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Kirt Blattenberger BSEE - KB3UON My Engineering Web: RF Cafe Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!) Even during the busiest times of my life I have endeavored to maintain some form of model building activity. This site has been created to help me chronicle my journey through a lifelong involvement in model aviation, which all began in Mayo, MD ...
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My Main Modeling Websites
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Model Aviation Magazine, AMA - Airplanes and Rockets

Sketchbook - Hints & Kinks
October 1962 American Modeler

October 1962 American Modeler - Airplanes and Rockets

Table of Contents

Aeromodeling has seen significant changes over the decades both in technology and preferences. Magazines like American Aircraft Modeler, American Modeler, and Air Trails were the best venues for capturing snapshots of the status quo of the day. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

This Sketchbook was scanned from the October 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-built airplane, whether from a kit or from plans.

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

Sketchbook

Safety-minded James Happ, North Brook, IIIinois, uses glo-plug to ignite model rocket - Airplanes and Rockets

Safety-minded James Happ, North Brook, IIIinois, uses glo-plug to ignite model rocket. Lengthy wires make circuit with battery. Fuse ignited when switch closes circuit. Hazards lessened.

Homemade booster battery clip is from Mitsuo Katayama, San Pedro, California - Airplanes and Rockets

Homemade booster battery clip is from Mitsuo Katayama, San Pedro, California. Turned back ends of wire fittings makes contact easy. Plywood block keeps battery leads apart.

Clif Norman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers answer to problem of quick-filling pressure tank - Airplanes and Rockets

Clif Norman, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers answer to problem of quick-filling pressure tank. Removable stopper allows fast fueling, quick resealing.

William Kakoni, New York City, anchors thin wire to fuselage with nylon ·patch - Airplanes and Rockets

Practical solution to burned or broken stabilizer pop-up retainer threads is steel wire member. William Kakoni, New York City, anchors thin wire to fuselage with nylon ·patch.

Sketchbook from October 1962 American Modeler Magazine - Airplanes and Rockets

See original page.

Neat scale-like wheels for World War I models are produced by Alfred Epstein, Montreal, Canada - Airplanes and Rockets

Neat scale-like wheels for World War I models are produced by Alfred Epstein, Montreal, Canada, using "O-ring" oil seals for tires and turned aluminum discs, grooved, for wheels.

English modeler Alan Thomas submits neat axle for heavy-duty dural landing gears - Airplanes and Rockets

English modeler Alan Thomas submits neat axle for heavy-duty dural landing gears. Turned-down bolt body fits wheel precisely; threads left for bolting to leg endl

Use of pressure-sensitive "Mylar" chrome materials is suggested by J. W. Scherer, Wyckoff, New Jersey - Airplanes and Rockets

Use of pressure-sensitive "Mylar" chrome materials is suggested by J. W. Scherer, Wyckoff, New Jersey. Smooth chrome quickly cut and positioned for windows; fancy textures for landing gear.

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 July 6, 2013