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The "Sketchbook"
feature in American Modeler magazine presented "hints and kinks"
furnished by readers came up with good ideas to help make building and operating
model airplanes (primarily), car, and boats a little easier. Some of them are
pretty good, and I have applied the principles in my own efforts over the years.
October 1961, the date of this set of ideas, was a couple years before my time
of building models. Being born in 1958, it would probably have been around 1966
or 1967 before I was building and flying Estes rockets and rubber powered
airplanes. By 1969 I was flying Cox control line models, and it was maybe 1971
or 1972 before building my first control line model. When reading over these
vintage Sketchbook ideas, I always pay attention to the names of the submitters
to see whether any are recognizable as someone who would later become renowned
in the modeling world. There is a good chance that the "E. R. Violett, Jr." with
the control line fabric hinge technique is none other than
Bob Violett (the "R."
could be "Robert"), of R/C pylon racing fame in the 1970s and 1980s, and later
of Bob Violett Jets (BVJ). He hailed from the Hyattsville, Maryland area, and
was a member of the Prince Georges Radio Control club when I flew there in the
mid-1970s. I remember during one meeting he gave a demonstration of the new rage
in model building called "super glue."
Sketchbook- Hints and Kinks by the Readers
 Nuisance of oily engine compartment solved with drain rigged by Edmund C. Hanley,
Muskegon, Mich. Venturi principle creates suction in throat, drains oil and fuel
from cowl.
Desirable rolling motion from "V"-tail control surface movements of R/C model
is pointed out by Scott McKee, Lubbock, Texas. Skidding, rather than diving
turn is result; makes safer steering.
Inexpensive rubber stamps of AMA numerals and address information can be reproduced
on Jap tissue, doped onto model parts. Saves time, says Warren Bishop, Yonkers,
N. Y.
Cranky midget engine is started by use of small power drill fitted with clipped-off
screw driver blade. Dwight Medina, Ben Lomond, Calif., discovered rig would start
up-to-.19 jobs.
Engineer E. R. Violett, Jr., W. Hyattsville, Md., prefabricates U-control surface
hinge for scale UC jobs. Units serve as structural members; flexible hinges entirely
concealed.
Sergeant James Duckworth, March AFB, Calif., submits neat push-rod keeper and
locking device for R/C control linkage. Length of surgical tubing positions push-rod
and control horn.
Famous Austrian modeler, Franz Czerny, cites method of accurately mating and
cementing sheet edges for balsa wing construction. System assures flush lower surface,
strong seam.
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, 575 Madison Ave.. New York 22. N. Y. Please
note that because of the very large number of submissions, none can be returned
to the sender.
Posted December 23, 2023
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