Letters to the Editor - 2003/12
Corrections
The VK Cherokee shown on page 22 of the October 2003 Model Aviation was built and flown by Bob Garbarini (Buffalo Grove, IL), not Bob Gardner.
Also in that issue, a drawing was omitted from Bob Kopski’s “Radio Control Electrics” column. It can be found on page 158 of this month’s MA.
Our apologies for the errors. — MA staff
Dump’r
Reader reaction to the Dump’r construction feature in the October 2003 issue has flagged some errors and other issues. Here is a summary.
- Text correction: Page 80, fourth paragraph, change "... resistor 25 ..." to read "... resistor R12 ..."
- Parts list addition: R7, 10.0K 1% — Mouser catalog number 660-MF1/4CL1002F
- Parts list corrections: Change R8 Mouser catalog number to read 660-MF1/4CL6811F. Change Q1, Q2, Q4 Mouser catalog prefix from "512" to any of 511, 610, or 625. Change LED holder Mouser catalog number from 531-0003 to 351-0003.
- Schematic diagram page 76 (clarification only; does not affect operation): Q2, a 2N3906 PNP transistor, is shown with an incorrect emitter symbol. The arrow should point inward — not outward. Q1 emitter should be wired to the Vneg buss, not to a go-nowhere ground symbol!
- Text correction: Page 80, in Table of Ohmmeter Tests, "9.5-10" should read "9.5-10K."
This covers all known issues with Dump’r as of 09/15/03. As stated in the article, please feel free to write with any questions or comments. I will not let you fail, provided you give me the opportunity to help.
Bob Kopski 25 West End Dr., Lansdale, PA 19446
About the Cover ...
Since I started modeling in the ’50s, I, for one, really appreciated the cover picture of the Rudderbug. But the "About the Cover" insert inside stated the "bug" has throttle and rudder only. I see in the picture a pushrod and control horn on the left elevator half.
I enjoy Model Aviation very much! Keep up the good work!
Dale Brass Ackley, Iowa
I noticed the cover of October’s Model Aviation, and the inside "About the Cover" said that this model had rudder and throttle only. How about the elevator control rod hooked up to the elevator? What’s that all about?
Don Gillette Gig Harbor, Washington
What you see is not always the way it appears!
The airplane was flown with rudder and elevator control for about one year. This was done to ensure safe landings until the proper stabilizer trim was obtained. At that time, the elevator servo was removed and the servo end of the elevator pushrod was permanently secured to the servo tray. This allowed small elevator trim changes prior to future rudder-only flights.
I have removed the pushrod, elevator hinges, and the elevator is permanently glued to the stabilizer. I have included a picture to show you how the airplane was flown at the recent VR/CS Spirit of Selinsgrove Reunion in the Jack Port Memorial Pattern class (rudder and throttle only).
Bob Noll Vestal, New York
Sticky Subject
I recently joined AMA and received my first issue of Model Aviation — the October 2003 issue. Since I fly park flyers, I was interested to read Tom Sullivan’s product review of the GWS Zero.
Tom seemed to have a bit of trouble with the GWS glue included with the Zero kit. He’s not the first person to be confused by this mysterious substance. The key point of information that is omitted from the GWS instructions is that their glue is a contact cement. As a contact cement, proper usage consists of applying a thin coating to both parts being joined. You then wait a short time while the glue partially dries, then bring the parts into contact, at which point they’ll bond together.
While some builders use the GWS glue successfully, many of us have discarded it in favor of other adhesives. Polyurethane glues, such as Elmer’s ProBond, are popular because they are lightweight and very strong. Two-part epoxies also work well, although they are a bit heavy. Odorless (foam-safe) cyanoacrylate is also a good choice for some jobs.
Jeff DeTray Troy, New Hampshire
Chester Special
What a great pleasure it was to see Frank Beatty’s wonderful plans and presentation of Art Chester’s Special in your October 2003 issue of Model Aviation. Seldom do we see a presentation of this quality by a master draftsman and builder in today’s model magazines, which seem to have become consumer-report-type presentations of ARF evaluation.
Mr. Beatty is probably in my age group, and I can remember when such presentations were not all that uncommon, although his Chester Special presentation is superb by any standard. Art Chester was a remarkable designer of racing aircraft with his Special, Jeep, Goon, and Swee’ Pea designs.
I am not a builder of control-line aircraft, but as an artist I had to convey my thoughts on Mr. Beatty’s work. Hopefully, we will see more presentation of this quality in the future and more modelers will be encouraged to actually build what they are flying. My building is mostly RC oriented and this Special could be adapted to RC flying.
Robert B. Dance Kinston, North Carolina
Battery Basics, Etc.
I wish to thank Bob Aberle for his superb article in the October issue of Model Aviation, "From the Ground Up: Battery Basics." It is the most well-written, clear, and informative article I’ve read on the subject. It is particularly helpful to "newbies" like me to the electric part of our hobby.
It has very good pictures and extensive descriptions and suggestions on a variety of items from batteries to testers to cyclers for veterans to beginners, including the listings of various companies and resources for everything he talked about. Nice going!
Park Abbott Santa Rosa, California
I want to thank you for printing the picture of my friend Walter Finley and the Piper Cherokee he built for me in "Focal Point" in the October 2003 issue. Walter has been building model airplanes since he was nine years old — longer than I have been alive, and I am 61.
I also want to congratulate Bob Aberle on the excellent article on "Battery Basics." I have flown glows for years, but am just now becoming interested in electric-powered flight. You would think the subject of batteries would be simple — wrong. Articles such as Bob's are very informative. Thanks.
I enjoy your magazine. Keep up the good work.
Wayne Powers Jackson, Tennessee
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
