Check out Callie Graphics!
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Also included in this column:
• Gussets
• Jet turbine fuel
• Microlite covering
• Reyes new book follow-up
• Servo tester follow-up
November 2009 85
Wood gussets that brace model structures must have grain running
as shown. Incorrect ways are also shown. For a neat structure, all
gussets should be the same size.
Callie Graphics decals are backed with a masking tape. As shown,
the tape, with characters on it, is placed on a wing, rubbed down to
make solid contact, and then peeled off.
Several of the author’s models’ wings have Callie Graphics
AMA-number decals. You can specify color, size, and material
for your order.
PLEASE WRITE In with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Q-and-As (for follow-ups),
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.”
Q421: “I simply want to place my AMA
license number on the wings of my model
aircraft. I’ve tried several sources for decals
and find that I have trouble obtaining the
style I want, the color and size and at a
reasonable price. I see license numbers on
all of your published designs and review
aircraft, what source do you recommend?”
A421: I was running out of my AMA
license-number decals; the source of the
large supply from years ago was long since
out of business. I tried several sources and
was surprised to find that these decals had
become expensive. So I asked a few of my
hobby professional friends, such as Pat
Tritle, and learned that most of the “pros”
use the services of Callie Soden of Callie
Graphics in Edgewood, New Mexico.
I obtained my AMA 215 license number,
as shown, in 2-, 11/2-, and 1-inch heights,
with a font of my choice. I chose yellow,
because most of my models’ wings use red
or dark purple.
Callie uses vinyl material that is backed
with a masking tape. You remove the
protective backing and apply the tape, with
the letters and numbers to your aircraft.
Press the tape down firmly so that the vinyl
makes total contact with the model’s
surface. Carefully peel off the masking tape.
That leaves your license number perfectly
spaced on your wing, tail, or whatever.
My first order was for a variety of decals
that added up to 21/2 dozen. The price was
fair, and after calling in the order, I received
my decals in three days (from New Mexico
to New York).
You owe it to yourself to visit Callie’s
Web site to see her entire product line,
which includes a custom decal service, scale
model applications, T-shirts, and hats. Now
I know why professional modelers use this
wonderful service.
Q422: “I have an engineer friend who is a
structural analysis expert for a major
aerospace firm. He mentioned to me
recently that the triangular shaped gussets
that we use so often on our model aircraft
structures are critical as to the direction of
the wood grain. Can you explain this to
me?”
A422: Having built FF models back to the
early 1950s, I must have used 1,000 or more
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 9:47 AM Page 85
86 MODEL AVIATION
Bob’s reduced-size Lanzo Bomber has 200 square inches of wing
area and weighs 5.5 ounces, ready to fly. The Microlite’s weight—
0.6 ounce—is included in the 5.5.
Bob used Coverite Microlite iron-on covering on a small, lightweight model and thinks it
is definitely worth trying. He describes the material in the text.
Carlos Reyes’s new book—RCadvisor’s
ModiFly—helps the RC beginner scratchbuild
his or her first model for practically
no money.
York Electronics’ YTC Servo Cycler &
Driver, which costs only $20, can operate a
servo without your RC system. That
comes in handy when installing controls in
a new model.
gussets on my various aircraft. Back then,
the gusset was used mostly to add gluing
area to a critical wing or tail joint. But as I
learned years later, these same gussets add
strength to the structure. The critical part of
using a gusset is the direction of the wood
grain.
I originally cut these triangular-shaped
wood gussets randomly from sheet balsa. I
never concerned myself with the wood-grain
direction. That is wrong, which is exactly
what your engineer friend is trying to tell
you.
The included photo clarifies this point. I
tried to show the right way, along with
several wrong ways.
The other thing I want to mention is a
method for making all of your gussets the
same size. Some modelers cut triangles at
random.
You will be surprised by how
professional your model looks if you make
each gusset the same size, especially when
you use a gusset at the TE of each wing rib.
Think about that the next time you are
constructing a wing or stabilizer.
Q423: “I believe I read recently that Jet-A
(turbine) fuel intended for anything other
than full-scale aircraft is not legal.
Unfortunately I can’t find that specific
reference any longer. Is this true? Where
should one buy fuel for their jet turbine
engines?”
A423: I don’t own a jet turbine engine, so I
turned to several experts who know all about
this sort of thing. The first name that came to
my mind was AMA’s technical director,
Greg Hahn. He earned a first place, again, at
the 2009 Top Gun event in Florida, flying
his now-famous giant-scale B-25.
Greg pointed out that most of the model
jet pilots at Top Gun used Jet-A turbine fuel.
It is usually obtainable at local airports
(known as Fixed Base Operators, or FBOs).
Some FBOs can be difficult to deal with,
since they want to sell hundreds of gallons of
fuel—not just the few gallons needed for
model use. But it is definitely legal to
purchase this kind of fuel for our jetpowered
aircraft. These same FBOs also sell
the special turbine oil that is used with the
fuel.
Greg went on to answer my question
with an interesting story about jet-turbine
fuel in general, which follows.
“Actually Jet-A is less refined than
Kerosene and both are more refined than #2
household heating oil. A turbine engine will
burn all three. That was one of the plusses
when the military went to jets, fuel specifics
became much less an issue. In WW II
specific fuel octane ratings were a huge
factor in the life span of aircraft engines.
“A turbine will burn almost anything
you can pump into it. Being less refined Jet-
A has more lubricating qualities than K-1
Kerosene (if you are burning K-1 you’ll
need more lubricating oil). Yes, the oil is
another big item but is sold by most of the
turbine engine manufacturers so it’s not
hard to get.
“At least modelers don’t have to worry
about anti-fungal additives, which is needed
in full-scale jets. It’s hard to believe but
moss will grow inside a jet’s fuel tanks and
clog up the engine system.”
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 9:47 AM Page 86
Thanks, Greg, for some interesting facts.
So purchasing jet fuel for your model turbine
engine is legal to the best of our knowledge.
Q424: “I’m looking for a lightweight iron-on
covering material that is readily available,
easy to apply and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Since you are so deep into micro/
indoor flying you must have some
recommendations?”
A424:Much of the choice of lightweight
covering material depends on a model’s size
and speed. Too light of a covering tends to
tear easily, requiring constant patching. Too
fast of a model could result in structural
failure in flight, because the covering didn’t
add enough strength.
For my full-size competition electric
sailplanes and Old-Timers, I have always
used Top Flite MonoKote—usually
transparent. For my smaller electric Texaco
models, as well as the class-A electric
sailplanes, I went to UltraCote Lite
transparent.
Next down the line, for the 10- to 12-
ounce park flyer-size models, I like Solite
from BP Hobbies. It goes on easily, is
inexpensive, and is available in many opaque
and transparent colors.
More recently, I wanted an even lighterweight
covering, still with its own built-in
adhesive. At the suggestion of a friend, I tried
the Coverite-brand Microlite iron-on
covering.
It is readily available from mail-order
houses such as Tower Hobbies. A large roll
costs approximately $12 plus shipping, and I
can cover at least three models with two
different-color rolls of it.
I like this newfound covering a lot. But I
learned that Microlite doesn’t like a lot of
heat. You best use an iron, because heat-gun
application, if you get careless, can easily
melt it.
This material does stick well to the
aircraft structure and to itself when you wrap
it around LEs and TEs. Once ironed in place,
the covering rarely needs reironing; it stays in
place.
Microlite also shrinks well, so you won’t
end up with wrinkles. Even though it shrinks
considerably, it doesn’t tend to warp a
model’s flying surfaces.
How light is it? I weighed an entire 200-
square-inch, reduced-size Lanzo Bomber
before covering it. Then after applying
Microlite to every part of the airplane, I found
that the material added only 0.6 ounce to it.
That is certainly light.
But there is one problem with which you
will have to cope. The built-in adhesive
attracts like a magnet.
As you peel off the protective backing,
you can easily get one part of the Microlite to
stick to another. When that happens,
sometimes you have to throw out a ball of
material and start again. So be careful when
that backing comes off as you apply the
covering to your aircraft.
Q409 Follow-Up (August 2009 MA, page
86): I already shared with you how
impressed I was with a new model aircraft
author, Carlos Reyes, who lives in New
Mexico. Now, only a few months later, he
has introduced his second book:
RCadvisor’s ModiFly.
The opening page of this 150-page book
says it all. “Design and Build From Scratch
Your Own Modern Flying Model Airplane
In One Day for just $5.00.”
As the index shows, Carlos takes you
through the design process of an extremely
simple electric-powered RC model. Then he
discusses materials, building, components
you must buy, finishing, and flying. Finally,
he leads you into follow-on subjects such as
design enhancements, variations, and how
to design your next airplane.
This is definitely a book worth owning
for your hobby reference purposes. You can
buy it direct from Carlos via the Web site.
Q330 Follow-Up (January 2008 MA, page
73): In that Q-and-A, I mentioned a servo
tester, or exerciser, that allows you to
operate an RC servo without its being
connected to your RC system. This comes
in handy when installing and setting up
controls in a new aircraft.
A reader wrote in recently to tell me that
he purchased a York Electronics YTV
Servo Cycler & Driver and that it cost him
only $20. I checked out the company’s Web
site, and it verifies what my reader friend
indicated.
I found the Web site to be informative
and was able to confirm the low selling
price. It is worth looking into. MA
Sources:
Callie Graphics
(505) 281-9310
www.callie-graphics.com
Coverite
www.coverite.com
RCadvisor
(505) 206-1569
www.rcadvisor.com
York Electronics
(972) 418-9000
www.york-electronics.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 85,86,87
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 85,86,87
Check out Callie Graphics!
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Also included in this column:
• Gussets
• Jet turbine fuel
• Microlite covering
• Reyes new book follow-up
• Servo tester follow-up
November 2009 85
Wood gussets that brace model structures must have grain running
as shown. Incorrect ways are also shown. For a neat structure, all
gussets should be the same size.
Callie Graphics decals are backed with a masking tape. As shown,
the tape, with characters on it, is placed on a wing, rubbed down to
make solid contact, and then peeled off.
Several of the author’s models’ wings have Callie Graphics
AMA-number decals. You can specify color, size, and material
for your order.
PLEASE WRITE In with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Q-and-As (for follow-ups),
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.”
Q421: “I simply want to place my AMA
license number on the wings of my model
aircraft. I’ve tried several sources for decals
and find that I have trouble obtaining the
style I want, the color and size and at a
reasonable price. I see license numbers on
all of your published designs and review
aircraft, what source do you recommend?”
A421: I was running out of my AMA
license-number decals; the source of the
large supply from years ago was long since
out of business. I tried several sources and
was surprised to find that these decals had
become expensive. So I asked a few of my
hobby professional friends, such as Pat
Tritle, and learned that most of the “pros”
use the services of Callie Soden of Callie
Graphics in Edgewood, New Mexico.
I obtained my AMA 215 license number,
as shown, in 2-, 11/2-, and 1-inch heights,
with a font of my choice. I chose yellow,
because most of my models’ wings use red
or dark purple.
Callie uses vinyl material that is backed
with a masking tape. You remove the
protective backing and apply the tape, with
the letters and numbers to your aircraft.
Press the tape down firmly so that the vinyl
makes total contact with the model’s
surface. Carefully peel off the masking tape.
That leaves your license number perfectly
spaced on your wing, tail, or whatever.
My first order was for a variety of decals
that added up to 21/2 dozen. The price was
fair, and after calling in the order, I received
my decals in three days (from New Mexico
to New York).
You owe it to yourself to visit Callie’s
Web site to see her entire product line,
which includes a custom decal service, scale
model applications, T-shirts, and hats. Now
I know why professional modelers use this
wonderful service.
Q422: “I have an engineer friend who is a
structural analysis expert for a major
aerospace firm. He mentioned to me
recently that the triangular shaped gussets
that we use so often on our model aircraft
structures are critical as to the direction of
the wood grain. Can you explain this to
me?”
A422: Having built FF models back to the
early 1950s, I must have used 1,000 or more
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 9:47 AM Page 85
86 MODEL AVIATION
Bob’s reduced-size Lanzo Bomber has 200 square inches of wing
area and weighs 5.5 ounces, ready to fly. The Microlite’s weight—
0.6 ounce—is included in the 5.5.
Bob used Coverite Microlite iron-on covering on a small, lightweight model and thinks it
is definitely worth trying. He describes the material in the text.
Carlos Reyes’s new book—RCadvisor’s
ModiFly—helps the RC beginner scratchbuild
his or her first model for practically
no money.
York Electronics’ YTC Servo Cycler &
Driver, which costs only $20, can operate a
servo without your RC system. That
comes in handy when installing controls in
a new model.
gussets on my various aircraft. Back then,
the gusset was used mostly to add gluing
area to a critical wing or tail joint. But as I
learned years later, these same gussets add
strength to the structure. The critical part of
using a gusset is the direction of the wood
grain.
I originally cut these triangular-shaped
wood gussets randomly from sheet balsa. I
never concerned myself with the wood-grain
direction. That is wrong, which is exactly
what your engineer friend is trying to tell
you.
The included photo clarifies this point. I
tried to show the right way, along with
several wrong ways.
The other thing I want to mention is a
method for making all of your gussets the
same size. Some modelers cut triangles at
random.
You will be surprised by how
professional your model looks if you make
each gusset the same size, especially when
you use a gusset at the TE of each wing rib.
Think about that the next time you are
constructing a wing or stabilizer.
Q423: “I believe I read recently that Jet-A
(turbine) fuel intended for anything other
than full-scale aircraft is not legal.
Unfortunately I can’t find that specific
reference any longer. Is this true? Where
should one buy fuel for their jet turbine
engines?”
A423: I don’t own a jet turbine engine, so I
turned to several experts who know all about
this sort of thing. The first name that came to
my mind was AMA’s technical director,
Greg Hahn. He earned a first place, again, at
the 2009 Top Gun event in Florida, flying
his now-famous giant-scale B-25.
Greg pointed out that most of the model
jet pilots at Top Gun used Jet-A turbine fuel.
It is usually obtainable at local airports
(known as Fixed Base Operators, or FBOs).
Some FBOs can be difficult to deal with,
since they want to sell hundreds of gallons of
fuel—not just the few gallons needed for
model use. But it is definitely legal to
purchase this kind of fuel for our jetpowered
aircraft. These same FBOs also sell
the special turbine oil that is used with the
fuel.
Greg went on to answer my question
with an interesting story about jet-turbine
fuel in general, which follows.
“Actually Jet-A is less refined than
Kerosene and both are more refined than #2
household heating oil. A turbine engine will
burn all three. That was one of the plusses
when the military went to jets, fuel specifics
became much less an issue. In WW II
specific fuel octane ratings were a huge
factor in the life span of aircraft engines.
“A turbine will burn almost anything
you can pump into it. Being less refined Jet-
A has more lubricating qualities than K-1
Kerosene (if you are burning K-1 you’ll
need more lubricating oil). Yes, the oil is
another big item but is sold by most of the
turbine engine manufacturers so it’s not
hard to get.
“At least modelers don’t have to worry
about anti-fungal additives, which is needed
in full-scale jets. It’s hard to believe but
moss will grow inside a jet’s fuel tanks and
clog up the engine system.”
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 9:47 AM Page 86
Thanks, Greg, for some interesting facts.
So purchasing jet fuel for your model turbine
engine is legal to the best of our knowledge.
Q424: “I’m looking for a lightweight iron-on
covering material that is readily available,
easy to apply and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Since you are so deep into micro/
indoor flying you must have some
recommendations?”
A424:Much of the choice of lightweight
covering material depends on a model’s size
and speed. Too light of a covering tends to
tear easily, requiring constant patching. Too
fast of a model could result in structural
failure in flight, because the covering didn’t
add enough strength.
For my full-size competition electric
sailplanes and Old-Timers, I have always
used Top Flite MonoKote—usually
transparent. For my smaller electric Texaco
models, as well as the class-A electric
sailplanes, I went to UltraCote Lite
transparent.
Next down the line, for the 10- to 12-
ounce park flyer-size models, I like Solite
from BP Hobbies. It goes on easily, is
inexpensive, and is available in many opaque
and transparent colors.
More recently, I wanted an even lighterweight
covering, still with its own built-in
adhesive. At the suggestion of a friend, I tried
the Coverite-brand Microlite iron-on
covering.
It is readily available from mail-order
houses such as Tower Hobbies. A large roll
costs approximately $12 plus shipping, and I
can cover at least three models with two
different-color rolls of it.
I like this newfound covering a lot. But I
learned that Microlite doesn’t like a lot of
heat. You best use an iron, because heat-gun
application, if you get careless, can easily
melt it.
This material does stick well to the
aircraft structure and to itself when you wrap
it around LEs and TEs. Once ironed in place,
the covering rarely needs reironing; it stays in
place.
Microlite also shrinks well, so you won’t
end up with wrinkles. Even though it shrinks
considerably, it doesn’t tend to warp a
model’s flying surfaces.
How light is it? I weighed an entire 200-
square-inch, reduced-size Lanzo Bomber
before covering it. Then after applying
Microlite to every part of the airplane, I found
that the material added only 0.6 ounce to it.
That is certainly light.
But there is one problem with which you
will have to cope. The built-in adhesive
attracts like a magnet.
As you peel off the protective backing,
you can easily get one part of the Microlite to
stick to another. When that happens,
sometimes you have to throw out a ball of
material and start again. So be careful when
that backing comes off as you apply the
covering to your aircraft.
Q409 Follow-Up (August 2009 MA, page
86): I already shared with you how
impressed I was with a new model aircraft
author, Carlos Reyes, who lives in New
Mexico. Now, only a few months later, he
has introduced his second book:
RCadvisor’s ModiFly.
The opening page of this 150-page book
says it all. “Design and Build From Scratch
Your Own Modern Flying Model Airplane
In One Day for just $5.00.”
As the index shows, Carlos takes you
through the design process of an extremely
simple electric-powered RC model. Then he
discusses materials, building, components
you must buy, finishing, and flying. Finally,
he leads you into follow-on subjects such as
design enhancements, variations, and how
to design your next airplane.
This is definitely a book worth owning
for your hobby reference purposes. You can
buy it direct from Carlos via the Web site.
Q330 Follow-Up (January 2008 MA, page
73): In that Q-and-A, I mentioned a servo
tester, or exerciser, that allows you to
operate an RC servo without its being
connected to your RC system. This comes
in handy when installing and setting up
controls in a new aircraft.
A reader wrote in recently to tell me that
he purchased a York Electronics YTV
Servo Cycler & Driver and that it cost him
only $20. I checked out the company’s Web
site, and it verifies what my reader friend
indicated.
I found the Web site to be informative
and was able to confirm the low selling
price. It is worth looking into. MA
Sources:
Callie Graphics
(505) 281-9310
www.callie-graphics.com
Coverite
www.coverite.com
RCadvisor
(505) 206-1569
www.rcadvisor.com
York Electronics
(972) 418-9000
www.york-electronics.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 85,86,87
Check out Callie Graphics!
Bob Aberle | baberle@? Frequently Asked Questions optonline.net
Also included in this column:
• Gussets
• Jet turbine fuel
• Microlite covering
• Reyes new book follow-up
• Servo tester follow-up
November 2009 85
Wood gussets that brace model structures must have grain running
as shown. Incorrect ways are also shown. For a neat structure, all
gussets should be the same size.
Callie Graphics decals are backed with a masking tape. As shown,
the tape, with characters on it, is placed on a wing, rubbed down to
make solid contact, and then peeled off.
Several of the author’s models’ wings have Callie Graphics
AMA-number decals. You can specify color, size, and material
for your order.
PLEASE WRITE In with your questions,
since that is the only way we can keep this
column format going. When referring to
published Q-and-As (for follow-ups),
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.”
Q421: “I simply want to place my AMA
license number on the wings of my model
aircraft. I’ve tried several sources for decals
and find that I have trouble obtaining the
style I want, the color and size and at a
reasonable price. I see license numbers on
all of your published designs and review
aircraft, what source do you recommend?”
A421: I was running out of my AMA
license-number decals; the source of the
large supply from years ago was long since
out of business. I tried several sources and
was surprised to find that these decals had
become expensive. So I asked a few of my
hobby professional friends, such as Pat
Tritle, and learned that most of the “pros”
use the services of Callie Soden of Callie
Graphics in Edgewood, New Mexico.
I obtained my AMA 215 license number,
as shown, in 2-, 11/2-, and 1-inch heights,
with a font of my choice. I chose yellow,
because most of my models’ wings use red
or dark purple.
Callie uses vinyl material that is backed
with a masking tape. You remove the
protective backing and apply the tape, with
the letters and numbers to your aircraft.
Press the tape down firmly so that the vinyl
makes total contact with the model’s
surface. Carefully peel off the masking tape.
That leaves your license number perfectly
spaced on your wing, tail, or whatever.
My first order was for a variety of decals
that added up to 21/2 dozen. The price was
fair, and after calling in the order, I received
my decals in three days (from New Mexico
to New York).
You owe it to yourself to visit Callie’s
Web site to see her entire product line,
which includes a custom decal service, scale
model applications, T-shirts, and hats. Now
I know why professional modelers use this
wonderful service.
Q422: “I have an engineer friend who is a
structural analysis expert for a major
aerospace firm. He mentioned to me
recently that the triangular shaped gussets
that we use so often on our model aircraft
structures are critical as to the direction of
the wood grain. Can you explain this to
me?”
A422: Having built FF models back to the
early 1950s, I must have used 1,000 or more
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 9:47 AM Page 85
86 MODEL AVIATION
Bob’s reduced-size Lanzo Bomber has 200 square inches of wing
area and weighs 5.5 ounces, ready to fly. The Microlite’s weight—
0.6 ounce—is included in the 5.5.
Bob used Coverite Microlite iron-on covering on a small, lightweight model and thinks it
is definitely worth trying. He describes the material in the text.
Carlos Reyes’s new book—RCadvisor’s
ModiFly—helps the RC beginner scratchbuild
his or her first model for practically
no money.
York Electronics’ YTC Servo Cycler &
Driver, which costs only $20, can operate a
servo without your RC system. That
comes in handy when installing controls in
a new model.
gussets on my various aircraft. Back then,
the gusset was used mostly to add gluing
area to a critical wing or tail joint. But as I
learned years later, these same gussets add
strength to the structure. The critical part of
using a gusset is the direction of the wood
grain.
I originally cut these triangular-shaped
wood gussets randomly from sheet balsa. I
never concerned myself with the wood-grain
direction. That is wrong, which is exactly
what your engineer friend is trying to tell
you.
The included photo clarifies this point. I
tried to show the right way, along with
several wrong ways.
The other thing I want to mention is a
method for making all of your gussets the
same size. Some modelers cut triangles at
random.
You will be surprised by how
professional your model looks if you make
each gusset the same size, especially when
you use a gusset at the TE of each wing rib.
Think about that the next time you are
constructing a wing or stabilizer.
Q423: “I believe I read recently that Jet-A
(turbine) fuel intended for anything other
than full-scale aircraft is not legal.
Unfortunately I can’t find that specific
reference any longer. Is this true? Where
should one buy fuel for their jet turbine
engines?”
A423: I don’t own a jet turbine engine, so I
turned to several experts who know all about
this sort of thing. The first name that came to
my mind was AMA’s technical director,
Greg Hahn. He earned a first place, again, at
the 2009 Top Gun event in Florida, flying
his now-famous giant-scale B-25.
Greg pointed out that most of the model
jet pilots at Top Gun used Jet-A turbine fuel.
It is usually obtainable at local airports
(known as Fixed Base Operators, or FBOs).
Some FBOs can be difficult to deal with,
since they want to sell hundreds of gallons of
fuel—not just the few gallons needed for
model use. But it is definitely legal to
purchase this kind of fuel for our jetpowered
aircraft. These same FBOs also sell
the special turbine oil that is used with the
fuel.
Greg went on to answer my question
with an interesting story about jet-turbine
fuel in general, which follows.
“Actually Jet-A is less refined than
Kerosene and both are more refined than #2
household heating oil. A turbine engine will
burn all three. That was one of the plusses
when the military went to jets, fuel specifics
became much less an issue. In WW II
specific fuel octane ratings were a huge
factor in the life span of aircraft engines.
“A turbine will burn almost anything
you can pump into it. Being less refined Jet-
A has more lubricating qualities than K-1
Kerosene (if you are burning K-1 you’ll
need more lubricating oil). Yes, the oil is
another big item but is sold by most of the
turbine engine manufacturers so it’s not
hard to get.
“At least modelers don’t have to worry
about anti-fungal additives, which is needed
in full-scale jets. It’s hard to believe but
moss will grow inside a jet’s fuel tanks and
clog up the engine system.”
11sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/25/09 9:47 AM Page 86
Thanks, Greg, for some interesting facts.
So purchasing jet fuel for your model turbine
engine is legal to the best of our knowledge.
Q424: “I’m looking for a lightweight iron-on
covering material that is readily available,
easy to apply and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Since you are so deep into micro/
indoor flying you must have some
recommendations?”
A424:Much of the choice of lightweight
covering material depends on a model’s size
and speed. Too light of a covering tends to
tear easily, requiring constant patching. Too
fast of a model could result in structural
failure in flight, because the covering didn’t
add enough strength.
For my full-size competition electric
sailplanes and Old-Timers, I have always
used Top Flite MonoKote—usually
transparent. For my smaller electric Texaco
models, as well as the class-A electric
sailplanes, I went to UltraCote Lite
transparent.
Next down the line, for the 10- to 12-
ounce park flyer-size models, I like Solite
from BP Hobbies. It goes on easily, is
inexpensive, and is available in many opaque
and transparent colors.
More recently, I wanted an even lighterweight
covering, still with its own built-in
adhesive. At the suggestion of a friend, I tried
the Coverite-brand Microlite iron-on
covering.
It is readily available from mail-order
houses such as Tower Hobbies. A large roll
costs approximately $12 plus shipping, and I
can cover at least three models with two
different-color rolls of it.
I like this newfound covering a lot. But I
learned that Microlite doesn’t like a lot of
heat. You best use an iron, because heat-gun
application, if you get careless, can easily
melt it.
This material does stick well to the
aircraft structure and to itself when you wrap
it around LEs and TEs. Once ironed in place,
the covering rarely needs reironing; it stays in
place.
Microlite also shrinks well, so you won’t
end up with wrinkles. Even though it shrinks
considerably, it doesn’t tend to warp a
model’s flying surfaces.
How light is it? I weighed an entire 200-
square-inch, reduced-size Lanzo Bomber
before covering it. Then after applying
Microlite to every part of the airplane, I found
that the material added only 0.6 ounce to it.
That is certainly light.
But there is one problem with which you
will have to cope. The built-in adhesive
attracts like a magnet.
As you peel off the protective backing,
you can easily get one part of the Microlite to
stick to another. When that happens,
sometimes you have to throw out a ball of
material and start again. So be careful when
that backing comes off as you apply the
covering to your aircraft.
Q409 Follow-Up (August 2009 MA, page
86): I already shared with you how
impressed I was with a new model aircraft
author, Carlos Reyes, who lives in New
Mexico. Now, only a few months later, he
has introduced his second book:
RCadvisor’s ModiFly.
The opening page of this 150-page book
says it all. “Design and Build From Scratch
Your Own Modern Flying Model Airplane
In One Day for just $5.00.”
As the index shows, Carlos takes you
through the design process of an extremely
simple electric-powered RC model. Then he
discusses materials, building, components
you must buy, finishing, and flying. Finally,
he leads you into follow-on subjects such as
design enhancements, variations, and how
to design your next airplane.
This is definitely a book worth owning
for your hobby reference purposes. You can
buy it direct from Carlos via the Web site.
Q330 Follow-Up (January 2008 MA, page
73): In that Q-and-A, I mentioned a servo
tester, or exerciser, that allows you to
operate an RC servo without its being
connected to your RC system. This comes
in handy when installing and setting up
controls in a new aircraft.
A reader wrote in recently to tell me that
he purchased a York Electronics YTV
Servo Cycler & Driver and that it cost him
only $20. I checked out the company’s Web
site, and it verifies what my reader friend
indicated.
I found the Web site to be informative
and was able to confirm the low selling
price. It is worth looking into. MA
Sources:
Callie Graphics
(505) 281-9310
www.callie-graphics.com
Coverite
www.coverite.com
RCadvisor
(505) 206-1569
www.rcadvisor.com
York Electronics
(972) 418-9000
www.york-electronics.com