A great scale ARF is the Hangar 9 Hellcat.
The model has a three-tone paint scheme in
UltraCote with the number 13 on the rudder
and all of the national markings. On first
inspection, I thought the national markings on
the fuselage side were too large. But upon
checking the Squadron Signal booklet on the
Hellcat, I found they were correct in
placement, size, and color. I was impressed.
Take that booklet to the contest with a tab on
the center page and you have all the
documentation you need!
Great Planes did a nice job on its Super
Stearman. I researched the N-number on the
FAA website and found that the 450hp
Stearman, trimmed in red and white, is
registered in Illinois. Writing to the owner can
glean photos of the full-scale model too,
which is what happened with my Stearman. I
received flight shots, static shots, etc.—great
stuff for entering Fun Scale. The model is still
available, and is one of the longest-produced
ARFs in that line of models.
Many of us would love to see a ¼-scale
PT-19 from somebody out there.
Have you seen any models with an
incorrect color scheme or wrong N-numbers?
106 MODEL AVIATION
What is the difference between a scale ARF and an ARF?
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Stan Alexander
FOR MANY YEARS, the model airplane
industry has flooded us with ARFs and we
have greedily bought them. This has been
great for many, especially when they are scale
ARFs. But when is a scale ARF not a scale
model?
There will be much debate on this question
I’m sure—both pros and cons—but why ask
the question at all?
A scale model is a model of anything full
size. In our case, a scale model is a small
replica of a full-scale airplane. It has the same
paint scheme, markings, number of windows,
and wheels. The scale model also has the
FAA N-number for registration. This can be a
huge sticking point for scale models
competing in Scale contests across the
country—either in AMA Fun Scale Novice or
in Open Scale in the Masters class.
Manufacturers sometimes have complete
and accurate scale kits, but the markings or
colors on the ARF are incorrect. The level of
excellent construction and finish put into
many of today’s ARFs is amazing; however,
some fail when it comes to finishing by
having the incorrect color and/or FAA Nnumber.
It’s a shame to invest all the research, time,
and development into an ARF, and then blow
it by goofing up the N-number and/or the
paint scheme.
Around Scale: Unique subjects are part of
what scale modeling is all about. While at the
Mint Julep Scale Meet in Kentucky this past
spring, I saw two longtime competitors in
Scale: Hal Parenti and his son, Gary. For
many years, Hal worked for Top Flite models
and designed the company’s 60-size Zero kit
and several others. Hal has been a member of
the US FAI F4C Scale Team for several
years, and has been named Nats Scale
Champion.
One of Hal’s unique skills is choosing a
difficult subject and building it from
scratch—not from someone else’s plans.
When you build from scratch, you take scale
drawings, draw the plans, cut the wood, and
put all of the pieces together. You engineer
the mechanical and technical aspects of the
model before you start.
This month’s model is the Ryan Fireball.
This 72-inch-span model is powered by a YS
1.2 FS engine. A unique feature of the full-
The Cessna L-19 Bird Dog is displayed by Wendell Hostetler’s
granddaughter.
Above: Father and son, Gary (L) and Hal
Parenti, team up as caller and pilot and
encourage each other’s building.
Left: Note the details on Hal Parenti’s
Ryan Fireball that’s making its final flight.
Also included in this column:
• Hal Parenti’s Ryan Fireball
• Cessna L-19 Bird Dog
• Dawn Patrol
• National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
09sig4.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 7/22/11 11:40 AM Page 106
September 2011 107
scale aircraft is that it is powered by jet and
piston engines. It was used briefly in the
1950s by the U.S. Navy when there were
problems with jet engines not producing
enough thrust to get them safely off of
carriers. Hal’s Fireball has retracts, flaps,
navigation, and landing lights, as well as drop
tanks, brakes, and an operational arresting
hook. This model also has various operational
gear doors, etc.
Hal flies his Fireball with an Airtronics
2.4 GHz system, and the model is finished
with ¾-inch fiberglass over balsa and
plywood. The more you look at the model,
the more details pop out at you. Panel lines,
operational canopy, inner gear doors—if it’s
there, it works. The exhaust exits the model in
the same place the jet engine exhaust would
in the full-scale.
New Products: The Cessna L-19 Bird Dog
by Wendell Hostetler Plans will arrive at your
home in a 48-inch sealed tube that contains all
of the plans as well as a bill of materials to
build Wendell’s latest design. Having the
correct amount of wood for the model is
helpful for first-time plans builders.
The L-19 Bird Dog came about in the
same fashion as many observation/utility
aircraft from World War II and later. A
modified civilian model was added to the
military roster. In the case of the Bird Dog,
Cessna morphed the 170 model into the L-19.
Changes in the cockpit, cowling, and
increasing the engine size to the 213 hp
Continental, made the new L-19 look
somewhat similar. However, unless you saw
the two side by side, the resemblance wasn’t
that noticeable.
The L-19 served in most North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) operations from
the 1950s through the 1970s. The L-19 served
in a variety of roles in the military, such as
forward spotter aircraft, air ambulance,
instrument trainer, and as a glider tug.
This is the type of model you could have a
lot of fun with, especially at the size these
plans are drawn to. The wingspan is 116.64
inches, length is 81 inches, and power is listed
as a 38-62cc gas engine.
The construction is simple. This is a good
place to start for a first-time scale builder who
wants a slight challenge. The model can be
flown just for fun and sport flying, and details
and a scale paint scheme for fly-ins or
competition could be added later.
The catalog has more than 45 designs for
everything from the 1930s to today. Bucker
Jungmeister, Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Art
Chester’s Jeep, Curtiss Hawk P-6E, champion
aircraft Super Decathlon, Fairchild PT-19,
Gee Bee R-2, and L-17 Navion, are just a few
included in the catalog.
Upcoming Events: This year’s Dawn
Patrol will take place August 12-14 at the
Henry Estate Winery in Umpqua, Oregon.
The site is one of the most beautiful ones
I’ve seen (at least in photos), and the grass
looks smooth. It’s a great setting for a
period event such as this. What could be
better than mild weather, a nice field, good
food, friends, and World War I models?
On the Web: If you haven’t been to the
National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
(NASA) website in a while, check it out. The
site is back up to its normal high standards.
There is information about upcoming events,
documentation, the next World
Championships, past events, and
downloadable score sheets for all AMA RC
and CL Scale competitions.
You can join this SIG. It’s a great resource
for all Scale modelers and a reat place to
connect with others who are infected by the
same illness as the rest of us (just kidding)!
I’ve never known a modeler who didn’t like
full-scale airplanes, etc. Now, there are
YouTube videos on the website, and it keeps
growing. Check it out! MA
Sources:
Wendell Hostetler’s Plans
330-682-8896
www.hostetlersplans.com
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Dawn Patrol at Henry Estate Winery
Bruce Harlow, CD
(541) 863-1920
[email protected]
Henry Estate Winery
www.henryestate.com
Right: The full-scale Super
Stearman, shown here with
airshow smoke on, is a
great Scale option.
Below: The full-scale and
model Super Stearman
look nearly identical. The
manufacturer did a great
job on the research.
Left: The Hangar 9
Hellcat caught in flight.
Documentation includes
a color drawing in the
Squadron Signal
publication.
09sig4.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 7/22/11 11:40 AM Page 107
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/09
Page Numbers: 106,107
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/09
Page Numbers: 106,107
A great scale ARF is the Hangar 9 Hellcat.
The model has a three-tone paint scheme in
UltraCote with the number 13 on the rudder
and all of the national markings. On first
inspection, I thought the national markings on
the fuselage side were too large. But upon
checking the Squadron Signal booklet on the
Hellcat, I found they were correct in
placement, size, and color. I was impressed.
Take that booklet to the contest with a tab on
the center page and you have all the
documentation you need!
Great Planes did a nice job on its Super
Stearman. I researched the N-number on the
FAA website and found that the 450hp
Stearman, trimmed in red and white, is
registered in Illinois. Writing to the owner can
glean photos of the full-scale model too,
which is what happened with my Stearman. I
received flight shots, static shots, etc.—great
stuff for entering Fun Scale. The model is still
available, and is one of the longest-produced
ARFs in that line of models.
Many of us would love to see a ¼-scale
PT-19 from somebody out there.
Have you seen any models with an
incorrect color scheme or wrong N-numbers?
106 MODEL AVIATION
What is the difference between a scale ARF and an ARF?
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Stan Alexander
FOR MANY YEARS, the model airplane
industry has flooded us with ARFs and we
have greedily bought them. This has been
great for many, especially when they are scale
ARFs. But when is a scale ARF not a scale
model?
There will be much debate on this question
I’m sure—both pros and cons—but why ask
the question at all?
A scale model is a model of anything full
size. In our case, a scale model is a small
replica of a full-scale airplane. It has the same
paint scheme, markings, number of windows,
and wheels. The scale model also has the
FAA N-number for registration. This can be a
huge sticking point for scale models
competing in Scale contests across the
country—either in AMA Fun Scale Novice or
in Open Scale in the Masters class.
Manufacturers sometimes have complete
and accurate scale kits, but the markings or
colors on the ARF are incorrect. The level of
excellent construction and finish put into
many of today’s ARFs is amazing; however,
some fail when it comes to finishing by
having the incorrect color and/or FAA Nnumber.
It’s a shame to invest all the research, time,
and development into an ARF, and then blow
it by goofing up the N-number and/or the
paint scheme.
Around Scale: Unique subjects are part of
what scale modeling is all about. While at the
Mint Julep Scale Meet in Kentucky this past
spring, I saw two longtime competitors in
Scale: Hal Parenti and his son, Gary. For
many years, Hal worked for Top Flite models
and designed the company’s 60-size Zero kit
and several others. Hal has been a member of
the US FAI F4C Scale Team for several
years, and has been named Nats Scale
Champion.
One of Hal’s unique skills is choosing a
difficult subject and building it from
scratch—not from someone else’s plans.
When you build from scratch, you take scale
drawings, draw the plans, cut the wood, and
put all of the pieces together. You engineer
the mechanical and technical aspects of the
model before you start.
This month’s model is the Ryan Fireball.
This 72-inch-span model is powered by a YS
1.2 FS engine. A unique feature of the full-
The Cessna L-19 Bird Dog is displayed by Wendell Hostetler’s
granddaughter.
Above: Father and son, Gary (L) and Hal
Parenti, team up as caller and pilot and
encourage each other’s building.
Left: Note the details on Hal Parenti’s
Ryan Fireball that’s making its final flight.
Also included in this column:
• Hal Parenti’s Ryan Fireball
• Cessna L-19 Bird Dog
• Dawn Patrol
• National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
09sig4.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 7/22/11 11:40 AM Page 106
September 2011 107
scale aircraft is that it is powered by jet and
piston engines. It was used briefly in the
1950s by the U.S. Navy when there were
problems with jet engines not producing
enough thrust to get them safely off of
carriers. Hal’s Fireball has retracts, flaps,
navigation, and landing lights, as well as drop
tanks, brakes, and an operational arresting
hook. This model also has various operational
gear doors, etc.
Hal flies his Fireball with an Airtronics
2.4 GHz system, and the model is finished
with ¾-inch fiberglass over balsa and
plywood. The more you look at the model,
the more details pop out at you. Panel lines,
operational canopy, inner gear doors—if it’s
there, it works. The exhaust exits the model in
the same place the jet engine exhaust would
in the full-scale.
New Products: The Cessna L-19 Bird Dog
by Wendell Hostetler Plans will arrive at your
home in a 48-inch sealed tube that contains all
of the plans as well as a bill of materials to
build Wendell’s latest design. Having the
correct amount of wood for the model is
helpful for first-time plans builders.
The L-19 Bird Dog came about in the
same fashion as many observation/utility
aircraft from World War II and later. A
modified civilian model was added to the
military roster. In the case of the Bird Dog,
Cessna morphed the 170 model into the L-19.
Changes in the cockpit, cowling, and
increasing the engine size to the 213 hp
Continental, made the new L-19 look
somewhat similar. However, unless you saw
the two side by side, the resemblance wasn’t
that noticeable.
The L-19 served in most North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) operations from
the 1950s through the 1970s. The L-19 served
in a variety of roles in the military, such as
forward spotter aircraft, air ambulance,
instrument trainer, and as a glider tug.
This is the type of model you could have a
lot of fun with, especially at the size these
plans are drawn to. The wingspan is 116.64
inches, length is 81 inches, and power is listed
as a 38-62cc gas engine.
The construction is simple. This is a good
place to start for a first-time scale builder who
wants a slight challenge. The model can be
flown just for fun and sport flying, and details
and a scale paint scheme for fly-ins or
competition could be added later.
The catalog has more than 45 designs for
everything from the 1930s to today. Bucker
Jungmeister, Cessna 172 Skyhawk, Art
Chester’s Jeep, Curtiss Hawk P-6E, champion
aircraft Super Decathlon, Fairchild PT-19,
Gee Bee R-2, and L-17 Navion, are just a few
included in the catalog.
Upcoming Events: This year’s Dawn
Patrol will take place August 12-14 at the
Henry Estate Winery in Umpqua, Oregon.
The site is one of the most beautiful ones
I’ve seen (at least in photos), and the grass
looks smooth. It’s a great setting for a
period event such as this. What could be
better than mild weather, a nice field, good
food, friends, and World War I models?
On the Web: If you haven’t been to the
National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
(NASA) website in a while, check it out. The
site is back up to its normal high standards.
There is information about upcoming events,
documentation, the next World
Championships, past events, and
downloadable score sheets for all AMA RC
and CL Scale competitions.
You can join this SIG. It’s a great resource
for all Scale modelers and a reat place to
connect with others who are infected by the
same illness as the rest of us (just kidding)!
I’ve never known a modeler who didn’t like
full-scale airplanes, etc. Now, there are
YouTube videos on the website, and it keeps
growing. Check it out! MA
Sources:
Wendell Hostetler’s Plans
330-682-8896
www.hostetlersplans.com
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Dawn Patrol at Henry Estate Winery
Bruce Harlow, CD
(541) 863-1920
[email protected]
Henry Estate Winery
www.henryestate.com
Right: The full-scale Super
Stearman, shown here with
airshow smoke on, is a
great Scale option.
Below: The full-scale and
model Super Stearman
look nearly identical. The
manufacturer did a great
job on the research.
Left: The Hangar 9
Hellcat caught in flight.
Documentation includes
a color drawing in the
Squadron Signal
publication.
09sig4.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 7/22/11 11:40 AM Page 107