AMERICAN EAGLES SECOND EDITION
I FIRST LEARNED about this book when I had lunch with Dan Patterson, the book’s photographer, after Sal Calvagna donated his Sikorsky Ilya Muromets to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. Dan had shared with me that he was given full access to photograph any of the aircraft and artifacts at the museum for American Eagles Second Edition. He kindly agreed to provide a review copy as soon as the book was available.
This is the second edition of the book. The first edition was published in 1997. The new edition coincides with the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force and the 100th anniversary of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
This large, hardcover, coffee table book spans 336 pages and includes more than 460 color photos and 150 archival photos and illustrations. As you might imagine, the museum has expanded greatly since the first book was written in 1997, and it includes the Memphis Belle B-17 featured on the cover.
The book begins with a foreword from Col. Eileen Collins, a NASA astronaut and space shuttle commander. The book also includes the foreword from the first edition, penned by Gen. Robin Olds who flew in World War II and Vietnam.
Introductions are provided by Clinton Terry and Dan. Royal Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Ron Dick, who also contributed to the first book, is remembered, and much of his work can be found in this new edition. The first chapter of the book covers the Wright brothers, and the book continues up until 2023 when it was written. Within those chapters, conflicts such as World War I and WW II are given many pages, as are more modern conflicts. The book also covers the artifacts in the museum involving space exploration.
There is also a chapter on the history of the museum that explains why it is older than the U.S. Air Force. The museum began in 1923 in the corner of a hangar of the Aeronautical Engineering Center at McCook Field in Dayton. The U.S. Air Force wasn’t established as a separate branch of the military until 1947. It was previously known as the U.S. Army Air Corps.
It is easy to get lost in the imagery and the supporting text, given the size of the book. It will take some time to appreciate all of the excellent photography and well-written text. Although I enjoy everything that is aviation related, my primary aviation interest spans from the beginning of aviation through WW II, and the book delivers! Page 184 is the first page of post-WW II coverage.
With the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force being the oldest and largest military aviation museum, according to its website, the author and photographers who contributed to the book had a lot of ground to cover and did so admirably.
Anyone who is interested in aviation, aviation museums, and specifically the U.S. Air Force and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, will find that the book is a nice resource. Even those who have been to the museum will see and learn about things housed there that aren’t on public display.
American Eagles Second Edition retails for $75.
New Products From the Modeler’s Mall
SparkSwitch RS @ $70 + S&H from PowerBox Systems Americas
Tel.: (904) 330-0145; website: www.powerbox-americas.com
The SparkSwitch RS from PowerBox is a compact, high-performance ignition switch that features rpm monitoring and optional voltage regulation for 6.0-volt ignition systems. It enables the user to switch the ignition on and off conveniently from the transmitter.
The switched state can be checked at any time using the external LED or a telemetry status message. These features enhance safe operation and simplify the handling of gas engines. In an emergency, such as the failure of a throttle servo, the SparkSwitch RS can be used to stop the engine quickly.
One important feature is galvanic separation between the receiving system and the ignition system. The switching process, as well as rpm feedback from the ignition unit, are optically isolated from the receiver to ensure that a fault in the ignition system shielding or any other defect cannot cause interference to the sensitive receiving system.
Telemetry functions are available for PowerBox, JETI, Futaba, Graupner, Multiplex, Spektrum, and JR PROPO systems. With a compact, low-profile format, the SparkSwitch RS is available as 6.0-volt regulated or unregulated with pass-through output voltage.
Correction
The Dynostand RC Model Airplane Stand that was featured in “Modeler’s Mall” in the June issue had the incorrect pricing. The correct price is $495 with free shipping. Model Aviation regrets the error.
Foam Finish Gloss BD82 and Matte BD83 Finishing Resins @ $36.59 + S&H from Deluxe Materials
Email: sales@deluxematerials.co.uk; website: www.deluxematerials.com
Look out for Deluxe Materials’ Foam Finish Gloss BD82 or Matte BD83 non-tacky finishing resins that are specially designed for foam models!
Brush these highly adhesive resins onto foam models to improve the appearance, give surface toughness, and protect vulnerable foam skin from damage. For an even tougher surface and finish, use them with fiberglass cloth. They will also seal trim, decals, and most paints, and can be painted over once it is dry. Foam Finish resins don’t require mixing, have little to no odor, and will keep your models looking like new for longer.
The 500-milliliter bottles are distributed to model stores within the Deluxe Materials network of international distributors, including Horizon Hobby (www.horizon-hobby.com) and Tower Hobbies (www.towerhobbies.com). See the Deluxe Materials website for additional distributors and information.
Polaris @ $209.95 + S&H from Old School Model Works
Tel.: (513) 755-7494; website: www.oldschoolmodels.com
Have you had enough of old designs, or do you need an aircraft that is new and different? Look no further than Old School Model Works’ 50-inch wingspan Polaris, a unique, easy-to-build, and exciting-to-fly model that was taken from the original Bill Evans design and brought up to date.
Included are new, simplified building features, as well as laser-cut precision and self-aligning parts. The Web-Lock construction makes building the wing panels a snap. Rather than the sheer webs being an afterthought, they are utilized during the build to properly space, position, and lock in each rib.
This design, commonly referred to as a Simitar, has no stall. Reduce power and gradually feed in up-elevator; as it slows down, the nose will automatically drop a bit, reducing the angle of attack. The innovative, semisymmetrical, reflexed Evans Simitar Airfoil makes this possible. No matter how much power you put into a Simitar, there is no Dutch roll and it slows down to a crawl, setting down like a hang glider. The Polaris is also directional in flight and will remain in most any attitude that it is set in.
Provide power as a .40 to .61 glow engine or as a 700-plus-watt electric motor, 80-plus-amp ESC, and 4S to 6S LiPo battery, with control by a four-channel radio and three to four standard-size servos.
