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F/FSport


“Youth is a malady of which one becomes cured every day”—BENITO MUSSOLINI


W


hile not remembered in history for a pithy sense of humor, “Il Duce” and his comment on the passage of time seemed particu-


larly appropriate in marking this column as the beginning of my 39th year of writing for FLYING MODELS. That activity has taken me through the better part of a professional ca- reer and into retirement with the same sense of wonder in seeing inanimate objects take on a life of their own as they take to the air.


In what has now become an annual ritu-


al in writing each March’s “F/F Sport” col- umn, I want to express my appreciation to the readers of this magazine for their steadfastness, the editorial staff for toler- ating my idiosyncrasies, and the publisher for continuing to publish the best all- around modeling magazine still in exis- tence—and even more surprisingly, allow- ing me to continue to be a small part of it since March of 1973.


A real breakthrough We’re so used to seeing and hearing hyped phrases in everyday mass media attacks on our sensibilities to the point that a certain degree of numbness sets in whenever we en- counter phrases like “new and improved”, or “a major breakthrough”. In this case, how- ever, the words may apply. Keith Sterner, an innovator in his own


right, made me aware of the work of Randy Huff, who coincidentally happens to be Keith’s wife’s cousin. Randy is looking to start a small business in fabricating scale model engines and accessories using a “laser methods and materials” process that pro- duces incredibly detailed one-piece multi- cylinder dummy engines. The attached pho- tos are prototypes of the WWI ¹⁄₉ scale Clerget and the ¹⁄₁₄ scale LeRhone. Here’s Randy’s description of his work: “So


by larry kruse You can reach Larry Kruseat 18 NW Heatherstone Drive, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505, or via e-mail at aircats@att.net


PHOTO: ROB KONE


The Arado 196A3 was a refinement of the first Arado 196 that served the German Air Ministry (RLM) as a shipboard reconnaissance aircraft, replacing the older Heinkel biplanes. It is not often seen in a flying model form and very rarely as a limited number production kit. Details in the text.


far I have a ¹⁄₉ scale Clerget and a ¹⁄₁₄ scale LeRhone. The Clerget is 4.125 inches in di- ameter and weighs 47 grams (better suited to R/C applications). The ¹⁄₁₄ scale LeRhone has a 2.625-inch diameter and weighs 11.9 grams, which could get trimmed down if needed for F/F’ers. Also, the LeRhone is made to use a small nose button and a nose plug with a keyway. As Keith mentioned, I have CAD modeled a Clerget, a LeRhone, a Gnome, Seimens-Halske SH3 and a Pobjoy ‘R’. Again, these are one-piece models ready to paint. The sky is the limit with this ... technology that can be applied to the model- ing world because there are no molds to make and unlimited customized quantities.” Those interested in Randy’s work and his products can contact him via e-mail at randyhuff1@aol.com and extend a thanks to


Keith ksterner@flexicon.com for bringing a very promising breakthrough in scale mod- eling to our attention.


Limited edition kits We have Lou Buffardi, editor of The KAPA Kollector, the fine journal of the Kits and Plans Antiquitous group, as the source for the following information about a limited supply of well-engineered kits of the Arado 196A3. As the accompanying photo shows, this WWII German float plane has great lines for FAC scale. While the wing loading (17.58-inch wingspan) might be a little high and the plan form a bit too “draggy” for rub- ber scale, it might make a fine (and certain- ly unusual) electric powered model for FAC Power Scale. Lou says these kits are numbered editions


PHOTOS: RANDY HUFF


This WWI LeRhone rotary engine (above) has also been prototyped into the single-piece unit shown. This dummy engine is in ¹⁄₁₄ scale and would have immediate freeflight application at a weight of 11.9 grams or less—useful ballast on the front of a short-nosed WWI bipe. This is the prototype of a dummy WWI Clerget rotary engine in ¹⁄₉ scale (at right) being produced as a single unit using an advanced laser driven molding process. More in the text.


48 MARCH 2012


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