Airwaves

Model Airplane News, Aug 2001

Our readers write back

GETTING INTO SCALE

I have been flying model airplanes for a couple of years, and I enjoy sport flying very much. I am now flying a Hobbico AirVista with an O.S. .40 for power. I really enjoy reading about scale airplanes and would like to try building and flying a scale fighter. I went to a local event last year, and there were many WW II fighters there; I was hooked! The problem is, I don't really know how to go about making o the switch from sport airplanes to a complicated, built-up wooden model such as a Top Flite Gold Edition Corsair or Mustang., I even hope one day to design my own warplane and build it from scratch, so any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

RANDY PERRY

Orlando, FL

Randy, just as your familiarity with sport RC modeling occurred gradually, so should your transition to scale-especially to warbirds.

Anyone with little building experience who simply jumped from a sport ARF model to an advanced, wooden building project would quickly be overwhelmed. Perhaps a few modelers could do it, but for most beginners, it is best to proceed slowly into new areas of the hobby. The first thing to do is to buy, build and then fly a wooden sport model so you gain bench experience. It will also be helpful if you can find a local modeler with building experience who can help you start off on the right foot. After you've built and flown your model, find a more advanced design and do the same thing. Eventually, you should be comfortable with a high-performance sport model that has many of the same characteristics and components as the warbird you want eventually to build. Once you have built a low-wing, .60- or .90-size, retract-equipped sport model and can fly it comfortably, you'll be ready for a warbird of similar size. Several ARF warbirds are on the market now, and you can gain valuable flying experience with them before you dig more deeply into scale modeling. From there, you can tackle fiberglass and paint finishing and even add details such as rivets and panel lines. Just take it one step at a time, and enjoy the hobby as you gain experience. Good luck! GY

FORMULA TO CALCULATE CG

A number of kind readers have pointed out that an incorrect formula slipped into my article on a simple calculator method for finding where RC models should be balanced for their first flight. The error was due to my carelessness, not the magazine's, and I apologize to any readers who were inconvenienced. The correct formulas-and the surprising tale of how the error snuck by undetected-can be found at www.jefraskin.com. When you get there, click on "How to Balance a Model Airplane" in the site directory.

For a quick fix, use this formula for "P" instead of the one given in the article: P = (R 2xT)/(3x(R T)). JEF RASKIN

REYNOLDS PLASTIC WRAP

A big thank you to Dave Robelen for his great article on covering small models with light plastic film (July 2001 issue of Model Airplane News)! I read it just as I was finishing building my Great Planes Fundango, and I decided to cover it in yellow Reynolds Plastic Wrap. It was easy to use, and it looks great-and best of all, it was already on the kitchen shelf! I'm really enjoying building and flying these little electric airplanes; please keep these types of how-to articles coming.

DEREK CLEGHORN

Fairfield, CT

Derek, we're glad you found this technique useful. We're also excited about the possibilities of small RC airplanes, and we look forward to more articles from Dave and our other micro RC enthusiasts. DS

ANTENNA ANSWERS

I enjoyed Don Edberg's article, "Antenna ABCs," in the June 2001 issue. This subject doesn't seem to get much attention. It was quite informative, as is everything you publish. One area that the article didn't touch on concerns concealing the receiver antenna completely within the aircraft-- something I have been wondering about for a while. I am presently scratch-building a 1/4-scale Caudron C-460. As I fabricated the fuselage bulkheads, I drilled small holes in their upper sections so I could lace the antenna wire through them just underneath the top sheeting. As long as the rest of the radio equipment is kept away from it, would this affect the range of the receiver? Thanks for any light you can shed on the subject.

T.J. SUERDIECK

Tipp City, OH

T.J., we agree; Don's article contained a good bit of information about a topic we all seem to take for granted. Installing the receiver antenna within a fuselage is a very sound and common way of concealing it, especially in scale models. A convenient way to install the antenna is to first string a length of tubing through the bulkheads and then feed the antenna wire through it. This makes it easier to install and remove the antenna if you have to do so later on. As long as you do not cover the model with thin metal sheet or route the antenna near other metal or electrical items, you shouldn't have any problems. Also, be aware that some plastic film coverings have aluminum pigment in their adhesive backing (to make them more opaque), and this can cause a reduction in radio range. Good luck with your Caudron C-460. GY