PHOTOS: MARTI SNELL
From Ivan Munninghoff’s molds, Marti Snell has improved and lightened his “next-generation” B2 (above left). Modified for four 90mm fan units instead of two glow-powered fans, Marti has designed in “lots of lightness”. Not a small model (above center), Marti poses with his B2 prior to its final finish. Marti even modified his main gear (at right) to collapse like the full scale in order to save fuselage space and add realism.
years ago in Dayton, OH. Vitaly Robertus, with his huge Yak 130 in the 20kg class, and Phillip Avonds, with his Magister in the 13.5kg weight class, have once again raised the bar in scale competition.
Additionally, congratulations need to go to the US team who finished in fourth place, only 47 points from being on the podium. Lots of good collective information concern- ing documentation, style of flying and types of airplanes amenable to the European/JWM style of flying was obtained, so look out world in two years!
What was most interesting (and disap- pointing), was that 2009’s second place fin- isher in the 20kg class, Gianluca di Marchi, who exhibited a joyousness and lightness to
go along with his flying skills, has been found guilty of blatant cheating and banned for life from JWM competition. He will prob- ably lose his award from 2011 as well. Having seen some of the documentation against him, I am so completely and over- whelmingly destroyed/bummed/down and otherwise disappointed that I am completely disgusted. And all this over a trophy that does not bring either financial gain, nor per- sonal gain like skiing champions in Europe’s alpine countries accrue. Having seen up close some of the detail placed in and on these airplanes (and his 2011 model) the de- gree of accuracy and workmanship needed is out of this world, and ’Luca had the touch. As a testimony to what can be accom-
plished in scale modeling, I have enclosed a single photo of this year’s airplane, only to show what can be accomplished on one of our own (even an arf). Please, if you enjoy scale competition as much as I do, play fair! To finish things out this month, I cannot resist including a photo of a Saab Gripen I found online, and I just absolutely love it! From above, the eyes look like eyes at- tached to the Tiger Meet color scheme, but sitting on the apron all I see is a butterfly, not a lethal fighter jet. Once again, this demonstrates a good use for a vinyl decal from your local sign shop rather than strug- gling to paint it.
That’s it for this time around, so until next time: fly safe, and trust in thrust!
PHOTOS: AVIATION DESIGN VIA RCUNIVERSE
Aviation Design’s stunning Diamond(prototype #2 which now resides in FL) (above) shows its “Star Wars-esque” lines while sitting in the French sun. This is a large, 97-inch long model with a weight exceeding 40 pounds. Diamond prototype #1 (above, at right) shows off its 132-inch wing span and 97-inch length. The entire vertical and both wings remove for transport, and the nose comes off at the join line just above the woman’s left hand, reportedly allowing transport in a compact car. With a 180N engine being the minimum, and a 220N engine being suggested, most of us would need to purchase everything new for this gorgeous, large airplane. Shown only to demonstrate the possibilities, not to glorify a cheater, this beautiful Fiat G-91 (at right) possesses nine visible hatches/inspection panels, which open and are functional. Add in the fuselage break at the aft end (also found on F-86s and other early fighters for engine change) with a lightly molded model of the actual engine for the “cool” factor and you have a lot of jaw dropping moments. Access panels and hatches can be added to almost any model, whether built-up wood or fiberglass, and can add a world of simplicity (for switches and air valves) as well as “scaleness”.
PHOTO: JIM MCEWEN
Upcoming Events Best in the West Jet Rally
Jet Rally in the Valley Arizona Jet Rally
FLYING MODELS Oct. 16–20 Nov. 2–3 Nov. 22–24
Buttonwillow Elk-Hills Airport, Bakersfield, CA
Kingdon Park Airfield, Lodi, CA Superstition Airpark; Mesa, AZ
CD: Joe Castelao
www.bestinthewestjetrally.com www.deltamodelers.org www.azmodelaviators.com
57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68