Conference vmszoo::rc

>>    2. Any suggestions as to where I can purchase specdiality parts; e.g.,
>>       wheels, canopy, spinner, tail wheel assembly, etc.?
    
    Ollie, you might try the ads in Scale R/C Modeler, a magazine carried
    by the hobby shop in South Nashua.  I've never been in this market, but
    I have seen such ads --- at least for wheels, cockpit instruments, etc.
    
    Did you get a copy of the original construction article in RCM?  Which
    issue was it in?

Alton

    Al/Ollie,
    
    I'm not familiar with the model in question...is it the early Curtiss
    Helldiver (30's era biplane) or the later monoplane version that was
    intended to replace the Dauntless (but never did)?
    
    In either case, the answer's gonna' be pretty much the same.  Due to
    the age of the design, it's very unlikely that any of the special items
    like canopy, cowl, etc. are available...probably never were.  The
    construction article may supply some detail for making yer' own parts
    and/or may refer some after-market specialty house who may've carried
    these parts at the time.  If these places are still in business, maybe,
    just maybe, they'd still be able to fill the bill but don't count on it.
    
    Most likely, you'll have to contact one of the fiberglass houses in
    business today, like Fiberglass Masters, and arrange to have the parts
    made.  Several such places advertise that they'll make canopies, cowls,
    spinners and such from your drawings or (much cheaper) from your plugs
    (molds).
    
    This is an expensive proposition and the cheapest way to proceed is to
    make yer' own plugs and then, if incapable or unsuccessful pulling yer'
    own parts, send the plugs off and have the parts made professionally.
    
    Making yer' own parts is not all that hard but I admit it almost
    requires that you have someone available to help steer you in the right
    direction(s).
    
    Good luck.  I wish I could've been more encouraging.  Be sure to keep
    us posted as to yer' progress.
						 __
				|      |        / |\	   	       
      	         \|/		|______|__(o/--/  | \	   	       
      | |        00	       <|  ~~~  ____ 04 ---- | --------------------
    |_|_|        (O>o		|\)____/___|\_____|_/	   Adios amigos, Al
      |     \__(O_\_	        |	  |___/	 o	   (The Desert Rat)

    According to the construction article by Don Williams on the Curtiss
    SB2C-1 Helldiver in the May 1975 issue of RCM (vol 12, #4) pgs 32-37:

    re flying characteristics:

    "As for R/C ... a lot of potential. .... wide track landing gear and
    this makes for relatively easy ground handling.  It has ample wing area
    and a thick airfoil section which adds up to excellent flying
    characteristics as well as very slow stall speeds.  It has a huge tail
    section which doesn't hurt anything at all.  The upper portion of the
    fuselage is about half canopy and is very easy to duplicate as most of
    it is wrap-over type.  An added plus are the nice big fillets which
    streamline the aircraft and make it very clean looking as well as
    reducing drag.  The fuselage is large enough to accommodate any
    equipment you wish to use.  The wing span is 60" which is roughly 
    1 1/4" to the foot and designed to utilize a .56 to .60 engine."

        The savvy president of my club looked at the article and said that
        the model would be fun to fly but, like most other fighters, not a
        beginner's plane because of the short tail moment and a likelihood
        of tip stalls.

    re building characteristics:

    The tail is trivial (flat sheet stock), and the wing is ordinary, but
    the fuselage looks tricky, and the fuselage instructions are cryptic. 
    This is not a Great Planes kit!  I suspect that you need both the
    article and the full sized plans to build this model.

        The club president says the fuse is easy to build and even easier
        to build wrong.  Take great care with alignment as you build it.
        
    There is some reasonable-looking carving of balsa for the cowl, belly,
    fillets, and a plug for the front of the canopy.

    re special parts:

      Williams used a CG tail wheel bracket and an ordinary 7/8 tail wheel.

      He includes instructions for molding the front canopy and for making 
      the non-scale cockpit interior.  The design is not museum quality.
      
      The model will accept commercial retracts.
    
      There are no special parts mentioned and therefore no special sources.

    Model specifications:

      stand-off scale, five channels (flaps)

      .56 to .61 engine; mounted up, down, or sideways

      60 inch wing span, 12.5 inch root chord, 44 inch fuselage length

      weight (I think with 12 to 14 ounces of fuel)  104 to 112 ounces

      wing loading about 30 oz/sqft

    Al, thanks for the input on the parts for the Curtis Helldiver.  
    
    First, this the the WWII plane and the plans are featured in the RCM
    plans section on pg. 264.
    
    I am currently working with Fiberglas Specialties T&D for some of the
    parts.  Will let you know if they can help or not.
    
    Regards,

    Received the RCM plans for the Curtis Helldiver SB2C last night and spent
    the night "ah-ing" over them.  Man, this is a big ship and I look
    forward to
    starting this a "big brother".
    
    "The SB2C Helldiver was  conceived in 1938, test flown the first time
    in 1940, and delivered to the Navy for carrier operations in 1942.  It
    was used in combat for the first time in 1943 in raids against the
    Japenese held Rabaul.  It was also used at Kwajalein, Eniwetock, the
    Marshalls, and the Marinanas.
    
    In adition, it was tested by the Army and was known as the A-25A
    Shrike.  Marine Squadrons also received Helldivers for use as land
    based dive bombers.  For armament the Helldiver carried two .30 caliber
    machine guns in the rear cockpit and four .50 caliber machines guns in
    the wings.  It could carry two 1000 lb. bombs internally and two 500
    lb. bombs externally in the wing racks, and travel at a apeed over 300
    mph.
    
    It was not a small aircraft.  It had a wing span of roughly 49' and a
    length of approximately 36'."
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Some information needed - the RCM construction article comes with all RCM
    palns and this one states that the color scheme is detailed in the 
    "Profile Publicaiton #124".
    
    Queston:  Where can I purchase the "Profile Publication #124??"
    
    The rudder, elevator and stab are all cut out of 1/4" balsa.  Soooo, at
    least this part will be easy and go quickly.
    
    The designer, Dave Williams states that the plane should be covered
    with silkspan (Heavy span for the fuse, Light for the tail surfaces and
    Medium for the wings).  His theroy is that if the plane "dunks in" the
    damage is usually isolated to the non stress surfaces whereas if other
    coverings are used the damage is usually in the stress surfaces.  Any
    way, the fuse and wings are planked so it seems that the covering
    really doesn't add any extra strength to the design.
    
    I really looking forward to beginning this bird this week end. 
    
    Regards,
    
    Ollie

>    Queston:  Where can I purchase the "Profile Publication #124??"

Call Historic Aviation at 800-225-5575.
If they can't answer your question let us know
and I'll find another source.

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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