January 2021 Articles

• Built from Dave Platt plans, this 78-inch model is powered by a DLE 55cc gas engine turning a 22×10 Xoar prop. It has electric retracts. The balsa-sheeted model is fiberglassed with epoxy resin and painted with polyurethane, and homemade adhesive graphics provide the finishing touch. Eduardo Roesch, Antigua, Guatemala

  

  Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero

  Built from Dave Platt plans, this 78-inch model is powered by a DLE 55cc gas engine turning a 22×10 Xoar prop. It has electric retracts. The balsa-sheeted model is fiberglassed with epoxy resin and painted with polyurethane, and homemade adhesive graphics provide the finishing touch. Eduardo Roesch, Antigua, Guatemala
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• When I told Model Airplane News executive editor Debra Cleghorn that I was attending the Top Gun Scale Invitational for the first time, she asked me if I would interview the pilot of one of my favorite planes at the event. As a WW I fan (and a Balsa USA builder), I chose Mark Chapman’s […]

  

  Top Gun Favorite Mark Chapman’s 1/3-scale Albatros D.Va

  When I told Model Airplane News executive editor Debra Cleghorn that I was attending the Top Gun Scale Invitational for the first time, she asked me if I would interview the pilot of one of my favorite planes at the event. As a WW I fan (and a Balsa USA builder), I chose Mark Chapman’s […]
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• For years, one of my all time favorite military planes has been the often overlooked L-4 Grasshopper. It’s a warbird but it’s as easy to fly as a Piper Cub. The only differences being the greenhouse cabin windows and the paint job of military olive drab and gray. The new .46-size L-4 is a reduced […]

  

  Legend Hobby/VQ L-4 Grasshopper – A warbird that’s as easy to fly as a Piper Cub

  For years, one of my all time favorite military planes has been the often overlooked L-4 Grasshopper. It’s a warbird but it’s as easy to fly as a Piper Cub. The only differences being the greenhouse cabin windows and the paint job of military olive drab and gray. The new .46-size L-4 is a reduced […]
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• Noel spent a little more than two years designing and building this 1/6-scale amphibian aircraft. The 92-inch-span, built-up model is powered by a 3-cylinder Saito 60cc gas engine and weighs about 30 pounds. Noel writes, “Somewhat surprisingly, the utilitarian lines of the Sea Otter resulted in a really nice flying model. The narrow landing gear […]

  

  Sea Otter

  Noel spent a little more than two years designing and building this 1/6-scale amphibian aircraft. The 92-inch-span, built-up model is powered by a 3-cylinder Saito 60cc gas engine and weighs about 30 pounds. Noel writes, “Somewhat surprisingly, the utilitarian lines of the Sea Otter resulted in a really nice flying model. The narrow landing gear […]
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• My friend and flying buddy Matt Rodmell owns a full-size 1942 L-4A Grasshopper. His plane was originally designated as an O59A observation plane and was manufactured on April 13, 1942. It served from May 2, 1942 at DeRider AFB, as part of the 13th Observation Squadron until it was transferred to Baton Rouge AFB on […]

  

  Canadian Grasshopper

  My friend and flying buddy Matt Rodmell owns a full-size 1942 L-4A Grasshopper. His plane was originally designated as an O59A observation plane and was manufactured on April 13, 1942. It served from May 2, 1942 at DeRider AFB, as part of the 13th Observation Squadron until it was transferred to Baton Rouge AFB on […]
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• Did you know that on April 11, 1945 the last aerial combat of WW II was fought between a U.S. L-4 Grasshopper and Luftwaffe Fieseler Storch over Vesbeck, Germany? Here’s the story, in the words of the Grasshopper pilot, Lt. Merritt Duane Francies, U.S. Army, Retired, 5th Armored Division, 71st Field Artillery, 9th Army. “I […]

  

  Last Dogfight of WW II

  Did you know that on April 11, 1945 the last aerial combat of WW II was fought between a U.S. L-4 Grasshopper and Luftwaffe Fieseler Storch over Vesbeck, Germany? Here’s the story, in the words of the Grasshopper pilot, Lt. Merritt Duane Francies, U.S. Army, Retired, 5th Armored Division, 71st Field Artillery, 9th Army. “I […]
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• One of the most active warbird centric clubs in the Northeast region of the country is the Long Island Skyhawks. Long Island, New York is rich in WW II aviation history, and so there’s a lot to motivate the RC modelers in the club. And, this group of warbird buff often strives to find the […]

  

  Jim McQueen and his P-51B Mustang

  One of the most active warbird centric clubs in the Northeast region of the country is the Long Island Skyhawks. Long Island, New York is rich in WW II aviation history, and so there’s a lot to motivate the RC modelers in the club. And, this group of warbird buff often strives to find the […]
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• There are lots of good reasons to use gasoline engines to power your model airplanes. When you fly giant-scale airplanes, reliable engine performance is of upmost importance. Generally speaking, gas engines are also very easy to start and run very consistently while producing their peak power at lower rpm settings than glow engines of similar […]

  

  Getting into Gas Engines – Expert installation & setup tips

  There are lots of good reasons to use gasoline engines to power your model airplanes. When you fly giant-scale airplanes, reliable engine performance is of upmost importance. Generally speaking, gas engines are also very easy to start and run very consistently while producing their peak power at lower rpm settings than glow engines of similar […]
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• The Defender, an unlikely moniker for an air vehicle that seems like it could trace it’s lineage to an overland cargo trailer with wings. Clearly designed for utility rather than esthetics, it has square edges rather than curvy lines, a rectangular rather than sleekly tapered wing planform and a funny looking landing gear system. “It’s […]

  

  Britten-Norman Defender 2000 – An electric-powered Islander on steroids

  The Defender, an unlikely moniker for an air vehicle that seems like it could trace it’s lineage to an overland cargo trailer with wings. Clearly designed for utility rather than esthetics, it has square edges rather than curvy lines, a rectangular rather than sleekly tapered wing planform and a funny looking landing gear system. “It’s […]
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• I use nail files to remove small bumps in the balsa wood, for example. They are very handy, inexpensive and have a long shelf life. One side is coarse and the other is fine. Clean with water every now and then. Wouldn’t have thought that the cosmetics industry would think of us model builders! Dietrich […]

  

  Sanding Sticks

  I use nail files to remove small bumps in the balsa wood, for example. They are very handy, inexpensive and have a long shelf life. One side is coarse and the other is fine. Clean with water every now and then. Wouldn’t have thought that the cosmetics industry would think of us model builders! Dietrich […]
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• Industrious builders and craftsmen have been carving, machining, or casting small parts for as long as the hobby has been around, but 3D printers have taken custom parts to a new level. One such enterprising modeler is Will Morgan of Morgans Custom 3D printing. What started as a guy making parts for himself turned into […]

  

  Morgans Custom 3D Printing

  Industrious builders and craftsmen have been carving, machining, or casting small parts for as long as the hobby has been around, but 3D printers have taken custom parts to a new level. One such enterprising modeler is Will Morgan of Morgans Custom 3D printing. What started as a guy making parts for himself turned into […]
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• Here’s a simple tool to precisely center servos. Use sub-trim to align the servo arm, then place the wire in the arm hole and adjust until the point of the wire is on the center line. Bob Zaretsky, Ramsey, New Jersey

  

  Servo Centering

  Here’s a simple tool to precisely center servos. Use sub-trim to align the servo arm, then place the wire in the arm hole and adjust until the point of the wire is on the center line. Bob Zaretsky, Ramsey, New Jersey
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• If you do not secure the connectors used with a servo extension lead, vibration can cause the connectors to come apart and the servo stop working. A good way to prevent this is to simply tie an overhand knot in the leads, plug the connectors together and chinch up the knot to remove any slack. […]

  

  Secure Servo Lead

  If you do not secure the connectors used with a servo extension lead, vibration can cause the connectors to come apart and the servo stop working. A good way to prevent this is to simply tie an overhand knot in the leads, plug the connectors together and chinch up the knot to remove any slack. […]
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• Scale competition is a segment in this hobby that I really enjoy. Like many, I grew up wanting to be a fighter pilot, but when I had to get corrective contact lenses in junior high school, those dreams ended so I decided to become an aerospace engineer instead. A big part of why I enjoy […]

  

  Building a Competition Worthy Scale Cockpit

  Scale competition is a segment in this hobby that I really enjoy. Like many, I grew up wanting to be a fighter pilot, but when I had to get corrective contact lenses in junior high school, those dreams ended so I decided to become an aerospace engineer instead. A big part of why I enjoy […]
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• Finding the center of gravity on my airplanes was never a problem. If I had to make changes at the field sometimes, it was difficult seeing the marks on the wings. I solved the problem by attaching cabinet door bumpers where the CG marks are. You can buy them at any big box store. Varity […]

  

  EZ CG Finder

  Finding the center of gravity on my airplanes was never a problem. If I had to make changes at the field sometimes, it was difficult seeing the marks on the wings. I solved the problem by attaching cabinet door bumpers where the CG marks are. You can buy them at any big box store. Varity […]
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• Each year, our January issue highlights our editors’ top picks for gift ideas. This year is no different, but our picks are some of the hottest products every RC modeler and pilot would love to get theirs hands on. Whether you like turbine jets, warbirds, or civilian STOL fliers, we’ve got you covered. From gas […]

  

  Hot for the Holidays

  Each year, our January issue highlights our editors’ top picks for gift ideas. This year is no different, but our picks are some of the hottest products every RC modeler and pilot would love to get theirs hands on. Whether you like turbine jets, warbirds, or civilian STOL fliers, we’ve got you covered. From gas […]
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