Radio Control Scale Stan Alexander
The many services available through AMA for the RC Scale modeler
I have received material regarding several finished Scale-model projects in the mail in the past few months, and in this column I’ll try to catch up with some photos and information about the aircraft.
Some modelers have said to me that AMA is no more than an insurance service for modelers. Oh, how wrong they are, and they probably wish they hadn’t started to go there with me.
AMA services and resources
The benefits AMA offers are myriad. One of my favorites is the Model Aviation Plans Service. You can find any plans that have been published since 1975, including all the Henry Haffke plans for the Gee Bee Model Y Sportster in 1/4 and 1/5 scale, the Model Z Super Sportster, the R-1 Super Sportster that Jimmy Doolittle flew in the 1931 Thompson Trophy Race, and Steve Sauger’s 1/4-scale Fairchild 24. There are plans for many beautiful models in that index. To access them, go to the AMA Web site—www.modelaircraft.org—and click on "Publications," "Model Aviation," and then "Available Plans." The plans are listed by year, and there’s a downloadable order form on the page.
The AMA Web site also has an extensive plans listing for all designers. I pulled up the page for "B," and there were 64 pages of plans. Under Blohm und Voss there are eight sets of plans in a variety of sizes for modelers who want something different, such as the Blohm und Voss Bv 141 that spans 54 inches. The Bv 141 is a unique scale model. The full-scale version was an observation aircraft that featured the engine in the centerline of the fuselage and the cockpit for the crew in a nacelle out on the wing. Blohm und Voss is also well known for its flying boats.
Another interesting feature is AMA’s "Focus on Competition" section, located near the back of Model Aviation each month. There you can find out who your district Scale representative is, as well as the name of each FAI Team Selection Committee chairman.
After you build your model, have it detailed to a point, and are satisfied that it flies well, you will probably want to take it to a Scale contest or fly-in. Following the competition directory is the "Contest Calendar" section, where you can find chronological listings for Scale and other competitions, fly-ins, and nonflying events.
Around Scale: Model projects
- Olen Rutherford — Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser
Olen looked at the plans for his Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser and began thinking about what to do with all the fuselage formers. He drew a reference line on the plans at the bottom of the fuselage, picked out three formers he wanted to use, transferred these to cardboard, and marked the centers of each one. He then measured from the reference line on the plans to the bottom of the former and marked this on the cardboard, squared the bottom of the former to this line, and cut the cardboard off at the line. Olen cut the former with all the cutouts, pinned them on the centerline in their correct places, slid the fuselage sides into their correct places, and started adding the crosspieces/formers. It all locked in place. When he got all the parts square and straight, he glued the structure.
The Piper is powered with an O.S. .70 four-stroke, and it has landing lights and navigation lights. It is built to 1/5 scale.
- Chauncey Dance — Fokker D.VII (80-inch span)
Chauncey Dance of New England finished and is now flying a beautiful 80-inch-span Fokker D.VII. It’s not a Balsa USA kit, but was constructed from plans that are available from Bob Holman Plans.
Chauncey powers the D.VII with a Saito 1.80 with onboard ignition. The model is covered with Glen Torrance linen and doped with satin-coated Stitts Aerothane. Chauncey built the cowling from a lost-foam method and vacuum-formed the louvers.
- Kevin Knebel — Boeing Stearman N2S-3
Kevin built his Boeing Stearman N2S-3 from an all-wood Flair kit. The model has Nelson Hobby Specialties Lite-Fab covering with Nelson urethane. The bright yellow U.S. Navy paint scheme sets off the details you can see in the photos. Notice the rivet and screw details.
The Saito 1.80 FS engine is mounted inverted to allow it to be as well hidden as possible. Kevin uses a Futaba 9C radio system with five servos to handle control of the 89-inch-span aircraft. The model features onboard glow and a smoke unit.
- New Sig WACO (ARF)
Sig Manufacturing Inc. has developed an ARF version of a WACO cabin biplane from the 1930s: the SRE. The full-scale versions were the businessmen’s luxury airplane of their time.
Features/specifications:
- Top wing span: 69.5 inches
- Suggested all-up weight: 9–10 pounds
- Covers: AeroKote (fabric covering) with a striking yellow-and-black paint scheme and white pinstripes
- Includes scale flaps and quick-release N struts
- Power options: various two- and four-stroke engines and electric motors; recommended electric motor is the FlyWare LRX 350-25
- Reported street price: $399
With the increase of electric-powered models, seeing ARF manufacturers include all the specifications for electric power is almost expected now.
Bookshelf
Some of the best publications in the world for Scale models come from Great Britain, and one of my favorites is Flying Scale Models. In it you will find great technical articles, scale documentation, three-view scale drawings, and photos with accompanying articles.
Through the years Model Activity Press has amassed a wealth of information about various aircraft types. Aircraft of WWII (Part I) is a total of 61 pages; it presents the history, detail photos, scale drawings, and color presentations for the Boeing Stearman PT-13 and PT-17, the Fairey Swordfish, the Ryan PT-22, the Vickers Supermarine Walrus, and the Westland Lysander.
The Boeing Stearman would be the most widely recognized aircraft by most of us. Color photos of G-AWLO are included, along with all specifications, 48 detail photos, and two pages of scale drawings. Other aircraft are similarly covered. Probably the least-known airplane in the card-stock series would be the Supermarine Walrus.
Aircraft of WWII (Part I) and other titles are available from Model Activity Press, 36–65 Woodside Rd., Amersham, Bucks, HP6 6AA, England. If you call the company at 011 1494-433433 or fax at 011 1494-434368, remember that Central European Time is eight hours ahead of us. The Web site is www.modelactivitypress.com.
The book retails for roughly $36, or 19.99 pounds including postage, with exchange rates that can change.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
