Radio Control Scale-2010/08

102 MODEL AVIATION
SELECTING A distinctive color scheme for any
Scale model can be a challenge, and the older the
airplane, the more challenging the project can be.
But that can also be a lot of the fun.
John Cole of Peoria, Arizona, had been
looking for a unique finish for his newest
creation: a Proctor Enterprises Curtiss Jenny. It’s
basically stock except for the color scheme, and
John added all of the scale rigging and cockpit interior that was
included with the kit.
He obtained a black-and-white photo by writing the Heddon
Tackle Co. about a promotional aircraft the company used in the
1920s. It employed the Jenny for advertising, flying in to large
fishing meets, delivering lures, and providing rides for
shop owners and customers.
John kept digging, looking for the
colors of the airplane to go along with
the black-and-white picture. The
large, scaly fish on the sides of the
aircraft were so unique that he
had to find the basis and colors
for the model.
Looking on eBay, he finally
found a paper/card-stock model
from that time frame. He was
under the impression that it was a
limited run, because it wasn’t
authorized by Heddon.
John picked up the small colored-paper
model and proceeded to paint and apply all of the
markings to scale. The result is a faithful reproduction of an
airplane that no longer exists.
Many World War II and World War I aircraft present the same
problem; there might be only one photo and nothing else to go on.
So do you guess?
Not if you’re willing to do more research,
such as looking at squadron histories and the
Internet. That’s how John found his colorful and
fishy Jenny.
The model has a wingspan of 87 inches and
weighs 91/2 pounds. It’s powered by an O.S.
70FS engine, which flies the airplane at a great
scale speed with enough power to give it
aerobatic capability.
John used Testors paint to achieve the multicolor scheme.
Under the finish is Coverite fabric.
Last month I wrote about WW I Scale models and some of the
different skill levels at which you can participate with them,
including dawn patrol Scale fly-ins and the opposite: the FAI Scale
World Championships. The former is a weekend fun-fly, and the
latter is serious competition in which national pride is on the line.
Also included in this column:
• Swiss Air Force museum
• One Eighth Air Force Spring Fly-In
Choose a unique color scheme for Scale
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Stan Alexander
Kent Walters and Howard Kennedy clown with the OEAF “crying
towels,” while the lucky recipients take possession of their new
treasures.
Right: Dual JetCat 120 turbines
power this 111-inch-span
Fairchild A-10 Warthog.
The all-composite model
features flaps, retracts,
ordnance, and opening
canopy.
Left: John Cole painted his
beautiful and unique Proctor
Curtiss JN-4D Jenny in
Heddon Tackle promotionalaircraft
colors.
Right: Austin Goodwin
pilots his Fairchild PT-
19 in for a touch-and-go;
flaps are fully deployed.
This is a discontinued
Hangar 9 ARF. (I’m hoping
for its return.)
08sig4x.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/24/10 1:40 PM Page 102
I’ve been accused of working modeling into those trips. We’ve
always enjoyed the Southwest and the differences in terrain,
sunsets, and all that other stuff.
I like going for the flying sites, aeromodeling, aviation
museums, and the airplane graveyard in Tucson, Arizona.
There’s also a great museum there, but we didn’t make it there
the last time; I must be slipping.
A Scale fly-in is different from a Scale contest; several to
many aeromodelers enter the former but not with their prize
creations. You will see pilots tearing up the skies with warbirds
at every opportunity.
Fly-ins have many of the same characteristics as Scale
contests, but the participants can usually choose when to fly.
The amount of flying one does is also up to him or her.
Hosting Scale fly-ins is routine for members of the One
Eighth Air Force (OEAF), which is based in Phoenix, Arizona.
They have been doing it for quite a few years.
I asked one leader member of the club, Al Casey, if there are
rules at these events, and he said, “We don’t need no stinking
rules!” Just kidding. (From a past F-Troop newsletter.) He said
that the only enforced rules are those involving safety. Many
think that is the only way to go.
The weather in the Phoenix area in mid-March is, well,
wonderful! My wife, Esther, and I were there for a week, and the
temperatures were in the upper 60s to mid-70s, with humidity at
less than 65% the whole time. They don’t call it the “Valley of
the Sun” for nothing.
The event site, Superstition Airpark, is east of Mesa,
Arizona, off of Highway 60, where Saguaro cactus are around in
great abundance. They are protected by law in Arizona.
Covered pit areas, electric hookups for charging, and a good
parking area where you can back up your portable hangar is
standard at this venue. The runway is a paved 80 x 800-foot strip
running east to west. While flying, you face north—away from
the sun all day. It’s perfect.
How does the OEAF entice aeromodelers to bring everything
from ARFs to museum-quality Scale models to its fly-ins?
“We’ll treat you nice in so many different ways, you’re bound to like at least one of 'em" claimed Al.
I’ve been accused of working modeling into those trips. We’ve
always enjoyed the Southwest and the differences in terrain,
sunsets, and all that other stuff.
I like going for the flying sites, aeromodeling, aviation
museums, and the airplane graveyard in Tucson, Arizona.
There’s also a great museum there, but we didn’t make it there
the last time; I must be slipping.
A Scale fly-in is different from a Scale contest; several to
many aeromodelers enter the former but not with their prize
creations. You will see pilots tearing up the skies with warbirds
at every opportunity.
Fly-ins have many of the same characteristics as Scale
contests, but the participants can usually choose when to fly.
The amount of flying one does is also up to him or her.
Hosting Scale fly-ins is routine for members of the One
Eighth Air Force (OEAF), which is based in Phoenix, Arizona.
They have been doing it for quite a few years.
I asked one leader member of the club, Al Casey, if there are
rules at these events, and he said, “We don’t need no stinking
rules!” Just kidding. (From a past F-Troop newsletter.) He said
that the only enforced rules are those involving safety. Many
think that is the only way to go.
The weather in the Phoenix area in mid-March is, well,
wonderful! My wife, Esther, and I were there for a week, and the
temperatures were in the upper 60s to mid-70s, with humidity at
less than 65% the whole time. They don’t call it the “Valley of
the Sun” for nothing.
The event site, Superstition Airpark, is east of Mesa,
Arizona, off of Highway 60, where Saguaro cactus are around in
great abundance. They are protected by law in Arizona.
Covered pit areas, electric hookups for charging, and a good
parking area where you can back up your portable hangar is
standard at this venue. The runway is a paved 80 x 800-foot strip
running east to west. While flying, you face north—away from
the sun all day. It’s perfect.
How does the OEAF entice aeromodelers to bring everything
from ARFs to museum-quality Scale models to its fly-ins?
“We’ll treat you nice in so many different ways, you’re