A Collection of R/C Modelling Tips - RC World

A.Sometimes there's a need to convert cubic inches to cubic centimeters (cc) or vice-versa where enginedisplacement is concerned. One cubic inch is equivalent to 16.39 cubic centimeters. So to convert from in3 to cc's,just multiply the in3 by 16.39 to get cc's. To convert cc's to in3, divide the cc's by 16.39 to get in3. And remember, a7.5cc engine is the same as a .46 (pretty close).Q.Repairing Dings & DentsA.Have you ever had a dent in a balsa leading edge? Try fixing it with water! Get a small diabetic syringe and putwater in it. Inject a little water into the balsa into and around the dent in the leading edge. Heat the area with yourcovering iron. When the water starts boiling, it will build pressure and push the balsa out to its original shape.(Courtesy Victor A.)Q.Film Covering DegreaserA.Have you ever wanted to add more film covering (Monokote, Ultracote)to a plane you've already flown? It's difficultto get all the oil exhaust off the plane so the film will stick. Try using Cyanoacrylate (CA or superglue) kicker(catalyst). Just spray it on and wipe it off. I've been told it's a very good degreaser. (Courtesy Vince R.)Q.Pull Oil out of WoodA.Sometimes firewalls and engine areas of older planes get soaked with oil from the fuel. This weakens glue joints tothe point where a plane could fall apart in midair. Try using Cyanoacrylate (CA or superglue) kicker (catalyst). Justspray it on and wipe it off. I've been told it pulls the oil right out of the wood. Several treatments may be necessary.This also works if a fuel tank develops a leak and the fuselage gets soaked with fuel. (Courtesy Jevan F.)Q.Balancing PlanesA.Here's a good way to balance airplanes. While building your plane, insert a half-inch square piece of plywoodwhere the balance point should be. For a low wing, this should be on the bottom of the wing, and for a high wingthis would be on top of the wing (Note: sometimes something will be in the way, like a canopy, and you can't usethis technique). When the plane is finished, put a small hook into the plywood and suspend the plane with wire orstring. This way you can check the fore-aft balance AND the lateral balance at the same time (Note: a low wing willbe suspended inverted).Q.Fiberglassing Wing CentersA.Whenever I fiberglass a wing center section, I've found it's difficult to get the fiberglass cloth to lay flat after it's beenfolded in a bag. Here's two ways to make this easier: (1)Use thin CA to tack it down. You may saturate the wholecloth with thin CA, or apply epoxy. On foam wings, make sure you use CA safe for foam. (2)Give the cloth a lightspraying of 3M Spray Adhesive, then apply it to the wing. I've found this method to work extremely well, and it'ssafe for foam. Then apply the epoxy as usual.