Unusual subjects and burning rivets

Model Airplane News, Feb 2000 by Leu, George

In "Scale Techniques," there is no doubt that I tend to cover military scale more than civilian aircraft. This is because there's a plethora of WW I and WW II aircraft kits, plans-and now, ARFs-around, and the popularity of military aircraft is at an all-time high. Aerobatic subjects are also very popular these days, and scale aerobatic contests are being held just about everywhere. Attend one of these events, and you'll see enough CAP 232s, Extras, Giles and Pitts Specials to satisfy anyone's need for beautiful aircraft. A relatively new aerobatic design is the Staudacher S-300; I think it has attractive lines and good potential as a scale subject.

The almost-ready-to-cover (ARC) version of the S-300 from Giantscaleplanes.com, distributed by Hobbies & Helis Intl.*, is a 30-percent-scale copy of Jon Staudacher's S-300GS design with a 90-inch wingspan. The model comes out of the box framed up with its foam wings sheeted. The ailerons are already cut from the wing and are ready to hinge. The tail feathers are also factory built and ready to hinge. Even the wing-mount tubes are factory installed; this means you only have to cover it, install the ailerons and glue the alignment dowels into place to finish the wing.

The kit also has great-looking, gelcoated engine cowl and wheel pants, a molded plastic canopy, aluminum landing gear and a formed and tinted canopy. The Staudacher is designed for a 3.7 to 4.2ci gas engine, so something like a Zenoah G-62, a Brison 4.2, or a 3W 60 or 3W 70 would be perfect. And at a suggested weight of from 18 to 22 pounds, the model should be a true skyrocket in the performance department.

The nice thing about a 30-percent-scale aerobatic model like this is that you can fly it at IMAA, IMAC and AMA scale events. Boy, what a triple threat that would be. A number of bold color schemes are available for the Staudacher; take your pick.

MODEL GRAPHICS

A variety of commercial markings (decals) is available for model aircraft these days. Some modelers prefer water-transfer decals while others like dry, rub-- on transfers. A few dedicated individuals paint all their markings using templates or ink pens. Vinyl rub-on or "stick-on" decals have also been used for a long time, but Butch Andrews of Model Graphics* has really perfected this type of decal.

Butch uses premium-grade, 2-mil-thick vinyl that, when applied, feels and looks as though it were painted on. Butch recommends using Rapid Tac application fluid when you apply Model Graphics vinyl graphics. This allows the markings to be positioned more easily than when they are dry. Once you have the graphic where you want it, squeegee out the fluid; your markings will be set.

If you send your scale documentation photos or drawings to Butch, he can reproduce the graphics and lettering to the exact size and shape you need. He uses computer scanning, CAD and graphic art software, and the results are beautiful. Model Graphics has many designs and markings in stock. If you have a special model and want great-looking markings, give Butch a call at (409) 787-2875.

BLOHM AND VOSS P-208

My friend Sal Urciuoli of Holbrook, NY, is always coming up with unusual warbird subjects. Last winter, he told me he was working on a special project: an unusual WW II German aircraft.

I met up with Sal at the '99 Warbirds over Long Island, and he showed me his original-design Blohm and Voss P-208. It has a 93-inch wingspan, weighs about 16 pounds and was designed for a Zenoah G23 engine and a pusher prop for power. Spring Air* retracts support his wood-andglass-cloth airplane.

I was impressed with his work, but I was a little skeptical about whether the aircraft would actually fly well. Seeing is believing, though, and the photos speak for themselves. The airplane is very stable in the air, and Sal is currently redesigning the landing gear to improve ground handling. To give the plane more power for takeoff, he also replaced the G-23 with a line, then place the jig over the line and proceed as before.

Remember, flush rivets were often imperfect. Do not be too bothered if your rivets are slightly off-center or not perfectly round; they will look SuperTigre* 2500. Sal said it can be nerveracking to fly the P-208 because the wing configuration makes you wonder which way the model is flying. Having seen it fly, I salute Sal for his efforts; this is really scale modeling at its best.

JET HANGAR HOBBIES: NOT JUST JETS

Jet Hangar Hobbies (JHH)* is known for its excellent flying ducted-fan and turbine-- powered jet kits and accessories. Most of these jet designs are in the 45- to 58-inch-- wingspan range, and this makes them very user-friendly-especially if you have a small car. For something completely different, JHH is offering a Lockheed C-130E Hercules transport designed for four .90 to 1.08 engines. The "Herk" has a 133-inch wingspan and is 100 inches long. JHH has custom scale retracts for the C-130 and says that the model can carry a 10-pound payload.

Included in the kit are foam wings, stab and dorsal-fin cores. For easy transportation, the wings panels are removable at the inboard nacelles. The epoxy/glass fuselage comes in three pieces. While JHH calls this a partial kit, it comes with sheet drawings with simplified construction techniques and suggested servo locations. To make this a complete kit, all wood, hardware and accessories are available from JHH.