Choose the Correct Finish
The kit box is empty, the instruction manual has all of its little boxes checked, but your airplane's still in bare bones. Now what? What do you do when construction is done and finishing time comes around? A countless number of techniques and an even greater number of materials are available for finishing model aircraft, but how does one decide which is the best material or method? Choosing finishing methods and materials has long been one of modeling's major dilemmas and one of its most controversial battlegrounds. Every modeler you speak to has his or her own idea of which finishing methods and materials are best. Who's right? Who's wrong? What do you use and why do you use it?
Radio Control: Scale
DOCU-SEARCH: Robert Plecha wrote to express his interest in Jerry Pate's 1/5-scale D.H. 98 Mosquito. Robert would like to construct a Mosquito of his own, and he wonders if plans are available. Robert may be relatively new to the Scale community, and may not be aware of where to look for what he needs (and that an eight-mile-high stack of information is available). I've already suggested the commercial documentation services, but perhaps there are some of you who have particular items available for this popular airplane that are beyond the necessary photos and three-views he will need to get started. Contact Robert at 216 Vine St., Geneva OH 44041. James Cook is about to begin construction on an F-82 Twin Mustang, and he would like to make it as realistic as possible. I got the impression James must already have either plans or a kit on hand. If you have any available dope on this interesting aircraft, James would like you to share it with him. James is at 13915 Stoneshire, Houston TX 77037.
Radio Control: Scale
TOLEDO: Toledo was an incredibly good time, as always. The Weak Signals hosted a first-class show that drew hundreds of industry exhibitors, hundreds of the world's finest models, and thousands upon thousands of dedicated aircraft modelers. The Weak Signals' Toledo show is often referred to as "Modelers' Mecca," simply because that's what it is. On Sunday, I created an opportunity to leave our exhibition booth and photograph many of the Scale-related items I thought you'd enjoy seeing. There were an exceptionally large number of exciting products. Photo captions are enough tease-factor to whet your appetites; you'll find the addresses of the various manufacturers by using the "Advertisers Index" near the back of this magazine. Enjoy the show!
Radio Control: Scale
TOLEDO '96: I have run a few things from this year's show past you already, but there were several items left when I ran out of space in the magazine. Better to run them a bit late than not run them at all. The first item is good news for users of ModelCAD, DesignCAD 2-D, and DesignCAD 3-D software. New program versions for Windows 95 have been released, and are currently available. In fact, these new versions have been available ever since the Toledo show, so if you haven't upgraded yet, now is the time to do it.
Radio Control: Scale
THE 1996 WRAM SHOW, held February 23-25, was as spectacular as ever, with two packed floors of industry exhibitors, hundreds of first-class static-display models, and thousands of dedicated aeromodelers in attendance. Unusually fair weather made a healthy contribution to the event, keeping the airports and major highways open, and ensuring that White Plains, New York would be conveniently accessible. The WRAM agenda offered a new feature this year: There was a series of informative daily seminars on modeling techniques by some of the industry's most knowledgeable and colorful speakers. Faye Stilley shared many of his impressive MonoKote techniques, and Larry Sribnick of SR Batteries opened our eyes to the ever-changing technology of Electric flight.
