Toledo tidbits and foam wing construction

Model Airplane News, Aug 2000 by Leu, George

I always enjoy the Weak Signals model expo in Toledo, OH. This show is one of the big events for scale modelers and manufacturers to show off their latest creations. Here are some of the neat scale things I saw at this year's expo.

BALSA USA 1/4-WALE PUP

One of my all-time favorite WW I biplane fighters is the Sopwith Pup, and one of my favorite RC kits is the Balsa USA* 1/3-scale version of the same plane. In a great example of "corporate downsizing," Balsa USA now introduces a smaller, 1/4-scale version of the Pup that has a wingspan of 77 inches and just under 2,000 square inches of wing area. It is ideally suited to the popular .90 to 1.20 4-stroke glow engines and to a Zenoah G-23 gas burner. With a flying weight of from 12 to 14 pounds, the little Pup will undoubtedly become as popular as the older, tried and true 1/3-scale version.

BM F-100D

For a true jet jockey the new F-100D Super Sabre from Bob Violet Models* is a dream come true. Intended for turbine power, this new, all-composite aircraft has all the fine details and panel lines molded in, and it also has operating LE slats for super-slowspeed stability. The IMAA-legal F-100 is 83.5 inches long, has a 69-inch span and more than 1,200 square inches of wing area. Suitable turbine powerplants for the Super Sabre are the RAM 1000, AMT Pegasus and the Jet Cat P-120. Scale landing gear, tires, brakes, wing tanks and pylons are also available for this beautiful, single engine jet.

DYNAMITE DHC-1

Distributed by Great Planes*, the new Dynaflite de Havilland DHC-I Chipmunk was a nice surprise. The new 1/5-scale, allwood, British WW II trainer has an impressive 89-inch span and it has all-wood construction. The model features scale fuselage cross-sections and is intended for a 1.08 2-stroke glow engine, a 1.20 to 1.80 4-stroke or a 25cc gasoline engine. The one I saw at the show was outfitted with flaps and Robart* shock-absorbing Robo Struts, so you know this model lands like a dream.

A NEW MEW GULL

No, the Percival Mew Gull is not a new Pokemon character seen on Saturday morning TV; it is, however, a beautiful Golden Age racer from our friends at DL Modelers*. The Mew Gull has a 72-inch span and an impressive epoxy/glass fuselage. The kit also features sheeted-foam wings, glass cowl, formed pants and canopy and full-size plans. Intended for 1.20 to 1.80 4-stroke glow engines, this beauty has "performance" written all over it!

THUNDERBOLT GEAR

I also stopped by the Century Jet Models* booth: the company's newest trinket is a beautiful set of retractable landing gear for the giant-scale Top Flite P-47 Thunderbolt. Machined of steel and aluminum, these compact, pneumatic gear fit nicely into the P-47's wing. A retractable tailwheel unit completes the package.

PLATT PERFECTION

I have always been impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of all the models in the Toledo static display competition, and this year was no different. I was particularly impressed with Dave Platt's entries: in Designer Scale-a Japanese Val dive bomber, and in Military Sport Scale-a Miles Magister. Dave's Val was beautifully detailed and included everything you'd expect on a Platt model: scale hinging on all control surfaces, a centerline bomb release and under-wing dive brakes, to boot! The canopy is fully functional and, naturally, the interior is completely detailed. Dave's Val earned him second place.

The Miles Magister-the British counterpart of the i3.S. PT-19-was used as a primary trainer in the RAF Dave's Magister beautifully replicates the allwood trainer and includes a scale, functional engine cowl with hinged side-- access panels, shock-absorbing landing gear and scale hinging. Dave painted his model with a new, water-based paint from Nelson Hobby Specialties*, and it looks great! Earning Dave a second-place finish, the 1/4-scale Magister has a 102-- inch span and is powered by a Moki* 2.10 2-stroke glow engine turning a 20x10 prop.

Dave also entered his turbine-powered Hawker Hunter in the Jet category and took third place.

FOAM WING CONSTRUCTION CONTINUED

In the April 2000 issue, I showed how to install retracts in a foam wing panel, and several readers requested more information on foam wing construction. This time, I will show you the basics of cutting out your flaps and ailerons and reinforcing the wing's dihedral joint.

I like to work with each foam wing panel separately and do all the construction tasks to each before I join them. It is easier to add and shape the wingtip block, install the landing gear, the control surfaces and servos individually than to deal with a whole wing.

Install and shape the wingtip block before you mark the locations for the flap and aileron hinge lines. Refer to your scale documentation for proper placement, and also mark the ends of the control surfaces. I use a fine-tip felt pen and a steel ruler to make the cut lines straight and crisp.

From the aileron hinge line, measure forward 3/8 inch and draw a second line parallel to the hinge line. This new line is where you'll cut the wing to form the aileron. The cut line is 3/8 inch forward of the hinge line so you can install a new 3/8-- inch-thick balsa trailing edge in front of the control surface. This allows sufficient material to glue the hinges into. Also, measure back 3/8 inch from the hinge line and mark another parallel line. Remove this portion of the aileron and replace it with a 3/8-inch-thick balsa LE, again to provide support for the hinges.