RC JETS
Jim Hiller, 6090 Downs Rd., Champion OH 44481
CENTURY JET MODELS is bringing the AirChamp line back to production. This really is exciting for anyone who has flown Century Jet's F-15 Eagle, especially now that we have the awesome power of the modern turbine engine to push them around with authority.
Many jet modelers have enjoyed the AirChamp Eagle's honest, stable performance. Don't be misled into believing that means it isn't quick; it will haul tail with the best of them. Century Jet Models has introduced this kit with all the features of the original and then improved upon it.
All kits will be produced with the option to go with elevons only for control or optional ailerons and flaps. I've flown the F-15 with elevons only and with full ailerons and separate elevators, and both systems work well. It's your option. And yes, Century Jet Models makes a retract gear system specifically for this big jet.
Check out the Web site at www.centuryjet.com for more details.
A PHT3 helicopter turbine is new from JetCat. Now not only can we airplane pilots fly turbines, but so can the helicopter fliers. JetCat demonstrated its turbine in a helicopter at Superman 2001 during experimental hour. What a package! Another turbine-powered helicopter, this time with a factory power package.
The JetCat saga continues with the opening of a factory shop in the USA. Bob Wilcox will run the US operations. Golden West Models will no longer have exclusive US distributorship.
JetCat claims that with this commitment, it will finally provide the turbines to the US market that the modelers have been screaming for; the company's delivery to our market has been slim in the last two years. Let's wish them success.
Check out the Web site at www.jetcatusa.com.
Superman 2001 provided a unique opportunity for the Scale-model builder: to see four methods of achieving the look of a buffed-aluminum finish, all in one location. There were no less than four Bob Violett F-100s sitting side by side with four different aluminum finishes.
His original prototype was there with a silver finish painted to simulate buffed aluminum. This is the simplest, most conventional method to duplicate a bare-aluminum finish, but it does lack the effect offered by other methods.
The second model was Bob's prototype two-seat F-100. The finish on it was BVM Metal-Kote, which is a new product from Bob Violett Models. The company sells Metal-Kote in a quantity befitting the amount required for a Radio Control model aircraft.
I believe that Metal-Kote is similar to a product sold for plastic scale-model finishing but with additional steps to obtain the durability we require for flying model aircraft. I tried the product sold for plastic models a few years ago when I was finishing my T-33, but I was disappointed with the lack of durability. Bob's process and products are significantly improved compared to the system I attempted to use back then.
Metal-Kote may be considered the next step in difficulty from silver paint, but don't let anyone kid you; it is very time-consuming
RC JETS
Presto finish system on this effort. Richard's F-100 is one of the best examples of this finishing method you will find. I know how tough the process is since that is how I finished my T-33 a couple years ago.
Presto is a Mylar™ film covering with a mirrorlike silver backing that provides the color. Presto is applied like tape because its adhesive is sticky as on any tape. It will stretch to a limited degree with heat, but it has little or no ability to shrink with heat application.
Presto film can be applied directly over the primed surface. Any imperfections in the finish underneath the film will show through and will actually be amplified by the mirror finish.
The worst part of applying Presto is keeping the surface underneath the film clean. Terry Nitsch gave me the best advice: Keep one tack cloth on the bench to clean the model, another on your knee, but you still won't have enough tack cloths to control the dust.
Any dust trapped between the Presto film and the model will show up horribly. I was amazed by how much dust floats around in a house. I learned that the only room in my home that did not have excessive lint and dust in the air was my basement building room. It has a concrete floor, with limited vents, and all vents are shut off while I cover my models.
Once the Presto Chrome is on the model, you have one of two options: leave it as applied or seal it with a clearcoat. The clearcoat is strongly suggested for protection from fuel in ducted-fan applications, but it is optional when running a turbine since no exhaust or fuel should ever come in contact with the model. A clear Mylar™ primer application is required prior to spraying the clearcoat itself.
Anyone who is considering this method should get a copy of Jerry Caudle's tape Scale Aluminum Finishes from Telstar Video Productions. This video gives the lowdown on how to use Presto Chrome.
The fourth and final F-100 belonged to Joe Grice, and it was finished with aluminum foil. I thought Presto Chrome was tough, but Joe took it one step further. This has got to be the most time-consuming method to duplicate an aluminum finish, and it's probably the most frustrating to accomplish.
Applying the aluminum-foil film is similar to applying Presto Chrome, with many of the same problems. Heat is not necessary to stretch the aluminum foil; it can be worked during application. Don't accidentally let it stick, or you will be scraping another panel of film.
The adhesive behind the foil film will result in orange peel in the finish once the aluminum-foil panel has been applied. Joe block-sands the aluminum foil to remove the orange peel, then he has to refinish and buff the aluminum film to achieve the look of buffed aluminum.
I know from experience that this is harder than it sounds. If you generate too much heat or apply too much pressure while buffing the aluminum foil, you will bring the orange-peel finish from the adhesive right back through it. My hat is off to Joe for the beautiful finish he attained on his F-100.
There you go: four methods. Pick your level of commitment and patience, then have a go at it. Buffed aluminum, whether on a full-scale aircraft or a model, is one of the most beautiful finishes there is.
We just ran the two MW54 turbines from JD Enterprises. The first was a completely assembled turbine built by JD Enterprises, and the second was an MW54 turbine built by Joe Amato from a kit provided by JD Enterprises.
We expect final AMA approval any day now. This will make the MW54 available as a completely assembled turbine or as a kit. Watch the Web site, www.jdenterprise.net, for the latest information as this company develops this turbine for the modeler. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
