Sketchbook - Model Building Tips
February 1962 American Modeler

February 1962 American Modeler

February 1962 American Modeler Cover - Airplanes and Rockets Table of Contents

Aeromodeling has seen significant changes over the decades both in technology and preferences. Magazines like American Aircraft Modeler, American Modeler, and Air Trails were the best venues for capturing snapshots of the status quo of the day. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

This Sketchbook was scanned from the February 1962 American Modeler, page 40. Most building tips are timeless. Even in this era of ready-to-fly (RTF), almost-ready-to-fly (ARF), bind-and-fly (BAF), etc., there are still many modelers who build their own aircraft. Nearly all top tier competition fliers build their own models, as do aficionados of vintage (aka old-timer) models. Some guys just would rather build than buy a pre-build airplane, whether from a kit or from plans.

This page has links to every edition of Sketchbook that I have so far.

 

Sketchbook from February 1962 American Modeler Magazine - Airplanes and Rockets

Got a new idea for construction, adjustment or operation of model planes, boats or R/C? "AM" pays $10 for each "hint & kink" used. Send rough sketch and description to Sketchbook, c/o American Modeler, The Conde Nast Publications Inc., 420 Lexington Ave., New York 17, N. Y.

- Airplanes and Rockets

Timer- or fuse-operated dethermalizer of Freeflight gas job can also release long, colorful silk ribbon from compartment. Loydd Wornell, Fort Worth, Texas, locates downed model by ribbon.

- Airplanes and Rockets

Three years' service proves auto-rudder mechanism built by B. I. Gaston, Austin, Texas. Line from tow ring releases rudder from straight tow setting to offset glide turn position.

- Airplanes and Rockets

Use of tapered abrasive tool in small power drill makes quick work of grinding cutting edges in tubing for hole-punching. Idea comes from Mike Hoffelt, Woodland Hills, California.

- Airplanes and Rockets

Scraps of tubing, cable and wire can be fashioned into effective motor control gadget operated by third line. Spring-loaded exhaust baffle was rigged by Leslie Hays, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

- Airplanes and Rockets

Pushrod were splice used by David Blackburn, Spring-field, Virginia., enables wire length to be adjusted by trial before final soldering. Brass tube joiner quickly shaped with mill file.

- Airplanes and Rockets

Wheeled variation of "Snow Scooter" (Sketchbook, Feb., '61) is creation of Kermit Rohde, W. Burlington, Iowa. Parts quickly assembled to ice cube tray body.

February 1962 Sketchbook page in its original format - Airplanes and Rockets

Here is the entire Sketchbook page in its original format.

Sketchbook Editions

| Sep 49 | Jan 52 | Jul 54 | Aug 54 | Sep 54 | Dec 54 | Mar 55 | Jan 57 | Feb 57 | Mar 57 | Apr 57 | May 57 | Jun 57 | Jul 57 | Sep 57 | Oct 57 | Nov 57 | Dec 57 | Oct 58 | Mar 59 | Jul 59 | Aug 59 |Nov 59 | Dec 59 | Jan 61 | Feb 61 | Mar 61 | Apr 61 | Jun 61 | Jul 61 | Aug 61 | Dec 61 | Mar 62 | Jan 62 |Feb 62 | Jun 62 | Jul 62 | Oct 62 | Sep 62 | Dec 62 | Jan/Feb 63 | Mar/Apr 63 | May/Jun 63 |Jul/Aug 63 | Sep/Oct 63 | Nov/Dec 63 | Mar 67 | Oct 67 | Feb 68 | Apr 68 | May 68 | Jun 68 | Jul 68 | Sep 68 |

Back when the Sketchbook, Gadgetry, Powerless Pointers, and Engine Info columns were run, there were very few pre-built models, and there simply was not as much available in the way of hardware and specialized modeling tools. We were still a nation of designers and builders. The workforce was full of people who worked on production lines, built houses and buildings with hand tools, and did not have distractions like Nintendos and X-Boxes. Remember that plastics were not common material until the early 50s and the transistor wasn't invented until late 47. Enjoy the tips. Some of you will no doubt wax nostalgic over the methods, since you can remember the days when you did the exact same thing!

 

 

Posted June 2, 2013