108 MODEL AVIATION
WELCOME BACK! As you can see, I
continue to make progress with the D.VII
build. The wings are covered with antiquefinish
SR-Tex, available from SR Batteries,
and are ready for paint.
This popular material is manufactured by
Solarfilm of England and is commonly sold
with the suffix “Tex.” Generally, it is found
in 5- or 10-meter rolls. SR Batteries has it
available in antique and white finish, and it
is sold by the foot in any length you desire.
Once covered, I gave the wings one coat
of clear nitrate dope. The dope is certainly
not necessary, but an old friend taught me
that a coat of nitrate dope will help keep the
material from wrinkling in hot weather.
The author covers his Balsa USA Fokker D.VII wings with SR-Tex
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Also included in this column:
• The definition of a sesquiplane
• Dennis Tjaden’s D.VII
• One family’s fleet of World
War I models
• Jim Suchy’s Hannover CL.II
• Kevin Shaw’s Byron Gee-Bee
R-2
The author’s son Sal holds the finished
wings for the Balsa USA Fokker D.VII.
They are lightweight but strong.
Scale buff Dennis Tjaden of Nebraska likes to build larger models
such as this SuperTigre 3250-powered D.VII.
From the right are Mike, Michael, and Marshal Gross of Mastic
Beach, New York, with their World War I aircraft.
Kit-bashed from the Balsa USA 1/4-scale Pup kit, Mike Gross built his 1/4-scale Sopwith
Camel for his club’s World War I contest to be held this flying season.
The wings of the D.VII are lightweight
but strong. The photo provides an interesting
view. The bottom wing has less area than
the top one but still has more than half the
area of the upper wing.
Aircraft that have a lower wing that is
less than half the area of the upper wing are
classified as sesquiplanes and not biplanes.
A good example of this is the diminutive
10sig4.QXD 8/24/06 12:43 PM Page 108Nieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aNieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aNieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aSuperTigre 3250 glow engine in the D.VII
and found that the lightweight power plant
exaggerated an already tail-heavy
condition.
Most Giant Scale World War I models
do very well with heavier gas engines.
They need the weight up front to help
balance them. Dennis says that his model
is surprisingly agile and flies quite well.
Great job, Dennis! All in the Family: The family photo is of
Mike (R), Michael, and Marshal Gross of
Mastic Beach, New York, with their fleet of
World War I aircraft.
Michael is flying a 1/4-scale Nieuport 28
from Balsa USA that is powered by a
Zenoah G-26. Marshal has the Balsa USA
1/4-scale Fokker D.VIII powered by the
same type of engine. Their father Mike
completed his 1/4-scale Sopwith Camel.
The Camel was built by kit-bashing a 1/4-
scale Balsa USA Pup using accurate Camel
three-views. The distinctive hump is clearly
seen in the close-up photo. Mike powers his
Camel with a Zenoah G-23 and the model
flies well.
The Gross family built their World War I
models for their local club’s World War I
contest that will take place during this flying
season. Similar to the Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome Jamboree of years past, the
contest consists of spot landing, bomb drop,
mock dogfight, and flight realism.
Judges score each participant on the four
categories. At the end of the flying season,
awards are presented to the pilots with the
highest scores.
The graphics for all three models were
made by Marshal Gross. His company, Red
5 Designs, creates and produces vinyl
graphics for any commercial or hobbyrelated
application. He can make stencils
that are ideal for fine spray-painting. If
you’re looking for custom vinyl graphics for
your next project, visit Marshal’s Web site
at www.red5design.com or call him at (516)
353-8860.
Clearly, there’s much modeling talent in
the Gross family. Hats off to Mike for
mentoring his sons in this great hobby. They
represent the next generation of AMA model
builders. Let’s follow Mike’s lead and pass
it on!
Just one last comment for Mike and the
boys regarding the World War I contest—
it’s all but over when I, the “Rittmeister,”
come calling with the D.VII! It’s the finest
fighter of World War I. Surrender now!
Hannover CL.II: Jim Suchy of Brecksville,
Ohio, built his beautiful two-seat Hannover
CL.II working from enlargements of the
Windsock Data File views. It has a span of
115 inches, weighs 27 pounds, and is
powered by a Kioritz 2.4 gas engine.
Jim covered the model with Sig
Koverall, sealed it with water-based Minwax
Polycrylic, and used latex house paint. The
lozenge pattern was applied using an
airbrush and thin plastic stencils. Jim reports
that the model is smooth and stable in flight.
The Hannover CL.II was a successful
two-seat aircraft that was used as an escort
fighter, for reconnaissance, and in groundattack
roles. Its unusual tail arrangement
was designed to allow a wider range of fire
for the rear gunner. Allied fighters
sometimes attacked the CL.II thinking it was
a single-seat fighter, and the rear gunner
provided a nasty surprise to the unwitting
attacker.
The aircraft spanned 38 feet, 5 inches,
and was powered by an Opel-Argus sixcylinder,
liquid-cooled, in-line engine. The
airplane was highly maneuverable and more
than 600 were built by Hannover.
Byron Gee-Bee R-2: Kevin Shaw of Middle
Island, New York, is proud of his newly
completed Byron Gee-Bee R-2. The model
has a fiberglass fuselage and built-up wings.
It is designed to be powered by a Zenoah G-
62 equipped with Byron’s Purr-Power
system. The R-2 was one of the last models
designed by Byron Originals back in the
early 1990s.
The popularity of the Gee-Bee models
exploded after the successful flights of
Delmar Benjamin and his replica Gee-Bee
racer. Delmar flew his airplane at air shows
throughout the country, exhibiting his
mastery of the aircraft in maneuvers such as
the climbing knife edge. He proved the
opposite of the historical account about how
the little racer was hard to handle and
twitchy to fly.
The Granville brothers of Springfield,
Massachusetts, designed and built some of
the fastest-racing aircraft in the 1930s. Their
airplanes won many of the day’s prestigious
races. The brothers became well known in
the industry; however, the Depression and
some bad publicity about a few serious
accidents with their aircraft sealed their fate.
The model spans 80 inches, has a length
of 56 inches, and weighs roughly 25 poundswhen completed. Although Byron Originals
is no longer in business, many of its designs
are now offered by Iron Bay Model
Company of Wheeling, West Virginia.
If you would like to see more
information about the Gee-Bee, visit the
Iron Bay Web site at www.ironbay
modelcompany.com or you can call (304)
232-7511. The address is Box 6383,
Wheeling WV 26003.
So ends another column. Keep sending
those photos! I’m sure our readers would
like to see your latest RC Giant. I know I would.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/10
Page Numbers: 108,110,111
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/10
Page Numbers: 108,110,111
108 MODEL AVIATION
WELCOME BACK! As you can see, I
continue to make progress with the D.VII
build. The wings are covered with antiquefinish
SR-Tex, available from SR Batteries,
and are ready for paint.
This popular material is manufactured by
Solarfilm of England and is commonly sold
with the suffix “Tex.” Generally, it is found
in 5- or 10-meter rolls. SR Batteries has it
available in antique and white finish, and it
is sold by the foot in any length you desire.
Once covered, I gave the wings one coat
of clear nitrate dope. The dope is certainly
not necessary, but an old friend taught me
that a coat of nitrate dope will help keep the
material from wrinkling in hot weather.
The author covers his Balsa USA Fokker D.VII wings with SR-Tex
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Also included in this column:
• The definition of a sesquiplane
• Dennis Tjaden’s D.VII
• One family’s fleet of World
War I models
• Jim Suchy’s Hannover CL.II
• Kevin Shaw’s Byron Gee-Bee
R-2
The author’s son Sal holds the finished
wings for the Balsa USA Fokker D.VII.
They are lightweight but strong.
Scale buff Dennis Tjaden of Nebraska likes to build larger models
such as this SuperTigre 3250-powered D.VII.
From the right are Mike, Michael, and Marshal Gross of Mastic
Beach, New York, with their World War I aircraft.
Kit-bashed from the Balsa USA 1/4-scale Pup kit, Mike Gross built his 1/4-scale Sopwith
Camel for his club’s World War I contest to be held this flying season.
The wings of the D.VII are lightweight
but strong. The photo provides an interesting
view. The bottom wing has less area than
the top one but still has more than half the
area of the upper wing.
Aircraft that have a lower wing that is
less than half the area of the upper wing are
classified as sesquiplanes and not biplanes.
A good example of this is the diminutive
10sig4.QXD 8/24/06 12:43 PM Page 108Nieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aNieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aNieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aSuperTigre 3250 glow engine in the D.VII
and found that the lightweight power plant
exaggerated an already tail-heavy
condition.
Most Giant Scale World War I models
do very well with heavier gas engines.
They need the weight up front to help
balance them. Dennis says that his model
is surprisingly agile and flies quite well.
Great job, Dennis! All in the Family: The family photo is of
Mike (R), Michael, and Marshal Gross of
Mastic Beach, New York, with their fleet of
World War I aircraft.
Michael is flying a 1/4-scale Nieuport 28
from Balsa USA that is powered by a
Zenoah G-26. Marshal has the Balsa USA
1/4-scale Fokker D.VIII powered by the
same type of engine. Their father Mike
completed his 1/4-scale Sopwith Camel.
The Camel was built by kit-bashing a 1/4-
scale Balsa USA Pup using accurate Camel
three-views. The distinctive hump is clearly
seen in the close-up photo. Mike powers his
Camel with a Zenoah G-23 and the model
flies well.
The Gross family built their World War I
models for their local club’s World War I
contest that will take place during this flying
season. Similar to the Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome Jamboree of years past, the
contest consists of spot landing, bomb drop,
mock dogfight, and flight realism.
Judges score each participant on the four
categories. At the end of the flying season,
awards are presented to the pilots with the
highest scores.
The graphics for all three models were
made by Marshal Gross. His company, Red
5 Designs, creates and produces vinyl
graphics for any commercial or hobbyrelated
application. He can make stencils
that are ideal for fine spray-painting. If
you’re looking for custom vinyl graphics for
your next project, visit Marshal’s Web site
at www.red5design.com or call him at (516)
353-8860.
Clearly, there’s much modeling talent in
the Gross family. Hats off to Mike for
mentoring his sons in this great hobby. They
represent the next generation of AMA model
builders. Let’s follow Mike’s lead and pass
it on!
Just one last comment for Mike and the
boys regarding the World War I contest—
it’s all but over when I, the “Rittmeister,”
come calling with the D.VII! It’s the finest
fighter of World War I. Surrender now!
Hannover CL.II: Jim Suchy of Brecksville,
Ohio, built his beautiful two-seat Hannover
CL.II working from enlargements of the
Windsock Data File views. It has a span of
115 inches, weighs 27 pounds, and is
powered by a Kioritz 2.4 gas engine.
Jim covered the model with Sig
Koverall, sealed it with water-based Minwax
Polycrylic, and used latex house paint. The
lozenge pattern was applied using an
airbrush and thin plastic stencils. Jim reports
that the model is smooth and stable in flight.
The Hannover CL.II was a successful
two-seat aircraft that was used as an escort
fighter, for reconnaissance, and in groundattack
roles. Its unusual tail arrangement
was designed to allow a wider range of fire
for the rear gunner. Allied fighters
sometimes attacked the CL.II thinking it was
a single-seat fighter, and the rear gunner
provided a nasty surprise to the unwitting
attacker.
The aircraft spanned 38 feet, 5 inches,
and was powered by an Opel-Argus sixcylinder,
liquid-cooled, in-line engine. The
airplane was highly maneuverable and more
than 600 were built by Hannover.
Byron Gee-Bee R-2: Kevin Shaw of Middle
Island, New York, is proud of his newly
completed Byron Gee-Bee R-2. The model
has a fiberglass fuselage and built-up wings.
It is designed to be powered by a Zenoah G-
62 equipped with Byron’s Purr-Power
system. The R-2 was one of the last models
designed by Byron Originals back in the
early 1990s.
The popularity of the Gee-Bee models
exploded after the successful flights of
Delmar Benjamin and his replica Gee-Bee
racer. Delmar flew his airplane at air shows
throughout the country, exhibiting his
mastery of the aircraft in maneuvers such as
the climbing knife edge. He proved the
opposite of the historical account about how
the little racer was hard to handle and
twitchy to fly.
The Granville brothers of Springfield,
Massachusetts, designed and built some of
the fastest-racing aircraft in the 1930s. Their
airplanes won many of the day’s prestigious
races. The brothers became well known in
the industry; however, the Depression and
some bad publicity about a few serious
accidents with their aircraft sealed their fate.
The model spans 80 inches, has a length
of 56 inches, and weighs roughly 25 poundswhen completed. Although Byron Originals
is no longer in business, many of its designs
are now offered by Iron Bay Model
Company of Wheeling, West Virginia.
If you would like to see more
information about the Gee-Bee, visit the
Iron Bay Web site at www.ironbay
modelcompany.com or you can call (304)
232-7511. The address is Box 6383,
Wheeling WV 26003.
So ends another column. Keep sending
those photos! I’m sure our readers would
like to see your latest RC Giant. I know I would.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/10
Page Numbers: 108,110,111
108 MODEL AVIATION
WELCOME BACK! As you can see, I
continue to make progress with the D.VII
build. The wings are covered with antiquefinish
SR-Tex, available from SR Batteries,
and are ready for paint.
This popular material is manufactured by
Solarfilm of England and is commonly sold
with the suffix “Tex.” Generally, it is found
in 5- or 10-meter rolls. SR Batteries has it
available in antique and white finish, and it
is sold by the foot in any length you desire.
Once covered, I gave the wings one coat
of clear nitrate dope. The dope is certainly
not necessary, but an old friend taught me
that a coat of nitrate dope will help keep the
material from wrinkling in hot weather.
The author covers his Balsa USA Fokker D.VII wings with SR-Tex
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Also included in this column:
• The definition of a sesquiplane
• Dennis Tjaden’s D.VII
• One family’s fleet of World
War I models
• Jim Suchy’s Hannover CL.II
• Kevin Shaw’s Byron Gee-Bee
R-2
The author’s son Sal holds the finished
wings for the Balsa USA Fokker D.VII.
They are lightweight but strong.
Scale buff Dennis Tjaden of Nebraska likes to build larger models
such as this SuperTigre 3250-powered D.VII.
From the right are Mike, Michael, and Marshal Gross of Mastic
Beach, New York, with their World War I aircraft.
Kit-bashed from the Balsa USA 1/4-scale Pup kit, Mike Gross built his 1/4-scale Sopwith
Camel for his club’s World War I contest to be held this flying season.
The wings of the D.VII are lightweight
but strong. The photo provides an interesting
view. The bottom wing has less area than
the top one but still has more than half the
area of the upper wing.
Aircraft that have a lower wing that is
less than half the area of the upper wing are
classified as sesquiplanes and not biplanes.
A good example of this is the diminutive
10sig4.QXD 8/24/06 12:43 PM Page 108Nieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aNieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aNieuport 11 (Bébé). This is not the case
with the D.VII.
Although ailerons are found only on the
top wing, unlike other aircraft of that period,
they are surprisingly effective. Many of the
World War I-era biplanes had extremely
effective rudders but less responsive
ailerons. Since I’m not an aerodynamicist I
can’t begin to explain why they work so
well on the D.VII. Come back next month to
see the finished model!
Another Fine D.VII: Dennis Tjaden is a
member of the Grand Island Modelers
Association in Nebraska. He has been
following my slow-but-steady progress on
the 1/4-scale Fokker D.VII and sent in a
photo of his finished one.
Dennis is a scale buff and likes to build
the larger airplanes. His club field features
an 800-foot grass runway that is perfect for
this type of model.
Dennis used lozenge covering available
from Arizona Model Aircrafters as well as
its leather kit,
machine guns,
gauges, and dash
panel. He installed aSuperTigre 3250 glow engine in the D.VII
and found that the lightweight power plant
exaggerated an already tail-heavy
condition.
Most Giant Scale World War I models
do very well with heavier gas engines.
They need the weight up front to help
balance them. Dennis says that his model
is surprisingly agile and flies quite well.
Great job, Dennis! All in the Family: The family photo is of
Mike (R), Michael, and Marshal Gross of
Mastic Beach, New York, with their fleet of
World War I aircraft.
Michael is flying a 1/4-scale Nieuport 28
from Balsa USA that is powered by a
Zenoah G-26. Marshal has the Balsa USA
1/4-scale Fokker D.VIII powered by the
same type of engine. Their father Mike
completed his 1/4-scale Sopwith Camel.
The Camel was built by kit-bashing a 1/4-
scale Balsa USA Pup using accurate Camel
three-views. The distinctive hump is clearly
seen in the close-up photo. Mike powers his
Camel with a Zenoah G-23 and the model
flies well.
The Gross family built their World War I
models for their local club’s World War I
contest that will take place during this flying
season. Similar to the Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome Jamboree of years past, the
contest consists of spot landing, bomb drop,
mock dogfight, and flight realism.
Judges score each participant on the four
categories. At the end of the flying season,
awards are presented to the pilots with the
highest scores.
The graphics for all three models were
made by Marshal Gross. His company, Red
5 Designs, creates and produces vinyl
graphics for any commercial or hobbyrelated
application. He can make stencils
that are ideal for fine spray-painting. If
you’re looking for custom vinyl graphics for
your next project, visit Marshal’s Web site
at www.red5design.com or call him at (516)
353-8860.
Clearly, there’s much modeling talent in
the Gross family. Hats off to Mike for
mentoring his sons in this great hobby. They
represent the next generation of AMA model
builders. Let’s follow Mike’s lead and pass
it on!
Just one last comment for Mike and the
boys regarding the World War I contest—
it’s all but over when I, the “Rittmeister,”
come calling with the D.VII! It’s the finest
fighter of World War I. Surrender now!
Hannover CL.II: Jim Suchy of Brecksville,
Ohio, built his beautiful two-seat Hannover
CL.II working from enlargements of the
Windsock Data File views. It has a span of
115 inches, weighs 27 pounds, and is
powered by a Kioritz 2.4 gas engine.
Jim covered the model with Sig
Koverall, sealed it with water-based Minwax
Polycrylic, and used latex house paint. The
lozenge pattern was applied using an
airbrush and thin plastic stencils. Jim reports
that the model is smooth and stable in flight.
The Hannover CL.II was a successful
two-seat aircraft that was used as an escort
fighter, for reconnaissance, and in groundattack
roles. Its unusual tail arrangement
was designed to allow a wider range of fire
for the rear gunner. Allied fighters
sometimes attacked the CL.II thinking it was
a single-seat fighter, and the rear gunner
provided a nasty surprise to the unwitting
attacker.
The aircraft spanned 38 feet, 5 inches,
and was powered by an Opel-Argus sixcylinder,
liquid-cooled, in-line engine. The
airplane was highly maneuverable and more
than 600 were built by Hannover.
Byron Gee-Bee R-2: Kevin Shaw of Middle
Island, New York, is proud of his newly
completed Byron Gee-Bee R-2. The model
has a fiberglass fuselage and built-up wings.
It is designed to be powered by a Zenoah G-
62 equipped with Byron’s Purr-Power
system. The R-2 was one of the last models
designed by Byron Originals back in the
early 1990s.
The popularity of the Gee-Bee models
exploded after the successful flights of
Delmar Benjamin and his replica Gee-Bee
racer. Delmar flew his airplane at air shows
throughout the country, exhibiting his
mastery of the aircraft in maneuvers such as
the climbing knife edge. He proved the
opposite of the historical account about how
the little racer was hard to handle and
twitchy to fly.
The Granville brothers of Springfield,
Massachusetts, designed and built some of
the fastest-racing aircraft in the 1930s. Their
airplanes won many of the day’s prestigious
races. The brothers became well known in
the industry; however, the Depression and
some bad publicity about a few serious
accidents with their aircraft sealed their fate.
The model spans 80 inches, has a length
of 56 inches, and weighs roughly 25 poundswhen completed. Although Byron Originals
is no longer in business, many of its designs
are now offered by Iron Bay Model
Company of Wheeling, West Virginia.
If you would like to see more
information about the Gee-Bee, visit the
Iron Bay Web site at www.ironbay
modelcompany.com or you can call (304)
232-7511. The address is Box 6383,
Wheeling WV 26003.
So ends another column. Keep sending
those photos! I’m sure our readers would
like to see your latest RC Giant. I know I would.