Just Imagine

TAKE ONE standard model airplane kit add personal touches its shapes contours detailsits commonly referred kit bashing Although term conjures up visions assaulting model airplane kit baseball bat true meaning modify original kit design create new distinctive appearance turning ones imagination loose models can created resembling particular scale prototype fanciful sport design something recaptures spirit particular era aviation just plain old flights fantasy Regardless direction builders imagination takes modeling project creating flying something distinctly ones own guarantees fun idea personalizing standard kit design suit modelers imagination new Leaf through model magazines 1930s look sorts variations such classic designs Carl Goldbergs free flight Zipper Actually several thinly disguised versions model kitted sold others contemporary approach majority builders make least few cosmetic changes kit build Such individualism modelers bless almost instance bashing does no harm structural aerodynamic characteristics original design provided some basic tenets followed Perhaps few words caution order point First foremost ill-advised grossly reduce volume surface doubt add some area meet requirement imagination Second dont weaken structure eliminating main NO OCR TEXT components instead add original struc ture adding large amounts weight unwise change balance point shorten nose-tail moments incidence settings stab/wing/engine Admittedly may some latitude settings cases designer has worked design over numerous flights optimize vary much might invite disaster designs landing gear placement relative balance point should moved great deal because can severely change ground handling model tail-dragger design changed trike gear setupor vice versathe main gear will course have moved Changing contours fuselage flying surfaces using different cowls wheel pants adding details will usually cause major problems Changing moments balance points incidence angles grossly increasing power weight much constitute bashing redesigning builder chooses re design also must willing assume risks implied first step creating something unique ly ones own allowing imagination run free photos accompanying article emphasize limitation modelers imagination Almost kit can modified photos demonstrate thatthe kits modifications basic design know because design have received lots lots pictures variations Admittedly Ace 4-whatever biplane kits have such simple lines easy construction well-mannered flying parameters lend themselves bashing very well However other kit designs have potential similar changes second step select kit best lends itself modifications modeler has dreamed up simpler kit build straightforward its design fewer changes builder will obliged make Equally obvious some kit designs photos following page Text continues page 25 NO OCR TEXT Just Imagine/Mathews Continued page 17 lend themselves bashing readily others Changing P-40 look like P-36 within realm possibility converting look like P-38 isnt Once suitable kit has selected roll out plans tape some tracing drafting paper over areas reworked start drawing outlines dont look right start over fresh sheet paper simpler far less expensive drawing onthen cuttingthe outlines balsa wood Once desired outline complete consider whether adding scrap sheet around perimeter original kit surfaces will work will necessary construct new piece case try stay kits method construction kits rudder built-up would wise duplicate construction technique new section avoid adding excessive weight tail model other hand kits rudder elevator sheet balsa just cut new part wood same thickness Its possible create new wing tips same way New fuselage formers can designed lofting providing have drafting skills necessary simply measuring height width modified drawings Shape paper patterns folding measured blank sheet fold down center create exact left right halves Cut rough outline scissors use rough patterns cut appropriate wood sizes leaving final shaping process during assembly Draw redraw necessary create side top view cowl developed Use patterns create hollow balsa wood box can shaped desired configuration careful carving sanding Foam blocks can carved shape lost-foam technique used create glass-and-epoxy unit see Model Aviation February 1982 article technique Several photos accompanying article demonstrate also possible use ready-made fiberglass cowls pants fabricators advertise magazine John Walker adapted cutting oneinch-wide section out center joining halves reinforcing seam previously cut-out section Once again ones imagination limit repeat previous warning point modifications produce model does balance kits original balance point absolutely positively add ballast tail nose compensate tail-heavy model will totally uncontrollable will crash always Nose-heavy will make neat takeoffs landings least model wont destroyed increase net weight adding ballast unfortunate necessary following few commonsense parameters possible create model airplane will express own imagination return hours hours modeling fun limit imaginationbuild fly fun A Load Off needs carry around dead weight Sullivan Skylite Its lightest conventional style wheel can buy Engineered unique foam core thin tough rubber skin Skylite cuts weight conventional wheel about half So can take off easier fly longer maneuver better Whats Skylites rugged build hanes repeated take- offs landings bit well its heftiest competitors never fails spring back round atter long model sits runway workbench So youve thinking about takingC,jfljj off weight talk dealer about seeingPRODUCTIS light Skylite iso Box 5166 Baltimore MD 21224 Getting Better Ideas Off Ground June1993 25 MODEL IGNITION Spark V-B Radial 14000 RPM Can operate R/C battery free brochure Model Ignition PO Box 7206 Nashua NH 03060

TAKE ONE standard model airplane kit add personal touches its shapes contours detailsits commonly referred kit bashing Although term conjures up visions assaulting model airplane kit baseball bat true meaning modify original kit design create new distinctive appearance turning ones imagination loose models can created resembling particular scale prototype fanciful sport design something recaptures spirit particular era aviation just plain old flights fantasy Regardless direction builders imagination takes modeling project creating flying something distinctly ones own guarantees fun idea personalizing standard kit design suit modelers imagination new Leaf through model magazines 1930s look sorts variations such classic designs Carl Goldbergs free flight Zipper Actually several thinly disguised versions model kitted sold others contemporary approach majority builders make least few cosmetic changes kit build Such individualism modelers bless almost instance bashing does no harm structural aerodynamic characteristics original design provided some basic tenets followed Perhaps few words caution order point First foremost ill-advised grossly reduce volume surface doubt add some area meet requirement imagination Second dont weaken structure eliminating main NO OCR TEXT components instead add original struc ture adding large amounts weight unwise change balance point shorten nose-tail moments incidence settings stab/wing/engine Admittedly may some latitude settings cases designer has worked design over numerous flights optimize vary much might invite disaster designs landing gear placement relative balance point should moved great deal because can severely change ground handling model tail-dragger design changed trike gear setupor vice versathe main gear will course have moved Changing contours fuselage flying surfaces using different cowls wheel pants adding details will usually cause major problems Changing moments balance points incidence angles grossly increasing power weight much constitute bashing redesigning builder chooses re design also must willing assume risks implied first step creating something unique ly ones own allowing imagination run free photos accompanying article emphasize limitation modelers imagination Almost kit can modified photos demonstrate thatthe kits modifications basic design know because design have received lots lots pictures variations Admittedly Ace 4-whatever biplane kits have such simple lines easy construction well-mannered flying parameters lend themselves bashing very well However other kit designs have potential similar changes second step select kit best lends itself modifications modeler has dreamed up simpler kit build straightforward its design fewer changes builder will obliged make Equally obvious some kit designs photos following page Text continues page 25 NO OCR TEXT Just Imagine/Mathews Continued page 17 lend themselves bashing readily others Changing P-40 look like P-36 within realm possibility converting look like P-38 isnt Once suitable kit has selected roll out plans tape some tracing drafting paper over areas reworked start drawing outlines dont look right start over fresh sheet paper simpler far less expensive drawing onthen cuttingthe outlines balsa wood Once desired outline complete consider whether adding scrap sheet around perimeter original kit surfaces will work will necessary construct new piece case try stay kits method construction kits rudder built-up would wise duplicate construction technique new section avoid adding excessive weight tail model other hand kits rudder elevator sheet balsa just cut new part wood same thickness Its possible create new wing tips same way New fuselage formers can designed lofting providing have drafting skills necessary simply measuring height width modified drawings Shape paper patterns folding measured blank sheet fold down center create exact left right halves Cut rough outline scissors use rough patterns cut appropriate wood sizes leaving final shaping process during assembly Draw redraw necessary create side top view cowl developed Use patterns create hollow balsa wood box can shaped desired configuration careful carving sanding Foam blocks can carved shape lost-foam technique used create glass-and-epoxy unit see Model Aviation February 1982 article technique Several photos accompanying article demonstrate also possible use ready-made fiberglass cowls pants fabricators advertise magazine John Walker adapted cutting oneinch-wide section out center joining halves reinforcing seam previously cut-out section Once again ones imagination limit repeat previous warning point modifications produce model does balance kits original balance point absolutely positively add ballast tail nose compensate tail-heavy model will totally uncontrollable will crash always Nose-heavy will make neat takeoffs landings least model wont destroyed increase net weight adding ballast unfortunate necessary following few commonsense parameters possible create model airplane will express own imagination return hours hours modeling fun limit imaginationbuild fly fun A Load Off needs carry around dead weight Sullivan Skylite Its lightest conventional style wheel can buy Engineered unique foam core thin tough rubber skin Skylite cuts weight conventional wheel about half So can take off easier fly longer maneuver better Whats Skylites rugged build hanes repeated take- offs landings bit well its heftiest competitors never fails spring back round atter long model sits runway workbench So youve thinking about takingC,jfljj off weight talk dealer about seeingPRODUCTIS light Skylite iso Box 5166 Baltimore MD 21224 Getting Better Ideas Off Ground June1993 25 MODEL IGNITION Spark V-B Radial 14000 RPM Can operate R/C battery free brochure Model Ignition PO Box 7206 Nashua NH 03060