Almost ready to fly: Warbird guide

Model Airplane News, Sep 2001

Maximum engine size is determined by an engine-size/wing-area formula that shows the minimum wing area allowed for engines of specific sizes.

Documentation: required to prove the model's fidelity to scale; must include one sheet for "Outline" and one for "Color, Finish and Markings." A maximum of 100 static points may be earned in three categories: accuracy of outline (40 points), color, finish and markings (30) and craftsmanship (30).

Racing heats consist of 10 laps, and the winners of each heat earn the same number of points as there are airplanes in the heat. In a four-plane heat, first place earns 4 points, second earns 3, and so on.

Pilots' flight points are totaled and then multiplied by an appropriate overall standings multiplier to determine their racing scores. These are then added to their static scores to arrive at the totals.

For more information on the Scale Warbird Racing Association, write to SWRA, P.O. Box 5622, Mesa, AZ 85211-5622.

Aircraft Markings

Ever since WW I, military pilots have taken artistic liberties by personalizing their fighters: colorful nose art, family crests, the pilot's nickname and the names of loved ones have all brightened these rather drab machines. The desire to personalize the things we value most seems to be a facet of our natures.

With very little effort, you, too, can make your ARF fighter distinctively yours by adding commercially available vinyl graphics. Several companies produce there-both water-slide and stick-on-and the variety of markings seems endless. Add a name with the rub-on letters you'll find in office-supply stores or you can have graphics custom-made. You'll find everything from very simple panel lines and rivets to entire aircraft packages displaying the insignia of any nationality you want; there is something for everyone.

Decal sources

Aero FX, Rte. 1, Box 225, Stratford, OK 74872; (405) 759-3333; www.aerotx.com.

Aeroloft Design, 130 W. Hampton, Ste. 20, Mesa, AZ 85210; (602) 649-8662; www.aeroloft.com.

CFC Graphics, 41 Blackmore St., East Greenwich, RI 02818; (401) 885-8002; www.cfcgraphics.com.

Kirby Kustom Graphics, 903 Settlemire Rd., Lebanon, OH 45036; (513) 932-2422; fax (513) 932-2422; www.angelfire.corn/ohz/kirbysgraphics.

Major Decals/Northeast Screen Graphics, P.O. Box 304, East Longmeadow, MA 01028; (800) 557-5617; (413) 525-4110; www.majordecals.com.

Model Graphics, 312 Martin Oaks, Lafayette, LA 70501; (337) 269-5177; www.model-graphics.com.

Pro-Mark, 751 Airport Rd., Metropolis, IL 62960; (618) 524-2440; fax (618) 524-3617; www.pro-mark.com.

Sig Mfg. Co. Inc., P.O. Box 520, Montezuma, IA 50171; (800) 247-5008; (515) 623-5154; fax (515) 623-3922; www.sigmfg.com.