New modelers at the Scale Natsby Stan [email protected] of the best times I’ve had at the Nats, as well as other contests, have been watching teams of modelers work together. Often, I see good friends competing against each other and helping each other out. Sometimes it is a husband and wife team. One of the special bonds one might witness is a father and son working together with their models and enjoying being there with each other. At the 2012 Nats, I had the opportunity to witness a new competitor, Evan Gaston, with his father, Dan Gaston. Both competed in Fun Scale—Evan in Novice and his dad in Open Fun Scale. Evan’s General Aircraft Skyfarer made all four flights during the competition. He performed all of the maneuvers with the light civil aircraft and always landed on the runway. Evan and Dan drove from Norwalk, Ohio. Evan’s mom couldn’t attend this year, but I’m sure she’ll be there to cheer her team on at next year’s Nats. Evan is 9 years old and told his father after the last flight, “Dad, I can’t feel my feet. I feel like I’m floating.” At the awards ceremony, the flight judges presented Evan with a National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Flight Achievement Award for the 2012 Nats. Evan and his dad went home with a Hangar 9 1/4-scale de Havilland Tiger Moth. Way to go! I hope to see you both for many years. Warbirds Over the Rockies It’s a new year, and some new ideas (as well as some old ones) make sense when it comes to Scale modeling. We now have so many choices! Last fall, I went to an event that has been held for approximately eight years, Warbirds Over the Rockies. It’s a show/fly-in for warbirds and modelers. The annual event is held between Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado. For the first time, I saw more P-47 Thunderbolts than P-51 Mustangs—anything from foamies to a 1/3-scale with a wingspan of 140 inches and a 420cc engine. It looked great and flew much like the full-scale aircraft. If you’ve never been to a warbird fly-in, you should attend one. Pietenpol Air Camper During the fuselage construction, I added a few braces to the 1/4-inch sticks along the stringers from the back (main) cockpit back toward the model’s tail. These will strengthen the fuselage without adding much weight. Even if you have an ARF, finding ways and areas to strengthen the model without adding weight is a plus, especially on the inside of the canopies, which may appear (in my experience) to be flimsy or brittle. Adding a few triangle pieces Evan Gaston, his father, Dan, and event director, Jim Martin, pose with the NASA Flight Achievement Award and Evan’s new Hangar 9 de Havilland Tiger Moth.Evan Gaston’s General Aircraft Skyfarer was entered in Fun Scale Novice and placed second overall. The electric-powered Skyfarer is scratch-built.111Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comRC SCALE111
to joints can make an airplane more durable. The Robart J-3 Cub gear works great for this 1/4-scale model, but changing the wheels/tires for something other than what the gear was designed for can change the setup. The provided axles were too short to handle the 1/4-scale Old-Timer tires and wheels, so I finally found a couple of 3/16-inch socket-head bolts in my shop, which I’m substituting for the axles. They don’t fit the wheels and have destructive threads that can damage the wheel center when used. I purchased a 9/32-inch, 1-foot-long brass tube to go over the axle and inside the wheel. This will allow the wheel to roll without damaging the hub. I also had to grind the bolt threads off so they would fit inside the Robart sleeve on the gear. Next, the gear will be disassembled and painted black. It has already been primed. I’m excited about the model because I’m close to adding the fun details. Upcoming Events The One Eighth Air Force Spring Another father-and-son team: Dale and Jeremy Arvin. Dale built this Yellow Aircraft SNJ, which Jeremy flies for him. They’ve won many Team Scale events with this model.Below: This gives you an idea of how simple it is to change out the axles for Robart gear. Cut the brass tube to 1.75-inches long and add this to the inside of the wheel hub. It’s a good fit and makes the tires or wheels useable.112Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comRC SCALE111
Scale Fly-In is scheduled for March 23-24. This gathering of Scale modelers in the Southwest takes place near Mesa, Arizona. It’s a good time to fly Scale models and enjoy the company of other like-minded individuals. There’s no pressure, and all who attend typically have a great time. Check out the dates on the One Eighth Air Force website to make sure they don’t change! The Weak Signals R/C Expo Show will be held in Toledo, Ohio, this year on April 5-7. It is always a fun time with some great deals on items that modelers like. If you haven’t been, you should go. The busiest day is on Friday, which has some of the best deals! The 24th Top Gun Invitational will be held May 1-5, in Lakeland, Florida, at Paradise Field. Frank Tiano has some special events planned for this year’s contest and show. The Scale Nats will be in Muncie, Indiana, July 12-14. The 2012 Nats was great and prizes were awarded in every class. The turnout was good and it appeared that the sport attracted some new modelers. I hope to see you all this year. Competition, good food, fellowship, and Scale models, as well as a great flying site—come join the fun! SOURCES: Warbirds Over the Rockieswww.warbirdsovertherockies.com Weak Signals Toledo R/C Expowww.toledoshow.com One Eighth Air Force Spring Fly-Inwww.oeaf.org/smf/index.php Top Gun Invitationalwww.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm NASAwww.nasascale.org AMA Natswww.modelaircraft.org/events/nats.aspx NatsNewshttp://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx113Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com111
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 111,112,113
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 111,112,113
New modelers at the Scale Natsby Stan [email protected] of the best times I’ve had at the Nats, as well as other contests, have been watching teams of modelers work together. Often, I see good friends competing against each other and helping each other out. Sometimes it is a husband and wife team. One of the special bonds one might witness is a father and son working together with their models and enjoying being there with each other. At the 2012 Nats, I had the opportunity to witness a new competitor, Evan Gaston, with his father, Dan Gaston. Both competed in Fun Scale—Evan in Novice and his dad in Open Fun Scale. Evan’s General Aircraft Skyfarer made all four flights during the competition. He performed all of the maneuvers with the light civil aircraft and always landed on the runway. Evan and Dan drove from Norwalk, Ohio. Evan’s mom couldn’t attend this year, but I’m sure she’ll be there to cheer her team on at next year’s Nats. Evan is 9 years old and told his father after the last flight, “Dad, I can’t feel my feet. I feel like I’m floating.” At the awards ceremony, the flight judges presented Evan with a National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Flight Achievement Award for the 2012 Nats. Evan and his dad went home with a Hangar 9 1/4-scale de Havilland Tiger Moth. Way to go! I hope to see you both for many years. Warbirds Over the Rockies It’s a new year, and some new ideas (as well as some old ones) make sense when it comes to Scale modeling. We now have so many choices! Last fall, I went to an event that has been held for approximately eight years, Warbirds Over the Rockies. It’s a show/fly-in for warbirds and modelers. The annual event is held between Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado. For the first time, I saw more P-47 Thunderbolts than P-51 Mustangs—anything from foamies to a 1/3-scale with a wingspan of 140 inches and a 420cc engine. It looked great and flew much like the full-scale aircraft. If you’ve never been to a warbird fly-in, you should attend one. Pietenpol Air Camper During the fuselage construction, I added a few braces to the 1/4-inch sticks along the stringers from the back (main) cockpit back toward the model’s tail. These will strengthen the fuselage without adding much weight. Even if you have an ARF, finding ways and areas to strengthen the model without adding weight is a plus, especially on the inside of the canopies, which may appear (in my experience) to be flimsy or brittle. Adding a few triangle pieces Evan Gaston, his father, Dan, and event director, Jim Martin, pose with the NASA Flight Achievement Award and Evan’s new Hangar 9 de Havilland Tiger Moth.Evan Gaston’s General Aircraft Skyfarer was entered in Fun Scale Novice and placed second overall. The electric-powered Skyfarer is scratch-built.111Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comRC SCALE111
to joints can make an airplane more durable. The Robart J-3 Cub gear works great for this 1/4-scale model, but changing the wheels/tires for something other than what the gear was designed for can change the setup. The provided axles were too short to handle the 1/4-scale Old-Timer tires and wheels, so I finally found a couple of 3/16-inch socket-head bolts in my shop, which I’m substituting for the axles. They don’t fit the wheels and have destructive threads that can damage the wheel center when used. I purchased a 9/32-inch, 1-foot-long brass tube to go over the axle and inside the wheel. This will allow the wheel to roll without damaging the hub. I also had to grind the bolt threads off so they would fit inside the Robart sleeve on the gear. Next, the gear will be disassembled and painted black. It has already been primed. I’m excited about the model because I’m close to adding the fun details. Upcoming Events The One Eighth Air Force Spring Another father-and-son team: Dale and Jeremy Arvin. Dale built this Yellow Aircraft SNJ, which Jeremy flies for him. They’ve won many Team Scale events with this model.Below: This gives you an idea of how simple it is to change out the axles for Robart gear. Cut the brass tube to 1.75-inches long and add this to the inside of the wheel hub. It’s a good fit and makes the tires or wheels useable.112Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comRC SCALE111
Scale Fly-In is scheduled for March 23-24. This gathering of Scale modelers in the Southwest takes place near Mesa, Arizona. It’s a good time to fly Scale models and enjoy the company of other like-minded individuals. There’s no pressure, and all who attend typically have a great time. Check out the dates on the One Eighth Air Force website to make sure they don’t change! The Weak Signals R/C Expo Show will be held in Toledo, Ohio, this year on April 5-7. It is always a fun time with some great deals on items that modelers like. If you haven’t been, you should go. The busiest day is on Friday, which has some of the best deals! The 24th Top Gun Invitational will be held May 1-5, in Lakeland, Florida, at Paradise Field. Frank Tiano has some special events planned for this year’s contest and show. The Scale Nats will be in Muncie, Indiana, July 12-14. The 2012 Nats was great and prizes were awarded in every class. The turnout was good and it appeared that the sport attracted some new modelers. I hope to see you all this year. Competition, good food, fellowship, and Scale models, as well as a great flying site—come join the fun! SOURCES: Warbirds Over the Rockieswww.warbirdsovertherockies.com Weak Signals Toledo R/C Expowww.toledoshow.com One Eighth Air Force Spring Fly-Inwww.oeaf.org/smf/index.php Top Gun Invitationalwww.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm NASAwww.nasascale.org AMA Natswww.modelaircraft.org/events/nats.aspx NatsNewshttp://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx113Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com111
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/02
Page Numbers: 111,112,113
New modelers at the Scale Natsby Stan [email protected] of the best times I’ve had at the Nats, as well as other contests, have been watching teams of modelers work together. Often, I see good friends competing against each other and helping each other out. Sometimes it is a husband and wife team. One of the special bonds one might witness is a father and son working together with their models and enjoying being there with each other. At the 2012 Nats, I had the opportunity to witness a new competitor, Evan Gaston, with his father, Dan Gaston. Both competed in Fun Scale—Evan in Novice and his dad in Open Fun Scale. Evan’s General Aircraft Skyfarer made all four flights during the competition. He performed all of the maneuvers with the light civil aircraft and always landed on the runway. Evan and Dan drove from Norwalk, Ohio. Evan’s mom couldn’t attend this year, but I’m sure she’ll be there to cheer her team on at next year’s Nats. Evan is 9 years old and told his father after the last flight, “Dad, I can’t feel my feet. I feel like I’m floating.” At the awards ceremony, the flight judges presented Evan with a National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Flight Achievement Award for the 2012 Nats. Evan and his dad went home with a Hangar 9 1/4-scale de Havilland Tiger Moth. Way to go! I hope to see you both for many years. Warbirds Over the Rockies It’s a new year, and some new ideas (as well as some old ones) make sense when it comes to Scale modeling. We now have so many choices! Last fall, I went to an event that has been held for approximately eight years, Warbirds Over the Rockies. It’s a show/fly-in for warbirds and modelers. The annual event is held between Denver and Fort Collins, Colorado. For the first time, I saw more P-47 Thunderbolts than P-51 Mustangs—anything from foamies to a 1/3-scale with a wingspan of 140 inches and a 420cc engine. It looked great and flew much like the full-scale aircraft. If you’ve never been to a warbird fly-in, you should attend one. Pietenpol Air Camper During the fuselage construction, I added a few braces to the 1/4-inch sticks along the stringers from the back (main) cockpit back toward the model’s tail. These will strengthen the fuselage without adding much weight. Even if you have an ARF, finding ways and areas to strengthen the model without adding weight is a plus, especially on the inside of the canopies, which may appear (in my experience) to be flimsy or brittle. Adding a few triangle pieces Evan Gaston, his father, Dan, and event director, Jim Martin, pose with the NASA Flight Achievement Award and Evan’s new Hangar 9 de Havilland Tiger Moth.Evan Gaston’s General Aircraft Skyfarer was entered in Fun Scale Novice and placed second overall. The electric-powered Skyfarer is scratch-built.111Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comRC SCALE111
to joints can make an airplane more durable. The Robart J-3 Cub gear works great for this 1/4-scale model, but changing the wheels/tires for something other than what the gear was designed for can change the setup. The provided axles were too short to handle the 1/4-scale Old-Timer tires and wheels, so I finally found a couple of 3/16-inch socket-head bolts in my shop, which I’m substituting for the axles. They don’t fit the wheels and have destructive threads that can damage the wheel center when used. I purchased a 9/32-inch, 1-foot-long brass tube to go over the axle and inside the wheel. This will allow the wheel to roll without damaging the hub. I also had to grind the bolt threads off so they would fit inside the Robart sleeve on the gear. Next, the gear will be disassembled and painted black. It has already been primed. I’m excited about the model because I’m close to adding the fun details. Upcoming Events The One Eighth Air Force Spring Another father-and-son team: Dale and Jeremy Arvin. Dale built this Yellow Aircraft SNJ, which Jeremy flies for him. They’ve won many Team Scale events with this model.Below: This gives you an idea of how simple it is to change out the axles for Robart gear. Cut the brass tube to 1.75-inches long and add this to the inside of the wheel hub. It’s a good fit and makes the tires or wheels useable.112Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.comRC SCALE111
Scale Fly-In is scheduled for March 23-24. This gathering of Scale modelers in the Southwest takes place near Mesa, Arizona. It’s a good time to fly Scale models and enjoy the company of other like-minded individuals. There’s no pressure, and all who attend typically have a great time. Check out the dates on the One Eighth Air Force website to make sure they don’t change! The Weak Signals R/C Expo Show will be held in Toledo, Ohio, this year on April 5-7. It is always a fun time with some great deals on items that modelers like. If you haven’t been, you should go. The busiest day is on Friday, which has some of the best deals! The 24th Top Gun Invitational will be held May 1-5, in Lakeland, Florida, at Paradise Field. Frank Tiano has some special events planned for this year’s contest and show. The Scale Nats will be in Muncie, Indiana, July 12-14. The 2012 Nats was great and prizes were awarded in every class. The turnout was good and it appeared that the sport attracted some new modelers. I hope to see you all this year. Competition, good food, fellowship, and Scale models, as well as a great flying site—come join the fun! SOURCES: Warbirds Over the Rockieswww.warbirdsovertherockies.com Weak Signals Toledo R/C Expowww.toledoshow.com One Eighth Air Force Spring Fly-Inwww.oeaf.org/smf/index.php Top Gun Invitationalwww.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm NASAwww.nasascale.org AMA Natswww.modelaircraft.org/events/nats.aspx NatsNewshttp://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx113Model Aviation February 2013www.ModelAviation.com111
