RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Author / Contact
Stan Alexander 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville, TN 37211 E-mail: [email protected]
One of the often-neglected areas of a scale model is the cockpit. It’s the place where the full-scale pilot operates all controls and must check instruments, dials, gauges, and a multitude of items before even taking off.
Some scale models—especially larger ones—have complete cockpits; others include only a pilot bust and a dashboard; some simply have a pilot’s head glued on a piece of balsa across the fuselage midsection—not very realistic.
In sport-scale classes, the rules commonly state that the cockpit interior isn’t judged, which makes sense for stand-off scale. For those who build primarily for sport flying, cockpit detail is a matter of personal pride. An aircraft with a large greenhouse or canopy often begs for a complete cockpit and correctly segmented canopy sections that slide on a track.
In FAI F4C (RC Scale) competition, the cockpit is judged and expected to be realistic and complete. Some modelers go so far as to make foot pedals and a joystick operate the model’s control surfaces. Cockpit kits and pilot figures have been available for many years; Williams Bros. pilot busts have graced many models, as have other manufacturers and cottage-industry artists.
Pilot Figures — Blue Box Toys and Frank Tiano Enterprises
A new standard in pilot figures comes from Blue Box Toys. Currently produced in 1/6 scale, these figures will fit many 1/6- to 1/4-scale models. They are highly detailed military figures (no civilian types yet) with accurate uniforms and accessories.
Frank Tiano Enterprises carries a wide selection of these figures and other scale-model supplies:
- Frank Tiano Enterprises
3607 Ventura Drive E., Lakeland, FL 33811 Tel.: (863) 607-6611 Fax: (863) 607-6602 Web: www.franktiano.com
Example: US World War II fighter pilot (contents)
- Colt .45, magazine, and holster
- "Mae West" parachute with harness
- Crushed officer’s hat
- Sunglasses (Ray-Bans)
- Watch
- Knife and scabbard
- Cloth skull cap and goggles
- Parachute ripcord, oxygen mask, and line
- Clothing: buttoned shirt, gloves, khaki uniform, boots, standard military belt buckle, silver wings, officer’s necktie
Price: Approximately $39.99 each (check current pricing).
Blue Box Toys lines seen online:
- Aviator series (examples): George W. Bush; US Sabre pilot; MiG (Chinese) pilot; Japanese F-15 pilot; Apache pilot; F-15 US pilot; Blue Angels No. 5; Blue Angels No. 1.
- World War II series: about 32 figures including ground forces and pilots (e.g., US pilot, Japanese Army pilot, RAF fighter pilot, Luftwaffe fighter pilot, North African Luftwaffe pilot).
Customizing ideas:
- Dye uniforms (Rit cloth dye) to alter color.
- Modify noses, eye color, and face complexion to personalize figures.
- Small alterations to equipment can produce a wide variety of looks.
Other items available from Frank Tiano Enterprises:
- Dummy radial engines and turbine engines
- Cockpit kits
- M&M color-chip booklets
- Many other scale-model supplies
New Products
Dave Platt’s Black Art Series — The Kingfisher
Dave Platt’s Black Art Series has added a multi-part set on building a Vought Kingfisher. The series is a detailed, technique-rich walkthrough useful for any scale builder even if you don’t plan to build this exact subject.
Volume I (first of four parts)
- Compares scale drawings/three-views against a full-scale Vought Kingfisher at the USS North Carolina memorial.
- Builds the huge center float and shows fiberglassing the float.
- Demonstrates innovative uses for MonoKote (e.g., making seamless wing fillets).
- Shows construction of beaching gear and begins wing construction, including an internal fuel-tank design.
- Provides sources for materials and tools used.
Volume II
- Designs and constructs tip floats and begins fuselage construction.
- Details making molds for hubs and tires.
- Demonstrates fuselage techniques for a midwing design with an extended canopy.
- Uses materials such as G-10, Mylar, brass tubes, and Transparent Yellow MonoKote.
- Shows use of Squadron Green Putty and techniques for flap/aileron installation and hiding linkages.
- Includes building the full cockpit and integrating it into the design.
Additional notes:
- Dave isn’t selling plans for the Kingfisher, but the tapes/DVDs are packed with adaptable building techniques.
- The 1/6-scale Kingfisher shown at the Toledo R/C Expo is equipped with a pilot figure.
Pricing and ordering:
- Tapes/DVDs: $34.95 for the first installment, $30 for each subsequent volume (four in the series).
- Specify PAL for foreign orders if needed.
- Contact: Dave Platt Models, 1306 Havre NW, Palm Bay, FL 32907
Tel.: (321) 724-2144 E-mail: [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Mid-America Fun Scale Classic
- Dates: October 16–17 (year unspecified; check current schedule)
- Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee (club field hosted by Middle Point R/C Flyers)
- Details: Second-year event, low-key contest with a workshop and scale fly-in on Saturday. The event partners with the local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter to provide judges. Aimed at tutoring newer modelers in Fun Scale competition: planning and flying scale maneuvers, score sheets, and the AMA competition guide will be available. Instructors will help newcomers learn how to compete in scale events.
Contacts:
- Brent Robert: (615) 491-8507
- Anthony Hall: (615) 293-1887
- CD Tom Nelson: (615) 459-0543
- Web: www.mprcf.com
Bookshelf
JG 2 “Richthofen” by Krzysztof Janowicz (Kagerom; Polish and English)
- Available from Squadron. Good resource for plastic and flying modelers.
- Contains 16 color side views for Fw 190s (especially A-2 to A-4 variants) and two Me 109F versions.
- Includes striking squadron markings (e.g., squadron “R” and the Butcher Bird eagle). Squadron history and photo information included.
- 79 pages with an index for the 16 color views and RLM paint numbers; includes a couple of actual paint chips (RLM 65 and RLM 02) and their United States FS numbers (FS 35414 and FS 36165).
- Ordering: Squadron, Tel.: (972) 242-8663; Web: www.squadron.com
- Price (at time of listing): $16.97 plus shipping (check current catalog for availability and pricing).
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
