BRITISH AVIATION
THE FIRST HALF-
CENTURY
WHEN IT COMES TO early aviation, we are typically left to decipher black-and-white photos or aircraft in museums when trying to determine the colors of the aircraft. British Aviation The First Half-Century has converted all of the photos featured in it to color when color photos were not available. This could be a useful tool if you are looking for a color scheme for your newly built aircraft.
If you are planning to use the book for scale documentation, its usefulness would depend upon the class and the contest as to whether or not the colorized photos would be acceptable documentation. This is because the colorization process is an interpretation of what the aircraft is believed to have looked like. The photo of the Bristol Bulldog II provides an example of a black-and-white photo that has been converted to color.
The author sums up the importance of the time frame covered by the book. “The first half of the 20th century saw the birth of the airplane and its development as an instrument of war and commerce. Within five decades, contraptions barely able to take to the air had given way to jet-powered aircraft flying near the sound barrier, a rate of technological advance unparalleled in any other field.
“It was the period when Great Britain’s aviation industry was established and grew to its zenith, fueled by the demands of two world wars and the growth of the airlines. These requirements generated a plethora of aircraft designs, some of which became household names, while others failed to make the grade.”
David Willis’ book covers up until 1950 and includes 170 images. It is broken out by decades, each one with a brief overview. After the introduction to the chapters, every page has a photo of an aircraft and some historic information about it.
The 192-page book packs many photos within its pages and provides just enough text to give you a brief overview of the timeframe and aircraft featured. The book has a nice index at the back that allows readers to search by the individual aircraft or people who are included in the book.
Overall, British Aviation The First Half-Century is an easy read and it’s enjoyable to see early aircraft in color, with a caveat that the photos are subjective.
New Products from the Modeler’s Mall
MEGA Stand @ $37.50 + S&H from Ernst Manufacturing, Inc.
Tel.: (877) 376-7885; website: www.ernstrc.com
The MEGA Stand by Ernst Manufacturing is specially designed to hold large-scale model aircraft. It’s perfect for building, maintaining, transporting, and storing models. The stand is true to its name—it’s a size up from the original Ultra Stand, which has been a staple in the industry for years—and is tall enough for large vertical stabilizers and easily accommodates swept wings.
The base features two large and two small compartments that are great for storing transmitters and other accessories, and removable cradles fit into the base. Adhesive foam strips and clips are included for added protection.
Made in the USA, the 26.5 x 13.75 x 12.5-inch MEGA Stand comes with a lifetime guarantee.
D141SH 10mm Coreless, Wide-Voltage, Steel-Gear Digital Wing Servo @ $94.99 + S&H from Hitec RCD
Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website: www.hitecrcd.com
Hitec RCD is excited to introduce the new D141SH digital wing servo. Engineered with a coreless motor and a wide operating voltage range, this slim wing servo is the perfect answer for Open class and larger gliders.
Durable steel gears and 32-bit programmability provide the resilience and precision that in-wing applications demand. Other features include a coreless motor; all-aluminum case; high-response, high-resolution circuitry; Smart Sense Technology for servo analytics; an H25T industry-standard outline spline; and full programmability with DPC11 or HFP-30 (sold separately).
Take to the sky and fly hard knowing that you are backed by Hitec’s two-year warranty that affords you the added protection you deserve!
T-One Models T-501/5-Scale Jet @ $5,680 + S&H from Pacific RC Jets
Tel.: (626) 808-6122; website: www.pacificrcjets.com
The full-scale KAI T-50 Golden Eagle was developed by Korea Aerospace Industries in cooperation with Lockheed Martin. It is South Korea’s first supersonic aircraft and one of the world’s few supersonic trainers. T-One Models has developed a beautiful scale model of the T-50 and applied the same superior build design and quality in this jet as in other models that the company has produced.
The 72.8-inch wingspan model’s standard ARF package includes a painted airframe in a choice of color schemes; scale speed brakes, gear, and doors installed with cylinders; a detailed fiberglass scale cockpit; an operational canopy; a Kevlar tank with fittings; pipe; painted landing gear and wheels; and a complete hardware package.
Optional upgrades include an installed scale light kit with programmable controller; painted wingtip missiles; a wing bag set; and a painted ordnance package with pylons, drop tanks, and missiles. Two PNP package options with additional installations are also available with SAVOX or HV AccuTORQ servos.
