Indholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2024 i Model Airplane News

THE SCALE SPECIAL ISSUE If you’re a Model Airplane News subscriber, then we know you appreciate an expertly crafted scale RC plane. Even if you spend your hobby time and money on sport fliers, 3D aerobats or gliders, you know there’s just something special about an RC WW II warbird with a radial engine starting up on the flightline! Building a scale airplane is an art form that combines history and craftsmanship, and it takes a skillset that’s acquired over many years. The editors here at Model Airplanes News always look forward to pulling together this annual special issue and it has now become a reader favorite. This month’s issue is jam-packed with articles that any scale enthusiast is sure to enjoy. We have how-tos like detailing your cockpit, making…

If you really want to make your scale airplane come to life and make it look as though it’s been fl ying around for a while, you need to do some weathering, especially on the underside. As with all things in life, when they get used, airplanes get dirty! How much weathering should you do? Consult your reference photos. Without these, you are just guessing. Take some creative license here, but following a good photograph will definitely make your model look more realistic. After you paint on the base coat (this SNJ is painted with latex), it’s time to dirty things up a bit. Remember—“easy does it”—try not to have a heavy hand with your airbrush. When you start to see a difference appear, beware! You are probably doing too…

When you decide to build a scale RC model airplane kit, you’ll need to make many decisions, from the type of plane you want to build to whether to you want to build from a kit or from plans to where to buy the plan or kit. I hope this article encourages you to take the next step in your scale journey! BUILDING KITS Model kits typically include wood parts, full-size plans, instructions, hardware, landing gear, and formed parts such as landing gear, canopies, and cowls. Essentially you receive everything needed to construct an airframe. Most manufacturers have built and evaluated multiple configurations of their models and recommend power systems, radio equipment, and finishing materials. Building from a kit generally ensures that you will have an enjoyable construction experience and…

When finishing scale RC models, it can be difficult to find the proper decals you need for a specific project. Sure, there are plenty of vinyl stick-on graphics packages available in many different sizes for popular aircraft like the P-51 Mustang or the F4U Corsair, but searching for insignia-like nose art for your scale model can be frustrating. Why not try to make your own? The supplies you need are some water-transfer paper, a personal computer, an inkjet color printer, and some clear coat spray paint. Inkjet printers work very well for this application and even the most modest-priced printers produce very good results. You certainly don’t need an expensive printer to get professional results. Water transfer paper is available in both clear and white background and it can be…

PILOT PROJECT OF THE MONTH F-4 PHANTOM II Roger Hecht, Tehachapi, California The Phantom was built by Roger and his son Brent using Model Airplane News plans and a laser-cut kit from Bob Holman Plans. It’s mostly constructed of contest balsa and covered with UltraCote. Roger also made the nose cone and canopy from molds and fabricated fiberglass intake ducting. An 80mm fan and 100-amp speed control from Freewing provide the power and a Spektrum DX-18 provides guidance. EMBRAER-190 Leonardo Lopes, Brazil This beautiful jet was completely designed in CAD and 3D-printed in 1/22 scale, giving it a 52-inch wingspan. It was printed using PLA-LW and PLA filament then reinforced with fiberglass where required for additional strength. Then it was sanded smooth and painted in the Brazilian Air Force VIP…

North American Aviation had already produced one of the most iconic fighter planes ever built during WW II: the P-51 Mustang. When the U.S. needed a fighter/interceptor to counter the MiG-15, North American Aviation delivered again. The F-86 was the first production sweptwing design and was capable of supersonic speeds. Equipped at first with six .50-caliber machine guns as well as a variety of rockets and jettisonable external fuel tanks, the Sabre filled a variety of roles for the Air Force. The FMS F-86 80mm is their latest release of this classic aircraft. The injection-molded EPO foam jet comes with everything required to get airborne except for a receiver and flight battery. Hard plastic parts are installed in high-stress areas and anywhere that additional strength is called for. The power…

There’s always excitement when a new model of a rarely modeled aircraft comes out, and I couldn’t wait to fly the Avios Super Tucano. Distributed by Hobby King, the Super Tucano emulates the Embraer EMB 314, known worldwide for its power, smoothness, versatility, and robustness. The Super Tucano model is a detailed scale design that captures the aesthetics of the full-size aircraft. The model includes pre applied decals and a realistic paint scheme of the Philippine Air Force, with a shark mouth nose art that makes it stand out from the crowd. Made from EPO foam, it has a great balance of durability, strength, and light weight. The foam construction ensures that the aircraft can withstand minor crashes and bumps. This ARF has a low parts count and requires some…

Whenever someone looks at a model airplane, their eyes are attracted to the cockpit. It seems only natural to expect something interesting inside. Although it may seem daunting to build an instrument panel, when first starting out, keep it simple. You don’t need much of a cockpit interior to make it eye-catching. GETTING STARTED To make an instrument panel, you only need three basic components: First is a backplate of the instrument panel. This will serve as the area where the instrument faces will be placed. Second is an instrument panel face. And third are the instrument bezels. Although bezels have a nice effect, they are not necessarily required in all cases. There are airplanes with instrument panels that do not show any type of bezels and instead have a…

The editors at Model Airplane News have pulled together what’s new in the world of RC airplanes so that all pilots have what they need on their wish lists! From traditional builder’s kits to cutting-edge jets, tools and flightline gear, there’s something here for every good modeler. From the Model Airplane News family to your family, we hope you have great holiday season (and that you get everything on your wish list!). FMS F-16 FIGHTING FALCON 64MM We think this $200 PNP F-16 fighter jet is a best buy! It combines topnotch manufacturing technology and exceptional craftsmanship along with scale details that include the cockpit, panel lines, realistic antennas, and an airspeed indicator. And it even comes in two colorways: battlefield gray that replicates a combat-ready fighter jet and the…

Jon Ellis has graced our pages before when he built a beautiful Bell 47 from Vario Helicopter. Where the Bell 47 is the suburban housewife of helicopters, the Cobra is a well-armed mean machine that strikes fear in the enemy when it enters a conflict. A pair of powerful engines and advanced weapons systems made the SuperCobra a force to be reckoned with. Model Airplane News: Jon, can you give us a quick background on your RC helicopter experience? Jon Ellis: I was self-taught in 1980 with a GMP Cricket and built my first scale helicopter in 1984. I have attended many events flying scale helicopters with the most recent being Horizon Hobbies RC Fest in Monticello, Illinois. I will be hosting the Smokey Mountain Scale Helicopter event this year…

Jason Hill of Houston, Texas had one of the most unique aircraft flown at this year’s Jets Over Kentucky, and for a change it wasn’t turbine-powered but a very large EDF: a B-52B BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow). Jason scratch-built the model over the course of 10 years. His experience with B-52s during his career in the U.S. Air Force and later on as a civilian contractor provided the inspiration, and despite his SAC background he modeled a B-52 operated by NASA for various experiments and as an airborne launch vehicle. This airborne launch capability of the NASA BUFF was key to the choice of scheme because Jason uses his to launch a small X-15 model. The B-52 also has a functional bomb bay that Jason uses to deliver a…