PILOT PROJECTS

Model Airplane News, Jan 2005

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE 2004 "PILOT PROJECTS" COMPETITION!

* GRAND-PRIZE WINNER

* L-1049 Lockheed Super Constellation

B.B. Weber

Houston, TX

When it came time for us to choose our latest "Pilot Projects" grand-prize winner, the 2004 entries were among the toughest ever for us to sort through. After intense deliberation, however, we agreed on one standout that could not be overlooked: B.B. Weber's scratch-built rendition of a KLM "Connie" from Don Smith plans. "The Flying Dutchman" has a 132-inch wingspan and a 122-inch-long fuselage. This 52-pound aircraft is powered by four O.S. .91 FS 4-stroke engines and has an all-Futaba radio system; Robart retracts, wheels and brakes by Charlie Stevens; Tru-Turn spinners; and 3-blade, 14×7 props from Graupner. B.B. says, "It flies perfectly," and that's easy to believe. For his originality and painstaking craftsmanship, we're proud to name B.B. our 2004 "Pilot Projects" grand-prize winner. A check for $500, a one-year subscription and a Model Airplane News T-shirt are on their way. Terrific job, B.B., and congratulations!

HONORABLE MENTION

B-25 Mitchell

Gene Baguley

Apple Valley, CA

We can't forget to praise this beautiful B-25. Gene sent us this photo of his "new baby"-a North American B-25 Mitchell that he scratch-built using Royal Plans. Weighing 11 pounds with a 71-inch wingspan, the model replicates a PBJ-IH Navy version. Finished in Coverite and painted with 21st Century paints, this amazingly detailed model features handmade guns, pilot and tail gunner. Thank you, Gene, for your efforts; a one-year subscription and a Model Airplane News T-shirt are in the mail.

HONORABLE MENTION

* Short Sunderland Mk III

Robert B, SSanton Sr.

Independence, MO

As you know, we are huge fans of originality, and Robert's Short Sunderland Mk III is just that-original. This impressive aircraft took Robert more than 1,500 hours to build! He scratch-built the WW Il flying boat from Palmer Plans; readers may remember it from the Toledo RC Expo earlier this year. The Vi2-scale model has a 112-inch wingspan and weighs 40 pounds. It features navigation, cabin and landing lights and is powered by four Evolution engines. The creator of this standout model deserves a one-year subscription and a Model Airplane News T-shirt, so keep a close eye on your mailbox, Robert!

* Bell P-63A King Cobra

William J. Herrmann, Summerville, SC

Check out this giant-scale model! It has an 8-foot wingspan and an 87-inch-long fuselage, and William powers it with a Moki 2.10 engine, which he has cleverly mounted in the scale location-behind the pilot! William also directed the airflow from the fuselage scoop and wing scoops to the engine compartment. He created a vent on the center-box bottom so the air could exit during the engine's cooling process. He also constructed this model with working cockpit doors, retracts and wheel doors. It took William two years to gather the information and build the King Cobra.

* deHavilland Caribou, STOL

Ronald L. Wilson, Harrington, DE

Ronald scratch-built his Caribou using only a 3-view computer printout-no plans! His model has a wingspan of 78 inches, is 52 inches long and weighs 113/4 pounds. Ronald installed twin O.S. .46LA engines with Master Airscrew props to power his model. He also uses a Futaba 6-channel radio, which controls all 11 servos. Other cool features include spring-loaded retracts and navigation and landing lights that are controlled by the flap's angles. Very impressive!

* Stearman PT-17

Bill Hunter, Ormond Beach, FL

With a wingspan of 65 inches and a weight of 8 pounds 6 ounces, this Sterling Stearman is just one of Bill's beautiful models. With Bill's name printed across the Stearman's side, there's no mistaking who owns this plane. It's difficult to miss its eye-catching finish, as well. Inspired by Sammy Manson's aerobatic Stearman of the 1950s, Bill used Sig Coverall and LustreKote paint for the model's finish. He powers this beauty with a vintage Enya .60 and a JR radio. Bravo, Bill!

* Super Chipmunk

David Wright, Chanute, KS

David was very excited to build his Super Chipmunk with a slight alter ation; he had always seen it with a red, white and blue paint scheme. Although these are great patriotic colors for the Chipmunk, David envisioned a vibrant yellow-and-black design topped with the Pennzoil logo, and he accomplished this with MonoKote. He powers his Chipmunk with a Magnum .90 4-cycle engine, and he boasts, "It flies very well and looks good in the air, too!" *

SEND IN YOU SNAPSHOTS. Model Airplane News in your magazine and as always, we encourage reader participation. In "Pilot Projects," we feature pictures from you-our readers. Both color slides and color prints are acceptable, but please do not send digital printouts or Polaroid prints. Emailed submissions must be at least 300dpi. We receive so many photographs that we are unable to return them. All photos used in this section will be eligible for a grand prize of $500, to be awarded at the end of the year. The winner will be chosen from all entries published, so get a photo or two, plus a brief description, and send them in! Send those pictures to "Pilot Projects," Model Airplane News, 100 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877-4606 USA.