Sketchbook
May/June 1963 American Modeler
|
Before
just about everything you could ever think of needing for your aeromodeling
hobby was made in China and sold here at a dirt-cheap price, resourcefulness
and creativity, combined with some mechanical skill, was needed by most
hobbyists. Even those who could afford to buy everything they needed
were not always able to find it already made and hanging on the hobby
shop wall. Improvisation was the order of the day. These monthly "Sketchbook"
features are a prime example of what I'm writing about. Having read
through many of the ideas in many issues of American Modeler, I am a
little dubious about the practicality of some of them.
This page has links to every edition of
Sketchbook that I have so far.
Sketchbook

Sketchbook form May/June 1963 American Modeler
James Morrow, Bound Brook, N. J., solves
flap linkage problem when. dihedral angle divides flap sections.
Wire arms transmit movement of inner flap section to outer section.
Strong, trouble-free, says Jim. Handy addition
to coiled fuel line "timer tank" is tip from AI White, Denver,
Colo. Air-bleed between tubing and tank, held shut by clamp,
allows time to tune engine, Opening air-bleed starts timed run.
A durable elevator hinge of monofilament line, stitched
in staggered rows to lessen chance of fraying, is contribution
of R, W. Ragen, Inglewood, Calif. Extremely strong, very flexible.
Another knack to protect heat-sensitive parts during soldering
is use of alligator clip having jaws filled with damp cotton.
Submitted by Jeff Morton, Pensacola, Fla. |
Experimental pylon engine mount designed
by Edmund Hanley, Muskegon, Mich., permits quick change from
tractor to pusher, up-down thrust trim, fast interchange of
complete engine units.
John Kilsdonk, Detroit, Mich.,
builds combat model "pod" engine mount with bolts linking L.E.
and bellcrank platform into single unit. Mounts, engine, controls
stay together, says John.
Efficient model parachute
is made of circular silk. Shrouds pass over canopy top, held
by doped Silkspan strips. Designer Art Phelps, Alexandria, Va.,
suggests long leader between shrouds and weight.
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, The Conde Nast Publications Inc., 420 Lexington Ave
New York 17, N. Y. |
Posted September 30, 2012
|
|
|