Radio Control: Giants
IT ISN'T news to a Scale model builder that you have to have documentation for your model-preferably before you begin construction. Collecting documentation amounts to a research project that often continues even after the model is completed and flying. Most of the data collected isn't required, but it often fills notebook after notebook. To my great surprise, I was called upon to provide documentation for a builder who was working on a 1:1 scale aircraft: John Meyer telephoned from Seattle, and his project is the complete rehabilitation of a North American AT-6 Texan.
Radio Control: Giants
BEN OSTLIND of San Rafael, California has this "thing" about the Martin B-26. It's only reasonable, since he flew Marauders in combat during World War II. The B-26 was quite an airplane. It had two R-2800s to pull it through the air at a rapid rate. After a particularly difficult gestation period and a host of modifications, the Martin bomber scored the lowest loss rate of any US airplane in the European theater. Some authors have averred that the B-26's fuselage was modeled after a .50-caliber bullet-it was one smooth, streamlined shape from nose to tail. A bit more wing area and a slight change in the wing's angle of incidence, and the "heretofore Widow Maker" became a relatively reasonable airplane to fly.
Radio Control: Giants
WE'RE GOING TO play catch-up this month, for some of the items we wrote about this year. A couple of items that may be of interest: You'll probably remember Jerry Smartt, the Giant Scale builder from Warsaw MO. He's the fellow who's building the 1/2-scale Sopwith. We published the photo of him standing inside the framed-up fuselage of his monster biplane. Jerry's other claim to fame is his use of multiple RC receivers to cut down on long cable runs. The latest word is that Jerry has decided that he'll use four RC receivers in his biplane. There'll be one in each wing, one to control the tail surfaces, and the fourth to control his electronic throttle. He's talking four sets of batteries and the attendant charging receptacles and switches. It's mind-boggling!
Radio Control: Giant Scale
LITTLE did I realize that writing a guest column for Bob Beckman would result in gainful employment for me on the Model Aviation team! However, Bob's business has been growing by leaps and bounds, and it left him with little modeling time-to say nothing about the hours it takes, to bolt together a monthly column. Needless to say, I'm more than happy to take over Bob's "big bird" column. Not only because it gives me a monthly chance to "talk" with you but because it means that Bob's company is burgeoning. A bit of personal background might be appropriate at this point. I've been building model airplanes since 1936-from rubber, through Gas Free Flight, into U-Control, and finally into RC (in the escapement days). My AMA license number is 1427, my IMAA number is a "real" 13, and I'm a member of the Aviation/Space Writers Association.
Radio Control: Giant Scale
THERE are two groups of modelers who lead the field in producing the unusual when it comes to designing and flying scale models-the "Peanutters" and the "Giants." At the opposite ends of the model-size spectrum, they're both likely to come up with the obscure, complex, or seldom-seen Scale subjects. Probably the reason for this miniature and outsized diversity is due to the fact that neither in the Peanut field nor the Giant RC field are there many available kits. To build either Peanuts or Giant Scale the models must be built from scratch using a host of readily-available construction drawings. And, as we all realize, this takes a greater degree of building skill than simply "shaking the kit box." We're not talking years of model-building experience here. A couple or three successful kit-built designs and the average RCer is ready for Giant RC Scale.
