RC SCALE
BUILD UPDATE
By Stan Alexander | onawing4602@att.net
I’VE BEEN WORKING on my Balsa USA Fokker Eindecker E.III and have added the wingtips and put the center section of the wing together. You want to be careful to add the appropriate scrap balsa spacers in the correct spots on the underside of the wingtips.
Building the fuselage is pretty easy—it’s just a balsa box with formers in important places. I’ve added triangle stock at the landing gear blocks, mounts, and at the firewall as well. The model can use weight up front—I’ve seen this from other builds. Power for this model is anywhere from a .90 glow engine to a 2.0 gas engine. I’m still on the fence as to what power to use, but it will probably be gas. I haven’t decided yet.
The wing is framed up and the tail feathers are built and hinged, so it’s starting to get to the interesting part of the build. I’m using Hitec MG 645 servos for all of the control surfaces and old-school hinges for the rudder, elevator, and ailerons. The plastic cowling, which comes in four parts, including the cheek cowlings, will be fiberglassed.
From the Shop: Tools!
Anytime I travel and there is a tool or hardware store, I’m drawn to it like a kid to a candy store. It’s surprising to see what you can find at some of the places.
Workshop Tools is one of my regular stops when we go to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Picking up an extra razor knife or other building tools is a no-brainer during building season. While building models, you can use many clamps. I picked up small ones for 50¢ each, as well as a grinding wheel that fits into either a drill chuck or a moto tool.
Golden Age Wheels
Losing manufacturers seems to be a way of the industry now. I used parts and wheels from William Brothers and others for many different projects. Almost none of these are available now.
New to the market, however, are Golden Age 3-inch wheels sold in sets by Old School Model Works. These will fit well on smaller models approximately 50 to 60 inches in size, and they are especially designed for the early years of aviation models. They would look great on a Curtiss Robin airplane or many other prewar aircraft.
These wheels are only $24.95, plus shipping, and they are expected to be available in larger sizes later this year—well, I’m hoping! They have been tested for their rugged construction and can take a lot of abuse. With normal use, they should last a long time.
David Andersen Designs
David Andersen has a new theme for Scale designs: color! Color logos and insignias on the plans help you to visualize the way that the model will look after you’ve put it together. Some of the detail photos on the build plans are also in color.
David has also drawn a rather odd aircraft that you don’t see too often: the SAAB J 21A, a World War II-era fighter with a twin boom, tricycle landing gear, and a rear-mounted inline engine with a pusher propeller. It is an electric design primarily because of the engine position.
The model spans 113 inches with a length of 100 inches. The motor power is provided by a Hacker Q80 or Q100 Esprit Kv 105/10. The expected weight is 39 pounds. The
prototype model is being built and should be in the air this summer! I’m looking forward to seeing it.
NASA Website
Check out the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) website for updates on rules, upcoming contests, raffles, and other events. Join the organization on the website then receive the Replica newsletter at least four times a year.
The December 2023 Replica had articles about the upcoming 2024 FAI F4 World Championships for Scale Model Aircraft that will be held in Romania, a great way to donate a model to a museum, and an article by Jerry Bates titled “Scale Plans Building for the Novice.”
If you haven’t tried competition, check out some of the sources on the website and ask questions of members to help you out. From static judging to selecting maneuvers for flights with your particular airplane, this is a good source for help before you attend a competition.
NASA Scale Classic
The NASA Scale Classic will be held in Butler, Pennsylvania, on September 13-15. All AMA RC Scale classes will be held. NASA has dropped qualifying for the 10th anniversary.
If you have a Scale model and your AMA membership card, come on out and join the fun.
Fair skies and tailwinds.
SOURCES:
Balsa USA
(800) 225-7287
https://balsausa.com
Hitec RCD
(858) 748-6948
www.hitecrcd.com
Old School Model Works
(513) 755-7494
www.oldschoolmodels.com
Workshop Tools
(865) 774-6187
www.workshoptools.com
Minnesota Scale & Giant Scale R/C
David Andersen Designs
www.mnbigbirds.com
