WRAM Show 2016
Left: Walt Moucha designed this 40% Aeronca C-3. Right: This is a close-up of the nose section of the C-3.
by Sal Calvagna
rcgiants@optonline.net
Welcome back to the “RC Giants” column, and Happy New Year to all of my readers. There isn’t a lot of model flying activity in the middle of winter, especially in the northern part of the US during the month of February. However, to get your RC fix, one of the largest RC trade shows in the country takes place in late February.
The Westchester Radio Aero Modelers (WRAM) will hold its annual trade show at the Meadowlands Exposition Center at Harmon Meadow in Secaucus, New Jersey, February 20-22, 2015. The largest RC model exposition on the East Coast, the WRAM Show features a wide array of competition-based static model displays, manufacturers, exhibits, seminars, a hands-on car/truck racetrack, aircraft simulators for all attendees, a boat pond, model-flying demonstrations, a building and flying workshop for young aviation enthusiasts, and much more.
For more information, visit the WRAM website listed in “Sources.”
Now for some great-looking submissions from our readers.
Bill Bryant’s Antic
Mark Weitzman, of Whittier, California, is pictured with a 123-inch wingspan Antic. The Antic was built by Bill Bryant, also from Whittier, using enlarged Proctor Enterprises plans. Constructed from standard balsa, plywood, and basswood with SolartEx covering, the model is painted with water-based craft paints and the markings came from Callie Graphics.
The Giant Scale Antic is powered by a DLE-55 gas engine and flown with a Spektrum radio system. Bill used 9-inch Du-Bro wheels for the landing gear. According to Mark, the model flies like a big trainer.
Nice job, Bill!
Walt Moucha’s Aeronca C-3
Prolific modeler Walt Moucha, of Fort Pierce, Florida, drew the plans for this 40% Aeronca C-3. He completed the model 4½ months later. The C-3 spans 172 inches with a 16-inch chord and fuselage length of 99 inches. The airplane has two-piece, plug-in wing panels and functional flying wires.
The C-3’s all-up weight is 41 pounds, including 3½ pounds of added nose weight. It is powered by a JC Evo twin swinging a 29 x 10 propeller. Walt covered the aircraft with Coverite 21st
Century and Krylon spray paint. He used aluminum lithoplate on the wing center section and forward fuselage. The model is a gentle flier, as was the full-scale aircraft. Walt plans to take the Aeronca to Joe Nall Week at Triple Tree Aerodrome in South Carolina in 2016. For more information about this model, contact Walt at the number provided in “Sources.”
The full-scale C-3 was powered by a 36 hp engine and could be flown by a pilot with as few as 5 hours of flight experience.
The World Models PT-17
If you don’t have the time to build,
but want a quality Giant Scale ARF, Walt also suggests trying The World Models Manufacturing Company 30% PT-17 Stearman ARF. The model spans 116 inches, is 88 inches long, and weighs approximately 39 pounds. Walt powered the PT-17 with a DLE-120 gas engine.
Walt says that the well-made model assembles nicely and is a superb flier. Of course, he couldn’t leave well enough alone and proceeded to add plenty of details, including a radial cowl, wheel pants, detailed cockpits, and lots of screws and rivets for surface detail.
For more information about this model, visit The World Models website listed in “Sources.”
Stan Zdon’s 1/4-Scale Pup and Dr.1
Stan Zdon, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, sent some great photos of two of his World War I giants: a 1/4-scale Sopwith Pup and 1/4-scale Fokker Dr.1. The Sopwith Pup was finished in Polish markings and is powered by a Saito 150 four-stroke glow engine. It is covered in Solartex material and uses a Spektrum radio for control. The diminutive Pup weighs in at 13½ pounds.
The Fokker Dr.1 triplane is covered with Solartex material and is powered by an O.S. 155 Surpass four-stroke glow engine. The Fokker is finished in the scheme and markings from the movie The Great Waldo Pepper. The Dr.1 weighs 14½ pounds.
That’s all for now. Drop me a line if you have a project coming to fruition; otherwise, see you when it gets a bit warmer.
SOURCES:
WRAM Show
www.wram.org/wram-show
Walt Moucha
(772) 460-6436
The World Models
www.theworldmodels.us/store
