102 MODEL AVIATION
SINCE LAST
month’s column,
I was able to
complete the large
wing fillets on the
1/4-scale Polikarpov
I-16. I sanded the
initial, heavy layer
of finishing resin
mixed with
microballoons and
gave the fillets a
second, lighter skim
coat. The 1/32
aircraft-grade
plywood saddles,
blue foam material,
and finishing
resin/microballoons worked well together in constructing the fillets.
As you can see in the photo, the fillet transitions well into the
wing and the aircraft-grade plywood saddle provides a ding-resistant
edge that will survive transport. The next step is to prepare the
The Polikarpov I-16’s wing fillets are finished
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Also included in this column:
• The Spad 13’s first flight
• Pete Dubree and his Top Flite
P-47
• The Gross family builds Giant
Scale models
• Reid’s Quality Models 40% Cub
plans
Mike Gross Sr.’s Quadra 65-powered Ziroli
Corsair takes off on its maiden flight.
(L-R) Mike Gross Sr. and his Ziroli Corsair, Mike Jr. with a Ziroli Zero, and Marshall with a Yellow Aircraft
International Spitfire.
Michael Gross Jr.’s 3W-75-powered Ziroli
Zero had a beautiful first flight.
Marshall Gross pilots his 3W-55-powered
Yellow Aircraft Spitfire on its maiden
journey.
The completed wing fillet on the author’s Polikarpov I-16
transitions well into the wing.
sheeted fuselage and wing for fiberglass. Stay tuned for more about
the Russian “Rat” in upcoming columns.
Spad 13 Flight: In a number of issues some months back, I featured
a “work-in-progress series” on the construction of the Balsa USA
1/4-scale Spad 13. Winter has passed, the weather has improved, and
I am happy to report that the Spad made its maiden flight under the
control of builder/flier Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York.
The model is powered by a 50cc four-stroke ZDZ gas engine
swinging a 22 x 10 propeller. The Spad leapt into the air with this
power/propeller combination, and the distinctive sound of the fourstroke
gas engine was music to my ears. All five of my senses were convinced that I was watching the “real” thing.
I have included a great photo of the Spad
as it flew overhead.
For anyone contemplating an engine
selection for a 1/4-scale World War I model, a
50cc four-stroke ignition power plant makes
an excellent choice. For more information
about the Spad, visit the Balsa USA Web site.
(See the sources list at the end of my column.)
Nice job, Lou!
Blast From the Past: Nearly 25 years ago, I
was a civilian member of the Prop Nuts
model-airplane club on Clark Air Base in the
Philippines. It was there that my love affair
with Giant gasoline-powered RC models
began.
Imagine my surprise when I received an Email
from one of the former club members:
Pete Dubree of San Antonio, Texas. Pete
retired from the Air Force in 1988 and
eventually settled in San Antonio where he
loves to build and fly Giant gas-powered
models.
Pete is currently a member of the Alamo
Radio Control Society (ARCS). His latest
project is a Top Flite P-47 Razorback powered
by an XYZ 50cc two-stroke ignition gas
engine powering a Zoar 22 x 8 propeller. The
model spans slightly more than 85 inches and
weighs 20 pounds.
Pete re-engineered the P-47 kit so that the
wing comes apart in halves and it’s easier to
transport. He made a removable spar/dihedral
brace for the wing halves and constructed the
belly pan as a separate assembly. Pete added
pegs to the front of the belly pan and bolts on
the rear for installation. As our vehicles shrink
in size to improve gas mileage, an innovation
such as this will certainly assist modelers.
Nice work, Pete. I’m happy to see that you
are still modeling after all these years. It was
great to hear from you!
It’s a Family Affair: As a father of a 12-yearold
son, I know how difficult it can be to get
youngsters involved with model aviation. We
have to compete with PlayStation, PSP, Xbox,
Wii, and myriad other computerized
distractions.
When I see a father and his two sons at the
field flying Giant Scale models, I know there’s
hope for the rest of us. I’m referring to the
Gross family of Mastic Beach, New York:
Mike Sr. and his two sons, Michael and
Marshall. I happened to catch all three at our
local field, preparing for the maiden flights of
their respective models.
Mike Sr. had just completed a Ziroli
Corsair, Mike Jr. a Ziroli Zero, and Marshall
had his Yellow Aircraft International Spitfire.
All are avid Giant Scale enthusiasts and
consummate builders with an eye for detail.
They built their models during the past winter
and were about to test-fly them when I showed
up.
I was eager to photograph their maiden
flights and happy to include a few in this
column. Mike’s Corsair is powered by a
Quadra 65, while Mike Jr. installed a 3W-75
in his Zero. Marshall has a 3W-55 in the
Spitfire.
104 MODEL AVIATION
All three flights were successful and, with
some minor adjustments here and there, each
aircraft should provide years of enjoyment.
Reid’s Quality Models 40% Cub Plans:
Dave Reid of Reid’s Quality Models in
Phelps, New York, has released his newest
creation. It is a 40% J-3 Piper Cub that Jim
Messer designed and drew. The plans come
in three sheets of detailed drawings and a
full-color, 37-page photo instruction manual.
It includes a CD with 183 detailed
construction photos.
The airplane has a 14-foot, two-piece
wing; a 108-inch fuselage; and it weighs 42
pounds ready to fly. The prototype was
powered with a DA-100 swinging a 27 x 10
propeller, but an engine as “small” as the
Zenoah GT-80 would be fine. Dave warns
that this is not a beginner’s airplane, but
anyone who has built a Giant Scale model
should have no trouble.
The wings are constructed utilizing a
building fixture that can be made from scrap
wood. The prototype Cub is covered in
Ceconite and painted with Behr latex paint.
Dave even supplies the correct paint-mixing
code for Cub Yellow in Behr paint (available
at The Home Depot) in the construction
manual.
A fiberglass cowl is available for only
$42.95 plus $8.50 shipping. Plans are shipped
rolled via the US Postal Service. The price is
$89.95 delivered in the US. Out-of-country
orders are shipped folded, and shipping is
extra.
Reid’s Quality Models accepts Visa,
MasterCard, and money orders. For more
information about the 40% Cub or the
company’s other offerings, please visit its
Web site.
That’s all. See you next month. MA
Sources:
Balsa USA
(906) 863-6421
www.balsausa.com
RC Showcase (ZDZ four-stroke engine)
(301) 374-2197
www.rcshowcase.com
Top Flite (P-47 Thunderbolt)
www.top-flite.com/airplanes/topa0415.html
Southeast RC Engine (XYZ engine)
(904) 463-1098
www.southeastrcengines.com/see_002.htm
Nick Ziroli Plans
(631) 467-4765
www.ziroliplans.com
Yellow Aircraft International
(781) 935-9868
www.yellowaircraft.com
Reid’s Quality Models
(315)548-3779
www.reidsmodels.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 102,103,104
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 102,103,104
102 MODEL AVIATION
SINCE LAST
month’s column,
I was able to
complete the large
wing fillets on the
1/4-scale Polikarpov
I-16. I sanded the
initial, heavy layer
of finishing resin
mixed with
microballoons and
gave the fillets a
second, lighter skim
coat. The 1/32
aircraft-grade
plywood saddles,
blue foam material,
and finishing
resin/microballoons worked well together in constructing the fillets.
As you can see in the photo, the fillet transitions well into the
wing and the aircraft-grade plywood saddle provides a ding-resistant
edge that will survive transport. The next step is to prepare the
The Polikarpov I-16’s wing fillets are finished
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Also included in this column:
• The Spad 13’s first flight
• Pete Dubree and his Top Flite
P-47
• The Gross family builds Giant
Scale models
• Reid’s Quality Models 40% Cub
plans
Mike Gross Sr.’s Quadra 65-powered Ziroli
Corsair takes off on its maiden flight.
(L-R) Mike Gross Sr. and his Ziroli Corsair, Mike Jr. with a Ziroli Zero, and Marshall with a Yellow Aircraft
International Spitfire.
Michael Gross Jr.’s 3W-75-powered Ziroli
Zero had a beautiful first flight.
Marshall Gross pilots his 3W-55-powered
Yellow Aircraft Spitfire on its maiden
journey.
The completed wing fillet on the author’s Polikarpov I-16
transitions well into the wing.
sheeted fuselage and wing for fiberglass. Stay tuned for more about
the Russian “Rat” in upcoming columns.
Spad 13 Flight: In a number of issues some months back, I featured
a “work-in-progress series” on the construction of the Balsa USA
1/4-scale Spad 13. Winter has passed, the weather has improved, and
I am happy to report that the Spad made its maiden flight under the
control of builder/flier Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York.
The model is powered by a 50cc four-stroke ZDZ gas engine
swinging a 22 x 10 propeller. The Spad leapt into the air with this
power/propeller combination, and the distinctive sound of the fourstroke
gas engine was music to my ears. All five of my senses were convinced that I was watching the “real” thing.
I have included a great photo of the Spad
as it flew overhead.
For anyone contemplating an engine
selection for a 1/4-scale World War I model, a
50cc four-stroke ignition power plant makes
an excellent choice. For more information
about the Spad, visit the Balsa USA Web site.
(See the sources list at the end of my column.)
Nice job, Lou!
Blast From the Past: Nearly 25 years ago, I
was a civilian member of the Prop Nuts
model-airplane club on Clark Air Base in the
Philippines. It was there that my love affair
with Giant gasoline-powered RC models
began.
Imagine my surprise when I received an Email
from one of the former club members:
Pete Dubree of San Antonio, Texas. Pete
retired from the Air Force in 1988 and
eventually settled in San Antonio where he
loves to build and fly Giant gas-powered
models.
Pete is currently a member of the Alamo
Radio Control Society (ARCS). His latest
project is a Top Flite P-47 Razorback powered
by an XYZ 50cc two-stroke ignition gas
engine powering a Zoar 22 x 8 propeller. The
model spans slightly more than 85 inches and
weighs 20 pounds.
Pete re-engineered the P-47 kit so that the
wing comes apart in halves and it’s easier to
transport. He made a removable spar/dihedral
brace for the wing halves and constructed the
belly pan as a separate assembly. Pete added
pegs to the front of the belly pan and bolts on
the rear for installation. As our vehicles shrink
in size to improve gas mileage, an innovation
such as this will certainly assist modelers.
Nice work, Pete. I’m happy to see that you
are still modeling after all these years. It was
great to hear from you!
It’s a Family Affair: As a father of a 12-yearold
son, I know how difficult it can be to get
youngsters involved with model aviation. We
have to compete with PlayStation, PSP, Xbox,
Wii, and myriad other computerized
distractions.
When I see a father and his two sons at the
field flying Giant Scale models, I know there’s
hope for the rest of us. I’m referring to the
Gross family of Mastic Beach, New York:
Mike Sr. and his two sons, Michael and
Marshall. I happened to catch all three at our
local field, preparing for the maiden flights of
their respective models.
Mike Sr. had just completed a Ziroli
Corsair, Mike Jr. a Ziroli Zero, and Marshall
had his Yellow Aircraft International Spitfire.
All are avid Giant Scale enthusiasts and
consummate builders with an eye for detail.
They built their models during the past winter
and were about to test-fly them when I showed
up.
I was eager to photograph their maiden
flights and happy to include a few in this
column. Mike’s Corsair is powered by a
Quadra 65, while Mike Jr. installed a 3W-75
in his Zero. Marshall has a 3W-55 in the
Spitfire.
104 MODEL AVIATION
All three flights were successful and, with
some minor adjustments here and there, each
aircraft should provide years of enjoyment.
Reid’s Quality Models 40% Cub Plans:
Dave Reid of Reid’s Quality Models in
Phelps, New York, has released his newest
creation. It is a 40% J-3 Piper Cub that Jim
Messer designed and drew. The plans come
in three sheets of detailed drawings and a
full-color, 37-page photo instruction manual.
It includes a CD with 183 detailed
construction photos.
The airplane has a 14-foot, two-piece
wing; a 108-inch fuselage; and it weighs 42
pounds ready to fly. The prototype was
powered with a DA-100 swinging a 27 x 10
propeller, but an engine as “small” as the
Zenoah GT-80 would be fine. Dave warns
that this is not a beginner’s airplane, but
anyone who has built a Giant Scale model
should have no trouble.
The wings are constructed utilizing a
building fixture that can be made from scrap
wood. The prototype Cub is covered in
Ceconite and painted with Behr latex paint.
Dave even supplies the correct paint-mixing
code for Cub Yellow in Behr paint (available
at The Home Depot) in the construction
manual.
A fiberglass cowl is available for only
$42.95 plus $8.50 shipping. Plans are shipped
rolled via the US Postal Service. The price is
$89.95 delivered in the US. Out-of-country
orders are shipped folded, and shipping is
extra.
Reid’s Quality Models accepts Visa,
MasterCard, and money orders. For more
information about the 40% Cub or the
company’s other offerings, please visit its
Web site.
That’s all. See you next month. MA
Sources:
Balsa USA
(906) 863-6421
www.balsausa.com
RC Showcase (ZDZ four-stroke engine)
(301) 374-2197
www.rcshowcase.com
Top Flite (P-47 Thunderbolt)
www.top-flite.com/airplanes/topa0415.html
Southeast RC Engine (XYZ engine)
(904) 463-1098
www.southeastrcengines.com/see_002.htm
Nick Ziroli Plans
(631) 467-4765
www.ziroliplans.com
Yellow Aircraft International
(781) 935-9868
www.yellowaircraft.com
Reid’s Quality Models
(315)548-3779
www.reidsmodels.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/09
Page Numbers: 102,103,104
102 MODEL AVIATION
SINCE LAST
month’s column,
I was able to
complete the large
wing fillets on the
1/4-scale Polikarpov
I-16. I sanded the
initial, heavy layer
of finishing resin
mixed with
microballoons and
gave the fillets a
second, lighter skim
coat. The 1/32
aircraft-grade
plywood saddles,
blue foam material,
and finishing
resin/microballoons worked well together in constructing the fillets.
As you can see in the photo, the fillet transitions well into the
wing and the aircraft-grade plywood saddle provides a ding-resistant
edge that will survive transport. The next step is to prepare the
The Polikarpov I-16’s wing fillets are finished
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Also included in this column:
• The Spad 13’s first flight
• Pete Dubree and his Top Flite
P-47
• The Gross family builds Giant
Scale models
• Reid’s Quality Models 40% Cub
plans
Mike Gross Sr.’s Quadra 65-powered Ziroli
Corsair takes off on its maiden flight.
(L-R) Mike Gross Sr. and his Ziroli Corsair, Mike Jr. with a Ziroli Zero, and Marshall with a Yellow Aircraft
International Spitfire.
Michael Gross Jr.’s 3W-75-powered Ziroli
Zero had a beautiful first flight.
Marshall Gross pilots his 3W-55-powered
Yellow Aircraft Spitfire on its maiden
journey.
The completed wing fillet on the author’s Polikarpov I-16
transitions well into the wing.
sheeted fuselage and wing for fiberglass. Stay tuned for more about
the Russian “Rat” in upcoming columns.
Spad 13 Flight: In a number of issues some months back, I featured
a “work-in-progress series” on the construction of the Balsa USA
1/4-scale Spad 13. Winter has passed, the weather has improved, and
I am happy to report that the Spad made its maiden flight under the
control of builder/flier Lou Cetrangelo of Saint James, New York.
The model is powered by a 50cc four-stroke ZDZ gas engine
swinging a 22 x 10 propeller. The Spad leapt into the air with this
power/propeller combination, and the distinctive sound of the fourstroke
gas engine was music to my ears. All five of my senses were convinced that I was watching the “real” thing.
I have included a great photo of the Spad
as it flew overhead.
For anyone contemplating an engine
selection for a 1/4-scale World War I model, a
50cc four-stroke ignition power plant makes
an excellent choice. For more information
about the Spad, visit the Balsa USA Web site.
(See the sources list at the end of my column.)
Nice job, Lou!
Blast From the Past: Nearly 25 years ago, I
was a civilian member of the Prop Nuts
model-airplane club on Clark Air Base in the
Philippines. It was there that my love affair
with Giant gasoline-powered RC models
began.
Imagine my surprise when I received an Email
from one of the former club members:
Pete Dubree of San Antonio, Texas. Pete
retired from the Air Force in 1988 and
eventually settled in San Antonio where he
loves to build and fly Giant gas-powered
models.
Pete is currently a member of the Alamo
Radio Control Society (ARCS). His latest
project is a Top Flite P-47 Razorback powered
by an XYZ 50cc two-stroke ignition gas
engine powering a Zoar 22 x 8 propeller. The
model spans slightly more than 85 inches and
weighs 20 pounds.
Pete re-engineered the P-47 kit so that the
wing comes apart in halves and it’s easier to
transport. He made a removable spar/dihedral
brace for the wing halves and constructed the
belly pan as a separate assembly. Pete added
pegs to the front of the belly pan and bolts on
the rear for installation. As our vehicles shrink
in size to improve gas mileage, an innovation
such as this will certainly assist modelers.
Nice work, Pete. I’m happy to see that you
are still modeling after all these years. It was
great to hear from you!
It’s a Family Affair: As a father of a 12-yearold
son, I know how difficult it can be to get
youngsters involved with model aviation. We
have to compete with PlayStation, PSP, Xbox,
Wii, and myriad other computerized
distractions.
When I see a father and his two sons at the
field flying Giant Scale models, I know there’s
hope for the rest of us. I’m referring to the
Gross family of Mastic Beach, New York:
Mike Sr. and his two sons, Michael and
Marshall. I happened to catch all three at our
local field, preparing for the maiden flights of
their respective models.
Mike Sr. had just completed a Ziroli
Corsair, Mike Jr. a Ziroli Zero, and Marshall
had his Yellow Aircraft International Spitfire.
All are avid Giant Scale enthusiasts and
consummate builders with an eye for detail.
They built their models during the past winter
and were about to test-fly them when I showed
up.
I was eager to photograph their maiden
flights and happy to include a few in this
column. Mike’s Corsair is powered by a
Quadra 65, while Mike Jr. installed a 3W-75
in his Zero. Marshall has a 3W-55 in the
Spitfire.
104 MODEL AVIATION
All three flights were successful and, with
some minor adjustments here and there, each
aircraft should provide years of enjoyment.
Reid’s Quality Models 40% Cub Plans:
Dave Reid of Reid’s Quality Models in
Phelps, New York, has released his newest
creation. It is a 40% J-3 Piper Cub that Jim
Messer designed and drew. The plans come
in three sheets of detailed drawings and a
full-color, 37-page photo instruction manual.
It includes a CD with 183 detailed
construction photos.
The airplane has a 14-foot, two-piece
wing; a 108-inch fuselage; and it weighs 42
pounds ready to fly. The prototype was
powered with a DA-100 swinging a 27 x 10
propeller, but an engine as “small” as the
Zenoah GT-80 would be fine. Dave warns
that this is not a beginner’s airplane, but
anyone who has built a Giant Scale model
should have no trouble.
The wings are constructed utilizing a
building fixture that can be made from scrap
wood. The prototype Cub is covered in
Ceconite and painted with Behr latex paint.
Dave even supplies the correct paint-mixing
code for Cub Yellow in Behr paint (available
at The Home Depot) in the construction
manual.
A fiberglass cowl is available for only
$42.95 plus $8.50 shipping. Plans are shipped
rolled via the US Postal Service. The price is
$89.95 delivered in the US. Out-of-country
orders are shipped folded, and shipping is
extra.
Reid’s Quality Models accepts Visa,
MasterCard, and money orders. For more
information about the 40% Cub or the
company’s other offerings, please visit its
Web site.
That’s all. See you next month. MA
Sources:
Balsa USA
(906) 863-6421
www.balsausa.com
RC Showcase (ZDZ four-stroke engine)
(301) 374-2197
www.rcshowcase.com
Top Flite (P-47 Thunderbolt)
www.top-flite.com/airplanes/topa0415.html
Southeast RC Engine (XYZ engine)
(904) 463-1098
www.southeastrcengines.com/see_002.htm
Nick Ziroli Plans
(631) 467-4765
www.ziroliplans.com
Yellow Aircraft International
(781) 935-9868
www.yellowaircraft.com
Reid’s Quality Models
(315)548-3779
www.reidsmodels.com
