Henry R. Carstens


president and publisher carstens@carstens-publications.com


Frank Fanelli editor


Jim Wiggin associate editor


Maureen Frazer production editor John A. Earley


vice-president and director of advertising


Pieter W. Uptegrove advertising manager George Riley


director of marketing Larry Deitch


advertising production manager


Tammy Havens advertising production


Phyllis M. Carstens assistant to the publisher


Otto Vondrak webmaster Chris Lane


book acquisitions manager Lynn Good


customer service


Cathy Streeter dealer service


FLYING MODELS (ISSN 0015-4849) Incorporating FLYING ACES and R/C Model Boating, is published monthly by Carstens Publications, Inc., 108 Phil Hardin Road, Fredon Township, Newton, New Jersey 07860. Phone: 973-383-3355. FAX: 973-383-4064. Visit our web site at www.flying-models.com, or e-mail us at: carstens@carstens-publications.com. Henry R. Car- stens, President; John A. Earley, Vice President, Phyllis Carstens, Secretary / Treasurer. Periodicals Postage paid at Newton, NJ 07860 and additional mailing offices.


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Contact Flying Modelsat (973) 383-3355 Voice, (973) 383-4064 FAX, or e-mail us at frankf@flying-models.com


f you’ve never been to a freeflight com- petition that features the FAI class of models, you’ve missed a unique oppor- tunity. Ingenuity and craftsmanship are the foundations of these planes and the final linchpin of their success is the finely honed intuition of their builders about flying conditions and strategies. Sunday fliers these are not.


Add to that carefully refined matrix of fac- tors the incorporation of some sophisticated technology—some homebrewed—and the subtle wow factor rises more than a few notches. Sure, they don’t have the seductive shapes of scale aircraft like some warbirds, or the fine curves of a Pattern or Stunt plane. Nor do they have the appeal of some enticing sport models.


And yes, it could easily be argued that oth- er aspects of modeling incorporate much of the same genius found in other modeling arenas. For instance, C/L Stunt, which fea- tures extremely light but rigid airframes that are very often also approaching works of art with their stunning graphics and fin- ish. Some also incorporate modern compos- ite materials.


All the above leads to Martin Dilly’s great article about this summer’s FAI F/F World Championships. This is Martin’s first ap- pearance in FM after a long absence, and he’s given us a fascinating look at the cur- rent state of FAI planes. This isn’t just a narrative of who placed where in what plus nice pictures, it is instead a précis of the techniques and the new technology. These are definitely not your father’s FAI planes. You’ll find that Martin is well versed in this manner of model, and the varied strate- gies employed by the competitors. After reading Martin’s article I hope you give yourself a chance sometime to go to one of these contests. It is a great mix of sight and sound.


So, while on the subject of freeflight, take a look at Pat Tritle’s Flummox. There he was, one rainy weekend, itching to do some flying, but that wasn’t going to be so he went back into his workshop “... and there, leaning against the wall, was a sheet of 3mm Depron® foam that somehow looked like it needed to be turned into an airplane.”


So in just the short span of a weekend he had a neat little freeflight model that was just perfect for kicking back and enjoying some casual flying. Yes, it is foam and that is a modeling material that sometimes en- genders the disdain that “real” modelers don’t do foam.


Granted that there is a traditional affinity for balsa in this area of freeflight, but if ever there was a trait that characterizes model- ers it is that they do things their unique way. And for many modelers it is the curios- ity of trying something new and different. Foam fits the bill in this respect. It’s de- cidely different when it comes to freeflight planes but with the cost, the availability and the appropriate quality of balsa becoming a little more tenuous, something may be need-


ed to fill in. Mind you that’s not a call for a wholesale stampede. It’s a simple observa- tion that different materials may have some unexplored, valuable and unique potential. As sort of an exclamation point of that fact we have two other foam planes, the Multi- plex Solius, and Flyzone’s Mini Switch. Dave Garwood got the nod to take a good look at the Solius. It’s good to have Dave back and give us a look at this mid-level sailplane. It’s not a beginner’s model, nor is it aimed at the expert. And it can be equipped with or without a motor. It also has some unique aspects to its design as Dave explains and shows with his usual su- perb photography. Take a look at it. In this instance molded foam has more economically achieved the same sinuous curves of higher end fiberglass and composite sailplanes. Since his retirement Larry Kruse has


been on a roll with modeling project after modeling project but he took the time to look over one of Flyzone’s latest offerings, the Mini Switch. FMreviewed the first, larger Switch back in the February 2011 issue, and looked at its dual personality. Using a novel method, the plane could easily be set up as an effective high wing trainer. Then, with a quick and easy switch, it could turn into a pretty agile mid-wing acrobat. It was a clear cut case of having your cake and eating it too. Larry tells us that this smaller follow-on


to its larger sibling shares a lot of the same gene pool. But he goes on to explain that it isn’t a carbon copy clone of the elder Switch. The Mini Switch he says is a lot spunkier in either high or low wing version. And in Oklahoma where the wind doesn’t always blow gently down the plain, Larry found that it handled the zephyrs surprisingly well for a small lightweight model. That fea- ture alone just might make you want to find out more about it.


This leads us to a more conventional wood model, the Sig T-Clips that former FM As- sociate Editor Chris Susicke reviews for us. Sig Manufacturing in recent years has been somewhat quiescent as it navigated some adjustments in the company. It has always had a stellar reputation for solid designs and the modeling heritage of the company. So it’s nice that it has a number of new mod- els lined up for release.


In the October issue Larry Kruse re- viewed one of Sig’s most popular designs, the 4-Star series, the 4-Star 64 to be precise. The T-Clips is a different animal opines Chris. It looks like a sedate, high-wing tail dragger but it does things no respectable plane like it should do. Knowing Chris, that only put a smile on his face, while he also muttered a satisfied “All right!” About down to the wire so there’s only enough time to mention Chuck Felton’s lat- est corrugated plane, the Messerschmitt M.20b. Like many of his choices corrugated cardboard works really well to make neat stand-off scale models. –FRANK FANELLI


DECEMBER 2013


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