RC SCALE
GUY FORSHEY’S 1/5-SCALE PROJECTS
By Stan Alexander | onawing4620@att.net
COMPLETING ONE MODEL is hard enough, but Guy Forshey has recently completed two models in 1/5 scale. The first is the familiar Cessna L-19 Bird Dog with an 84-inch wingspan, while the other is a very rare Boeing YL-15 Scout, of which only 10 full-scale aircraft were built.
Guy wrote:
“Both Boeing and Cessna were competing for a military contract for liaison-type aircraft. I had no knowledge of the aircraft until a recent visit to the Museum of Flight on Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington.
“A section is the original factory known as the ‘Red Barn.’ The upper floor has several pictures of the Boeing aircraft built over the years, including many from the war effort. An old black and white poster of a whole row of Scouts caught my eye.
“I wondered if an airplane so bizarre could fly, but this is the type of aircraft that calls my name when it comes time to start the next Scale project. After obtaining a three-view drawing, I hand-drew the model in 1/5 scale, producing an 8-foot wingspan, and, despite its unorthodox design, the project went together exceptionally well.
“Dimensions on the YL-15 are a 96-inch wingspan and a weight of 15 pounds. It’s covered in self-adhesive-backed aluminum panels of scale size and shape. The scratch-built balsa/plywood model is covered in 3/4-ounce fiberglass cloth, and the motor is an Avian 5065-450 Kv with a six-cell LiPo, which has plenty of power.
“Unfortunately for Boeing, the Scout faded into history and only one is flying today. The YL-15 was the loser of the military contract, but it is a winner at the flying field of Altoona Radio Control Club in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. “
Landing Gear for Scale Projects
Many of us are knee-deep in building season now! As I write this, I’ve been looking for landing gear for a new project. Several others have asked this same question: Where can I buy landing gear for my model?
Searching on the internet, you find websites that have 40 different landing gear types, but they are all out of stock except for one or two different sets. Obtaining hard-to-find landing gear is like a snipe hunt when you were a kid. For the most part, you just won’t find them available; this includes gear struts and retracts as well.
A word to the wise: Before you purchase that dream model’s set of plans, fiberglass parts, engine, etc., first check to see whether the landing gear is available for it. I would highly recommend this. Order it then—don’t wait. If you do wait, you might have to roll the dice and pay a machine shop to make them or someone who can handle something such as this.
Another possible source for functional retracts or gear struts is some of the ARF model manufacturers and distributors, such as Legend Hobby. Several of them have electric retracts that are available for their own aircraft models, but they might
RC SCALE
need to be modified to suit your particular airframe.
Researching Full-Scale Aircraft
Researching full-scale aircraft is an adventure sometimes. I’ve found subjects at EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh, in museums, and online, but sometimes you just see one photo and you are left hanging, not knowing where that aircraft is located or if it even exists anymore.
One way to find out where an aircraft is located is by checking out the FAA N-Number Inquiry website. Type in the N-number for the aircraft and it will tell you where the aircraft is located, when it was registered, when it was produced, what engine(s) it has, and a physical address for that airframe. Check it out; it’s good stuff.
Upcoming Contests
The Cape Coral Scale Classic will be held February 7-8, 2026, by the Cape Coral R/Sea Hawks, at Seahawk Air Field in Cape Coral, Florida. There are seven Scale RC classes. The entry fee includes a pilots’ lunch, and the event is free for spectators. It’s a great time to go to Florida. I hope you can come out and have fun!
Fair skies and tailwinds.
SOURCES:
National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA)
nasascale.org
Sierra Giant Scale
(440) 476-4885
sierragiant.com
Legend Hobby
legendhobby.com
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
eaa.org/airventure
FAA Registry N-Number Inquiry
registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/search/nnumberinq
Cape Coral R/Sea Hawks
rseahawks.org
