PHOTO: JIM SPRENGER
PHOTOS: JOHN MCGRATH
John McGrath has added several new products to his Laser-Cut Planes line, including this new “Easy-Bake Prop Jig” (above) from laser-cut plywood. Note the pitch scale at the top right that allows a variety of pitch angles to be “baked” into prop blanks. Details in the text. This neat little mid-wing design (above right) is scheduled to be added to the Laser-Cut Planes line by the time you read this. Called the Sidekick, it joins another TSA offering in an expanding line of products from John McGrath. More information in the text. A beautifully rendered compressed air motor (at right) is one of the newest items being offered by Jim Sprenger of Zephyr Compressed Air Motors. With a bore of .280 inch, a stroke of .250 inch, and a displacement of .015 cubic inch, this is the first new commercially available compressed air motor to make its presence known in several decades.
KAPA Kollectorends its run Begun through the inspiration of the late Jim Alaback, the KAPA Kollector has ended its 20-year run of capturing and honoring the many who have gone before us in bring- ing the happy memories of our model build- ing youth. A bi-monthly compendium of many of the hobby’s major and minor manu- facturers, designers, and plans, the Kollec- tor was a treasure-trove of modeling’s best efforts between the early 1930s and the late 1950s.
In announcing the closing of the KAPA Kollector’s hangar doors, Lou Buffardi, the current and last editor announced, “Switch off. Fuel petcock closed. Chocks placed. It was a good flight....While I’ve been pleased to see so many fine designers and manufac- turers heralded within our pages, I do regret that so many others will not be so honored. Consider the names honored in each issue and the fantastic efforts they themselves ex- pended for our enjoyment and development. Remember them with warmth and with deep thanks. We have all been the better for it.”
The pleasure of building from plans
Almost every month I’ve written this col- umn has brought its own contribution in the form of photos of models that readers have built from both kits and plans; however, there seems to be just a bit more pride com- ing from those who have built their cre- ations just from plans.
There’s something about starting with nothing except sheet wood, strip balsa, and a flat drawing that increases modelers’ sense of accomplishment incrementally as wing ribs, fuselage formers, wing tips, tail outlines, and nose blocks are all brought to useful shape—and then magically turned into three-dimensional objects by hands and minds working together.
This month, reader David Testerman FLYING MODELS
shared with us his completed Grumman Hellcat built from a Mike Nassise plan fea- tured as a centerfold in the fine Tailspin newsletter that Mike so ably edits on a bi- monthly basis. David says his Hellcat’s all- up weight is 27.5 grams without the motor, and, while no powered flights have occurred yet, test glides look good. At that weight, David, you are going to be proud of the way your fine-looking model performs. I should also mention that for readers who
might enjoy finding a full-size building plan like the Hellcat in every issue, subscriptions to the Tailspin are twenty bucks a year sent either by check or money order to Mike Nas- sise, 22 Greenfield Street, South Easton, MA 02375.
New stuff for builders We’ve got several new products this month that will be of interest to builders, starting with items coming from John McGrath’s Laser-Cut Planes
www.Lasercutplanes.com in Colorado. The first is John’s “Easy-Bake Prop Jig” for molding indoor props. While John says he’s got to find another name for the item, it works simply by preparing your prop blades to weight, soaking them with Windex or rubbing alcohol, securing them to the jig and then adjusting the pitch as required. After baking on a cookie sheet for about 8 minutes at 250 degrees, they come out per- fect. The jig accepts blades up to a 2-inch chord and a 5-inch length. It should be up on John’s web site as this is printed. Look for his model designs as well, including two new ones—Sheldon and the Sidekick that will be featured soon. Jim Sprenger, from Winnetka, CA is now offering several useful items, including free- wheeling clutches, Tomy-type DT timers, compact torque meters, and Wakefield front ends. Probably the most unusual and excit- ing offering is the beautifully-crafted “Zephyr Compressed Air Motor” shown in
the accompanying photo. With a weight of just 15.2 grams and a displacement of .015 cubic inches, it should have interesting ap- plications. You can find the details and prices of all of his items by contacting Jim at 7432 Irondale Ave., Winnetka, CA 91306, or by phone at 818-456-0311, or on-line at
zephyrmodelmotors@gmail.com.
Transitions
Referencing this month’s opening quota- tion, I have always been bothered by columns and/or authors that disappear from magazines without a trace or explanation to their loyal readers. Accordingly, late last summer I notified the editorial staff of FLY- ING MODELS that I would be stepping away from my duties as the “F/F Sport” columnist on the anniversary of my 40th year of writ- ing for the magazine—and we have arrived at that point!
As my 70th year on this planet quickly ap- proaches, I remain in fortunate good health and continued excitement about our hobby. FLYING MODELS has been a part of my life since I was eight years old and couldn’t wait to get the latest issue from our local drug store, the only magazine purveyor in town. I will continue to be a part of FLYING MODELS as long as they will have me. I look forward to doing many more kit and construction re- views, event coverages, and perhaps even a new design or two—all, however, without the monthly deadlines that propel maga- zines forward.
During my professional career I always told the young people whom I hired that the secret to any job was in the leaving—you should do it well and with full appreciation and gratitude for all of those who have helped you be successful. Please allow me to express my appreciation and gratitude to you, the readers, for your many, many con- tributions over the years—and for allowing me to leave according to plan, hopefully hav- ing been successful and served you well.
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