Author: Bob Aberle
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 89,90,91
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Bob Aberle's favorite model design

Please write in with your questions; that is the only way we can keep this column format going. When referring to already published questions and answers (for follow-ups), always provide the question number as a reference.

Also note that references to addresses and websites are placed in a group, separate from the text, at the end of this column under "Sources." A "Tips" feature is provided in addition to frequently asked questions; these hints are numbered in the same sequence as the questions and answers.

Q509: "I've decided to take the balancing and trimming of my RC model a lot more seriously. Until now I've just 'made do' with CG positions and the basic trimming of my model. Can you get me started with some good-reading literature on the overall subject?

"I've also heard about 'lateral balancing.' What is that all about?"

A509: I guess I haven't covered this subject for some time, so an update is certainly in order. I've mentioned several kinds of balancing stands or fixtures before. Some you can build yourself and others are manufactured products that you can purchase. I still use a simple block of wood with two dowels and two rubber pencil erasers as a balancing stand. You can see it in the photo in the original column.

If you inquire about model aircraft CG or balancing on any Internet search engine, you will find many good references. One especially good reference is on the rcplanettalk.com website in a section titled "How to Trim Your RC Plane." You can also scan a load of other subjects offered on that home page that might be of interest.

Another good reference is the Wikipedia article listed in the "Sources" section at the end of this column: "Center of Gravity of an Aircraft."

Lateral balancing refers to checking and correcting weight distribution side-to-side (left-to-right) so the aircraft does not have a persistent roll tendency when on the ground or in flight. Typical lateral balancing procedures include ensuring equal weight and distribution on wing panels or using a lateral balance stand to find and correct any left/right imbalance.

Q510: "Bob, I know that over many years you have published a load of original-designed model aircraft. Just how many have you designed to date? I'm also curious as to which aircraft was your favorite of all?"

A510: Recently one of our new Silent Electric Flyers of Long Island (SEFLI) club members asked me the same question. What is my most favorite aircraft? At that time I really couldn't come up with an answer.

My first published design, the Long Islander RC sailplane, appeared in the December 1973 issue of Flying Models. In March 2011, in RC Micro World, my Lil Bucaboo, a micro indoor RC design, was my number 90. That's 90 original designs in 38 years. I've kept a listing of every design by name, as well as where and when it was published. I don't have my own website to put this on, but if any readers are interested, send me an email and I can attach that listing in a reply. It may bring back some memories for modelers who have been involved in this hobby as long as I have.

As for my favorite, I'd have to say my Seaweed, which was a large .60-powered sport model on twin floats for R/C flying. The design article, with two pages of plans, appeared in the March 1975 issue of Flying Models. My wife, Irene, who had been my bride for 13 years at the time, was pictured holding the Seaweed on the cover of that issue. We celebrated our 49th anniversary in 2011.

The Seaweed was 700 sq. in., had a 65-inch wingspan, and weighed nearly 8 pounds. It was totally sheeted; there was no covering at all except for fiberglass cloth on the floats.

A unique part of this design was that the vertical fin and rudder were inverted. The rudder was made long enough so that several inches of it actually extended below the surface of the water. That allowed the rudder to serve two purposes: steering in the air and steering in the water. No added water rudder was necessary.

I also put some dihedral in the stabilizer to provide more water clearance. That unusual tail design made the model quite distinctive and it proved to be an excellent, stable airplane.

It's my understanding that a local modeler who bought the Seaweed from me many years ago still flies it every summer while on vacation up in New England. This airplane could easily be scaled down to a park-flyer size and still provide much water-flying enjoyment. Plans for the original can be purchased from Carstens Publications (the Flying Models publisher). See the "Sources" listing.

Q511: "With modern computer technology being what it is, I hear that old model magazines are now being scanned onto DVDs. That really reduces the bulk storage of these magazines and also makes it easier to retrieve specific articles. Can you recommend a source for some of these archival DVD discs?"

A511: I suspect there is more than one source for these DVDs. The process involves scanning every page of every issue, which requires a lot of man-hours. As a result the DVDs aren't cheap, but the thought of eliminating an entire bookcase in favor of several small discs is inviting.

One provider who comes to mind is Roland Friestad, the new editor of RC Micro World and the editor of the SAM Speaks newsletter. Roland has announced that he has all 255 issues of the old Model Builder magazine contained on just two DVDs. He is selling this disc set for $75 postpaid anywhere in the world.

Roland is now hard at work scanning issues of Flying Models, Model Airplane News, and Air Trails and hopes to have those DVDs ready for sale by mid-2011.

Also, as a plug for Roland, he offers a bimonthly publication, online as well as printed, called Full Size Plans. This magazine caters to model aircraft plans collectors. Over a period of years Roland has established a large archive of model aircraft plans and has gathered plans from around the world.

I've included his email address in the "Sources" section so you can contact him regarding the magazine archive discs and his Full Size Plans magazine.

T512: Tip about TME Xtrema Balancer data cable

A reader told me that TME (Tejera Microsystems Engineering, Inc.) has a computer data cable available that works with its popular TME Xtrema Balancer. The data cable plugs into a USB port on any PC.

It allows you to monitor individual cell voltages, plot graphs, run tests, and customize your balancer for minimum and maximum voltages via your PC. I've included a photograph of the balancer/data cable in the original column and listed the TME website in the "Sources" listing.

T513: Tip about center-finding rulers and tapes

AMA member Jim Martin brought a handy tool to my attention: a center-finding ruler (also available as a tape measure) that helps find the center location of any item being measured. He says it helps a lot when assembling ARF models.

I have always measured the total surface, such as a wing or stabilizer, and divided that distance by two to obtain the halfway point. The center-finding ruler has two scales: one full size and one half-scale (usually right below the first). For example, if you have a stabilizer that measures 20 inches, just look at the 20-inch mark on the half scale and you have the halfway point—10 inches.

I bought one of these tapes from my local Ace Hardware store for less than $8. I found many sources for these center-finding rulers and have listed some of them in the "Sources" section. Many thanks to Jim for pointing me in the right direction. — MA

Sources:

Center-finding rulers vendors:

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.