Former MMAC Member
Strikes Gold at Rhinebeck!

Former MMAC member Mark Petersen's two years of tireless work paid off this September 10 as his Siemens-Schuckert D-III quarter-scale biplane received Best World War One at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's RC model weekend. The project started off as an Arizona Models short kit and was assembled using Dave Johnson plans bought online at RCStore, but Mark felt that he wanted to take it to the next level by adding lots of custom-made details. "Arizona has sold maybe a dozen of these kits worldwide," Mark reported, "And they know of only a few that have been completed. I choose this project because it would stretch my skills and provide me with a nearly one-of-a-kind model when completed."

The top wing spans a little over 81" with a bottom span of 74" and a flying weight of 20.3 pounds. Under a custom aluminum cowl, Mark mounted a Brison 40cc engine turning a Zinger 4 blade 20/10 prop. The D-III was built using standard balsa and ply construction. A Futaba four channel radio controls the model with one s3010 servo each for the rudder and elevator and a s3001 for throttle. The four ailerons are each controlled by a s3001 servo run through a Futaba MSA-10 10SX synchronizer.

The model has an under-cambered airfoil with the fabric covering on the wings and elevator coming from GTM Models. The fuselage is a fully sheeted circular design with all the wood panels having a dark stain applied as they did on the full scale version. The cockpit controls move with the control surfaces and the throttle handle acts as the radio on/off switch. The GTM Models cockpit kit includes a leather seat with the pilot held in place with a scale 4-point harness. The left side access panel opens to get to the engine kill switch, fuel filler and choke controls. The Williams Brothers cylinder heads were modified to match the cylinders the Siemens-Haskle engine.

"I have access to a lot of metal bending and fabrication tools at my place of employment," Mark reports, "So many of the fittings and details are working replicas of the full scale aircraft."

Mark has some additional finish work to do on the craft before it takes to the skies, but he'll keep us updated on the maiden flight. After several moves since leaving MMAC, Mark now lives in Marlboro, MA and flies at the Quinapoxet Model Flying Club off Route 110 in Lancaster, MA along with our old friend and former MMAC president Colin Towers.

For additional photos of Mark's masterpiece as well as other fantastic World War One era models, check out Glenn Torrance Models at www.GTMODELS.com.

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