AIR WAVES

Model Airplane News, Mar 2005

"[your] articles and reviews are always informative and current. Model Airplane News is absolutely the best RC magazine on the market.

GREAT NEW LOOK

The new look of my favorite RC publication is wonderful! I find Model Airplane News very reader-friendly. The articles and reviews are always informative and current. I noticed that the January 2005 issue seemed to be easier on my eyes. Different paper or finish, maybe? Whatever the case, Model Airplane News is absolutely the best RC magazine on the market. Thanks for a great publication.

BOBBY PAITERSON, POINT PLEASANT, WV

Bobby, thank you very much for the words of encouragement. Everyone on our staff works tirelessly to produce the very best magazine possible. The new look is not a change of paper quality but simply a fresh design. We occasionally change our "look" to update the magazine's appearance. Thanks for noticing!

U.S. MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The February 2005 Model Airplane News article on the U.S. Scale Masters Championships was excellent. I have a question, though: where can I get more information about the qualifying events? I'd really like to check out some of these planes upclose and personal. Also, will the 2005 event be held at the Gardner Municipal Airport in Kansas again?

STEVE LEVIN [EMAIL]

Steve, for updated information on the 2005 Scale Masters qualifiers, check scalemasters.org. These events are a great opportunity to see beautiful models and talk to some of the country's top craftsmen. I look forward to seeing you and all the new qualifiers at the 26th Championships, which will be held at Castle AFB, Atwater, CA.

TEXAN CLICK TRIP

In the January 2005 "Airwaves," it says that the plans included in the December 2004 issue were printed incorrectly and that readers could download a correct version from the Model Airplane News website. But the only place I see the plans is in the RC Store section, where they are for sale. Where can I find the downloadable plans?

RYAN KRAAI [EMAIL]

Ryan, to find the Nick Ziroli T-6 Texan plans, go to the Click Trip section on the site: modelairplanenews.com/click_trips/click_index.asp. There, you will find all of our extended articles, including Nick's electric-powered Texan and other downloadable plans. Hope this helps!

TRIPLANE FAN

Greetings from Down Under! At the moment, I am building a Fokker DR.I triplane from a Flair kit, and when I've finished it, I plan to build a more scale one from the Glen Torrance Models kit. On page 51 of the May 2003 issue, you showed a triplane with a color scheme that's very appealing to me. Is that an authentic WW I scheme or one from today? And-as it cannot be seen in the picture-how is the triplane colored underneath?

JACQUES BOOSTEN [EMAIL]

Jacques, we're always pleased to hear from our Australian readers. The orange, green and white triplane in Budd Davisson's sidebar is a modern replica that's powered by a more readily available radial engine. The colors you see on top are the same as underneath the wings, but this scheme is not documented as an authentic WW I paint scheme. For good Fokker triplane documentation, check out the Windsock Datafile Specials from the folks at Wise Owl Publishing; call them at (562) 461-7574, or check their website-wiseowlmagazines.com. There are several Fokker triplane books in the series. They're filled with scale drawings, paint schemes and color reference information-perfect for the serious triplane lover!

MEMORIES OF JO KOTULA

Your January 2005 cover brings back fond memories of when I met Jo Kotula. I was working for an advertising agency in New Jersey. Jo was doing freelance artwork for the Curtiss-Wright account for us. He would come in and chat, sometimes bringing a very young Keith Ferris with him. One lunch hour, in his Piper Cub, he took me for my first plane ride out of a small airport in Totowa, NJ. He was a wonderful artist and friend.

PAT REILLY TAFRA [EMAIL]

I'm glad you enjoyed the trip down memory lane, Pat. Jo was truly an exceptional aviation artist, and we're sure that our January commemorative Jo Kotula covers will continue to inspire a new generation of modelers. DC 4

WRITE TO US! WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS. LETTERS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO "AIRWAVES," /MODEL AIRPLANE NEWS, 100 EAST RIDGE, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877-4606 USA; EMAIL MAN@AIRAGE.COM. LETTERS MAY BE EDITED FOR CLARITY AND BREVITY. WE REGRET THAT, OWING TO THE TREMENDOUS NUMBERS OF LETTERS WE RECEIVE, WE CANNOT RESPOND TO EVERY ONE.