The first meeting of 2018 started at 7 pm with 26 members and guests in attendance.

Cal Branton, also reminded us that the TCRC Auction is on Saturday, February 3, 2018.

SFM Aircraft Secret Revealed: David Andersen is starting to draw plans for a "Boeing F4B".  Scale and further info in future Newsletters! 

I know your diligent webmaster is hoping that David may consider the  "Hawker Demon" a viable tandem drawing effort alongside of the Boeing. 

Larry Sorenson's Great Tip on Axels'

Larry talked about using hardened ejector pins (as used in the injection molding industry) for replacement axles and nose wheel steering pins. 

A sample was passed around.  These have a higher hardness and are stiffer than music wire.  They're very tough and available in 1/64” increments up to one inch.  Precision-sized ejector pins are available in .001” increments up to 1/4 inch.  Metric pins from 1 to 20 mm in 0.1 increments can also work for some inch sizes.  Up to six inch lengths.

Ejector pins come with a head that negates the need for a wheel collar or retaining nut.  Prices are from $2 to $10, most are under $5 each and can be found at www.dixiepins.com  or www.mcmaster.com

Ahmed Bassal & Zach Geragi Offering 3D Printed Parts

Ahmed Bassal and Zach Geragi are offering a variety of 3D printed parts to make radio installations easier.  Receiver mounts, servo mounts, wire and tube organizers and more.

Servo lead connector housings can be used to hold one end of a servo extensions for one-handed wing servo plug-ins.  The material is PLA.  Mounts were shown for Spektrum servos and Graupner receivers. 

David Andersen New Plans 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza

David Andersen papered the walls with plans for a 1947 quarter scale Beechcraft Bonanza.

Based on plans for a T-34 by Mark Frankel, David omitted the vertical fin and tipped the horizontal stabilizers up to reproduce the classic V-tail.

Changes were made to the cockpit area and cowl.  It is designed for a GT80 twin and Robart retracts.

A finishing Paint Sheme is shown in Color on the plans.  Chris O’Connor will be building the first article. 

We can't wait to see this design in the air!

Roy Maynard's Glenn Torrance SE5a

Detailed parts for another WW1 fighter were shown by Roy Maynard.  His Glenn Torrance SE5a will be treated to pre-formed rib stitching.  It is available in sheets from 3telus.net.

It can be cut to desired widths and applied as an adhesive tape.  Roy will cover the stitching with non-pinked tape made from Solartex by Dynamic Balsa (dbalsa.com).

Joe Neidermayr's Albatros D5a

Joe Neidermayr displayed an Albatros D5a.  The model has some nice features including sprung landing gear, cockpit details and a dummy engine.  Joe added weathering to the finish of this E-flite ARF.

Construction time was around thirty hours including the scale flying wires.  Span is 53 inches and has a 6.5 pound flying weight.

Power is from a Turnigy 750 kw outrunner on four cells.  While finishing his model Joe found inspiration at thevintageaviator.com where the Albatros has been reproduced in full scale.