· w Your next R/C mission Top Flite's F4U-1A Corsair More than 30 years after their final mission, assembly lists · Hardware · Nylon fittings · Illus­ you can recreatethe glories of the legendary Black trated check-off instructions and full-size plans Sheep Squadron with your own radio-control The F4U-1A Corsair...one more reason Top F4U-1A Corsair. All new from Top Flite, this rug­ Flite continues to be the choice of champions. ged stand-off scale F4U-1A Corsair flys with the grace and agility of a sport R/C, yet features the structural design and insignias of the famous World War II fighter. Kit highlights of Top Flite's new and exciting F4U-1A Corsair include: Wingspan ..............61" •All balsa construction · Preformed, Wing area ..............693 sq. in. die-cut "Superform” fuselage shells Length.......................48" Engine size ..............60 • Heavy-duty hardwood landing gear · Weight .....................7-9Vi lbs. Two-piece, extra strong injection molded Kit no...........................RC-21 cowl · Fully detailed, clear plastic canopy • Quality grade die-cut parts · Machined leading edges, wing tips, etc. · Heavy-duty 3/ie" diameter landing gear wire · Full balsa sheeting for wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers · Hardwood PHOTO OF motor mounts and wing blocks · Silver soldered ACTUAL MODEL BUILT FROM KIT control horn assemblies · Fuel-proof, matte finish LIST PRICE authentic mylar MonoKote™ markings · Tool and *9995 Top Flite Models, Inc. 1901 N. Narragansett Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60639 For a 12-page catalog describing our many other fine products send request plus 50 cents to Top Flite. suit your model and your bud­ The Futaba FP-.1S provide» get. Equipped with a pair precise, single- of Sl8's. the 3S system is just Mick control of rudder and 5144.95. Or you can specify elevator. our mighty mite, ball-bearing S20's with the 3S for 5159.95. The Futaba FP-3S system makes a great combination Select either or micromini S20's (shown) or our powerful S18’s with your 3S system. for the RC sailplane or 'ΛΑ pilot. First, you get smooth, accurate control with the single-stick operation pre­ ferred by competition flyers. The choice is Then you can match up our yours, but either way R3F double-tuned. RF ampli­ you'll be flying with the leader fied receiver with your choice in radio control performance, 2065 East Victoria Street/ of S18 or S20 servos to best reliability and service. Futaba. Compton, California 90220 The FP-3S.Three channels. Two servo choices. Single-stick control. Pioneering major developments in radio control feature interchangeable frequency modules, is second nature to us; it’s the way we started. Back making easy frequency changing in the same band in 1959, a Kraft single channel receiver was or to all frequencies in other bands a reality. In introduced, the first of its kind. Simple as it may 1977, we built the world’s smallest and lightest appear today, it far surpassed in performance and servo, the KPS-18, which set a new standard in reliability anything then available. In fact, it was miniaturization. Last year, we developed an FM immediately put to the test by many leading receiver and transmitter module for present and contestants in the 1960 R.C. Nationals. future applications. -vj Continued development led to other significant Today, our Series ’79 and Sport Series systems breakthroughs. In 1964, our KP-4 introduced the are a culmination of 20 years’ design experience age of reliable digital radio control. It was simply and innovation. We offer seven different systems the best you could own, and it was backed with with a wide range of components and accessories. the superior design and high quality that had come Kraft continues to stand for progressive design, to be associated with the Kraft name. quality, reliability, and service. As a demonstration In 1968, our Gold Medal Series brought of our confidence, all new systems are covered by \ simplicity, miniaturization, and lower cost to the a one-year limited warranty. Write for a free average enthusiast. It was the most popular system catalog. / / of its day, and is now considered to be an R.C. Remember, we’ve been classic. Nineteen Seventy-five brought the world’s first programmable R.C. system designed for the the way since 1959! competitive modeler, Phil Kraft’s Signature Series. The 1976 Bicentennial Series was the first to 450 W. California Avenue R A FT P.O. Box 1268. Vista. California 92083 K > (714) 724-7146 SVBTCM·. INC. 1 ■ Top Left: John Theodorsen’s Kougar features custom wing fillets, an inverted fully-cowled engine, and completely internal control horns. Top Right: Lad Plachy launches his Sig Stinson L-5 Sentinel, a perennial FF Rubber Scale favorite design by AMA Hall of Famer Henry Struck. Right: Here are two of Bill Lubkemann's favorite "models” - his daughter Sarah and a Sig Kougar. The “Kougar was just about the easiest model I've built." Bill is an aircraft pilot and mechanic living in Brazil, S.A. Below Center: Ed Carew (Ontario, Canada) says that his Smith Mini­ plane "is the most enjoyable model I have ever flown”. Below Right: John Myers informed us, “I have flown my Sig Kadet, built in 1977, over 1000 flights with no major repairs. Each flight aver­ aged over 10 minutes. It is a great airplane for anyone to fly”. Bottom Left: John Conn says his Kougar “flys great and is easily handled. It is an ideal first low wing plane. Without a doubt, the Sig kits are the finest on the market today.” Kathy Longar completes this pretty picture. Bottom Right: A colorful red, white, and blue Sig Kavalier built by Steve Tesnear of Colorado Springs, CO. “Flys very nice. A super kit.” FLY ONE OF THESE PROVEN FAVORITES RC-31 KADET...................................................$39.95 RC-35 KOUGAR.......................................... $47.50 RC-38 SMITH MINIPLANE...................$54.95 RC-39 KAVALIER........................................$44.95 FF-17 STINSON L-5................................. $ 9.95 PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW FOR SIG’S LATEST COMPLETE CATALOG - $2.00 PPD. SIG MANUFACTURING CO., INC. . . Montezuma, Iowa 50171 APRIL 1979 Spring By Sterling Models for Length 24 Width 7% Engine .049 m l u - 1 S P A C E S Q U I R T Two Beautiful Models developed for 2-channel R/C, expertly engineered, featuring accurately die-cut Balsa, precisely vacuum-formed parts, Hardware and detailed Plans and Instructions. K it F S © ® 37 Piper Tri-Pacer Wing Span-44 Scale V/2 1 For .049--10 Engines Catalog ol enure line ο» airplane control line model hils R C »cate STERLING MODELS · 3620 G ST PHILA PA 19134 and Trainer kits boat mode· kits accessories etc 60< enclosed If no dealer available direct orders accepted with 106 additional Secrets ο» Model Airplane Building Including design construction charge tor handling and shipping (60c minimum in US tt 2S cowering finishing flying adiustmg control systems etc ?Sc minimum outside U S ) enclosed Nanif*__________________________________________ Secrets o! Control Line and Carrier Flying Including prpfiighi soloing stunting Carrier rules and regulations Carrier flymq hints and control line installation instructions 2SC enclosed A/Jrirpss__________________________City _____________Stall’________Zip No checks Only U S money orders or currency accepted FACTORY DIRECT The Boost Quarter Scalers Needed, But Could Never Find! Complete as shown UNIQUE ENGINE MOUNTING * Allows a full 360 BALANCED 4" DRH WEIGHT degrees adjustment around center support tube, plus PULLEY - Injection forn REDUCTION positioning capabil- D U R A BI /·' 4 >/t" glass-filled and machined BENEFITS - Complete Byro- ities to locate the yyj FIREWAL l dependable, vibration-j Drive. including the prop and cylinder head either MOUNT - Lightweight. 3'/.’"spinner. weights only 2'/t c oier or tart ter ^ glass filled and designed — ^ ^ v\ ~~ — lbs. f’xrormz zthze- ZcSentLer /I f J T " * ' w im“Λ** , kl HI____ SU p=f=? rl yj PRECISION BELT TIGHTENER - O v ij CONRAD / 1/8" ease of adjustment for BEARINGS - High carbon, timum performance. chrome steel ball bearings EXTRUDED ground to + .0000-.0002 ALUMINUM tolerance. Originally ENGINE designed for smooth service MOUNTS - Drilled and up to 15,000 rpms. con­ tapped to fit specified tinuous duty. engine. Insures accurate line up. 20 X 8 MAPLE PROP AND 3‘/i" SPINNER - Included PRECISION PULLEYS - Designed with every drive. and perfectly matched for peak performance. Simply remove your SPECIAL BALL END engine's prop back plate and replace DRIVER - (9/64) assures fast with Byro-Drive pulley. and easy Byro-Drive in­ stallation and adjustment. POL Y-FLEX Included with each drive. INDUSTRIAL BELTS I pr. factory matched. Proven Recent tests have shown the dependable and durable after Byro-Drive and a Schnuerle years of tool shop applications ported .60 (burning 15% nitro requiring up to 20.000 rpms. fuel) producing up to 20 lbs. of thrust with a 20 X 8 prop at TENSIOMETER - Included with 7,000 rpms. each Byro-Drive, the tensiometer will determine the exact recom­ mended belt tension for peak Order Byro-Drive model number lor matching engine. performance and longevity. Model No. for Engine (not included) MFR-IO .60 & .65 O.S. Max. fronl & rear valve Thanks to Byro-Drive and its ingenious method of prop RR-ll .61 & .65 Rossi, rear valve reduction, you can stop searching for that elusive method of powering your giant aircraft. And above are 13 good reasons RF-12 .61 & .65 Rossi, fronl valve WFR-14 .61 Speed Webvra. fronl & rear valve why. Forget about oversized and overweight gasoline and chainsaw engines with their abundance of vibration. Instead, TFR-13 X.60 Superligre, fronl valve, rear exhaust place your trust with proven names like O.S. Max. Webra. Rossi KF-15 .61 Kraft and others* for superior engine performance and dependability. Then look to Byro-Drive from Byron Originals for the finest in Send me_ Byro-Drive<s) Model No.(s)_ _al high performance prop reduction. You'll like what combining $89.95 ea., plus $2.50 handling. Iowa residents add 39o Sales Tax. two winners can do Name______________________________________________________________ ’Byro-Drive models lor other well-known engines available soon. Address -------------------------------------------------------------- City, Stale, Zip I have enclosed Chk. or Money Order for S Ship C.O.D. (85c additional per pkg.) Send lo Byron Originals. P.O. Box 279, Ida Grove, Iowa 51445 OLDIES ( ;) but still goodies MOST BACK ISSUES OF “MODEL BUILDER" ARE STILL AVAILABLE, THOUGH SOME ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY. ORDER NOW, WHILE THEY LAST! PRICES VARY ACCORDING TO QUANTITY REMAINING IN STOCK. NOTE SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY PRICES LISTED BELOW! November 1971 December 1971 January 1972 Nancy, R/C soarer. Curtiss-Wright Junior SHOCer F/F by Mel R/C Pattern World R/C 2" scale. Schmidt. Championships. R/C Twin Trainer White Trash, famous (Peanut Fokker D VI. 75" span, for ,40’s. R/C soarer. ILSF Tournament story Peanut Laird LC-DC. Peanut Ord-Hume. Bi-Prentice. R/C bipe Volksplane 3V-1 Chet Lanzo’s famous trainer. 3-views. rubber Puss Moth. How to build light Curtiss Robin 3-views. "wire" wheels. VoM.No.2 $3.00 Vol. 1. No. 3 S2.00 Vol.2.No.4 $1.00 February 1972 Mar/April 1972 May 1972 Minnow U/C profile Yankee Gull R/C glider Seahorse II. R/C sea­ scale rač-. 8’ to 12' span. plane. For .19-.35. Fokker E-1 ^ iC scale. Miss Cosmic Wind. QM D.H. Humming Bird, Al Vela’s O Boy 1/2A R/C Pylon racer F/F or R/C pulse. E-Z Bo· Q .A, Al Vela. Peanut Scale Bucker Peanut Fokker V-23. Peanu Q^d Flivver. Jungmann. Whetstone 1/2A U/C Fibe· ^ sing over balsa. Siebel 1/4A F/F scale. combat. by Le Gray. Mr. Mulligan 3-views. Ryan ST 3-views. Spoiler, FAI Combat. FAI power "Folder." Tethered Cars, R/C sail. Vol. 2. No. 5 $3.00 Vol. 2. No. 6 $1.00 Vol. 2. No. 7 $2.00 June 1972 July 1972 August 1972 Bob White Wakefield. Fairchild 51, 1" scale, Bonzo standr ’ R/C Mongster QM biplane R/C or F/F. sport pv^ scale. R/C pylon racer. SAM-5 A/2 Nordic. Counterf' O ail less Calif. Coaster R/C 1912 Avro G rubber. glider. Sheet wing. A/1 0 Jic. Comanche C stand-off Shoes' O' R/C QM. Three profile Peanuts. Deperdussin 3-views. R/C scale. Pear^ aylorcraft on Pasco Special 3-views. Travelair 2000 2" scale ^ts. also big one. R/C, by Editor. Fairey Delta 3-views. Chester Jeep 3-views. Vol. 2, No. 8 $3.00 Vol. 2. No. 9 S4.00 Vol. 2. No. 10 S4.00 Feb/March 1973 April 1973 May 1973 Profile F4U Corsair C/L Fabulous PEA POD, Bantee mini-pattern R/C stunt, .40 power. R/C sailboat. 3channel. .19 power. Beecroft's Satan, Class A Briegleb BG-12. scale Woodwind A/2. all sheet free flight. R/C soarer. covered wing. Indoor Ormthopter. R/C Spirit of St. Louis, Slope soaring technique. Peanut Travelair 2000 semi-scale. .049 .09. Teakettle, twin-boom PT-3 Scale Views. Peanut Volksplane CO2 pusher. Thermal hunting with Finish painting of rub­ Peanut Monocoupe 110. R/C gliders. ber scale models. Aerbo, .020 Replica, OT Vol. 3, No. 16 $2.00 Vol. 3. No. 17 $3.00 Vol. 3. No. 18 $1.00 Apr. 75 2.001 ) pul a check mark ( ) by the back issues you SPECIAL ! ! ! M*v ^-OOj wish to order. Magazines will be mailed by Sec- MODEL BUILDER MAGAZINE'S jU"’7 j ond Class, postpaid. Foreign orders (except • 5th ANNIVERSARY BACK-ISSUE SALE !! \ Aug 750ς!οοι ) Canada, Mexico, FPO, APO) add 3(ty per copy. Sap. 75 01.251 ) Allow about four weeks for delivery. If United ; ANY ISSUE MARKED WITH "o" 75 Cents! j Oct. 75 01.251 ) Parcel Service (UPS) is desired, add 8(ty mini- Nov. 75 01.251 I mum for up to two magazines, or add 804 plus • ANY ISSUE MARKED WITH "·" 50 Cents! \ Dec. 75 01-251 ) 10^ for each additional magazine on orders for Jan. 76 01.501 ) three or more. Send check or Money Order (no t ............................................................................................................4 Feb. 7601-501 ) cash, please, and no COD’s). A facsimile of this Nov. 71 S3.00I ) May 73 01.001 ) Apr. 74 01.00( ) Mar. 76 01-501 ) order form may be used. Dm. 71 2.00( ) Jul. 73 · 1.00( ) May 74 1.001 ) Apr. 7601.501 ) Aug. 73*1.001 ) Jun. 74* 1.001 I Jon. 72 0 1-00( I Sap. 73 *1.001 ) Jul. 74 01.00< > Jun. 7601-501 ) Name:------------------------------------------------------ Jul. 76 01.501 ) Oct. 73*1.001 ) Aug. 74*1.001 ) M/A 72· 1.001 ) Nov. 7301.001 ) S/O 74 · 1.00( ) Aug. 76 through Address.---------------------------------------------------- June 78, 1.50( ) May 72 2.001 ) Dec. 73*1.00( ) Nov. 7401.00( I Jun. 72 3.001 ) Dec. 7401.001 ) July 78 Sold Out City: ________________________ State: _____________ Jut. 72 4.00( ) Jan. 74 01.001 ) •Aug. 78 to date Jan. 75 0 2.001 ) F/M73 2.001 ) Fab. 74* 1.00( 1 Fab. 75 2.00( ) •“Neohv 78 Sold ouJt PLEASE PRINT' zip: _______________ Apr. 73 3.001 ) Mar. 7401.001 ) Mar. 75 2.001 ) MODEL BUILDER. 621 West Nineteenth St., Cotta Meta. Ca. 92627 4 MODEL BUILDER APRIL M O D E L S 1979 B U I L D E R volume 9, number 87 621 West Nineteenth St., Costa Mesa, California 92627 Phone: (714) 645-8830 STAFF CONTENTS EDITOR Wm. C. Northrop, )r. FEATURES GENERAL MANAGER W ORKBENCH, Bill Northrop.................................................................................................... 6 Anita Northrop OVER THE COUNTER, Phil Bernhard. ............................................................................ 7 ASSISTANT EDITOR R/C W ORLD AT IMS-PASADENA, Bill Northrop...............................................12 Phil Bernhardt ELECTRIC POWER AT IMS-PASADENA, Mitch Poling.................................20 ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER FUEL LINES, George Aldrich, |oe Klause................................................................................26 Edie Downs THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, Dave Brown ....................................................................28 ART DEPARTMENT PLUG SPARKS, John Pond............................................................................................................29 Chuck Blackburn SAILPLANE DESIGN (PART III), Dave Thornburg.................................................34 Al Patterson R/C SOARING, Dr. Larry Fogel.................................................................................................38 OFFICE STAFF Ceorgi Gilleran R/C FORUM , Hal deBolt..............................................................................................................46 Ron Hutto R/C SCALE, Bob Underwood........................................................................................................48 Pat Patton M AM M OTH SCALE, Ron Shettler ......................................................................................49 A. Valcarsel STRICTLY SAIL, Rod Carr............................................................................................................50 CONTRIBUTING EDITORS ELECTRIC POWER, Mitch Poling..........................................................................................52 HALF-A SCENE, Larry Renger ...................................................................................................54 George Aldrich Mitch Poling Dave Brown John Pond W OOD BENDING TECHNIQUES, Bud Croshere............................................. 56 Otto Bernhardt Bob Preusse HANNAN’S HANGAR, Bill Hannan....................................................................................60 Rod Carr Fernando Ramos CONTROL LINE, Dan Rutherford ..........................................................................................64 Hal deBolt Larry Renger Larry Fogel Dan Rutherford FREE FLIGHT SCALE, Fernando Ramos .............................................................................71 Jim Gager Ron Shettler FREE FLIGHT, Tom Hutchinson...................................................................................................72 Chuck Hallum Tom Hutchinson Bill Hannan Dave Thornburg Joe Klause John Tucker SCALE VIEWS Walt Mooney Bob Underwood MC-10 “ LE CRI-CRI”, Modelar Magazine ......................................................................37 CONSTRUCTION MODEL BUILDER (ISSN 0145-8175) is published monthly by Model Builder Maga­ "HOLLY HAWK", Mike Hollison.................................................................................22 zine, 621 West Nineteenth St., Costa Mesa, O.T. "TLUSH MITE", Tlush/Patterson/ Northrop..................................................32 California 92627. Phone (714) 645-8830. "PETREL”, Jim Ealy..............................................................................................................42 Subscriptions $20.00 per year, $37.00 for PEANUT REPUBLIC XP-47H, Pres Bruning..........................................................61 two years. Single copies $2.00. Add S3.50 per year for postage outside of U.S. (ex­ SHOW-BIZ TOOL BOX, Dan Rutherford ....................................... 66 cept APO and FPO). "PELICAN", Jim Fullarton.................................................................................................68 Copyright 1979 by MODEL BUILDER Magazine. All rights reserved Reproduc­ tion without permission prohibited Change of address notices must be re ceived one month before date of issue COVER: For just over 23 minutes, this model traced a figure-8 course, 400 feet to a lap. that new address takes effect Send old over the heads of exhibitors and spectators at the International Modeler Show in address with new; old label preferred Pasadena, California, on January 7, 1979, to establish a record for indoor, electric Post Office will not forward copies unless powered, radio controlled model aircraft. The model was designed, built, and flown you pay extra postage Duplicate issues by Hal Cover, Thousand Oaks, California, and more detailed information will be cannot be sent found, beginning on page 20. Kodachrome 35mm transparency by Myram McJunkin, Second Class postage paid at Costa Riverside, California. Mesa. California, and additional offices APRIL 1979 5 Winners of the world's first Indoor R/C Record Trials, conducted during the Pasadena, Calif­ ornia International Modeler Show (I to r): Addie and Tony Naccarato (mother and son), MB's editor (sponsor of trials). Bill Watson, and Hal Cover. For more info, see "R/C World" column. / r o m B / / / / U o r + h r o p ' e w o r k b e n c h · · · • The model industry recently lost one Orion, Ed Kazmurski’s National and Original Design, R/C Sailplane, Solar- of its top business personalities, when World Champion aerobatic model, in kit film covered model. Helicopter, R/C Mike Schlesinger passed away in late form, followed by Ed's Taurus and Tauri. Boat-Sail, Power, Scale; Junior Model December, at the age of 67, after nearly a The Taurus, built by thousands of fliers (16 yrs. or under), Best 1/4 Scale Aircraft year-long fight with cancer. all over the world, probably appeared in (too bad, you big models that are 1/5 or Mike retired as president of Top Flite more pattern contests than any model 1/3!), and Best Model Aircraft built by a Models in February 1978, having held aircraft before or since. In a similar way, Canadian. that position since 1945. Under Mike’s George Aldrich’s Nobler, kitted by Top The Nelson Recreation Complex, firm hand, and along with the modeling Flite, has no doubt outcircled any other scene of the show, is at 4235 New Street, and engineering expertise of his part­ control line aircraft ever known. Burlington. There will be distributor ner, Sid Axelrod, Top Flite became a Mike’s role in the hobby industry displays, a Swap Shop, and two flying leader in the hobby industry. Certainly went far beyond Top Flite and its prod­ shows each day. Carl Small is Exhibition Mike and Sid can be credited with ucts. His contributions of time and effort Director. changing the building habits of model­ to the Hobby Industry Association are * * * ers all over the world, when they intro­ best known by other hobby industrial­ duced Monokote, the iron-on covering ists, but included chairmanship of the Almost too late to mention in this issue is the March 9,10, and 11 date for material. Before that, veteran R/Cers trade show committee, election to the the 28th National Model Plane Show, in will remember their introduction of the HIA’s Board of Directors in 1956, ten Cleveland, Ohio. Sponsored by the years as chairman or co-chairman of the Cleveland Aeromodel Society and the Model Aeronautics Division, and service Continued on page 110 on the HIA's nominating committee for several years. Our acquaintance with Mike was held together by personal contact at the various open-to-the-public trade shows, such as Toledo and White Plains. Mike was always easy to spot, very tall, and slender enough to annoy the diet set. He was an immaculate dresser and had a friendly way of not only remembering your name, but also some little incident from your last meeting ... a trait that made you feel like someone special to him, and a trait that made him well liked by everyone. We'll miss you, Mike. And as always, our best to Sadie. THE SHOWS GO ON The Stony Creek Radio Control Club, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, is present­ ing its 9th annual R/C Model Aircraft Exhibition and Flying Show, on the weekend of May 5 and 6. There will be prizes to third place in Military Scale, Civil Scale, Stand-Off Another Mystery Modeler! One of MB's con­ Mike Schlesinger, 1911 - 1978. Military Scale, Stand-Off Civil Scale, tributing editors. Photo taken at the ripe old Finish, Sport Biplane, Sport Plane (!?), age of 13. First correct answer gets a prize. 6 MODEL BUILDER