WE ARE GETTING close to a wrap for my portion of the "From the Ground Up" series. In the past eight months you have learned about Radio Control (RC) systems, electric-power systems, assembling an Almost Ready-to-Fly (ARF) model, flying that model, and last month you learned the A to Z of batteries.

The next step could have gone in either of two directions: building a model from a kit or building a model from raw materials—from scratch! I chose the latter and came up with a new RC trainer design that I call the "Scratch-One."

The idea was to utilize the RC system and the electric power system from the Aero Craft Pogo ARF. The Scratch-One RC trainer design is slightly larger and slightly heavier than the Pogo. Specifically, the wing area is 247 square inches, the wingspan is 45 inches, and the all-up weight is 16.9 ounces (approximately an ounce heavier than the Pogo).

The Scratch-One design can be classified as an RC electric-powered trainer sailplane. It has proven to be one of the most forgiving designs to fly and perfect for the RC beginner, but keep in mind that the thrust of this article is to get you to build your first model from scratch. The pieces won't be fabricated or preassembled; it is all going to be strictly up to you. As part of the process you will also cover all or part of your model.

Obtaining the necessary balsa, plywood, and spruce pieces to construct this model took at least three visits to local hobby shops; not every hobby dealer will have every stick you need. I thought this might be an initial point of frustration, so I came up with an idea.

Craig Wagner, who owns Aero Craft, agreed to make a box of wood for the Scratch-One. It will have all of the wood material you need, and in the correct sizes. The only things you will have to purchase on your own are the cements, covering material, and hardware such as control rods, control horns, and control-surface hinges. You can reach Craig at Aero Craft Ltd., 432 Hallett Ave., Riverhead NY 11901; Tel.: (631) 369-9319; Web site: www.aerocraftrc.com.

(Editor's note: Since this article was written, we have received pricing and shipping information from Aero Craft Ltd. for the materials to build the Scratch-One. The "kit" of materials is $19.95 plus $6 shipping and handling. This kit will come packed in a 4 x 4 x 36-inch mailer box.)

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