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
THIS YEAR, the previously titled "youth issue" of Model Aviation has been more accurately dubbed the "Newcomer issue." The purpose of this special annual issue was never to compile topics relating only to children, but rather to provide useful first-step information in each of aeromodeling's many categories to neophyte modelers of any age group. You don't have to be a beginner to modeling, but if you happen to be a beginner to a specific discipline, like RC Scale, then this is your issue and you've got your nose in the right place. Radio Control Scale modeling is considered by many to be taboo territory for those who are relatively new to the hobby. I'm here to let you know that this doesn't have to be the case; you can fly a Scale model as a low-time RC pilot if you pick your subject carefully. At its upper levels, RC Scale can be a difficult and wholly consuming discipline, but with more casual involvement, it can be easy, fun, and especially rewarding. The prerequisite to success in Scale (or any other undertaking) is primarily dependent on knowing your abilities and choosing appropriate projects that will complement your skills.
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
MODELERS' PROJECTS: I met Bob McKenna at the WRAM show in New York a year or two ago. He promised to send a photo of the Ultimate he was building, and the pictures finally arrived. Bob's blue-and-white Goldberg airplane is finished in 21st Century Fabric and 21st Century Paint. The markings are from Paul and Dan Major at Major Decals (a division of Northeast Screen Graphics). These markings are based on dumentation received from Bob Banka's Scale Model Research. A Super Tigre .90 two-stroke provides plenty of power up front. Nice airplane, Bob; it looks real good against that friendly Florida sky.
