Radio Control Giants
Sal Calvagna [[email protected]]
Pink-It finishing tape and Rub-It transfers from GetStencils.com
WELCOME BACK to the RC Giants column. Modelers who build and fly larger models usually tend to go a step further in detailing their creations. This is certainly true for our members who scratch- or plans-build for competition. Maybe it's because the surfaces are much larger and we have to add something to fill in the empty areas.
It could be something as simple as vinyl insignia, letters, numbers, or advertisements. It might be as complicated as working cooling flaps on a warbird cowl.
Whatever your desire, many model companies manufacture some type of accessory that will enhance your latest project. I have just stumbled onto one that would be hard to pass up for those fabric-covered and doped models.
GetStencils.com is an Internet-based company operated by Gary Sibert of Winchester, Virginia. Gary makes graphics, decals, and nomenclature in dry-transfer or vinyl-adhesive form. In addition, he makes Pink-It pinking finishing tape, available in 1/5-, 1/4-, and 1/3-scale kit sizes and custom sizes.
The pinking tape comes in a variety of colors and has an adhesive backing for easy iron-on application. You can now have a proper scale pinked edge made from easy-to-use Solartex or Nelson LiteFAB. The 1/4-scale tape comes in 1/2-inch widths for ribs and longerons, and the perimeter tape that goes around the LEs and TEs is 1 inch wide. The 1/3-scale size is 0.66 inch wide for the rib tape and 1.32 inches for the perimeter tape. Gary will even show you how to make faux pinking strips on your model using his product and offers to custom-cut any width needed.
Gary's dry transfers are opaque so the surface colors won't show through and distort the color of the decal. They do not have a clear border as do water-transfer graphics, and they are easy to apply. One of the sets Gary offers is complete nomenclature for the Yellow Aircraft International P-47 that includes more than 89 different stencils—more than 200 transfers—on three sheets. He even provides the nomenclature that is found inside the wing on the ammunition boxes. The set comes with a three-view diagram showing placement options.
Balsa USA Spad 13
The Balsa USA Spad 13 build continues. It's down to the wire now for the model. Lou Cetrangelo has completed the construction and installed the radio gear, fuel tank, and power plant. The aircraft is being painted in its commonly found camouflage scheme. This finish requires a number of different colors; however, you don't have to take out an equity loan or mortgage your children's futures to accomplish it. As you can see in the accompanying photo, inexpensive cans of Krylon and Rust-Oleum were used with excellent results.
As a rule of thumb, most types of paint can withstand the chemicals found in gasoline-powered models. A simple final coat with Krylon flat, satin, or gloss clear will complete and protect your model's finish; however, if you are going to power your airplane with a glow-powered engine, you must use a glow-fuel-proof final coat. LustreKote Clear from Top Flite is one such product. Be sure to test for paint compatibility first on a scrap piece of material.
My favorite, easy-to-use spray paint is Krylon. It goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and sticks to most of our favorite covering materials.
Keep up the great work, Lou. I believe next month we will see the finished product.
Ziroli P-40
I hope you enjoy the great photo of Pedro Sanchez’s RC Showcase ZDZ 80–powered Ziroli P-40 in a high-speed photo pass. Pedro hails from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and loves to build and fly models.
The P-40 spans 94 inches and has a fuselage length of 77 inches. Although he has only been building for the past five years, Pedro does a remarkable job with scale detail.
The model sports Sierra Precision retracts, weighs 34 pounds, and uses a Solo three-blade propeller. Nice work, Pedro. Let’s see some more.
Top Flite Arrow
Bruce Ream completed his kit-built Top Flite Arrow in nine months. The model is finished in MonoKote film covering. It’s fully sheeted with balsa, spans 81 inches, and weighs 14 pounds. A YS 120 supplies the power.
Bruce elected to put in a fiberglass cowl instead of the ABS plastic cowl that comes with the kit, and he installed a Top Flite cockpit kit that nicely completes the Arrow.
During construction Bruce changed the method of attaching the cockpit cover shown on the plans. He bought and used four small magnets instead of the blind nuts and writes that this method makes it simple if you have to get at the servos or receiver—and you will.
The model uses Robart retracts, and Bruce added homemade wheel-cover doors because it did not look right sitting on the ground without them.
The Arrow uses a full-flying stabilizer instead of a conventionally hinged elevator, as does the full-scale aircraft. Bruce warns to take time and special care when mounting the stabilizer in the airplane because it is tricky to get it perfectly aligned with the wing.
He wrote:
"Our club, the Jefco Aeromod'lers, has been in the Denver area for almost 30 years. We have about 280 members and the best field in Colorado with two paved runways.
"We hold an annual auction in February of each year and sell about $100,000 of RC airplane stuff. Our field is in Chatfield State Park and we enjoy having people come out to the park and watch us fly or we can help them learn how to fly.
"Our big event every year is our warbird show. Last year, Warbirds Over Denver brought about 80 pilots and 150 airplanes. We had pilots from over eight states. The club is being honored this year as a 15-year member of the Gold Level Leader clubs by AMA. Mark Smith, District IX vice president, and Jim Cherry, AMA’s executive director, will be here to hand out the awards during our auction."
Bruce is a retired architect and has been in the hobby for more than 25 years. He loves building and flying scale models and recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary. Congratulations, Bruce, on your beautiful Arrow, 25 years of modeling, and your 50th wedding anniversary. I just have one question: where’s the pilot?
Goodbye for now
Let’s get those winter projects wrapped up for the next flying season! If you’re especially proud of your latest creation, send me a couple pictures and a write-up so I can share it with all our readers.
Cheers! Sal
Sources
- GetStencils.com
(540) 667-2877 www.getstencils.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
