Building your next Scale model
by Stan Alexander [email protected]
Building projects, new projects, and old projects—wow, where do you start?
Go buy a kit, ARF, plans, or RTF. There are many choices. But you want a model unlike anything else on the flightline. That cuts down the types of models you might build, such as a P-47 Thunderbolt, a P-51 Mustang, or a J-3 Cub.
Why not check out some of the sources for plans, including the AMA Plans Service, Precision Cut Kits, Bob Holman Plans, or Jerry Bates Plans. (Contact information is listed in “Sources.”) There are many others and the aforementioned have several plans that aren’t what you might call mainstream models.
Kit-cutting services typically have wood kits for all of these types, either in the short-kit or full wood-kit versions. All plans are not created equal. There should be a grading service for plans, but to my knowledge there are none starting with an “A” for excellent or an “F” for don’t bother.
If you want to enter the airplane in competition, check photos and scale drawings (three-views or five-views) to make sure it is correct. Many sets of plans fudge the dimensions on tail surfaces, and in some cases, the fuselage length. Some World War I aircraft with short noses appear to have increased length in the forward fuselage area.
There are several new projects on the horizon in my workshop. The one that I will start on next will be a 1/4-scale Cessna C-165. The full-scale aircraft was built in 1940 and used by the Civil Aeronautics Administration.
In my last column I gave you some specifics about the model and included a photo with the orange, black, and white color scheme. The scheme makes this airplane pop on the runway or at the flying field. I had hoped to use a DLE-30 in the nose, but the engine is too long, so I purchased a Zenoah G-26.
I also received the fiberglass cowl, dummy engine cylinders from Williams Brothers, Futaba 9001 servos, a Futaba 14SG radio system and switches, heavy-duty wire from Hitec, and most of the Du-Bro hardware and the fuel tank that is listed on the Jerry Bates plans.
The short kit came from Bob Holman Plans for all of the ribs and formed parts. I purchased the contest-grade balsa and sheets from Sig Manufacturing. Take the plans with you and make a list before you place an order for balsa and plywood. I typically purchase extra to make sure that I’m not short a sheet or two.
The model has flaps set in the bottom of the wing and it needs brass sheet hinges to make it correctly work. The landing gear has a bend in the middle of the legs and I’m having this part made for me by a gear company.
RC Scale
Stan Alexander
The wheels are also from Du-Bro.
I'm still looking for a few other parts and longerons for the fuselage. One suggestion I received was to go to Lowe's Home Improvement or Home Depot, purchase a sheet of pine, and cut them to size.
It's time to organize the parts bins, clear off the work bench, and begin setting up plans sheets. I purchased a couple of rolls of wax paper to put down over the plans and separated the different parts in the kit.
A good building board (a hollow-core door) and a wall board make the process easier. If you get tired of working on one area, work on another. I can't wait to add details to this one!
Cliff Tacie's Electric Scale Models
Many older, smaller plans or kits can be converted to electric power. Cliff Tacie's PT-19 and Thatcher CX-4 started out as kits from House of Balsa. Cliff converted them to electric power and they are great fliers.
He modified the kits to make them electric compatible, which required modifying the internal fuselage structure and adding lightening holes to maintain the models' weight. He finished with two beautiful models that fly well on inexpensive battery packs. I will report more on the project next time.
Bob Holman's Building Tools
Throughout the years, Bob Holman has become a master at laser cutting parts. He offers many wood kits and short kits. I purchased a short kit for the Cessna C-165 Air Master from Bob and added all of the wood sheets and sticks required to finish the model.
Bob has invented some neat building tools and guides for those of us who enjoy building models. These work for all-wood aircraft, whether they are Scale or fun-fly airplanes.
His products include laser-cut triangles packed 10 to a set which come in 3-inch, 5.5-inch, and 7.5-inch sizes. The price is $5.
Bob has also produced rib guides that are slotted for 1/16-inch, 3/32-inch, and 1/8-inch wood. They hold the ribs vertically at 90° and include a plate that can be pinned to your building board. They are sold in packs of 10 in the three sizes for $5.
He has also created Stickits, which are laser-cut disks that slip over T-pins to hold balsa sheets or strips in place while glue dries. You can purchase 72 of these for $2.50. See "Sources" for more information.
One Eighth Air Force Fall Fly-In
The One Eighth Air Force's 2013 Fall Scale Fly-In will be held October 19-20 at the Arizona Model Pilots Society's field in Glendale, Arizona. The warbird-themed event is a great time for all the members of the One Eighth Air Force and modelers from across the western US. Howard Kennedy, the club's commander, invites all AMA members to attend.
Fair skies and tailwinds.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
