RADIO CONTROL SCALE
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. He or she has to check all of the instruments, dials, gauges, and a multitude of other items before even taking off. Some scale models—especially larger ones—have complete cockpits; others include only the pilot bust and a dashboard; and some just have a pilot’s head stuck on a piece of balsa glued across the fuselage midsection—not very realistic.
In all Sport Scale classes, the rules clearly state that the cockpit interior isn’t judged, which makes sense for stand-off scale. For those who build only for sport flying, cockpit detail is an issue of personal pride in the aircraft you’ve built. Although the model isn’t judged for the cockpit, an aircraft with a large greenhouse or canopy begs to have a complete cockpit as well as the segmented glass sections that slide on a track.
In FAI F4C (RC Scale) competition, the cockpit is judged and is expected to be realistic and complete. Some modelers in this class will go to the effort of making the foot pedals and joystick operate with the control surfaces.
Cockpit kits have been available for many years, as have pilot figures. The Williams Bros. pilot busts have graced many scale models and still do today. Other manufacturers and cottage-industry artists also make pilots. A new standard in pilot figures comes from Blue Box Toys; they currently produce highly detailed military figures (no civilian types yet) in roughly 1/6- to 1/4-scale.
Available in the U.S. from Frank Tiano Enterprises:
- Frank Tiano Enterprises, 3607 Ventura Drive E., Lakeland FL 33811
- Tel.: (863) 607-6611; Fax: (863) 607-6602
- Web site: www.franktiano.com
To give you an idea of what these figures include, the U.S. World War II fighter pilot contains:
- Colt .45, magazine, and holster
- "Mae West" parachute with harness and parachute ripcord/line
- Crushed officer’s hat, sunglasses (Ray-Bans), watch
- Knife and scabbard, cloth skull cap, goggles, oxygen mask
The figure’s clothing and insignia include:
- Buttoned shirt, gloves, khaki uniform, boots
- Standard military belt buckle, silver wings, officer’s necktie
It’s unbelievable how much detail has been incorporated into these pilots, and they’re available for about $39.99 each.
Blue Box Toys lines seen at www.blueboxtoys.com include:
- Aviator series:
- George W. Bush
- U.S. Sabre pilot
- MiG (Chinese) pilot
- Japanese F-15 pilot
- Apache pilot
- F-15 U.S. pilot
- Blue Angels No. 5
- Blue Angels No. 1
- World War II series (32 figures):
- Includes ground forces and various national pilots
- Of particular interest: U.S. pilot, Japanese Army pilot, Royal Air Force fighter pilot, Luftwaffe fighter pilot, North African Luftwaffe pilot
You can personalize these figures by altering uniform colors (Rit cloth dye works), changing equipment, re-painting the face, or modifying eye color and complexion.
Frank Tiano Enterprises has these pilots in stock. Check the Web site for pilot figures, dummy radial engines, turbine engines, cockpit kits, M&M color-chip booklets, and other scale-modeling items.
New Products
Dave Platt’s Black Art Series has added a multi-part set on the Vought Kingfisher.
Volume I highlights:
- Checking scale drawings/three-views against a full-scale Kingfisher at the USS North Carolina memorial
- Building the huge center float and fiberglassing it
- Innovative uses of MonoKote (e.g., making wing fillets and near-invisible seams)
- Beaching gear construction techniques
- Starting the wing construction and incorporating fuel tanks in the wing
Volume II highlights:
- Designing and constructing the tip floats and beginning fuselage construction
- Making molds for hubs and tires
- Fuselage techniques for the Kingfisher’s midwing design and extended canopy
- Construction tips using G-10, Mylar, brass tubes, and Transparent Yellow MonoKote
- Unique uses for Squadron Green Putty
- Flap and aileron installation, hiding linkages, and integrating a full cockpit
Dave isn’t selling plans for the Kingfisher, but the Black Art Series tapes/DVDs are a rich source of adaptable building techniques for many scale models.
Tapes/DVD pricing:
- $34.95 for the first installment; $30.00 each for subsequent volumes
- Four tapes in the Kingfisher series
- For foreign orders, specify PAL if needed
Order/Info:
- 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
- When: October 16–17
- Where: Murfreesboro, Tennessee (club field)
- Host: Middle Point R/C Flyers (second-year event)
- Partners: Local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter (providing judges)
- Format: Low-key contest with a workshop and scale fly-in on Saturday
- Workshop topics: planning and flying scale maneuvers, score sheets, AMA competition guide
- Instructors available to help newcomers learn fun scale competition
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 publication available from Squadron
- 79 pages, includes 16 color side views for modelers (mainly Fw 190 A-2 to A-4 variants and two Me 109F versions)
- Includes squadron history, pilot info, and striking markings (squadron "R" and Butcher Bird eagle)
- Index with RLM numbers for paint used; includes two actual paint chips (RLM 65 and RLM 02) and their U.S. FS equivalents (FS 35414 and FS 36165)
- Price (current sale): $16.97 plus shipping
Order/Info:
- Squadron: (972) 242-8663; Web: www.squadron.com
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
