Dress Up Your Warbird
Model Airplane News|October 2019

Weathering and detailing a Spitfire ARF

Rich Uravitch
Dress Up Your Warbird

There sure are a lot of almost-ready-to-fly (ARF) planes out there, and the quality of the quick-build warbirds just keeps getting better and better. Today, ARFs seem to have become the primary choice for many fliers rather than a backup or secondary model, as they used to be. You know—“I’ll fly this while I’m building my super-duper scale model equipped with every neat feature known to man.” We all know the frequent outcome: a layer of dust on the airframe, which is now tucked neatly behind the two new ARFs in the workshop.

While guys like me lament the apparent decline in builders in our hobby, it’s a fact of life. Many RC modelers say they simply don’t have the time to build or don’t have the interest, motivation, or (perhaps) the skills to build from raw materials or a kit. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with ARFs, and they have become an integral part of the hobby. Lots of new fliers may have never gotten into the hobby without them. So what, if anything, are the drawbacks? Not many, except for the sameness and the lack of individuality or personalization. Positive response from readers to my past articles on improving scale models tells me that a lot of you would like to take your scale ARF and just make it a bit more “yours” without investing a lot of time and money. A warbird makeover is what’s needed.

Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Model Airplane News.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 2019-utgaven av Model Airplane News.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA MODEL AIRPLANE NEWSSe alt
Model Airplane News

Legend Hobby / Seagull Models - Cessna Grand Caravan 208

The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 is a legend in aviation circles. A single engine utility aircraft that punches up with capabilities that rival many twin engine aircraft in its class. Its seemingly simple configuration belies its near extreme utility.

time-read
8 mins  |
January 2022
Model Airplane News

PROPER CG LOCATION FOR AEROBATICS

If you are getting into aerobatics and are starting to perform more advanced maneuvers, it is time to discuss ways you can not only become a better pilot, but how you can also improve the flight characteristics of your airplanes.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2022
Legend Hobby 13-Foot L-19 Bird Dog/ Cessna O-1
Model Airplane News

Legend Hobby 13-Foot L-19 Bird Dog/ Cessna O-1

This famous multi-mission single engine observation aircraft served from 1950-1974. From calling out target locations to providing intel/recon information, the Bird Dog was a valued asset in both the Korean War and Vietnam.

time-read
1 min  |
January 2022
EARN YOUR WINGS
Model Airplane News

EARN YOUR WINGS

10 Tips for First-Flight Success

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2022
Old School Model Works Fifty Six
Model Airplane News

Old School Model Works Fifty Six

The Fifty Six takes its design cues from the original .09- to .15-size Carl Goldberg Falcon 56 of the 1960s. Reworked to incorporate modern, lasercut techniques to make kit building better than ever.

time-read
1 min  |
January 2022
Model Airplane News

FLYING TWINS Multi-engine warbirds made easy

Let’s face it, there’s just something extra special about twin-engine RC aircraft. Most modelers stop what they’re doing when a twin fires up on the flightline.

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2022
HOW TO BALANCE PROPELLERS
Model Airplane News

HOW TO BALANCE PROPELLERS

Four easy steps to increase performance and reduce vibration

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2022
PRODUCT REVIEW: RC PLANE STANDS BENCHTOP MODEL
Model Airplane News

PRODUCT REVIEW: RC PLANE STANDS BENCHTOP MODEL

I’m a sucker for shop stuff. I buy tools I will probably never use just because they are cool, or I might need to use them someday. When Glen from RC Plane Stands reached out about a review, however, I knew as soon as I browsed their website that I would be receiving something I would use a lot, maybe even daily.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 2022
Model Airplane News

SPIRIT OF RHINEBECK AWARD WINNER

A close up of Norman Malinowski’s 1/3-scale Albatros

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2022
CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS
Model Airplane News

CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS

The secret to a plane that flies well

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2021