RC Giants
by Sal Calvagna [email protected]
Blackburn monoplane and new products
by Sal Calvagna [email protected]
Welcome back. In this month's column, I have a few new products to feature for our members who build and fly larger models. Additionally, prolific early-era builder, Alan Yendle, displays his work in progress: a 50% 1912 Blackburn monoplane.
Alan Yendle's 1912 Blackburn Monoplane
Alan Yendle of Austin, Texas, is shown above with his framed-up 1/2-scale Blackburn 1912 monoplane. At 50% scale, the model spans 16 feet, has a 40-inch chord, and a length of 13 feet. It will be powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-150 and feature wing warping as on the full-scale aircraft.
The model was built with scale documentation and help from the librarian at the Old Warden airfield where the full-scale aircraft resides. Alan plans to fly it at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, during the Dawn Patrol event.
The original monoplane was built by Robert Blackburn in 1912 for Cyril E. Foggin. After many successful flights it was sold and crashed. The monoplane was stored in an old barn and discovered in 1938 by Richard Shuttleworth, who eventually restored the aircraft.
The monoplane now resides at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, and is part of the extensive Shuttleworth Collection. To this day it remains the oldest flying British aircraft in the world.
According to the Shuttleworth website, Richard Shuttleworth inherited the Old Warden Estate on his 23rd birthday and took a keen interest in farming and estate management as well as motor racing and aviation.
Richard joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1939 and was posted to RAF Benson for night-flying experience. He was killed at age 31 in a cross-country training exercise when his Fairey Battle aircraft crashed into a hill. His devastated mother, Dorothy Shuttleworth, founded the trust as a permanent memorial to her son.
Tarvin Model Products
Nigel Tarvin, of Tarvin Model Products, Chilliwack, British Columbia, was an aircraft maintenance engineer by trade. He had more than 40 years of experience in aeromodelling before purchasing Reid’s Model Products and Classic Airplans.
One of Tarvin Model Products’ newest offerings is an aluminum strap hinge designed for Giant Scale models in cases where traditional plastic hinges might not be strong enough. The hinges were designed to be versatile so that they can be used in many different configurations.
The accompanying photos show a couple of the configurations. For more information and photos, please visit the Tarvin Model Products site or you can contact Nigel. Contact information for both is listed in “Sources.”
Sullivan Products Heavy-Duty, High-Capacity Fuel Filler Valve
Sullivan Products is now offering its newest Fuel Filler Valve for Giant Scale models. Item No. S751 is made from aluminum alloy and features a pull-to-open/push-to-close design, which prevents engine flooding while refueling as it closes off the fuel line to the carburetor while in fuel fill or drain.
It is safe for all types of fuel including gasoline, glow, and smoke oil. It comes with a mounting flange for easy installation and will work with 5/32-inch fuel lines.
For more information, please visit Sullivan Products’ website at the address listed in “Sources.”
Warbird Pilot Figures
I caught up with Adam Martin of Warbird Pilots at this year’s Westchester Radio AeroModelers (WRAM) Show at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. He is offering 1/5- and 1/6-scale, highly detailed, 12-inch tall, World War II and modern fighter pilot figures.
The figures are fully articulating and come in United States Army Air Corps, United States Air Force, Tuskegee Airmen, Navy Pacific Theater, German Luftwaffe, British Royal Air Force, Japanese, Russian, modern military jet pilots, and civilian pilots.
For more information, Adam’s contact information and website are listed in “Sources.”
That’s all for now. Have a safe and fun flying season!
SOURCES:
Tarvin Model Products (604) 858-9867 www.tarvinmodelproducts.com
Sullivan Products (410) 732-3500 www.sullivanproducts.com
Warbird Pilots (203) 528-4352 www.warbirdpilots.com
International Miniature Aircraft Association www.fly-imaa.org
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
