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Sketchbook
October 1958 American Modeler

October 1958 American Modeler

October 1958 American Modeler 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.

"Sketchbook" (aka "Sketch Book") was a regular feature in American Modeler magazine. It consisted of a handful of construction, operating adjustments, and finishing tips and suggestions (aka "kinks") for model aircraft, rockets, cars, and boats, all submitted by readers. A staff artist put those ideas to drawings. This October 1958 issue included a twin-engined control line model that claimed to fly well even if one engine quit before the other (which was almost always the case on fuel-powered models) - without an outboard thrust offset - due to both engines being located as close as possible to the fuselage centerline. Another tip suggested a method for marking and masking off complex, curved areas for painting by cutting thin strips of Scotch Tape for the initial outline. One reader showed how to significantly strengthen the wing-to-fuselage joint by using a simple plywood insert.

Sketchbook

Sketchbook, October 1958 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsCompact U-control twin-engine "wing" handles well on either or both engines, claims designer-builder Ralph Hart, Colebrook, Ontario, Canada. No out-thrust on engines.

Masking tips from famous modeler Dale Kirn, Salina, Kansas. Methods recommended help produce prize-winning decorating, finishing.

Extremely rigid wing-fuselage assembly for profile control models comes from A. E. Brown, La Grange, Ill. Plywood members fit slotted fuselage and leading edges, assuring alignment and strength.

Got a new idea for construction, adjustment or operation of model planes, boats or R/C? "AM" pays $10 for each "hint & kink" used.

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!

About Airplanes & Rockets 

Kirt Blattenberger, Webmaster - Airplanes and RocketsKirt Blattenberger

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

 

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