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The Space Race

Space Race (ChatGPT-generated content) - Airplanes and RocketsThe Space Race was one of the most significant geopolitical and scientific competitions of the 20th century, driven by the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It spanned from the late 1940s through the 1970s, with a focus on achieving superiority in space exploration, a domain viewed as critical not only for scientific advancement but also for military and strategic dominance. Rooted in rocket technology developed during World War II, the Space Race transformed the world's understanding of science and technology, culminating in the most dramatic achievement: the landing of humans on the Moon in 1969. This treatise explores the key milestones, the countries and key players involved, technological developments, the interplay between military...

Model Rocketry Takes off in Oregon

Model Rocketry Takes off in Oregon - Airplanes and RocketsThis article appeared in the November 2024 issue of Astronomy magazine - not sure why. "Brothers is a place that has somehow slipped outside the passage of time. Located in a sea of sagebrush in central Oregon, this former stagecoach stopover once serviced horse-drawn migrants bound for the Willamette Valley. Thanks to the nonprofit organization OregonRocketry, Brothers has outlasted the surrounding ghost towns to find new purpose as one of the preeminent high-power rocket launch sites in America. The group has purchased land and established a site out here in coyote country for the advancement of amateur rocketry and education of future aerospace engineers. They have a waiver from the FAA that currently allows them to blast the things nearly four miles into the air..."

HAPS Aircraft for Stratospheric Comms

SoftBank Trials HAPS Aircraft for Stratospheric Communications - RF Cafe"Japanese operator SoftBank announced that the Sunglaider, its large-scale solar-powered uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed for High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) stratospheric telecommunications, was utilized in a field trial conducted by AeroVironment and the U.S. DoD in New Mexico, the U.S. During the trial, carried out in early August, Sunglider succeeded in achieving stratospheric flight, the Japanese operator said. With a wingspan of 78 meters and the capability to carry payloads weighing up to 75kg, the Sunglider is larger than other publicly announced HAPS UAS..."

Championship 336 Cessna Skymaster

Championship Winning 336 Cessna Skymaster Article & Plans, July/August 1964 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsThe Cessna Skymaster (336/337) has always been my favorite twin-engined civilian lightplane. A military version of it is designated as the O-2 Skymaster. For as long as I can remember, I have threatened to build a control-line model of one. Well, that time has finally arrived, and I began by ordering these plans from the AMA Plans Service. It will be powered by a pair of 480-sized brushless motors, and throttle will be controlled by a hand-held car/boat format transmitter, the one I use on my control-line Douglas DC-3. I am modifying the fuselage construction to accommodate the motors, and am adding formers to simplify the building process. Mr. Welch's original omitted formers in the cabin area...

Fox 15x Engine

Fox 15x Engine, November 1961 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsFox model airplane engines had a reputation for ruggedness and contest-winning performance, but were also notoriously difficult to get started - at least without an electric starter. In 1961, when this full-page advertisement appeared in American Modeler magazine, electric starters were not in many modelers' field boxes, and particularly those owned by youngsters whose modeling budget came from meager allowances and paper routes. Born in 1958, I was 15 or 16 years old before being able to afford the luxury, and I remember relentlessly flipping the propellers on my Fox 15 and Fox 35 control line engines. Half the time when they...

Airnocker Article & Plans

Airnocker Article & Plans, March 1957 Model Airplane News - Airplanes and RocketsIf you have ever wanted to try your hand (thumbs, to be more specific) at a floatplane, then this 1/2A size Aeronca Champion which appeared in the March 1957 issue of Model Airplane News magazine, is just the ticket. Although designed by Walt Mooney as a free flight ROW (rise-off-water) model that easily converts between wheels and floats, modifications to 3 or 4 channel radio control would be a snap, especially since the plans show separate construction for the control surfaces along the hinge line. With about a 46" wingspan and lightweight but strong construction, this model could easily have been designed with modern electric power...

Rebinding Damaged Books

Rebinding Damaged Books, February 1965 Popular Mechanics - Airplanes and RocketsI did a quick Web search on how to repair damaged book bindings, and as is typical, most of what is out there is a rewritten regurgitation of other pages. Tape and glue are the order of the day per those instructions, but that is really insufficient to effect a good repair on books - particularly older volumes - which use string and fabric along the spine to form a very rugged and durable binding for standing up to repeated use. When you desire to restore a book to as close to its original condition as possible, the more extensive method described in this 1965 Popular Mechanics magazine article is needed. All the tools and materials required are described, as is instructions for assembling a book...

R&S Counter-UAS to Combat Autonomous Aerial Threats

Rohde & Schwarz Advances Counter-UAS Technology to Combat Autonomous Aerial Threats - RF Cafe"Rohde & Schwarz has been at the forefront of addressing the evolving threats posed by advanced drone technology to security, public safety, and critical infrastructure. As drones become more sophisticated and complex, malicious drones equipped with advanced capabilities present significant challenges. To counter these threats, Rohde & Schwarz has developed cutting-edge Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) designed to detect, neutralize, and mitigate emerging drone risks effectively. In a recent interview, Martin Woywod, Product Manager for Counter-UAS Systems at Rohde & Schwarz, explained the urgency of counter-drone technology in today's world..."

Wind Flying

Wind Flying - September 1972 American Aircraft Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsAirplanes and Rockets website visitor Lars B. wrote from Sweden requesting that I scan this "Wind Flying" article from the September 1972 edition of American Aircraft Modeler magazine. It describes a method for replacing engines and motors with human power for preforming some pretty impressive C/L aerobatics on windy days. Basically, you drag the model airplane around on its control lines, which often required not just turning in a circle while standing in one place, but walking around a small circle in order to get more speed. If there is any wind, you need to put extra effort into the pulling when moving into the wind. I can remember doing this as a teenager, only I did it with the engine in place but not...

Aviation News Headlines <Archives>

• FCC Rules for 5 GHz Band Drone Operations

EAA Weighs in on MOSAIC

• Smithsonian Opens Hangar Doors to Pilots

• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 July 22-28

• The Smallest Air Force One

Model Boats More Popular Than Ever

Model Boats More Popular Than Ever, Model Annual 1956 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsPost World War II was a big time for model building and operating. Veterans and their families helped relieve the stress and anxieties of the era with both scale and original design model boats, cars, trains, submarines, motorcycles helicopters, airplanes, tanks, even oddities like bicycles, farm equipment, carnival layouts, animals, and historic buildings (of which many of those appeared in model train layouts). The level of artistry and craftsmanship was impressive, particularly considering the sparsity of pre-made miniature accoutrements like hardware fittings, mechanisms for operating control surfaces and mechanisms, and even appropriate finishes. Radio control was in its infancy, being largely the realm of modelers with knowledge...

Square Hare from Delaware Article and Plans

Square Hare from Delaware Article and Plans, September 1962 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsWebsite visitor Steve R. wrote requesting that I scan and post this "Square Hare" article from the September 1962 issue of American Modeler magazine. Says, Steve, "I built one of these back then on Galloping ghost and it went great till servo failed (modified mighty Midget motor). Later I built another for Class one Aerobatics fitted with OS 40 and Kraft Propo, this was very successful. Nostalgia strikes and I'd like to build another as a sport model." Square Hare from Delaware is a bit unique in that its wing has no spar and is constructed from diagonally arranged ribs sandwiched between 3/32" balsa sheeting. Looking at all the hardware required just for the elevator control really makes you appreciate modern radio gear with servos. Hopefully, Steve will grace us with a photo of his completed Square Hare.

House Passes Bill Restricting DJI Drone Use

House Passes Bill Restricting DJI Drone Use - Airplanes and Rockets"On September 9, the House of Representatives passed H.R.2864: the Countering CCP Drones Act. This would add future equipment made by DJI technologies to the FCC's Covered List on the premise that it poses a risk to U.S. national security. The Countering CCP Drones Act would essentially ban UAS and related tech produced by DJI from operating on U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. This trails several 'inaccurate and unsubstantiated' claims against the company regarding sensitive data sharing with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This would not directly affect customers, at least for now, though it is guaranteed to have a massive effect on DJI's..."

Tin Goose - She Led the Golden Age

Tin Goose - She Led the Golden Age, February 1962 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsI had no idea that there were multiple versions of the Ford Trimotor (aka Tin Goose). This article from an 1962 edition of American Modeler magazine provides a fairly in-depth look at the history of the airplane. If you follow politics at all, you know that Halliburton is a name that became a household word when George Bush chose Dick Cheney as his vice president. According to author Joe Christy, SAFE-way airline, which operated Ford Trimotors, was started by Oklahoma oilman Erle Halliburton, and was sold to TWA (Trans World Airline) in 1931. In an incredible stroke of good fortune, Melanie and I were able to take a ride in a Ford Trimotor in the summer of 2013, flying out of Erie International Airport (see my Ford Trimotor video)...

America's 1955 Modelplane Championships

America's Modelplane Championships, Model Annual 1956 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsThe 1955 Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) National Model Airplane Championships, held at the Los Alamitos, California, Naval Air Station was by all measures a smashing success - "the best run Nationals competition in history." Extensive coverage of the event appeared in the Annual Edition of Air Trails magazine. Free flight and control line model airplanes were there, but no radio control types attended; the technology was not yet within reach of enough hobbyists to warrant inclusion. A look at the photos makes evident the amazing quality and variation of models, both scale and non-scale. Take a look at the F4U Corsair with the folding wings, the Ford Trimotor, Fairchild C-119, and the Fokker DR-1 triplane. Speaking of quality models, two of the feminine kind were on-hand to award trophies. Hillevi Rombin, Miss Universe of 1955, and movie starlet Marla English, are pictured with two lucky winners..

Polaris Dawn's 1st Private Space Walk

Polaris Dawn's 1st Private Space Walk - RF CafeUmmm... was this really a "space walk?" If so, then I "sky walked" when I climbed to the top of my 6-foot wooden ladder yesterday. "The world's first commercial space walk, performed by billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis, tested new technology and was practically flawless. It wasn't a small step - more a clamber, really - but as billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman climbed partway out of a SpaceX Dragon capsule located nearly 740 kilometers above Earth on early Thursday morning, he made a giant leap into spaceflight history. That's because Isaacman is a private citizen who is flying in a commercial spacecraft on a voyage he paid for - not a government-agency...

Boeing B&W 1916 Biplane

Boeing B&W 1916 Biplane March 1965 Model Airplane News - Airplanes and RocketsHere are plans for the Boeing B&W 1916 Biplane that I electronically scanned from my purchased copy of the March 1965 Model Airplane News magazine. When I have more time, I will dig the magazine out of storage and scan/OCR the rest of the article. For now you can at least review the plans. Click on the images for larger versions. I have even large files for them at the original 200 dpi resolution. Designed and built by Mr. Francis Reynolds. Plans for this fine model were drawn by Mr. Ray Vinup. All copyrights (if any) are hereby acknowledged. "The Boeing Model 1, also known as the B & W Seaplane, was a United States single-engine biplane seaplane aircraft. It was the first Boeing product and carried the initials..."

Adjustable Throw Control Line Handle

Adjustable Throw Control Line Handle - Airplanes and RocketsWhen building my Enterprise-E control stunt airplane, I knew that the amount of control surface throw available for both flaps and elevator was extreme, but I wanted to have the reserve capability in case it was needed. It was definitely NOT needed! Fortunately, because of the way the top fuselage hatch is designed for removal there is easy access to the flap control horn, and thereby the ability to move pushrod clevises around to decrease throws. Even with doing that, however, the model is still very sensitive to control line handle movements. My only solution was to obtain a control line handle with line spacing less than the 4-1/4" on the stock Sullivan handle. That spacing has been a little too much for other models as well, so an alternate handle would be nice anyway...

How to Straighten Bowed and Cupped Laminated Countertops

How to Straighten Bowed and Cupped Laminated Countertops - Airplanes and RocketsI received a lot of feedback after first posting this piece on how to straighten cupped and/or bowed laminated countertops. That was a couple years ago. Since I continue to see severely deformed countertops in Lowes and Home Depot, it is worth brining attention to it again. You might be able to get a really good deal on the otherwise unsellable laminated countertops, then use my easy method for nearly perfectly flattening them. Al that is required is sawing a cross-hatch pattern part-way through the bottom surface, and then screwing, gluing, and clamping them whilst being held flat. The wood around the outside edge serves as the space normally placed between the top of the lower cabinet base and the countertop. Tyr it. You'll like it!

UAV SATCOM Terminal Flight Trials Succeed --- add to AAR

UAV SATCOM Terminal Flight Trials Succeed - RF Cafe"Gotonomi, a UAV satellite connectivity solutions provider, has announced the completion of further successful flight trials and the opening of orders for production units of all variants of its UAV satcom terminals at Commercial UAV Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. The launch marks a significant milestone, transitioning from pre-production flight development kits to type-approved, commercial terminals, enabling scalable beyond visual line of sight operations (BVLOS) for drone operators wishing to offer inspection, surveillance, and delivery services. Following extensive verification testing, including flight trials..."

U-Control Model Plane

U-Control Model Plane, October 1952 Popular Mechanics - Airplanes and RocketsWhen I first saw this "U-Control Model Plane" article in a 1952 issue of Popular Mechanics magazine, I expected it to have been written by one of the Stanzel brothers. Long after their entry into the model airplane manufacturing world, Joe and Victor created their line of battery-powered, electric motor-driven control line models in 1958. It eventually included a helicopter, a monoplane, and a flying saucer, amongst other craft. The Stanzels, BTW, invented the Monoline control line system which was adopted by U-control (aka control line) speed modelers because it created much less aerodynamic drag, facilitating higher airspeeds. Maybe this article was a motivation for the Stanzels...

Antique Clothes Chest Restoration

Antique Clothes Chest Restoration - Airplanes and RocketsAnother of Melanie's family's relics is this pine clothes chest. After more than 100 years of use and abuse, this chest was in dire need of restoration. Construction is very low density pine, with dovetailed corners. Finish was a clear varnish with no stain. The bottom, back, and inside had no finish at all. Restoration consisted of knocking apart and re-gluing most joints, sanding, and filling in the multiple dings and scratches where they were really deep. Minor imperfections were kept for the sake of character. Minwax dark walnut stain was used inside and out, and allowed to dry for a week. Then, two coats of Deft satin clear were brushed on with 320 sanding and 0000 steel wool between coats...

SETI Low-Frequency Search for Extraterrestrials

SETI Low-Frequency Search for Extraterrestrials"The SETI Institute, in collaboration with the Berkeley SETI Research Center and the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, has initiated a pioneering study using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) in Western Australia. Led by Dr. Chenoa Tremblay of the SETI Institute and Prof. Steven Tingay of Curtin University, this research marks the first search for alien technology in galaxies beyond our own, specifically targeting low radio frequencies (100 MHz). The MWA's extensive field of view (FOV) allowed the research team to examine approximately 2,800 galaxies in a single observation, with known distances for 1,300 of these galaxies..."

1962 British Nationals

British Nationals (1963 Annual Edition American Modeler) - Airplanes and RocketsThis report of the 1962 (16th) British Nationals appeared in the 1963 Annular edition of American Modeler modeler, which I believe was published in January of 1963. Just as back in the day, the U.S. Nationals were held on a military installation (U.S. Navy sponsorship), the British Nats were held at Barkston Heath R.A.F. station. Although technically it was an international event, it appears that Brits and Yanks were the only competitors - or at least the only ones mentioned. See anyone you know?

Baby V-1 Dyna-Jet Flies for Fun

Baby V-1 Dyna-Jet Flies for Fun, May 1946 Popular Science - Airplanes and RocketsWhen Dyna-Jet engine in new or like-new condition is listed for sale or auction on eBay, it usually sells for north of $500. Sometimes buyers get lucky and win an auction for less. This 1946 Popular Science magazine article entitled "Baby V-1 Flies for Fun" appeared just a year after Germany had surrendered unconditionally. Only a year before that, Londoners ran for cover in underground shelters when V-1 "Buzz Bombs" were heard making their tell-tale 45 Hz "buzz" noise as they made their way toward England. "V-1" was from the German Vergeltungswaffe 1 meaning "Vengeance Weapon 1." The only reference to a "robomb" I see other than this article is from a 1944 issue of Time magazines entitled, "Science: How the Robomb Works." As Paul Harvey would famously say, "Now you know... the Rest of the story."

World's Toughest R/C Job - Guidance in Outer Space

World's Toughest R/C Job - Guidance in Outer Space, May 1967 Radio-Electronics - RF CafeSpaceX and Blue Origin have been in the news for the last decade for their efforts (some successful, some not) to autonomously land a spacecraft vertically under its own power. Love it or hate it, NASA has been doing that for nearly six decades. Granted, it was on celestial bodies with lower gravitational acceleration than on Earth, but the earliest craft (Surveyor 1, 1966) had relatively crude electronics aboard, including a Doppler radar, flight computer, and video camera. The now legendary Apollo Guidance Computer has been written about extensively, and is a testimony to the brilliance of the scientists, engineers, managers, operators, and technicians who built and flew it. Articles like this one in the May 1967 issue of Radio-Electronics magazine...

Model Filler and Finish Compatibility Matrix

Model Filler and Finish Compatibility Matrix - Airplanes and RocketsI am not aware of the origin of this matrix, but it is a very useful tool for determining whether certain filler materials and finish chemistries are compatible or, equally important, incompatible. It was included in the July 2012 edition of the Bean Hill Flyers control-line club newsletter. This might save somebody the grief and angst from applying a finish over a base that will cause it to bubble, peel, blister, or not ever dry. One important point this chart indicates is that you can apply butyrate dope over nitrate dope, but you CANNOT apply nitrate dope over butyrate dope. There might be other instances of one-way compatibilities, but if you are not sure, do a test first or avoid the deadly combination altogether. You also need to verify compatibility of the various rattle can...

Model Car Sets 128-m.p.h. Record

Model Racer Sets 128-m.p.h. Record, October 1948 Popular Science - Airplanes and RocketsAccording to Guiness World Records, the current holder of the record for the fastest model car is the "Radio Controlled Bullet," by Nic Case, having achieved a speed of 202.02 mph (325.12 km/h), in 2014. In 2019, Estonian Ando Rohtmets set the tethered model car speed record of 215.92 mph (347.490 kmph). All modern speed records are set using electric motor power, unlike these models reported on in a 1948 issue of Popular Science magazine which used liquid fuel and internal combustion engines (ICE). However, not all of those ICE powerplants had pistons. Mr. Frank Brennan showed up with a DynaJet-powered model car, purportedly fashioned after the Nazi V-1 "Buzz Bomb" (remember this was only a couple years past...

Eclipse Sailplane Article & Plans

Eclipse Sailplane Article & Plans, October 1974 American Aircraft Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsThe Eclipse is a gigantic radio-controlled sailplane model with a 16-foot wingspan, geodesic ribs construction, and "V" tail configuration. It is built up from balsa, plywood, spruce, and a fiberglass tail boom. I remember first seeing the model on the cover of the October 1974 issue of American Aircraft Modeler magazine, and really wanting to build one. Unfortunately, I was only 16 years old at the time and was barely able to afford control line models, let alone a huge RC sailplane. Of course with the cost of balsa today, it is no more affordable now as then. It probably takes four rolls of Monokote to cover! Here are plans for the Eclipse that I electronically scanned from my purchased copy AAM. You might be able to scale up the image...

Semroc Saturn 1B Model Rocket Kit

Supermodel Melanie with Semroc Saturn 1B Model Rocket Kit - Airplanes and RocketsThe Estes Saturn 1B rocket is another model that I really wanted to have as a kid, but just didn't have the money. In those days, I launched everything that I built, so I could not see spending a huge amount of my paper route money only to take the risk of destruction due to the parachutes not deploying properly or maybe an engine malfunction. I had launched enough rockets to know that the probability of something going wrong was directly proportional to the cost and time spent building. Instead, I stuck mostly with models that cost no more than about $3 (in 1960s-1970s dollars). This Saturn 1B model has long been in my rocket building queue, but decade passed before I felt justified spending the money and time to buy and build one. The Saturn 1B was one of the Saturn V's predecessors and was used as the launch vehicle for the first few Apollo missions...

American Telasco Limited Jet Propulsion Lab

American Telasco Limited Jet Propulsion Lab, Annual 1960 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsJetex "rocket" motors were quite popular during the 1940s through the 1970s. Their debut in the modeling world was in 1948, per the Jetex.org website. Unlike Estes rocket engines that used combustion to generate a high velocity ejection stream, Jetex fuel pellets merely "burned" at a constant rate while the exhaust was forced through a small orifice in the engine's metal housing (casing). Also unlike Estes engines, the Jetex casing was reusable and re-fuelable. Half a dozen or so sizes and thrust levels eventually were produced. I had a couple of the Jetex 50 engines that got strapped to Guillows balsa gliders and, to some degree, were made to fly in jet-like fashion...

Infographic: Greatest Turning Points in Aviation

Infographic: The Greatest Turning Points in Aviation (BBC) - Airplanes and RocketsInfographics are a big thing (literally) in the business and science world, although they do seem to have passed their prime. Well-done infographics typically have the form of a high aspect ratio drawing that presents a detailed timeline or process flow of events or concepts. The progress can run top to bottom or bottom to top, depending on the creator's intentions. This particular infographic, produced by the BBC's "Great Turning Points" series, outlines the major milestones in development of flying machines beginning with the Wright Flyer in 1903 and progressing through both manned and unmanned airplanes up through the U.S...

Steve Wooley's Control Line Argus

Argus Article & Plans, August 1961 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsWebsite visitor Mark Radcliff (yes, THE Mark Radcliff, of 75-77-79-81 USA F3a RC Aerobatic Team fame, and until recently, VP of that AMA's District III) wrote to request that I scan the article for Steve Wooley's control line Argus, which, appeared in the August 1961 American Modeler magazine. The Argus was the star of the 1960 world championships in Hungary. Note the unique wing construction where rather than using full ribs, upper and lower outlines are used that sit over and under the beefy solid wing spar. The entire article is very short...

Douglas XF4D-1 Skyray

Douglas XF4D-1 Skyray, July 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsHere is yet another of Walter M. Jefferies, Jr.'s inked masterpieces as it appeared in the July 1954 issue of Air Trails - Hobbies for Young Men magazine. This 4-view drawing of the experimental Douglas XF4D−1 Skyray reveals many details of airframe components, fuselage cross-sections, and panel lines. Per Wikipedia: The Douglas F4D Skyray (later redesignated F-6 Skyray) is an American carrier-based fighter/interceptor built by the Douglas Aircraft Company. Although it was in service for a relatively short time (1956–1964) and never entered combat, it was the first carrier-launched aircraft to hold the world's absolute speed record, at 752.943 mph, and was the first United States Navy and United States Marine Corps fighter that could exceed Mach 1 in level flight. It was the last fighter produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company before...

Mad Modelers' Slot Racer

Mad Modelers' Slot Racer, from September/October 1963 American Modeler Magazine - Airplanes and RocketsSlot car racing used to be a big deal back before battery-powered radio control cars became inexpensive and readily available. Many hobby shops, including one I used to frequent in Laurel, Maryland, had slot car tracks set up for patrons to use. I think we paid something like a dollar for half an hour. You could either bring your own car, or rent one from the hobby shop. As with any activity, certain stereotypes are created and stick with slot car racers and their creations. This set of comics from the September/October 1963 edition of American Modeler magazine documents some of those things...

How to Break into the Aviation Radio Game

How to Break into the Aviation Radio Game, April 1932 Radio News - RF CafeYes, this is another article that will probably appeal to a small percentage of RF Cafe visitors, but please countenance my indulgence in things aeronautical as well as things electrical. The early 1930s was a time when both airplanes and electronics were a wonder and a mystery to most of the public worldwide. Of course today both are still a mystery to the public but the wonder is gone - it's merely taken for granted. Many idiosyncrasies of airborne electronic communications were encountered for the first time, like the need for proper grounding and static electricity dissipation. Ruggedization of chassis assemblies in terms of mechanical vibration and shock as well as for temperature extremes was a real challenge to engineers, technicians, and pilots...

Penni Helicopter

Penni Helicopter from the January 1970 American Aircraft Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsThis article for the rubber-powered free flight Penni Helicopter, by John Burkam and Gene Rock, was scanned from my purchased copy of the January 1970 American Aircraft Modeler magazine. The Penni Helicopter is fairly unique in that it has a functional tail rotor to counter the main rotor torque rather than just a big flat vertical surface. It also features a flybar on the rotor head to help stabilize flight. Main rotor span is 16 inches. Because the plans spanned two pages, I had to adjust the size and alignment a bit to get halves to line up properly. The AMA Plans Service does not carry the Penni Helicopter, so if you need a larger version, e-mail me and I will send you a 4.5 x 3.0 kpixel version. You should be able to scale up the image below, though...

Airplane and Rocket Models by David S.

Airplane and Rocket Models by David S. - Airplanes and RocketsWebsite visitor David S., who wrote a while back to let me know about the line of Atlantis Models* re−manufactured vintage plastic kits, recently sent these photos of his amazing collection of model airplanes and rockets. As you can seem, most of the airplanes are rubber-powered free-flight. A few electric-powered R/C models are hangared in the garage over the door (a good use of the space). Let's see, for airplanes I spy a P−47 Thunderbolt, an L−4 Grasshopper, a J−3 (or maybe a J−5) Cub, a couple P−51 Mustangs, A Focke-Wulf, a Beechcraft Bonanza, a Supermarine Spitfire (or two), a Sopwith Camel, a Fairchild something-or-other, a P−40 Warhawk, and a Stearman PT−17. In the rocket category is an Estes Mars Lander, an Alpha (of course), a Gyroc, an Honest John, an Aerobee, a Big Bertha, and an Avenger. How many can you identify? David didn't mention whether he flies the free-flight models and rockets or if they're primarily hangar queens...

How to Target AirplanesAndRockets.com for Your Google Ads

Google AdSense - it makes good sense - Airplanes and RocketsSome companies have expressed an interest in being able to target Airplanes and Rockets via the Google AdSense program. Yes, it is possible to do that. As you might expect, finding the exact information on the Google AdSense website is a bit difficult. This short video does a good job summarizing exactly how to implement the "Ad Targeting" option, then "Placements," and then add "Websites." Just enter   airplanesandrockets.com   . There are other settings to optimize your advertising campaign with keywords (both included and excluded), pricing, scheduling, statistical data collection and reporting, etc. If you are currently using Google AdSense, then please consider this method, and if you are not using AdSense, now would be a good time to look into it. I have had reports from some companies that experience great results using AdSense (not just on Airplanes and Rockets)...

"Clo-Clo" Terror in a Tempest Article & Plans

"Clo-Clo" Terror in a Tempest Article & Plans, March 1962 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsHere is a short story about French flying ace Pierre Clostermann who, after his country capitulated to the German Wehrmacht, went to England to fly for the Royal Air Force (RAF). It appeared in the March 1962 issue of American Modeler magazine. His service for the French resistance was spent downing German Focke-Wulfs, Junkers, and Messerschmitts - 23 confirmed kills, 5 "probables," and 30 aircraft damaged. His fabled aircraft was a Hawker Tempest, sister craft to the beautiful Hawker Hurricane. This control line model is designed for a .60 size engine. A separate full construction article for the Hawker Tempest was also published in this issue....

Warren Kurth's "049" Speed: Peanut Mk.2

Warren Kurth's "049" Speed Entry: Peanut Mk.2, October 1961 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsThis plan sheet for Warren Kurth's "049" Speed Entry, Peanut Mk.2, was printed in the October 1961 issue of American Modeler magazine. It won the ½A control line speed event with an official speed of 102.46 mph. As was common in the day, a bottom fuselage "pan" made of cast magnesium was used. Speed models had no landing gear and took off from a drop-away wheeled cradle (I have seen a rear bird or two with a single embedded wheel). They usually flew from paved or concrete runways (flying circles), so a metal fuselage made for a durable shell. It also made for a very rigid wing and tail mount. Metal working skill was/is needed for speed models for modifying the metal pans to accept the engine, fuel tank, control system, and other construction components...

How High™ Electronic Altimeter Teardown

How High™ Electronic Altimeter Teardown Report - Airplanes and RocketsWinged Shadow Systems has developed a solid state electronic altimeter called the How High™ that plugs into a spare receiver channel for power, and provides altitude readings between 50 feet and 7,000 feet above ground level. The heart of the system is the SM5420 pressure sensor, by Silicon Microstructures. It is a micromachined structure molded in an 8-pin SOIC plastic package. Here is the datasheet. Per the manufacturer, "The SM5420C is a small outline SO-8 packaged pressure sensor. The sensor uses SMI’s SM5108C micromachined, piezoresistive pressure sensing chip that has been optimized to provide the highest possible accuracy for a package of this size..." News Flash: I set a personal thermalling altitude record of 1,267 feet in my 85% Aquila glider on May 23, 2024!

Thrills of the Navy Test Pilots

Thrills of the Navy Test Pilots, August 1937 Popular Mechanics - Airplanes and RocketsWhen I think of a Navy (or Air Force, or Army, or Marine, or Coast Guard) test pilot, what comes to mind is a high powered fighter airplane, a bomber, or even maybe a helicopter, but the guys in this 1937 Popular Mechanics magazine article are proving cargo and personnel type seaplanes. Doing so might not be as glorious as the aforementioned types, but it is still no job for the weak of heart or slow of mind. The average lifetime of a test pilot is less than that of "regular" pilots because not only are new, untried concepts tested, but part of the wringing out procedure involves pushing the craft to its limits to determine whether the design goals were met, and to know what the placarded "never exceed" numbers should be. Many a test pilot perished during the final "10-G" stress tests of airplanes during World War I, which is quite a demand from what were usually stick and tissue (spruce and silk, actually) airframes...

Airtronics Aquila Product Review

Airtronics Aquila Product Review, May 1975 RC Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsIt was in this May 1975 issue of R/C Modeler magazine that I first saw the Airtronics Aquila sailplane (way too graceful to refer to it as merely a glider). Airtronics had not introduced a kit yet, but they were selling a canopy and hardware kit along with plans, so I ordered them and scratch built my first Aquila. I was 17 years old then. It was covered to look like the one in the photo above (which would become the kit box label photo). Not having lite ply for the fuselage, I used hard balsa. Somehow I eventually managed to destroy Aquila #1, but by that time a kit was available, so I bought one and also the ABS plastic fuselage. A standard Hi-Start was used for launching. A few years ago I built a 105% Aquila version simply because I wanted another Aquila and had never built a sailplane with a wingspan greater than 99". I am now in the process of building an 80% scale Aquila...

Pietenpol Air Camper

Pietenpol Air Camper, March 1961 American Modeler Magazine - Airplanes and RocketsWhile not specifically drawn as plans for building a model of the Pietenpol Air Camper, all the detail and dimensions necessary for scaling to any size is possible using these sketches which appeared in the March 1961 issue of American Modeler magazine. The "Piet" has been as popular a subject for modeling as is was and still is for building full-size aircraft. Originally designed in 1930 by Bernard Pietenpol, the craft borrowed many of its metal parts from Ford automobiles, including the engine and suspension spring for a tail skid. Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Company still sells Sitka spruce wood kits for the full-size Pietenpol Air Camper; the total as of this writing is less than $4,000. You can be sure the information contained in this article is trustworthy because it was authored by Mr. Pietenpol himself!

Japanese Air Force After World War I

Air Progress - Japanese Air Force After World War I, November 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsJapanese involvement in World War I is generally not as well known as it is for World War II. The surprise attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, has permanently implanted itself as one of the nation's most memorable events, and obviously the U.S. and Japan were mortal enemies until the Japs' unconditional surrender on September 2, 1945, following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Conversely, Japan was part of the Allied (aka Entente) powers in World War I, and was considered an ally of America, Great Britain, Italy, and France (primarily) in their war against Germany, Austria, and the Ottoman Empire. It was one of those "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" scenarios. Japan played a major role in barricading German sea lanes in the South Pacific...

Fairchild 22 C-7-F (1934) 4-View

Fairchild 22 C-7-F (1934) 4-View, July 1968 American Aircraft Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsThis 4-view drawing of the Fairchild 22 C-7-F (1934) was scanned from page 38B and 38C of my purchased edition of the July 1968 American Aircraft Modeler (AAM) magazine. It is another example of Björn Karlström's fine scale drawings. In the pre-Internet days, this sort of detailed documentation was harder to come by, so AAM provided a great service by publishing these. Per Wikipedia: "The aircraft was designed by Kreider-Reisner during negotiations by Sherman Fairchild to take a major share in the company. Marketed as the Fairchild 22 Model C7 the aircraft was certified in March 1931. The Fairchild 22 was a mixed-construction braced parasol-wing monoplane with a fixed tailwheel landing gear and a braced tail unit. It had two tandem open cockpits and was initially powered by a 80hp (60kW) Armstrong Siddeley Genet radial engine. After test flying the prototype the first production aircraft were re-engined with a 75hp (56kW) Michigan Rover inverted inline engine. The aircraft was fitted with both inline and radial piston engines...

Comet Curtiss JN4-D Jenny Biplane

Comet Curtiss JN4-D Jenny Biplane - Airplanes and RocketsMy father's side of the family hearkened from the Buffalo, New York area, but we lived in Mayo, Maryland, where my mother's family resided. Most summers my father's sister, Bonnie (my aunt) and her husband, Brian (my uncle) would load my grandparents and another uncle or two into their big cruiser and drive down for a week. It was always a great time. Every five years or so, my parents braved a trip with my siblings and me up to Buffalo. I loved it up there because of the cool weather. Sometime around 1972, we made the trek and while there, in-between going to Niagara Falls, Crystal Beach, and other nearby attractions, I built from a Comet kit the Curtiss JN4-D Jenny biplane shown below. My Uncle Brian cleared a spot in his basement for me to work. I left it for him as a decoration. The years passed... and passed... and passed...

Model Aircraft Covering Weight Comparison

Model Aircraft Covering Weight Comparison - Airplanes and RocketsWhen deciding which type of covering to apply to a model airplane structure, it would be helpful to have a table of covering material density for comparison. Here is such a table which shows, for instance, that 21st Century Fabric is the heaviest type of covering you can use. MicroLite covering is the lightest weight. Not shown are most doped or painted coverings because finished weights are so dependent on substrate type (silk, Silkspan, tissue, etc.), paint or dope type, and number/thickness of coats. To calculate the covering weight, multiply the density by the total surface area of your model...

Man Into Space?

Man Into Space?, June 1961 Radio-Electronics - RF CafeAccording to the postscript to this editorial, Hugo Gernsback wrote his opinion on the then current state of space exploration and his recommendation for how future efforts should proceed, a month before Alan Shepherd made his historic suborbital flight aboard the Freedom 7 Mercury capsule. That May 5, 1961, feat marked mankind's first foray into space. Surprisingly, Gernsback was not in favor of a manned space program. He believed the resources and expense required to support human life in space would be better invested in developing autonomous and remotely controlled robotic systems. Many people agreed with him then and today. Although I do not oppose manned space flight, I tend to agree with Gernsback that much more can be accomplished with machines than with humans. NASA's many successes on Mars are evidence of the accomplishments possible with robots, and the long-term missions possible. At some point it might be necessary to explore sending men to other planets, but there really is no imperative at this time - just a desire to do so. Coincidentally (or maybe not so coincidentally), Mr. Gernsback refers to his vision of a lunar probe as "surveyor," which was name of NASA's series of robotic lunar lander probes deployed...

David J. Holland's "Flying Men" Cover Art

David J. Holland's "Flying Men" Cover Art Model Article & Plans, 1962 Annual Edition American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsOne nice thing about having a website like Airplanes and Rockets is that every once in a while a famous person will contact me with some great information. It happened again recently when David J. Holland wrote about how he still has the original artwork of his "Flying Men" models from the cover of the 1962 Annual Edition of American Modeler. He sent a photo of the magazine cover next to the framed original, along with a photo of his actual control line model. Says Dave, "The picture is of a magazine cover and article about my funny face models in the '50s and early 1960s. The model pictured is the third version as I wore out the first two. The story and cover were the result of a demonstration flight I did during the Sunday air show at the 1961 Nationals at the Willow Grove, PA, naval air station. I have the original art work of the cover, four times the size of the magazine..."

1955 Ford "Thunderbird" Scale Pencil Drawings

1955 Ford "Thunderbird" Scale Pencil Drawings, December 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsIn 1955, Ford introduced the Thunderbird convertible as its first true "modern" personal luxury car. It was not promoted as a sports car, although its 2-seat configuration certainly provided the requisite look. As with all new model years, the 1955 Ford Thunderbird was introduced to the public in the fall of 1954, in time for the December edition of Air Trails to publish a series of scale pencil drawings by Jefferies. The artist much have had access to at least some level of factory drawings because of the detail in the x-ray views; either that or he had an exceptional ability to visualize such things based only on external observations. If you are a Thunderbird fan, then you will appreciate these drawings...

Fleetwon Control Line Combat Model

Fleetwon Control Line Combat Model, Annual 1960 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsThese plans for the Fleetwon control line combat model was sort of crammed into the 1960 Annual edition of Air Trails magazine. I say that because the article accompanying it is rather terse, and there are no photos of the actual built model. Bob Peru designed it for a .35 size engine, but says it can get along with a .19 if ultimate performance is not required. Wingspan is about 38", so a .19 would definitely be on the low side for power unless the model is built extremely light. Construction employs a typical balsa main framework with plywood and hardwood used for engine and bellcrank support...

How to Target AirplanesAndRockets.com for Your Google Ads

Google AdSense - it makes good sense - Airplanes and RocketsSome companies have expressed an interest in being able to target Airplanes and Rockets via the Google AdSense program. Yes, it is possible to do that. As you might expect, finding the exact information on the Google AdSense website is a bit difficult. This short video does a good job summarizing exactly how to implement the "Ad Targeting" option, then "Placements," and then add "Websites." Just enter   airplanesandrockets.com   . There are other settings to optimize your advertising campaign with keywords (both included and excluded), pricing, scheduling, statistical data collection and reporting, etc. If you are currently using Google AdSense, then please consider this method, and if you are not using AdSense, now would be a good time to look into it. I have had reports from some companies that experience great results using AdSense (not just on Airplanes and Rockets)...

Chameleon Field Box Plans

Chameleon Field Box™ - Airplanes and RocketsSince first posting photos and a description of my Chameleon Field Box™ about fifteen years ago, I have received many requests for plans. The plans were originally drawn using Autodesk's AutoSketch v6.1, but I no longer have the program, and even if I did, it probably won't run in Windows 10. A few years back I began re-drawing the plans using Visio. After reviewing the plans, it appears I did everything except the detachable transmitter holder. A JPG version of the plans can be downloaded from my Chameleon Field Box™ webpage. Depending on the phase of the moon, the prevailing wind, stock market activity, or the color shirt I'm wearing, my interest in airplane activities alternate between radio control, free flight, control line, static display, electric or glow fuel power, or any other aspects of modeling. Over the years, I have designed and built probably four or five different field boxes to accommodate the mood du jour. Each was sold before moving on to the next design iteration. Finally, I decided that rather than keeping on making new field boxes, it would make more sense to design a one-size-fits-all version. The Chameleon Field Box™, as I have dubbed it, comes pretty close to achieving that goal...

ParkZone Radian Electric-Powered Sailplane

ParkZone Radian Electric-Powered Sailplane - Airplanes and RocketsAfter about a 12-month hiatus from flying any kind of model airplane, and having sold all of my RC gear prior to moving to Erie, PA, I looked around for something that would get me back into the air quickly. My first inclination was to build yet another Spirit 2-meter sailplane and put a brushless motor in it like before, but I really didn't want to have to take the time to build it first. I also did not particularly care for most of the ARF gliders that were available, but seeing the ParkZone Radian sailplane on the Horizon Hobby website and watching the video of its flight convinced me to spring the $250 for the RTF version. There certainly is no better value out there - a nice-looking sailplane with brushless motor and controller, servos, a 3-cell Li-Po battery, and a charger, along with a 2.4 GHz spread spectrum radio system. You cannot buy the parts individually for that much. See September 7, 2009 update: Assembly was a piece of cake - just slide the horizontal stabilizer / elevator into place and secure it with the supplied clear tape, then connect the pushrod wire to the control horn...

Phantom Motors Christmas Ad

Phantom Motors Christmas Ad, November 1946 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsPhantom Motors, out of Los Angeles, California, was one of the early manufacturers of ignition motors for model airplanes, boats, and cars. This full-page advertisement appeared in the November 1946 issue of Air Trails magazine. This particular ad had a Christmas theme, as did many of the other ads in that edition. If you do a search on eBay for vintage Phantom Motors ignition engines, not much shows up, so that probably means there were either not too many of them made, or they were not sturdy enough to survive hard landings and frequent usage so that the engines were trashed. Oh well. The $14.95 price tag in 1946 is the equivalent of $288.31 in 2021 per the BLS inflation calculator...

Ephemeris - Class A and FAI Free Flight Model

Ephemeris - Class A and FAI Free Flight Article & Plans, March/April 1963 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsThe "Ephemeris" Class A and FAI free flight model was somewhat of a sensation in the modeling world back in 1963 when it appeared in the March/April issue of American Modeler magazine because it featured up thrust. Its designer, R. Jess Krieser, was "thinking outside the box" before the term was even coined. Mr. Krieser took an engineering approach to redesigning the Carl Goldberg "Sailplane" model and after examining tables and graphs on L/D curves on airfoil drag coefficients, settled on the final form factor that became the Ephemeris. Read about it here...

Vintage Electromechanical Dachshund Toy 240-B

Vintage Electromechanical Dachshund Toy 240-B (Supermodel Melanie) - Airplanes and RocketsMelanie and I have been trying to recall toys and games we had as kids and then searching for them on eBay to see what is available. If the price isn't too outrageous, we go ahead and by them. Melanie remembered having a battery-powered electromechanical toy dachshund that had a hand-held controller (not much in the way of radio control back in the 1960s). She finally managed to find one, so we bid on it and got it for a decent price (I don't recall exactly how much, but around $30 + shipping). It was advertised as not working, but I figured how hard can it be to fix something that simple? The dog, controller, and box looked to be be in excellent condition for its age (manufactured in the later 1950's from what I can find). The problem ended up being that a wire had broken off the motor. A little solder fixed that, and now it works as good as new. While apart for repair, I saw that the front and rear body halves are connected with a large spring, and the wheels and motor a on a freely rotating...

How to Target AirplanesAndRockets.com for Your Google Ads

Google AdSense - it makes good sense - Airplanes and RocketsSome companies have expressed an interest in being able to target Airplanes and Rockets via the Google AdSense program. Yes, it is possible to do that. As you might expect, finding the exact information on the Google AdSense website is a bit difficult. This short video does a good job summarizing exactly how to implement the "Ad Targeting" option, then "Placements," and then add "Websites." Just enter   airplanesandrockets.com   . There are other settings to optimize your advertising campaign with keywords (both included and excluded), pricing, scheduling, statistical data collection and reporting, etc. If you are currently using Google AdSense, then please consider this method, and if you are not using AdSense, now would be a good time to look into it. I have had reports from some companies that experience great results using AdSense (not just on Airplanes and Rockets)...

Mactuator: Magnetic Actuator for R/C

Mactuator: Magnetic Actuator for R/C, November 1954 Air Trails - Airplanes and RocketsThis "Mactuator," or magnetic actuator for radio controlled models, may be a form of the very first truly digital servo - that is to say that a digital input consisting of ones and zeroes determines the position of the control arm. Analog servos and their "digital" cousins of the types employed by R/C modelers use the relative position and width of a pulse in a train of pulses to determine what the position of the control arm will be. The main difference between the two types is the refresh rate of analog versus digital - about 20 milliseconds vs. 0.3 milliseconds, respectively. Most people not familiar with hobby type servos would probably assume - and understandably so - that a digital servo takes as a signal input a binary word of some length instructing it where to position the control arm. For instance, the receiver might output a 10-bit word that represents 210 = 1024 discrete positions for the servo...

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Even during the busiest times of my life I have endeavored to maintain some form of model building activity. This site has been created to help me chronicle my journey through a lifelong involvement in model aviation, which all began in Mayo, MD ...

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