Model Aircraft How-To for Building, Covering & Flying
from American Modeler and American Aircraft Modeler

Over the years, many installments of the popular Sketchbook (aka Sketch Book) have featured reader-supplied tips. A complete list of the ones I have posted are given below. The other list is a collection of various how-to articles and resources from the pages of my collection of modeling magazines and even some that I produced myself.

As always, if there is something specific you are looking for on this website, please type your keywords into the Search box at the top of the page, just below the website logo.

• Modeling Tips & Tricks

        Seen in modeling magazines and on the Internet

• Silkspan & Dope Covering Tutorial Videos

        I produced these 6 videos

• Rubber Motor Testing

        August 1968 American Modeler

• Adjusting the Power R/C Plane

        January 1955 Popular Electronics

• Secrets of "Winning" Airfoils

        1961 Annual Edition American Modeler

• A Very Simple Method for Creating Monokote Lettering

        Something I came up with

• Balsa Weight for Various Densities

        A handy table for the picky builder

• How to Build Better Wings

        July 1962 American Modeler

• Model Aircraft Covering Weight Comparison

        Another handy table of values I put together

• How NOT to Retrieve a Model !!!

        Get a load of this picture!

• Airfoils and Alternatives - The "Skinny Lifters"

      December 1974 American Aircraft Modeler

• Facts About Microfilm Covering

        May 1954 Model Airplane News

• Third Line Theme for Control Line Throttle

        August 1957 American Modeler

• Model Filler and Finish Compatibility Matrix

        I found this info on the Internet

• Using Avery Labels for Transferring Plan Parts

        Compliment of Mr. Robin Tole

• You Can Stunt Your Rudder Plane

        July 1957 American Modeler

• All About Air Modeling

        1962 American Modeler Annual

• How to Select the Proper Glow Plug ... and Why

        1963 American Modeler Annual

• Building Tips from Vintage Modeling Magazines

        A collection I put together

• Crosses and Roundels

        January 1968 American Aircraft Modeler

• Get into Free Flight Competition

        January 1968 American Aircraft Modeler

• Getting Started in R/C

        July 1968 American Aircraft Modeler

• Mylar Trim for Models

        October 1972 American Aircraft Modeler

• Rise-Off-Water Secrets

        1963 American Modeler Annual

• Rx for R.O. W.

        October 1967 American Modeler

• Scalecraft & Finish

        March/April 1963 American Modeler

• Secrets of International Team Racing

        January/February 1963 American Modeler

• Engine Idling Secrets

        November 1962 American Modeler

• Rubber Motor Testing

        August 1968 American Aircraft Modeler

• How to Fold a Bandsaw Blade into 3 Rings

        It only looks easy if you've never done it...

• Cutting a Small Piece on a Radial Arm Saw

        A handy - and safe - way to do it

• Find the Area

        June 1969 American Aircraft Modeler

• Flying the R/C Plane

        December 1954 Popular Electronics

• Great Planes Nylon Control Horn Flaw

        I don't know if they've ever corrected it

• Model Making Offers Money Making Opportunities

        January 1957 American Modeler

• Sailplane Aero-Tow

        March 1975 American Aircraft Modeler

• Symposium on Free Flight Adjustment Part II

        March 1957 American Modeler

• Wind Flying C/L Models

        September 1972 American Aircraft Modeler

• A Wind Tunnel You Can Make and Operate

        April 1957 American Modeler

• Control-Line Aerodynamics Made Painless

        July / August 1966 American Modeler

• Control-Line Aerodynamics Made Painless

        December 1967 American Modeler