references to charging micro size
Li-Poly single-cell batteries. My problem
has been finding AC [alternating current]
power for a charger at many of the indoor
flying facilities that I visit.
“I need a charger that is self-powered
to provide me more flexibility. Is
anything available like this?”
A417: Progress in micro/indoor flying
seems to be happening at a monthly pace.
I’ve mentioned the FMA Direct Cellpro
M4 charger and adapter, as well as one
that Bob Selman Designs offers. One of
these chargers will probably provide the
portability for which you are looking.
However, a new charger was brought
to my attention, and I think it might prove
to be exactly what you want. EF
Technologies has developed the Four
Play Pro, which can charge up to four
separate single Li-Poly battery cells at
selectable currents ranging from 20 to
400 mA.
Each of the four outputs can be set to a
different current, so a variety of cells can
be charged at the same time. The best part
is that this charger’s input power is
supplied by only a three-cell Li-Poly
battery pack. You would probably want a
pack rated at close to 2000 mAh in
capacity.
Charging some of these cells at 70,
110, 200 mA, etc. means that you can get
quite a few charges from that three-cell
power source. If you need more charging
capability, take two fully charged threecell
packs to your indoor flying site.
My reader friend is correct; many of
these indoor facilities have no AC power
outlets. It can be time-consuming if you
must return to your car to recharge
batteries after every flight.
The Four Play Pro sells for $69.95. EF
Technologies also sells a 115 VAC to 12-
volt DC power supply to power the
charger, say, when you are in your shop.
On the company’s Web site, I also
found a digital FF timer called the
“Smoothie.” I think many will find this
product interesting. MA
Sources:
Solid Shop
www.ualberta.ca/~khorne/solid/solid.html
Scale Model Aircraft Construction
Procedure
www.ualberta.ca/~khorne/solid/manual.pdf
RJR Cool Tools
(877) 230-2085
www.rjrcooltools.com
Winged Shadow Systems
(630) 837-6553
www.wingedshadow.com
Aero Craft Ltd
(631) 369-9319
www.aerocraftrc.com
Hobby Lobby
(866) 512-1444
www.hobby-lobby.com
Tower Hobbies
(800) 637-6050
www.towerhobbies.com
Peak Electronics
(800) 532-0092
www.siriuselectronics.com
EF Technologies Inc.
(302) 451-1088
www.eftmodels.com
