Stickmasters & Aerotow '97 Videos

Model Airplane News, Jul 1998 by Gimlick, Greg

STICKMASTERS* VIDEOS ARE R/C shows hosted by Jerry Willette, who highlights one particular model on each video. The ads bill them as "reviews of airplanes and related products," along with building techniques, flying and workshops, and this is a pretty good representation of what you get. Each tape costs $19.95 and runs for about an hour, providing you an overview of the kit contents and anything Jerry sees as a stumbling block or challenge along the way. You won't get a step-by-step lesson on how to build a plane in these videos, but the host does come across as a "regular guy" and not a polished ad man, so you feel like he's talking to you as one modeler to another. . . and he is.

The latest video from Stickmasters is by far the best of the ones I've seen and features the Balsa USA Phaeton 90. Jerry is clearly more comfortable in front of the camera than he was in his earlier videos, and his presentation flows more smoothly. There are lots of tips on how to do certain steps, like setting up the biplane wings and routing cables properly so they won't chafe or interfere with each other. An earlier video of the Lanier 1/3-scale Laser 200 discusses various tailwheel options and provides some great tips on running fuel and smoke-system lines. Perhaps one of the best features of these videos is the candid remarks and unrehearsed flights that are shown as part of the field test for each plane. On the Laser video, Jerry actually shows a dead-stick he encountered on the test flight, instead of editing out this "challenge" we all encounter at some time.

It would be nice if the info for each video gave you an idea of the shop tips it features and whether there is "bonus video" added. The Phaeton video has some great footage of the Balsa USA Northstar, but you don't know it's there until you watch the whole tape and find it at the end; it would have been worth noting as a feature. Overall, these tapes have developed into a nice presentation of techniques and plane test flights. Future tapes will cover some smaller projects, like the Sig Kadet LT-40, but big planes such as the Aerocraft Staudacher, Lanier Extra 300S and a 1/3scale Cub are in the works, too.

They're not a bad way to spend an hour, and I suspect they'll get even better as Jerry continues. Oh, yeah; you won't get dizzy from all sorts of special effects and loud music, either; these videos are just plain old modeling.

When I ask myself, "Was it worth the money?," I have to say "Yes," and that's not necessarily the case with Stickmasters' first videos. If you're thinking of building one of the planes Jerry covers, the video might be a good thing to watch before you buy; if you're not thinking about buying a kit, Jerry is still fun to watch, and you'll pick up a few tips along the way.

AEROTOW '97 ELMIRA

If you picture a stereotypical 2-meter polyhedral model when you think about sailplanes and soaring, this video will be a big surprise and a real treat, too. Aerotowing is a rapidly growing aspect of our hobby, and the folks at Harris Hill in Elmira, NY (home of the National Soaring Museum), are the hosts of this premier soaring event.

The video from Aerotow Elmira* is a very polished and professionally produced production that treats you to an hour's worth of towing, soaring, interviews, history, aerobatics and relaxation. The sailplanes range from 2-meter types all the way up to the 5.33-meter Duo Discus by EMS of Germany. The towplanes cover the spectrum from common Telemasters and Spacewalkers to the more exotic Pilatus Porters and Wilgas. A nice touch would have been a brief explanation of the equipment requirements and techniques for this type of event, as this video will definitely pique your interest.

During the interviews that are scattered throughout the video, we get to meet the German contingent representing EMS, along with many of the participants from around the U.S. and Canada. As an electrics flyer, I was excited when I saw the title, "Electric Tow Demo" by Icare Sailplanes; unfortunately, no information was given, and we only get to watch a brief launch and flight, which left me hungry for details. The segment showing the airborne video taken with PlaneTalk video equipment was very impressive and gave a great view from the cockpit of a sailplane launch and landing, along with a bit of aerobatics.

We're also treated to a brief visit to the Soaring Museum and a segment of old film showing the soaring activities that took place at Harris Hill in the 1930s. If anything is lacking in this video, it is information about the equipment being used-as a modeler, something I like to see. The video is a beautiful production with well-orchestrated music and clean editing, but there are times I found the special effects and music distracting.

At $24.95, this video is still a good buy and didn't "feel" expensive for its length and the amount of information provided; that's the litmus test for me. Aerotow '97 Elmira is pure entertainment set to music and will make you want to try aerotowing-guaranteed.