Focal Point
Model Aviation, 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302
Aircoupe
Robert A. Garner Jr. (104 Twp Rd. 1222, Proctorville OH 45669) built this Alon Aircoupe from a Jack Stafford Models kit. Documentation was from Scale Model Research.
Power is an O.S. 52 four-stroke. Radio is JR. Covering is MonoKote®. Aileron and rudder are coupled, as on the full-scale aircraft. The registration number has been changed to reflect the model's completion date.
Joint Project
This 72-inch Big Lazy Bee is described as a "joint project from Joe and Diane," according to Joe Colletta (3712 Sovereign Dr., Racine WI 53406) and Diane Debban.
Power is a Royal .46 ("too much power") and radio is Airtronics. "Flies great!" wrote Joe. "Low rates are just right for beginners—slow and easy."
New Life After 63 Years
"I guess you could call me an 'old timer' at 82," wrote Dick Roe (2760 Vista Cir., Camarillo CA 93010).
In 1937 he designed and built this 77-inch-span model with retractable landing gear. Originally a Free Flight, it was last flown in 1953 as a Control Line model, "until 1998, when my pursuit of the hobby was renewed at the urging of a young RC friend." The model was then restored and converted to RC.
Roughly 25% of the original structure was replaced, and selected bracing has been added. The model is now powered with an O.S. .46 and weighs 10½ pounds. Coverite 21st Century Fabric was used for covering.
"I am thrilled with the result."
Five Cubs A-Flying
This collection belongs to Bob Taylor (5376 Renn Rd., Frederick MD 21703).
- Left to right: 8½-foot-span, ASP 108 power.
- 8½-foot-span with G-23 power.
- Sig 8½-foot version with G-23 power.
- 80-inch-span Hangar 9 with Saito 56.
- Back row: 12-foot Balsa USA with O.S. FT300H.
All models have Futaba radios, and two have FMA rudder gyros.
1914 Taube
R. Lynn Hendry (840 Grelle Ave., Lewiston ID 83501) built this 1914 Taube from a Balsa USA kit. Power is a Saito 50 four-stroke.
Finish is Coverite with light wood stain, followed by a coat of Sherwin-Williams satin polyurethane. Floats were made from blue high-density foam, covered with mahogany. Radio is Airtronics.
"Flies very well, but not for beginners," wrote Mr. Hendry. The model finished fourth in Fun Scale at a 1999 US Scale Masters qualifier meet.
"My Number-One Sport Airplane"
William E. Roberts (4749 Route 3, Saranac NY 12981) really likes his Great Planes Easy Sport 60.
"It flies great—better than any trainer I've ever flown. It's my number-one sport airplane."
The Easy Sport is powered by an Enya 80 four-stroke and is covered with MonoKote®. Mr. Roberts modified the model by eliminating the wing dihedral.
Blackburn Monoplane
The model shown here is the work of Alan C. Brown (388 Aptos Ridge Cir., Watsonville CA 95076). It's based on plans in the May 1976 Model Aviation, modified according to three-views in Blackburn Aircraft Since 1909.
"The airplane which I have modeled is the oldest British airplane still flying," he wrote. "It is currently part of the Shuttleworth collection."
Mr. Brown was an apprentice at Blackburn Aircraft from 1945–50.
Labor of Love
This mural is located at the impound area of the Pennsylvania Avenue Radio Control Society's field. It was painted in 1995 by Hal Iken and Hal Bock, and was restored last year.
"The mural reflects the kind of talent these men have that goes well beyond that of model airplanes," wrote club president Scott Schultz (47-19 170th St., Fresh Meadows NY 11358). "It is their love and passion for the hobby that makes this kind of project a labor of love."
Busy Senior Telemaster
John Tokubbl (1700 B Lawyer, College Station TX 77840) learned to fly RC on the Telemaster 40, and "liked its looks and flying so much that I built the bigger version."
The model is powered by an O.S. .61 and has a Futaba radio. "It flies and handles very much like a full-scale airplane. I plan to use it to drop parachute men, to carry a camera, and simple 'Sunday flying.'"
Flying Pencil
John L. McDonough (62 Rattlesnake Way, Clemons NY 12819) scratch-built this 1/2-scale Dornier Do-17E-1 based on dimensions taken from an Airfix 1:72 plastic kit.
The 12-pound model uses a Futaba radio and has two K&B .40s for power. The balsa, plywood, and spruce model uses Coverite fabric with custom-blended paint.
Its nickname came from the British, in reference to the Dornier's slender fuselage.
Out of Control?
"The model featured in the center here is a Kaos by Direct Connection," wrote Jim Jennings (Box 1121, Hendersonville TN 37077). It is covered with Coverite fabric, guided by JR, and powered by a SuperTiger .60.
"The model on the left is Rascal. He is powered by Friskies® and an occasional mouse.
"The pretty model on the right is Sadie. She is powered by Kibbles and Bits® (obviously overpowered).
"Both are covered with too much hair, and both, as of this date, remain unguided and out of control."
Too Pretty to Fly
That's what Frank Lee (3320 N. Arnould Rd. #113, Metairie LA 70002) thinks about the Yellow Aircraft Spitfire that Ken Bonura (left) built for him.
The model has Yellow retracts, Zenoah G-62 engine, and is finished with automotive paint.
Focal Point
Force One
Eugene Doncea (7483 Zeeb Rd., Dexter MI 48130) built this Balsa USA Force One. Covering is Goldberg UltraCote®. Mr. Doncea is a member of the Hamburg Flyers.
Three Generations
Dick Sarpolus (32 Alameda Ct., Shrewsbury NJ 07702) sent this photo of his family and an upcoming Model Aviation project.
At left is the author's son Rick; Dick is in the center; and Rick's son Matthew, a newcomer to modeling, is at right.
Future issues will contain construction articles on Dick's CL and RC Eindeckers.
Red Cub
"Who says Cubs have to be yellow?" asks Carman Spadafora Sr. (RR3 Box 284B, Meshoppen PA 18630).
Mr. Spadafora built this Great Planes J-3; it was covered by Howard Pascoe and has a YS 53 for power. He's a member of the Endless Mountains RC Club, South Montrose PA.
Proud of your latest building/flying effort? Share it with MA's readers! Send us a glossy color print (no digital photos or photocopies, please), with appropriate description, and we'll run the best submissions as time and space permit.
Please include your full address (including E-mail, if available) so that interested parties may contact you directly. Send to: Model Aviation, 5151 E. Memorial Dr., Muncie IN 47302; Attn: Focal Point.
Slow Poke
Greg Minden (4540 Vincente Ln., Las Vegas NV 89130) sent this photo of his Great Planes Slow Poke.
"It sports the new Saito .30, and I added ailerons to give it added performance," he wrote. "Loops, rolls, and great slow flybys with an APC 10.5 x 4.5 prop."
The model is covered with Goldberg UltraCote® and has a Du-Bro brass spinner for balance.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
