on the cover
We don't need much of an excuse to put a highly detailed warbird on the cover and, fortunately, this month we've got good reason. You see, not only do we have Mike Booth's supremely practical tips on applying an authentic patina (page 92), we've also got an inspirational piece by Andy Blackburn on owning and flying larger warbirds (page 12). Our cover model, meanwhile, is Chuck Hamilton's outstanding Dauntless SBD from the Jerry Bates plan, pictured at Top Gun 2017. Photo: Danny Fenton
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PUSHOVER
Back with another golden age classic, Shaun Garrity describes a well- behaved pusher that's suitable for all manner of propulsion systems
FIRESTREAK
Mike White's adaptable, quick-build aerobatic warmliner is a model for all conditions and all occasions
regulars
SWITCH ON – Special Feature
Dave Roberts cosies up with the Japanese team at the Swiss F4C World Champs and concludes that scale modelling is an international language
COUNTERPOINT
Kits, blingy bits, gadgets and gimmicks, lock up yer wonga or risk losing it on impulse!
ALL WRITE
Readers’ letters.
on the cover
There's something very special about scale helicopters, more so when they're beautifully detailed one-of fs that are made to the highest of standards and just ooze the character of the full-size from every nut, Jesus bolt and rivet. We've called Martin Fraser's scratch-built Westland Wessex a masterpiece in miniature but, in truth, that doesn't do it justice. Take a closer look on page 50 and admire its awesomeness. Photo: Alex Whittaker
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GÖ1 WOLF
A very short full-size production run does nothing to reduce the appeal of this classic ‘30s soarer.
Visit any flying site and you’ll notice that, whether i. c. or electric powered, the majority of models being flown are single-engine. That’s not to say that twins aren’t seen, but for many the journey into multi-engine installations is a trip into the unknown and, therefore, often avoided like the plague!
One reason for this is probably the cost, as models with multiple power units are, by nature, more expensive to build and operate.
ON THE COVER
Our Alex has been at it all summer, travelling the length and breadth of the country in pursuit of the show circus and some of the finest R/C models in the world. We happen to know he’s got at least one SD card full of fabulous aerodyne images that’ll have you itching to make a start on that dream project. Look no further than page 112 for a snap or two of Steve Rickett’s outstanding Douglas Boston III and a hint of what’s to come. Photo: Alex Whittaker
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MOONGLOW VI
Embracing the joys of a 15cc petrol engine, Shaun Garrity turns back the F3A clock with a superb retro aerobat
SNAP DRAGON
Ease yourself into the workshop this winter with Richard Harris’ diminutive 3-channel sportster
REGULARS
SWITCH ON
All change at Cosford, Rich Harris’ popular Panther autogyro gets a kit of parts, a funding cut for the RNHF, and more
COUNTERPOINT
Kits bits and blingy bits, designed to tease that wad of tenners from your wallet
ALL WRITE
Have your say in RCM&E’s gentlemanly equivalent of Speakers’ Corner
GOING PLACES
Indoors is where it’s at.
Believe it or not, the F-13 probably represents the high point of technical and commercial innovation in Hugo Junkers’ privately-owned Junkers Flugzeugwerke. Forget all the Ju-somethings of W. W. II, they came after both Hugo’s death in 1935 and the Nazis’ sequestration of the company.
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Cone of confusion
To accompany the plans for his evergreen Panther, Rich’ Harris joins Cali Munro to explain the appeal of the autogyro
Dogfight duo
Tony Nijhuis recreates a pair of Korean war classics with this 26in, EDF-powered Mig-15 and F86 Sabre
Features
Hurricane hootenanny
Blowing hard: Alex Whittaker reports on a storming weekend of scale-soaring at the PSSA’s mass-build event
Model squadron
First-person view: John Lancaster tells a behind-the-scenes story from C4’s recent RC re-enactment of the Battle of Britain
Warbird rescue
Ian Nash restores a Hangar 9 MkIX Spitfire before adding wear-and-tear weathering effects, and a touch of LED magic
Airbrush basics
A quick recap’ of Alex’s class for beginners
Sympathy for the devil
Theenfants terriblesof the RC world or a new horizon of modelling and flying challenges? Wayne Andrews makes a case for drones
Elan 100
Simple pleasures: David Ashby reviews Cambrian Model’s soarer, an ‘80s design that has passed the test of time
Adding lightness
If you throw it in the air and it comes down again, it’s too heavy: Richard Crapp offers ways to achieve a state of enlightenedness
“If you ask me. . . ”
In the virtual clubhouse ofRCM&E’sreader surveys, Graham and David Ashby eavesdrop on the conversations about our hobby
Reap what you sow
Rebuilding Britain: the summer of ’18 brought drought for Team GB at the scale world championships.
1946. A small boy hastily dismounts from his bicycle in a narrow lane that skirts Pendeford airfield, home of the Bolton Paul aircraft factory, and lets the machine fall against the perimeter fence. His eyes are fixed on a nearby Tiger Moth, its engine idling as it stands at the threshold of a grass runway. Here, the boy knows, is where the aeroplanes stop to prepare for take-off, the wash of their propellers flattening the close-cropped nap of the runway, and sometimes raising miniature rainbows from its rain-wetted grass.
ON THE COVER
Those who've had a go will already know that there's so much more to building a scale model than gluing A to B and sending your creation skyward on a wing and a prayer. The reality is veritable voyage of discovery, especially, as Mike Healy will attest, if you can open a line of communication with the owner and pilot of the full-size. Check out his gorgeous model ofTracey Curtis-Taylor'snews making Boeing Stearman. Photo: Graham Ashby
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THE OHMEN
Bring a vintage vibe to your flying with Peter Miller's classically- styled electric aerobat
COQUETTE
Just shy of 70 years ago, a young Vic Smeed introduced his pugnacious little cabin biplane to the world and it went down a storm.
on the cover
There's nothing more alluring than the spectacle of aeroplanes on water and when said water happens to be one of the most famous and beautiful lakes in the country, the combination is a photographic treat. Who better to cover the recent Ullswater Splash-in than RCM&E's photo journo, Alex Whittaker. Read all about it on page 14 –Photo: Alex Whittaker
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ISABELLA
Marco Penk's wannabe full-size is a proper polyhedral cutie that's perfect for enjoying the simple pleasures R/C flight
BEAGLE PUP
Eyes down for a full house as Shaun Garrity pumps up the 1960s low-wing trainer / tourer. Clear your bench for another classic build
regulars
SWITCH ON
We've a 2018 F4 World Championship ‘special’ all the way from Meiringen, Switzerland, where RCM&E's Dave Roberts has spent the week mixing it with the masters of scale
COUNTERPOINT
Gadgets, kits and blingy bits, designed to empty your wallet
ALL WRITE
Readers’ letters.