Useful addresses:
Small Scale Custom Services
Spring Meadow,
Fyfield,
Andover,
Hampshire,
SP11 8EL
UK
Founded in 1987 by Lindsey Smith, this is a great source for lightweight
accessories for free-flight models. Amongst the range of vac-form plastic
parts available are some really nice pilot figures in various scales (1/36th up
to 1/10th), all sorts of lightweight wheels (including clear "spoked" ones),
radial engine fronts, and canopies to suit various plans and kits. To give an
idea of the weight - a 1/16th pilot comes in at just 0.75 g. The pilots and
wheels have to be assembled from two halves, after cutting them out from the
plastic sheet - not too difficult a job - then painted to suit. Since
discovering the pilot figures, I have tended to use them wherever possible - I
think open cockpit planes in particular look a little odd flying around with
no-one at the controls! Lindsey will mail-order world wide, so if you are
interested, drop him a line and ask for his latest illustrated price list.
Dave Banks
46 Queensbury Road,
Kingsbury,
London NW9 8LT
Dave has recently (2001) produced an outstanding range of pilot figures
for model aircraft in various scales and of different periods. They are made of a
rigid foam, with a solid skin on the outside. They are very light (the smallest
ones weigh less than 1 gram), superbly modelled, and can be made even lighter
by hollowing them out a bit with a burr on a small drill. The detail is
crisper than on vac-form pilots, and you don't have to glue the two halves
together. Some of the pilots are based on real people - for instance I bought a
very nice 1/16 scale pilot for my Albatros D.V and found he was Bruno Loerzer!
The modelling of the figures gives them real charactor.
Pilots come in various scales from 1/8 down to 1/35, and from the WW1 period through
to the early WW2 jet pilots and the Korean War. Soon to be added are some small modern
jet pilots with "bone domes" to suit Jetex and Rapier scale models.
Prices are very reasonable considering the quality - ranging from £2 to £3, depending on scale.
Drop a line to Dave Banks to get a copy of his list. He will supply mail order
- in the UK, orders over £7 are post free. Not sure about overseas - I think it
is unlikely he will take credit card orders.
KP Aero Models Ltd.
Castle Road,
Rowlands Castle,
Hampshire,
PO9 6AS
UK
Tel. 01705 412172
Fax 01705 412178
Derek Knight is a familiar face on the UK F/F scale scene, as are the products
produced by his company. Best known for their range of electric motors and
accessories (props, battery packs, jacks, sockets etc.), they also produce
rubber motor winders in 5:1. 10:1 and 15:1 ratios, a neat adjustable nose
button for small rubber models and a very useful Sodastream adaptor for CO2
models (allows you to charge the motors using one of the large CO2 cylinders
fitted in drinks dispensers). There are currently three sizes of geared
electric unit available - the KP 00 will fly scale models up to about 20"
span or so (duration types can be a bit larger), or a weight of approx. 45 g -
you can use one, two or three Sanyo 50 mAh cells to suit. The familiar KP 01
now comes only as a three cell unit - this will fly scale models up to 30" span
or so, and a speed trimmer is available to control the power. I have one of
these units fitted to my Douglas Y10-43. The KP 02 is a large and powerful
unit - not far off the performance of a 0.75 cc Diesel. Suggested maximum
model size is 1 metre (40") wing span, or 280 g weight. It runs off 3 x 110
mAh cells. A recent addition to the KP range is an electric ducted fan unit. I'm sure Derek will be happy to send you his latest list if you
contact him.
Flying Aces GHQ
3301 Cindy Lane,
Erie,
PA 16506,
USA
The Flying Aces Club is a must for anyone who is interested in traditionally
built rubber powered scale models. The Club takes its name from the popular
1930's aviation magazine, and carries on the spirit of modelling from these times.
There is large and enthusiastic membership in the USA, and many competitions are
held in various FAC classes in squadrons throughout the country, culminating in
the bi-annual FAC Nationals at Geneseo. Even if you don't intend to cross the
pond to join in, it is worth joining to get the newsletter six times a year - every issue
contains at least four rubber powered scale model plans. Send Lin Reichel $15.00 for a year's
membership in the United States and Canada. Overseas cost is $25.00 per year. Make
cheques payable to "FLYING ACES" - I usually risk $25 in cash with a letter, and none has gone missing so far.
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