Sketchbook - Model Building Tips
June 1962 American Modeler

June 1962 American Modeler
June 1962 American ModelerTable 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 June 1962 American Modeler magazine, page 44. Most building tips are timeless. Even in this era of ready-to-fly (RTF), almost-ready-to-fly (ARF), bind-n-fly (BNF), etc., there are still many modelers who build their own aircraft. 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

Sturdy hinge construction tip - Airplanes and Rockets

Sturdy hinge construction tip sent by Al Oman, Randall, Minnesota, is adaptable to wing flaps or elevators. Cloth hinge material is firmly held and virtually concealed.

Finishing suggestion to use when brushing enamel - Airplanes and Rockets

A finishing suggestion to use when brushing enamel, from E. Mayover, Bradenton, Florida, is to place opened can of enamel in pan of water, warm slightly. Heated enamel dries brighter, smoother.

Tank mounts for profile control line models - Airplanes and Rockets

Ready-made "Jiffy Wall Hooks" are ideal tank mounts for profile control line models, reports Leo Cowger, Jr., Ft. Pierce, Florida Cement them in place, then secure tank with rubber bands.

Sign painters' "pounce wheel" - Airplanes and Rockets

Sign painters' "pounce wheel," available at art supply stores, permits quick transfer of plans to balsa sheet with-out destroying plans. Used by Alfred Walsky, Parsippany, New Jersey.

Simple gadget is handy for winding or unwinding escapement rubber motors - Airplanes and Rockets

Simple gadget is handy for winding or unwinding escapement rubber motors, claims J. D. Gerrard-Gough, Orangevale, California.

Lowering fuel level breaks circuit, shuts off light - Airplanes and Rockets

To prevent long range R/C model boat from running out of fuel when offshore, Dan Ocken, Minneapolis, Minnesota, rigged warning light. Lowering fuel level breaks circuit, shuts off light.


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.

Sketchbook - Hints & Kinks, June 1962 American Modeler - Airplanes and Rockets

Sketchbook Editions

| Sep 49 | 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 | 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 November 17, 2013