94 MODEL AVIATION
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Threadlocker follow-up
Also included in this column:
• Featured at the 2011 WRAM Show ...
Designed for a 50cc gas
engine, this 89-inch-wingspan
Supermarine Spitfire from
Kondor Model Products will
be a real performer!
Above: Michael and
Alfred Fusco (Stamford
CT) built this Bud
Nosen P-47. The Nosen
Thunderbolt is one of
the earliest giant-scale
kits, and they were
usually designed to be
powered by reductiongeared
.60-size glow
engines!
The Aircraft
Modelers Research
Monster Stick in
the bones. With a
wingspan of 144
inches, it is the
daddy of all
“Sticks.”
Mike Plott (Bronx NY) constructed his
de Havilland Chipmunk from Dave
Wormesley plans. The cowling alone is
a work of art!
which the Westchester Radio AeroModelers
(WRAM) hosted at the Westchester County
Center in White Plains, New York.
Notwithstanding rising fuel prices and a
sluggish economy, many products and
services at the event were geared toward
larger models. Visit the club’s website for
more information about this show.
I have included a picture of Jeff and Toni
Jones of Rockford, Illinois, at their booth at
the WRAM Show. They do business as JT
Servo Extensions and sell a multitude of servo
extensions, Y harnesses, heavy-duty switches,
and snap-lock safety connectors.
All of Jeff and Toni’s extensions are 22
AWG (American Wire Gauge) and feature
gold-plated contacts and silicon insulators.
Their heavy-duty switches are rated for 10
amps and come with a charge jack and
protective sliding door. The extensions range
from 4 to 48 inches.
Current pricing for the extensions is $3
each for 4-24 inches and $5 each for 36 and
48 inches. Heavy-duty switches are $14 each.
For more information, please call Jeff and
Toni or visit their website.
Aircraft Modelers Research (AMR) of
Quebec, Canada, has a variety of large-model
kits that should suit your style. Shown is the
Monster Stick in the bones, which dominated
the company’s booth at the WRAM show.
This model spans an enormous 144 inches,
with a fuselage length of 110 inches. It also
features a monstrous wing area of 4,320
square inches and has a stabilizer area of 880
square inches. I guess that’s why they call it
the “Monster Stick.”
But don’t let this kit scare you. AMR
reports that it is easy to build using the
provided wing fixtures and that the fuselage is
a fixture in itself! The parts are laser-cut for a
precise fit, and the model is easy to assemble
at the field using the plug-in wing and
stabilizer.
The package includes 8-inch main wheels
and a 3-inch tail wheel. To power this beast,
AMR suggests an engine in the 150-170 cc
range.
Each of the company’s kits comes with an
instruction manual, complete with photos.
According to AMR:
“We offer customer support via e-mail and
phone. All of our kits are made in our factory
so we can control quality and delivery.
Replacement parts are also easy to obtain as
we stock all of our kits/parts year long.”
WELCOME BACK! In the February 2011
column I wrote about the importance of using
threadlockers—especially in high-vibration
environments such as our gas-powered
models. Mick Van Kampen, who is a member
of the Watervliet Highflyers in Watervliet,
Michigan, sent the following in response:
“Your recent article in MA touched on
removable and permanent threadlockers. You
probably already know further details but it
might be something that others benefit from if
space allows. Here’s a pretty good document:
www.permatex.com/documents/Threadlocker
Selector.pdf.”
Thanks for the assist, Mick. The flowchart
will certainly be useful to fellow AMA
members!
In late February I attended the
43rd annual WRAM Show,
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:08 PM Page 94
June 2011 95
Left: A heavy-duty pushrod available from
Tom Johnson and Giant Scale Cutters is
being tested by 60 pounds of weight.
Below: Jeff and Toni Jones at their
company’s booth. They sell extensions and
switches at great prices.
Left: The Easytiger Models Me 109 ARF
features a 96-inch wingspan and is sure to
please the giant-scale warbird crowd.
The company is currently working on
several new projects for the upcoming season,
one of which is a 1/4-scale PT-19. For more
information, please call AMR or visit the
website.
The Easytiger Models (ETM) booth
featured one of its 96-inch-span Me 109
ARFs, finished in desert tan. I asked Curtis
Mattikow of ETM for some information about
this new offering, and he wrote:
“The Me 109 is a quick-building ARF that
goes together in 15 hours. The fuselage and
cowl are fiberglass, the wings and tails are
built up balsa, sheeted, covered, and painted.
All of the markings are hand-painted, too. A
complete top-quality giant-scale hardware
package is included.
“It uses 50-85cc engines or the Tiger
Power 100 outrunner electric motor. A
landing gear set, including 85 degree retracts,
beefy struts, top quality metal and rubber
wheels, and all air hardware is an additional
$295.
“It comes out at a very light 25-30 pounds,
and the plane spans 96 inches. The wings and
stabs plug in for easy transportation.
“Ground handling is splendid, even off
grass. Above all things, the ETM giants are
made to fly ... it is a delightful plane in the
air, light on its feet and very easy to land.
There is a spectacular video of it on our
website.
“It’s a great quick project to get you in the
air in a couple of evenings, and you can detail
it out to your heart’s content to make it your
own. Price is $995.”
For more information about the Me 109
or any ETM products, contact Curtis
Mattikow via telephone or email.
Kondor Model Products of Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada, specializes in ARFs. I have
included a picture I took at the WRAM Show
of the company’s ESM Supermarine Spitfire.
It spans 89 inches, has a length of 76
inches, and has a wing loading of 35.6
ounces. The model has a flying weight of
roughly 22 pounds, and it was designed to be
powered by a 50cc gas engine.
The Spitfire comes factory-painted in a
British color scheme and has preapplied
decals. Included are functional flaps, factoryinstalled
pushrod guide tubes, and all
hardware. The fuselage and cowling are
epoxy resin fiberglass, and the wings are
built up. This ARF also comes with an
illustrated instruction manual.
The model is available in primer only;
however, since that is a custom order the lead
time is approximately eight to 10 weeks. The
Spitfire is due back in stock in early July.
Giant Scale Cutters owner Tom Johnson
now offers a heavy-duty pushrod kit for
larger airplanes. The kit consists of a 32-inchlong,
.3-inch-diameter carbon tube and two
4-40 aluminum ends, for $10.
The carbon rod can be cut to any length,
and the aluminum ends can be installed using
J-B Weld. Extra tubes or ends can be
purchased separately.
What size models can this pushrod
support? The accompanying photo shows
one of Tom’s pushrods supporting 60 pounds
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:08 PM Page 95
96 MODEL AVIATION
of weight! For more information about this
kit, please email or call Tom.
There were many gorgeous giant-scale
models in the WRAM Show static display
area. But since I have limited space in this
column, I selected two to share with you.
Mike Plott of Bronx, New York, built
his beautiful de Havilland Chipmunk from
Dave Wormesley plans. At 1/4 scale, the
model spans 104 inches, is powered by a
Laser 180 engine, and finished with latex
paint. The cowl, engine cowling, and
hatches have scale hinging and, latches.
Also shown is the 1/5-scale Bud Nosen
P-47 Thunderbolt that Michael and Alfred
Fusco of Stamford, Connecticut,
LETTERING AND GRAPHIX
!"#$%$&'()&(*+*')&,-(,$.*(/)#$&'(0(*1"&".$1)+
2&$/3$&'(,"413(5"!(."%*+*!/6
Since 1987 VINYLWRITE has provided
the modeler with EZ to apply graphics and
letters. NOT A DECAL! Our lettering is
custom cut premium vinyl, pre spaced and
aligned. Many type styles & colors to choose
from. Heights from 1/4" to 12". We can
provide 2 color outlining, symbols like stars,
roundels, Cub Lightning bolts and much
more. All at prices you can easily afford.
For example: "AMA + your number"
1" high, your choice of color for only $5.00,
2" high, your choice of color for only $7.50.
Find out what we can do for you. Info-Pack
and free sample. Send SASE to:
VINYLWRITE
3361 Mt Veeder Rd
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 226.3410 Voice Mail
EMAIL [email protected]
P/H $5.00 - CA res. Add tax
Mail Order Only
!"#$% &'
constructed. It spans 106 inches, is
powered by a Husky Challenger 144cc inline
twin engine, weighs 49 pounds, and is
finished in Flite-Metal.
The full-scale P-47D “Balls Out” was
flown by Captain Milton W. Thompson of
the 509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter
Group, 9th Air Force.
So long for now. Summer is around the
corner; attend some flying events and send
me your photos. As always, practice safe
modeling. MA
Sources:
Westchester Radio AeroModelers
www.wram.org
JT Servo Extensions
(815) 262-2906
www.jtservo.com
Aircraft Modelers Research
(450) 677-4694
www.amr-rc.com
Easytiger Models
(917) 971-3322
www.easytigermodels.com
Curtis Mattikow
[email protected]
Kondor Model Products
(888) 968-7251
www.kmp.ca
Tom Johnson
(631) 651-2951
[email protected]
International Miniature Aircraft Association
www.fly-imaa.org
AMA Academy of Model
Aeronautics
ARF Almost Ready to
Fly
BEC Battery Eliminator
Circuit
CA cyanoacrylate glue
CAD computer-aided
design
cc cubic centimeter
CD contest director
or compact disc
CG center of gravity
CL Control Line
cm centimeter
cu. in. cubic inch
dBA DeciBels Adjusted
(noise power
calculated in dB
[decibel])
DT dethermalizer
EAA Experimental
Aircraft Association
EPP (foam) expanded
polypropylene
ESC Electronic Speed
Control
EPS expanded
polystyrene foam
FAI Fédération
Aéronautique
Internationale
FAA Federal Aviation
Administration
FCC Federal
Communications
Commission
FF Free Flight
GHz gigahertz
ID inside diameter
Kv rpm/volt
kV kilovolt (1,000
volts)
LCD Liquid Crystal
Display
LE leading edge
LED light-emitting diode
Li-Poly Lithium Polymer
mA milliamperes
MA Model Aviation
mAh milliampere-hours
MHz megahertz
mm millimeter
Nats AMA Nationals
nitro nitromethane
Ni-Cd Nickel Cadmium
NiMH Nickel Metal
Hydride
OD outside diameter
RC Radio Control
rpm revolutions per
minute
RTF Ready to Fly
SASE self-addressed,
stamped envelope
SIG Special Interest
Group
TE trailing edge
Model Aviation’s
Frequently Used Abbreviations/Acronyms
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:32 PM Page 96
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/06
Page Numbers: 94,95,96
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/06
Page Numbers: 94,95,96
94 MODEL AVIATION
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Threadlocker follow-up
Also included in this column:
• Featured at the 2011 WRAM Show ...
Designed for a 50cc gas
engine, this 89-inch-wingspan
Supermarine Spitfire from
Kondor Model Products will
be a real performer!
Above: Michael and
Alfred Fusco (Stamford
CT) built this Bud
Nosen P-47. The Nosen
Thunderbolt is one of
the earliest giant-scale
kits, and they were
usually designed to be
powered by reductiongeared
.60-size glow
engines!
The Aircraft
Modelers Research
Monster Stick in
the bones. With a
wingspan of 144
inches, it is the
daddy of all
“Sticks.”
Mike Plott (Bronx NY) constructed his
de Havilland Chipmunk from Dave
Wormesley plans. The cowling alone is
a work of art!
which the Westchester Radio AeroModelers
(WRAM) hosted at the Westchester County
Center in White Plains, New York.
Notwithstanding rising fuel prices and a
sluggish economy, many products and
services at the event were geared toward
larger models. Visit the club’s website for
more information about this show.
I have included a picture of Jeff and Toni
Jones of Rockford, Illinois, at their booth at
the WRAM Show. They do business as JT
Servo Extensions and sell a multitude of servo
extensions, Y harnesses, heavy-duty switches,
and snap-lock safety connectors.
All of Jeff and Toni’s extensions are 22
AWG (American Wire Gauge) and feature
gold-plated contacts and silicon insulators.
Their heavy-duty switches are rated for 10
amps and come with a charge jack and
protective sliding door. The extensions range
from 4 to 48 inches.
Current pricing for the extensions is $3
each for 4-24 inches and $5 each for 36 and
48 inches. Heavy-duty switches are $14 each.
For more information, please call Jeff and
Toni or visit their website.
Aircraft Modelers Research (AMR) of
Quebec, Canada, has a variety of large-model
kits that should suit your style. Shown is the
Monster Stick in the bones, which dominated
the company’s booth at the WRAM show.
This model spans an enormous 144 inches,
with a fuselage length of 110 inches. It also
features a monstrous wing area of 4,320
square inches and has a stabilizer area of 880
square inches. I guess that’s why they call it
the “Monster Stick.”
But don’t let this kit scare you. AMR
reports that it is easy to build using the
provided wing fixtures and that the fuselage is
a fixture in itself! The parts are laser-cut for a
precise fit, and the model is easy to assemble
at the field using the plug-in wing and
stabilizer.
The package includes 8-inch main wheels
and a 3-inch tail wheel. To power this beast,
AMR suggests an engine in the 150-170 cc
range.
Each of the company’s kits comes with an
instruction manual, complete with photos.
According to AMR:
“We offer customer support via e-mail and
phone. All of our kits are made in our factory
so we can control quality and delivery.
Replacement parts are also easy to obtain as
we stock all of our kits/parts year long.”
WELCOME BACK! In the February 2011
column I wrote about the importance of using
threadlockers—especially in high-vibration
environments such as our gas-powered
models. Mick Van Kampen, who is a member
of the Watervliet Highflyers in Watervliet,
Michigan, sent the following in response:
“Your recent article in MA touched on
removable and permanent threadlockers. You
probably already know further details but it
might be something that others benefit from if
space allows. Here’s a pretty good document:
www.permatex.com/documents/Threadlocker
Selector.pdf.”
Thanks for the assist, Mick. The flowchart
will certainly be useful to fellow AMA
members!
In late February I attended the
43rd annual WRAM Show,
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:08 PM Page 94
June 2011 95
Left: A heavy-duty pushrod available from
Tom Johnson and Giant Scale Cutters is
being tested by 60 pounds of weight.
Below: Jeff and Toni Jones at their
company’s booth. They sell extensions and
switches at great prices.
Left: The Easytiger Models Me 109 ARF
features a 96-inch wingspan and is sure to
please the giant-scale warbird crowd.
The company is currently working on
several new projects for the upcoming season,
one of which is a 1/4-scale PT-19. For more
information, please call AMR or visit the
website.
The Easytiger Models (ETM) booth
featured one of its 96-inch-span Me 109
ARFs, finished in desert tan. I asked Curtis
Mattikow of ETM for some information about
this new offering, and he wrote:
“The Me 109 is a quick-building ARF that
goes together in 15 hours. The fuselage and
cowl are fiberglass, the wings and tails are
built up balsa, sheeted, covered, and painted.
All of the markings are hand-painted, too. A
complete top-quality giant-scale hardware
package is included.
“It uses 50-85cc engines or the Tiger
Power 100 outrunner electric motor. A
landing gear set, including 85 degree retracts,
beefy struts, top quality metal and rubber
wheels, and all air hardware is an additional
$295.
“It comes out at a very light 25-30 pounds,
and the plane spans 96 inches. The wings and
stabs plug in for easy transportation.
“Ground handling is splendid, even off
grass. Above all things, the ETM giants are
made to fly ... it is a delightful plane in the
air, light on its feet and very easy to land.
There is a spectacular video of it on our
website.
“It’s a great quick project to get you in the
air in a couple of evenings, and you can detail
it out to your heart’s content to make it your
own. Price is $995.”
For more information about the Me 109
or any ETM products, contact Curtis
Mattikow via telephone or email.
Kondor Model Products of Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada, specializes in ARFs. I have
included a picture I took at the WRAM Show
of the company’s ESM Supermarine Spitfire.
It spans 89 inches, has a length of 76
inches, and has a wing loading of 35.6
ounces. The model has a flying weight of
roughly 22 pounds, and it was designed to be
powered by a 50cc gas engine.
The Spitfire comes factory-painted in a
British color scheme and has preapplied
decals. Included are functional flaps, factoryinstalled
pushrod guide tubes, and all
hardware. The fuselage and cowling are
epoxy resin fiberglass, and the wings are
built up. This ARF also comes with an
illustrated instruction manual.
The model is available in primer only;
however, since that is a custom order the lead
time is approximately eight to 10 weeks. The
Spitfire is due back in stock in early July.
Giant Scale Cutters owner Tom Johnson
now offers a heavy-duty pushrod kit for
larger airplanes. The kit consists of a 32-inchlong,
.3-inch-diameter carbon tube and two
4-40 aluminum ends, for $10.
The carbon rod can be cut to any length,
and the aluminum ends can be installed using
J-B Weld. Extra tubes or ends can be
purchased separately.
What size models can this pushrod
support? The accompanying photo shows
one of Tom’s pushrods supporting 60 pounds
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:08 PM Page 95
96 MODEL AVIATION
of weight! For more information about this
kit, please email or call Tom.
There were many gorgeous giant-scale
models in the WRAM Show static display
area. But since I have limited space in this
column, I selected two to share with you.
Mike Plott of Bronx, New York, built
his beautiful de Havilland Chipmunk from
Dave Wormesley plans. At 1/4 scale, the
model spans 104 inches, is powered by a
Laser 180 engine, and finished with latex
paint. The cowl, engine cowling, and
hatches have scale hinging and, latches.
Also shown is the 1/5-scale Bud Nosen
P-47 Thunderbolt that Michael and Alfred
Fusco of Stamford, Connecticut,
LETTERING AND GRAPHIX
!"#$%$&'()&(*+*')&,-(,$.*(/)#$&'(0(*1"&".$1)+
2&$/3$&'(,"413(5"!(."%*+*!/6
Since 1987 VINYLWRITE has provided
the modeler with EZ to apply graphics and
letters. NOT A DECAL! Our lettering is
custom cut premium vinyl, pre spaced and
aligned. Many type styles & colors to choose
from. Heights from 1/4" to 12". We can
provide 2 color outlining, symbols like stars,
roundels, Cub Lightning bolts and much
more. All at prices you can easily afford.
For example: "AMA + your number"
1" high, your choice of color for only $5.00,
2" high, your choice of color for only $7.50.
Find out what we can do for you. Info-Pack
and free sample. Send SASE to:
VINYLWRITE
3361 Mt Veeder Rd
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 226.3410 Voice Mail
EMAIL [email protected]
P/H $5.00 - CA res. Add tax
Mail Order Only
!"#$% &'
constructed. It spans 106 inches, is
powered by a Husky Challenger 144cc inline
twin engine, weighs 49 pounds, and is
finished in Flite-Metal.
The full-scale P-47D “Balls Out” was
flown by Captain Milton W. Thompson of
the 509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter
Group, 9th Air Force.
So long for now. Summer is around the
corner; attend some flying events and send
me your photos. As always, practice safe
modeling. MA
Sources:
Westchester Radio AeroModelers
www.wram.org
JT Servo Extensions
(815) 262-2906
www.jtservo.com
Aircraft Modelers Research
(450) 677-4694
www.amr-rc.com
Easytiger Models
(917) 971-3322
www.easytigermodels.com
Curtis Mattikow
[email protected]
Kondor Model Products
(888) 968-7251
www.kmp.ca
Tom Johnson
(631) 651-2951
[email protected]
International Miniature Aircraft Association
www.fly-imaa.org
AMA Academy of Model
Aeronautics
ARF Almost Ready to
Fly
BEC Battery Eliminator
Circuit
CA cyanoacrylate glue
CAD computer-aided
design
cc cubic centimeter
CD contest director
or compact disc
CG center of gravity
CL Control Line
cm centimeter
cu. in. cubic inch
dBA DeciBels Adjusted
(noise power
calculated in dB
[decibel])
DT dethermalizer
EAA Experimental
Aircraft Association
EPP (foam) expanded
polypropylene
ESC Electronic Speed
Control
EPS expanded
polystyrene foam
FAI Fédération
Aéronautique
Internationale
FAA Federal Aviation
Administration
FCC Federal
Communications
Commission
FF Free Flight
GHz gigahertz
ID inside diameter
Kv rpm/volt
kV kilovolt (1,000
volts)
LCD Liquid Crystal
Display
LE leading edge
LED light-emitting diode
Li-Poly Lithium Polymer
mA milliamperes
MA Model Aviation
mAh milliampere-hours
MHz megahertz
mm millimeter
Nats AMA Nationals
nitro nitromethane
Ni-Cd Nickel Cadmium
NiMH Nickel Metal
Hydride
OD outside diameter
RC Radio Control
rpm revolutions per
minute
RTF Ready to Fly
SASE self-addressed,
stamped envelope
SIG Special Interest
Group
TE trailing edge
Model Aviation’s
Frequently Used Abbreviations/Acronyms
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:32 PM Page 96
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/06
Page Numbers: 94,95,96
94 MODEL AVIATION
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Giants Sal Calvagna
Threadlocker follow-up
Also included in this column:
• Featured at the 2011 WRAM Show ...
Designed for a 50cc gas
engine, this 89-inch-wingspan
Supermarine Spitfire from
Kondor Model Products will
be a real performer!
Above: Michael and
Alfred Fusco (Stamford
CT) built this Bud
Nosen P-47. The Nosen
Thunderbolt is one of
the earliest giant-scale
kits, and they were
usually designed to be
powered by reductiongeared
.60-size glow
engines!
The Aircraft
Modelers Research
Monster Stick in
the bones. With a
wingspan of 144
inches, it is the
daddy of all
“Sticks.”
Mike Plott (Bronx NY) constructed his
de Havilland Chipmunk from Dave
Wormesley plans. The cowling alone is
a work of art!
which the Westchester Radio AeroModelers
(WRAM) hosted at the Westchester County
Center in White Plains, New York.
Notwithstanding rising fuel prices and a
sluggish economy, many products and
services at the event were geared toward
larger models. Visit the club’s website for
more information about this show.
I have included a picture of Jeff and Toni
Jones of Rockford, Illinois, at their booth at
the WRAM Show. They do business as JT
Servo Extensions and sell a multitude of servo
extensions, Y harnesses, heavy-duty switches,
and snap-lock safety connectors.
All of Jeff and Toni’s extensions are 22
AWG (American Wire Gauge) and feature
gold-plated contacts and silicon insulators.
Their heavy-duty switches are rated for 10
amps and come with a charge jack and
protective sliding door. The extensions range
from 4 to 48 inches.
Current pricing for the extensions is $3
each for 4-24 inches and $5 each for 36 and
48 inches. Heavy-duty switches are $14 each.
For more information, please call Jeff and
Toni or visit their website.
Aircraft Modelers Research (AMR) of
Quebec, Canada, has a variety of large-model
kits that should suit your style. Shown is the
Monster Stick in the bones, which dominated
the company’s booth at the WRAM show.
This model spans an enormous 144 inches,
with a fuselage length of 110 inches. It also
features a monstrous wing area of 4,320
square inches and has a stabilizer area of 880
square inches. I guess that’s why they call it
the “Monster Stick.”
But don’t let this kit scare you. AMR
reports that it is easy to build using the
provided wing fixtures and that the fuselage is
a fixture in itself! The parts are laser-cut for a
precise fit, and the model is easy to assemble
at the field using the plug-in wing and
stabilizer.
The package includes 8-inch main wheels
and a 3-inch tail wheel. To power this beast,
AMR suggests an engine in the 150-170 cc
range.
Each of the company’s kits comes with an
instruction manual, complete with photos.
According to AMR:
“We offer customer support via e-mail and
phone. All of our kits are made in our factory
so we can control quality and delivery.
Replacement parts are also easy to obtain as
we stock all of our kits/parts year long.”
WELCOME BACK! In the February 2011
column I wrote about the importance of using
threadlockers—especially in high-vibration
environments such as our gas-powered
models. Mick Van Kampen, who is a member
of the Watervliet Highflyers in Watervliet,
Michigan, sent the following in response:
“Your recent article in MA touched on
removable and permanent threadlockers. You
probably already know further details but it
might be something that others benefit from if
space allows. Here’s a pretty good document:
www.permatex.com/documents/Threadlocker
Selector.pdf.”
Thanks for the assist, Mick. The flowchart
will certainly be useful to fellow AMA
members!
In late February I attended the
43rd annual WRAM Show,
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:08 PM Page 94
June 2011 95
Left: A heavy-duty pushrod available from
Tom Johnson and Giant Scale Cutters is
being tested by 60 pounds of weight.
Below: Jeff and Toni Jones at their
company’s booth. They sell extensions and
switches at great prices.
Left: The Easytiger Models Me 109 ARF
features a 96-inch wingspan and is sure to
please the giant-scale warbird crowd.
The company is currently working on
several new projects for the upcoming season,
one of which is a 1/4-scale PT-19. For more
information, please call AMR or visit the
website.
The Easytiger Models (ETM) booth
featured one of its 96-inch-span Me 109
ARFs, finished in desert tan. I asked Curtis
Mattikow of ETM for some information about
this new offering, and he wrote:
“The Me 109 is a quick-building ARF that
goes together in 15 hours. The fuselage and
cowl are fiberglass, the wings and tails are
built up balsa, sheeted, covered, and painted.
All of the markings are hand-painted, too. A
complete top-quality giant-scale hardware
package is included.
“It uses 50-85cc engines or the Tiger
Power 100 outrunner electric motor. A
landing gear set, including 85 degree retracts,
beefy struts, top quality metal and rubber
wheels, and all air hardware is an additional
$295.
“It comes out at a very light 25-30 pounds,
and the plane spans 96 inches. The wings and
stabs plug in for easy transportation.
“Ground handling is splendid, even off
grass. Above all things, the ETM giants are
made to fly ... it is a delightful plane in the
air, light on its feet and very easy to land.
There is a spectacular video of it on our
website.
“It’s a great quick project to get you in the
air in a couple of evenings, and you can detail
it out to your heart’s content to make it your
own. Price is $995.”
For more information about the Me 109
or any ETM products, contact Curtis
Mattikow via telephone or email.
Kondor Model Products of Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada, specializes in ARFs. I have
included a picture I took at the WRAM Show
of the company’s ESM Supermarine Spitfire.
It spans 89 inches, has a length of 76
inches, and has a wing loading of 35.6
ounces. The model has a flying weight of
roughly 22 pounds, and it was designed to be
powered by a 50cc gas engine.
The Spitfire comes factory-painted in a
British color scheme and has preapplied
decals. Included are functional flaps, factoryinstalled
pushrod guide tubes, and all
hardware. The fuselage and cowling are
epoxy resin fiberglass, and the wings are
built up. This ARF also comes with an
illustrated instruction manual.
The model is available in primer only;
however, since that is a custom order the lead
time is approximately eight to 10 weeks. The
Spitfire is due back in stock in early July.
Giant Scale Cutters owner Tom Johnson
now offers a heavy-duty pushrod kit for
larger airplanes. The kit consists of a 32-inchlong,
.3-inch-diameter carbon tube and two
4-40 aluminum ends, for $10.
The carbon rod can be cut to any length,
and the aluminum ends can be installed using
J-B Weld. Extra tubes or ends can be
purchased separately.
What size models can this pushrod
support? The accompanying photo shows
one of Tom’s pushrods supporting 60 pounds
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:08 PM Page 95
96 MODEL AVIATION
of weight! For more information about this
kit, please email or call Tom.
There were many gorgeous giant-scale
models in the WRAM Show static display
area. But since I have limited space in this
column, I selected two to share with you.
Mike Plott of Bronx, New York, built
his beautiful de Havilland Chipmunk from
Dave Wormesley plans. At 1/4 scale, the
model spans 104 inches, is powered by a
Laser 180 engine, and finished with latex
paint. The cowl, engine cowling, and
hatches have scale hinging and, latches.
Also shown is the 1/5-scale Bud Nosen
P-47 Thunderbolt that Michael and Alfred
Fusco of Stamford, Connecticut,
LETTERING AND GRAPHIX
!"#$%$&'()&(*+*')&,-(,$.*(/)#$&'(0(*1"&".$1)+
2&$/3$&'(,"413(5"!(."%*+*!/6
Since 1987 VINYLWRITE has provided
the modeler with EZ to apply graphics and
letters. NOT A DECAL! Our lettering is
custom cut premium vinyl, pre spaced and
aligned. Many type styles & colors to choose
from. Heights from 1/4" to 12". We can
provide 2 color outlining, symbols like stars,
roundels, Cub Lightning bolts and much
more. All at prices you can easily afford.
For example: "AMA + your number"
1" high, your choice of color for only $5.00,
2" high, your choice of color for only $7.50.
Find out what we can do for you. Info-Pack
and free sample. Send SASE to:
VINYLWRITE
3361 Mt Veeder Rd
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 226.3410 Voice Mail
EMAIL [email protected]
P/H $5.00 - CA res. Add tax
Mail Order Only
!"#$% &'
constructed. It spans 106 inches, is
powered by a Husky Challenger 144cc inline
twin engine, weighs 49 pounds, and is
finished in Flite-Metal.
The full-scale P-47D “Balls Out” was
flown by Captain Milton W. Thompson of
the 509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter
Group, 9th Air Force.
So long for now. Summer is around the
corner; attend some flying events and send
me your photos. As always, practice safe
modeling. MA
Sources:
Westchester Radio AeroModelers
www.wram.org
JT Servo Extensions
(815) 262-2906
www.jtservo.com
Aircraft Modelers Research
(450) 677-4694
www.amr-rc.com
Easytiger Models
(917) 971-3322
www.easytigermodels.com
Curtis Mattikow
[email protected]
Kondor Model Products
(888) 968-7251
www.kmp.ca
Tom Johnson
(631) 651-2951
[email protected]
International Miniature Aircraft Association
www.fly-imaa.org
AMA Academy of Model
Aeronautics
ARF Almost Ready to
Fly
BEC Battery Eliminator
Circuit
CA cyanoacrylate glue
CAD computer-aided
design
cc cubic centimeter
CD contest director
or compact disc
CG center of gravity
CL Control Line
cm centimeter
cu. in. cubic inch
dBA DeciBels Adjusted
(noise power
calculated in dB
[decibel])
DT dethermalizer
EAA Experimental
Aircraft Association
EPP (foam) expanded
polypropylene
ESC Electronic Speed
Control
EPS expanded
polystyrene foam
FAI Fédération
Aéronautique
Internationale
FAA Federal Aviation
Administration
FCC Federal
Communications
Commission
FF Free Flight
GHz gigahertz
ID inside diameter
Kv rpm/volt
kV kilovolt (1,000
volts)
LCD Liquid Crystal
Display
LE leading edge
LED light-emitting diode
Li-Poly Lithium Polymer
mA milliamperes
MA Model Aviation
mAh milliampere-hours
MHz megahertz
mm millimeter
Nats AMA Nationals
nitro nitromethane
Ni-Cd Nickel Cadmium
NiMH Nickel Metal
Hydride
OD outside diameter
RC Radio Control
rpm revolutions per
minute
RTF Ready to Fly
SASE self-addressed,
stamped envelope
SIG Special Interest
Group
TE trailing edge
Model Aviation’s
Frequently Used Abbreviations/Acronyms
06sig3.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 4/20/11 1:32 PM Page 96
