What Do The Top Modelers Do Off Season?

I built my first stick Piper Cub nearly 60 years ago. I have been modeling all my life. I built them all, airplanes, ships, tanks, cars . some that moved and some that didn't . a perpetual motion machine that wouldn't run, and a guitar I never learned to play. But when I started RC modeling, I sensed that I had entered a new dimension. The extraordinary planes that I saw built by some apparently ordinary unassuming individuals was to me truly astounding. I have been to many great museums, airplanes and others, and I can tell you that I have seen nothing better than what some of our top modelers do. Moreover, the planes they build are not just "hangar queens" . they don't sit there and look pretty . they are functional. They go out and do the job that airplanes do.

To me RC modeling is a genuine art form. The mainstream may disagree, because it may seem inconceivable to them that someone who drives a pickup truck to work and drinks a six-pack of Busch in the evening can be an artist. But that's not true, we are all artists. We all have that capacity to create. Although our "objet d'art" sometimes looks more like a prune than an airplane, that doesn't diminish the fact that it is our creation. And they're all special because they are an expression of ourselves. Whew! . that's heavy. We better move on.

WHAT DO THE TOP MODELERS DO OFF SEASON

Bill Compton

Bill Compton was my mentor. He taught me all I ever wanted to know (and some I didn't) about building and flying RC models. He made an impression on me that, even to this day, if I try to cut a corner in some building function, I still think to myself, "What would Bill think of this?" And I would say, "Nah!" and do it again the right way. Bill's a perfectionist. He's the kind of guy that will lay out hundreds of beads of white glue to make sure that the stitching on his Cub looks authentic. When I first met him this day, he showed me the OS 5-cylinder radial engine which he had just taken off his 1930 Fleet biplane. It was totally immersed in transmission oil in a 5-quart pot. He says he always stores it this way in the off season . with what this engine cost him, he wasn't about to let it get rusty.

Bill has been in RC modeling for 21 years. He flies with the Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore and the Harford County Miniature Aircraft Operators Association. Today he's building a "Choice Cut". This is a giant 100-inch wingspan sport aerobatic plane. It's largely made of foam with balsa sheeting. He plans to power it with an OS 300 engine with spark ignition. He's just about ready to start covering. Bill's also in the process of fine-tuning his Bob Dively 1/4-scale Stearman. It's powered with a Saito 3-cylinder 4.5 cubic inch engine. He had engine trouble last year, which he thinks he has resolved, and expects to complete his test flights in the spring.

A perfect fit, Bill

Bill has built many fine planes in his years of modeling. Among his favorites is the V-tail Bonanza. This is an exact copy (including color scheme and detailing) of the real Bonanza he once owned. He also has an 11-year-old giant Sig Cub that he flies regularly. He just built a new giant Taylorcraft to replace one that he wore out. And then he has the classic 1930's Fleet biplane, which is powered with the 5-cylinder radial engine. An excellent hangar by any standard.

I asked Bill if he had any concerns about our hobby. He thinks we're mainly on course, although he feels the infusion of ARF (almost ready-to-fly) planes is robbing some modelers of the fun in building. I said, "Bill, we have spent a lot of time in this hobby. Do you ever have the feeling that maybe we might have used our energies elsewhere?" He said, "Never! As a friend of mine once said, airplanes are our withdrawal."

Lee Reightler

Lee Reightler has been in RC modeling since 1981. He flies with Harford County Radio Control Modelers. During his career he has developed into a staunch devotee of giant scale modeling. His current project, a scratch built 1/4-scale Cessna L-19 (Birddog) exemplifies his dedication in every way.

The Birddog has a wingspan of 108 inches and weighs 27 pounds. It will be powered with an OS 300 Twin 4-stroke engine. To ensure his adherence to authenticity, he collected documentation and photographs from a multitude of sources. Observing this plane is like entering a miniature world of airplanes. The plane is completely painted with the most comprehensive detailing you can imagine. It has fully operational landing lights and a functional strobe light under its belly. Mock instrumentation is complete . all switches, buttons, sticks, fire extinguisher and foot pedals are in place. There are frame upholstered seats with maps stuffed in their pouches awaiting the pilots for their next sortie.

Lee's incredible Birddog

Lee's other favorite planes include a EU1, a pattern plane finished off in Marine Corps colors and markings. He built a P-80 Shooting Star ducted fanjet, which he crashed in 1996. It has since been rebuilt but not yet test flown. He's in the process of building a giant P-47 Thunderbolt and an F-18 Hornet ducted fanjet. For his everyday flying, he pretty much relies on his Great Planes Patriot sport flyer and a giant 1/3-scale Balsa USA J3 Cub.

Lee has concern in the dwindling number of scale contests. You see more and more fun scale events. Even the Giant fly-ins require only that you have a big plane. He feels that the loss of interest in scale events diminishes the drive to build exacting reproductions of real planes. He's also unhappy that the advent of the true turbine jet into the modeling world is seriously impacting the advance of ducted fanjets. In competition the turbines now out number fanjets 3:1. It would be highly desirable to have the AMA take the initiative to promote greater participation of ducted fanjets in these events.

Milt Peacock

Milt Peacock reminds one why RC modeling is such fun. He has just enough brashness to let you know that he's in control of the hobby. For example, when I asked him what kind of planes he likes to build, he replied, "Scale." But, he added, "Of course, that's scale according to Milt". When I said I never heard of that standard, he said, "I build everything to scale, but if sometimes I run into something I don't like or something is more easily done some other way, I do it my way. And then challenge anyone to prove I'm wrong."

Milt got into RC modeling in 1982, when he was recovering from an illness. He flies with Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore, and is an honorary member of Westminster Aero Modelers. He mostly likes to scratch build giant scale gas powered planes.

OK Milt, what is it?

While Milt likes all types of planes, he likes civilian aircraft best. His current winter project is a Stinson SR-9 (Topflite kit). It's all built up wood with a 100.5 inch wingspan, which he'll finish with fabric and paint. He'll use a Zenoah G-38 engine . should be out this spring.

Two of Milt's most famous airplanes are a giant scale Corsair and a giant scale Stuka dive bomber. Both were scratched from Zirolli plans, and both are powered with Zenoah G-62's. If you like warbirds, these are two of the finest you'll see flying about.

I asked Milt about the state of our hobby. He thinks there is too great an influx of Almost Ready-to-Fly (ARF) airplanes. He's afraid that much of the skills and craftsmanship developed in building your own planes will be lost.

I asked Milt if his time in RC Modeling was well spent. He said, "It doesn't matter because you don't get charged for it." He pointed to a placard on his wall which read, "God does not deduct the time spent building and flying model aircraft from a man's life."

Ted Stanley

I first met Ted Stanley during one of those work parties early in the season when we were trying to get the field in shape and, as usual, someone commented that there's a lot of people who fly that don't come out to help out. But Ted was always there. When someone asked him, "Doesn't it bother you that you spend so much more time working out here than they do?" Ted answered simply, "It doesn't bother me because I get a lot more out of the hobby than they do." Now you have met Ted.

Ted flies with Harford County Radio Control Modelers. He's been in RC modeling for 20 years. He likes all kinds of planes, warbirds, aerobatics . so long as they are scale and giant size. He mostly scratch builds everything, usually using Zirolli plans.

A little off the top, Ted

Ted is another of these guys with an obsession for detail. He built a 1/7-scale competition P47 Thunderbird which is an exact copy of the original in the Pennsylvania National Guard. It is powered with a Zenoah G-38 and complete with retracts of course. What made this plane an incredible achievement was that Ted covered the entire plane with individually cut 2 mil. aluminum panels. Not satisfied with that, he fabricated a special tool with which he was then able to go over each panel, over the entire plane and imprint all the riveting. The whole plane covered with panels and rivet markings . just amazing.

Ted's winter time schedule was unfortunately interrupted by the disastrous crash of his newly built 1/4-scale scratch built Waco. This is a beautiful plane, fabric covered and painted. It is powered by a Zenoah G-62 with a 2:1 belt reduction drive. The Waco is in the repair shop now, and may not be out again for a couple of years. He'll be building a giant Stevens Acro sport acrobatic in the meantime.

Ted flies a giant P-51 Mustang powered with a Zenoah G-62 engine. This is another authentic reproduction complete with the famous checkered tail feathers as the original. He's also flying a Balsa USA J3 Cub modified to look like a P-18 Super Cub. This is powered by a 31cc converted Weed Wacker engine.

Ted seems to feel that the hobby is on a pretty level course for now. Membership in the AMA and IMAA has been pretty steady for the last few years. He's unhappy about the loss of interest in scale modeling competition, since this is his first love. On the other hand, there seems to be a great upturn in warbird flying events . which is just great, since this is his second love.

Ron Lazzeri

I first met Ron Lazzeri when he got into RC modeling nine years ago. And because baseball is my favorite sport, I always remember this about him. The 1927 Yankees had such a formidable lineup that they were known as "Murderer's Row". They had greats like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Bob Meusel, and a nice Italian boy, Tony Lazzeri. Ron is distantly related to him. Isn't that great!

Ron flies with Harford County Miniature Aircraft Operators Association and the Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore. Although he has been in the hobby a relatively short while compared to the others, he has already shown his dedication to excellence. When I first met him this day he was already on the Internet searching for documentation to authenticate the detailing on his next project, a Lanier clipped wing 83.5 inch Taylorcraft. This plane will be consistent with nostalgic semi-scale types he has built in the past, such as his giant WACO and Citabria.

Ron's retreat

Ron has a workshop to die for. While most of us have to find room in the basement or garage, he has a separate shed which comfortably holds all his airplane working requirements. He has electricity and a kerosene heater, all of which provide the most comfortable working atmosphere.

While Ron favors giant scale planes, he also likes to build smaller acrobatic models. He says his Goldberg Chipmunk was a good acrobatic plane, and you could just point and shoot his Lanier Lazer it flew so well. He'll work with foam (he's done vacuum bagging) and Monokote for his smaller planes, but his real love is built-up wood frame covered with fabric and spray painted. He has demonstrated some excellent painting techniques.

When I asked him if he thought his time in the hobby was well spent, he said, "This is the best therapy. Besides, I was able to share the hobby with my son Justin as he was growing up. Now Justin's enrolled in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. When he gets out in a few years, he'll qualify for a career as an airline or corporate pilot. It's been great. I wouldn't have done it any other way."

These guys are among our finest modelers, our finest artists. They give honor to our hobby.

FOR THE GOOD NEWS
Thanks of course to our master builders, Bill Compton, Lee Reightler, Milt Peacock, Ted Stanley and Ron Lazzeri for their time. It's nice to have their views and standards as a reminder of what this hobby means to all of us. While we may not always duplicate what they do, it's nice to have their works before us as goals.

If you want to tell everybody how great your club is and how much better your builders are, send me the information to axsilvestri@earthlink.net.

NEXT MONTH
This interim period before the seasonal events get going is so unsettled I'm not sure what we're going to do next month. Why don't you check in and be surprised with me.

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Courtesy Links Baltimore Area Soaring Society   District of Columbia Radio Control Club   Harford County Radio Control Modelers   Patuxent Aeromodelers   Prince Georges Radio Control Club   Radio Control Modelers of Baltimore   Sunday Flyers of Baltmore   Swan Harbor RC   Westminster Aeromodelers