July 2020 Articles

• Originally derived from the Consolidated Model 14 Husky Junior, the Fleet Model 1 and Model 2 were two-seat trainer and sport biplanes produced in the United States in the late 1920s. They were also produced in Canada in the early 1930s. They all shared the same basic design, mostly varying in their powerplants. The Fleet […]

  

  Fleet Model 2 Biplane: The perfect choice for low and slow scale flying fun

  Originally derived from the Consolidated Model 14 Husky Junior, the Fleet Model 1 and Model 2 were two-seat trainer and sport biplanes produced in the United States in the late 1920s. They were also produced in Canada in the early 1930s. They all shared the same basic design, mostly varying in their powerplants. The Fleet […]
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• When it comes to producing accurate aircraft markings, your results depend on two things: accurate documentation and quality materials. I have been using Red5Designs vinyl markings for many years and they never fail to impress. Company founder, Marshall Gross and his team are true digital artists, and they use the finest materials to produce their […]

  

  Red5Designs Vinyl Graphics

  When it comes to producing accurate aircraft markings, your results depend on two things: accurate documentation and quality materials. I have been using Red5Designs vinyl markings for many years and they never fail to impress. Company founder, Marshall Gross and his team are true digital artists, and they use the finest materials to produce their […]
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• This solderless landing gear not only reduces stress on the model, but, as the name implies, it can also be built without having to solder any of the wire parts. Here’s what I did for my Balsa USA 1/4-scale Fokker Triplane. Make a long box structure to fit into your model’s landing gear sub-wing. To […]

  

  Solderless Landing Gear: Easy-to-build shock-absorbing setup

  This solderless landing gear not only reduces stress on the model, but, as the name implies, it can also be built without having to solder any of the wire parts. Here’s what I did for my Balsa USA 1/4-scale Fokker Triplane. Make a long box structure to fit into your model’s landing gear sub-wing. To […]
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• When I built a scale model of a World War I German Albatros D.V, I needed to make some functional louvers. I powered the model with an Enya .53 4-stroke engine, and it was almost completely enclosed in the fuselage. To add sufficient cooling, I needed to make the louvers function, but at the same […]

  

  Create Scale Aircraft Louvers: Realistic details add functional cooling

  When I built a scale model of a World War I German Albatros D.V, I needed to make some functional louvers. I powered the model with an Enya .53 4-stroke engine, and it was almost completely enclosed in the fuselage. To add sufficient cooling, I needed to make the louvers function, but at the same […]
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• I’ve been using 2D computer-aided design (CAD) programs for more than 20 years, and have designed dozens of model aircraft with it. I have always wanted to try 3D CAD, but previous programs have had a steep learning curve, and I didn’t think I could really master 3D at the same level that I had […]

  

  Alibre Atom3D: Easy 3D CAD modeling for the hobbyist

  I’ve been using 2D computer-aided design (CAD) programs for more than 20 years, and have designed dozens of model aircraft with it. I have always wanted to try 3D CAD, but previous programs have had a steep learning curve, and I didn’t think I could really master 3D at the same level that I had […]
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• In the past, we’ve discussed different aerobatic moves that consist of endless variations of a basic maneuver. For this article, let’s look at a variation of the basic Cuban-8, this time making it a half Cuban-8 with one-and-a-half negative snap rolls. The half Cuban-8 is usually performed with a half roll on the downline, but […]

  

  Half Cuban-8 with Negative Snap Rolls

  In the past, we’ve discussed different aerobatic moves that consist of endless variations of a basic maneuver. For this article, let’s look at a variation of the basic Cuban-8, this time making it a half Cuban-8 with one-and-a-half negative snap rolls. The half Cuban-8 is usually performed with a half roll on the downline, but […]
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• I’ve had an affinity for the Bristol M.1C ever since I first saw one 25 years ago. I built one and flew it for a long time before it met its untimely end. This is the first time I’ve gotten another copy of a plane I already owned, and I knew I had to have […]

  

  Seagull Models/VQ Warbirds Bristol M.1C: A stunning World War I replica

  I’ve had an affinity for the Bristol M.1C ever since I first saw one 25 years ago. I built one and flew it for a long time before it met its untimely end. This is the first time I’ve gotten another copy of a plane I already owned, and I knew I had to have […]
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• There is an old saying in the scale RC community (coined by the scale guru, David Platt) that goes: “You never finish a scale model, you just stop working on it.” This basically means that the modeler himself decides what degree of scale fidelity he wants his model to have. Some will build a beautiful […]

  

  Detail a Cockpit: Add that lived-in look to your model

  There is an old saying in the scale RC community (coined by the scale guru, David Platt) that goes: “You never finish a scale model, you just stop working on it.” This basically means that the modeler himself decides what degree of scale fidelity he wants his model to have. Some will build a beautiful […]
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• Can you believe it’s been 34 years since we first saw Tom Cruise catapult off a carrier deck and up into the danger zone as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun? We previewed the first Top Gun movie in our August 1986 issue (and correctly predicted that the Tomcat–and Tom Cruise–would become American heroes). […]

  

  Top Gun Maverick: The iconic ’80s aviation action classic returns to thrill a new generation

  Can you believe it’s been 34 years since we first saw Tom Cruise catapult off a carrier deck and up into the danger zone as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun? We previewed the first Top Gun movie in our August 1986 issue (and correctly predicted that the Tomcat–and Tom Cruise–would become American heroes). […]
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• In 30 years of flying RC models, I have used many radio brands. I change radios, even the brand of radio, every 7 to 10 years. In this review, I share my discovery of Jeti RC, a high-end brand that I knew very little about. My first challenge was which Jeti radio to get: 14-, […]

  

  Jeti DS-24: A top-of-the-line radio system

  In 30 years of flying RC models, I have used many radio brands. I change radios, even the brand of radio, every 7 to 10 years. In this review, I share my discovery of Jeti RC, a high-end brand that I knew very little about. My first challenge was which Jeti radio to get: 14-, […]
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• With a lot more fist bumps than handshakes, Florida Jets 2020 took place as scheduled on March 11 through March 14; during the very early stages of the coronavirus outbreak here. The annual jet fly-in at Paradise Field near Lakeland Linder Airport in Lakeland, Florida was well attended, and another great success! Weather always seems […]

  

  Florida Jets 2020

  With a lot more fist bumps than handshakes, Florida Jets 2020 took place as scheduled on March 11 through March 14; during the very early stages of the coronavirus outbreak here. The annual jet fly-in at Paradise Field near Lakeland Linder Airport in Lakeland, Florida was well attended, and another great success! Weather always seems […]
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