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Sketchbook - Modeling Hints & Kinks
July 1961 American Modeler

July 1961 American Modeler

July 1961 American Modeler magazine cover Table of Contents

These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

Here is another round of nifty model airplane building ideas, aka "Sketchbook," submitted by readers of the Academy of Model Aviation's (AMA's) American Modeler magazine. I'm not too keen on the "rubber mold" idea of using a thin layer of silicon rubber, trimmed to the design outline with a razor knife - especially over an open wing bay or between fuselage longerons. Controlling the depth of the cut is tricky, especially in a layer of silicon that is not of uniform thickness. Mr. Itter must have a steady hand. Using a length of brass tubing with the end filed or sanded to a sharp edge is a handy trick for cutting holes I have used many times over the years - probably after having first seen it in American Aircraft Modeler, R/C Modeler, Flying Models, or Model Airplane News.

Sketchbook

Bill Itter, Stamford, Conn., applies thinned color dope to Silkspan - Airplanes and Rockets(left) Claiming a more uniform finish, Bill Itter, Stamford, Conn., applies thinned color dope to Silkspan prior to regular doping. Final color coats follow. Especially helpful with light colors.

Jess Brewer, Winter Haven, Florida, discovered "Rubber Mold" - Airplanes and Rockets(right) Jess Brewer, Winter Haven, Florida, discovered "Rubber Mold" in art supply store; used it successfully for easy masking on model surfaces for two-color finishes. Use two coats, he advises.

 - Airplanes and Rockets(left) Effective modelers' punch-drill is gadget of G. A. Wilson, Walpole, Mass. Brass tube has serrated edge, is spun between fingers. Cuts cleanly through balsa and thin plywood.

Plywood reinforcements provide landing gear grooves - Airplanes and Rockets(right) Improvement on radial mount previously printed is this idea by Roman Szalek, LaSalle, Ill. Plywood reinforcements provide landing gear grooves; mount flanges secure wire in place.

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.

 

Sketchbook Editions

Feb 49 | Sep 49 | Oct 50 | 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 | Nov 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 September 22, 2018

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