Retro RC’s Howard DGA-3
A 1930s Golden Age racer that will turn heads as well as pylons, both inside and out!
By Don Belfort PHOTOGRAPHY: DON BELFORT R 52
etro RC LLC
www.retrorc.us.com is a manufacturer of vintage and retro model aeroplane kits using today’s technologies to make the building experience enjoyable for the model- er. Retro RC’s mission is to design, manufac- ture and sell high-quality model aircraft kits which will appeal to both newcomers and old hands alike. They specialize in retro-looking designs and recreations of the classic models from the Golden Age of modeling, the 1930s and 40s. All of Retro RC’s kits are full laser- cut kits, not short kits. They contain all the wood necessary, a complete hardware pack- age, as well as a high quality photo-illustrat- ed construction manual. A review of Retro RC’s web site offerings will be enjoyable and well worth the time.
The Howard DGA-3 Pete is a 1:12 scale semi-profile foam recreation of Benny Howard’s first air racer designed in 1929. During the 1930 Chicago International Air Races, several pilots borrowed the Pete and won finishing spots including Hazel Lantz, who is pictured as the pilot with the included laser-cut cardstock parts. The Retro RC Pete is not your average foam plate aircraft. There are 60 precision laser-cut parts made of styrene foam, air- craft and light ply and cardstock, plus sten- cils for registration and race numbers. All the control linkage hardware is also includ- ed. Retro RC states that this is not a slow flier and is not intended for the novice pilot. For the purpose of this review, Retro RC also provided an “electronics pack” which in-
cludes a 10-gram outrunner motor, prop saver, 6–5 prop, 6-amp ESC, three 3.7-gram servos and motor mounting hardware. Construction begins with the hinging of the control surfaces. Retro RC has taught me a new skill with their hinging tech- nique. Two layers of blue painter’s tape are adhered on both sides of the hinge line about 3
⁄8
Pete
inches apart. Then lay down a medium line of Sobo brand fabric glue, available at JoAnn Fabrics, and squeegee to create a bead. Next, remove the tape and allow the glue to dry for a few hours. Once the glue has dried, the flying surfaces are bevel-cut with a notching tool easily made from a #11 blade, as described in the con- struction manual. The final hinge works well and is very neat.
NOVEMBER 2013
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