Radio Control Scale
Stan Alexander [[email protected]]
Christmas is around the corner
WOW! Almost Christmastime already? It’s hard to believe that another year is almost gone. This means it’s time to make those Christmas lists of the scale goodies you want from Mr. Claus. Thoughts and suggestions to my better half usually bring great results, and I enjoy those gift certificates to the local hobby shop here in Smyrna, Tennessee. We should all patronize our local hobby stores whenever possible.
You can request engines, electronics, field equipment, or a new canopy for contests and fly-ins; the list of hobby supplies is almost endless. Leaving a catalog open or making a list and checking it twice is a good idea. Good luck, and I hope all of you have been good this year.
Piper PA-11
I’ve spent most of the month since I wrote the November column working on the Cub’s wing. The full-scale aircraft has metal strips on both sides of the upper wing to cover the joints at the fuselage. It also has metal covering for the fuel tank in the port wing panel.
One of the great products in my shop is Flite-Metal, which is excellent for making hatch covers, nonstressed panels, and many details. This sticky-backed aluminum tape is easy to cut and work with. Some modelers cover entire airframes with it. To use Flite-Metal, measure the area you need to cover. Use a straightedge and a hobby knife to cut the appropriately sized panel. Make sure there are no wrinkles in the section you are cutting.
With your first order of Flite-Metal, you can purchase the burnishing tools that help make the material lay down over whatever surface you choose. If you decide to cover an entire airframe, make sure to adhere the material from back to front and bottom to top for the best results.
One thing I quickly learned is that Flite-Metal doesn’t like open bay areas, such as those you find on many World War I and civil airplanes. You can overcome that with practice.
If you need to remove the covering once it is stuck to a painted surface, you will need to pry it off—but it can be done. I was concerned that the Nelson paint would come off with the aluminum tape, but it didn’t. Once that paint is on the model, it stays there, no matter how hard you pull or tug the tape. That’s good for both products!
Once you have cut your panel, carefully lay it on the wing and work slowly to avoid wrinkles. On the open panel, I started from the middle and worked my way out. By the second time I tried that method, it seemed to work well. Once I added the panel, I put pressure on the covered areas to adhere it to the airframe. It’s time to add more scale details to the PA-11, and soon it will be ready to fly.
Obtaining wing struts from Hobby Lobby didn’t work out, since they have been out of stock for some time. I had enough to make two struts but needed four. To improvise, I went to the local hobby shop and bought airfoil-shaped aluminum tubing that was close to the correct size. I measured it to the length I needed, crimped one end, and drilled a hole for the attachment screw. This piece will have to be bent, but you can see where you need to attach it through the fabric if you marked the lower wing.
After installing the struts, you can make the jury struts from plastic tubing. It's a good idea to add a bit of masking tape to the bottom of each strut mounting point to reduce the amount of chafing the fabric can suffer from the aluminum.
Around Scale
As I write this, the 2009 AMA Nationals is in the books. As I wrote in the last column, there is a new RC Scale National Champion: Dennis Crooks. He has competed in the Nationals several times and in many other contests. Dennis has been involved in scale modeling for as long as I can remember.
I was disturbed by the continued lack of entrants in Sportsman Scale and the other "feeder" classes. Modelers learn the basics in those classes and then go on to Expert, Designer, and FAI categories.
Scale competition has been changing for years and continues to do so. In the 1960s, scale aircraft went RC and the door was opened to progress with regards to radio systems, servos, engines, and many other technological advancements we've seen in the discipline.
Ducted fans came out strong in the 1980s, and turbines did so shortly thereafter. Several manufacturers led the way with designs that were, in many cases, powered by propane. Now most of those models run on regular jet aircraft fuel, just as full-scale aircraft do. The latest big change seems to be the switch from engines to electric power.
The ARFs also came along, and there has been a proliferation of competition classes designed for them. But with the increase of ARFs at contests, we are seeing a huge lack of kit- and scratch-built airplanes in scale competition. This isn't only at the Nationals, but also seems to be the case at many other U.S. scale events.
How do we increase scale competition participation? With fly‑ins and workshops? A combination of contests and fly‑ins, or working with a buddy to teach him or her how to construct and fly models? All of the preceding?
What's your idea? Let me know.
Scale Soaring
In reading several European magazines, I’ve become intrigued by scale soaring and the built-up models featured in Flying Scale Models magazine. Aerotow events and slope soaring are only a couple of the events I’ve seen in recent months.
Many of the sailplanes in those classes span more than 140 inches and are built up, while others are what we could classify as ARFs. Designs such as the Bergfalke, the ASK series, and the Mü line are just a few that are available as plans.
Bookshelf
JG 27: Vol. IV (ISBN 83-60445-12-5), published by Kagero of Poland, was written by Marek J. Murawski. Squadron imports the 121-page book.
This volume is the fourth in a series about the different time periods of the JG 27 Luftwaffe squadron in World War II. It covers the pilots, the aircraft, and the conditions in which they operated. If you are interested in Bf 109s—especially the F and G models—this book is a good source of documentation and interesting history.
The cover features a painting of Red 13, piloted by Heinrich Bartels with 22./JG 27, which is a Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6. The same aircraft is shown on the back cover, with both left- and right-side views.
One view shows the aircraft in flight with the gear retracted and the external fuel tank, while the right-side view depicts the airplane sitting on the gear without the external tank. This book contains four other color profiles of different aircraft.
JG 27 begins in September 1942, with one of Germany’s top aces—Hans-Joachim Marseille—and his final combat and death. Many other aces from this era of operations are included.
There are few unique photos in this volume. Many of the book’s pictures are often-printed photographs from archives. The only image of Marseille’s 109 is that of the rudder, showing the kill markings. At least one photo of the airframe should have been included.
Regardless, the artwork is excellent. Decals are provided for different aircraft, and they could be enlarged for individual use. From a modeling standpoint, I would have liked to see larger pictures and more color side panels of those photos.
Merry Christmas! Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Sources
- Flite-Metal:
Ed Clayman 16115 Espinosa Dr. Houston, TX 77083 www.flitemetal.com
- Flying Scale Models:
- RC Scale sailplanes:
Composite Scale Models www.compositescalemodels.com
- Squadron:
(877) 414-0434 www.squadron.com
- Upcoming scale contests, scale-related information:
National Association of Scale Aeromodelers www.nasascale.org
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
