The Inside Loop - 2011/01

6 MODEL AVIATION
What can we create
next?
Editor Michael Ramsey
[email protected]
ake sure your priorities are in
order. Don’t be like me and
move into a new house with the
first duty to make sure there’s a working
kitchen. First and foremost, everyone’s
living area (house, apartment, or
Winnebago) must have a functional
workstation.
Who needs a kitchen if you can’t find
the bread? Likewise, how can a kitchen be
built if the builder can’t find the tools?
I tried to build a kitchen with all my
tools packed. Every job had to be planned
with at least 30 minutes of time first to
find the right tools. If I had set up my shop
first, everything needed for the kitchen
would have been easy to find.
Build your workshop in your home
before unpacking a single plate. Plus when
a break is needed, you’re ready to go
flying.
Okay, jobs can get done without a
workstation; I proved that. But have you
ever noticed being more ambitious about a
project when the workshop is in order? If a
work area is neat and together, the
passionate mind swirls with ideas. What
can we create next?
That’s the first thing I thought when
Tim Soukup sent me photos of his rolling
workstation project. His work surface was
so bright and clean; the area around it was
neat and spotless—I wanted to move in
(plus he had a working kitchen).
How many of us could use a 36-inchlong
drawer for balsa? Tim’s project has
one as well as many other good ideas
around all its four sides.
Tim’s workstation is self-fulfilling, and
he concluded what holds true for all
modelers; we adapt to the space given.
Tim was very practical and, like all
modelers, very frugal and meticulous
about his material choices.
He worked from his own set of
sketches but admitted that building it
without a formal set of plans could be
feasible, and maybe faster. Find out what
works for you.
The story of the rolling workstation is
not intended to be a blueprint for you the
reader, but more of an inspiration. Because
your work area is unique, so must be the
station. I think it’s brilliant that Tim
included wheels as a feature of the
workstation.
I tried to get him to submit a picture of
himself building in the middle of his
neighborhood sidewalk, but he wasn’t
crazy about the idea. Still, I like the
thought of being able to roll a workbench
outside when the weather is right,
especially for painting.
We’re about a half-year from EAA’s
75th anniversary celebration of the Douglas
Company; all the same, our RC
The Inside Loop
Published by The Academy of Model Aeronautics
Rob Kurek
Director of Publications
Editorial offices: (765) 287-1256, extension
231 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays); Fax: (765)
281-7907
Contributing Editors
Dave Mathewson
President
Mark Smith
Executive Vice President
Staff
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Model Aviation is an official publication of The Academy
of Model Aeronautics, Inc., an associate member of the
National Aeronautic Association (NAA). NAA is the
official U.S. representative of the Fédération
Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world governing
body for sport aviation, and represents the U.S. at FAI
meetings. NAA delegated to the AMA supervision of FAIrelated
aeromodeling activities such as record attempts,
competition sanctions, and selection of U.S. teams for
World Championships. (ISSN 0744-5059, USPS 087-930
Publications Agreement No. 40688541) is owned
exclusively by The Academy of Model Aeronautics, Inc.,
a nonprofit organization, and published monthly at 5161
E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302. Periodical rate
postage paid at Muncie IN and at additional mailing
offices. Canadian return address: Station A, PO Box 54,
Windsor ON N9A 615
Account Executive Yolanda Jones
Administrative Assistant Lisa Johnson
Assistant Editor Jay Smith
Communications Specialist Ashley Rauen
Director of Design/Production Carla Kunz
Editor Michael Ramsey
Graphic Designer Sarah Shaw
Managing Editor Shelia Ames Webb
Production Associate Jennifer Orebaugh
Senior Editor Elizabeth Helms
Stan Alexander
Bob Angel
Bill Boss
Paul Bradley
Sal Calvagna
Lee Estingoy
Mark Fadely
Dave Garwood
Dave Gee
Greg Gimlick
A.C. Glenn
Albert Glenn
John Glezellis
Jim T. Graham
Donald Grissom
Jim Hiller
Louis Joyner
John Kagan
Rich Lopez
Joe Malinchak
Dennis Norman
Dean Pappas
Richard L. Perry
Aaron “AJ” Seaholm
Red Scholefield
Gene Smith
Joe Wagner
Editor Emeritus Bob Hunt
Technical Editor Bob Aberle
CFO/Treasurer Doug Holland
M
construction project is a modeler’s nod to a
design that continues to be valued as an
aviation workhorse. Laddie Mikulasko’s
BT-67 is a miniature example of the
original DC-3 in modern clothes.
Even though his article is a construction
project, we did something different with
his article, and we need your input to see
how you like it. The construction article
actually doesn’t have any construction
instruction. Instead, on Laddie’s plans are
the step-by-step instructions. The article
itself hits the highlights and special
features, which left us with more room to
print detailed photos.
Laddie always seems to be up for trying
new things, and he’ll design a model to
work around any power system, but his
favorite these days is electric. The
construction of the BT-67 is a mixture of
traditional and modern building materials,
this time substituting many of the fuselage
formers with closed-cell sheet foam, such
as Depron. Overall the model’s flying
weight is in a very comfortable spot and
could likely handle retracts should the
builder have the desire.
On the heels of the DC-3 tribute, 2011
marks the AMA’s 75th anniversary. The
AMA itself has a lot of events and
acknowledgements planned, so stay tuned
here, online, to your e-mail, smiling at
Facebook, and Twittering at your cell
phone. The yearlong celebration will kick
off at the AMA Expo in Ontario,
California. See you there! MA
Interim Executive Director Joyce Hager
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