The Aerodromerc News Enthusiasts

A unique selection of World War I and By and For Golden Age laser cut Electric Flight short kits and plans The AerodromeRC News Enthusiasts

VOL 1 - NO 4 April 2005 www.AerodromeRC.com E�� N�� 17 By Kurt Bengtson By Kurt Bengtson In the scale modeling business, it is necessary to balance the desires for a designer’s subjects versus the market for these models. Often the designer comes up with esoteric designs modeling interesting yet little known aircraft. These models usually don’t sell as well as the better known ones. I attribute the phenomenon to the fact that many beginning flyer’s have a need to fly these well known subjects as a rite of passage and that the more interesting lesser known models are reserved for aficionados and experienced pilots. Certainly WWI models are becoming more and more desired in recent years. I hear quite often that there are not enough WWI and Golden Age kits available today from the major manufacturers. Our companies offerings are an attempt to satisfy the demand for well designed, easy to build, The Nieuport series fighters became a serious factor in aerial laser cut kits. So far we seem to have hit on something, combat with the introduction of Gustave Delage’s Nieuport as our growth rate last year was 1300 %. Now that cannot 11. The small lightweight aircraft countered the Fokker continue indefinitely but it is telling me that we are on Eindecker’s forward firing fuselage-mounted machine gun the brink of a major revival of WWI modeler interest. The with superior agility. In an attempt to increase speed, the designer, me in this example, must airframe was fitted with a larger 110 be open to following the market’s I�� I�� HP Le Rhone replacing the old 80 HP desires. I have listened so far and Le Rhone. The new configuration was the new 1/8th scale N17 and soon 1 • E�� designated the Nieuport 16. The N16 the 1/6th scale Fokker DVIII are 1 • N�� 17 did not fair well as the airframe was examples of this trend. Recently, 2 • B�� T�� not up to the demands of the larger I posted a poll on RCGroups 4 • B�� T��: C�� C�� power plant. Delage went back to the asking what size WWI model 6 • B�� R��: G��’� L�� drawing board and increased the people prefer. I listed 1/8th scale, K�� A�� wingspan and wing area as well as 1/9thscale, 1/6th scale and finally 6 • F�� K��: A�� DII adding other improvements. The new ¼ scale. The results were that most design was designated the Nieuport prefer the lower two sizes and then 17 and it was a smashing success. the 1/6th scale followed by the quarter scale subjects. My The type was made in large numbers by several French aim was to better deliver model sizes to the desires of manufacturers and was licensed to Italian and Russian the marketplace. I have no quarter scale models yet there manufacturers. It was in service with the French, British, is a fraction of modelers who are building them. In fact, Belgian and Russian air forces. most of the WWI kits available from the competition are One of the distinguishing characteristics of the Nieuport in 1/4 scale. So I am resolved to design two-quarter scale 17 that is not often modeled is the tapered fuselage from top models this year and a few more in succeeding years. to bottom. Most models have simple vertical sides. I found Considering the market, I think that a Bristol Scout and out why they do this in my design process. It is a complex an Albatros DIII are the best candidates for this class. There is too much investment here to consider lesser- known models. These two designs have been among our best sellers over that time we have been offering kits. The Bristol Scout is already in design and will be a redo from the three view, not a scale up of Peter Rake’s model we already sell. The Albatros will be scaled up but have some changes in airfoil as well as enhancements in wing design. Under cambered airfoils will be featured. Models this large will not hide non-scale details in flight as the The AerodromeRC News VOL 1 - NO 4 Page 2 www.AerodromeRC.com matter to get that taper and it took me many hours before I opposite side. By laminating the three together with epoxy, was satisfied with the fuselage. over the bend end of the music wire, voila’ we have a bell Another unusual feature is that the fuselage is not crank. It is then a matter of connecting the cranks to music symmetrical. The side fairings bulge out more on the left wire pushrods to individual servos mounted on the internal side of the aircraft. This was due to an ammo canister. lite ply riser inside the fuselage. Again, this feature is not often modeled. I however, took the Fuselage construction is a mix of formers and box style extra step and it is in my design. and the turtle deck behind the cockpit features 1/32” balsa In my zeal for scale accuracy, I attempted to add scale sheeting and a soft balsa headrest. The forward fuselage is bell crank driven ailerons and with my traditional design built around formers hung on internal plywood risers and techniques, I failed. Undaunted, I realized that 1/8” carbon is to be sheeted with 1/16th balsa. An unusual feature is rods could be subbed for spars and placed in the scale that the top longerons are carried all the way to the cowl, positions. There was now sufficient clearance for a bell bending to determine the shape of the fuselage. The cowl is a standard built-up laminated 1/4” balsa wood and 1/32” plywood similar to many of our other radial engine style WWI models. The model is designed to be powered by the Long Can S400 or the S480 geared 3.4:1 with an MP Jet type gearbox. Naturally, these days this recommendation is only a starting point as many builders choose to use their own favorite power system from the many choices currently available. My covering recommendation is Polyspan although many use LiteSpan. Polyspan covers fast and gives that linen look so important for scale realism. It resists tears and adds considerable strength yet only weights as much as Silkspan. I employed 1/32” plywood trailing edges placed top and bottom of the ribs for ease of covering and for added strength. The plywood trailing edges are featured on many of my later designs and have been a great success. They are also included in the short kit. crank to work. My next challenge was how to design one that wouldn’t be so hard to fabricate that folks would give up on the model. I also needed to think of a design that would be build-able. It is often possible to arrange things in a final way but the structure cannot be built. Professor Jone’s (Sean Connery) comments in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, “ I find that if I sit down and wait, a solution will present itself”. This situation is often true for me and it was for the aileron linkage. I should mention first that the wing is built around the pre bent music wire torque rod and the crank is added after covering. I came up with a design based on three birch plywood bell crank shaped pieces that are to be laminated on a 1/16” music wire torque rod in the top wing. The two outer ones are fabricated from 1/32” plywood and the center one is 1/16” plywood. The center one has a gap facing up that allows the crank to fit over the carbon tube spar. The other two have gaps in the

D�� The low wing metal covered monoplane fighter made it’s debut in WWI not WWII. Junkers developed nine prototypes beginning with the J1 called the Tin Donkey and continued on the J9 or as the German Army designated, the DI. Forty one DI’s were delivered to the Front before the Armistice in November 1918. The fighter featured a cantilever wing but was underpowered with a160 HP Mercedes engine. However, it paved the way for the fighters of the future. The AerodromeRC News VOL 1 - NO 4 Page 3 www.AerodromeRC.com forces. If you get adventurous, you could use small sand B�� T�� bags to do this scientifically. It is really neat to see a model By Kurt Bengtson equipped with this system landing with a small rocking Make strong lightweight warp resistant balsa plywood. motion and seeing those wheels moving to take the shock. Useful in areas where plywood adds too much weight. Your gear will last longer and your model will have a more Use three laminations, alternating the grain. Aliphatic glues accurate representation of original design. I should note (Titebond or Elmer’s construction glue) work very well for that several of our models have this feature built in to the this application. Use a thin layer of glue spread evenly. design. Specifically, The SPAD VII, Hanriot HD-1, Albatros Cover with wax paper, weigh the wood down with heavy CIII, Pfalz DIIIa and upcoming Nieuport 17 all feature this books or clamp between lumber and allow glue to set. The style LG. balsa ply will be light, straight and strong. B�� T��: M�� S�� L�� L�� Have a WWI box fuselage to build and all your balsa is C�� C�� too soft for longerons? Here is a trick: make up 1/8” square By Bert Ayers stock by laminating two 1/8 x 1/16” balsa pieces. The glue and laminating process will dramatically increase strength Cockpit combing on WWI models has always been a and weight will still be fairly light. If you have a curved problem for me. I’ve tried several methods. It is usually the longeron, allow the laminated longeron to set on your plan last thing to put on a model that is fully assembled. Very to the required shape. You will have a strong and stress free difficult to handle the model and get to the cockpit. This longeron that will not induce warping in your fuselage. time I decided to put it on while the model is in a more workable condition. I found it to be much, much easier to do E�� ’� �� at the earlier stage of building. I had some No. 10 stranded �� electrical wire that I use to wrap and solder landing gear. Build up laminated spars from stock on hand. This method The covering seemed perfect for cockpit combing---so I can be done in many ways and the result can resemble those tried it. Split the wire casing down the middle (as straight “Glue Lam” wooden beams used in housing construction. as possible). take out the copper wire (save for soldering Your laminated spar will be as strong, possibly stronger things), heat with a heat gun, form around the balsa cockpit and straighter than single wood. cutout and CA in a couple of places. It looks better than fuel B�� S�� line. This wire comes in various sizes and can be selected to However, it is not well known that balsa is very deformable fit the scale of the model. I have seen Brown wire in the past, and will set a compound shape if softened in ammonia or so next time I see it; I’ll buy Brown just for this purpose. boiling hot water and strapped to a shape. After the wood dries, it retains the shape. I recommend this method as an alternate to planking for sheeting our Albatros DVa fuselages. Use the stringered fuselage as a form and doing opposing quadrants at a time, strap toweled dried water softened balsa on the fuselage. Secure with an ACE bandage and allow to dry overnight. Don’t strap the bandage too tight or it might warp the fuselage or create distortions. Remove and repeat for the other quarter pieces. When finished, trim your panels to shape. You should be able to avoid flat spots and weird warping problems with this method. S�� A�� L�� G�� Tired of landing gear damage on those occasional hard landings? Consider adding a suspension to your model. First, make up a new axle from a bit large diameter music wire than you currently use. For example, if you are using 1/16” wire use 3/32” wire. Second, attach this new axle on top of your old axle. Cutting off the ends of the old axle makes room for the wheels. Make the only attachment point at the center of the span. I use Kevlar thread and epoxy to bind my axle in place but brass wire and solder works fine as well. Now your axle will float in a manner similar to some WWI aircraft. Both wheels should be able to move up bending the wire as they go. The larger diameter wire will limit travel. For shock absorption, I recommend craft store elastic beading wrapped around the axles where the landing gear uprights attach. Balance the gear by using the same amount of cord and wrapping in similar tightness. Test your new gear by pushing down on the model and getting a feel for how much travel results from various The AerodromeRC News VOL 1 - NO 4 Page 4 www.AerodromeRC.com this time a commissioned B�� R�� D�� officer, therefore was The Nieuport 11’s Lewis G��’� L�� K�� equal to or outranked his machine gun was mounted on the observer. Generally, the top wing to fire over the propeller �� A�� – observer was the higher- arc. The N11 could have been ranking crewmember, fitted with an interrupter gear allowing the use of a fuselage T�� M�� M�� C�� and therefore told the mounting but the firing rate of pilot where to fly in the allied machine guns at the D�� order to complete the time was inconsistent preventing By Frank Jaerschky reconnaissance tasks. the technique. Degelow however, Kilduff, Peter. Germany’s Last showed an early interest in chasing and shooting down Knight of the Air: The Memoirs other aircraft, rather than simply taking photographs. With of Major Carl Degelow. London: this aggressive attitude, it wasn’t long before Degelow William Kimber & Co Limited, transferred to fighters. 1979. 218. ISBN 0718301463 Degelow’s introduction to the front as a fighter pilot nearly Includs many photographs ended in disaster, as an error in a training flight nearly illustrating different aircraft, but resulted in the accidental death of a squadron mate. He left focusing mainly on putting faces his first unit in disgrace, and was fortunate enough to be to the many names of fellow transferred to another unit where he could start anew. Staffel mates and commanding The book is interesting as the reader gets a first hand, officers. personal account of life as a German fighter pilot from 1916 Carl Degelow initially until the end of the war. We get personal opinions of the published a short version of his fighter aircraft that he flew, and we see that much of the memoirs in Germany in 1920, success of a pilot can be attributed to individual skill and entitled “Mitt dem weissen tactics, not just which aircraft outperforms another on paper. Hirsch durch dick und dünn” Degelow mentions the Albatros D.III and D.V, as well as the (With the White Stag Through Pfalz D.III and Fokker Dr1. Thick and Thin). The English version originally started D�� He achieved success in as an article for “The Cross & Cockade Journal”. Through The German Army so envied each type, as he believed correspondence with Carl Degelow, Peter Kilduff quickly the performance and improved visibility of the Nieuport 11’s that to be successful the realized that here was the story of a man that would prove sesquiplane wing layout and key was to get ridiculously truly interesting. Unfortunately, Carl Degelow died in 1970, V shaped IP struts that they close to the opponent just before the article was published. Further contact with incorporated the feature in their before opening fire. His mainstay, Albatros D Series Degelow’s widow and former Staffel mates revealed more success certainly validated information and anecdotes, and resulted in this book. fighter line. Siemens Schuckert copied the Nieuport 17 and with his theory. Degelow’s Carl Degelow was one of the many young Germans only minor changes, called it the favourite aircraft was caught up in the patriotic fervor prevalent I Germany at SS DI. The design caused wing the Fokker D.VII, and the outbreak of World War 1 on August 1, 1914. At the time, failure in all aircraft in steep dives. the reader can almost he was heavily involved in the concrete industry, being Albatros pilots were warned not to dive too steeply. smell the confidence this interested in the filed of industrial chemistry. With the start fine aircraft instilled in of the war, Carl Degelow eagerly enlisted in the army, and its pilot. Although more went off to war. technical details of the aircraft involved would be nice, He book does not detail much of life in the trenches, there is certainly enough to keep modelers and aviation other than to say it was far from comfortable. Degelow enthusiasts interested. was awarded the Iron Crosses 1st and 2nd class during The book delivers a true reflection of Degelow’s character his time with the infantry, but the details surrounding the to the reader. Whenever possible, Degelow preferred to decorations are left undisclosed. Like many other soldiers force a defeated enemy to land, rather than to kill them. He seemingly condemned to misery in the trenches, the drone like nothing better than to share a drink in the mess with of the occasional aircraft engine overhead caused him his enemy after combat. He truly believed that they were all to look up and reflect on how clean and comfortable the part of the fellowship of airmen first, and enemies second. crew of the aircraft must be. He asked for a transfer to the Degelow finished the war as commander of Jagdstaffel 40, Luftstreitkrafte, and reported for flying training in May with 30 confirmed victories. He received his Pour le Merite 1916. on November 9, 1918, just two days before the Armistice. He Degelow started his flying career as the pilot of two was the last recipient of the Pour le Merite World War 1. seat reconnaissance aircraft. It is interesting to note the The closing chapters of the book provide insight into hierarchy of command the political climate of post war Germany. Germany was D�� that existed within generally intact following World War 1. Foreign soldiers did Allied machine gun ammunition these aircraft. Many not occupy her territories, and her cities and industry was casing dimensions were pilots were of enlisted intact, untouched by bombs as happened during the Second notoriously inconsistent. Some rank, whereas observers pilots hand selected bullets that World War. Many German soldiers returned to Germany would not jam their guns. were all commissioned expecting to be hailed as defenders of the Fatherland, as officers. Degelow was by The AerodromeRC News VOL 1 - NO 4 Page 5 www.AerodromeRC.com they had ensured that Germany was not invaded. They were quite surprised to find that the German population viewed The AerodromeRC News returning soldiers as “Militarists”, and labeled them as the The AerodromeRC News is a free monthly cause of economic hardship. Instead of being welcomed as publication of www.AerodromeRC.com a division heroes who risked their lives for Germany, these soldiers of Bengtson Company. Newsletters are available as were suffered the wrath of much of the population. free downloads from our website. Materials in The This book is a very enjoyable, very readable, and very AerodromeRC News are protected by copyright revealing insight into the life of a German pilot during law and may not be reproduced without written the First World War. The text is necessarily of limited permission. historical scope, as it is written from the point of view of a single serviceman. However, there are several chapters Submission Information of “Perspective” written by the translator inserted into the E-mail your article and/or pictures of: text at appropriate intervals that provide the reader with the context in which Degelow recounts his experiences. I highly • WWI or Golden Age planes recommend it to anybody with an interest in World War 1 • your model aviation. It goes far beyond the mere recounting of facts and • building tip figures, and brings us closer to understanding the men who • an opinion on a modeling topic actually flew during those times. to: [email protected] I believe this book is currently out of print. If you cannot find a copy of this book at your local library, you may be able or mail to: to source it through a used book exchange. A recent search AerodromeRC Webzine of Abebooks (http://www.abebooks.com/) revealed 5 copies, PO Box 51102 but be warned – they are not cheap! I would still consider Pacific Grove CA 93950 the purchase of this book to be a worthwhile investment to Articles and photos are accepted on a voluntary those interested in World War 1 aviation. basis. Authors do not receive compensation. Text and photos in digital format is preferred but not required. Please submit articles in *.txt, *.doc format or typewritten. Photo resolution of 72 dpi minimum; F�� B�� 150 to 300 dpi preferred. A�� DII Contact Information John Frost writes: Address: PO Box 51102 “Very nice kit quality. Being my first balsa kit that I have Pacific Grove CA 93950 done I wasn’t sure what to expect. It came out a bit heavier than expected but should fly fine on the chili pepper Phone and Fax: 831-393-0991 brushless motor, and 8 cell 1650 ‘s I haven’t got a chance to E-Mail: [email protected] test fly it yet ...still a bit snowy and windy up here in the northeast. Looking forward to building another.”