RC Giant Scale

A very large RC Beechcraft Starship model on a grass field with Thomas White and his son standing behind it.

RC GIANT SCALE

SULLIVAN PRODUCTS
IS BACK IN
BUSINESS

By Sal Calvagna | rcgiants@optonline.net

WELCOME BACK, and greetings for 2025. Let’s hope for a healthy and happy modeling year.

In this month’s column, I welcome back Sullivan Products and feature a few amazing RC Giants from the Fredericksburg Area RC Club’s (FARCC) Fall Warbirds and Classics Over Fredericksburg event. Enjoy.

Fred Visnaw had been a part of Sullivan Products for more than 36 years when the new owners decided to drop the RC hobby line altogether and move the company’s other division to Texas. Being extremely loyal to Sullivan and a lifelong modeler himself, the opportunity arose for Fred to acquire Sullivan’s RC division.

Fred and company packed up four truckloads of merchandise and moved it all to Ocala, Florida. He is happy to report that Sullivan is open for business. As stated on the company’s new website, “We are up and running under new/old ownership. No corporate parent company, no computer phone tree, just modelers providing the iconic Sullivan line of RC products to other modelers.”

Best wishes to Fred and Sullivan Products for continued success.

Fall Warbirds and Classics Over Fredericksburg

The FARCC 2024 Fall Warbirds and Classics Over Fredericksburg event is now in the history books. Approximately 40 pilots and 100 models enjoyed four days of beautiful weather on October 9-11. There were many outstanding warbirds and classic aircraft in attendance. The following are a few examples.

Fred Visnaw of Sullivan Products at an RC event. — Fred Visnaw of Sullivan Products.

One of the more unusual models in attendance was a Beechcraft Starship that was originally built by Merlyn Graves and rebuilt by Thomas White of Capon Bridge, West Virginia. The model is a true 1/4 scale, with a wingspan of 166 inches and a length of 142 inches. It is powered by two Desert Aircraft DA-85 gas engines. This very large model flew well and will certainly look great in its new paint scheme when it’s completed.

For a bit of history on the full-scale aircraft, the first production Starship flew in April 1989. It was one of the first aircraft to incorporate a majority of carbon-fiber construction. However, the higher costs and lower performance compared with similar jet aircraft made it too expensive. Only 11 Starships were sold in the three years after its certification.

A large RC Beechcraft Starship flying against a blue sky. — The Beechcraft Starship on a photo pass.

Frank Fels, of Berlin, New Jersey, flew his giant 40% Gary Allen Plans de Havilland Tiger Moth that was built by Larry Alles. The model spans 140 inches and is powered by a ZDZ-100 twin-cylinder gas engine.

During one of Frank’s flights, the Tiger Moth went behind and beneath the tops of the trees to the east of the field. When he landed, there were bits of twigs and leaves attached to the horizontal stabilizer. Please don’t do that again, Frank!

Tord Kuraas, of North East, Maryland, expertly flew his BVM Jets 1/6-scale F-16. The F-16 is powered by a Swiwin 220 turbine. The F-16 spans 65.5 inches, with a fuselage length of 96.5 inches. Tord said

Frank Fels standing beside a large yellow-and-black RC Tiger Moth on a field. — Frank Fels, of Berlin NJ, with his Larry Alles-built 40% Gary Allen Plans Tiger Moth that is powered by a ZDZ-100 gas engine.

RC GIANT SCALE

Don Smith Plans Bf 110 Destroyer flying above trees — This Don Smith Plans Bf 110 Destroyer, from Steve Peckham of Norfolk, VA, is powered by two DLE-30 gas engines.

Tiger Moth model flying over a cornfield — The Tiger Moth returns from a hair-raising flight, where it momentarily disappeared behind the trees.

Tord Kuraas with a BVM Jets F-16 model — Tord Kuraas, of North East MD, with his BVM Jets F-16. The F-16 is powered by a Swiwin 220 turbine that uses diesel fuel.

that the model weighs in at 34 pounds.

Steve Peckham, of Norfolk, Virginia, flew his stunning Don Smith Plans Messerschmitt Bf 110 Destroyer. The model spans 118 inches and is powered by two DLE-30 gas engines. The Bf 110 weighs in at 41 pounds. Steve finished the model with paint from Warbird Colors and a pilot from Warbird Pilots.

The full-scale Bf 110 was developed in the early- to mid-1930s. Early in World War II, during the Poland and France campaign, it experienced considerable success. However, during the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force exposed the 110’s weakness as a lack of maneuverability. It suffered considerable losses when it escorted German bombers. Later, it was converted to a night fighter role, where it again enjoyed much success.

That’s all for now. Let’s all make 2025 a great modeling year.