Balsa USA DH-4 on the way soon???

The PIPE · 31 January 2009, 06:54 AM

Dear Fellow WW I RC Fans:

The PIPE Here...and from what I was reading in the latest issue (Feb '09) of the AMA's Model Aviation magazine, in the "Radio Control Giants" monthly column authored by one Sal Calvagna...in his own words from the first two paragraphs of his latest column...I quote...with my usual clarifying additions in [brackets]...

..."I recently received some "intel" about an ongoing project at Balsa USA. I was given a photo and bits of information from a "mole" within the organization about the company's next [RC Giant Scale] model offering.

From what I can determine by studying the accompanying photo [you can see it on page 117 of the Model Aviation Feb.09 issue] the wingspan is going to be approximately 120 inches [3.05 meters]. The report is that it will definitely be from the World War I time period and be 1/4 scale. The last bit of information I received before communication from the mole was severed was that the full-scale aircraft was built under license here in the US during The Great War".

If anyone here has received their February 2009 issue of the AMA mag as yet, get a GOOD look at that photo on page 117, with a beautiful planform open-structure wing "sans ailerons", being held up for the photo by someone whose height only barely has the top of their head being "just below" the center of the wing panel...

...and from the Wikipedia listing for what Sal THINKS the aircraft might be, it COULD be a "close-to-1/4th size" version of the possible subject...

...might the possible subject be the Airco DH.4 ????

Yours Sincerely,

The PIPE!

jtisch · 31 January 2009, 09:00 AM

It is the DH4. I was told by Sal that the owner of Balsa USA recently passed away due to cancer.

J

jumpinjan · 31 January 2009, 09:23 AM

That 1/4 scale DH-4 should be great. I can't remember seeing any scratched build ones.
Jan

Breguet · 31 January 2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumpinjan

That 1/4 scale DH-4 should be great. I can't remember seeing any scratched build ones.
Jan

K&W do a great1/5th scale (101") DH4b:

http://www.vintage-aerodrome.com/Man...viland_DH4.pdf

jumpinjan · 31 January 2009, 12:52 PM

That's a nice $1200 model. I assume its an ARF?

Breguet · 31 January 2009, 02:53 PM

Yes indeed. And they are constructed using traditional methods and if you want to 'super-scale' it they form a great base to operate from (see my thread on the BE2c).