Sketchbook - Model Building Tips
December 1962 American Modeler

December 1962 American Modeler

December 1962 American Modeler Cover - Airplanes and RocketsTable 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.

This Sketchbook was scanned from the December 1962 American Modeler. Most building tips are timeless. Even in this era of ready-to-fly (RTF), almost-ready-to-fly (ARF), bind-and-fly (BAF), etc., there are still many modelers who build their own aircraft. One hint is to use milk rather than water for spraying onto tissue paper. Thomas Hill claims dope will not penetrate the milk solids after it dries, which keeps weight down since the dope cannot saturate the tissue paper. Nearly all top tier competition fliers build their own models, as do aficionados of vintage (aka old-timer) models. Some guys just would rather build than buy a pre-build airplane, whether from a kit or from plans.

This page has links to every edition of Sketchbook that I have so far.

Sketchbook

Got a new idea for construction, ad-justment, 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, The Conde Nast Publications Inc., 420 Lexington Ave., New York 17, N. Y.

 

Thomas Hill, Phoenix, Arizona, makes revolutionary - Airplanes and Rocket

Thomas Hill, Phoenix, Arizona, makes revolutionary

discovery in use of milk instead of usual water

spray for tissue covering. Dope does not

penetrate milk, claims Thomas; neater

covering results.

 

 

Building board Ward Randall, Orlando, Florida - Airplanes and Rocket

Convenience of perfect "pin board" for easier model building was found by Ward Randall, Orlando, Florida. Plywood, corrugated cardboard, newspapers, glued up with wax paper cover proved ideal.

 

 

Rib template Ron Wittman, San Angelo, Texas - Airplanes and Rocket

Time-saving template for rib cutting assures uniformity. Guide can be made of balsa, plywood, even cardboard,

reports Ron Wittman, San Angelo, Texas. Use for

indoor or outdoor construction.

R. W. Kingman, Manhattan, Kansas - Airplanes and Rocket

Unique R/C "Shear Gear" is suggestion of

R. W. Kingman, Manhattan, Kansas.

Fuselage bottom heavily planked.

Tri-cycle gear held securely with rubber

strands which release in rough landing.

 

 

Adjustable duration tank by  - Airplanes and Rocket

Variation on "adjustable duration" tank by

Marvin Lew, Seattle, Washington, employs visible

fuselage and marker on fuel tube to accurately

pre-set gadget to desired engine run.

 

 

Sketchbook from December 1962 American Modeler Magazine - Airplanes and Rockets

Thisis the original Sketchbook page

Sketchbook Editions

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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 August 10, 2013