Big Bangers for Big Birds
THOSE OF YOU who have been following this series may remember the lead photos for Part 1 back in the April issue. They showed us doing our thing all bundled up in coats and gloves. (The big ear muffs were as useful at ear warming as they were at sound deadening.) Those first test runs were made in late November and early December, and anyone who thinks that Virginia is too far south to get cold doesn't know about northern Virginia. Our lead photo this time shows Kirby trying to function and survive on a 4th of July weekend at the same location.
Radio Control: Giant Scale
WOOD you believe? All kinds of suppliers of wood for Giant Scale construction are coming out of (you guessed it) the woodworks. We've all been talking about using spruce, bass, pine, etc., in place of balsa, especially in high stress areas, but you pretty much had to cut your own, at least in the longer sizes. Now I'm hearing from people all over the country who are making various types and sizes of wood available. First is a supplier of aircraft-grade clear white pine in all the usual cross section sizes and in lengths up to 72-in. I don't have prices at my fingertips, but a note to Air Design, 549 Appian Ave., Napolean, OH 43545 will get you the info you need. I have never used pine for airframe construction myself, but I know modelers who swear by it. It doesn't have the same kind of strength as spruce, but it is certainly adequate for our needs.
Radio Control: Giant Scale
HOSTETLER PROJECTS. I first met Wendell Hostetler at Toledo in 1980. Since then, we have been corresponding on a fairly regular basis. I thought you would be interested in our last exchanges. First is my letter in response to one of his. "Dear Wendell, You're always coming up with interesting things. Your last letter contains mention of at least three. "The big Kioritz is of interest, and just a little while ago Dick called and told me a bit about some of the engines he is looking at. . . . I'm hoping that we get a chance to look at at least one of the big Kioritz engines. . . ."
