Nigel Cartwright describes his own-design turbine helicopter
Not one for off-the-shelf models, I do enjoy building and flying the quirky and unusual. My background is in industrial modelmaking, engineering prototyping and the like, and in recent years I’ve been getting more into 2D and 3D CAD, as well as 3D printing. If I can, I’ll make a part rather than buy it!
In a Model Magic double header, Alex Whittaker celebrates two models from ace scale man, Gerhard Reinsch
I was told about the death of Gerd Reinsch in early August 2020. Gerhard was loved by many involved with the UK large scale model circuit. His lovely manner and ready sense of humour endeared him to his many UK fans. Most of all, he was famous for his large scale, highly detailed model aircraft which he flew with consummate skill.
Out of lockdown, Tim Hooper heads for the flying field to test fly some recent new builds and refurbs.
Flying wise it was a no-go for several weeks. Our field was shut, just as you'd expect when the weather turns gloriously sunny. Yes, I know that it would be possible to maintain the required social distancing on the flight line, but the clubhouse and pits could be problematical, and it simply wasn't worth the risk.
Shaun Garrity takes advantage of the lockdown to have a clear out and uses some rediscovered plumbing parts to make some model racks
Lock down has actually had a number of benefits in the Garrity household. With all this time spent inside the home, I had finally run out of excuses for all those jobs I’ve been repeatedly putting to the back of the queue for far longer than I would care to admit.
Who says size doesn't matter! Bruce Corfe checks out a mega-model in sunny Western Australia
Whoever said 'size doesn't matter' had obviously never heard of Perth modeller, Andrew Herzfeld. Andrew has created, from scratch, not one but two enormous turbine-powered scale model airliners; the one featured here is his awe-inspiring four-engine 747-400 'Queen of the Sky'. Andrew claims it is the largest flying model Jumbo Jet (dramatic pause...) in the World!
Alex Whittaker admires Ken Sheppard’s ex-ARTF cartoon scale Italian trimotor
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk) first flew in September 1934. It was a low-wing, triple-engine cantilever monoplane of wood and metal construction. Operated as a medium bomber it was easily recognisable by its distinct fuselage hump. Indeed, its crews, who generally seemed to like the aircraft, dubbed the design 'il gobbo maledetto', or damned hunchback.
Chris Williams kicks off his new scale soaring column with a rare Fly-In report.
As we all know, there was precious little to be pleased about in 2020. But one thing happened that stimulated even my normal dystopian cynicism. The White Sheet Club (or White Sheet Radio Flying Club, to declare its full title) had lost most of its scheduled events by the time we got to September. All that was left was the proposed Scale Glider Fly-In on the 13th. (The 13th? You can’t make this stuff up!)
To add to the tension, the following day was when the existing 30-person rule was due to be chopped down to six, so the stakes were very high. You can imagine the surprise all round when the forecast was one of such perfection, that it’s never happened before, or since. I was a little worried that the 30-person rule might be breached, but on the day a manageable 20+ plus turned up to make hay whilst they could.
Roy Thompson rescues a once popular Brit kit from a clubmate's loft and launches it to lofty heights.
Back in the late 70s my then model clubmates and I were into thermal soaring, flying R/C gliders (pre-electric) at Cranford Park in West London. My club was the Hayes & District MAC. Throughout the summer Wednesday night was club competition night, with trophies to be won at the end of the year. A typical comp would be a six-minute duration event with a spot landing bonus.
At the time Bowman Model Kits of Ipswich advertised widely in the modelling magazines, being one of many small kit manufacturers in the UK. They had a good reputation for their no fuss designs and model kits supplied with good quality hardware.
Mike Bell describes his DIY film tacking tool for difficult to access areas.
When it comes to film covering an airframe, I'm sure that, like me, you have come across loads of annoying areas where the covering iron just can't reach properly. Areas like air intakes and air exit slots, together with fillets around wings and fins, all immediately come to mind.
Brian Hoddy reveals some of his secrets to making a realistic scale instrument panel and cockpit components.
I think we can all agree that our hobby has undergone quite a revolution in the last few years. Compared to earlier models they are getting more and more refined in appearance and complexity.
Alex Whittaker celebrates Indoor F/F scale models and recommends them as possible winter projects
Some of the sweetest model aeroplanes I have ever seen in my life have been indoor free-flight scale models. There is something intensely appealing about their cute size, their accurate but tiny proportions and, most of all, their cleverly judged level of detail.
In his February 2021 'Make It Scale' column Danny Fenton heads for the bright lights and seaside to compete in his first F4C competition.
It is interesting that the models shown in the very first column I wrote in 2012 are all currently seeing activity in one way or another, including my Apache PA-23-150 and my Black Horse Chipmunk. Even my Brian Taylor Mustang has seen progress. But you will have to wait for an update on those projects.
Foam models have given rise to all sorts of questions, not least how best to stick them together and protect them. Pete Lowe finds a few solutions using the Deluxe Materials range.
Why did the rules for model flying have to change? This thorny subject is discussed by Cliff Whittaker, who was an advisor to the BMFA during their negotiations with the CAA.
Alfred Vink relates the story of Aviation Club Leiden's 2019 winter group build.
In November 2019 no one could have known what 2020 had in store for us. In fact, it was business as usual at my local club LLC (Aviation Club Leiden) here in The Netherlands. A club with great history, founded as early as 1936, and still going strong.
