Building a miniature model of an aircraft is a scientific art that requires a lot of patience, skill and involvement. Eshwar and Narayanan - the two skillful brothers from Bangalore, have been making and flying fantastic aero models for the past 30 years.

"We were crazy about aircrafts in our teens. Slowly we got the interest and developed this into a hobby. Now, we are professionals in the field," says Narayanan. "He makes, I break!" quips Eshwar.

E.N.R. Model Aircraft is a well-known Aeromodelling Club run by Eshwar on Lady Curzon Road. The club also conducts summer camps for enthusiastic youngsters.

These two adventurous brothers, with their models, were featured in Udaya TV, Star Plus and also in a special 3-hour documentary on UGC.

There are four different aero models in vogue today: Basic, Trainer, Advanced and Aerobatic. They create both control-line (battery-operated) and the much acclaimed fuel-powered (run on diesel) aero models.

Balsa is the wood they use to make the body of the aircrafts. It is a special wood - light and easy to chisel and carve. It's used specially for making aero models, as it is too light to be used for making furniture. They rarely use fibre. "We don't prefer fibre, as it gets broken easily after a crash. Wood is always safer and better."

Speed and aerobics are two things that everyone looks forward to in aero shows. They participated in last year's Aero Show held at the NAL grounds. "Last year, we designed a special aerobatic model - Sky King, and it flew very well."

"Our models are tested at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where they are subjected to quality standards, crash-proof, fuel testing, etc. We regularly fly our models in Jakkur and IISc grounds. We have demonstrated our skill at Madurai, Chennai and other aeromodelling centres in South India.

" How expensive are the models? "The models cost anywhere between Rs 3000 to 20,000. The motor of the models costs around Rs 1,500 to 4000. As we have the production unit in our residence itself, we manufacture wheels, spark plugs and other accessories required for the models. But the transmitters are all imported - from Japan. Such quality products are not available in India. Maintenance of these aero models is the most important thing. The buyers invest so much on the plane, but not on the batteries (laughs).

" How do you get ideas? "We visit The British Council Library and look into foreign magazines and other automobile journals.

" They have designed Delta Wing- a model that can fly at a height of more than 3000 ft. It is specially made for the National Defence. They created a model - Naladri for HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), a few years back. Their latest aircraft is a night-flight one, fitted with neon lights to outline the model. "Even defence people come to get trained by them. Within ten days the basics are taught."

Their aero models were quite helpful in the recent Kargil war too. "Some of our models were sent to Kargil. You know, these cannot be traced by Radar and can easily fool the enemy camp.

" Their buyers are some of Bangalore's top industrialists. Their first customer was Ravi Kirloskar. Feroze Khan, Mahmood and a host of other celebrities have also bought their models.

Shooting Star, their best aero model, was a big success. "We flew this aircraft from Mysore to Bangalore on a jeep. It was an exciting experience.

" Recalling his most hilarious experience, Narayanan says, "Once we had designed a 7-channel set model. We had flown it from Parade Grounds. The model went high and disappeared into the clouds. Unfortunately, we weren't able to locate it. After 12 long years, we got it back! It seems the model got entangled on a tree-top in Vijayanagar. A boy noticed it and brought it back to us promptly.

" They also do some work during election time and fairs. "We drop pamphlets at the rate of five paise per pamphlet and we also tow banners during fairs and exhibitions."

Recently, they designed a miniature auto-rickshaw model for TVS. "We took only 45 days to complete the model. And the model is done without missing a single detail."

Eshwar conducts hobby classes on Aeromodelling in several schools, including Bishop Cotton's Boys' High School, The Valley School and Baldwins Boys' High School. "The Valley School has a regular period every week for Aeromodelling and the students show a great deal of interest."

J.Vinay |