RF Cascade Workbook - RF Cafe

Sketchbook
November 1961 American Modeler

April 1960 American Modeler

April 1960 American Modeler Cover - Airplanes and Rockets 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.

sink-me

Sketchbook

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. Please note that because of the very large number of submissions, none can be returned to the sender.

Otto Lion, Mountain View, Calif., bandsaws shaping tool from block balsa, lines it with sandpaper, gets uniform airfoil contour at leading edge for more efficient, better looking wing.

Flood-off engine timer adaptable to several types of Cox engines involves replacement of Tick-Off timer pointer with actuator arm, linkage to air choke. No drilling needed. From Donald Brown, Omaha, Nebr.

Control model handle, trimmable in flight, contributed from Uruguay by A. Grattan. Knurled knob, turned to right or left, adjusts lengths of leadout lines from handle automatically.

When scale location of steerable tail wheel is too far forward for direct linkage with rudder of R/C model, Ross Smith, Gagetown, Mich., rigs additional rudder horn and pushrod to tailwheel arm.

Easy transfer of sheet balsa part outlines to stock is possible, sez James P. Vogt, Cincinnati, Ohio. Color dope dabbed through stencil patterns leaves sharp outlines, strengthen parts.

Possible successor to "stooge" is Francis Hareslak's (Old Bridge, N. J.) control-line auto-launch. First half circuit is tricky, admits inventor, but the set-up works.

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!



Academy of Model Aeronautics Government Advocacy Coalition - Airplanes and Rockets

Cafe Press

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) - Airplanes and Rockets

Academy of Model Aeronautics

Tower Hobbies logo - Airplanes and Rockets

Tower Hobbies

Horizon Hobby logo - Airplanes and Rockets

Horizon Hobby

Sig Manufacturing - Airplanes and Rockets

Sig Mfg

Brodak Manufacturing - Airplanes and Rockets

Brodak Mfg