When you look at this picture, you could
swear that you are looking at a full size UC-78. But lok at the next picture of the same
plane!
(click for larger image)
This is Kieth Campbell alongside
his 20% scale UC-78 built from plans by Don Smith of Florida. The wing span is a
little over 8 feet. Kieth built the model from scratch, making templates for all of the
various parts- former, ribs, etc. The fuselage stringers are spruce. The retractable gear
are air operated, made by Robart. The nacelles are set up for 1.20 engines, not installed,
and mountings for servos are in place. Kieth fabricated the propellors.
Kieth installed a complete detailed
cabin, with seats and instrument panel, as shown under construction in this photo.
Here's another construction shot.
Kieth installed doors so the gear can be removed. He made custom 16 oz. fuel tanks of
brass to fit the nacelles.
The model is on display in Des
Moines at a hobby shop on Hickman Rd., and is for sale. Asking price is $3000.
Kieth can be reached at his auto
body shop in Boone at 515 432 3660, or at home at 515 432 5709. He's a private pilot and
is also building an RV-6 and an ultra-light, and is working on some Cessna 120 wings. He's
built many custom models, and has a whole wall full of kits that he'd like to retire and
spend full time on them.
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Here's another Don Smith project
underway at our hangar at Lake Elmo.
Master R/C craftsman, Bob Donatell, of St. Paul, Minnesota is
building a fifth scale Bamboo Bomber for me ( with a very small amount of help/hindrance
from yours truly) at our hangar at Lake Elmo Airport.The fuselage shown here is ready for
cover, with the covered empannage in place, including servos. The fuselage was scratch
built from plans by Don Smith of Florida. Stringers and longerons were cut from basswood
stock.
The wing frame has been sheeted and flaps and
ailerons and servos and linkageinstalled since this photo was taken. Engine nacelles will
be the next task. Span is 8' 4". The engines will be OS Surpass 1.20 with pumps.
Landing gear is scale by Robart. Wing parts are from Precision Cut Kits in New Jersey, who
have been very helpful with the project.
While not exactly an R/C model, this is a
creamic T-50 resting on Dick and Jeannie Hill's refrigerator in Illinois. Dick and Jeannie
have been long time owners and have attended numerous Oshkosh and other fly-ins. Dick
instructed in Bobcats along with his many other aviation activities and a career as an
airline pilot.
Updated December 20, 1999
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