July 2009 85
Also included in this column:
• New Plantraco 1/72-scale
Spitfire
• Printing on Durobatics foam
Micro-Flying Joe Malinchak | [email protected]
The world’s first commercially available
1/72-scale RC model is the Plantraco
Spitfire Mk XVI. It spans 6 inches and
weighs only 2.7 grams.
The Plantraco Classroom Fighters 1/48-scale lineup includes a Zero, F6F, and P-40. These 10-inch-span models are easy to fly and
look great in the air.
This 1/72-scale Zero has been printed on a sheet of Durobatics foam that was
airbrushed with inkAID.
A HIGHLIGHT of my experiences in
modeling is to see others having fun with
my designs. I developed the concept of the
Classroom Fighters for Plantraco with that
in mind. I thought it would be great if we
had a scale design that flew as slowly and
easily as the Plantraco Butterfly, yet
looked realistic in flight.
I experimented with a profile Zero in
1/48 scale and was amazed by the results.
With only minor changes to the model
outline, I had it flying beautifully. Using a
profile design allowed me to hide all the
wires inside the fuselage for a clean look.
I love to build micro RC airplanes in
the popular plastic-model scales (1/72, 1/48,
1/32), so it was natural for me to use 1/48 for
the Classroom Fighters. I also figured that
many RC modelers have built plastic
models in that scale and can relate to the
small size.
The biggest challenge with the design
was how to add color-and-markings. I
experimented with airbrushing, colored
foam, and press-on symbols, with mixed
results. Paint added too much weight, and
colored foam and press-on markings didn’t
look that great.
My friend, Robert Guillot, solved this
complex problem. He learned that inkAID
can be applied to Durobatics foam with an
ink-jet printer; this was a major
breakthrough. Robert and I then teamed up
on the designs. He is a great artist and
drew all the beautiful models.
People often ask me why the
Classroom Fighters have only throttle and
rudder control, and no elevator. That’s
mainly because after testing many designs,
we found that the elevator was
unnecessary. It only added weight and
made the models more difficult to fly.
Heavy-metal warbirds: an indoor reality
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:31 AM Page 85
86 MODEL AVIATION
However, the two-channel airplanes are
fun to fly. They even teach basic
aerodynamic lessons. You need to add
power to climb and decrease power to
descend. You learn this “Control
Performance Concept” in basic instrument
flying. It is even challenging to maintain a
constant attitude and fly some neat low
passes just a few feet off the ground.
The main focus of the Classroom
Fighter design was pure, easy flying fun. The models can be
flown indoors or outdoors when the wind is calm. My favorite
time to fly is just before dark on a nice summer day.
New Plantraco Spitfire: With the success of the Classroom
Fighters, I decided to scale the models down to 1/72 scale, to see
how they would fly. I built an F6F using a 13-ohm, 4mm motor,
and the 32mm propeller that is used on the Micro Butterfly.
The F6F flew so well that I immediately built a Zero in 1/72
scale to test. It flew even better than the F6F.
I had a discussion with the people at Plantraco, and we agreed
that it would be better to design an aircraft other than the F6F or
Zero for a 1/72-scale series. As a result, the Spitfire Mk XVI
became the world’s first commercially available 1/72-scale RC
RTF. It has a 6-inch wingspan and an all-up weight of 2.7 grams.
The Spitfire uses the same transmitter, receiver, and LP20 Li-
Poly Bahoma cell that is used with the Classroom Fighters. It
goes slightly faster than the Classroom Fighter models but is easy
to fly.
“How can you see such a small model in-flight?” people often
ask.
As the airplane’s size is reduced, you fly a closer pattern; that
makes the aircraft easier to see. With a bit of practice, you can
maneuver the little Spitfire in a tiny area.
You can find more information about the 1/72-scale Spitfire and
Classroom Fighters on the Plantraco Web site. Flight videos are
included.
Bob Aberle’s new book on CD is produced by Cloud 9 RC Micro
World. It is a must-have for micro RCers.
The author’s new 1/72-scale Me 109
prototype spans 5.5 inches and flies well.
These warbirds fly on only two channels.
Full-fuselage models such as these can be built from paper versions from Fiddlers
Green. Modification is necessary to make them capable of RC flight.
The author’s 1/48-scale Stearman and S.E.5a
are great examples of the detail level you
can achieve with printed Durobatics foam.
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:35 AM Page 86
We needed a combat mate for the
Spitfire, so I started working on a 1/72-scale
Me 109E. The prototype has a 5.5-inch
wingspan and weighs 2.6 grams ready to
fly. As does the Spitfire, it flies
beautifully.
I have been taking a course to learn
how to draw graphics and did so on this
prototype. I chose a high-visibility
camouflage scheme. I am not sure if it will
be used on the production Me 109E but
thought it looked cool.
Printing on Durobatics Foam: As Robert
Guillot learned, we can print graphics on
Durobatics foam using an ink-jet printer
rather than applying paint by hand. This
saves time and weight, and it produces
fantastic results when done properly.
However, it can be challenging to do
correctly.
The process of adding inkAID to the
foam is helpful, but there is a learning
curve. The first thing I do is clean the
Durobatics sheets with isopropyl alcohol.
This gets rid of all the fingerprints.
Then I thin my white matte inkAID
with water at a ratio of 60% inkAID-to-
40% water. I spray the mixture on the
foam with an airbrush in heavy, wet coats.
I apply three to four coats, letting each dry
in between.
When properly coated, the foam should
have a white appearance. If the inkAID is
sprayed on too thin, the foam will not print
well. Spraying the mixture on too heavy
will add unnecessary weight to the foam.
The best way to learn how to add
inkAID to the foam is to experiment with
the process. If you don’t want the hassle of
printing your own foam, Plantraco sells
Durobatics foam sheets that are precoated
with inkAID.
Besides profile models, you can build
beautiful full-fuselage models using
printed Durobatics foam. I used it to
88 MODEL AVIATION
C o n t a c t
AMA’s Supply & Service Department
Call (765) 287-1256,
extension 212,
or visit the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org.
Click on “Shop AMA” to browse
the catalog for the newest merchandise and the best deals on closeout items.
for your Product Guide needs
construct my 1/48-scale Stearman and 1/48-
scale S.E.5a.
The Stearman was downloaded from
the Fiddlers Green paper-model Web site.
Using my scanner, I reduced the size to
1/48 scale and modified the plans for micro
RC. When I was satisfied with the
changes, I printed the Stearman out onto
the foam. I cut the pieces using a #11
blade and a small scissors.
The S.E.5a was built from Robert
Guillot’s beautiful graphics. You can find
many great paper models on the Fiddlers
Green site that can easily be made into
micro RC projects!
Bob Aberle’s Book/CD: Bob Aberle just
completed a new book: The World of
Indoor/Micro Radio Controlled Model
Aircraft. It is on CD and produced by the
RC Micro World Online Magazine.
The CD contains 118 pages of text that
include 138 color photos. It is a great
source of information for both the
beginner and the expert micro modeler.
The book has a large index, which
includes easy access to the comprehensive
list of topics. It also features links to Web
sites and other sources of information
about micro RC.
This is a must-have for anyone who is
interested in micro RC. You can purchase
the book for only $13, including shipping
anywhere in the US. See the RC Micro
World Web site for more information. MA
Sources:
Plantraco
(306) 955-1836
www.plantraco.com
Durobatics
(315) 264-2064
www.durobatics.com
inkAID
(888) 424-8167
www.inkaid1.com
Fiddlers Green
Box 6045
Apache Junction AZ 85278
www.fiddlersgreen.net
RC Micro World Online Magazine
www.cloud9rc.com
??
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Do you have a question
related to the AMA?
Go to the Ask AMA Support Center
at www.modelaircraft.org/askama/
to get the answers you need.
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:58 AM Page 88
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 85,86,88
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 85,86,88
July 2009 85
Also included in this column:
• New Plantraco 1/72-scale
Spitfire
• Printing on Durobatics foam
Micro-Flying Joe Malinchak | [email protected]
The world’s first commercially available
1/72-scale RC model is the Plantraco
Spitfire Mk XVI. It spans 6 inches and
weighs only 2.7 grams.
The Plantraco Classroom Fighters 1/48-scale lineup includes a Zero, F6F, and P-40. These 10-inch-span models are easy to fly and
look great in the air.
This 1/72-scale Zero has been printed on a sheet of Durobatics foam that was
airbrushed with inkAID.
A HIGHLIGHT of my experiences in
modeling is to see others having fun with
my designs. I developed the concept of the
Classroom Fighters for Plantraco with that
in mind. I thought it would be great if we
had a scale design that flew as slowly and
easily as the Plantraco Butterfly, yet
looked realistic in flight.
I experimented with a profile Zero in
1/48 scale and was amazed by the results.
With only minor changes to the model
outline, I had it flying beautifully. Using a
profile design allowed me to hide all the
wires inside the fuselage for a clean look.
I love to build micro RC airplanes in
the popular plastic-model scales (1/72, 1/48,
1/32), so it was natural for me to use 1/48 for
the Classroom Fighters. I also figured that
many RC modelers have built plastic
models in that scale and can relate to the
small size.
The biggest challenge with the design
was how to add color-and-markings. I
experimented with airbrushing, colored
foam, and press-on symbols, with mixed
results. Paint added too much weight, and
colored foam and press-on markings didn’t
look that great.
My friend, Robert Guillot, solved this
complex problem. He learned that inkAID
can be applied to Durobatics foam with an
ink-jet printer; this was a major
breakthrough. Robert and I then teamed up
on the designs. He is a great artist and
drew all the beautiful models.
People often ask me why the
Classroom Fighters have only throttle and
rudder control, and no elevator. That’s
mainly because after testing many designs,
we found that the elevator was
unnecessary. It only added weight and
made the models more difficult to fly.
Heavy-metal warbirds: an indoor reality
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:31 AM Page 85
86 MODEL AVIATION
However, the two-channel airplanes are
fun to fly. They even teach basic
aerodynamic lessons. You need to add
power to climb and decrease power to
descend. You learn this “Control
Performance Concept” in basic instrument
flying. It is even challenging to maintain a
constant attitude and fly some neat low
passes just a few feet off the ground.
The main focus of the Classroom
Fighter design was pure, easy flying fun. The models can be
flown indoors or outdoors when the wind is calm. My favorite
time to fly is just before dark on a nice summer day.
New Plantraco Spitfire: With the success of the Classroom
Fighters, I decided to scale the models down to 1/72 scale, to see
how they would fly. I built an F6F using a 13-ohm, 4mm motor,
and the 32mm propeller that is used on the Micro Butterfly.
The F6F flew so well that I immediately built a Zero in 1/72
scale to test. It flew even better than the F6F.
I had a discussion with the people at Plantraco, and we agreed
that it would be better to design an aircraft other than the F6F or
Zero for a 1/72-scale series. As a result, the Spitfire Mk XVI
became the world’s first commercially available 1/72-scale RC
RTF. It has a 6-inch wingspan and an all-up weight of 2.7 grams.
The Spitfire uses the same transmitter, receiver, and LP20 Li-
Poly Bahoma cell that is used with the Classroom Fighters. It
goes slightly faster than the Classroom Fighter models but is easy
to fly.
“How can you see such a small model in-flight?” people often
ask.
As the airplane’s size is reduced, you fly a closer pattern; that
makes the aircraft easier to see. With a bit of practice, you can
maneuver the little Spitfire in a tiny area.
You can find more information about the 1/72-scale Spitfire and
Classroom Fighters on the Plantraco Web site. Flight videos are
included.
Bob Aberle’s new book on CD is produced by Cloud 9 RC Micro
World. It is a must-have for micro RCers.
The author’s new 1/72-scale Me 109
prototype spans 5.5 inches and flies well.
These warbirds fly on only two channels.
Full-fuselage models such as these can be built from paper versions from Fiddlers
Green. Modification is necessary to make them capable of RC flight.
The author’s 1/48-scale Stearman and S.E.5a
are great examples of the detail level you
can achieve with printed Durobatics foam.
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:35 AM Page 86
We needed a combat mate for the
Spitfire, so I started working on a 1/72-scale
Me 109E. The prototype has a 5.5-inch
wingspan and weighs 2.6 grams ready to
fly. As does the Spitfire, it flies
beautifully.
I have been taking a course to learn
how to draw graphics and did so on this
prototype. I chose a high-visibility
camouflage scheme. I am not sure if it will
be used on the production Me 109E but
thought it looked cool.
Printing on Durobatics Foam: As Robert
Guillot learned, we can print graphics on
Durobatics foam using an ink-jet printer
rather than applying paint by hand. This
saves time and weight, and it produces
fantastic results when done properly.
However, it can be challenging to do
correctly.
The process of adding inkAID to the
foam is helpful, but there is a learning
curve. The first thing I do is clean the
Durobatics sheets with isopropyl alcohol.
This gets rid of all the fingerprints.
Then I thin my white matte inkAID
with water at a ratio of 60% inkAID-to-
40% water. I spray the mixture on the
foam with an airbrush in heavy, wet coats.
I apply three to four coats, letting each dry
in between.
When properly coated, the foam should
have a white appearance. If the inkAID is
sprayed on too thin, the foam will not print
well. Spraying the mixture on too heavy
will add unnecessary weight to the foam.
The best way to learn how to add
inkAID to the foam is to experiment with
the process. If you don’t want the hassle of
printing your own foam, Plantraco sells
Durobatics foam sheets that are precoated
with inkAID.
Besides profile models, you can build
beautiful full-fuselage models using
printed Durobatics foam. I used it to
88 MODEL AVIATION
C o n t a c t
AMA’s Supply & Service Department
Call (765) 287-1256,
extension 212,
or visit the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org.
Click on “Shop AMA” to browse
the catalog for the newest merchandise and the best deals on closeout items.
for your Product Guide needs
construct my 1/48-scale Stearman and 1/48-
scale S.E.5a.
The Stearman was downloaded from
the Fiddlers Green paper-model Web site.
Using my scanner, I reduced the size to
1/48 scale and modified the plans for micro
RC. When I was satisfied with the
changes, I printed the Stearman out onto
the foam. I cut the pieces using a #11
blade and a small scissors.
The S.E.5a was built from Robert
Guillot’s beautiful graphics. You can find
many great paper models on the Fiddlers
Green site that can easily be made into
micro RC projects!
Bob Aberle’s Book/CD: Bob Aberle just
completed a new book: The World of
Indoor/Micro Radio Controlled Model
Aircraft. It is on CD and produced by the
RC Micro World Online Magazine.
The CD contains 118 pages of text that
include 138 color photos. It is a great
source of information for both the
beginner and the expert micro modeler.
The book has a large index, which
includes easy access to the comprehensive
list of topics. It also features links to Web
sites and other sources of information
about micro RC.
This is a must-have for anyone who is
interested in micro RC. You can purchase
the book for only $13, including shipping
anywhere in the US. See the RC Micro
World Web site for more information. MA
Sources:
Plantraco
(306) 955-1836
www.plantraco.com
Durobatics
(315) 264-2064
www.durobatics.com
inkAID
(888) 424-8167
www.inkaid1.com
Fiddlers Green
Box 6045
Apache Junction AZ 85278
www.fiddlersgreen.net
RC Micro World Online Magazine
www.cloud9rc.com
??
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Do you have a question
related to the AMA?
Go to the Ask AMA Support Center
at www.modelaircraft.org/askama/
to get the answers you need.
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:58 AM Page 88
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/07
Page Numbers: 85,86,88
July 2009 85
Also included in this column:
• New Plantraco 1/72-scale
Spitfire
• Printing on Durobatics foam
Micro-Flying Joe Malinchak | [email protected]
The world’s first commercially available
1/72-scale RC model is the Plantraco
Spitfire Mk XVI. It spans 6 inches and
weighs only 2.7 grams.
The Plantraco Classroom Fighters 1/48-scale lineup includes a Zero, F6F, and P-40. These 10-inch-span models are easy to fly and
look great in the air.
This 1/72-scale Zero has been printed on a sheet of Durobatics foam that was
airbrushed with inkAID.
A HIGHLIGHT of my experiences in
modeling is to see others having fun with
my designs. I developed the concept of the
Classroom Fighters for Plantraco with that
in mind. I thought it would be great if we
had a scale design that flew as slowly and
easily as the Plantraco Butterfly, yet
looked realistic in flight.
I experimented with a profile Zero in
1/48 scale and was amazed by the results.
With only minor changes to the model
outline, I had it flying beautifully. Using a
profile design allowed me to hide all the
wires inside the fuselage for a clean look.
I love to build micro RC airplanes in
the popular plastic-model scales (1/72, 1/48,
1/32), so it was natural for me to use 1/48 for
the Classroom Fighters. I also figured that
many RC modelers have built plastic
models in that scale and can relate to the
small size.
The biggest challenge with the design
was how to add color-and-markings. I
experimented with airbrushing, colored
foam, and press-on symbols, with mixed
results. Paint added too much weight, and
colored foam and press-on markings didn’t
look that great.
My friend, Robert Guillot, solved this
complex problem. He learned that inkAID
can be applied to Durobatics foam with an
ink-jet printer; this was a major
breakthrough. Robert and I then teamed up
on the designs. He is a great artist and
drew all the beautiful models.
People often ask me why the
Classroom Fighters have only throttle and
rudder control, and no elevator. That’s
mainly because after testing many designs,
we found that the elevator was
unnecessary. It only added weight and
made the models more difficult to fly.
Heavy-metal warbirds: an indoor reality
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:31 AM Page 85
86 MODEL AVIATION
However, the two-channel airplanes are
fun to fly. They even teach basic
aerodynamic lessons. You need to add
power to climb and decrease power to
descend. You learn this “Control
Performance Concept” in basic instrument
flying. It is even challenging to maintain a
constant attitude and fly some neat low
passes just a few feet off the ground.
The main focus of the Classroom
Fighter design was pure, easy flying fun. The models can be
flown indoors or outdoors when the wind is calm. My favorite
time to fly is just before dark on a nice summer day.
New Plantraco Spitfire: With the success of the Classroom
Fighters, I decided to scale the models down to 1/72 scale, to see
how they would fly. I built an F6F using a 13-ohm, 4mm motor,
and the 32mm propeller that is used on the Micro Butterfly.
The F6F flew so well that I immediately built a Zero in 1/72
scale to test. It flew even better than the F6F.
I had a discussion with the people at Plantraco, and we agreed
that it would be better to design an aircraft other than the F6F or
Zero for a 1/72-scale series. As a result, the Spitfire Mk XVI
became the world’s first commercially available 1/72-scale RC
RTF. It has a 6-inch wingspan and an all-up weight of 2.7 grams.
The Spitfire uses the same transmitter, receiver, and LP20 Li-
Poly Bahoma cell that is used with the Classroom Fighters. It
goes slightly faster than the Classroom Fighter models but is easy
to fly.
“How can you see such a small model in-flight?” people often
ask.
As the airplane’s size is reduced, you fly a closer pattern; that
makes the aircraft easier to see. With a bit of practice, you can
maneuver the little Spitfire in a tiny area.
You can find more information about the 1/72-scale Spitfire and
Classroom Fighters on the Plantraco Web site. Flight videos are
included.
Bob Aberle’s new book on CD is produced by Cloud 9 RC Micro
World. It is a must-have for micro RCers.
The author’s new 1/72-scale Me 109
prototype spans 5.5 inches and flies well.
These warbirds fly on only two channels.
Full-fuselage models such as these can be built from paper versions from Fiddlers
Green. Modification is necessary to make them capable of RC flight.
The author’s 1/48-scale Stearman and S.E.5a
are great examples of the detail level you
can achieve with printed Durobatics foam.
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:35 AM Page 86
We needed a combat mate for the
Spitfire, so I started working on a 1/72-scale
Me 109E. The prototype has a 5.5-inch
wingspan and weighs 2.6 grams ready to
fly. As does the Spitfire, it flies
beautifully.
I have been taking a course to learn
how to draw graphics and did so on this
prototype. I chose a high-visibility
camouflage scheme. I am not sure if it will
be used on the production Me 109E but
thought it looked cool.
Printing on Durobatics Foam: As Robert
Guillot learned, we can print graphics on
Durobatics foam using an ink-jet printer
rather than applying paint by hand. This
saves time and weight, and it produces
fantastic results when done properly.
However, it can be challenging to do
correctly.
The process of adding inkAID to the
foam is helpful, but there is a learning
curve. The first thing I do is clean the
Durobatics sheets with isopropyl alcohol.
This gets rid of all the fingerprints.
Then I thin my white matte inkAID
with water at a ratio of 60% inkAID-to-
40% water. I spray the mixture on the
foam with an airbrush in heavy, wet coats.
I apply three to four coats, letting each dry
in between.
When properly coated, the foam should
have a white appearance. If the inkAID is
sprayed on too thin, the foam will not print
well. Spraying the mixture on too heavy
will add unnecessary weight to the foam.
The best way to learn how to add
inkAID to the foam is to experiment with
the process. If you don’t want the hassle of
printing your own foam, Plantraco sells
Durobatics foam sheets that are precoated
with inkAID.
Besides profile models, you can build
beautiful full-fuselage models using
printed Durobatics foam. I used it to
88 MODEL AVIATION
C o n t a c t
AMA’s Supply & Service Department
Call (765) 287-1256,
extension 212,
or visit the AMA Web site at
www.modelaircraft.org.
Click on “Shop AMA” to browse
the catalog for the newest merchandise and the best deals on closeout items.
for your Product Guide needs
construct my 1/48-scale Stearman and 1/48-
scale S.E.5a.
The Stearman was downloaded from
the Fiddlers Green paper-model Web site.
Using my scanner, I reduced the size to
1/48 scale and modified the plans for micro
RC. When I was satisfied with the
changes, I printed the Stearman out onto
the foam. I cut the pieces using a #11
blade and a small scissors.
The S.E.5a was built from Robert
Guillot’s beautiful graphics. You can find
many great paper models on the Fiddlers
Green site that can easily be made into
micro RC projects!
Bob Aberle’s Book/CD: Bob Aberle just
completed a new book: The World of
Indoor/Micro Radio Controlled Model
Aircraft. It is on CD and produced by the
RC Micro World Online Magazine.
The CD contains 118 pages of text that
include 138 color photos. It is a great
source of information for both the
beginner and the expert micro modeler.
The book has a large index, which
includes easy access to the comprehensive
list of topics. It also features links to Web
sites and other sources of information
about micro RC.
This is a must-have for anyone who is
interested in micro RC. You can purchase
the book for only $13, including shipping
anywhere in the US. See the RC Micro
World Web site for more information. MA
Sources:
Plantraco
(306) 955-1836
www.plantraco.com
Durobatics
(315) 264-2064
www.durobatics.com
inkAID
(888) 424-8167
www.inkaid1.com
Fiddlers Green
Box 6045
Apache Junction AZ 85278
www.fiddlersgreen.net
RC Micro World Online Magazine
www.cloud9rc.com
??
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Do you have a question
related to the AMA?
Go to the Ask AMA Support Center
at www.modelaircraft.org/askama/
to get the answers you need.
07sig3.QXD 5/26/09 10:58 AM Page 88