RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Stan Alexander 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 E-mail: [email protected]
World War I — A focus for scale modelers
Specific eras of aviation generate the interest of scale modelers around the world, whether it’s World War II, the Golden Age, World War I, the 1950s jet age, or modern aircraft. Some modelers build strictly within a chosen era and don’t look outside that time frame for subjects. Modelers in Europe, for example, really enjoy World War I–era airplanes, and that interest continues to grow in the United States.
This month I’m looking at the World War I years. Numerous aircraft are available to model, either from kits or plans. There are also contests, fly-ins, and social events centered around World War I airplanes. Gathering documentation can be a problem, but several books and series can help.
The premier World War I aircraft event destination in the U.S. is probably Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, advertised as the original living museum of antique aeroplanes. The Rhinebeck Aerodrome is located on Stone Church Road in Rhinebeck, New York. Volunteers carry on the late Cole Palen’s work by preserving early aircraft while giving patrons the opportunity to see and fly in vintage airplanes. Many of the volunteers are modelers, such as Tom Polapink, who help with restoration, collection, maintenance, and memorabilia for the museum.
Each September the Mid-Hudson RC Society holds the Rhinebeck Jamboree at the Aerodrome. The museum is open from May 15 to October 31, and air shows run from mid-June to mid-October. Check www.oldrhinebeck.org or write to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Box 229, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 for a list of events. You can also call (845) 752-3200 or check the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce at (845) 876-4778 or www.rhinebecknychamber.org.
This year the Rhinebeck Jamboree will be September 6–7 (the weekend after Labor Day). Any full-scale airplane that was built on or before December 31, 1939, and is not considered a combat aircraft in World War II is an eligible modeling subject for this event.
Seeing these original and recreational aircraft run and fly is a treat. There’s the smell of burning castor oil, the eerie sound of the wind in the wires as aircraft land, and the unique sound of Gnome engines spinning on their cranks. The inline British and German engines — many almost 100 years old — are sights and sounds to remember. Barnstorming rides are available before or after the air shows in a 1929 New Standard biplane. Some full-scale aircraft that operate there weekly include a 1909 Blériot, a 1918 Fokker D.VII, a Sopwith Camel, a 1931 Great Lakes trainer, an Avro 504, a Fokker Dr.I triplane, a 1910 Hanriot, and others. Thanks to Tom Polapink for sending information about Rhinebeck.
It seems there are more kit sources for World War I models than for World War II models. One reason may be overall cost: an additional expense of a World War II fighter is retractable gear, which can cost $600–$1,000 for a set for one model. However, most modelers build the types of models they enjoy or the ones they think will help them win at a scale competition; I suspect most fall into the former category.
Across the country many types of World War I models are flown. Some fly well, and others have inherent problems. Some French and German designs handle wind better than aircraft such as the Sopwith Pup or the Nieuport 11–17 series. The latter usually get hammered in crosswinds because of their large frontal-area cowlings, short forward fuselages, and flat-sided fuselage profiles. Types with longer fuselages, rounded frontal areas, and shaped sides fly better in wind.
The French SPAD series of fighters is not modeled often; the Albatros D.III–D.Va series is more common. The D.II designs had flat fuselages. A couple of companies have kits of the D.III and the Albatros D.Va, and many others have plans for most World War I aircraft. The trick is finding documentation for some of these airplanes.
One unique aircraft I saw at a scale contest in recent years was Bruce Harlow’s Martin TT trainer, which flew at the 2002 US Scale Masters Championships. It fits into the World War I time frame. The Martin is a big model, with a 162-inch wingspan and 6,048 square inches of area. The wing loading of only 13 ounces per square foot makes the model basically a glider with a Zenoah G-62 engine for power. For more information about this model, see Model Aviation, March 2002, p. 22. Bruce built a rare airplane with unique details; I hope you get to see it someday.
Kit sources and suppliers
- FunAero R/C
- Kits: S.E.5a (including a larger version) and two Albatros models (D.II and D.III). These are around 60 inches span.
- Contact: FunAero R/C, 4385 Red Lane Rd., Dalzell, SC 29040; Tel.: (803) 499-5487; Web: www.funaero.com.
- Proctor Enterprises
- A great source for World War I–aircraft modelers. Proctor makes highly detailed kits and specialty parts, including the Albatros D.Va, Nieuport 28 C-1, Nieuport 11, Curtiss Jenny, Fokker E.III, D.VII, Dr.I, Sopwith Camel, and others. They produce handmade turnbuckles, spoke wheels, guns, and many other specialty parts.
- Contact: Proctor Enterprises, 25450 N.E. Eilers Rd., Aurora, OR 97002; Tel.: (503) 678-1300.
- Arizona Model Aircrafters
- Extensive offerings: kits, short kits (1/6-, 1/5-, 1/4-, 1/3-scale and larger), plans, parts, lozenge fabric, wheels, engines, and more. Kits include the Wright Flyer, various Albatros designs, Fokkers, de Havillands, etc. The catalog is a valuable documentation source. These kits are not cheap, but quality rarely is.
- Contact: Arizona Model Aircrafters, Airpark Plaza, 14715 N. 78th Way Unit 600, Scottsdale, AZ 85260; Tel.: (480) 348-3733; Web: www.arizonamodels.com.
- Glenn Torrance Models
- Offerings include the Fokker D.VIII and Fokker D.I kits, lozenge fabric, cowls, and Laser four-stroke engines.
- Contact: Glenn Torrance Models, 1263 Kylemore Ln., Snellville, GA 30078; Tel.: (770) 695-1032; Web: www.gtmodels.com.
- Bob Holman Plans
- Documentation service and plans with depth and range. Offers early World War I scouts and observation types, kits, short kits, laser-cut parts, ribs, and formers. Plans are drawn by noted designers such as Brian Taylor, Dennis Bryant, and Mick Reeves.
- Contact: Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino, CA 92404; Tel.: (909) 885-3959; E-mail: [email protected]; Web: www.angelfire.com/ct/bhplans/.
- Balsa USA
- Likely the largest producer of World War I kits by volume. Sport Scale kits are available through hobby shops or direct. Recent additions include the Fokker Dr.I triplane, Fokker D.VIII, Nieuport 17, and S.E.5a. Most models are built to 1/4 scale and average about 80 inches in wingspan.
- Other resources
- Many companies mentioned above have documentation or can refer you to specialists for World War I or early aviation source material.
Documentation, photography, and flying notes
I haven’t listed all documentation sources here; that could take several columns. Most of the companies mentioned can point you to documentation sources that specialize in World War I or the dawn of aviation.
I’ve included photos of aircraft from this era, including scratch-built and kit-built models. These aircraft are generally easier to photograph in flight than some later types—unless the model isn’t balanced correctly or the wind is up. Tail skids can be troublesome on asphalt. If you have a grass runway nearby, try a World War I subject for your next project.
Upcoming Scale Events
- US Scale Masters Championships
- Date: September 24–28
- Location: U.S. Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio
- Host club: Westerville Model Aeronautics Association
- Info: Contact Mike Barbee at (614) 891-1643 or see www.scalemasters.org.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
