latest in giant scale, The

Model Airplane News, Jun 2002 by Yarrish, Gerry

GLENN TORRANCE MODELS

I chatted with Glenn Torrance about his impressive WW I designs. Glenn exhibited two kits at the show: his Fokker Dr.1 triplane and his latest Fokker D-VIII. Both are in 1/4 scale, and the kits are absolutely gorgeous. Many laser-cut parts are included, and Glenn offers two sets of plans with his kits-one full size and one reduced copy-to use as a reference while you build. National scale competitor Tom Kosewski was also in the booth with his scratch-built Fokker D-VII to show off Glenn's new 1/4-scale printed lozenge fabric. Specializing in WW I aviation, Glenn has raised the bar for kit quality and completeness. Basically, his models are scaled-down versions of the real aircraft, and every detail is reproduced. Glenn uses laser-cutting in very creative ways-for thin leather sheets to provide a truly scale cockpit coaming. Even the holes in the plywood sheeting are laser-cut, so you can sew the leather padding into place! Quite impressive. Glenn's models are designed around the Laser 200 4-stroke engine, but other engines such as the Zenoah G-23 or Saito 180 can also be used.

The D-VIII has an 82.6-inch span and is 56.8 inches long. Its flying weight should be 16 to 18 pounds. The kit has more than 300 parts and a photo-illustrated 100-page construction manual. Included are a two-piece aluminum engine cowl (with cable groove), laser-cut wood parts, stamped metal parts, precut plywood panels and plywood wing covering (35 pieces). Also included are dummy engine cylinders and Spandau machine guns (from Williams Bros.), lacing cord for stitching and cable bindings, seatbelt harness and fittings, laminated rudder and elevator outlines and functional landing gear-and many other parts too numerous to mention. Glenn also showed me a kit for his newest design, the unusual and seldom modeled Fokker D-VI. It is basically a biplane that uses the Fokker triplane fuselage, and this kit should be out in August. For the ultimate WW I airplane, Glenn Torrance Models is the place to look. There was so much more at the 2002 WRAM show, but I have only so much space in the column. Do yourself a favor and pencil in the last weekend in February 2003 on your calendar, and try to attend this Northeast modeling extravaganza. You'll be glad you did.