Focal Point
Are you interested in sharing your handiwork? Visit ModelAviation.com for submission guidelines.
Kyūshū J7W Shinden
Joe Chauffe (Katy, Texas; email: joechauffe@comcast.net), a member of the Bay City Flyers in Houston, recently unveiled his newest prize airplane. Only two examples existed of the full-scale airplane, one of which resides in the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
Several years ago, Joe picked up this unfinished model at a local swap meet and decided to bring the airplane back to life after seeing it represented in the 2023 Godzilla Minus One movie. It uses a Futaba radio system, a Value Hobby 32-size 800 Kv motor, a Master Airscrew 12 x 8 propeller, an SMC 4,900 mAh high-voltage battery, Spring Air retracts, and a HOBBYWING 80-amp ESC, as well as other goodies!
There were several challenges while building this model, such as each rudder only moving outward to turn the airplane. Keeping that function to only one channel (in case a gyro was needed) was a headache but accomplished. Cooling was another issue, although Joe noted, “Thank God for cool weather right now.” Not only did this model entertain the RC club, but it proved to be a very unique and scale airplane.
Coroplast Beer Plane
Andrew S. Rosz (Hollywood, Florida; email: arosz@att.net) designs, engineers, and builds RC model aircraft exclusively from pre-colored Coroplast polypropylene sheets. This “Budweiser Beer Plane” is modeled after the once-popular U.S. Aircore Colt, with several internal design changes to remove excess weight. It features a flat-bottom airfoil, 64-inch wingspan, and larger control surfaces for added maneuverability. It’s powered by a vintage O.S. 46SF glow engine and a four-channel Spektrum 2.4 GHz radio.
The wing and fuselage are made from 2 mm sheets, while the internal fuselage bulkheads, rudder, and horizontal stabilizer are made from slightly thicker 4 mm sheets. Andrew said that each piece must be hand-crafted and “engineered on the fly,” which accounts for the many hours it takes to build a Coroplast airplane from scratch.
“The Budweiser Beer Plane is also a work in progress and represents the seventh generation of this model design,” stated Andrew. “Once you are able to master working with polypropylene sheets, it quickly grows on you, and this unique building method becomes a lot of fun.”
Top Flite and Hangar 9 P-51D Mustangs
Deryl Rolle (Sugar Land, Texas; email: derylrolle@gmail.com) submitted the following about his and his friend Bucky Keller’s P-51D Mustangs. They participate in warbird gaggles at Bomber Field just outside of Houston with their aircraft. Deryl wrote:
“[In the back] is Bucky’s Top Flite P-51D Mustang called Big Beautiful Doll. It has all custom parts with vinyl covering. He did a great job, and it came out perfect. The engine is a Zenoah GT80 Twin, and the top speed is more than 180 mph. Bucky flies the aircraft with his Spektrum DX18 transmitter, Hitec 6546MG servos, and an APC T6 20 x 18 sport propeller.
“My Hangar 9 P-51D Mustang 40 with Tuskegee Airmen graphics [in the front] is also all-custom with vinyl. It features a DLE-20RA engine with an APC 14 x 11 sport propeller. [As part of Team Futaba, I fly a] Futaba 32MZH 2.4 GHz Mode 2 helicopter radio.
“We will continue to keep this hobby stronger.”
American Legend AL3 Cub Replica
Christian Kidder (Pensacola, Florida; email: christian.kidder@yahoo.com), a member of the Northwest Florida Modelers, Inc. club in Pensacola, spent many hours as a kid in the basement building and repairing model airplanes with his father. When he found a 1/4-scale Hazel Sig Clipped-Wing Cub kit for sale online, he decided it was time to return to the hobby. Utilizing long-wing plans from Sig Manufacturing, he converted the clipped-wing J-3 Cub into a 105-inch-wingspan replica of the American Legend AL3 Cub that he used to fly as a flight instructor.
The 12.5-pound model is covered with Sig Koverall and finished with Aero Gloss dope paint. Christian’s son, Tony, helped tremendously with the stripes, lettering, instrument panel, and other graphics. Guided by a Spektrum NX8+ radio and receiver with Hitec HS-B645MG servos, it is powered by a Saito FG-21 engine. The pilot, “Hazel” (a squirrel plushie), completed her first solo in the Cub on March 7, 2026.
Banshee
Jim O’Brien (Tampa Bay, Florida; email: ama8932@gmail.com), a member of the Bay City Flyers in Land-O-Lakes, Florida, built this beautiful Banshee RC Aerobatics (Pattern) aircraft. The story began around 1973 in Rochester, New York, when Jim saw the design that was flown in the 1973 F3A World Championships for Aerobatic Model Aircraft in Gorizia, Italy. He decided to scratch-build three of them at once during the long winter months. Designed by “Jersey” Jim Martin, the aircraft was flawless, and a unique rudder made it easy to spot among other models.
While the first Banshee flew beautifully, Jim finished the second one a few years later in Virginia. He took the third one out of the mothballs last year to complete it in Florida. The design is powered by an O.S. Max .61 SF engine with a SuperTigre carburetor. Jim was recently informed that the Banshee is available as an electric ARF from Aerospaz RC; inquiries can be sent to support@aerospaz.com.
Although they have never met in person, the two builders remain good friends. Jim shared that he is forever grateful for the help throughout the years from Jersey Jim, who resides in Pennsylvania with his wife, Helen.
Sun Fli 4-20
Darrell Drake (Crowley, Texas; email: de.drake@yahoo.com) built this Sun Fli 4-20 from a short kit produced by the Balsa Workbench. A member of the Fort Worth Thunderbirds in Fort Worth, Texas, Darrell noted that this was the very first short kit he has ever built.
The aircraft is powered by a .23 SuperTigre engine and is controlled by an FrSky X18RS radio system. To complete the custom look of the model, Darrell designed and produced all of the aircraft’s graphics using a Cricut vinyl cutter.
Twist 40 ARF
Cody Strack (San Antonio, Texas; email: codystrack@hotmail.com) built this Twist 40 ARF for his good friend, Audie, whose father built and flew RC airplanes in the 1980s and 1990s. Audie previously owned the same airplane powered by a nitro engine, but it unfortunately crashed. Cody was happy to find a new-in-the-box replacement to convert to electric power for his friend.
The model is powered by a 1,000-watt motor, a 50-amp ESC, and 4S 3,700 mAh batteries. To get the center of gravity correct, the build required extra nose weight and lighter servos in the tail. The photograph that was provided was captured just before the first flight in 15 mph wind. The highly aerobatic model flew great and landed with almost zero rollout thanks to the high wind.
E-Flite A320neo
Reinaldo Marquez (Bayamón, Puerto Rico; email: rmarquez5152@yahoo.com) shared that some builds are about performance while others are about precision, but this one was about pride and family. His E-flite A320neo began as a clean, white, twin 64 mm EDF airliner full of potential. Living in Puerto Rico and working in aviation, Reinaldo has always felt a strong connection to JetBlue’s Isla del Bluencanto livery, which represents the island that shaped both his life and his flying career.
Transforming the model into that tribute required careful planning, foam-safe paints, and patient masking to capture the bold blues and crisp lines of the full-scale aircraft. The custom placards and markings, produced by Callie Graphics, brought the scale realism to life and completed the look.
What made the project truly special, however, was painting it alongside his father. What began as a simple request for help turned into hours of shared effort, aligning tape, debating color shades, and carefully revealing each painted section.
The A320 flew at the Warbirds and Jets Over Puerto Rico event in January 2026, where it proudly earned the Best Electric Jet Award, making the project even more meaningful. “At takeoff, as the twin fans spool up and the model rotates into the sky, it carries more than thrust—it carries pride, craftsmanship, unforgettable father-and-son memories, and a little piece of home with it,” Reinaldo wrote.
