110 MODEL AVIATION
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
LAST MONTH I wrote about the takeoff and maneuvers of a
Boeing PT-17 Stearman. I mentioned the differences in the aircraft’s
maneuvers and why they can vary from one takeoff or maneuver to
another.
It seems that the rudder is the most misunderstood control
surface on a Scale airplane. Most modelers have the speed control
down, although there are some who still want to zip around at Mach
2. Watch the rudder on takeoff or landing, and on many models you
will never see it move.
Many of us who started flying with four-channel models never
learned to use the rudder properly in turns, aerobatic maneuvers, or
during takeoff and landing. One thing is for sure: if you don’t have
air flowing over the rudder during takeoff, most models will take off
across the runway no matter what you do.
Let’s further examine why modelers aren’t using the rudder.
Many have never flown a three-channel model during their Radio
Control experience. Many modelers think that that stick on the left
side of the transmitter is just a throttle; it isn’t.
Put a good three-channel trainer to work and see what the rudder
can do for a Scale model. You might be surprised. When you go out
to fly and consciously think about using the rudder in turns or while
taking off and landing your aircraft, you might be surprised to see
how your flying skills improve.
Many light civil aircraft need rudder input to make turns
coordinated with ailerons. Now you can just flip a switch on the
transmitter and the two control surfaces will work together, although
it’s more fun to do it yourself and see just how much input is
enough.
Getting that fine-tuned balance of aileron/rudder in a turn takes
practice, and at this time of the year I know that many of us need to
get out and practice, myself included. The Piper J-3 Cub almost has
to have some rudder in a turn to look like it’s flying.
One model that has been a lot of fun for me through the years is a
simple Seniorita. The 63-inch-wingspan airplane is approximately
15 years old now and is still flying on its Enya .19 TV engine. It
isn’t a powerhouse, but it is a three-channel model and it’s relaxing
to fly from time to time. Several friends have taken their first flights
with the Seniorita, and my son learned to fly and crash with it.
But what it taught me more about than anything was the use of
the rudder and how a three-channel model makes turns and handles
A pilot is operating a transmitter with his thumbs only. The pilot is using his thumbs and fingers to operate the
transmitter, and the transmitter is mounted in a tray.
William N. Hess’s book has color schemes for P-51Bs and Ds.
near the ground. At roughly that time I also started using a
transmitter tray. Although the tray is a moot point on the Seniorita, I
use it all the time now with my other faster models. Why? Because I
went back and learned to fly with fingers rather than just thumbs.
While talking to AMA President Dave Brown several years ago
about thumbs or fingers, he made an excellent observation. If you
put your thumb on top of the transmitter stick, you have control. But
how much control do you have?
Have you ever tried to write on a sheet of paper with a pencil
just using your thumb? Try it sometime; it’s almost impossible to
have enough control over the pencil to make the letters you want.
Try the same exercise using your finger and thumb. There is a
marked increase in the ability to make the pencil move the way you
want it to—an increase in control.
The same holds true for your transmitter sticks. If you use your
fingers and thumbs versus using just your thumbs, you increase the
amount of control you have over the model in the air. At times you
may need to move your finger off of the stick for flaps or retracts,
but you still have three available fingers for those functions.
The transmitter tray combined with using fingers and thumbs
increases the “comfort level” when you fly and allows you to
concentrate on having fun flying your Scale model. The transmitter
tray also gives you a much more stable platform on which to rest
your hands while your fingers are busy when you are flying.
Who knows? You might use the rudder more often when you
really need it.
The Corben Baby Ace is coming along nicely, and I have started
on the fuselage. Begin by laying out your fuselage plans on the
workbench, covering them with waxed paper. “Borrowing” some
from the kitchen usually works, and sometimes I even bring a new
roll home.
Select the 1⁄4 square hardwood longerons for the sides. With the
fuselage longer than the standard 48-inch sticks, you’ll have to
splice the sticks together at former 10. Depending on your engine
and mount, you may also need to splice the front end of the
fuselage. I’m not too keen on this because the front end will take a
great deal of vibration from the O.S. 1.20 FS engine I have selected
for this project.
A Du-Bro engine mount for 1.20-1.50 engines will be used, so
go ahead and mount the engine at this time and see what the length
requirements are for the firewall. On this particular airframe I’ll
need to move the firewall back 21⁄8 inches and cut the sticks to fit
their new required length. By moving the firewall back I’ve negated
the need to add the forward and rear splice in the longerons too.
After laying out the 1⁄4 square hardwood sticks, cut the larger 1⁄4
balsa sticks for the uprights in the fuselage sides. It’s a good idea to
start with the larger 1⁄4 balsa sticks first, so if you make a mistake
you can use that piece at the other end of the airframe. Keep a
sanding block handy to finish-sand the edges that might still be a
little too long. Use only a couple of passes, then test-fit the piece
again. It’s simple to do; it just takes a little time.
After building two identical sides by placing one on top of the
July 2003 111
The Corben Baby Ace’s fuselage side is being built up.
Eduardo and Ana Esteves, Ronaldo Salles won Team Scale at
2002 Scale Masters with this Sig 1⁄3-scale Spacewalker.
other, put in the crossmembers and the
firewall and engine mount. This will
complete the basic framework on the
fuselage. The next step is to attach the
rigging and struts for the parasol-mounted
wing.
If you have your cowling picked out,
it’s a good time to test-fit it. Fiberglass-part
manufacturers seem to be disappearing like
snow on a summer day. I’ve really had a
time looking for fiberglass parts lately.
Precision Fiberglass is gone. Fiberglass
Master is gone too, it seems.
Bookshelf: William N. Hess wrote the
128-page 354th Fighter Group, published
by Osprey Publishing Limited. William is a
World War II veteran and a former prisoner
of war. This cardstock-cover book covers
the men and aircraft of the 354th Fighter
Group.
Of interest to modelers are the varied
color schemes shown for the early P-51B
Mustangs and for the later P-51D fighters.
There are 11 pages featuring color side
112 MODEL AVIATION
views of different Mustangs that are
included in the book with partial or
complete photos. Seeing this attention to
detail in William Hess’s book will
encourage me to locate some of the other
more than 25 books he has written.
Some of the Mustangs featured in the
book include “Short-Fuse Sallee,” “Live
Bait,” “Ding Hao!,” “Easy Rockin’
Mama,” “Atlanta Peach,” “Beantown
Banshee,” “Bonnie B,” “Grim Reaper,”
and “Chicago’s Own.” There are also a
few P-47s, one with the 354th Fighter
Group’s famous yellow cowl and wingedskull-
and-crossbones insignia.
Numerous aircraft which sport the
popular invasion stripes are listed; all P-51
Mustangs, B and D models, are included.
This is a high-quality book, and it gives
you a good history of the fighter group and
the campaigns it fought in. For modelers, a
beautifully marked-up P-51 with invasion
stripes makes the ole ticker work a little
harder when it flies past.
The 354th Fighter Group is available
from most bookstores and book catalogs.
It costs approximately $19.95 plus
shipping.
Scale Sources: Vintage RC Plans by Fred
Novack is a catalog that has been available
for many years. Plans featured include a
691⁄2-inch-span WACO SRE, a Stinson
Voyager, a J-3 Cub, a Rearwin Skyranger,
a Heath Parasol, a Grumman Widgeon, an
Aeronca Champ, a Curtiss-Wright T-32
Condor, and many others. Fred also sells
fiberglass parts, cowlings, and wheel
pants.
Order the catalog from Vintage RC
Plans, 5105 Pine Hill Cir., Howell MI
48843.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/07
Page Numbers: 110,111,112
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/07
Page Numbers: 110,111,112
110 MODEL AVIATION
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
LAST MONTH I wrote about the takeoff and maneuvers of a
Boeing PT-17 Stearman. I mentioned the differences in the aircraft’s
maneuvers and why they can vary from one takeoff or maneuver to
another.
It seems that the rudder is the most misunderstood control
surface on a Scale airplane. Most modelers have the speed control
down, although there are some who still want to zip around at Mach
2. Watch the rudder on takeoff or landing, and on many models you
will never see it move.
Many of us who started flying with four-channel models never
learned to use the rudder properly in turns, aerobatic maneuvers, or
during takeoff and landing. One thing is for sure: if you don’t have
air flowing over the rudder during takeoff, most models will take off
across the runway no matter what you do.
Let’s further examine why modelers aren’t using the rudder.
Many have never flown a three-channel model during their Radio
Control experience. Many modelers think that that stick on the left
side of the transmitter is just a throttle; it isn’t.
Put a good three-channel trainer to work and see what the rudder
can do for a Scale model. You might be surprised. When you go out
to fly and consciously think about using the rudder in turns or while
taking off and landing your aircraft, you might be surprised to see
how your flying skills improve.
Many light civil aircraft need rudder input to make turns
coordinated with ailerons. Now you can just flip a switch on the
transmitter and the two control surfaces will work together, although
it’s more fun to do it yourself and see just how much input is
enough.
Getting that fine-tuned balance of aileron/rudder in a turn takes
practice, and at this time of the year I know that many of us need to
get out and practice, myself included. The Piper J-3 Cub almost has
to have some rudder in a turn to look like it’s flying.
One model that has been a lot of fun for me through the years is a
simple Seniorita. The 63-inch-wingspan airplane is approximately
15 years old now and is still flying on its Enya .19 TV engine. It
isn’t a powerhouse, but it is a three-channel model and it’s relaxing
to fly from time to time. Several friends have taken their first flights
with the Seniorita, and my son learned to fly and crash with it.
But what it taught me more about than anything was the use of
the rudder and how a three-channel model makes turns and handles
A pilot is operating a transmitter with his thumbs only. The pilot is using his thumbs and fingers to operate the
transmitter, and the transmitter is mounted in a tray.
William N. Hess’s book has color schemes for P-51Bs and Ds.
near the ground. At roughly that time I also started using a
transmitter tray. Although the tray is a moot point on the Seniorita, I
use it all the time now with my other faster models. Why? Because I
went back and learned to fly with fingers rather than just thumbs.
While talking to AMA President Dave Brown several years ago
about thumbs or fingers, he made an excellent observation. If you
put your thumb on top of the transmitter stick, you have control. But
how much control do you have?
Have you ever tried to write on a sheet of paper with a pencil
just using your thumb? Try it sometime; it’s almost impossible to
have enough control over the pencil to make the letters you want.
Try the same exercise using your finger and thumb. There is a
marked increase in the ability to make the pencil move the way you
want it to—an increase in control.
The same holds true for your transmitter sticks. If you use your
fingers and thumbs versus using just your thumbs, you increase the
amount of control you have over the model in the air. At times you
may need to move your finger off of the stick for flaps or retracts,
but you still have three available fingers for those functions.
The transmitter tray combined with using fingers and thumbs
increases the “comfort level” when you fly and allows you to
concentrate on having fun flying your Scale model. The transmitter
tray also gives you a much more stable platform on which to rest
your hands while your fingers are busy when you are flying.
Who knows? You might use the rudder more often when you
really need it.
The Corben Baby Ace is coming along nicely, and I have started
on the fuselage. Begin by laying out your fuselage plans on the
workbench, covering them with waxed paper. “Borrowing” some
from the kitchen usually works, and sometimes I even bring a new
roll home.
Select the 1⁄4 square hardwood longerons for the sides. With the
fuselage longer than the standard 48-inch sticks, you’ll have to
splice the sticks together at former 10. Depending on your engine
and mount, you may also need to splice the front end of the
fuselage. I’m not too keen on this because the front end will take a
great deal of vibration from the O.S. 1.20 FS engine I have selected
for this project.
A Du-Bro engine mount for 1.20-1.50 engines will be used, so
go ahead and mount the engine at this time and see what the length
requirements are for the firewall. On this particular airframe I’ll
need to move the firewall back 21⁄8 inches and cut the sticks to fit
their new required length. By moving the firewall back I’ve negated
the need to add the forward and rear splice in the longerons too.
After laying out the 1⁄4 square hardwood sticks, cut the larger 1⁄4
balsa sticks for the uprights in the fuselage sides. It’s a good idea to
start with the larger 1⁄4 balsa sticks first, so if you make a mistake
you can use that piece at the other end of the airframe. Keep a
sanding block handy to finish-sand the edges that might still be a
little too long. Use only a couple of passes, then test-fit the piece
again. It’s simple to do; it just takes a little time.
After building two identical sides by placing one on top of the
July 2003 111
The Corben Baby Ace’s fuselage side is being built up.
Eduardo and Ana Esteves, Ronaldo Salles won Team Scale at
2002 Scale Masters with this Sig 1⁄3-scale Spacewalker.
other, put in the crossmembers and the
firewall and engine mount. This will
complete the basic framework on the
fuselage. The next step is to attach the
rigging and struts for the parasol-mounted
wing.
If you have your cowling picked out,
it’s a good time to test-fit it. Fiberglass-part
manufacturers seem to be disappearing like
snow on a summer day. I’ve really had a
time looking for fiberglass parts lately.
Precision Fiberglass is gone. Fiberglass
Master is gone too, it seems.
Bookshelf: William N. Hess wrote the
128-page 354th Fighter Group, published
by Osprey Publishing Limited. William is a
World War II veteran and a former prisoner
of war. This cardstock-cover book covers
the men and aircraft of the 354th Fighter
Group.
Of interest to modelers are the varied
color schemes shown for the early P-51B
Mustangs and for the later P-51D fighters.
There are 11 pages featuring color side
112 MODEL AVIATION
views of different Mustangs that are
included in the book with partial or
complete photos. Seeing this attention to
detail in William Hess’s book will
encourage me to locate some of the other
more than 25 books he has written.
Some of the Mustangs featured in the
book include “Short-Fuse Sallee,” “Live
Bait,” “Ding Hao!,” “Easy Rockin’
Mama,” “Atlanta Peach,” “Beantown
Banshee,” “Bonnie B,” “Grim Reaper,”
and “Chicago’s Own.” There are also a
few P-47s, one with the 354th Fighter
Group’s famous yellow cowl and wingedskull-
and-crossbones insignia.
Numerous aircraft which sport the
popular invasion stripes are listed; all P-51
Mustangs, B and D models, are included.
This is a high-quality book, and it gives
you a good history of the fighter group and
the campaigns it fought in. For modelers, a
beautifully marked-up P-51 with invasion
stripes makes the ole ticker work a little
harder when it flies past.
The 354th Fighter Group is available
from most bookstores and book catalogs.
It costs approximately $19.95 plus
shipping.
Scale Sources: Vintage RC Plans by Fred
Novack is a catalog that has been available
for many years. Plans featured include a
691⁄2-inch-span WACO SRE, a Stinson
Voyager, a J-3 Cub, a Rearwin Skyranger,
a Heath Parasol, a Grumman Widgeon, an
Aeronca Champ, a Curtiss-Wright T-32
Condor, and many others. Fred also sells
fiberglass parts, cowlings, and wheel
pants.
Order the catalog from Vintage RC
Plans, 5105 Pine Hill Cir., Howell MI
48843.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/07
Page Numbers: 110,111,112
110 MODEL AVIATION
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
LAST MONTH I wrote about the takeoff and maneuvers of a
Boeing PT-17 Stearman. I mentioned the differences in the aircraft’s
maneuvers and why they can vary from one takeoff or maneuver to
another.
It seems that the rudder is the most misunderstood control
surface on a Scale airplane. Most modelers have the speed control
down, although there are some who still want to zip around at Mach
2. Watch the rudder on takeoff or landing, and on many models you
will never see it move.
Many of us who started flying with four-channel models never
learned to use the rudder properly in turns, aerobatic maneuvers, or
during takeoff and landing. One thing is for sure: if you don’t have
air flowing over the rudder during takeoff, most models will take off
across the runway no matter what you do.
Let’s further examine why modelers aren’t using the rudder.
Many have never flown a three-channel model during their Radio
Control experience. Many modelers think that that stick on the left
side of the transmitter is just a throttle; it isn’t.
Put a good three-channel trainer to work and see what the rudder
can do for a Scale model. You might be surprised. When you go out
to fly and consciously think about using the rudder in turns or while
taking off and landing your aircraft, you might be surprised to see
how your flying skills improve.
Many light civil aircraft need rudder input to make turns
coordinated with ailerons. Now you can just flip a switch on the
transmitter and the two control surfaces will work together, although
it’s more fun to do it yourself and see just how much input is
enough.
Getting that fine-tuned balance of aileron/rudder in a turn takes
practice, and at this time of the year I know that many of us need to
get out and practice, myself included. The Piper J-3 Cub almost has
to have some rudder in a turn to look like it’s flying.
One model that has been a lot of fun for me through the years is a
simple Seniorita. The 63-inch-wingspan airplane is approximately
15 years old now and is still flying on its Enya .19 TV engine. It
isn’t a powerhouse, but it is a three-channel model and it’s relaxing
to fly from time to time. Several friends have taken their first flights
with the Seniorita, and my son learned to fly and crash with it.
But what it taught me more about than anything was the use of
the rudder and how a three-channel model makes turns and handles
A pilot is operating a transmitter with his thumbs only. The pilot is using his thumbs and fingers to operate the
transmitter, and the transmitter is mounted in a tray.
William N. Hess’s book has color schemes for P-51Bs and Ds.
near the ground. At roughly that time I also started using a
transmitter tray. Although the tray is a moot point on the Seniorita, I
use it all the time now with my other faster models. Why? Because I
went back and learned to fly with fingers rather than just thumbs.
While talking to AMA President Dave Brown several years ago
about thumbs or fingers, he made an excellent observation. If you
put your thumb on top of the transmitter stick, you have control. But
how much control do you have?
Have you ever tried to write on a sheet of paper with a pencil
just using your thumb? Try it sometime; it’s almost impossible to
have enough control over the pencil to make the letters you want.
Try the same exercise using your finger and thumb. There is a
marked increase in the ability to make the pencil move the way you
want it to—an increase in control.
The same holds true for your transmitter sticks. If you use your
fingers and thumbs versus using just your thumbs, you increase the
amount of control you have over the model in the air. At times you
may need to move your finger off of the stick for flaps or retracts,
but you still have three available fingers for those functions.
The transmitter tray combined with using fingers and thumbs
increases the “comfort level” when you fly and allows you to
concentrate on having fun flying your Scale model. The transmitter
tray also gives you a much more stable platform on which to rest
your hands while your fingers are busy when you are flying.
Who knows? You might use the rudder more often when you
really need it.
The Corben Baby Ace is coming along nicely, and I have started
on the fuselage. Begin by laying out your fuselage plans on the
workbench, covering them with waxed paper. “Borrowing” some
from the kitchen usually works, and sometimes I even bring a new
roll home.
Select the 1⁄4 square hardwood longerons for the sides. With the
fuselage longer than the standard 48-inch sticks, you’ll have to
splice the sticks together at former 10. Depending on your engine
and mount, you may also need to splice the front end of the
fuselage. I’m not too keen on this because the front end will take a
great deal of vibration from the O.S. 1.20 FS engine I have selected
for this project.
A Du-Bro engine mount for 1.20-1.50 engines will be used, so
go ahead and mount the engine at this time and see what the length
requirements are for the firewall. On this particular airframe I’ll
need to move the firewall back 21⁄8 inches and cut the sticks to fit
their new required length. By moving the firewall back I’ve negated
the need to add the forward and rear splice in the longerons too.
After laying out the 1⁄4 square hardwood sticks, cut the larger 1⁄4
balsa sticks for the uprights in the fuselage sides. It’s a good idea to
start with the larger 1⁄4 balsa sticks first, so if you make a mistake
you can use that piece at the other end of the airframe. Keep a
sanding block handy to finish-sand the edges that might still be a
little too long. Use only a couple of passes, then test-fit the piece
again. It’s simple to do; it just takes a little time.
After building two identical sides by placing one on top of the
July 2003 111
The Corben Baby Ace’s fuselage side is being built up.
Eduardo and Ana Esteves, Ronaldo Salles won Team Scale at
2002 Scale Masters with this Sig 1⁄3-scale Spacewalker.
other, put in the crossmembers and the
firewall and engine mount. This will
complete the basic framework on the
fuselage. The next step is to attach the
rigging and struts for the parasol-mounted
wing.
If you have your cowling picked out,
it’s a good time to test-fit it. Fiberglass-part
manufacturers seem to be disappearing like
snow on a summer day. I’ve really had a
time looking for fiberglass parts lately.
Precision Fiberglass is gone. Fiberglass
Master is gone too, it seems.
Bookshelf: William N. Hess wrote the
128-page 354th Fighter Group, published
by Osprey Publishing Limited. William is a
World War II veteran and a former prisoner
of war. This cardstock-cover book covers
the men and aircraft of the 354th Fighter
Group.
Of interest to modelers are the varied
color schemes shown for the early P-51B
Mustangs and for the later P-51D fighters.
There are 11 pages featuring color side
112 MODEL AVIATION
views of different Mustangs that are
included in the book with partial or
complete photos. Seeing this attention to
detail in William Hess’s book will
encourage me to locate some of the other
more than 25 books he has written.
Some of the Mustangs featured in the
book include “Short-Fuse Sallee,” “Live
Bait,” “Ding Hao!,” “Easy Rockin’
Mama,” “Atlanta Peach,” “Beantown
Banshee,” “Bonnie B,” “Grim Reaper,”
and “Chicago’s Own.” There are also a
few P-47s, one with the 354th Fighter
Group’s famous yellow cowl and wingedskull-
and-crossbones insignia.
Numerous aircraft which sport the
popular invasion stripes are listed; all P-51
Mustangs, B and D models, are included.
This is a high-quality book, and it gives
you a good history of the fighter group and
the campaigns it fought in. For modelers, a
beautifully marked-up P-51 with invasion
stripes makes the ole ticker work a little
harder when it flies past.
The 354th Fighter Group is available
from most bookstores and book catalogs.
It costs approximately $19.95 plus
shipping.
Scale Sources: Vintage RC Plans by Fred
Novack is a catalog that has been available
for many years. Plans featured include a
691⁄2-inch-span WACO SRE, a Stinson
Voyager, a J-3 Cub, a Rearwin Skyranger,
a Heath Parasol, a Grumman Widgeon, an
Aeronca Champ, a Curtiss-Wright T-32
Condor, and many others. Fred also sells
fiberglass parts, cowlings, and wheel
pants.
Order the catalog from Vintage RC
Plans, 5105 Pine Hill Cir., Howell MI
48843.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
