Radio Control Giants
Sal Calvagna [[email protected]]
Engine cowling construction on the Balsa USA Fokker D.VII
The Balsa USA 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII build is moving along slowly but steadily. One of the attractions of building the D.VII is that the full-scale aircraft lacked landing and flying wires because the wings were of cantilever construction. The same holds true for the popular Fokker Dr.I triplane.
The wings were built strong enough to be self-supporting and did not require external bracing. The absence of all these wires is a bonus when constructing and assembling the model. However, unlike rotary-powered aircraft that sported a large, round cowl — which on the model is often fabricated from fiberglass or ABS and is easy to install — the D.VII was powered by an in-line six-cylinder engine that was enclosed by a more modern, complex cowling.
This translates into more work to construct the front end of the 1/4-scale D.VII. Even so, the instructions, photos, and full-size plans provide ample resources to successfully build and finish the engine cowling. In the accompanying photo, the cowl — excluding the dummy in-line engine — has been built and fitted to the fuselage. The arrows show where the cowl separates from the fuselage. The size of the cowl has been well thought out. Once removed, there is plenty of room to work on the engine, throttle assembly, throttle pushrod, and fuel system. There is ample space available to install a smoke tank. What’s the point of having World War I aerial dogfights without leaving a trail of smoke? I have my fingers crossed that by the next issue I will be ready to cover the model. Stay tuned!
Also included in this column:
- Cradle of Aviation Museum hosts modelers’ weekend
- Lou Cetrangelo’s 1/3-scale Stearman N2S
- David Plummer’s scratch-built, electric-powered Lockheed P2V-7
Models Rock the Cradle of Aviation Museum
On the weekend of March 18–19, 2006, the Cradle of Aviation Museum hosted a flying-model exposition. The museum was invaded by aircraft of all sizes and shapes. Everything — electric, gas, RC, rubber-powered, gliders, and helicopters — was on display throughout the facility. Many models were displayed beside the full-scale exhibits.
Long Island is steeped in aviation history. With its natural prairie known as the Hempstead Plains, it was an ideal location for flying; intense flying activity occurred here for more than 50 years. Notable aircraft manufacturers such as Grumman, Republic, Brewster, and Sperry built their reputations on the island. In addition, many historic flights, including Lindbergh’s Atlantic crossing, began at Roosevelt Field on Long Island. As a matter of fact, the museum owns Lucky Lindy’s Curtiss Jenny and has the aircraft hanging overhead as you walk past the early aviation section. In 1923 Charles Lindbergh purchased this aircraft in Americus, Georgia, for $500. It was the first aircraft he ever owned.
You will find other notables such as a Grumman Wildcat, a Republic P-47, and the F9F Cougar. For more information on this great museum, please visit its website at www.cradleofaviation.org.
Great Big Biplane: Lou Cetrangelo’s 1/3-scale Stearman N2S
Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York, recently completed an outstanding Balsa USA 1/3-scale Stearman. This is one of the largest models available in kit form.
The aircraft spans 116 inches, has a length of 92 inches, and a whopping 3,617 square inches of wing area. The model weighs 53 pounds and is powered by an RCS five-cylinder, four-stroke, gas-powered radial. The engine turns a massive 32-inch propeller.
Since Lou is a former Navy man, he chose to finish the model as the Navy N2S-4 version. It is covered with Solartex material and a combination of hair-set tape and thousands of small sections of monofilament fishing line to simulate rib stitching and pinking tape.
Lou painted the Stearman with Behr exterior latex paint and coated it with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane clear semigloss finish. He installed a Sullivan Skywriter smoke system with a 24-ounce tank for smoke fluid.
One of the more interesting accessories Lou installed was a pair of optical servo-extension cables from the engine throttle and choke servos back to the receiver. This was done to reduce the chances of transferring unwanted ignition interference to the receiver.
Wildmann Graphics made all the emblems, numbers, and roundels used on this model. The photo of one of the fuselage images depicts how accurate scale nomenclature can be applied using a stencil pattern. Chris Sellmann of Wildmann Graphics provided a special adhesive stencil in the correct font. This was adhered to the surface of the model, sprayed with an airbrush, and then removed, producing professional results.
In addition to emblems, numbers, and roundels, a good vinyl graphics provider should be able to produce stencils for your scale project. For more information on this type of service, you can call Chris at (631) 648-3837 or e-mail him at [email protected]. You can visit his web store at http://stores.wildmanngraphics.com/StoreFront.bok.
If you would like more information about the Stearman kit, you can call Balsa USA at (906) 863-6421 or visit the company's website at www.balsausa.com.
Originally built by the Stearman Aircraft Company of Wichita, Kansas, the aircraft's wings were made from wood and the fuselage was built from welded steel tubing. In 1934 Boeing purchased the Stearman Aircraft Company and continued to produce the model. Officially it was named the Boeing Model 75; however, it was popularly called the Stearman and remains so today.
The airplane was rugged and easy to fly. It is no wonder that it became the most widely used trainer for the US military during World War II. The Army designation was PT-17; the Navy first designated it the NS-1, which evolved into the N2S series. In excess of 10,000 variants were built and more than 1,000 are still flying today.
David F. Plummer's Lockheed Neptune
David F. Plummer of Bellevue, Washington, is shown with his scratch-built, 1/12-scale, electric-powered Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune. The model spans 108 inches and weighs 23 pounds. It is powered by Astro 25 electric motors for the propellers and 600-size motors for the outboard EDFs (electric ducted fans).
Dave writes that the model was started roughly two years ago in an attempt to get a good friend and former P2V-7 pilot involved with the project. Sadly, declining health prevented the friend from participating.
The model was based on and built from three-views found in Squadron/Signal publication #68, photos of the aircraft at the Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon, and a nose section being restored at Arlington Airport, Washington. David also used the book Lockheed P2V Neptune: An Illustrated History by Wayne Mutza.
The model is built primarily from balsa sticks and sheet, with a little foam used for some areas. It has a fully detailed cockpit, operating Fowler-type flaps, and retractable landing gear. It is covered with Polycover polyester film, although some areas are painted. All of the large decals are stick-on vinyl by Bill Fulmer.
David belongs to the Marymoor R/C model club of Redmond, Washington. The club flies from a grass field located in King County’s Marymoor Park. David is a retired Boeing engineer who loves to build models. All of his airplanes are electric powered and include a Boeing 314 Clipper, a Dornier Do 26B, and a Martin P6M-2.
The Lockheed P2V Neptune is unique because it is the only American naval land-based patrol airplane ever designed expressly for that purpose. The Neptune began assuming patrol duties shortly after the end of World War II and saw its first combat during the Korean Conflict.
One of the more notable achievements of a Neptune was a nonstop flight in 1947 from Perth, Australia, to Columbus, Ohio. This world-record flight of 11,235 miles stood for nearly 40 years. It was broken in 1986 by Burt Rutan's Voyager aircraft. During the production run of all its variants, 1,036 Neptunes were produced.
That wraps it up for this month. The next column will include new products and services that I found at the annual Toledo Show that are specifically designed for those who build and fly larger models.
Remember, this year the Warbirds Over Delaware International Miniature Aircraft Association event will be held July 13–16. I plan to attend, so pack up your RC giant warbird and come enjoy a weekend of great flying and tall tales.
'Til then, smooth landings. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
