Letters to the Editor - 2001/04
Scale World Champs Clarification
The article about the World
Championships in the February issue of
Model Aviation unfortunately opens the
possibility of an incorrect impression
concerning Lloyd Roberts’ model.
My explanation in the submitted text,
while clear to me, was admittedly vague to
someone not directly associated with Scale
competition. As a result, the editing process at
the magazine level omitted a phrase which
was necessary for a correct interpretation.
Lloyd’s model represents a reproduction of
a full-scale Fly Baby he built a number of years
ago. While it is similar to the more commonly
modeled Bauer Fly Baby, there are a number
of significant modifications as compared to the
Bauer version. The model Lloyd presented for
the competition depicts the aircraft he had
built, not the Bauer version.
I very much regret the confusion caused by
my presentation of the text to Model Aviation
and apologize to Lloyd for having created a
false impression concerning his model
Bob Underwood
St. Peters, Missouri
Control Line: Scale
I WOULD like to take the opportunity to dedicate this column to Ed Herbert, who passed away several years ago. When I started my modeling career in 1947, I enjoyed tremendously model airplanes that looked like airplanes; and I built many rubber-powered Scale models, both military and civilian. When I met Ed Herbert in 1956, he gave his time and provided transportation so that I could progress with enthusiasm in this hobby. Although I only knew Ed three years, the time he gave me will never be forgotten. With the passing of Glen Sigafoose, Mike Gretz's time has been totally consumed by the pressures of work (Mike is a Sig employee), and it is this lack of time which caused Mike to feel that it was necessary to pass on the duties of this column to someone else.
Control Line: Scale
SCALE REFERENCES: A bit of information has come to my attention from Richard H. Burkett of Manassas Park, Va. In his letter, he states that the Cartographic Division of the National Archives has, on microfilm, complete construction blueprints of every aircraft the United States Government has ever owned. Although many drawings are still classified, much information is still available. For instance, on the PBY Catalina, they have approximately 20 films with over 100 frames on each film available. The cost for photocopies is 10¢ per copy for small prints (17-in. × 11-in.) and 25¢ per copy for large prints (24-in. × 18-in.). Quite obviously, this should be an extremely valuable source of blueprint documentation for any serious Scale builder.
Control Line: Scale
LAST month's column gave information from Richard H. Burkett of Manassas Park, VA, pertaining to Scale information available from the Cartographic Division of the National Archives. The complete address is: National Archives, Cartographic Division, Pennsylvania Avenue & 8th Street N.W., Washington, DC 20408, telephone (202) 523-3062. This should end any confusion on where to get this data. Control mechanism. If you will remember, last month we discussed the control handle mechanism I used with the A6M5C Zero to actuate the flaps. This month we are going to discuss the airplane's internal mechanism, which is the heart of the system. The pictures show views from the right and the left side of the mechanism as it is installed in the wing of the aircraft.
Control Line: Scale
I HAVE a friend, James Lee, who lives in Topeka, K.S. While visiting with Jim a few years ago, I discovered a very large and complex model in his basement. Built of metal, it was very heavy and very detailed. When I began writing this column, I immediately thought of this model that Jim had in his basement-and I contacted him for information and pictures, because it is a very interesting and unique aircraft. He sent me some pictures, in which you will notice the very complex framework and intricate wire bracing and detailing. Although the aircraft is now in considerable disrepair, the uniqueness to me was overwhelming. The wing span is 88-in. On the right wing is a decal that says, "The Penn State College Extension Service Civilian Pilot Training." On the left wing, a decal indicates, "Built by War Model Production Product Pennsylvania WPA Piper YO-59." The decals are actually more like paper than the decals we know of today.
