RADIO CONTROL SCALE 2003/09

September 2003 129
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
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 within these prospective eras and
don’t look outside a certain time frame for
subjects to model. It seems that modelers in
Europe really enjoy the World War I-era
airplanes and that interest continues to
grow in the states.
This month I am going to look at the
World War I years. There are numerous
aircraft out there to model, in kit form or
with plans. There are also contests, fly-ins,
and complete social events centered around
the World War I airplanes. Gathering
documentation can be a problem, but
several books and a series of books can
help.
I’ll get to the specific aircraft types, kits,
etc. soon, but the premier World War I
aircraft event destination in the US is
probably Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. This facility is
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 some lucky patrons the opportunity to
see and fly in vintage airplanes. Many of the volunteers who
work there are modelers, such as Tom Polapink. They carry on
the restoration, collection, and maintenance of these vintage
aircraft and locate and collect 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 the Old
Ray Williams built his Avro 504 to 1⁄3 scale. The model features an operational homebuilt
Gnome rotary engine that Ray constructed.
Scene in the pits with spectator line at the left at Rhinebeck, New York.
Mike Winters built this Balsa USA Sopwith
Pup, photographed at the 2002 Scale
Nationals, to 1⁄3 scale.
Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Box 229, Rhinebeck NY 12572, for a list
of events, or call (845) 752-3200. You can also check with 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.
The experience of seeing these original and recreational
aircraft run, fly, and perform for the crowd is a treat that many
Scale modelers may not have the chance to see anywhere else in
the US.
There is the smell of burning castor oil, the eerie sound of the
130 MODEL AVIATION
wind in the wires as the aircraft land, and the unique sound of the
Gnome engines spinning away on their cranks. The British and
German airplanes’ inline engines, many of which are only heard
here and are almost 100 years old, are sights and sounds to
remember.
Have you ever flown in an open-cockpit biplane? If not, you
can make that dream come true in the Hudson Valley.
Barnstorming rides are available before or after the air shows in a
1929 New Standard biplane.
Some of the 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 me
the information about Rhinebeck.
It seems like there are more kit sources for World War I
models than for World War II models. Why? The overall cost of
Gus Stutsman built 1⁄4-scale, 100-inch-span Fokker E.III from
Proctor Enterprises kit. Has Seidel radial engine.
John Cole’s Hansa-Brandenburg built from his plans. It weighs
191⁄2 pounds, spans 122 inches, has SuperTigre 3000.
Richard Skoglund’s scratch-built D.H.10 bomber spans 97 inches
and is powered by two Enya 46 four-stroke engines.
building a World War I model versus a
World War II fighter type could be one
reason. One additional expense of a World
War II fighter is retracts, which can cost
$600-$1,000 for a set for one model.
However, most modelers will build the
types of models they enjoy or the ones
they think will help them win at a Scale
competition. I’m guessing that most of us
fall into the first category.
Across the country, many types of
World War I models are flown. Some fly
well, and others have inherent problems.
Some of the French and German designs
have better luck with the wind than aircraft
such as the Sopwith Pup or the Nieuport
11-17 series. These usually get hammered
in crosswinds because of their large
frontal-area cowlings, short forward
fuselages, and flat-sided fuselage profiles.
Types with longer fuselage frontal areas
and shaped sides actually fly better in the
wind.
The French Spad series of fighters is
not modeled often. The Albatros D.IIID.
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. Many others have plans for
most World War I aircraft. The trick is
finding documentation for some of these
airplanes.
One of the more unique aircraft I’ve
seen at a Scale contest in recent years—
Bruce Harlow’s Martin TT trainer—flew
at the 2002 US Scale Masters
Championships. It fits into the World War
I time frame I am highlighting this month.
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,
check out the March 2002 Model Aviation
on page 22. Bruce built a rare airplane, and
he added unique details. I hope you get to
see this model somewhere in the future.
FunAero R/C has three kits of World
War I vintage in which you might be
interested. I haven’t built any of this
company’s kits, but I understand that they
are high-quality and you won’t be
disappointed with these Sport Scale
models.
The kits include the S.E.5a and two
Albatros models: the D.II and the D.III.
These aircraft are in the 60-inch-span
neighborhood, and there is a larger version
of the S.E.5a. I wish there was a larger
version of the Albatros.
FunAero R/C doesn’t have a catalog
available as far as I know, but information
is available on the Internet. Contact
FunAero R/C at 4385 Red Lane Rd.,
Dalzell SC 29040; Tel.: (803) 499-5487;
Web site: www.funaero.com.
Proctor Enterprises has been around for
a long time, and it has a complete kit line
September 2003 131
and Laser four-stroke engines. Contact
Glenn Torrance Models at 1263 Kylemore
Ln., Snellville GA 30078; Tel.: (770) 695-
1032; Web site: www.gtmodels.com.
Bob Holman Plans’ documentation
service and plans feature a wealth of range
and depth. Early World War I models,
kits, short kits, and plans include several
scouts (as fighters were called) and
observation-type aircraft. Bob also has
laser-cut parts, ribs, and formers for most
of his line of kits.
Plans that Bob sells have been drawn
by some of the best designers in the world,
including Brian Taylor, Dennis Bryant,
Mick Reeves, and others. For more
information about all of the items for sale,
contact Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San
Bernardino CA 92404; Tel.: (909) 885-
3959; E-mail: [email protected]; Web
site: www.angelfire.com/ct/bhplans/.
Balsa USA is probably the largest
producer of kits for World War I aircraft
by volume. The Sport Scale kits are
available on your hobby shop’s shelves (if
it stocks the built-up kit types) or direct
from the company.
Balsa USA has added several World
War I types to its inventory in the past
couple of years, including the Fokker Dr.I
triplane, the Fokker D.VIII, the Nieuport
17, and its latest effort: the S.E.5a. Most
of these models are built to 1⁄4 scale and
average 80 inches in wingspan.
I’m not going to get into the
documentation sources for these aircraft in
this column; it could take several columns
to list all of the sources and their stocks of
drawings and photo packs. Most of the
companies I mentioned in this column
have documentation or can send you to a
documentation source that specializes in
World War I or the dawn of aviation.
I’ve included photos of aircraft from
for World War I-aircraft modelers. This
company has some of the most detailed
kits available anywhere for any price.
Proctor’s line includes the Albatros
D.Va, the Nieuport 28 C-1, the Nieuport
11, the Curtiss Jenny, the Fokker E.III,
D.VII, and Dr.I, the Sopwith Camel, and
others. Proctor has turnbuckles that are
handmade at the factory, spoke wheels,
guns, and many other specialty parts that
are relevant to World War I models. For
more information, contact Proctor
Enterprises at 25450 N.E. Eilers Rd.,
Aurora OR 97002; Tel.: (503) 678-1300.
Arizona Model Aircrafters has an
extensive list of kits, short kits—sizes
include 1⁄6-, 1⁄5-, 1⁄4-, 1⁄3-scale, and larger—
plans, parts, lozenge fabric, wheels,
engines, and almost anything else you
could think of for World War I aircraft.
Kits include the Wright Flyer, various
Albatros designs, Fokkers, de Havillands,
and the list goes on.
The catalog is a good information
source for aircraft of this era. These kits
aren’t cheap, but quality anything rarely is.
Contact Arizona Model Aircrafters at
Airpark Plaza, 14715 N. 78th Way Unit
600, Scottsdale AZ 85260; Tel.: (480) 348-
3733; Web site: www.arizonamodels.com.
Glenn Torrance Models also has a
variety of parts and kits for the World War
I-airplane modeler. Kit offerings include
the Fokker D.VIII and the Fokker Dr.I, and
the company stocks lozenge fabric, cowls,
132 MODEL AVIATION
MASTER
AIRSCREW
Windsor Propeller Co Inc
P.O. Box 250
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-0250
www.masterairscrew.com

Wide, undercambered blades
are lightweight & thin

In sizes for geared & direct
drive 400 to 600 motors
(6” through 13”)

550 Motor, gearbox,
folding prop &
motor mount
combination!

Available in 3
Ratios (2.5. 3.0 & 3.5)

Great value at $44.95
550 Electric
Flight Pack
Other Accessories

Direct Drive prop adaptor for
550 and 400 motor shafts

550 & 400 7.2 volt motors

Aluminum motor mount

Wide, thin undercambered
blades for superior performance

For electric flight only

In 8 sizes from 10” - 13” dia.
Electric Only Series
ELECTRIC FLIGHT
NOW MORE SIZES!
Electric Wood
Propellers
Celebrating 25 Years in R/C
Gearboxes for
400 & 550 motors

For
longer flight
times
& greater climb

Compact, lightweight
design

In 3 ratios: 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5:1

NOW FOR 400’S!
this era, including scratch-built models
and kit-built subjects. I can tell you from
experience that these aircraft are much
easier to photograph in the air than some
later types, unless the model isn’t balanced
just right or the wind is up, and the tail
skid is a toughie on the asphalt. Try one
for your next project—especially if you
have a grass runway nearby.
Upcoming Scale Events: The US Scale
Masters Championships, which will take
place September 24-28, will be held at the
US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
The Westerville Model Aeronautics
Association will be the host club. For
more information, contact Mike Barbee at
(614) 891-1643 or check out the Scale
Masters Web site at www.scalemasters.org.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA

September 2003 129
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
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 within these prospective eras and
don’t look outside a certain time frame for
subjects to model. It seems that modelers in
Europe really enjoy the World War I-era
airplanes and that interest continues to
grow in the states.
This month I am going to look at the
World War I years. There are numerous
aircraft out there to model, in kit form or
with plans. There are also contests, fly-ins,
and complete social events centered around
the World War I airplanes. Gathering
documentation can be a problem, but
several books and a series of books can
help.
I’ll get to the specific aircraft types, kits,
etc. soon, but the premier World War I
aircraft event destination in the US is
probably Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. This facility is
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 some lucky patrons the opportunity to
see and fly in vintage airplanes. Many of the volunteers who
work there are modelers, such as Tom Polapink. They carry on
the restoration, collection, and maintenance of these vintage
aircraft and locate and collect 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 the Old
Ray Williams built his Avro 504 to 1⁄3 scale. The model features an operational homebuilt
Gnome rotary engine that Ray constructed.
Scene in the pits with spectator line at the left at Rhinebeck, New York.
Mike Winters built this Balsa USA Sopwith
Pup, photographed at the 2002 Scale
Nationals, to 1⁄3 scale.
Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Box 229, Rhinebeck NY 12572, for a list
of events, or call (845) 752-3200. You can also check with 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.
The experience of seeing these original and recreational
aircraft run, fly, and perform for the crowd is a treat that many
Scale modelers may not have the chance to see anywhere else in
the US.
There is the smell of burning castor oil, the eerie sound of the
130 MODEL AVIATION
wind in the wires as the aircraft land, and the unique sound of the
Gnome engines spinning away on their cranks. The British and
German airplanes’ inline engines, many of which are only heard
here and are almost 100 years old, are sights and sounds to
remember.
Have you ever flown in an open-cockpit biplane? If not, you
can make that dream come true in the Hudson Valley.
Barnstorming rides are available before or after the air shows in a
1929 New Standard biplane.
Some of the 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 me
the information about Rhinebeck.
It seems like there are more kit sources for World War I
models than for World War II models. Why? The overall cost of
Gus Stutsman built 1⁄4-scale, 100-inch-span Fokker E.III from
Proctor Enterprises kit. Has Seidel radial engine.
John Cole’s Hansa-Brandenburg built from his plans. It weighs
191⁄2 pounds, spans 122 inches, has SuperTigre 3000.
Richard Skoglund’s scratch-built D.H.10 bomber spans 97 inches
and is powered by two Enya 46 four-stroke engines.
building a World War I model versus a
World War II fighter type could be one
reason. One additional expense of a World
War II fighter is retracts, which can cost
$600-$1,000 for a set for one model.
However, most modelers will build the
types of models they enjoy or the ones
they think will help them win at a Scale
competition. I’m guessing that most of us
fall into the first category.
Across the country, many types of
World War I models are flown. Some fly
well, and others have inherent problems.
Some of the French and German designs
have better luck with the wind than aircraft
such as the Sopwith Pup or the Nieuport
11-17 series. These usually get hammered
in crosswinds because of their large
frontal-area cowlings, short forward
fuselages, and flat-sided fuselage profiles.
Types with longer fuselage frontal areas
and shaped sides actually fly better in the
wind.
The French Spad series of fighters is
not modeled often. The Albatros D.IIID.
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. Many others have plans for
most World War I aircraft. The trick is
finding documentation for some of these
airplanes.
One of the more unique aircraft I’ve
seen at a Scale contest in recent years—
Bruce Harlow’s Martin TT trainer—flew
at the 2002 US Scale Masters
Championships. It fits into the World War
I time frame I am highlighting this month.
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,
check out the March 2002 Model Aviation
on page 22. Bruce built a rare airplane, and
he added unique details. I hope you get to
see this model somewhere in the future.
FunAero R/C has three kits of World
War I vintage in which you might be
interested. I haven’t built any of this
company’s kits, but I understand that they
are high-quality and you won’t be
disappointed with these Sport Scale
models.
The kits include the S.E.5a and two
Albatros models: the D.II and the D.III.
These aircraft are in the 60-inch-span
neighborhood, and there is a larger version
of the S.E.5a. I wish there was a larger
version of the Albatros.
FunAero R/C doesn’t have a catalog
available as far as I know, but information
is available on the Internet. Contact
FunAero R/C at 4385 Red Lane Rd.,
Dalzell SC 29040; Tel.: (803) 499-5487;
Web site: www.funaero.com.
Proctor Enterprises has been around for
a long time, and it has a complete kit line
September 2003 131
and Laser four-stroke engines. Contact
Glenn Torrance Models at 1263 Kylemore
Ln., Snellville GA 30078; Tel.: (770) 695-
1032; Web site: www.gtmodels.com.
Bob Holman Plans’ documentation
service and plans feature a wealth of range
and depth. Early World War I models,
kits, short kits, and plans include several
scouts (as fighters were called) and
observation-type aircraft. Bob also has
laser-cut parts, ribs, and formers for most
of his line of kits.
Plans that Bob sells have been drawn
by some of the best designers in the world,
including Brian Taylor, Dennis Bryant,
Mick Reeves, and others. For more
information about all of the items for sale,
contact Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San
Bernardino CA 92404; Tel.: (909) 885-
3959; E-mail: [email protected]; Web
site: www.angelfire.com/ct/bhplans/.
Balsa USA is probably the largest
producer of kits for World War I aircraft
by volume. The Sport Scale kits are
available on your hobby shop’s shelves (if
it stocks the built-up kit types) or direct
from the company.
Balsa USA has added several World
War I types to its inventory in the past
couple of years, including the Fokker Dr.I
triplane, the Fokker D.VIII, the Nieuport
17, and its latest effort: the S.E.5a. Most
of these models are built to 1⁄4 scale and
average 80 inches in wingspan.
I’m not going to get into the
documentation sources for these aircraft in
this column; it could take several columns
to list all of the sources and their stocks of
drawings and photo packs. Most of the
companies I mentioned in this column
have documentation or can send you to a
documentation source that specializes in
World War I or the dawn of aviation.
I’ve included photos of aircraft from
for World War I-aircraft modelers. This
company has some of the most detailed
kits available anywhere for any price.
Proctor’s line includes the Albatros
D.Va, the Nieuport 28 C-1, the Nieuport
11, the Curtiss Jenny, the Fokker E.III,
D.VII, and Dr.I, the Sopwith Camel, and
others. Proctor has turnbuckles that are
handmade at the factory, spoke wheels,
guns, and many other specialty parts that
are relevant to World War I models. For
more information, contact Proctor
Enterprises at 25450 N.E. Eilers Rd.,
Aurora OR 97002; Tel.: (503) 678-1300.
Arizona Model Aircrafters has an
extensive list of kits, short kits—sizes
include 1⁄6-, 1⁄5-, 1⁄4-, 1⁄3-scale, and larger—
plans, parts, lozenge fabric, wheels,
engines, and almost anything else you
could think of for World War I aircraft.
Kits include the Wright Flyer, various
Albatros designs, Fokkers, de Havillands,
and the list goes on.
The catalog is a good information
source for aircraft of this era. These kits
aren’t cheap, but quality anything rarely is.
Contact Arizona Model Aircrafters at
Airpark Plaza, 14715 N. 78th Way Unit
600, Scottsdale AZ 85260; Tel.: (480) 348-
3733; Web site: www.arizonamodels.com.
Glenn Torrance Models also has a
variety of parts and kits for the World War
I-airplane modeler. Kit offerings include
the Fokker D.VIII and the Fokker Dr.I, and
the company stocks lozenge fabric, cowls,
132 MODEL AVIATION
MASTER
AIRSCREW
Windsor Propeller Co Inc
P.O. Box 250
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-0250
www.masterairscrew.com

Wide, undercambered blades
are lightweight & thin

In sizes for geared & direct
drive 400 to 600 motors
(6” through 13”)

550 Motor, gearbox,
folding prop &
motor mount
combination!

Available in 3
Ratios (2.5. 3.0 & 3.5)

Great value at $44.95
550 Electric
Flight Pack
Other Accessories

Direct Drive prop adaptor for
550 and 400 motor shafts

550 & 400 7.2 volt motors

Aluminum motor mount

Wide, thin undercambered
blades for superior performance

For electric flight only

In 8 sizes from 10” - 13” dia.
Electric Only Series
ELECTRIC FLIGHT
NOW MORE SIZES!
Electric Wood
Propellers
Celebrating 25 Years in R/C
Gearboxes for
400 & 550 motors

For
longer flight
times
& greater climb

Compact, lightweight
design

In 3 ratios: 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5:1

NOW FOR 400’S!
this era, including scratch-built models
and kit-built subjects. I can tell you from
experience that these aircraft are much
easier to photograph in the air than some
later types, unless the model isn’t balanced
just right or the wind is up, and the tail
skid is a toughie on the asphalt. Try one
for your next project—especially if you
have a grass runway nearby.
Upcoming Scale Events: The US Scale
Masters Championships, which will take
place September 24-28, will be held at the
US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
The Westerville Model Aeronautics
Association will be the host club. For
more information, contact Mike Barbee at
(614) 891-1643 or check out the Scale
Masters Web site at www.scalemasters.org.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA