82 MODEL AVIATION
IT IS NO secret that the hobby/sport of aeromodeling is dominated by
males. Furthermore, even fewer females are involved with Giant Scale.
Why? Could the answer involve nature or nurture?
I believe that it all starts at birth. Generally, boys are encouraged to
associate with toy airplanes, army men, action figures, and other socalled
masculine stuff, at a young age. Girls receive dolls, tea sets, and
costume jewelry—things that are labeled feminine. I guess somewhere
in history—before my time—people considered model airplanes
“masculine” and that message stuck.
I think role models such as famous aerobatics pilot Patty Wagstaff
might have an effect on women’s interest in RC. There is even a
popular ARF modeled after her Extra 300S!
There are hobbies and sports that men and women participate in
together, such as bowling. There are men’s leagues, women’s leagues,
and even mixed leagues. So what happened to aeromodeling?
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Wendy Chubb shows off her Balsa USA Taube at the Old
Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York. The model spans 83.5 inches.
Darren M. Gibson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, claims that his
Fokker Dr.I—his first RC Giant—flies like a trainer.
Dave VonFrank of East Hampton, New York, built this Ziroli
Curtiss P-40 powered by a Zenoah G-62 engine.
Bob Allen’s 1⁄4-scale Fokker E.V was built from F. Comyns plans
and covered with Arizona Model Aircrafters lozenge fabric.
If women were attracted to aeromodeling, just think how different
the numbers could be. It’s simple economics and supply and demand!
For the sake of argument, suppose we had another 100,000 AMA
members. Our hobby stores would be better stocked and we would
have more of them. We might have a better chance at securing more
flying fields.
When women band together to accomplish something, it is usually
done. I would love to have the National Organization for Women
(NOW) on our side when trying to get local government to provide
new flying fields!
Back to reality. Although they are few in number, I am happy to
know a couple of great women RC Giant modelers. One is Wendy
Chubb of Stowe, Pennsylvania. Pictured with her Balsa USA Taube,
Wendy has a Web site that shows how she applied the aluminum
finish on her Taube.
Wendy’s husband Bob is an avid aeromodeler, and I suspect that’s
the reason Wendy became involved. Maybe she has found a way to
spend more quality time with her husband through modeling. The
address for Wendy’s site is www.scaleaero.com/flite_metal_
swirl_pattern.htm.
Austrian engineer Igo Etrich designed and flew his first tractortype
monoplane on July 20, 1909. The first Taube prototype flew in
July 1910. Etrich based the wing of the aircraft on the Zanonia tree
84 MODEL AVIATION
The Taube had a wingspan of 46 feet, 8
inches and was 32 feet, 4 inches in length. Its
takeoff weight was 1,750 pounds, and the
engine was a 100/120-horsepower Mercedes
water-cooled, six-cylinder in-line.
Wendy has done a great job building and
documenting the aluminizing process. I am sure that her how-to Web
site will help other modelers. Great job, Wendy! Maybe one day my
wife could cover and help finish one of my ongoing projects.
Darren’s Dr.I: Darren M. Gibson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, chose the
popular—albeit difficult—Fokker Dr.I as the subject of his first foray
into Giant Scale.
Built from a Balsa USA kit, the Dr. I is powered by a Zenoah G-26
gas engine. It is covered with Solartex covering material and painted
in the colors of the notorious Baron von Richthofen. Darren uses a
seedpod that glides through the air for great distances.
The first airplanes were produced for sporting purposes but were
later used for observation and training by Germany and Austro-
Hungary during World War I. The Taube was the first airplane to drop
bombs during the war. Although it was roughly four years old at the
beginning of World War I, the Taube was a stable aircraft with good
flight characteristics and its performance was noteworthy.
By the spring of 1915, the Taube was of little front-line use and
relegated to training. Ironically, the name “Taube” means dove—the
universal symbol of peace in 1914.
Al Arnal’s 40% Extra 300ES is powered by a Desert Aircraft 3W-150 twin gas engine.
A close look at the Extra shows the
excellent detail of the finish. Al spent 50
hours airbrushing his model.
Futaba radio system and Hitec standard and
high-torque servos. The model has a B&B
smoke system and MGA pilot.
The Dr.I is one of the most recognizable
World War I fighter aircraft. It was extremely
maneuverable and could climb like a monkey;
however, it was not very fast for a late-war
fighter. The Dr.I was deadly in the hands of
an experienced pilot, but once engaged in an
aerial dogfight, it was difficult to break away
because of its slower speed.
The wings were fully cantilevered, and the
prototype did not have outer struts; however,
pilots were uncomfortable piloting the aircraft
without struts, so they were added to
production types.
Darren says that the Dr. I model flies like a
big trainer. Congratulations on your inaugural
RC Giant! What’s next?
Allen’s E.V: Bob Allen of Poughkeepsie,
New York, flew his 1⁄4-scale Fokker E.V at a
local Scale Masters Qualifier. He built the
model from F. Comyns plans purchased from
Bob Holman Plans.
The E.V is powered by a Quadra Q-35
engine and is covered with lozenge fabric
purchased from Arizona Model Aircrafters.
The wing is fully sheeted and fiberglassed.
The E.V was painted with Cheveron Perfect
Paint and has a B&B smoke system installed.
Bob has flown the model many times and said
that it is easy to fly and land.
The model clearly looks like the Fokker
D.VIII (Flying Razor), which is popular on
the modeling circuit as of late, but the first
designation of this late-war fighter was the
Fokker E.V. It was so called because it was
Fokker’s fifth monoplane to enter military
service. The first couple of production aircraft
suffered wing failures because of poor
workmanship. This led to further testing and
recertification of the original wing design.
The newly constructed wings were fitted to
existing E.V aircraft, and the new production
models were designated D.VIIIs.
World War I ended before the D.VIII had
the opportunity to prove itself in combat;
however, Lieutenant Emil Rolff of Jasta 6
scored an aerial victory flying an E.V in
August 1918. He was killed a few days later
when the wing on his E.V failed in flight.
Although the Flying Razor was unproven in
combat during the Great War, modelers today
can attest to the design at their local fields and
flying events worldwide. Nice job, Bob!
VonFrank P-40: Also shown this month is
Dave VonFrank of East Hampton, New York,
with his Ziroli Curtiss P-40. The model was
built and flown by his good friend Mike Gross
for many seasons before Mike made Dave a
deal he couldn’t refuse. Dave just needed to
give the model a face-lift.
He repaired and repainted the wing with
acrylic lacquer paint, repaired and repainted
the cowling, and installed a new Zenoah G-62
gas engine for power. He left the original
paint scheme intact.
Well known for his “low-as-you-can-go”
passes, Dave reports that the model is a solid
and stable performer.
The P-40 was developed from the Curtiss
P-36, which was America’s foremost fighter
in service when World War II began.
Throughout the war, the P-40 was the
workhorse of the Allied air forces. It engaged
the Japanese during the attack on Pearl
Harbor, in the Philippines, in China with the
Flying Tigers, and in North Africa. Although
not as maneuverable as its Japanese
counterparts, the P-40 was faster in a dive,
had superior firepower, and could absorb
greater battle damage.
More than 14,000 P-40s in all variants
were produced, making the aircraft the third
most numerous US fighter during the war.
Al’s Extra 300ES: I have included a couple
photos of Al Arnal’s 40% Extra. A member of
the Black Sheep Squadron of northeastern
Pennsylvania, he is the secretary and
treasurer.
Powered with a 3W-150, 18.5-horsepower
twin gas engine spinning a 32 x 12 propeller,
the Extra uses a Futaba 9ZAP radio system
and 15 JR 8411 digital servos.
Al spent 50 hours airbrushing his Extra in
a patriotic scheme, and the results are
astounding!
That’s all for this month. Spring hasn’t
sprung yet, so keep working on those
unfinished RC Giants. Let’s get them done for
the 2005 flying season. Good luck! MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 82,84,86
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 82,84,86
82 MODEL AVIATION
IT IS NO secret that the hobby/sport of aeromodeling is dominated by
males. Furthermore, even fewer females are involved with Giant Scale.
Why? Could the answer involve nature or nurture?
I believe that it all starts at birth. Generally, boys are encouraged to
associate with toy airplanes, army men, action figures, and other socalled
masculine stuff, at a young age. Girls receive dolls, tea sets, and
costume jewelry—things that are labeled feminine. I guess somewhere
in history—before my time—people considered model airplanes
“masculine” and that message stuck.
I think role models such as famous aerobatics pilot Patty Wagstaff
might have an effect on women’s interest in RC. There is even a
popular ARF modeled after her Extra 300S!
There are hobbies and sports that men and women participate in
together, such as bowling. There are men’s leagues, women’s leagues,
and even mixed leagues. So what happened to aeromodeling?
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Wendy Chubb shows off her Balsa USA Taube at the Old
Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York. The model spans 83.5 inches.
Darren M. Gibson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, claims that his
Fokker Dr.I—his first RC Giant—flies like a trainer.
Dave VonFrank of East Hampton, New York, built this Ziroli
Curtiss P-40 powered by a Zenoah G-62 engine.
Bob Allen’s 1⁄4-scale Fokker E.V was built from F. Comyns plans
and covered with Arizona Model Aircrafters lozenge fabric.
If women were attracted to aeromodeling, just think how different
the numbers could be. It’s simple economics and supply and demand!
For the sake of argument, suppose we had another 100,000 AMA
members. Our hobby stores would be better stocked and we would
have more of them. We might have a better chance at securing more
flying fields.
When women band together to accomplish something, it is usually
done. I would love to have the National Organization for Women
(NOW) on our side when trying to get local government to provide
new flying fields!
Back to reality. Although they are few in number, I am happy to
know a couple of great women RC Giant modelers. One is Wendy
Chubb of Stowe, Pennsylvania. Pictured with her Balsa USA Taube,
Wendy has a Web site that shows how she applied the aluminum
finish on her Taube.
Wendy’s husband Bob is an avid aeromodeler, and I suspect that’s
the reason Wendy became involved. Maybe she has found a way to
spend more quality time with her husband through modeling. The
address for Wendy’s site is www.scaleaero.com/flite_metal_
swirl_pattern.htm.
Austrian engineer Igo Etrich designed and flew his first tractortype
monoplane on July 20, 1909. The first Taube prototype flew in
July 1910. Etrich based the wing of the aircraft on the Zanonia tree
84 MODEL AVIATION
The Taube had a wingspan of 46 feet, 8
inches and was 32 feet, 4 inches in length. Its
takeoff weight was 1,750 pounds, and the
engine was a 100/120-horsepower Mercedes
water-cooled, six-cylinder in-line.
Wendy has done a great job building and
documenting the aluminizing process. I am sure that her how-to Web
site will help other modelers. Great job, Wendy! Maybe one day my
wife could cover and help finish one of my ongoing projects.
Darren’s Dr.I: Darren M. Gibson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, chose the
popular—albeit difficult—Fokker Dr.I as the subject of his first foray
into Giant Scale.
Built from a Balsa USA kit, the Dr. I is powered by a Zenoah G-26
gas engine. It is covered with Solartex covering material and painted
in the colors of the notorious Baron von Richthofen. Darren uses a
seedpod that glides through the air for great distances.
The first airplanes were produced for sporting purposes but were
later used for observation and training by Germany and Austro-
Hungary during World War I. The Taube was the first airplane to drop
bombs during the war. Although it was roughly four years old at the
beginning of World War I, the Taube was a stable aircraft with good
flight characteristics and its performance was noteworthy.
By the spring of 1915, the Taube was of little front-line use and
relegated to training. Ironically, the name “Taube” means dove—the
universal symbol of peace in 1914.
Al Arnal’s 40% Extra 300ES is powered by a Desert Aircraft 3W-150 twin gas engine.
A close look at the Extra shows the
excellent detail of the finish. Al spent 50
hours airbrushing his model.
Futaba radio system and Hitec standard and
high-torque servos. The model has a B&B
smoke system and MGA pilot.
The Dr.I is one of the most recognizable
World War I fighter aircraft. It was extremely
maneuverable and could climb like a monkey;
however, it was not very fast for a late-war
fighter. The Dr.I was deadly in the hands of
an experienced pilot, but once engaged in an
aerial dogfight, it was difficult to break away
because of its slower speed.
The wings were fully cantilevered, and the
prototype did not have outer struts; however,
pilots were uncomfortable piloting the aircraft
without struts, so they were added to
production types.
Darren says that the Dr. I model flies like a
big trainer. Congratulations on your inaugural
RC Giant! What’s next?
Allen’s E.V: Bob Allen of Poughkeepsie,
New York, flew his 1⁄4-scale Fokker E.V at a
local Scale Masters Qualifier. He built the
model from F. Comyns plans purchased from
Bob Holman Plans.
The E.V is powered by a Quadra Q-35
engine and is covered with lozenge fabric
purchased from Arizona Model Aircrafters.
The wing is fully sheeted and fiberglassed.
The E.V was painted with Cheveron Perfect
Paint and has a B&B smoke system installed.
Bob has flown the model many times and said
that it is easy to fly and land.
The model clearly looks like the Fokker
D.VIII (Flying Razor), which is popular on
the modeling circuit as of late, but the first
designation of this late-war fighter was the
Fokker E.V. It was so called because it was
Fokker’s fifth monoplane to enter military
service. The first couple of production aircraft
suffered wing failures because of poor
workmanship. This led to further testing and
recertification of the original wing design.
The newly constructed wings were fitted to
existing E.V aircraft, and the new production
models were designated D.VIIIs.
World War I ended before the D.VIII had
the opportunity to prove itself in combat;
however, Lieutenant Emil Rolff of Jasta 6
scored an aerial victory flying an E.V in
August 1918. He was killed a few days later
when the wing on his E.V failed in flight.
Although the Flying Razor was unproven in
combat during the Great War, modelers today
can attest to the design at their local fields and
flying events worldwide. Nice job, Bob!
VonFrank P-40: Also shown this month is
Dave VonFrank of East Hampton, New York,
with his Ziroli Curtiss P-40. The model was
built and flown by his good friend Mike Gross
for many seasons before Mike made Dave a
deal he couldn’t refuse. Dave just needed to
give the model a face-lift.
He repaired and repainted the wing with
acrylic lacquer paint, repaired and repainted
the cowling, and installed a new Zenoah G-62
gas engine for power. He left the original
paint scheme intact.
Well known for his “low-as-you-can-go”
passes, Dave reports that the model is a solid
and stable performer.
The P-40 was developed from the Curtiss
P-36, which was America’s foremost fighter
in service when World War II began.
Throughout the war, the P-40 was the
workhorse of the Allied air forces. It engaged
the Japanese during the attack on Pearl
Harbor, in the Philippines, in China with the
Flying Tigers, and in North Africa. Although
not as maneuverable as its Japanese
counterparts, the P-40 was faster in a dive,
had superior firepower, and could absorb
greater battle damage.
More than 14,000 P-40s in all variants
were produced, making the aircraft the third
most numerous US fighter during the war.
Al’s Extra 300ES: I have included a couple
photos of Al Arnal’s 40% Extra. A member of
the Black Sheep Squadron of northeastern
Pennsylvania, he is the secretary and
treasurer.
Powered with a 3W-150, 18.5-horsepower
twin gas engine spinning a 32 x 12 propeller,
the Extra uses a Futaba 9ZAP radio system
and 15 JR 8411 digital servos.
Al spent 50 hours airbrushing his Extra in
a patriotic scheme, and the results are
astounding!
That’s all for this month. Spring hasn’t
sprung yet, so keep working on those
unfinished RC Giants. Let’s get them done for
the 2005 flying season. Good luck! MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/03
Page Numbers: 82,84,86
82 MODEL AVIATION
IT IS NO secret that the hobby/sport of aeromodeling is dominated by
males. Furthermore, even fewer females are involved with Giant Scale.
Why? Could the answer involve nature or nurture?
I believe that it all starts at birth. Generally, boys are encouraged to
associate with toy airplanes, army men, action figures, and other socalled
masculine stuff, at a young age. Girls receive dolls, tea sets, and
costume jewelry—things that are labeled feminine. I guess somewhere
in history—before my time—people considered model airplanes
“masculine” and that message stuck.
I think role models such as famous aerobatics pilot Patty Wagstaff
might have an effect on women’s interest in RC. There is even a
popular ARF modeled after her Extra 300S!
There are hobbies and sports that men and women participate in
together, such as bowling. There are men’s leagues, women’s leagues,
and even mixed leagues. So what happened to aeromodeling?
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Wendy Chubb shows off her Balsa USA Taube at the Old
Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York. The model spans 83.5 inches.
Darren M. Gibson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, claims that his
Fokker Dr.I—his first RC Giant—flies like a trainer.
Dave VonFrank of East Hampton, New York, built this Ziroli
Curtiss P-40 powered by a Zenoah G-62 engine.
Bob Allen’s 1⁄4-scale Fokker E.V was built from F. Comyns plans
and covered with Arizona Model Aircrafters lozenge fabric.
If women were attracted to aeromodeling, just think how different
the numbers could be. It’s simple economics and supply and demand!
For the sake of argument, suppose we had another 100,000 AMA
members. Our hobby stores would be better stocked and we would
have more of them. We might have a better chance at securing more
flying fields.
When women band together to accomplish something, it is usually
done. I would love to have the National Organization for Women
(NOW) on our side when trying to get local government to provide
new flying fields!
Back to reality. Although they are few in number, I am happy to
know a couple of great women RC Giant modelers. One is Wendy
Chubb of Stowe, Pennsylvania. Pictured with her Balsa USA Taube,
Wendy has a Web site that shows how she applied the aluminum
finish on her Taube.
Wendy’s husband Bob is an avid aeromodeler, and I suspect that’s
the reason Wendy became involved. Maybe she has found a way to
spend more quality time with her husband through modeling. The
address for Wendy’s site is www.scaleaero.com/flite_metal_
swirl_pattern.htm.
Austrian engineer Igo Etrich designed and flew his first tractortype
monoplane on July 20, 1909. The first Taube prototype flew in
July 1910. Etrich based the wing of the aircraft on the Zanonia tree
84 MODEL AVIATION
The Taube had a wingspan of 46 feet, 8
inches and was 32 feet, 4 inches in length. Its
takeoff weight was 1,750 pounds, and the
engine was a 100/120-horsepower Mercedes
water-cooled, six-cylinder in-line.
Wendy has done a great job building and
documenting the aluminizing process. I am sure that her how-to Web
site will help other modelers. Great job, Wendy! Maybe one day my
wife could cover and help finish one of my ongoing projects.
Darren’s Dr.I: Darren M. Gibson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, chose the
popular—albeit difficult—Fokker Dr.I as the subject of his first foray
into Giant Scale.
Built from a Balsa USA kit, the Dr. I is powered by a Zenoah G-26
gas engine. It is covered with Solartex covering material and painted
in the colors of the notorious Baron von Richthofen. Darren uses a
seedpod that glides through the air for great distances.
The first airplanes were produced for sporting purposes but were
later used for observation and training by Germany and Austro-
Hungary during World War I. The Taube was the first airplane to drop
bombs during the war. Although it was roughly four years old at the
beginning of World War I, the Taube was a stable aircraft with good
flight characteristics and its performance was noteworthy.
By the spring of 1915, the Taube was of little front-line use and
relegated to training. Ironically, the name “Taube” means dove—the
universal symbol of peace in 1914.
Al Arnal’s 40% Extra 300ES is powered by a Desert Aircraft 3W-150 twin gas engine.
A close look at the Extra shows the
excellent detail of the finish. Al spent 50
hours airbrushing his model.
Futaba radio system and Hitec standard and
high-torque servos. The model has a B&B
smoke system and MGA pilot.
The Dr.I is one of the most recognizable
World War I fighter aircraft. It was extremely
maneuverable and could climb like a monkey;
however, it was not very fast for a late-war
fighter. The Dr.I was deadly in the hands of
an experienced pilot, but once engaged in an
aerial dogfight, it was difficult to break away
because of its slower speed.
The wings were fully cantilevered, and the
prototype did not have outer struts; however,
pilots were uncomfortable piloting the aircraft
without struts, so they were added to
production types.
Darren says that the Dr. I model flies like a
big trainer. Congratulations on your inaugural
RC Giant! What’s next?
Allen’s E.V: Bob Allen of Poughkeepsie,
New York, flew his 1⁄4-scale Fokker E.V at a
local Scale Masters Qualifier. He built the
model from F. Comyns plans purchased from
Bob Holman Plans.
The E.V is powered by a Quadra Q-35
engine and is covered with lozenge fabric
purchased from Arizona Model Aircrafters.
The wing is fully sheeted and fiberglassed.
The E.V was painted with Cheveron Perfect
Paint and has a B&B smoke system installed.
Bob has flown the model many times and said
that it is easy to fly and land.
The model clearly looks like the Fokker
D.VIII (Flying Razor), which is popular on
the modeling circuit as of late, but the first
designation of this late-war fighter was the
Fokker E.V. It was so called because it was
Fokker’s fifth monoplane to enter military
service. The first couple of production aircraft
suffered wing failures because of poor
workmanship. This led to further testing and
recertification of the original wing design.
The newly constructed wings were fitted to
existing E.V aircraft, and the new production
models were designated D.VIIIs.
World War I ended before the D.VIII had
the opportunity to prove itself in combat;
however, Lieutenant Emil Rolff of Jasta 6
scored an aerial victory flying an E.V in
August 1918. He was killed a few days later
when the wing on his E.V failed in flight.
Although the Flying Razor was unproven in
combat during the Great War, modelers today
can attest to the design at their local fields and
flying events worldwide. Nice job, Bob!
VonFrank P-40: Also shown this month is
Dave VonFrank of East Hampton, New York,
with his Ziroli Curtiss P-40. The model was
built and flown by his good friend Mike Gross
for many seasons before Mike made Dave a
deal he couldn’t refuse. Dave just needed to
give the model a face-lift.
He repaired and repainted the wing with
acrylic lacquer paint, repaired and repainted
the cowling, and installed a new Zenoah G-62
gas engine for power. He left the original
paint scheme intact.
Well known for his “low-as-you-can-go”
passes, Dave reports that the model is a solid
and stable performer.
The P-40 was developed from the Curtiss
P-36, which was America’s foremost fighter
in service when World War II began.
Throughout the war, the P-40 was the
workhorse of the Allied air forces. It engaged
the Japanese during the attack on Pearl
Harbor, in the Philippines, in China with the
Flying Tigers, and in North Africa. Although
not as maneuverable as its Japanese
counterparts, the P-40 was faster in a dive,
had superior firepower, and could absorb
greater battle damage.
More than 14,000 P-40s in all variants
were produced, making the aircraft the third
most numerous US fighter during the war.
Al’s Extra 300ES: I have included a couple
photos of Al Arnal’s 40% Extra. A member of
the Black Sheep Squadron of northeastern
Pennsylvania, he is the secretary and
treasurer.
Powered with a 3W-150, 18.5-horsepower
twin gas engine spinning a 32 x 12 propeller,
the Extra uses a Futaba 9ZAP radio system
and 15 JR 8411 digital servos.
Al spent 50 hours airbrushing his Extra in
a patriotic scheme, and the results are
astounding!
That’s all for this month. Spring hasn’t
sprung yet, so keep working on those
unfinished RC Giants. Let’s get them done for
the 2005 flying season. Good luck! MA