Radio Control Giants
Sal Calvagna
Going to the extremes!
LATELY IT SEEMS that when I thumb through a current issue of any RC modeling magazine, I see evidence that our radio-control model airplanes are either growing or shrinking to exceptional proportions. The buzzword for today's world seems to be "extreme."
Some of this phenomenon is because of technological advancements. We now have standard-size servos that can deliver 335 inch-ounces of torque. The rest of the reasons reside within our human psyche.
In the past it took an extremely devoted—Howard Hughes, Spruce Goose—type of modeler to home-brew such an extreme flying model. Today such models are being mass-produced in the scale of 40% or more, powered by 150cc gas engines or larger, and tipping the scales at or near the AMA weight limit.
At the same time you can find RC models that are measured in grams or a few ounces, with proportional movable surfaces powered by tiny coils of wire. We are certainly living in an "extreme" modeling time.
I'm not sure where this hobby/sport is going, but I'll ride the wave. As many others are, I'm in it for the long haul!
In one of the first columns I wrote, I explained that an RC Giant is any model that meets International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) specifications.
IMAA is an AMA SIG. The organization's minimum requirements are an 80-inch-wingspan monoplane, a 60-inch-wingspan biplane, and any model that is truly 1/4 scale. For jet aircraft, the minimum requirement is length plus wingspan equals 140 inches.
The gist of these ramblings is that you don't need to build, buy, or fly a monster-sized radio-control model to have an RC Giant and belong to the IMAA. Lobby to cover the model and then gave it a couple coats of clear dope. The Pup looks great and flies beautifully.
Please don't misunderstand me; I am not saying you shouldn't build and fly something slightly larger. I have a 1/3-scale Pup from a Balsa USA kit that I really enjoy flying. My point is that you don't have to go to the extreme to have a good time at the field—unless you're Howard Hughes, of course! Hank's model is a perfect example of all that you need to qualify an airplane as an RC Giant.
Nice work on your Pup, Hank! How about strapping in a pilot figure or did he eject over water?
Southern Warbirds:
All-around great modeler, friend, and superb writer for Radio Control Modeler (RCM) Jerry Smith sent me a few words and photos concerning the Warbirds Over Alabama event that he attended in late April 2005. Jerry is quick to point out that in the "good ol' South," modelers are able to fly nearly all year, unlike those of us in the North. He also writes that the Giant Scale Warbird Association is quite popular in his area. The event is held on Ted Cowan's property, which is located south of Opelika, Alabama. Jerry sent me some wonderful photos and I chose two that really stand out. The 1/3-scale, scratch-built S.E.5a was built and flown by Randy Smith of Atlanta, Georgia. Randy is one of those World War I aficionados who spends many hours in the workshop drawing plans and making all that you see on the aircraft except the wheels and engine.
The S.E.5a has a wingspan of 107 inches, weighs 43 pounds, and is powered with a Zenoah G-62 gas engine that flies it in a scalelike manner. The covering is Super Coverite and finish is dope.
Another photo is of Pat McLaughlin’s 1/5-scale Curtiss P-40. Pat hails from Woodstock, Georgia, and also loves to build warbirds from scratch. A Brison 4.2 gas engine powers the P-40. Other features include a sliding canopy and custom-made Century Jet retracts. The model is finished with Model Master and Krylon paint over fiberglass cloth.
Jerry and I each use a Nikon D70 digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera to take our photos. I quickly learned that the point-and-shoot digital cameras that are so popular these days are frustrating to use when there is any type of action going on. They suffer from shutter lag, which means that when you press the button to take a picture, the camera actually clicks a split second later.
Photographing flying models with this type of camera can be a challenge; however, with a true digital SLR, there is no lag and taking pictures of moving objects is much easier.
The photograph of the P-40 coming in for a landing is fantastic. Great shot, Jerry!
Jumbo Jamboree:
The Mercer County Radio Control Society, in conjunction with the Heart of Jersey Giant Scalers, held its annual Jumbo Jamboree at the Warren Kruse Field in the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area near Imlaystown, New Jersey, Memorial Day weekend.
The proceeds from the event are donated to the Sunshine Foundation, which works with chronically and terminally ill children. To date, the clubs have donated more than $14,000 to this worthy cause.
Shown in the photo is a wonderful rendition of a World War II primary trainer. The Stearman PT-17 was built by Gene Gavin of Staten Island, New York, and finished in a typical military theme of its day.
The model is covered with Sig Koverall material, dope paint, and has Robart struts for the landing gear. A Saito 325RS radial glow engine powers the PT-17. The sound of the engine running is music to my ears. Gene is a member of the Staten Island R/C Modelers.
The other photo is District III IMAA vice president Frank Fels with his Balsa USA Fly Baby biplane. The Fly Baby spans 88 inches and is powered by a Quadra Q-50 gas engine. The model is one-third the size of the Pete Bowers-designed home-built from the 1960s. Frank’s version is easy and fun to fly.
Since Balsa USA no longer produces this kit, finding one at a swap shop or auction is a real accomplishment.
CompuFoil3D:
It started as a simple program to plot rib templates for a new wing on a Falcon Sailplane 880. Little did Eric Sanders know that a dozen years and more than a quarter of a million lines of code later, he would design the most recognized airfoil-template software in the industry.
With Eric’s software, you can easily produce foam templates, built-up wings, LE-shaping guides, and planforms. You simply specify the basic geometry of the wing—as well as any spars, holes, building tabs, etc.—and CompuFoil does the rest.
Powerful editing capabilities allow the user to customize any airfoil. The new 3-D-rendering module gives the user unprecedented control over the design, allowing for quick layout checks before picking up the X-Acto blade.
To best serve different needs of its customers, the CompuFoil3D program is divided into separate modules. You only purchase the modules you need. They include a geodetic rib module, a 3-D-rendering module, an airfoil library, a rib holes/spar slots module, an NACA airfoil generator module, a lofting module, a DXF-output module, and more.
The NACA generator can produce six different types of airfoils: four-digit, five-digit, six-digit, 16-digit, four-digit modified, and five-digit modified. You can choose one of these airfoils or create one on your own.
When you have the shape you want, a single click will bring the NACA airfoil into CompuFoil3D. From here you may continue to refine your template for use. When finished, your NACA airfoil can be used in the lofting module to automatically generate complete sets of ribs.
When using the spar slot module, you have the ability to define as many as 20 spar layouts. As each spar is selected, the spar itself becomes highlighted in the window for easy reference. Select how your spar location is referenced—whether it is full depth or a surface notch—give the root and tip dimensions, and CompuFoil calculates the size and position of the slot on every rib. The program is that intuitive.
Once you have determined the airfoil shape and placed the LE, spars, and lightening holes, you can view your completed wing in 3-D from any angle. What a blast! When you are satisfied with the wing, you can print all of the ribs and the wing plan on your computer’s printer. You then have a set of plans from which to work.
The program will automatically check to make sure that you are running the latest versions and download the update if you wish. CompuFoil3D takes care of downloading and installing the update.
There’s so much more that CompuFoil3D can do that I haven’t covered here. You can download a free trial version of the software and experiment. The Web site address is www.compufoil.com/index.shtml.
That’s all for now. See you next month and remember to fly safely and responsibly, but most of all, have lots of fun. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
