This Sketchbook was scanned from the July 1962 American Modeler, page 42.
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. 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.

Argentina modeler Enrique Arance tells how he bends dural gear legs
to provide uniform radius for extra strength. Note pushing edge
of angle iron is rounded.

Interlocking joints at dihedral breaks on solids or gliders improves
strength greatly compared to usual butt joints. Bob Meyer, Claremont,
Calif., recommends procedure for "Stuka," "Corsair" wings particularly.

Eye-catching trim strips of shiny Christmas tinsel make effective
color dividers on two-color paint jobs. Used by RichÂard Brown,
Willow Grove, Pa. Clear dope satisfactory adhesive, says Dick.
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Colored "pressure sensitive" tape, available on rolls of various
widths is handy for trimming, repairing models reports Richard Barnes,
E. Hampton, Conn. Trim to shape on glass, fuelproof with butyrate
clear dope.

David Nudell, Skokie, III., uses two pennies held by alligator clip
on lead of heat-sensitive part when soldering radio gear.

Tube coil gives added cooling to model boat engines according to
Japanese modeler Kazutoshl Wakatouki. Intake, behind propeller,
admits water under pressure, providing circulation. |
Posted April 17, 2013
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