Teaching young lads about military history
 

I know it's not an aeromodelling site - but this does have a military aviation theme.
Young twelve year old Tartare was complaining last night.
"Dad, I don't want to make that kitset of the Stuka, I want to make a jet."
The Stuka had sat at the bottom of a pile of kitsets, and he was clearing the backlog.
"Are you sure?" says I. "It was actually quite an interesting plane I think. Let's find out some more."
So I sit there on his bed on my iPhone as he's gluing the thing together and learn something myself as I read aloud from Wikipedia:
"It had automatic hydraulic dive brakes that would pull the plane out of a dive on bomb release, even if the pilot blacked out through G-LOC.
And - get this - those Luftwaffe pilots pulled 6.5g's when they pulled up from a constant speed dive."
He looks at me. "You mean they were pulling fast-jet type G's?"
"Yep."
He spent the rest of the night finishing the plane.
And I imagined what it must have been like to fly one of those things.
Off to get Hans-Ulrich Rudel's book off Kindle now.
And that's why - despite the connotations of geekery - I think making models is a bloody good way of teaching young fellas about aviation history.

Even more basic stuff.

I recall I made a beauty of a Mosquito kit, a big 1/48th scale monster.

Which I subsequently motorised for a school project.

It was upon seeing the props spin that my grandad pointed out they were both turning in the same direction. My boob I imagine.

And thats how I learned about torque

Coochycool,
The Mosquito's props DID turn in the same direction, IIRC.
Flying a Sea Mosquito from a carrier must have been mind-concentrating.


The later DH Hornet did have counter-rotating props, though.

Well you learn something every day.

Thanks for the point of order Stanwell.

I suppose it was just simplicity of design and weight saving that all Merlins turned the same way then without additional gearing.

It was still my introduction to torque effect though

Cooch :ok:

Also, ease of support. Meant you only had to cart around, say, 50 spare engines, rather than 50 spare 'left' engines and 50 spare 'right' engines.

A lot of military history being taught over here - a lot of "70ths" of aircraft shot down and ceremonies across France. Hopefully taking friend's granddaughters to a memorial ceremony at Jonzac in a couple of weeks' time. That will be "history in the raw", but also something to take back to school in UK

On 11th November last year I had a wander over to our local cemetary just before 11.00 to pay my respects in the small war graves section. The only other person their was a youngish Polish woman accompanied by her daughter who was about ten years old. The woman was explaining to her daughter the importance of remembering and respecting those who gave their lives on our behalf.
I found that quite moving and just wish that a few local people could instill that sort of respect into their offspring.

Last year No2 son plus partner won the aircraft recognition competition for Airforce Cadets in Western Australia. No2 son's speciality is military aircraft. Partner's is Civilian. There's not much I can teach him. 17yo, three hours solo and well on his way to a PPL. Determined on a career as an aircraft tech.

All that torque was quite problematical. It was said there were two types of Mossie pilots - those who had departed the runway as a result of the torque, and those that would do so in time.

Same with retractable gear GA aircraft and gliders. Those that have and those that have yet to do so. (Land wheels up that is.)

What was the first model kit you (attempted) to make. I think mine was the Airfix Defiant when I was about 10. I've been fascinated with that aeroplane ever since.
Those Airfix kit box paintings. Sheer magic.

The first one I remember making was a Spitfire. I would have been around seven so '63. The series one kits were two bob at the time and came in a plastic bag with a card top with the painting on it. I remember the top class models in those days were Monogram but they were a bit beyond my half crown pocket money.

My sister, father and me used to sit at the kitchen table and make them on rainy Saturday afternoons.

Just checked my Man Locker and I have waiting to be made in the winter months:

1/72 Airfix Typhoon (the proper Typhoon, not the jet thingy), F5a and Lysander.

Minicraft 1/48 Cessna 172 and PA 28

Revell 1/48 Spad XIII

Eduard 1/48 DH-2 and Fokker Triplane

Flying into Old Warden on Sunday for the Wings n' Wheels so will no doubt be hitting the shop and spending more loot. A man has to have things to do on the cold winter nights.

I had a few I recall from my very early days of glue-finger, aged about 11/12 (1950s). As I was living in Jamaica at the time, they were inevitably American.
Revell - PT-109. Delicate work needed.
Revell - USS Missouri. Loads of turrets!
Revell ? - B-26. I still recall the big oversized rivets!

On return to UK, I went 1/72 Airfix. And as a plt off, had a huge collection of assorted/modified stuff that was bequeathed to the College of Air Warfare when I was posted for ... something, but my flt lt mate said they would be useful.

Last one I made was probably this 1/48 Thunderbolt at Tengah in 1968 ... then I got married :)

http://i319.photobucket.com/albums/m...3Xmas22006.jpg

Reverse Waltz.
 

Speaking as a total engineering ignoramus, is there anything in principle to prevent rigging the magnetos to make the Merlin run in reverse (as was done in the Villiers two-strokes, in the later Bond minicars, to give a reverse gear ?

You'd only need two lots of props and mags in stores then, not two lots of Merlins.

D. :confused:

I can't remember the first, of many, model aircraft I made but the one I do recall is that which my Dad made for me during the war. I think it was in 'Spitfire Week', raising funds to buy aircraft - nominally Spits. The plans could be bought, possibly 6d?, and there was a prize for the best model. Ours (I took possession of it) was a beautifully hand carved solid-wood one, painted IIRC, and I was sure it would win. Of course, it didn't, but it kept me happy for many years thereafter.

"thing." Love the address. Will have to pop round for a pint...(that's very nearly an armful.)

Merlin vs Villiers
 

No Danny that would not be possible. The Villiers was a two stroke and did not have a camshaft as far as I can recall so it had ports like a model diesel engine which were exposed as the piston went up and down. The Merlin being a four stroke had valves operated by the camshaft (or camshafts) which limited it to going in a forward direction only.

Not a great explanation but true none the less.

ACW

Ah, a gentleman of certain vintage sir...:ok:. Actually you're not that far away. I reside in Lincolnium.

Well, when THAT episode came out I was still "sh--ing yellow" as my dear old granny used to say. I actually discovered Hankers in the 80s and have been a fan ever since.
Episode called "The Lift.". Quote. "Ahh, Cranwell triumphs again. Go on, press the button, pretend its a rocket you'll like that....."
Back on thread. Getting kids interested in model kits could have positive
dividends for the future. Its hands on and its real, not virtual. Magic stays with you.