SFM Newsletter October 2020

Next meeting Friday November 27, 2020

... don't forget, we always look forward to seeing your wonderful projects. Please bring'em to the next meeting and share your knowledge and insights!

Meeting Directions: Southtown Baptist Church

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Dear Scale Modelers Worldwide …

In light of the developments regarding COVID-19, we’d like to first say that our thoughts are with those affected by the virus in the U.S. and around the globe. Our very own Newsletter Editor, Scott Anderson was affected and all of us are grateful that he survived the experience!

As we begin the building season here we wish all members, web followers, and their respective communities a safe and healthy Christmas Season. To that end, we’ve implemented safety measures for our meetings that still allow us to share those experiences and techniques that are at the core of the hobby. Although State officials are unsure of the best path forward, we want to assure you that we will continue to provide as uninterrupted communications to members and guests as possible.

As all of us navigate through these challenging times, I’m reminded of how fortunate we are to be part of this strong community that supports each other while we sharpen our knowledge and pass it to other Scale Modelers. It is the power of knowledge within this community that will propel it into future generations.

On behalf of all of our members, we wish you and your loved ones health and safety.

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	Our President, Calvin Branton called the meeting to order after a sharp and humorous anecdote. Many times over the years Cal's been known to share a humorous story or joke at the beginning of our meetings ... this month he revealed one of his sources!


Cal also gave an overview of the Warbirds & Classics over the Bluegrass event held in September near Rosewood, IN (across the river from Louisville, KY). Attended by Cal, Kirk Hall and Larry Sorenson.

Jeff Quesenberry gave an overview of the 8th Annual, Komro Classic RC Fun-Fly in Durand, WI. It's a great event with a bit of a twist ... It's held at a Private Airstrip but sponsored by the Western Wisconsin RC Flyers.

The event is by word of mouth, so to speak and is Open to ALL. Keep an eye out for it next year.

Sherwood Heggen displayed his reworked 35 year old CAP 20L all balsa kit covered with SIG CoverALL and Stitts and Rustoleum paints.

Originally powered by a 35 year old Zenoah G38 the CAP 20L flies great and rolls straight.

Sherwood updated the G38 engine to a DLE-55 with a 22X8 Xoar prop.

He also complained that the original did not like to land as it would float down the runway. He fixed this by adding split flaps.


Dan Schmidt shared his 87” span WACO SRE built during the COVID lock-down from 35 year old Dario Brisighella Plans. Dan has a fully detailed cockpit interior module installed that may be removed in a few minutes to allow access to the radio and fuel systems.

The WACO runs on 5 channels with flaps and ailerons on the upper wing. It weighs in at 23# and did not need any added weight to balance! Both the right hand and left hand wings (upper & lower) are removable as units to simplify field assembly. Originally designed for the Quadra Dan has a used ZDZ 40cc w/RC Excel Ignition buried in the cowl. He had trouble with the original ignition module but the RC Excel replacement works very well. The dummy engine is built from a FTE cast engine and looks terrific! The covering is Oratex with color by Behr Latex Paints thinned with washer fluid. The white was added using rattle can latex paint. We’ll get flight information in the Spring!

Cal Branton brought in has F-100D with an 80mm fan from Flex Innovations. He mentioned that he’s got about 20 flights on it and it fly’s very well.

The F-100, also known as “the Hun,” served in a variety of roles including air-to-air fighter, attack

fighter and also served on several demonstration teams. This aircraft was designed by multi-time Top Gun Champion David Ribbe. David spent numerous hours on every detail, from the complicated aerodynamics of the intake and tail pipe, to the smallest of scale markings, not only to provide scale realism, but also incredible flight performance.

Kirk Hall won the Best Mask Award for his rendition of his Fokker Dr1 Tri-plane Cowl.

Very creative and original ... Kirk!

Joe Niedermier displayed his original Learjet that he had scratch built from his own plans.

The original wing was closer to scale but was too small to get off the runway easily so he replaced it with a new wing with more wing area and added Fowler Flaps. The Learjet is powered by a pair of 64mm metal EDF fans. Joe shared a moment of discovery about his initial attempts to get the Learjet to take off.

In his initial trials he would attempt take off from a smooth runway using full throttle. The jet would accelerate but would not rotate even with full up elevator. And if Joe would chop the throttle, suddenly the Learjet would jump into the air.

Apparently, the thrust line of the fans forced the plane down on its nose gear. Joe fixed it and its been flying well since. For more information contact Joe!

Chris Mayer brought in some hardware from his new 1/5th scale 96” span Hawker Tempest build.

He plans to power it with a new ZDZ 97cc single cylinder engine and a 28X10 prop (see photos) He's using Sierra Giant Scale SeaFury gear and wheels.

Chris has posted many images of the build on Facebook.

Roy Maynard discussed his new COMP ARF Sukoi turbine powered Jet. This was a first generation kit that he had acquired.

Roy had replaced some of the linear actuators with mechanical linkages and added significant cockpit detail including a neat 3D

printed ejection seat and LED illuminated instrument panels.

He also added after-burner lights.

Roy tells us that he had to make a new tail-cone to allow him to be able to relocate the flight batteries, and even then, had to add 30 ounces to balance the airframe.