RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
Phantasy in Blue — Dutch Scale Projects
Hearing what other modelers around the world are working on is not only interesting, but fun. Learning what others are doing sometimes gives us in the US more ideas.
Modelers in the Netherlands have been working collectively to build projects for KLM Airlines, and now the Dutch Air Force. The group is called Phantasy in Blue.
The members built and completed their first scale-model fleet in 1994 for KLM Airlines, which was known as Operation Scale 1994. KLM commissioned and financed these modelers to build one scale model of each type of aircraft KLM had flown in the previous 75 years (as of 1994).
Since their completion, these models were flown in demonstration flights and displayed across the country and at the 1994 Scale World Championships. These projects gave the group experience and a better understanding of what was needed for this size of scale model.
The glamour of a homogeneous scale-model fleet (with respect to design and quality of construction, fidelity of scale, and historically justified lines) is particularly strong, as is evident by the experience gained by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and KLM during the past years.
In March the RNLAF celebrated its 50th anniversary as an independent weapon of the Dutch Forces. Phantasy in Blue, a non-profit organization, received its first official order from the RNLAF for 15 models selected by the RNLAF commander in chief.
To realize this, 15 modelers were invited and building teams were formed. They built the models with consideration to reliability, companionship, craftsmanship, and creativity of the builder, as well as piloting skill of the individuals involved.
The models are scratch-built. Some reach huge sizes, such as the Boeing 747 that has a wingspan of more than 14 feet. The Fokker Trimotor has three Seidel radial engines for scale realism. It's a very impressive group of scale model aircraft.
Phantasy in Blue is considering the challenge to further expand the RNLAF fleet with the help of supporters, private organizations, and companies. This will provide, at reduced scale, the whole development of aircraft that served with Dutch military aviation.
The group's experience has shown how much excitement can be raised by an air show. Flight and static shows at area airports and military bases were successful during the 75th anniversary of KLM Airlines and at later dates.
Thanks to Tony Aarts for sharing information about this ambitious project.
If you would like more details, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope with two 34-cent stamps, and I'll be glad to forward copies to you or your club.
A Hobby or a Sport?
Growing numbers of modelers have been asking this question about radio control (RC) modeling.
When I think of aeromodelling as a hobby, I think of going to the local flying field, sharing the social aspects with friends, doing a little sport-flying, having some laughs, and enjoying lunch or a barbecue. When at my home field (Cane Ridge Park), I consider that the hobby part of modeling.
Another aspect of aeromodelling comes to mind when I think of modeling competition in any form, whether it's Free Flight Duration, the Nationals, the US Scale Masters, or especially any of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Championships. In some countries, FAI competition is similar to the Summer and Winter Olympics.
Competition can give you a different perspective on any form of aeromodelling. Many consider this discipline of modeling to be a sport, and I agree.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this question.
PT-19 Update
Any time we prepare to build a model — especially a scale model — planning the construction is essential to the process. When starting any airplane, it's a good idea to plan what amount of scale detail you want to add.
To make these decisions, it's usually a good idea to assemble your documentation first — even if you don't plan to compete. You may just want to sport-fly your model all weekend while the spectators at the field give you a round of applause after each flight, but you may change your mind.
A good photo pack on the particular aircraft you are building really helps.
What do we mean when we talk about scale details?
These are the little items that all aircraft have. You may want to leave them off to hurry and finish the model to get it to the field to fly, or you may want to go all out and build a museum piece. Most of us fit in somewhere between these two extremes.
The decision was made from the beginning that I wanted additional scale details on the model.
You can use photos and three-views to decide which scale details you want to incorporate into your model. Usually the simpler the full-scale aircraft are, the easier the model is to build. However, some simple aircraft have many surface details. You can go crazy adding details to this model and many others, which is half the fun of building scale airplanes.
The handholds on each wingtip are easy to add by changing the wingtip to plywood on the inside, marking and cutting the handholds into the plywood, then adding the balsa covering and cutting through the softer balsa to the plywood. The full-scale aircraft had the handholds, so why not include them on the model? But as I stated, preplanning is essential.
Another item on the PT-19 that looks great and adds a touch of realism are the hinges. Robart Hinge Points were used on all the model hinges, and these control surfaces are now installed or sitting aside for painting.
By examining the way full-scale aircraft hinges (such as on the ailerons) are installed, we get a better idea of how we can incorporate the model hinges and make them look correct compared to the full-scale aircraft.
Mark the hinge positions at the top of the trailing edges of both panels. Check to make sure the points are marked the same on the right and left wing panels. They should look identical according to the measurements that follow.
The first hinge is at the inside edge of the aileron. On the full-scale aircraft, this is connected to the torque rod that moves the aileron — but not on my model.
From that point, the next hinge is 4½ inches farther out; mark that point on the top trailing edge of the wing. Measure another 9¾ inches on the trailing edge, and mark that point for the third hinge. Measure an additional 7½ inches on the trailing edge, and mark that point.
Those points are where the full-scale aircraft is hinged for the ailerons.
Attach a 3/16-inch-diameter drill bit to your portable electric drill or drill press, and very carefully drill a hole from the top trailing edge into the balsa at a 40° angle, down and forward into the trailing edge of the wing.
When you install the Robart Hinge Point, you want the elbow or center of the hinge just behind the trailing edge of the wing.
Making sure you have a good fit, mark the ailerons with a small-tip magic marker. At a 40° angle (down and to the rear of the aileron), drill the 3/16-inch holes for the hinge points in the ailerons.
It's a good idea to add extra balsa blocks behind the drilled holes, for added glue area for the hinges.
Cut both ends off a hinge point, using the center for a guide. Use your X-Acto knife and cut slots in the top leading edge of the aileron, so the elbow of the hinge center will fit into this cutout.
This is the way the full-scale aircraft is hinged, and it looks great! Take your time doing it, knowing that if you make a mistake here you may be making a new aileron!
If you aren't sure about this process, make a dummy section of the aileron to make sure it works, with two pieces of wood representing the trailing edge and the leading edge of the aileron.
Other items you may want to include on this or any other model are:
- antennas
- handholds on the fuselage
- inspection plates and access panels
- fuel filler caps
- pinked tape
- brake lines
- screw or bolt caps and fasteners
That doesn't even include the cockpits, which really don't have to be finished until the first test flights are completed.
Indoor Scale Thoughts
An area of RC scale modeling that really seems to be taking off is indoor electric RC scale.
Many kits from the past can be converted to RC electric, and the number of plans available that can be powered by Speed 400 motors with speed control seems almost limitless.
Indoor competition for RC scale, as well as for racing, pattern, and other categories, isn't far off.
I recently purchased a Hobby Lobby Eastbourne that looks similar to something from the movie Those Magnificent Men and Their Flying Machines. It has a 44-inch wingspan and is powered by a Speed 400 geared motor.
At the Horizon Convention Center (Muncie, IN) Friday night, July 6, there will be an indoor RC fun-fly preceding the Nationals at Muncie. The Nationals will run for roughly five weeks.
I hope this indoor RC meet is the first of others held at the Horizon Convention Center.
For more information about this event, contact Bob Wilder at (817) 498-6316 or on the Web at www.mirac.org.
If anyone has information on other indoor scale meets or fly-ins, send it on. Let's help this new variation of scale modeling grow. I'll have more next time around.
Fair skies and tail winds!
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
