Model Airplane News #5

Welcome to this latest issue of the Plane Talk newsletter.

My apologies for slipping a week or so, though you'll remember I never said this was going to be regular! 

Two exciting pieces of news.  First, I've started giving away a free RC trainer every month to subscribers to my newsletter.  So if you know someone else just starting out with model airplanes then point them to Model Airplane Secrets for their chance of a free model.

Second, I've been organising a supply of model airplanes from a discount supplier and you can read all about it in the news section.

In this issue you will also find:

---

• Featured article: The World of Miniature Warbirds

• A Review of the Seagull Dual Ace Twin Engine .46-.60 sized ARF

• Model airplanes at discount prices courtesy of a new tie-up with a discount supplier

• The News roundup

• ..and this issue's Pit Lane humour

  ---

Featured Article

The World of Miniature Warbirds

War has never been of any use to the world. The only benefit arising usually comes from advances in technology and this century has particularly seen massive advances in aircraft and aerospace. If it had not been for the demands of the 1939-45 war, we would still be flying around in airships which in the 1930s were streets ahead of fixed wing aircraft in terms of load capacity, range and safety. But the world's prediliction for conflict has seen a multitude of military aircraft developed, commonly known as 'warbirds', and if there’s a full size airplane then we can make a model airplane to emulate it and so were born the Miniature Warbirds.

In the modelling community Warbirds are looked after by the World Miniature Warbird Association (WMWA) http://www.wmwa.org , a Special Interest Group of the Academy of Model Aeronautices (AMA). The WMWA defines warbirds, has created a community of model airplane warbird enthusiasts, a group directory covering participants all over the world and a number of special events.

 

The WMWA defines a ‘Warbird Aircraft’ as a model of any aircraft used for military purposes by any Country at any time. It must be a scale or semi-scale rendering, recognizable as such, and marked accordingly. Any prototype offered to the military but not accepted would also fall into the category of a ‘Warbird Aircraft.’ It cannot be a model of any aircraft made to look like a ‘Warbird Aircraft’ by applying military markings to it.” (WMWA Constitution)

Anyone with a love of building or flying warbirds is welcome in the WMWA. To maintain this friendly environment the rules for warbird status are pretty relaxed with no specifics about size, or engines or even scale provided only that the model airplane looks like a warbird. It’s the definition of the original warbird aircraft that defines a warbird model.

Contrary to the original purpose of the aircraft on which it is based, friendship is the name of the game in the WMWA. Members of the association gather in a spirit of camaraderie rather than conflict. This niche of the model airplane hobby really does take pleasure in the process of construction, often replicating the originals in painstaking detail, plus the joy of watching those lovingly constructed model airplanes take to the air.

The main miniature warbird event is the fly-in. Spectacular model airplanes make their mark in the sky and on the ground as fellow RC aviators and spectators look on. Fly-in events also include things like intro pilot training programs, guest speakers, and low-key contests. It is quite astonishing to witness tens of museum-quality aircraft, with wingspans from two to thirty plus feet, decorated to the hilt, en masse.

One of the characteristics of the WMWA for model airplane enthusiast is the world-wide network of ‘Wings’ which specialize in particular types. This can be of great benefit to individual members as it puts them in touch with other members with their specific interest. They can then pool their research efforts, exchange information and generally collaborate to produce the most accurate representation in their model airplane of the full size airplane on which it is based – wherever in the world it may have originated from.

So if you are interested in building or flying a warbird then the World Miniature Warbird Association is the best place to start. You need to base your model airplane on the definition published by the WMWA to ensure that your model airplane qualifies. You can select from any type; bombers, fighters, transport airplanes or helicopters and you can start from scratch or base it on an existing kit or plan.

Any type, any method as long as the finished model airplane gives a good representation of the original as defined by the Association. It’s a great project for the winter months – so maybe do some planning this summer and then get to it as next winter approaches.

Models at Discount Prices!

I've been looking around for a supplier able to offer really great deals on model airplanes, especially for those beginners just getting into this hobby who might not have such deep pockets.  At last I've found a partner with CDH Enterprises in the US that's able to buy big and sell at a discount. 

They have a whole range of models available from kiddies toys through to serious nitro.  I've collected all the best value deals on the front page for you.  There are a number of models with prices 50%, 60%, even 70% off retail! Just go to Model Airplane Discounts - and you can always return through the main Resources page at Model Airplane Secrets.

I collected the lowest cost and best deals on the front page - but don't let that stop you exploring the various menu options available where you'll find lots of choice - something for everyone.  

As always, shipping is going to be an issue for those of you not in the Americas.  CDH use standard pricing for international shipments by PS Global Express and for oversized packages, UPS International. 

I'm continuing to explore other sources of low cost models in Europe and will let you know if I have any success.

Learning to Fly…can you do it yourself?

Andrew Rosz's book, "Basic Flight Instruction" continues to be appreciated by a growing band of buyers.  Click on  "Basic Flight Instruction" right now and learn from the Master!

New Stuff….

Review - from RCGroups

Pit lane humour…

Heard on Southwest Airlines just after a very hard landing in Salt Lake City: The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, "That was quite a bump and I know what ya'll are thinking. I'm here to tell you it wasn't the airline's fault, it wasn't the pilot's fault, it wasn't the flight attendants' fault…..it was the asphalt!"  

That fits with lots of modellers too!  Gravity is remorseless.

News roundup….

As you would expect, these summer months are filled with local newspaper reports of club shows, meetings, fly-ins and other get togethers.  Far more than I could include here from all around the world so this is only a selection.  The common aspect of all of them is that no matter how stilted or cliche ridden is the reporting, they all give an opportunity to spread the word outside the modelling community in order to attract young kids (old kids too!).

Model planes do battle in Fallbrook  ..  combat! 
North County Times - Escondido,CA,USA
Members of the Palomar R/C Flyers, one of San Diego County's largest model airplane flying clubs, met at Johnson Air Field to engage in a friendly combat …  (is there such a thing as 'friendly' combat?).
 

Out of flight: Former pilot stays airborne with model  ..and some really pragmatic observations on life and modelling by long time modeller, Donnie Dubose, in Lafayette
The Daily Advertiser - Lafayette,LA,USA
… the world's largest sports aviation organization, says more than 170,000 fliers enjoy the hobby and participate in more than 2,500 model airplane clubs across …

Prepared for mass take-off  ..to commemorate the design of the Cloud Tramp model for beginners in 1954.
This Is Hertfordshire - Hertfordshire,UK
Things really took off on Epsom Downs early this month with the mass launch of free flight model aircraft as part of a synchronised worldwide event. …

An elevated image  I'm always pleased to see news of any model airplane fanatic, (even a rotor-head!), who manages to make money out of our fine hobby.
The Coloradoan - Fort Collins,CO,USA
… Ray said. "Being a commercial pilot, I'm also familiar with FAA regulations governing flight and use of model aircraft.". The business …

Grantsburg girls attend summer science program  It's amazing how many educational programmes in science tend to focus around model airplanes.  And who would object to more of the fairer sex down at the flying field?
Burnett County Sentinel - Grantsburg,WI,USA
… All focused around the process of building a radio-controlled model airplane. "It was really fun and really educational," said attendee Hannah Rod. …

Free air show set to take off  What a thoughtful bit of advice from the local paper; "bring a lawn chair or blanket".  Very true.
Reporter-Times - Martinsville,IN,USA
… Attendees should bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Local merchants will donate raffle prizes, with a radio-controlled model aircraft as the grand prize. …

Piloting planes, from the ground up  Here's one club that seems to have secured a decent flying site - as usual by finding a mutually satisfactory relationship with others.
Providence Journal - Providence,RI,USA
… Some of the model aircraft are meticulously constructed from scratch, others are assembled from kits that can cost as much as $400. …

Taking to the air in miniature
Kansas.com - KS,USA
… controlled aircraft, with wingspans of up to nearly 10 feet, were on display recently at the Smoky Hill Museum as part of an ongoing model-aircraft show called …

 Visit my blog

 

                         

 

 

---