RC Giants
THIS LAST in a series of columns covering the Giant Scale events I attended during the 2001 season in the Northeast is about the Long Island Skyhawks Giant Scale Fun-Fly, held September 22.
The Long Island Skyhawks is a club dedicated solely to Radio Control (RC) Giants. Whether it is sport, Scale, or aerobatic, the requirement that the model aircraft be IMAA (International Miniature Aircraft Association)-legal is strictly adhered to.
The club has a membership cap of 50 and has some of the best-known modelers in the country within its ranks. Four Skyhawks members are Top Gun participants. The other members are gifted modelers. There's no shortage of talent in this club.
The club's field is located in Eastport, Long Island NY, which is toward the eastern end of the island, and it comprises a perfectly smooth 900 x 250-foot grass strip that is surrounded on either end by at least another 1,000 feet of sod.
It is the finest RC field at which I have had the opportunity to fly!
September 22 was a perfect day for flying; it was sunny, in the mid 70s, with a gentle breeze. There were 41 registered pilots, with a total of 54 models. There were some fine aircraft in attendance.
Present was a trio of Vailly Aviation British thoroughbred fighters. Robert Vandermeulen of Wallkill NY had his Hawker Sea Fury powered by a Quadra 75. Roy Vaillancourt had his Hawker Typhoon, weighing in at 47 pounds and powered by a Quadra 75, and Bob Breen of Sullivan County NY had a Hawker Hurricane powered by a Quadra 52.
Those are just three of Vailly Aviation's nice subjects. For more information about Vailly products, write to Roy at 18 Oakdale Ave., Farmingville NY 11738-2828 or call him at (631) 732-4715 after 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. You can also visit the Web site at www.vaillyaviation.com.
Ron Weiss of Huntington NY brought a very nice 1/3-scale Balsa USA Fly Baby biplane.
The Fly Baby is actually a scale model of the full-scale aircraft. It was originally designed by Pete M. Bowers in 1960 to compete in the first, and so far only, EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) design competition.
The Fly Baby was predominantly built from wood with fabric covering, and it was designed to be powered by engines ranging from 65 to 100 horsepower. Performance was sprightly — a bit better than that of an Aeronca Champ.
The Fly Baby could also be built as a biplane. The monoplane wing panels are replaced by four smaller ones and a center-section for the top wing. The aircraft can be switched back and forth between versions in roughly one hour with the assistance of a helper.
The 1/3-scale model is a great entry-level RC Giant with superb flying qualities. Those 80-inch-span, flat-bottom-airfoil wings create huge amounts of lift and allow for some really gentle, slow landings.
I have seen the Fly Baby powered by gas engines that range from the Zenoah G-38 up to the powerful Zenoah G-62. The Fly Baby will surely be a real crowd pleaser with your favorite engine too.
Bill Hoffman of Port Jefferson Station NY had his pristine 1/3-scale Concept Models Fleet biplane powered by the ubiquitous Zenoah G-38.
Bill’s model was covered with Solartex, and it was finished in K&B epoxy paint on the fuselage and lacquer paint on the wings.
Solartex is an excellent fabric covering material that is easy to use and accepts a variety of paints. It comes in two-meter and five-meter rolls and is manufactured in England. Balsa USA and Hobby Shack sell Solartex.
In 1928, Reuben Fleet—founder, president, and major stockholder of the Consolidated Aircraft Company—made the decision to enter the civilian aircraft market with a much-needed trainer.
The new biplane was named the Husky Junior and was designed for a neutral stability to purposely produce better pilot and instructor ability to perform maneuvers. According to Reuben, it was "the greatest trainer ever built."
After some difficulties with Consolidated about government purchases of the aircraft, Reuben paid Consolidated the full development costs of the Husky Junior and started a new company: The Fleet Aircraft Company.
The Husky Junior was appropriately renamed the Fleet, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Gerry Tarrish of New Milford CT, senior technical editor for Model Aviation, is an exceptional modeler and good friend, attended with his Great Planes Ryan STA Special Almost Ready to Fly.
The Ryan is powered with an Enya 120, and it flew great with Gerry’s expert piloting skills.
If you think there is an unmistakable resemblance between Gerry and his model’s pilot, you are correct. Gerry hasn’t sized a mini-me, and there isn’t an ongoing experiment in cloning going on at the MA offices; this is the work of Crazypilots.com.
The company can immortalize you in miniature. All you need to supply are photos of yourself with front and side views. If you are interested in having a miniature you, visit the Website at http://crazypilots.com.
Veteran Skywriter member and popular warbird-event promoter Tom Wenzel brought his Zirdel Skyraider. As did all the Zirdel designs, this one flew great right off the board. Tom powers the Skyraider with an FPE-100.
The Skyraider AD I and later years are well-known for their use in the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War.
However, the design goes back to World War II, with the Navy’s requirement for a new dive-bomber/torpedo aircraft to meet its changing tactical and operational requirements.
Ed Heinemann, chief engineer at Douglas, was so unimpressed with his XBTD-1 series that was built to Navy specs, he redesigned the aircraft. He wed a new single-seat attack aircraft—was simpler and lighter. Although it was too late to serve in WWII, the Douglas Skyraider made history in later conflicts.
Yuri Higurshi of Uniondale NY flew his gorgeous 48%-scale Extra 330 in an aerobatics performance that was absolutely stunning. He powers the Extra with a Desert Aircraft DA-150 twin. The model spans 133 inches, and Yuri finished it expertly with MonoKote® coverings.
Yuri had recently attended the Joe Lovato Aerobatics Masters and placed first in Freestyle. His Torque Rolls, Rolling Circles, and other maneuvers were performed just inches from the ground at times. Sometimes Yuri’s model acted more like a helicopter than an airplane.
At the end of Yuri’s performance, he was given a rousing round of applause from the audience. I wish him all the best in his future competitions.
As in the past, those in attendance spent a wonderful day full of RC flying. All the funds raised during this event were forwarded through the HSBC Bank, which matched the funds, and donated to the American Red Cross in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Thanks to our hosts, and I look forward to the next opportunity to fly with others at that beautiful field.
Husky Rush: I love to build and fly RC Giant-Scale model aircraft. I especially enjoy modeling those rare or unusual types. When I finish a model, I take the opportunity to sit back and admire the wonderful creation I have labored so long to complete.
Now the fun starts. I am a graduate of Stogo II. When I attempt to move my new model from the house to the car and then to the flying field, I seem to bump into every door jam, pillar, post, ceiling, floor, railing, etc.
More, Larry and Curly would be proud to watch as I start my very own Stooge short. I am horrified as I see my new model gape before my eyes, and the darn thing hasn’t left the ground yet!
There is help for the like me. Companies make wing bags and similar products that are meant to protect our models. AMA member Matt Roman founded one such company: wingbags.com. He recently started a business that caters to Giant-Scale aircraft owners.
Matt states that he manufactures thickly padded wing bags and other products at prices that are 30-40% less than his competitors. He says that he has a quick turnaround time.
If you are interested in protecting your aircraft and seeing what products Matt has to offer, visit his site at www.wingbags.com.
As for me, in the immortal words of Curly: "Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!"
Well, that’s all for now. Don’t be shy; send me those photos of your latest Giant or drop me a line with your comments, questions, or suggestions.
Good luck with your modeling! MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
