RC Sport Flyer Nov 2012 (Vol 17-09) by RC Flyer News

Albatross D.Va Review

pg 104

Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most In-Depth RC Aircraft Magazine

Faces of Change

2013

USA & Canada $6.49

rc-sf.com

A GiAnt ExpEriEncE for SmAll SpAcES ®

The revolutionary AS3X® (Artificial Stabilization - 3 aXis) System from Horizon Hobby is advancing the performance and capability of ultra micro aircraft unlike anything that’s come before. And if you’ve tried any of the great ultra micro aircraft with AS3X technology, then the amazing performance probably has you looking at every place you go as a possible flying site. That’s because the AS3X System makes it easier to fly in light wind and turbulence, so you can fly in small spaces but still get a Giant-Scale experience.

UMX Sbach 342 3D BNF Basic

(EFLU4950)

The UMX™ Sbach® 342 3D BNF Basic—designed by Mike McConville—is specially engineered to provide precision aerobatic and extreme 3D maneuverability. Whether you want to fly smooth scale maneuvers or wild 3D moves, its AS3X system is specially tuned to give you the sense of authority and stability you’d expect with an expertly tuned Giant-Scale airplane.

© 2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. E-flite, AS3X, UMX, Bind-N-Fly and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. Sbach and its design are trademarks of STO Streicher GmbH & Co. KG registered in Germany and used with permission. Sbach and its design are trademarks of XtremeAir GmbH registered in the U.S. and used with permission. Cub Crafters, Carbon Cub, associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Cub Crafters, Inc. and are used with permission. US D578,146. US 7,898,130. PRC ZL 200720069025.2. Other Patents Pending. 37677.1

control thE Air

UMX MiG 15 DF BNF (EFLU1680) The UMX MiG 15 DF is a breakthrough in ultra micro electric ducted fan technology and delivers scorching performance. Its AS3X System is specially tuned to offer slow flight that’s rock solid and the kind of control to perform high-speed passes or enormous loops as super smooth as a Giant-Scale jet.

UMX Carbon Cub SS BNF (EFLU1180) The UMX Carbon Cub SS offers performance that’s an escape from the ordinary. Equipped with the AS3X System, this versatile Cub is extremely friendly and rock solid at all times, which makes it ideal for use as a tug with the UMX ASK-21 or as a float plane when fitted with the optional UMX Carbon Cub SS Float Set (EFLUA1190).

UMX ASK-21 BNF (EFLU1280) The UMX ASK-21 is a fully functional unpowered scale RC sailplane, equipped with a remote tow hook release so you can aerotow with another ultra micro aircraft like the UMX Carbon Cub SS. The onboard AS3X System offers solid control and smooth handling that you’ll especially appreciate during those critical moments while on tow or Hi-Start line.

VISIT

Your Local Retailer

CLICK

horizonhobby.com

CALL

1.800.338.4639

SERIOUS FUN.™

Micro size. True jet looks. In Tx-R and RTF versions. The buzz on the F-86 Sabre started the moment it hit the web and hasn’t stopped since. Pilots rave about the size, the performance, the component quality and, of course, the Tx-R technology behind it. And now that there’s an RTF version, they’ll have even more to talk about. The real-life looks and performance package are identical. For power and speed, there’s a brushless motor and 30 mm HyperFlow fan matched to a stand-alone ESC and LiPo flight pack. And for flawless reception and response, you get a 2.4GHz SLT micro receiver and three ultra-micro digital servos. So really, your choices are these: get the Tx-R, and fly with the transmitter you prefer – or go with the RTF, and get a Tactic TTX402 system along with everything else.

™

The F-86 Tx-R is just that: a jet that’s ready for a transmitter. Add the AnyLink, and you can fly the F-86 and all other Tx-R aircraft with the flight transmitter you like best: yours! For more information on the Tactic AnyLink, transmitter compatibility and requirements, visit Tx-Ready.com. Tx-R, SLT and AnyLink are trademarks of Hobbico®, Inc.

But don’t wait, because the F-86 is going fast! ®

greatplanes.com/113b

ESPRIT l e d o m www.ESPRITMODEL.com

(1) 321-729-4287

DEPARTMENTS

event

BUILD

leading edge

Hot Products

Visalia aerotow Have a look at some fantastic flying large-scale gliders and sailplanes. By Wil Byers

Fuselages Part II See how to complete the next steps in building wooden fuselages. By Jeff Troy

112

advertiser index

113

Mystery airplane

Vintage Meet Get a firsthand look at the 3rd Italian Scale Vintage Glider Meet. By Vincenzo Pedrelli

ju-87 stuka Nitro Planes’ Stuka gets a makeover to give it much more scale in appearance. By Rob Caso

Test

Discover how the Great Planes® Cosmic Wind will let you turn in some high-speed action.

O.S. 120AX Special Mike shows you how the new O.S. Engines 120AX Special delivers 20 percent more power. By Mike Hoffmeister

photos

pg 96 Find out what it is like to fly a WWI fighter by getting in the cocpit of this ParkZone Albatros D.Va.

1/4-scale Corsair Take a look at this beautiful 1/4-scale Chance Vought F4U Corsair done by Pedro Sanchez. By Jerry Smith

reviews

Cosmic Wind Discover how the Great Planes Cosmic Wind will give you high-speed action. By Michael Holman

D.Va 104 Albatros Find out what it is like to fly

pg 104 6

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

a WWI fighter by getting in the cockpit of this park flyer. By Anthony Richards

reviewed

pg 74

pg 80

november 2012

pg 68

pg 84

NEW DC-16

PG 88 RC-SF.COM

Editor in Chief: Assistant Editor:

Wil Byers

wil@rc-sf.com

Tara Swanson

assted@rc-sf.com

Bess Byers, Claire Schilperoort Don Porten, Anthony Richards

subscribe @ RC-SF.com for only $24.95

Art Director:

Zhe Meng

Photography:

Wil Byers Bess Byers

Graphic Designers:

Zhe Meng Bess Byers Shi Yuang

graphics@rc-sf.com

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bookkeeper@kionapublishing.com

YinZi Cui

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Contributing Editors: Don Bailey, Rob Caso, Gene Cope, Daniel Holman, Mike Hoffmeister, Marcus Hubbard, Richard Kuns, Bob McGowan, Joe Nave, Steve Rojecki, Gary Ritchie, Richard Tacklind, Jeff Troy, James VanWinkle RC Sport Flyer (ISSN: 1941-3467) is published monthly for $24.95 per year by Kiona Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004. Periodicals postage paid at Richland, WA and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to RC Sport Flyer, P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004. Office: (509) 967-0831 Hours: M–Th 8-5, Closed Fri, Sat & Sun. Subscriptions: kionasubscribe.com Toll Free (Orders Only) (866) 967-0831 Editor/Ads/Design: (509) 967-0832 E-mail: subscriptions@kionapublishing.com Fax Number: (509) 967-2400 Ask for RC Sport Flyer at your local hobby shop! Hobby Shop Orders (800) 558-1544 ext. 818 www.retailers.kalmbach.com

Hobby Shop distribution by: Kalmbach Publishing Co. (800) 558-1544 ext. 818 Subscriptions: USA and possessions and Canada: $24.95 per year, $54.95 overseas. Washington residents add 8.3% sales tax. Single copies $6.49 plus $3.50 S&H U.S. All payments must be in U.S. funds. Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover accepted. Send to: RC Sport Flyer – Circulation, P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004. Please allow eight weeks for change of address. Contributions: Articles and photographs are welcome, but cannot be considered unless guaranteed exclusive. When requested we will endeavor to return all materials in good condition if accompanied by return postage. RC Sport Flyer assumes no responsibility for loss of or damage to editorial contributions received. Any material accepted is subject to possible revision at the discretion of the publisher. Publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of content. Opinions of contributing authors do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. RC Sport Flyer will retain author’s rights, title to and interest in the editorial contributions as described above in both print and electronic media unless prior arrangement has been made in writing. Payment for editorial materials will be made at our current rate. Submission of editorial material to RC Sport Flyer expresses a warranty by the author that such material is in no way an infringement upon the rights of others. The contents of this magazine may not be reprinted traditionally or electronically without permission of the publisher.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Chang Liang

web@kionapublishing.com

Office Assistant:

graphics@rc-sf.com

Printed in the USA

PHOENIX ICE2 HV SERIES

Available in 40, 60, 80, 120 and 160 amp capacities. Up to 12S max. Great for extreme plane and heli performance.

WIL BYERS

o say I’m excited about our November 2012 issue of RC Sport Flyer (RC-SF) would be an understatement. This issue marks a paradigm shift for the magazine’s content and presentation. Going forward, RC-SF will present content to you in a more in-depth and focused way than we ever have. You’ll not only be getting content in a more in-depth way, but with as much technical information as we can possibly scour from our sources: Internet, distributors, manufacturers, designers, pilots and other experts. It won’t be easy, but it will be fun, and I will tell you that all of us at RC-SF have a true passion for the hobby. Therefore, we see it as our mission (if you can call it such) to give you the content we feel you want and need to make the hobby more enjoyable for you. Over the last 17 plus years we’ve had many opportunities to share great content with you. We’ve been blessed by having great contributing editors, pilots, designers, distributors, manufacturers and others who give us true insights into the hobby. And, we’ve shared those insights even when we weren’t sure we could see the future clearly. I remember flying my first electric with Rob Smith in the 1980s. At the time I thought electric-powered airplanes would never really take off. Then when Sal DeFrancisco sent me a Blues 400 LMR glider in the early 1990s, I knew as sure as the sun would set that day that electric-powered airplanes were the future of the hobby. That’s why this magazine was formerly named Quiet Flyer. And, electrics really did take off. Then too, when Charlie Wang of Thunder Power introduced Li-Ion batteries to the hobby I was simply blown away by their performance—nope, I did not see them vent with fire. What I did see was the future of electric-powered airplanes, helicopters and gliders climbing out, with nowhere to go but straight up. It was the same watching 3D-type airplanes catch on in the hobby. Heck, for a while we even produced the magazine 3D Flyer, but then 3D flying became the norm, so that magazine was merged into this one. We even had the good fortune in 2005 to publish an article on a 2.4-GHz radio system that a group of guys in the Midwest had designed. I can tell you that article really caught the attention of some people in the industry. Honestly, we knew the technology was possible because it had been used in the communications industry for years. However, it had not yet been implemented into RC hardware. Well, that is history now, and the industry has embraced 2.4-GHz spread spectrum systems, much to the delight of RC pilots the world over. All that behind us, this issue and its cover photo just turn me on! I mean TURNS ME ON, because it underscore a real paradigm shift in the industry—a shift that is now embracing telemetry systems in many of the best radio systems money can buy, and surprisingly, some of them are not expensive and offer telemetry technology that aviation modelers everywhere have wanted for years and years. What I think is so earth-shattering about telemetry is that it is absolutely going to change the way our RC airplanes are designed, built, flown and used in competitions. For example, if you are a pattern pilot you will get data from your airplane’s telemetry system that tells you how fast its uplines and downlines were flown. You’ll be able to look at the flight in 3D on your computer after it has been flown to see if the patterns were good or bad. IMAC pilots will be able to do the same with their airplanes. You’ll now be able to see how square you can fly loops or how straight your airplane’s knife-edge pass was flown. Hey, if you are helicopter pilot you’ll be able to get real-time rpm data, with motor current if you want. You may also want to know the battery voltage or the fuel level. It is all going to be possible with telemetry. As a glider/sailplane/electric pilot I’m so “pumped up” that I can’t wait for the next flying season. Because now I can know exactly how high my scale sailplane is, where it is in relation to me by GPS data, what its airspeed is and what its rate of climb/sink is at any point in time. I’ll be able to truly set the airplane’s decalage and center of gravity position and optimize my model’s performance to the Nth degree. And when you think of it, just knowing what the battery voltage is could save me—and you too—from crashing a model because of a low battery condition. Man, I’m just scratching the surface here with what telemetry is going to give back to the hobby. I’ll buy you a subscription or even 10 if I’m wrong. In the case of telemetry systems, though, I can feel it in my bones. It is going to happen, and I can’t wait to see how the industry will embrace it and how we’ll all benefit. Till next month, check your altimeters, and enjoy your new telemetry system.

APC Competition propellers for the intermediate and

advanced sport ﬂyer as well as the competition community. Over 400 pitch/diameters available ranging from slow-ﬂyer electric to High performance Giant Scale Racers.

Visit the APC Prop Website for product selection and detailed information on product design and features.

LANDING PRODUCTS All propellers are in stock and overnight delivery is available. Proudly made in the USA

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

1222 Harter Ave., Woodland, CA 95776 (530) 661-0399 est. 1989 by Mr. Fred Burgdorf

Don’t Fly with Fakes Fly with the NEW Spektrum™ AR400 – Original DSMX® Technology for just $29.99 Imitation leather. Imitation diamonds. Imitation Swiss watches. All cost less than the real thing, but you get what you pay for: a fake of inferior quality. Cheap imitations of Spektrum equipment are no different. You risk more than the money you saved, and you’ll have about as much luck getting service after the sale as you would from the guy selling watches on the corner. For just $29.99, the full-range, 4-channel Spektrum AR400 receiver gives you all the benefits of genuine DSMX technology, plus the long–range signal clarity of an active amplified antenna. Because the AR400 is original Spektrum equipment, you’ll also enjoy the unbeatable service and support of Horizon Hobby. And that’s one thing nobody can imitate. Don’t fly a fake. Stick with the original. Go to spektrumrc.com now to learn more about the AR400.

VISIT

Your Local Retailer

CLICK

horizonhobby.com

CALL

1.800.338.4639

SERIOUS FUN™.

Flybarless 600-Size Electric 3D Heli Kit

c i r t c e l E n A Hot Rod!

Start with the proven, popular Titan X50. Equip it with a flybarless head and electric power. Now you have the Titan X50E, one of the most eagerly anticipated helis Thunder Tiger has ever introduced. All of the Titan X50’s legendary quality and engineering are here, along with the advantages of flybarless technology. Here’s what else you’ll find — machined aluminum control arms; hardened main and feathering shafts; Thunder Tiger V2 carbon fiber blades; a 120° CCPM control system and a torque tube-driven tail rotor. Put it all together and you have the extreme machine you’ve been waiting for. The Titan X50E — it’s designed to make 3D look effortless, and make you the envy of the flying field.

Main Rotor Blade Length: 23.6 in (600 mm) Tail Rotor Blade Length: 3.74 in (95 mm)

Fuselage Length: 47.25 in (1200 mm) Weight w/o batteries: 6.06 lb (2750 g)

Jeti DS-16 Radio

Esprit Model 1240 Clearmont St. NE #12 Palm Bay, FL 32905 Phone: 321-729-4287 espritmodel.com

his revolutionary, digital, 16-channel, 2.4GHz and frequency-hopping radio system is fully designed and manufactured by Jeti Model in the Czech Republic. Showcasing a solid CNC aluminum case with a fully integrated antenna, a mini USB port, built-in speaker, headset jack, metal transmitter gimbals with Hall sensors (4096-step resolution), nine ball bearings for precision movement and a large 320 x 240 backlight display, the Jeti DC/DS-16s are sure to become the new standard in transmitter performance. Two of the most important features of Jeti’s transmitters are the gimbals and switch function assignment flexibility. With the DC/DS-16 you are free to fully customize your transmitter. You can swap switches or sticks, and the on-board computer will recognize your changes and assign functions anywhere you like. All switches and channels are completely moveable and assignable. With the Jeti radio system, you can program any stick, dial, switch or slider to generate any output you choose. Other important functions are programmable sounds/alarms and even user-recordable sounds. You can monitor your temperature,

speed, battery voltage, receiver battery capacity and much more. Simply set a receiver battery capacity alarm for the desired capacity used, and once that number is reached the system acoustically and visually warns you. There is an unlimited number of programmable timers. You can easily set a timer for your overall flight time, a model memory timer for the motor run of a specific model and any number of countdown/ stopwatch timers that can be activated any number of ways. • State-of-the-art, upgradable firmware gives you programming freedom and complete control • Fully integrated digital telemetry • Mini USB port for firmware upgrades and PC download of telemetry data • Integrated speaker and 3.5-mm headset jack to play music and create custom voice alarms

• Nine-point, programmable curve mixes for all 16 digital proportional channels • You can set up not just dual, but triple rates • Pre-programmed servo setups for nearly every type of wing, tail and swash plate imaginable • Unlimited use of the on-board 2GB SD card memory • Fully integrated logical switch functions. If you need to drop bombs only if your throttle is at 50% and bay doors are open, with this system you can.

kitchen without bumping into a thing.

ParkZone Mini Vapor RTF

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 horizonhobby.com

he tiny ParkZone® Mini Vapor® slow flyer is the ideal indoor flyer for those who don’t have a lot of room to fly indoors. Its precise, three-channel control, slow speed and light weight make it possible to navigate spaces as small as a bedroom or

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

• Fully-proportional throttle, elevator and rudder control • Super Lite DSMX® three-channel receiver/ ESC • Carbon fiber fuselage rod • Carbon fiber push rods

Specifications Wingspan

8.7 in. (220 mm)

Length

11.75 in. (298 mm)

Battery

1S 30-mAh 25C Li-Po (included)

Motor

6-mm 1S brushed coreless motor

Servos

Price

$99.99 (PKZU1200)

• Composite plastic/carbon fiber wing structure • Lightweight PET film covering • Includes ParkZone® MLP4DSM four-channel transmitter • Includes one-cell DC charger

HOT PRODUCTS

Hitec X1 MF AC/ DC Charger

Hitec RCD 12115 Paine St Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-6948 hitecrcd.com

he X1 MF from Hitec is an 80-watt AC/ DC computer-controlled battery charger, and the beefed-up brother of the X1 AC Plus. Economically priced and portable, this singleport, compact charger has a rotary dial design for intuitive menu navigation and effortless operation. Its unique features include a builtin motor rpm and servo tester. The universal balancing board supports most batteries on the market. Upgradeable firmware ensures

Hitec ePowerBox 30

Hitec RCD 12115 Paine St Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-6948 hitecrcd.com

et empowered with the ePowerBox 30. Designed to provide your Hitec H4, X4, X4 Eighty or any other DC charger with the right amount of juice, this affordable power supply is sure to become a staple in your RC workshop. With an input voltage range from 100–240 AC and an adjustable output of 12–

H4 DC/DC Multicharger Four-Port, ComputerControlled Battery Charger

Hitec RCD 12115 Paine St Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-6948 hitecrcd.com

you can keep it up to date as battery technologies evolve. The X1 MF is truly the right one for beginner and sport-level electric airplane and helicopter pilots and racers looking for convenience and reliability. • Single 80-watt/10-amp charge port • Charges all battery types including lithium, NiCd/NiMH and lead-acid • Built-in motor rpm tester • Built-in servo tester • USB PC control for monitor and control via PC • Universal balancing board

• Upgradeable firmware Price $89.99 Stock # 44174

18 DC, providing up to 30 amps of current, the ePowerBox 30 is ideal for all modelers, whether they take to the air or take to the road. Its dual, 4-mm output jacks and a backlit LCD screen that displays both voltage and amperage output give this power supply amazing curb appeal. Price $109.99 Stock # 44174

single 240-watt charge port. This versatility, along with the H4’s unwavering reliability, safety functions, upgradeable firmware and PC-interface capability using our HPP-22 PC Interface, make this a must-have charger. As with all of Hitec’s chargers, the H4 works

with all common battery types, including Lithium, NiCd/NiMH and lead acid chemistries. Price $249.99 Stock # 44186

ts sleek, aluminum design, easy-to-read backlit graphic display and four computercontrolled charging ports with lithium cell-balancing circuits, make the H4 a hit for all electric-powered airplane and helicopter pilots, as well as demanding racers and backyard bashers. Each 120-watt port is capable of delivering up to eight amps of charging power. The independent charging channels can also be paired to provide two independent 240-watt charge ports or two 120-watt ports with a

RC-SF.COM

Carrier-based Fighter-Bomber of World War II

Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 flyzoneplanes.com

WII’s “Whistling Death” could outfight, outclimb and, if necessary, outrun any propeller-driven enemy aircraft. The Flyzone™ Select Scale™ F4U Corsair reproduces this classic gull-wing fighter with scale touches not included in any other readyto-fly version. Working LED navigation lights

and rotating retracts are just a couple of the details provided—and with AeroCell™ foam construction, assembly is a breeze!

Specifications

• LED navigation lights, rotating retracts, molded-in panel lines, a replica radial engine and a pilot figure add WW II realism • Molded, factory-painted AeroCell foam sections assemble quickly without glue • Available in Ready-to-Fly or TransmitterReady (Tx-R™) versions—both featuring a brushless power system, five micro servos and an SLT™ receiver compatible with AnyLink™ • Tx-R requires a transmitter and battery with charger

Wingspan

48.5 in. (1230 mm)

Wing Area

426 in.² (27.5 dm²)

Wing Loading

16 oz/ft² (49 g/dm²)

Weight

48 oz (1360 g)

Length

38.5 in. (980 mm)

Radio

Tactic™ TTX600 6-channel 2.4-GHz radio w/ SLT (required for Tx-R only)

Battery

2100-mAh 11.1-V 20C LiPo battery, LiPo charger and (4) “AA” transmitter batteries (required for Tx-R only)

Price

$299.99 for RTF (FLZA4030) $229.99 for Tx-R (FLZA4032)

™

Ready-to-Fly 2.4GHz FixedFixed-Pitch d Pitch Helico Helicopter i pter

FLY IT NOW!

™

Fixed-pitch design, for first-class control. The Novus 200 FP’s fixed-pitch design and 45° offset flybar set-up makes it more responsive than coaxial helis. Yet it’s so easy to control, even beginners can fly it with success. A 2.4GHz 4-channel radio system with dual rates lets new pilots step up to fixed-pitch flight at their own pace. © 2011 Hobbico , Inc. All rights reserved. 3074544 ®

TM TM

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

helimax-rc.com/109h

HOT PRODUCTS

Save up to $700 on Select Hobbico Items!

nding November 30, 2012, you can save up to $700.00 on select items. Modelers interested in almost any area of RC—cars, boats and airplanes—will find something that’s perfect for them during the Fall into Savings event. RC product under the tree? Here’s your chance to save up to $700.00 on over 20 quality products, one of which is sure to put a smile on someone’s face—maybe even yours. Check out the Fall into Savings event webpage at bestrc.com for details on all the hot products offered in this promotion. Then visit your local participating hobby store and get ready to save a bundle.

If you’ve been wanting to try your hand at RC but you’ve been waiting for a great deal, now’s the time to strike! Got someone on your holiday list who’s been dreaming of finding an

Item #

Description

Sale Price

Savings

AQUB23**

SuperVee 27R Brushless FE 2.4 GHz

$299.97

$30.00

AXID9020

Wraith 4WD Kit

$289.99

$20.99

DTXC0078

DXR8-E 1/8 Off-Road Brushless

$249.98

$100.00

FLZA2002

Micro Playmate Blue TX-R

$39.99

$29.99 Free AnyLink

FLZA2012

Micro Albatros DV TX-R

$39.99

$29.99 Free AnyLink

FLZA2022

Micro Super Cub TX-R

$39.99

$29.99 Free AnyLink

FLZA2900

Uberlite 2-1 Micro Flyers RTF

$34.99

$15.00

FLZA3602

Millenium Master EP TX-R

$109.99

$120.00 Free AnyLink

FLZA3604

Millenium Master EP RX-R

$89.99

$79.99

FLZA4002

Cessna 182 Skylane Select Scale TX-R

$149.99

$70.00 Free AnyLink

FLZA4012

Piper Super Cub Select Scale TX-R

$129.99

$49.98 Free AnyLink

FLZA4300

Cessna 350 Select Scale RTF

$159.99

$120.00

FLZA4302

Cessna 350 Select Scale TX-R

$139.99

$80.00 Free AnyLink

GPMA112

Citabria 3-mm 3D EP ARF

$34.99

$15.00

TOPA0951

F4U Corsair 61 ARF

$299.99

$100.00

OSMG198

91HZ-R 3D

$549.99

$120.00

FUTK9275

12FGA Air

$799.99

$200.00

FUTK9276

12FGH Heli

$799.99

$200.00

FUTK9300

12Z Air Mode 2

$1,099.99

$400.00

FUTK9301

12Z Heli Mode 2

$1,099.99

$400.00

FUTK9400

14MZ Air Mode 2

$1,599.99

$700.00

FUTK9401

14MZ Heli Mode 2

$1,599.99

$700.00

ARAD01**

Raider RTR w/ Batt & Charger

$159.99

$30.00

ARAD02**

ADX10 RTR w/ Batt & Charger

$159.99

$30.00

ARAD03**

Vortex RTR w/ Batt & Charger

$169.99

$30.00

ARAD05**

Fury RTR w/ Batt & Charger

$179.99

$29.98

ARAD06**

Mojave RTR w/ Batt & Charger

$179.99

$29.98

RC-SF.COM

Futaba Programmable S.Bus HighVoltage Servos

Futaba 3002 N Apollo Dr, Ste. 1 Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 futaba-rc.com

ew Futaba S.Bus high-voltage servos are capable of using up to 2S LiPos to maximize speed and torque. S.Bus compatibility adds the best in setup simplicity, while programmability provides the ultimate in performance tuning.

S3070HV S.Bus Programmable High-Torque Servo (FUTM0716) • Ideal for airplanes, helicopters, cars and boats • Features dual ball bearings with metal gears • Price: $59.99

Torque @ 7.4 V

Speed @ 7.4 V

Dimensions

Weight

90 oz-in. (6.5 kg/cm)

0.15 sec/60 deg

1-5/8 x 13/16 x 1-1/2 in. (40 x 20 x 38 mm)

1.7 oz (49 g)

S-3071HV S.Bus Programmable High-Torque Servo (FUTM0717) • Best suited for airplanes • Also a good choice for electric and nitro cars, boats and helis • Features dual ball bearings with metal gears • Price: $54.99

Torque @ 7.4 V

Speed @ 7.4 V

Dimensions

Weight

146 oz-in. (10.5 kg/ cm)

0.17 sec/60 deg

1-5/8 x 13/16 x 1-1/2 in. (40 x 20 x 38 mm)

1.7 oz (49 g)

S3072HV S.Bus Programmable High-Torque Servo (FUTM0718) • An excellent choice for airplanes, cars and boats • Features a single ball bearing • Price: $39.99

Torque @ 7.4 V

Speed @ 7.4 V

Dimensions

Weight

90 oz-in. (6.5 kg/cm)

0.15 sec/60 deg

1-5/8 x 13/16 x 1-1/2 in. (40 x 20 x 38 mm)

1.5 oz (42 g)

Team Losi Racing™ 1/10-Scale 22™SCT 2WD Race Truck Kit

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 tlracing.com horizonhobby.com

othing beats experience, especially when it comes to engineering a performancedriven race machine like the 22SCT. To create it, TLR engineers used all of the knowledge and experience they gained from making the revolutionary 1/10-scale 22™ buggy. They built on the championship-winning 22 platform

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

and took it to the next level. And now the 22SCT is the most innovative, durable and competitive short course truck ever designed. • 2.5-mm hard-anodized aluminum chassis ensures increased durability and a great look • Full wing suspension design lowers the center of gravity and improves handling • 12-mm bore shocks smooth the ride, tame large jumps and tune suspension performance • Two complete sets of racing wheels without tires are included so you can pick the tread and compound that’s best for your track • Mid- and rear-motor mounting options

allow you to change the configuration depending on your driving preference or track conditions • 4-mm heavy-duty turnbuckles are machined specifically for the demands of short course racing • Rear bumper option • All metric hardware Price: $369.99 Stock # TLR0024

HOT PRODUCTS

Great Planes Revolver 50-cc Gas Sport Plane ARF

Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 greatplanes.com

ith its impressive dimensions and racy good looks, the Revolver™ 50-cc Gas ARF is a real standout in the air. And it’s so easy to get this giant airborne. Self-aligning wings and stabs, pre-hinged ailerons and elevators and pre-painted fiberglass parts are just a few of the time-savers that make this model easy to assemble. The Revolver 50-cc ARF assembles as easily as .40- or .60-size ARFs, but blows them away with its sporty appearance and huge 7-1/2-ft wingspan. • Offers “bigger-is-better” performance and easier-than-average assembly • Simple four-channel design makes radio

O.S. GT60 Gas Engine

Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 greatplanes.com

he GT60 is the latest gasoline engine from O.S., and it gives fliers of popular 50-cc class aircraft everything they want most— durability, efficiency, easy operation and super-strong performance. Instant throttle response makes the GT60 an outstanding choice for 3D flying. When pilots need more power ASAP, this engine delivers. Modelers asked for a

Specifications setup a snap • Hatch, painted pilot figure and canopy are already assembled for instant installation • Features factory-applied MonoKote® covering, aluminum landing gear and spinner • Wings and stabs remove and attach with ease thanks to the joiner tubes and screws—a huge help in transportation and storage

Wingspan

90 in. (2285 mm)

Wing Area

1303 in² (84 dm²)

Wing Loading

34-36 oz/ft² (104-110 g/dm²)

Weight

19.5–20.5 lb (8.84–9.30 kg)

Length

82.5 in. (2095 mm)

Price

$429.99 (GPMA1425)

conventional, rear-mounted carb and reed valve, and O.S. listened. The carburetor is custom-designed specifically for this engine by Walbro. O.S. also takes advantage of linerless cylinder construction for the GT60, and machined the head and cylinder as one piece rather than joining them with bolts. Benefits of the overall cylinder design include lower weight, improved cooling and exceptionally efficient exhaust scavenging. The GT60 gasoline engine is available with or without a Pitts-style E-6020 muffler. The muffler includes anti-crush tubes for the mounting bolts and webbing reinforcement

Specifications Displacement

59.91 cc (3.65 in.3)

Bore

44 mm (1.732 in.)

Stroke

39.4 mm (1551 in.)

RPM range

1600–8000

Output

6 hp @ 7000 rpm

Weight

Engine: 1400 g (49.38 oz) Muffler: 178 g (6.28 oz) Ignition module: 105 g (3.7 oz)

Price

$699.99 w/o muffler (OSMG1560) $769.99 w/ muffler (OSMG1561) at high-stress points for a long life of performance-enhancing operation. • IG-02 electronic ignition system redesigned for quick starts and to handle 4- to 6-cell NiCd/NiMH or 2-cell LiPo batteries • Perfected intake and exhaust timing • Integrated choke rod • Connecting rod with needle roller bearings at both ends • Angled spark plug for easier installation in tight spaces • Two-year O.S. limited warranty

RC-SF.COM

Great Planes RealFlight 6.5 R/C Flight Simulator

Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 greatplanes.com

very year, RC’s best-selling flight simulator just keeps getting better. RealFlight 6.5 is no exception, offering new ease and realism everywhere you look. One of the biggest contributors to realism is TrueView™ lighting, which makes everything onscreen look as it would on a sunny day at the field. It offers the visual impact of natural sunlight, resulting in brighter, truer colors, sharper contrasts and details that stand out as never before. Light reflects from the ground to the underside of a wing, and canopies are clear and crisply defined, just as they would be on full-size aircraft. Another addition is the welcome screen, which appears once RealFlight 6.5 is launched. Besides displaying a rotating tip of the day, the welcome screen offers fast, easy ways to select your aircraft, flying site, predetermined aircraft/flying site combinations, helpful training videos and recent aircraft or flying site choices. In addition to everything that’s new, RealFlight 6.5 also offers all of the features and functions that have made RealFlight the bestselling simulator for over a decade. Enhancements include: • New graphics settings & controller calibration screens: allows pilots to modify settings with a simple slider bar and see the results immediately • NavGuide™ customizing options: new editing tools allow pilots to quickly add, delete or modify existing settings, or go back to the factory defaults • Smart binocular vision: activates automatically when the aircraft exceeds a preset difference and fades away when it’s no longer needed.

Spektrum™ AR7200BX Flybarless System USB Interface

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 www.spektrumrc.com www.horizonhobby.com

eep your AR7200BX Flybarless System on the cutting edge with this USB interface

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

• Spectacular new physics for airplanes and helis—the product of hundreds of small refinements at every level • More items for customizing flying sites, from glow igniters to transmitters, tables and more • Custom heli blade and airplane propeller appearance • Onscreen camera controls • More than 70 airplanes, 20 heli choices and 40 flying field choices, including an additional PhotoField™ site, on RealFlight 6.5 alone. It’s available with either the Air or the Heli Mega Pack™, which expands choices even more. Featured Airplanes: Performance Aircraft Unlimited Edge 540 36% Great Planes® Avistar™ Elite Flyzone™ Millennium Master Great Planes Micro F-86 Sabre EDF Messerschmitt BF109e Top Flite® F4U Corsair Airboat Featured Helis: Gaui 330X-S Quad Flyer Skycrane Synergy E6 Synergy E7 3D Sites: Aircraft Carrier Bayou Junkyard RealFlight 6.5 with Airplane Mega Pack Mode 2 (GPMZ4480) Price: $199.99 RealFlight 6.5 with Airplane Mega Pack Mode 1 (GPMZ4481)

and BeastX® Updater software. The updater software is a free download from beastx.com and is available in both Mac OS and Windows versions. Once you have the BeastX software on your computer, go to horizonhobby.com, get the latest AR7200BX firmware and follow the instructions in the interface manual. It’s easy. Price: $29.99 Stock # SPMA3030

Price: $199.99 RealFlight 6.5 with Heli Mega Pack Mode 2 (GPMZ4482) Price: $199.99 RealFlight 6.5 with Heli Mega Pack Mode 1 (GPMZ4483) Price: $199.99

HOT PRODUCTS

E-flite Edge 540QQ 280 BNF

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 horizonhobby.com

he E-flite® Edge 540QQ 280 BNF Basic, designed by aerobatic world champion Quique Somenzini, has been specifically built to provide exceptional precision scale and

3D aerobatic performance so that you can fly from a convenient location such as a park or small field. Beyond the rigid, carbon-fiberreinforced foam construction, you’ll appreciate how its expert-approved control and power system features are installed to make it possible for you to get flying faster. • Hollow-molded foam construction with carbon fiber reinforcement • High-speed digital servos and Spektrum™ Nanolite receiver installed

Specifications Wingspan

26 in. (660 mm)

Wing Area

162 in.2 (10.4 dm2)

Wing Loading

7.7 oz/ft2

Weight

8.3 oz (235 g)

Length

15.6 in. (613 mm)

Battery

3S 11.11-V 4501-mAh 30C Li-Po (required)

Motor

6-mm 1S brushed coreless motor

Servos

Four 3.5-g digital

ESC

10-amp brushless

Radio

4+ channels

Price

$169.99 (EFL6250)

• High-power BL280, 1800-Kv outrunner power system installed • High-performance custom propeller and matching spinner • Two-piece removable wing with carbon fiber joiner • Magnetic battery hatch provides instant access • Ready-to-bind to your DSM2®/DSMX® transmitter • Needed to complete: transmitter, battery and battery charger

Spektrum™ Telemetry Accessories

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 www.spektrumrc.com www.horizonhobby.com

pektrum continues to grow its impressive line of telemetry hardware and accessories with these two new sensors for Spektrum aircraft telemetry systems. JetCat Sensor This small, 4-gram sensor plugs directly into the ECU of a JetCat turbine engine and provides real-time data on throttle position, pack voltage, pump voltage, EGT, rpm and

OFF condition. Price: $39.99 (SPMA9584) GPS Sensor This tiny onboard sensor is designed to deliver GPS reference data to Apple® mobile devices equipped with the Spektrum STi™

telemetry interface. Data provided includes a model’s latitude and longitude, heading, ground speed and altitude above Mean Sea Level. It also provides GPS time. It’s perfect for locating downed models as well as tracking performance. Price: $99.99 (SPMA9587) RC-SF.COM

JR® Heli NEX E6-550 Combo

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 jrradios.com horizonhobby.com

R kicks up your “smack” potential with the JR NEX E6-550. Even when equipped with a 5000-mAh 6S Li-Po flight battery, the E6-550 is the lightest 550-size helicopter in its class. Practical and efficient, the E6-550 gives you many of the practical benefits smaller electric helis enjoy but the 3D performance many experts compare to a 600- or 700-class helicopter. The practical side is that instead of needing two 6S packs to fly a 12S powered helicopter once, you can fly the JR NEX E6-550 twice doing 3D and big maneuvers you like with the larger machines. That’s convenience packaged the only way JR knows how—with performance. Like most large-class electric helicopters, the E6-550 is equipped with a torque-tube

driven tail with dual-bearing support. You can buy the JR E6-550 as just a kit with carbon main and tail rotor-blades, but you can also get the JR E6-550 combo package complete with a high-speed brushless outrunner motor, fully programmed and wired 75-amp ESC, the easy-to-use JR triple axis gyros system (TAGS01) and all-new JR digital servos designed specifically for the demands of flybarless cyclic control. The JR NEX E6-550 gets you ready for an RC helicopter experience that’s small helicopter fun with big helicopter performance.

Specifications

• Lightest 550-size helicopter in its class • Innovative cyclic control system with SubTrim Free (STF) adjustment • Ample space for a high-capacity Li-Po flight battery • Carbon fiber frame, tail boom and fins • FBL rotor head with metal main blade grips • Carbon fiber main- and tail-rotor blades included • Metal tail rotor grips with thrust bearings • Pre-assembled main system components for fast assembly • Multi-color, factory finished fiberglass

Length

38.82 in. (986 mm)

Width

6.22 in. (158 mm)

Height

12.64 in. (321 mm)

Weight

5.07 lb (2300 g)

Main rotor diameter

44.96 in. (1142 mm)

Main rotor blades

510 mm (included)

Tail rotor diameter

8.66 in. (220 mm)

Tail rotor blades

82 mm (included)

Motor

1750-Kv Brushless NHM-40-8P (Combo only)

ESC

NHA-75-SB5 (75A/ BEC5A) (Combo only)

Gyro

JR Triple Axis Gyro System (TAGS01) (Combo only)

Servos

3 FBL-DS11 swash servo, 1 DS3500G tail servo (Combo only)

Price

$499.99 (JRP988302— Heli Kit with blades) $1099.99 (JRP988300—Full Combo Kit)

canopy • Dual-bearing supported torque-tube tail drive Items needed to complete: Transmitter (140-CCPM capable) and receiver 6-cell (22.2-V) 2600–5000-mAh Li-Po battery High-output Li-Po battery charger

Thunder Tiger 50-Class Brushless Heli Motor

performance motor in this class! Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 greatplanes.com

• 650 kV • 50 max volts • 4000 max watts

Specifications

he Thunder Tiger 50/06-50H Brushless Heli Motor is designed to give 50-class helicopters like the Titan X50E the incredible performance helicopter pilots want. The 50/06-50H outrunner brushless motor delivers

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

extreme torque and includes a built-in cooling fan. And the price is unbelievable for a high-

Weight

15.9 oz (450 g)

Diameter

52 mm

Shaft

6 mm/38 mm long

Price

$139.99 (TTRG9789)

HOT PRODUCTS

Hangar 9® 1/4-Scale PA18-150 Super Cub ARF

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 hangar-9.com horizonhobby.com

easuring 106 in., wingtip to wingtip, this magnificent Hangar 9 recreation of the venerable Piper Super Cub commands attention wherever it flies. Almost every line and curve mirrors the real thing, right down to the shape of the fillet on the vertical stab.

Its impressive list of scale details includes functional bungee-type landing gear, a realistic instrument panel and even a full-body pilot figure. The same attention to detail is evident in the flight performance. Like the full-scale version, this model has working flaps that give it amazing short-field takeoff and landing abilities. You’ll enjoy the forgiving, slow-speed characteristics Cubs are famous for too. But don’t let its mild side fool you. It will eagerly perform sport aerobatics using any of the recommended power choices.

Specifications

• Folding wing struts • Scale landing gear with working suspension

Wingspan

106 in. (269 cm)

Wing Area

1630 in.2 (150 dm2)

Length

68.0 in. (173 cm)

Weight

16.5–18.5 lb (7.50–8.40 kg)

Engine

20–26-cc 2-stroke gas 1.20–1.60 2-stroke glow 1.20–1.80 4-stroke glow

Electric Motor

Power 110

Transmitter

5+ channel

Servos

8 (7 if electric power)

Price

$649.99 (HAN4540)

• Functional flaps • Painted fiberglass owl and aluminum spinner • Working, split-fold cockpit door • Built-in mounts for optional float kit • Optional full-depth cockpit (HAN454019— sold separately) • Optional LED lights #OSMG9525 OMA3820-1200 Motor (.25 size) Price: $74.99 #OSMG9550 OMA5025-375 Motor (.50 size) Price: $129.99

Blade Red Bull BO-105 CX RTF Heli

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 horizonhobby.com

he Blade® Red Bull CBCX will fly circles around other three-channel RC helicopters like it. State-of-the-art 2.4-GHz control with advanced Blade engineering and electronics makes it all possible. And it’s easy to fly—you’ll be hovering like a pro on your very first flight, even if you’ve never flown before.

Specifications

• Advanced 2.4-GHz control lets you and your friends fly multiple Red Bull helis at the same time without interference • Replacement parts available to

Scale

Ultra micro

Length

7.87 in. (200 mm)

Height

4.72 in. (120 mm)

Weight

1.02 oz (29 g)

Main Motor Size

6.5 mm coreless

Main Rotor Diameter

7.48 in. (190 m)

Rotor Type

Coaxial

Battery

1S 3.7-V 150-mAh 25C LiPo (included)

Price

$69.99 (BLH2800)

keep your helicopter flying like new • Computerized Piezo gyro for superb directional control and stability • Proportional rotor head servo for smooth, precise control response • Officially licensed by Red Bull GmbH Austria • Includes everything you need to fly, all in one box RC-SF.COM

Seagull Piper PA-24 Comanche ARF

Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com

All the hardware needed to finish assembly is included.

Specifications Wingspan

72.0 in. (1.83 m)

• Lightweight balsa and balsa plywood construction for a strong and lightweight airframe • Removable top hatch allows easy battery access

Wing area

769 in.2 (49.6 dm2)

Wing loading

26.4–29.0 oz/ft.2

Length

46.3 in. (1.18 m)

Weight

8.8–9.7 lb (4.0–4.4 kg)

Engine size

0.60–0.75 2-stroke, 0.91-1.00 4-stroke

Power

.61–1.00 2-cycle glow

Battery

2S 7.4-V 180-mAh LiPo (required)

Radio

5 channels minimum

Servos

7 (6 for EP)

Price

$269.99 (SEA142)

eagull introduces the Piper PA-24 Comanche 75-91 ARF, a scale replica of this civilian aircraft. The Comanche is loaded with scale details, including a highly detailed cockpit with two pilot figures. The top-quality balsa/ply construction is covered in genuine Hangar 9® UltraCote® for a high-quality, durable finish. The factory-painted fiberglass cowl has scale detail molded in and perfectly completes the front of the model.

Seagull SportCruiser 91-110 ARF

Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com

eagull introduces the SportCruiser 91-110 ARF, a scale replica of this light sport aircraft. The SportCruiser is a great-flying sport scale plane loaded with consumerfocused features such as shock-absorbing landing gear with fiberglass fairings as well as pre-applied decals. Scale details include two pilot figures. The top-quality balsa/ply construction is covered in genuine Hangar 9®

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

• Shock-absorbing landing gear with painted gear

UltraCote® for a high-quality, durable finish. The factory-painted fiberglass cowl has scale detail molded in and perfectly completes the front of the model. All the hardware needed to finish assembly is included.

doors improves ground handling and adds realism • Plug-in wings for easy and convenient transport • Electric power conversion hardware included • Complete hardware pack included

Specifications Wingspan

70.9 in. (1.80 m)

Wing area

769 in.2 (49.6 dm2)

Length

46.3 in. (1.18 m)

Weight

8.8–9.7 lb (4.0–4.4 kg)

Engine size

0.60–0.95 2-stroke, 0.91-1.25 4-stroke

Power

.61–1.00 2-cycle glow

Battery

6S 2-V 5000-mAh LiPo (required)

Radio

5 channels minimum

Servos

7 (6 for EP) required

Price

$289.99 (SEA148)

• Balsa and balsa plywood covering offers lightweight, efficient construction • Fuselage top hatch allows easy battery and equipment access • Shock-absorbing landing gear with fiberglass fairings delivers great ground handling and scale appearance • Attractive scale color scheme • Electric power conversion hardware included • Complete hardware pack included

HOT PRODUCTS mm (RVO2001) Price: $54.99

New Revolution® Tools

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 revolutionhelis.com horizonhobby.com

eeping your machine in perfect running order is easy when you have the right tools. You’ll find none better than this collection of Revolution wrenches, drivers and setup tools. • Flat-sided, aluminum handles with no-slip grips • Ergonomic shapes and swivel end-caps that reduce wrist fatigue • Replaceable tips • Large, easy-to-read labels for quick identification • Extended length hex driver tips available separately

3-Piece Phillips Driver Set: #0, #00, #1 (RVO2002) Price: $49.99 1.5-mm Extended Length Hex Tip (RVO2010) Price: $7.99 2.0-mm Extended Length Hex Tip (RVO2011) Price: $7.99 2.5-mm Extended Length Hex Tip (RVO2012) Price: $7.99 3.0-mm Extended Length Hex Tip (RVO2013) Price: $7.99

4-Piece Hex Driver Set: 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm (RVO2000) Price: $60.99 3-Piece Nut Driver Set: 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, 5.5

RC-SF.COM

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BY Wil Byers

Visalia Aerotow

2012

Superb Scale Soaring at a Super Site

or probably the last 10 years, the RC scale soaring pilots from California have been encouraging me to come to Visalia to join them for a weekend of aerotowing largescale gliders. This past October I finally did just that over the weekend of October 19, 20 and 21. It was a weekend of taking in the excellent weather, enjoying lots of conversation with a great bunch of guys and watching/photographing some of the most beautiful large-scale gliders you’ll see anywhere.

Axel scale pilots are very popular with the scale glider pilots. Here you see a 1/2-scale pilot sitting in Dan’s Ka-6. FMI on Axel pilots go to: axels-scale-pilots.de.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Visalia Aerotow 2012 Dan Troxell’s 1/2-scale Ka-6 glider is being pulled into the air at Visalia. The model sports a 295-in. wingspan and weighs about 50 lb ready to fly.

Dan’s Ka-6 uses a bright color scheme, which help with visibility at high altitudes. Most scale glider pilots want their aircraft to look like the full-scale.

We include this photo because many of the pilots at Visalia are still flying 72-MHz systems because their models get very high and sometimes far away.

Where

Visalia California is about three hours from San Francisco and the same from Los Angeles when traveling by car. It is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley—a rich agricultural area that is drenched in sunshine most of the year. The Visalia soaring site is just about five miles out of the downtown area to the northwest. It is easy to find. Additionally, the Visalia soaring site is located near lots of quality accommodations and some excellent restaurants. The Visalia site is most known for hosting the Fall Soaring Festival, which often draws more than 300 pilots to compete in a huge thermal duration contest. However, it also hosts two superb aerotow events and even a couple of float fly events each year. There are actually two parts to the Visalia RC airfield: the thermal duration side and the aerotow side of the field, which is also flood-able for the float fly events. The aerotow side is simply to die for. It is flat as a pancake, with mown grass that Axel is busy watching the crowd at Visalia and waiting for his next tow to altitude. If you order one of these guys be prepared to wait a while for delivery. RC-SF.COM

Dennis Brandt is shown here flying his 1/2.5-scale ASH-31Mi. It is a composite sailplane that is built by H-Model and has a 330-in. wingspan. FMI information go to: icare-rc.com.

approaches the leveling of a golf course. There are barrier fences, a huge RV parking area and lots of pit area for sailplanes and gliders.

How it Works

This superb soaring site hosts two exceptional aerotow events each year. The spearhead behind the aerotow events seems to be the contest director, Chris Pratt. And, let me

tell you, Chris puts on an excellent event from the pilots’ meeting to the aircraft towing of gliders. Heck, there were even donuts being handed out to pilots and spectators when I showed up. How cool is that! What I really enjoyed about the way this event was run was the laidback approach to management. Make no mistake, Chris held a very good pilots’ meeting, and after it was over

This photo shows just how much the wings on Mark’s 10-meter wingspan Nimbus 4 flex during takeoff. The performance of this sailplane is stunning—it has an outstanind L/D ratio.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Mark Foster was flying his huge 1/2.5 scale Nimbus 4. It flies on a wingspan that is 415 inches. The wings are carbon reinforced for the strength needed for the aspect ratio. FMI: icare-rc.com.

everyone knew what was expected of them in terms of queuing up to fly. As a result, the tow pilots managed the queue so that when anyone needed a tow for their sailplane or glider, the tugs and their pilots were at the ready, which meant lots and lots of tows and airtime for the aircraft. The line ran smoothly all day, every day.

Here is another one of Mark’s gliders. It is the ASH-25, which was modeled in 1/3 scale. Again this model is an outstanding flyer because of its high aspect ratio and low drag airframe.

Visalia Aerotow 2012

Dennis Brandtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ASH-31Mi is equipped with a large-scale wing wheel that it uses during ground handling. It is removed for flight. You can find these at icare-rc.com too.

Dennis is shown with his ASH-31Mi. Notice the wing droop while the model sits on the ground. It will all go away once the model is in flight and the aircraft is loaded.

The ASH-31Mi is coming in for a landing with its flaps and spoilers deployed. I was given a chance to fly this model and I can assure you it is a superb flying machine that indicates lift very well.

RC-SF.COM

This model is a 1/3.5-scale ASW-27. It flies on a foam core wing that is sheeting in wood. The fuselage is composite. The wingspan is 168 inches.

Dean Gradwell was flying this Antares, which is built by Baudis and distributed by Soaring USA. It is 1/3-scale and has a wingspan of 262 inches and weights about 420 oz. FMI: soaringusa.com or dean@xcsoaring.com.

Sailplanes & Gliders

Another highlight of the event for me was the number of vintage and modern aircraft being shown and flown. While I love the “glass slippers” and their sleek, high-performance airframes, there is nothing like seeing a huge vintage glider soaring overheard. As you’ll see in the photos, there were many interesting models in attendance. The largest sailplane by far was Mark Foster’s 10.5-m-wingspan Nimbus 4. However, Dan Troxel was 32

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

flying a Bill Hempel Model’s 50%-scale Ka-6, which sports a 7.5-m wingspan. One of my favorites was Bill Curry’s 1/4-scale SZD 8 glider, which had a 160-in. wingspan. Bill scratch-built his model, using a set of RC Sport Flyer plans for the needed drawings and documentation. Ken Kaye showed off a 6-m-wingspan K8b model he’d purchased from Phoenix Model. He had to do some rework on it to turn it into the outstanding glider he was flying, though. No matter—this model was a joy to watch soaring the skies

above the Visalia RC airfield. My designer and I took over 700 photos, but of course we can only print 24 in this page layout. So, be sure to point your browser at rc-sf. com from time to time. We’ll post many more photos in the future. I’m certain you’ll see some sailplanes and gliders that will make you want to join in the fun next spring.

2013

Assuming that the Central Valley Soaring Club and Chris Pratt opt

Visalia Aerotow 2012

Dean Gradwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Antares is shown here coming in for a landing. One thing about these large-scale gliders is that they fly like the full-scale machines, so they use spoilers and flaps for landing, and they have a retractable gear.

This 1/3.5-scale DG-600 is shown with the landing gear down and spoilers out for landing. Notice that the flaps are opened to about 20 degrees as well to slow it down.

This Salto is a great flyer. It has scale spoilers in the wingsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; trailing edges and flies on a 157-in. wingspan. It is an all composite glider and very aerobatic. FMI: icare-rc.com. RC-SF.COM

John Ellias is guiding his 330-in. wingspan H-Model Duo Discus in for a landing. He tells us it uses Hitec RCD servos and is controlled by a Multiplex radio. FMI: xcsoaringpilot@yahoo.com.

Gary Fogelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glider is a 165-in. wingspan Ka6e. It uses a composite fuselage and a set of foam/wooden wings. His model weighs about 210 oz ready to fly. FMI: icare-rc.com

The Lunak LF-107 is a 142-in. wingspan model. It is a 1/4-scale version of the full scale aircraft. This model is a good flyer and will do moderate aerobatics.

This 1/4-scale TG-3 glider is a copy of one of the most famous U.S. made gliders. The full-scale glider was built by the Schweizer company and as you can see was sold to the U.S. Army.

RC SPORT FLYER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; november 2012

Visalia Aerotow 2012

to host their event in 2013, I would expect it to fall on the weekend of May 17, 18 and 19. Be sure to point your browser at cvrcsoaring.com to learn the exact dates. I’ll bet you a magazine subscription that if you attend you’ll have a wonderful time flying with this group of RC sailplane and glider pilots. I know I’m clearing

my workbench to get a couple of my large-scale sailplanes finished. I’m also going to be building a fire under my friends so that they’ll make the trip down with me. Until then, remember what the Wright Brothers said, “Birds soar by gliding down through the rising air.”

References Icare/Icarus 890 d’Anjou Boucherville, QC J4B-5E4 Canada Phone: 405-449-9094 icare-rc.com Soaring USA 827 N. Glendora Av. Covina , California 91724 Phone: 626-967-6660 Soaringusa.com

Bill Curry scratch built this SZD 8 glider from a set of RC Sport Flyer plans. It has a 160-in. wingspan and weighs just 12.5 lb. It is outfitted with Hitec servos. The fuselage is wood with fiberglass.

Ken Kaye was flying this Pheonix Models Ka8B. It sports a 236in. wingspan and weighs 37 lb. Ken outfitted it with Graupner servos. Ken told us he had to do a little rework and he covered it in his color scheme. FMI go to: phoenixmodel.com

RC-SF.COM

BY Vincenzo Pedrielli

3rd Italian Scale Vintage Glider Meet A Gathering where Old is New!

RC SPORT FLYER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; november 2012

3rd Italian Scale Vintage Glider Meet

nterest in building and flying RC vintage gliders is exploding in Italy. Many modelers find that modern composite gliders look too similar to each other, but vintage sailplanes, on the other hand, are very distinctive. The full-scale aircraft the models copy were all designed and built differently because the designers were searching for better performance using the empirical method. Consequently, the fuselages, wings, empennages and even canopy always had a different design and look. Also, many of the vintage gliders were built at home or in small shops. It is therefore not surprising that vintage gliders are challenging to replicate. Fortunately, though, many model glider designers are tackling This 1930s vintage Libratore Bonomi BS.17 Allievo CantĂš is an excellent example of what vintage gliders represent.

The Bowlus BA-100 Baby Albatross is a vintage glider from a 1938 design. It is a classic vintage machine.

the challenge of drawing plans and building them head on. As a result, RC glider meets for these creations are starting to pop up all over Europe, with some in the U.S. as well. Most RC glider meets include both vintage and modern gliders, either for slope soaring or aerotowing. The model glider club in Cremona, the home of the famous violin maker Stradivarius, is called the Gruppo Aeromodellistico Cremonese. Many of their members fly vintage gliders. The club just held its third annual scale vintage glider aerotow meet. What made it distinctive was that only vintage gliders were allowed to be flownâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a

change from most meets. The club has 33 members with an average age of 50. However, the age range of the club members is 11 to 85. They are led by Marco Pattoni and Tullio Facchin. The airfield consists of two parallel grass runways measuring 650 x 175 ft (200 x 25 m), an area for model flight preparation and a wide parking area 125 ft (40 m) from the runways. It is a near-perfect site for aerotowing gliders and sailplanes. On Sunday, October 14, 2012, the third Scale Vintage Glider Meet took place at the airfield of Annicco, on the outskirts of Cremona. A total of 37 model builders/pilots, six tow

This is another example of the Bowlus BS-100, but it is the 1938 Super Albatross, which was a little higher performance. RC-SF.COM

This shows you just how enthusiastic the pilots and modelers are about vintage gliders and sailplanes.

pilots and about 50 scale vintage gliders took part. There was a significant variety of sailplanes being displayed and flown. Pilots brought their aircraft from many parts of the world. Their

models were copied after famous gliders by prominent designers such as Hans Jakob, Slingsby, Schweizer, Wolf Hirth and George Mueller. As expected, almost a third of the scale models were of German designs,

such as the Minimoa, Kranich IIB, Rhönsperber, Wolf, Goppingen, Rhönbussard, Grunau Baby, Habicht, Reiher, Ka3, Ka6, Ka8 and Bergfalke. Polish designs included the Orlik II, SZD Bocian and SZD Foka. Three Italian sailplanes attended: the Sparviero, the Turbine of Teichfuss and the Allievo Cantu of Bonomi Silva. A Schweizer SGS 1-26E, a Baby Albatross and a Super Albatross represented the United States designs. Other scale models rounded out the meet like the Harbinger, the Musger MG19A, the Kirby Kite, the Macka and the Stakhanovtz. Sorry if I forgot any! Although the event had a cloudy beginning, the skies cleared in the afternoon, which offered excellent thermal conditions and long-lasting flights. Competition was not the goal of the meet. Rather, it was just a Here is an example of the KBI-14 Macka aerobatic glider, which was a 1959 design that was built from plans.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

3rd Italian Scale Vintage Glider Meet

gathering of pilots and aircraft where everyone could enjoy great flying and make new friendships. Making a good event a great one, lunch was provided for the pilots at the RC airfield. Doing so gave everyone the opportunity to chat about the event and future building projects as they enjoyed some wonderful Italian food—after all this is Italy. All the pilots/builders are looking forward to next year’s meet. Come and join us if you can find the time. Italy is a wonderful country, and the soaring is good too. By the way, you can contact me for more information at vincenzopedrielli@gmail.com.

The Musger Mg 19a Steinadler is a 1951 design. It shows you just how different the design was from another at the time.

Our Scale Vintage Gliders flyer invites pilots from around the world to come and join in the fun we have in Italy.

My friend Stefano shows off his 1933 Rhönbussard, a German design that proved to be very successful and popular.

This Rhönsperber is modeled after a 1936 German design, which was flown in the Olympics.

RC-SF.COM

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By Jeff Troy

Fuselages: Part 2 The Great Planes® Super Sportster 60

f you’ve been following my “Building Model Airplanes” series for RC Sport Flyer magazine, you’ve watched the progress of five different airplanes as they hit my workbench and came under the camera. The five tail sections were followed by three sets of wings. Two additional sets of wing are still to come, but I figured that both you and I needed a break from sticks and ribs. The slab-sided fuselage for the Great Planes Super Sportster 60 was framed up in the October 2012 issue, and the follow-

Construction of the Great Planes Super Sportster 60 fuselage began in the October 2012 issue of RC Sport Flyer, taken to the point where the basic assembly was complete and only the nose and tail blocks were still to come.

1 Drilling through the chin block for the nose gear is easiest if you drill down through the nose gear mounting lugs on the engine mount from the top side of the model. Slide the nose gear through the chin block and into the mounting lugs on the engine mount. Then use a pencil to mark the outline of the recess that needs to be cut to accommodate the gear’s coil spring as it travels approximately 1/2 in. from side to side.

2 up is here for you now. I promised you that a few cool methods of dealing with fuselage block would happen, and so they shall—right now. The Sportster 60 can be built with conventional landing gear—a taildragger—or with tricycle gear. I chose the “trike” version because the other four airplanes in this build series were all taildraggers. Before installing the nose blocks on the Super Sportster 60, nose gear mounting must be addressed. The Great Planes engine mount that comes with the Sportster kit has mounting lugs on its upper and lower frames to hold a nose gear. The gear will slip through the wooden bottom (chin) block and go into these two 42

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

4 Locating the mounting hole positions on the engine mounting beams is simplified if you use the Dead Center Hole Locator from Great Planes. This springloaded tool uses a 1/6-in. drill bit to make perfectly centered starter holes in all kinds of modeling situations. Position the engine on the mounting beams and insert the cone-shaped tip of the tool into one of the engine’s mounting lugs. Press down and turn the upper knurled fitting to drill a starter hole into the beam. Use the tool to drill the remaining three starter holes, and finish by drilling a 1/8-in. hole through the beams at the four starter marks. Screw the engine down with four #8 sheet-metal screws.

Fuselages: Part 2

7 Prepare the upper side strips for the forward deck block by shaving them flat with a razor plane. You’ll discover that a razor plane is one of the must-have tools for your workshop. They are inexpensive but invaluable to working wood on models like my Great Planes Super Sportster.

mounting lugs. There, it will be secured by a 5/32-in. wheel collar and the steering arm, which is more correctly called a tiller. Getting the hole through the chin block in the correct position is easier than you might think. Instead

Use the bar sander with coarse sandpaper to sand the side strips flush with the tops of the two bulkheads and firewall. Work as neatly as possible to prevent getting sanding dust inside the engine. I didn’t, but you should probably protect the engine with a plastic bag or a layer of kitchen wrap.

of poking a dozen holes through the chin to find the mounting lug, just use a long 5/32-in. drill or a piece of sharpened-brass tubing to go through the mountings lugs from the top, passing downward through the chin block. When the hole is drilled, slide

the nose gear through the hole and into the mounting lugs until the nose gear’s coil spring touches the chin block. With the nose gear inserted and the coil facing the rear of the fuselage’s tail, rotate the gear

9 You must add the forward deck block and the two side blocks to the fuselage, followed by any scraps needed to locate the plywood nose ring in its proper position. I used CA glue to fasten the blocks into position.

Tack-glue three or four 1/16-in. scraps between the nose ring and spinner backplate before gluing the nose ring to the fuselage. This will ensure that the clearance between the spinner and nose of the finished model is set properly.

Use the razor plane to shave the deck block, side strips, side blocks and chin block to blend into the fuselage sides and nose ring. The engine won’t be needed after the muffler and carburetor clearances have been cut, so this is a good time to remove the engine.

Use a cutting bit on a rotary tool to open the recess that you previously marked for the nose gear coil. If you don’t have a rotary tool, you can do the job with a hobby knife and a #11 blade by making a series of puncture slices all around the pencil mark. It’s a bit tedious, but it works.

11 RC-SF.COM

Sand the inside of the recess smooth with a drum sander on the rotary tool. Wrapping sandpaper around a wooden dowel or a length of brass tubing is a good alternative if you don’t have a rotary tool or a round Perma-Grit tool.

Check the fit of the nose gear coil inside the recess, being sure that the recess will allow the coil to travel approximately 1/2 in. each way to the right and left.

With the engine and nose gear wire removed, use the bar sander to final-shape the forward fuselage. Sand until you think it’s perfect, then get some sleep and look at your work the next day— then sand it again.

14 approximately 1/2 in. to the right, then to the left. Use a soft pencil to mark the location of the coil in both positions, then continue the pencil marking to outline the coil throughout this side-to-side travel. Remove the nose gear wire. The forward upper deck and two nose blocks go onto the model next, but first you must mount the engine. This is an important step, and you want it done correctly, so here’s a handy tool to do the job: the Dead Center Hole Locator from Great Planes. This tool is based on an 1/8-in.-diameter brass tube with a knurled grip on the top and a cone-shaped fitting on the bottom. A 1/16-in. drill passes through the tube, and its shank extends from the top of the brass tube. Another knurled fitting is at the top of the drill with a coil spring between the two knurled fittings. When you press down on the upper fitting—the one attached to the drill—the drill tip goes downward and passes through the cone-shaped fitting at the base of the tube. Using the Dead Center Hole Locator is a piece of cake. Just get the engine into the correct position over the engine mount’s beams, then insert the cone-shaped fitting into one of the engine mounting lugs. The cone is round and will center 44

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Use scraps of wood the thickness of the horizontal stabilizer and vertical fin to create mounting shims for the tail blocks. Laminate strips of 1/32-in. balsa over each of these to simulate the thickness of the MonoKote that will cover the tail surfaces when they are installed.

itself in the hole. Now hold the tool upright, grasping it by the knurled fitting on top of the brass tube, and press down on the upper knurled fitting, turning it clockwise with your other hand to drill a starter hole in the engine mount beam. Being careful not to move the engine, use the Dead Center tool to drill the three remaining starter holes. Now that the engine mounting holes are marked and started, drill 1/8-in. pilot holes all the way through the mounting beams at all four locations. Finish the mounting holes by running a #8 1-in. sheet-metal screw into each of the four pilot holes. Remove the screws, and the mount is ready to receive the engine. Simple? Good. Now install the engine with the four sheet-metal screws. With the engine mounted, it should be easy to determine and mark the best possible positions for the plastic sleeve that will house the throttle rod, and for the two 1/4-in. holes that will allow the tank-tocarburetor (feed) and tank-to-muffler (pressure) fuel lines to pass through the firewall. Mark these three locations, but don’t try to drill them

15 yet, especially not with the engine still mounted. Cover the engine with a plastic bag or kitchen wrap to keep it dust free, then use a razor plane and a sanding bar with coarse sandpaper to prepare the tops of the fuselage side pieces to receive the forward upper deck block. Be sure the forward edge of the block clears the engine cylinder and muffler, then glue it down over the side strips with gapfilling CA or five-minute epoxy. Now you can install the two side blocks over the chin block and ahead of the firewall. Be sure to let the tail ends of these side blocks extend outward from the fuselage sides by at least 1/8 in. Doing so will let you sand a graceful curve into the blocks, rather than an abrupt one. Install the blocks with gap-filling CA or fiveminute epoxy. The kit comes with a 1/16-in. plywood nose ring, and this should be tack-glued onto the back of your spinner’s backplate. Use a few scraps of 1/16-in. scrap balsa or plywood between the ring and backplate, with a tiny drop of gap-filling CA on each side of the scraps to hold them between the two components. Be sure the backplate is perfectly centered over the nose ring. The best visual checkpoint is the outer

Fuselages: Part 2 Tack-glue the scraps over the stabilizer saddle, making absolutely certain that the shim for the vertical fin is in perfect alignment with the fuselage centerline and perfectly centered between the fuselage sides. Glue the front faces of the tail blocks securely to the rear bulkhead with gap-filling CA or five-minute epoxy, but only tack-glue the blocks to the scrap shims between and under them.

If you want to add scallops between the stringers on your Super Sportster’s turtle deck, cut lengths of 1/4-in. scrap balsa to fit between each pair of stringers. Smaller scraps can be glued between the stringers at the rear end of the turtle deck. Handling the wood scraps with CA applied can get ugly, so try piercing each scrap with a hobby blade to let you handle and position it without getting your fingers stuck.

Here’s my Super Sportster 60’s rear section with the tail blocks and rear scallop scraps glued into place and ready to plane and sand to the necessary shape.

Use a razor plane to roughshape the tail blocks. Get them as close to their final shape as possible without gouging the blocks or cutting them too deeply.

20 diameter of the backplate; looking from the front of the backplate, you should just be able to see the outline of the ring all the way around. When the CA is dry, slide the backplate over the engine’s crankshaft to see if the nose ring firmly contacts the chin and side blocks. If you can’t get the backplate fully seated against the crankshaft, sand the chin and side blocks until you can. On the other hand, if the nose ring doesn’t quite come into contact with the side and chin blocks, as was the case with my Super Sportster’s older Enya 60TV, you can use balsa scraps to fill any gaps between the ring and blocks. When you’re satisfied that the spinner ring cannot be fitted any better than it is, attach it to the chin and side blocks (or to the balsa scraps in between) with five-minute epoxy.

Remove the spinner backplate from the engine by cutting through the 1/16-in. scraps you tack-glued between the backplate and nose ring. If you didn’t use too much CA, you can probably use a small slot screwdriver to pop the scraps free from behind the backplate. You’ll most likely have to sand the scraps away from the nose ring, and if you do, you’ll find that coarse paper on the bar sander is best for the task. Now unscrew the four sheet-metal screws and remove the engine from the mount. For now, keep the engine mount attached to the firewall. Use a razor plane to shave the upper deck block, the two upper side strips, two side blocks and the chin block. They don’t have to be finished yet, but knock them down sufficiently so that sanding them to blend into each other will not be a back-breaker.

You can use a Zona saw to roughcut the areas of the blocks near the plywood nose ring, but use the plane to get those graceful curves. When the front end of the fuselage is rough-shaped, use a rotary tool or a hobby knife to cut the chin block inside the pencil outline you made for the nose gear coil. The hole should be sizable enough to let the gear coil pass through it and travel from side to side, but it shouldn’t be unnecessarily large. When you have the hole clearance you need, use a drum sander on the rotary tool, a 1/2-in. round Perma-Grit tool or a piece of adhesive-backed sandpaper wrapped around a wooden dowel to smoothly finish the inside surface of the coil recess. Slip the nose gear into the mounting lugs once again, and check the gear coil for adequate side-to-side travel inside the recess. RC-SF.COM

Sand the blocks and scallop scraps for the final time with coarse sandpaper on a bar sander.

A good eye can do the trick, but if you need a little help to ensure that that the round recess in each of your scallops is cut to the same depth, try laying a length of masking tape around the scallop scraps behind the canopy bulkhead.

Use a round Perma-Grit tool or the sandpaper-around-a-dowel substitute to sand the rounds into each scallop scrap. Work slowly to get perfectly even recesses and to prevent nicking the stringers with the tool. These scallops look great under the model’s covering.

24 You can finish shaping the front end now or wait until the tail section of the fuselage is rough-shaped and do the whole fuselage component at once. If you choose to finish the front end now, get out the bar sander with the coarse sandpaper and blend the upper deck, the upper side strips, side blocks and chin block into the fuselage sides and nose ring. Be careful about sanding close to the nose ring. You want the balsa behind it to blend into it without altering the roundness of the part. Do your best not to sand any flats into the circumference of the nose ring. Prepare for the tail section with four pieces of scrap balsa approximately 1/2-in. wide and 3 in. long. One should be 3/8 in., which is the thickness of the horizontal stabilizer; the second should be 1/4 in., which is the thickness of the vertical fin and the third and fourth should be 1/32 in. to emulate the thickness of the Top Flite MonoKote film that will be covering the stabilizer and fin when they are installed on the fuselage. Glue one of the thin strips to the 3/8-in. scrap and the other thin strip to the 1/4-in. scrap. Cut a 1-in. length and a 3/4-in. length from the 3/8+1/32-in.-thick scrap, then use one or two tiny drops 46

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

I use a 1/4-in. round or rat-tail file to cut the scallop recesses at the tail, where the stringers are too close together to let me use the Perma-Grit or a rotary tool.

of gap-filling CA to tack-glue them over the stabilizer mounting area at the tail end of the fuselage. Get these scraps roughly centered between the fuselage sides, one about 1/2 in. from the forward end of the saddle and the other approximately 1 in. from the tail. These blocks are emulating the presence of the horizontal stabilizer. Using no adhesive, dry-fit the 3-in.-long 1/4+1/32-in. scrap over the two scraps you just installed, sighting down the fuselage from the tail to ensure that the scrap is dead-centered between the fuselage sides and in line with the top fuselage stringer. This scrap simulates the presence of the vertical fin and must be carefully positioned as if it were the fin itself. When it is correctly aligned, apply a small drop of thin CA to each contact point between the “fin” scrap and the two “stabilizer” scraps. Two tapered balsa blocks are included in the Super Sportster kit. These are the tail blocks, and you will install them now. Use plenty of gapfilling CA or five-minute epoxy where the fronts of these blocks butt up against the rear-upright bulkhead, but use only a drop or two of gap-filling CA to tack-glue the tail blocks where they rest on the stabilizer and fin scraps.

25 I like to add scallops to the stringer work on most of the nonscale models I construct. The scallops don’t add much strength, but they do add a lot of flair to the appearance of the finished model. I make scallops by cutting scraps of 1/4 x 3/4-in. balsa into 1-in.-long strips, then tapering the sides of each piece to butt up against the canopy bulkhead and fit between the stringers. I do the same thing at the tail end of the stringers, using 1/4 x 3/8-in. balsa cut into 3/4in. lengths. Shaping the rear end of the airplane comes next, and you can start by sanding the bottom sheeting flush with the fuselage sides. I like to keep this bottom angle sharp, but you can certainly sand a 1/16- to 1/8-in. radius along the entire bottom-toside joint if you prefer. Lay the fuselage on its side and use the razor plane to trim one of the tail blocks to conform to the lines of the fuselage side and top, then flip the fuselage over and plane the opposite block to the same form. If the scallop scraps of balsa between the stringers protrude enough, you can also use the razor plane to shave them down so that they will be easier to sand. Switch from the razor plane to the bar sander and smooth those tail

Fuselages: Part 2

27 Here’s my Sportster 60’s nose section, all block-sanded and prettied up for final sanding before covering and assembly.

blocks to perfectly blend into the fuselage sides and rear deck, then sand all the scallop scraps perfectly flush with the stringers, bulkheads and fuselage sides. Be careful here: you don’t want the scraps sanded flat. Use finesse with the bar sander to make the scallop scraps conform to the curve of the canopy and stabilizer bulkheads. Adding the curved scallops to the balsa scraps is fun to do and a whole lot easier than it might seem. You can eyeball it or use a length of masking tape to let you know how deeply to cut each scallop. The Sportster 60 has a reasonable gap between most of the stringers, so try using the 1/2-in. diameter Perma-Grit tool to sand the half-circle tail into each scrap. Perma-Grit has a 1/4-in. round

Here’s the tail section with blocks sanded and scallops cut and ready for that final sanding task.

tool, too, so switch to that if the gap between the stringers is too small for the larger tool. If you haven’t got a set of PermaGrit tools, you can make your own round sanders by wrapping a piece of adhesive-backed sandpaper around a wooden dowel, a round brass tube, a paintbrush handle or anything else that will give you the approximate diameter you need. The tail scallops are much closer together, so I cut the half-circles into the tail scraps with a 1/4-in. round rat-tail file. At this point, you can break the tail scraps out from under and between the tail blocks, but I prefer to leave them there until I’m actually ready to final-sand and cover the model. The tail blocks can easily be damaged or broken away from the

fuselage once the scraps have been removed. So there you have it. The nose and deck blocks are installed, planed and sanded to shape; the tail blocks are installed, cut and shaped; the scallops have been added to the stringers on the turtle deck and the entire fuselage has been smooth-sanded down to #100 or #150 paper. I used the large, 3/4-in. round Perma-Grit tool to sand the tail end of the forward deck block to a pleasant curve where it meets the tops of the upper side strips at the front of the cockpit. That completed my Super Sportster 60’s fuselage frame-up. I still have two sets of wings and four fuselages to construct, and I’m presently trying to figure out what I think you’d like to see next. It’s still up in the air, but right now I’m leaning toward that classic old-timer fuselage for the magnificent 108-in. Dallaire Sportster, as kitted by Bill Shive at Shive Specialties in Landsdale, Pennsylvania. Whatever I choose, I hope you’ll stay with me. Building model airplanes is fun and rewarding, and there’s no feeling more rewarding than stepping back from an ongoing project, looking at what you’ve accomplished and mulling over the “you” that’s become a built-in part of the model. This is art, my friends, and your skills are surely developing. The fuselage of the Great Planes Super Sportster 60 is essentially complete. All that remains is to drill and tap the blocks for the wing mounting bolts and add the small, underwing fairings at the front and rear of the wing. RC-SF.COM

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Bill Sunick poses with his modified Stuka, refinished to replicate Hans Rudel’s aircraft.

By Rob Caso

agree with my longtime friend and flying buddy, Bill Sunick, that the Stuka is not a “cuddly, let’s make friends” kind of airplane. Like its fighter counterparts, the Bf-109 and Fw-190, one look at it tells you what it was built for and, for that matter, who built it. It has none of the graceful lines and careful pedigree of, say, a Spitfire. Nor does it have enough of a resume or good looks to one day become a show airplane or a racer like a P-51. A racing Stuka? Perish the thought. No, the Stuka lived in the mud, doing the thankless job of an offensive guard on a rainy airfield in a grungy uniform. While the rest of the Luftwaffe was high above the muck bagging glory, Hans-Ulrich Rudel in his cannon-laden Stuka was bagging over 500 Russian armored

Nitro Planes’ Ju-87G Stuka Quick and Easy Modifications to Give it that Warbird Look! If there is a more “means business” looking airplane on the airfields, I haven’t seen it.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Nitro Planes’ Ju-87G Stuka

Multiple colors make up the exhaust stack stains. The engine area was weathered heavily.

vehicles, oftentimes flying in weather so bad that, as he wrote in his autobiography, “even the birds were walking.” On at least one occasion in such conditions, Rudel actually landed on a road and taxied back to his lines. Can you imagine the looks on the faces of troops who saw that thing rolling in? Go read his book, Stuka Pilot, and find out. With all that history and color, Bill and I both agreed that if Bill was going to do a Stuka, there really was only one to do—Rudel’s “G” model “Kanonenvogel” in winter camouflage, as if you had to ask. The “D” and “G” both were upgraded with a 1400-hp Jumo inverted V-12 engine, thus alleviating the “Sorry, I have the mumps” look of the earlier versions. We feel that the later

Bill made grills for the forward air scoop and offset its divider as per scale. There is a cannon sound speaker hiding within.

With all that dihedral built into the wing, the Stuka is a stable flier and a good everyday model.

The chipped effect along the wing walks was achieved applying salt in the necessary areas as a mask.

All markings were painted—there are no decals on this model. Photos indicated that the yellow recognition band was also whitewashed. RC-SF.COM

The simple addition of an elastic cord antenna wire adds that extra bit of realism. Why don’t more modelers do this?

variants are the best looking of all the Stukas, but for some reason, they are not often modeled. Although the Nitro Planes model’s outlines are arguably the best of any ARF Stuka we researched, Bill improved the model by eliminating the foam’s surface texture and extensively modifying the kit to fix known weak points and scale deviations. My role was limited to painting, weathering, technical assistance and sarcastic comments.

Specifications

Kit FMS Ju-87G Stuka ARF (Nitro Planes) Scale 1/10.6 Wingspan

55 in. Motor Turnigy 3648 Kv 600 Battery Hyperion 3S 3300-mAh 25C LiPo ESC Castle Phoenix 60 Propeller Size 3-blade, 13x10 Weight (RTF) 4.75 lb Features 4 channel plus flaps, cannon sound (RAM)

How To

While foam is a convenient manufacturing material for many ARFs, it is not a stable base that securely accepts paint and filler. Furthermore, Bill’s research indicated

The model is equipped with a fully detailed instrument panel. Battery and servos reside below.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

The preferred anti-armor tactic was a side or rear shot at low altitude. Each 37-mm cannon held six shots.

that little effort is made in the factory to remove the release agent prescribed by the molding process. As a result, the factory paint is hanging on by its fingernails and will easily come off with any masks that may be applied later. Bill completely stripped the model, degreased the bare foam with denatured alcohol and then firmed up its surface with a mixture of Durham’s water putty and vinyl spackle. This was sanded and then primed with Duplicolor auto body primer, which does not attack the foam. With all the Stuka’s lumps, bumps and pieces, this was a big job, further complicated by the need to leave the scale panel lines intact. The refinish included eliminating the servo lead runs carved into the underside of the wing, which were

Another great shot shows the weathering and the withered, warweary winter camouflage.

Nitro Planes’ Ju-87G Stuka

This shot shows off the well-detailed blast tubes after they were painted and detailed to match the model. With a 45-ft wingspan, the Stuka was a relatively large airplane. About 6500 were built during WWII.

simply taped over by the factory. That might work for a Sunday fun flier, but it wasn’t good enough for us. Bill installed servo leads running from the fuselage section of the wing to the ailerons and flaps and then buried them with glass and filler. This still left the option of replacing the servos. He eliminated the flap servos in the wing root radiators, leaving the outer flap servos in situ to do all the work. Small steel rods were installed between the inboard and outboard flaps to make all four work as one; flight testing showed that this setup worked fine. Bill also moved the rudder and elevator pushrod exits further aft and employed a steel rod joiner for the elevator, thus eliminating a pushrod altogether. Bill modified the kit’s tailwheel, a known

failure point, by replacing its vertical strut with a steel piece. After the bare foam was refinished and the infrastructure modifications completed, Bill again primed the model and then applied the standard Russian front scheme of RLM 70/71/65, using Model Master enamel. He painted some of the markings, but with the NEAT fair deadline looming, I bailed him out on the rest. Although not quite ready for the prom, the model at this point was deemed flyable, although Bill made a last minute change, up-gunning to an ESC with a higher current rating—another known failure point in the stock kit. After squabbling over where the center of gravity (CG)

Close-up cockpit shot—it took Bill two hours plus to mask the canopy before it was painted.

should be (22–25% of the root cord including the flaps), I got the dubious honor of making the test flight. Why he asked me to do this I will never know, although my record with him is surprisingly good. Since all dive-bombers have a ton of wing area, I was expecting “advanced trainer” flight characteristics, and the Stuka didn’t disappoint. After a couple of trim adjustments owing to slightly out-oftrue foam control surfaces, the Stuka flew as if on rails, but it was also responsive and maneuverable. A slow and deliberate power application for takeoff was best, and the model got off the ground realistically at only about 60 percent power. The

The yellow band on the wing formed a “V” on the underside, a common Eastern Front recognition marking. RC-SF.COM

Nitro Planes’ Ju-87G Stuka above flight equipment was plenty for this model, although some people inexplicably fly it on a 4S LiPo battery pack, which simply adds unnecessary weight and provides non-scale flight characteristics. If the takeoff was easy, the required landing was even less exciting. Drop the flaps, set the model up on final and then go have a sandwich. Some flyers noted that the model changes pitch at full flap, but I experienced none of this—the Stuka is steady as a rock coming in and just about as slow. Reinvigorated by the successful flight testing, Bill and I ran home to finish the model. The Luftwaffe’s winter camouflage consisted of a sprayed, brushed or broom(!)applied water-based whitewash over the entire upper surfaces, but avoiding the markings and any other significant nomenclature. Clearly, this job was usually done in haste, and the whitewash easily came off with weather or from use. Using some photo references, we applied squiggles of Silly Putty for a mask over the airframe and airbrushed on a translucent, uneven coat of grayish white, which was later toned with gray and brown. Removing the putty revealed lines of the base camouflage, over which I airbrushed some white to blend them. Just prior to airbrushing the white, we applied chunks of moistened table salt in likely wear areas to impart a chipped effect owing to crew activity, propeller debris and general wear.

After painting the exhaust tips with a muddy brown mix, I airbrushed the exhaust stains using progressively darker shades of tan, brown and burnt umber, ultimately going to black near the exhausts. The key is to make successive passes and build up the effect slowly and with numerous colors—exhaust stains are not all black. The panel lines were highlighted in a similar fashion, this time with a double action airbrush, but the mix included a lot of clear and was much more translucent. Final assembly included the installation of a pair of scratch-built MG81Z machine guns, an instrument panel, the crew and even an antenna

We used Silly Putty strung over the wing’s surfaces to mask the base camouflage for the whitewash.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Bill’s model is accurate in every way, right down to the correct “Werknummer” on the tail.

wire from elastic thread. Bill superdetailed the 37-mm cannon by drilling in blast deflector holes and adding various scoops and tubes. A sound system for the cannon provided even more intimidation. A lot of work for a foamie? Yes, but Bill’s Stuka is now an accurate and unique representation that—with all the kinks worked out prior to putting it in the air—will be a reliable and pleasant everyday flier. Now we just have to wait for some bad weather …

This shows the application of the salt as a mask over the base camouflage to replicate wear.

Sweet Heli Package. Legendary Performance.

The JR® NEX E6-550 helicopter incorporates legendary JR quality with innovation bound to revolutionize the industry standard. But that’s just typical JR. Not only is the E6-550 the lightest heli in its class, it may also be the fastest build. Pre-assembled major components help make this premium, yet simple, helicopter kit go together quickly. Also amazing is its unique control system that features Sub Trim Free (STF) flybarless specific mechanics for state-of-the-art handling that’s as powerful as it is efficient. But what makes the E6-550 even more special is that all you need to complete the helicopter is your favorite radio and a battery. The combo package includes matched components built to deliver a pro-level experience and the “sweet” 3D performance everyone is talking about. Your favorite dealers display and sell JR helicopters, radios and accessories, because they know that using a JR product will encourage you to fly more often and always be equipped for success. Items Included Motor: Brushless NHM-40-8P (1750 Kv) Speed Control: NHA-75-SB5 (75A/BEC5A) Gyro: JR Triple Axis Gyro System (TAGS01) Servos: 3 - FBL-DS11 swash servos; 1- DS3500G tail servo Blades: 510mm, carbon fiber main; 82mm, carbon fiber tail Needed to Complete Transmitter (140 CCPM capable) and receiver 6-cell (22.2V) 2600mAh–5000mAh Li-Po battery High-output Li-Po battery charger

VISIT

CLICK

CALL

Your Local Retailer

horizonhobby.com

1.800.338.4639

©2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. JR, Serious Fun and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. JR is exclusively distributed by Horizon Hobby, Inc. JRradios.com 38531

SERIOUS FUN.™

BY Mike Hoffmeister

120AX Special

Two-Stroke Glow Power to Write Home About

he O.S. 120AX offers a 20 percent increase in displacement and power compared with .91-size engines, while adding almost no additional weight. Also, it fits into the .91’s mounting space. Sounds good, right? Now O.S. has taken things a step further by releasing the 120AX Special—an improved performance version of the 120AX. According to O.S., the primary impetus for this higher-performance version was to provide an improved power plant for AT-6 Texan Pylon Racing, which is very popular in Australia. We don’t care what the reason was for the new engine, but we definitely like reaping the benefits of an additional 8–10% power output with the usual level of O.S. reliability and ease of tuning. O.S. made three fairly simple changes that work together to deliver the performance gains. Importantly, they did so without

sacrificing reliability or durability in the process.

Why to Buy

The O.S. 120AX Special produces excellent power in a compact package yet fits in the same space as a .91-size engine. It is offered at a reasonable price. This new engine delivers outstanding reliability and ease of tuning, O.S. hallmarks. It is compatible with a broad range of propeller sizes, making it suitable for The 120AX Special is a compact and attractive engine, combining the usual outstanding O.S. casting quality and appealing, functional design of the cooling fin shapes. The only externally visible difference from the standard 120AX is the machined aluminum velocity stack attached to the carburetor.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

The O.S. 120AX Special is shown with the optional muffler and adapters that were tested as part of this review. Various muffler configurations are possible by combining these parts, which can support a multitude of installations.

larger-scale, aerobatic/3D or warbird aircraft.

Break-In and Performance Testing

I used Wildcat brand 15% Premium two-stroke fuel for break-in and testing. There are plenty of other fuels on the market that will perform just as well, but just make sure that the fuel you select complies with the requirements listed in the user manual. O.S. specifies 15 x 10–12 or 16 x 8–10 propeller sizes. As part of this review, we tested these sizes, plus a 17 x 6, to fully explore the 120AX Special’s capabilities. We also did some comparative testing of different muffler adapters offered by O.S. After mounting the engine to the test stand, installing an APC 15 x 10 propeller, fueling the tank and connecting the hoses and doublechecking everything, I primed the engine by choking it and flipping the

O.S. 120AX Special propeller a few revolutions by hand. The engine started promptly. I used my Sullivan electric starter to turn it over. Later I would flip start the engine many times and found it very easy to start by hand. The O.S. break-in process requires running the engine at full-throttle with a widely varying, high-speed needle setting. Basically you run the engine very rich for several seconds, then lean it until the rpm comes up and it’s running clean at near-peak revolutions. You hold it there for a few seconds, then immediately richen the high needle until the engine slows considerably and starts blowing a lot of smoke and fuel mist from the exhaust. You’ll repeat this process for a couple tanks of fuel, with steadily increasing durations of near-peak rpm periods. I found that it tuned well and idled/transitioned really well even

O.S. puts material where it is needed for cooling capacity and structural rigidity, while keeping weight to a minimum. This view shows how the angled needle valve and fuel inlet fitting keep things away from the propeller.

before completing the initial break-in running. Once the break-in was complete, I tuned the low and high needles in a back-and-forth manner until it delivered slow and steady idle speed, with clean acceleration when the throttle was opened rapidly. I set the high needle about 100 rpm on the rich side of peak (a few clicks more open on the high needle than the setting that produces highest rpm). The instructions included a clear, step-by-step approach to tuning the carburetor. After break-in and tuning, the engine could easily hold 1500–1600 rpm idle without stumbling upon quick throttle opening, and it also held steady rpm at full throttle. I used a digital sound pressure level meter on a tripod to collect sound pressure level data. The meter was set at the same height as the crankshaft centerline, with the meter at a 45-degree rearward angle from the propeller hub, at a distance of 10 ft. The meter was set on the A-weighting scale, which simulates the frequency sensitivity of the human ear. The E5020 Power Box muffler (not

This front view shows the sleek, chiseled look of the 120AX Special, along with the large intake passage in the velocity stack, which smooths and accelerates airflow into and through the carburetor.

A rear view of the 120AX Special displays how short and compact the engine is. It also shows the ribs in the engine’s back plate and extra material around the combustion chamber that add stiffness in key areas.

included with the 120AX Special) proved to be very effective, and much of the noise was from the propeller. I measured 87.3–92.3 dBA, with the highest noise level from a 17 x 6 RC-SF.COM

This view shows the optional straight exhaust extension installed between the engine and the optional muffler. This configuration performed well and also would allow the muffler to clear a wider fuselage.

propeller. After testing the eight propellers included in this review, I performed a quick test of two optional muffler adapters—first the straight exhaust extension adapter, then the 90-degree adapter. It is interesting to note that the performance improved slightly when using the adapters. This is most likely the result of increased length and volume of the exhaust tract upstream of the muffler. After break-in, I moved on to my standard step-throttle test with each of the eight propellers. The test that I run has the engine running for five seconds at stable idle, then five seconds at 20 percent throttle, then five seconds at 40 percent throttle and so on, with the final five seconds at wide-open throttle. All the while,

the data system is capturing rpm, thrust and ambient temperature. The engine ran well with each propeller and required only very slight adjustment to the high-speed needle when switching amongst the various size and pitches of propellers—this due to the large variation in load. There are several graphs included in this test report. They demonstrate how the engine performs with each propeller. Of particular interest is the “Thrust vs. Throttle Position” graph, which clearly depicts what static thrust the engine/propeller combination produces over The optional angled exhaust adapter allows the muffler to be mounted in a way to keep the exhaust system inside the cowling for certain types of aircraft.

the entire throttle range. If you are planning to use the engine in a sport airplane or warbird where you need more pitch speed but still don’t want to sacrifice too much static thrust, you can look at the “Thrust vs. Pitch Speed” graph and get an idea of the tradeoffs.

Here is a layout of the 120AX Special parts. O-rings, rubber seals and a metal head shim make teardown and re-assembly straightforward.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

O.S. 120AX Special

Engine Hardware Layout

The O.S. 120AX Special is very easy to work on. Because it is a two-stroke type the parts count is low, plus O.S. uses O-rings or metal gaskets at each sealing interface. The fit and finish of both the The crankshaft features longer intake port The optional Power Box muffler uses an O-ring to castings and machined timing than the standard 120AX. This is achieved ensure leak-free performance. It also has an internal parts are superb, and the by machining more material away around the baffle to help reduce noise. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find it is easy to intake port, which is in the middle of the largerassmble and to install on the engine. See the article angular arrangement of diameter portion of the shaft. for how it reduces noise. the cooling fins looks cool besides being functional. The cylinder sleeve has a very close but smooth slip fit into the crankcase. Also, O.S. uses a small roll pin in the top of the crankcase that engages a small slot in the cylinder sleeve upper flange to ensure correct alignment of the sleeve in the crankcase. The crankshaft has a The velocity stack included with the 120AX Special fits neatly onto the neck of the 70D carburetor, increasing airflow into the engine and therefore engine power output. milled flat which engages a matching feature inside the propeller drive hub, making 120AX and the Special, which valve port, which exposes the removal and installation of the drive contribute to the power gains: carburetor to the crankcase hub very simple, without the need 1. The induction port that is cavity. This increases power at for a puller tool. The backplate machined into the crankshaft is higher rpm but can cause some has webbing cast into it for added cut about one millimeter deeper, spit-back, or reversion out of the structural support of the crankcase. which increases the intake dwell, carburetor. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summarize the three key allowing earlier opening and differences between the standard later closing of the rotary

The cylinder head is common between the 120AX Special and regular version, but the 120AX Special uses a thinner head gasket (0.1mm vs. 0.4-mm thick) and is made of phosphor bronze material. The thinner gasket increases compression for added power.

Here is a close-up view of the O.S. 120AX Special in action! The small green circuit board is the optical tachometer pickup that provides a signal to the Medusa Power Analyzer Pro box. RC-SF.COM

Here you can see the overall test stand and equipment arrangement. The throttle servo is commanded via PC control for a test run, with all data being displayed and recorded by the computer via the Medusa Power Analyzer Pro data system.

This test was done with the angled adapter between the engine and muffler. Performance was slightly better with than without the adapter, but the difference was negligible.

Here is a layout of the optional muffler and adapters, which were used during the testing of the O.S. 120AX Special engine.

O.S. 120AX Special - Two Stroke Glow RPM

Static Thrust (lb)

Pitch Speed Sound Pressure (MPH) Level (dBA)

APC 15X10

8850

13.1

83.8

91.3

MA 15X10

8225

13.0

77.9

88.8

APC 15X11

8575

11.6

89.3

87.9

APC 15X12

8225

11.4

93.5

87.3

APC 16X8

8825

14.2

66.9

90.8

MA 16X8

8300

13.6

62.9

91.2

APC 16X10

8000

13.4

75.8

87.5 92.3

APC 17X6

8875

15.8

50.4

APC 17X6 Straight Ext

9125

16.7

51.8

APC 17X6 90-Deg Ext

9050

16.2

51.4

This table shows the top rpm, static thrust, pitch speed and decibel level achieved with each of the eight propellers tested, including two tests with optional muffler adapters.

2. A machined velocity stack is added to the carburetor to smooth and increase airflow into the carburetor and therefore into the engine. The longer intake tract created by adding the velocity stack also eliminates the potential for reversion, which was described above. 3. Compression is increased by using a 0.1-mm thick phosphor bronze head gasket, vs. the standard 120AX 0.4-mm-thick brass head gasket. These are the eight propellers used in the test, including six from APC and two from Master Airscrew. The 120AX Special was able to drive a wide variety of propeller sizes with only a small adjustment to the high-speed needle valve to compensate for the load differences.

RC SPORT FLYER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; november 2012

O.S. 120AX Special

Conclusions

 14  12

Static Thrust (lb) 

The O.S. 120AX Special is an excellent choice for a broad range of .91- to 1.20-size aircraft, where a powerful, compact, reliable and easy-to-tune engine is desired. The engine ran perfectly throughout all testing, and it idled extremely well and accelerated quickly even after an extended idle. Additionally, vibration levels are low for an engine of this size. As demonstrated in this review, the engine is happy to perform with a very broad range of propeller sizes. Please visit YouTube.com to see our videos of the 120AX Special tests. You can find them by searching for RCSportFlyer.

Thrust vs. Pitch Speed 

 16

 10  8 

 6

 

 4

  

 2  0

  

 10

 20

 30

 40

Type

2-stroke glow-ignition

 12

Displacement

1.218 in.3 (19.96 cc3)

Bore

1.197 in. (30.4 mm)

Stroke

1.083 in. (27.5mm)

Practical rpm

1800–9500

Power output

3.16 hp @ 9500 rpm

Spec. weight

23 oz (653 g) without muffler

Propeller

15 × 10–12, 16 × 8–10

Static Thrust (lb) 

 14

 Thrust vs. RPM

    

0  1,000

E5020 aluminum, dualchamber used

Cylinder type

Steel sleeve

 16

Carburetor

Type 70D

 14

Tower Hobbies P.O. Box 9078 Champaign, IL 61826-9078 800-637-4989 (orders) towerhobbies.com



2

Muffler type

O.S. Engines www.osengines.com



4

Glow fuel w/ 18% oil min, and 5–20% nitromethane



 2,000

 3,000

 4,000

 5,000



 6,000

 7,000

 8,000

 9,000

RPM

This graph shows how thrust relates to engine rpm for each of the eight propellers tested, not included are the two repeated tests with optional muffler adapters.

 Thrust vs. Throttle Position



 12

Static Thrust (lb)

Great Planes Model Distributors P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61826-9021 greatplanes.com



6

Fuel

Vendors

 90

8

5/16-24

Ball bearing

 80

 10

Crankshaft thread

Available at osengines.com or towerhobbies.com

 70

Pitch Speed (MPH)

Specifications

Crank type

 60

For maximum static thrust, the APC 17 x 6 composite propeller does a great job. For higher pitch-speed at the expense of some static thrust, the APC 15 x 11 and 15 x 12 both perform well. Ultimately, experimenting on your aircraft is the ideal way to choose the “best” propeller for your application.

 16

Mounting dimensions

 50



 10

8 

6

 

4

  

2 0

  

0

 10

 20

 30

 40

 50

 60

 70



 80

 90

 100

Throttle Stick Position (%)

This graph shows how thrust output varies with throttle position. To compare maximum thrust, just look at the right side of the graph at 100% throttle. Note that the thrust response is rapid from idle up to 20%, and then fairly linear from 20% to 80%, and not much more is gained going from 80% up to 100%. RC-SF.COM

BY Jerry Smith

Quarter-scale Six Months in the Making For this Beauty

edro Sanchez has a passion for warbirds! His hangar is full of them. His latest project has been a 1/4-scale Chance Vought F4U Corsair. The build started when Pedro was given an expensive handmade aluminum tail wheel by a friend. It was a perfect fit for a 1/4-scale Corsair. Then all he needed was an airplane to put it in. The tail wheel was the motivation Pedro needed to build the Corsair. He starting by using a set of Ziroli plans that he had blown up to 1/4-scale size. Pedroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corsair is built mostly of balsa and aircraft plywood. The wings, tail and fuselage were sheeted and glassed. Then rivets, spot welds and panel lines were added to detail it. The outer wing panels are fabric covered aft of the main spar, as are the ailerons, rudder and elevators. The unusual paint scheme and graphics bear the number of an aircraft that belonged to the Georgia squadron and was flown in the Pacific. Pedro found the details of the aircraft online. The 110-in. wingspan, 70-lb Corsair is powered with a mighty four-cylinder DLE 222 engine. It swings a Solo three-blade, 32-in.

RC SPORT FLYER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; november 2012

Quarter-scale Corsair

Corsair

RC-SF.COM

adjustable pitch propeller. Pedro’s Corsair has functional cowl flaps that are coordinated with the throttle control. It also has a functional sliding canopy, full cockpit instrumentation with a realistic pilot as well as auto trim tabs on the elevator. The Sierra Giant Scale retracts have door covers

that operate sequentially. The Corsair is controlled by a JR 11X that talks to a JR receiver. The model uses 12 servos to control the various functions. The Corsair even sports a retractable tail wheel. Oh yes, that expensive tail wheel that started the

The full cockpit, shown here with pilot and authentic instrument panel, adds much to the looks of Pedro’s Corsair. And yes, the canopy is functional. Note the rivets, spot welds and panel lines … lots of detail!

project rolling was found not to fit during the build! Pedro discovered that its location was too far aft as shown on the plans. In the correct location it fit perfectly. This project required a lot of work, but Pedro took only six months to complete it.

Here we see the functional trim tabs on the elevator—just for looks on the ailerons. The control surfaces are fabric covered with rib stitching and weathered for realism.

The $500 tail wheel that prompted Pedro to build this beautiful warbird. Manufactured by Tim Hughes, it has each part hand machined from aluminum and is fastened together with small screws—truly labor intensive but a work of art. I’m not kidding, he does get $500 for them.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Quarter-scale Corsair

Pedro Sanchez kneels proudly with his latest project—a 1/4-scale Chance Vought F4U Corsair that he built exceedingly well. Above, you can see he’s a good pilot too. RC-SF.COM

With Hitecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advance telemetry system, your communication with your model is out of this world! Providing more telemetric capabilities than any other system, our HTS-SS Advance Sensor Station and suite of sensors delivers the most reliable and comprehensive information possible. Compatible with Hitecâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing line of sensors, the HTS-ADVANCE also provides engine temperature via the HTS-ETEMP sensor, air speed via the HTS-AS sensor, sensitive rate-of-climb tracking via the HTS-VM sensor and servo performance via the HTS-SM sensor. Prepare to be a mind reader!

BY RC-SF Staff

18MZ Radio System High-end 2.4-GHz Performance with Telemetry

This feature-rich transmitter system delivers lots of programming power and an ergonomic design that gives you a competitive edge.

utaba’s new flagship radio system, the 18MZ, adds telemetry to the 2.4-GHz Futaba transmitter lineup. For those who are not familiar with it, telemetry is when an airplane’s transceiver communicates bi-directionally with the transmitter to provide real-time data from the airplane, glider or helicopter. The flight data can be information such as engine rpm, airspeed, altitude, current, temperature, rate of climb, battery voltage, GPS location or fuel level. The pilot or co-pilot can either read the information on a display or get the data audibly. Also, various alerts and alarms can be set to announce when a preset threshold is reached or crossed. For example, you can program the system so that the transmitter will vibrate whenever the battery voltage drops below a certain value. Telemetry is extremely useful for pilots and co-pilots. Not surprisingly, once you start to use it you will wonder how you managed to fly RC aircraft without it. While telemetry is a huge part of the new Futaba 18MZ transmitter, it is but one part of this new featurerich, extremely programmable system. In fact, one could argue that the Futaba 18MZ is one of the most capable 2.4-GHz transmitter systems now being sold in the USA. Its user interface, ergonomics, control sticks, levers and switching systems are extremely well engineered. While not the least expensive transmitter in the RC marketplace, this 18-channel system provides the programming power that the professional pilots demand and use to win contests. Let us explain why this new

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

system is worth every penny you’ll spend to buy it.

Package Contents

The 18MZ comes in a strong, attractive brushed aluminum case. All of the standard RC components are included: transmitter, wall charger, neck strap, switch harness and receiver. The transmitter is equipped with a 7.4-V 3500-mAh LiPo battery as standard with the system, which will provide six hours of run time.

The battery is easy to remove or replace too—just open the side cover on the side of the radio, lift the cover and slide it out. Futaba includes an extremely detailed and helpful 164-page printed manual, which is available as a PDF downloadable file. Even though the manual will explain how to use this new high-end transmitter system, the logic of the programming is so well engineered that programming the radio is nearly

Futaba® 18MZ Radio System Part 1 The 18MZ’s top end has four three-position switches, three volume controls, four sliders, four trimmers, two on/off switches and two ultra-smooth control sticks with tension adjustment.

intuitive. The manual comes with a removable clasp and is three-hole punched so it can be put into a binder if you’d like.

18MZ Transmitter

This is Futaba’s first 18-channel RC transmitter. It offers 16 proportional control channels and two digital ones. Most pilots will never need that many channels, but if you fly large-scale or model aircraft with complex control systems, the

Futaba 18MZ is a perfect choice. At 41 oz (1.16 kg), this transmitter is definitely heavier than some of the other transmitters in its class. The 18MZ’s case has a very utilitarian design to it, as does its touch-screen display. This Tx feels very solid in your hands and is surprisingly comfortable to use. The trim levers are well positioned, as are the three-position switches and four ratcheted sliders (two on the front and two on the sides). The on/off buttons are well

At 41 oz the Futaba 18MZ is not a lightweight transmitter, but its extra mass and excellent hand-hold design mean the transmitter will remain steady in your hands.

placed just above the neck strap clasp. There are three rotary volume controls just below the antenna base. The control sticks are ultra smooth, and each can be tensioned to fit the pilot’s preference. At the bottom of the touch screen are four rectangular buttons for System Menu, Linkage Menu, Model Menu and Return. Just below them is a rotary key for toggling between display functions. Finally, the durable handle at the rear top of the transmitter’s case makes for easy carrying. On the back of the radio is the trainer port. Below it you will find a small door that provides access to the headphone jack, charging port and direct connect for the S. BUS. On the transmitter side is a door that slides to the back of the radio, allowing access to the LiPo battery, two USB (universal serial bus) ports and the SD (secure digital) card, which in the case of this radio is 16 GB. No matter how you look at this transmitter system, it is engineered, designed and built for the serious RC pilot/competitor with solid, logical functionality. Its programming, ease of use and ergonomics will inspire an RC pilot’s confidence, as will the extremely solid, dependable Rf

As you can see, the sliders and switches are redundant from side to side. This gives the transmitter a balanced feel in your hands so you won’t be searching for a control. RC-SF.COM

The handle is well placed on the back of the radio and out of the way of the antenna. The sliders are accessible from the back of the case too, and the camera is built into the back.

communication between transmitter and receiver due to FASST technology. The 18MZ’s massive 6-in. (15cm) wide touch screen is bright and easy to read. The screen’s resolution is 640 x 240 pixels and provides RGB color. You will have no problems seeing this screen, even in bright sunlight—although polarized sunglasses can decrease its visibility. Even when compared with other high-end transmitter system, the variety of switch, knobs and sliders is outstanding and well placed. Note too that the unit not only provides the typical stick length and tension adjustments but control stick angle adjustment as well, which adds to the pilot’s hand comfort. You’ll discover that the entire gimbal assemblies can be adjusted out towards the pilot’s hands. Even more intriguing, the shoulder switches mount on removable assemblies. Consequently, it is easy to replace a threeposition switch with a momentary switch. Also, in case you drop your transmitter and break one of its switches, you no longer have to send in your transmitter to the service center for repair. You just order the switch you need and then plug it into its respective position. The 0.3 megapixel camera is built into the back of the transmitter so you can easily take a photo of your airplanes, which can then be associated with their programming.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

The transmitter’s controls are balanced from side to side. You can adjust the control sticks’ tensions by way of removable covers on the back of the transmitter and holes in the case.

The 18MZ offers you many connectivity options too. It has built-in USB ports that let you plug in a standard computer mouse and keyboard for ease of programming in your shop or home. Using the USB port, USB memory stick or SD memory card you can also upload model data, pictures and sounds to the transmitter. You can even take a picture of your model using the built-in 0.3-megapixel digital camera (on the back of the Tx’s case), which you can then associate with the

model’s data. The 18MZ lets you play stored music through a speaker or headset jack so you can fly your models to your favorite tunes. A built-in microphone lets you record short voice clips as well, which you can then associate with any of the transmitter’s switches. The audio file will play when the switch you’ve assigned to it is flipped. And, since assigned sound files are specific to a model, you will hear what each switch does when you toggle it. You can even chain together multiple audio

Futaba® 18MZ Radio System Part 1 clips to use a reminder of the maneuvers in an aerobatic sequence.

FASSTest

In addition to the laundry list of high-end features mentioned above, another reason to buy this transmitter system is its new telemetry support. The telemetry features were made possible through two complementary technologies: FASSTest and S.BUS2. FASSTest (Futaba Advanced Spread Spectrum Technology Extended System Telemetry) builds on the proven Futaba FASST technology. This is a true frequency-hopping, spread spectrum signal encoding scheme that has proven to be very robust against radio interference.

S.BUS2

The wall charger for the LiPo battery is functional for voltages from 100–240 V AC, with an output voltage of 12 V DC. It is included with the radio system and will work internationally.

You’ll get a switch harness and an S.BUS connector as well. Once you use this radio you’ll most likely be ordering more as you convert all your airplanes to 18MZ control.

The transmitter comes with a neck strap, adjustment

The radio comes with this R7008SB 18-channel receiver. It has two antennas for receiver signal diversity, which gives extremely good signal reception and radio link for telemetry.

tools, a stylus pen and a cleaning cloth for the touch Futaba’s S.BUS and screen. You’ll definitely want to keep these handy to S.BUS2 technologies use at the airfield. make complex airborne radio system installations a breeze. With a traditional receiver, every servo must be connected to the receiver via a servo lead. Alternatively, Futaba’s serial bus system employs a remote hub

You’ll get this case to carry your transmitter and accessories when traveling to and from the airfield. It is lightweight yet very durable. Inside are foam partitions for the transmitter, receiver and charger.

The Futaba 18MZ comes with a 164-page manual that provides all the information you will need to program your radio for ultimate control of your model aircraft.

architecture that dramatically simplifies installations. For example, with the 18MZ system, up to 18 servos can be daisy-chained together in a serial bus fashion, with only a single wire connecting them to the receiver. There is an unexpected bonus to these technologies too. A traditional receiver is limited by the number of physical servo connectors on it. An eight-channel receiver, for example, needs to have eight servo connectors on it. When your model is outfitted with the Futaba serial bus system, that is no longer the case. With S.BUS technology, any S.BUS receiver can handle any number of channels, up to the limit of the transmitter.

RC-SF.COM

Futaba® 18MZ Radio System Part 1 While S.BUS was a huge leap forward in RC receiver/ servo communications, it was not bidirectional. With the introduction of telemetry systems, Futaba opted for a new communication protocol defined as S.BUS2. S.BUS2 provides bidirectional communications between the receiver, the hubs and the servos as a way to pass telemetry data. This advance in bus technology makes it easier than ever to installed telemetry systems in any part of your aircraft because a telemetry device can simply be plugged into a bus slot position. Note that the new S.BUS2 serial bus system replaces, and is incompatible with, the older S.BUS technology.

R7008SB Receiver

The included R7008SB 2.4-GHz

receiver is a marvel of modern RC technology. Weighing only 11 g (0.39 oz), this receiver sports a full array of traditional servo connections (eight channels), an S.BUS port and an S.BUS2 port. In other words, if Futaba makes the servo or gyro, it can be connected to this receiver. If that weren’t enough, this receiver has another option. It can be configured so that it responds to transmitter channels 9–16 instead of channels 1-8. This feature allows you to configure your airplane with dual receivers so that the two onboard receivers share control of the airplane’s functions.

Conclusion

The Futaba 18MZ transmitter/ receiver system is absolutely outstanding. Its ergonomic design, This screen is the Model Menu. You are given many options for programming your model aircraft’s control functions and conditions, control mixes and control switches.

This is the main screen of the 18MZ, which appears when you boot up the radio system. Note the four buttons at the bottom for accessing the programming functions.

Here you see the System Menu, which lets you program and set functions that are specific to the system. It’s very similar to programming your computer’s system settings.

sophisticated programming set, extensive configurability, user interface, power system, control sticks and overall design are extremely impressive and functional. Holding the transmitter in one’s hands inspires confidence. Regardless of your aircraft’s control needs, the 18MZ has the power and performance to handle them.

Specifications Channels

18 (16 proportional and 2 digital)

Transmitter battery

7.4-V, 3500-mAh LiPo

Transmitting frequency

2.4 GHz

Signal encoding

FASSTest, FASST and S-FHSS

Model storage

Internal, USB memory stick, SD card

Transmitter weight

41.1 oz (1.16 kg)

Control sticks

Two

Trimmers

Four

Three-position switches

Four

Sliders

Four

Volume controls

Three

Programming buttons

Four

Rotary Control

One

USB Ports

Two

SD Slots

One

Camera

0.3 megapixel

Neck Strap

Yes

Receiver

R7008SB 2.4 GHz

Carry Case

Yes

Price

$2999.99

References Futaba 18MZ System futaba-rc.com/systems/18mz.html Futaba S.BUS2 Telemetry Sensors futabarc.com/accessories/futm0850.html Futaba Virtual 18MZ futaba-rc.com/systems/18mz_menu/index.html

This is just one of the many programming screens for setting up your model’s control functions. Simply touch the function you want to program. It is extremely intuitive!

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Distributor Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 greatplanes.com

WORLD FAMOUS PATTERN SUPPLIER

CENTRAL HOBBIES

www.centralhobbies.com Information (406) 259-9004 Mon-Sat: 10-6 Closed Sunday Orders only 1-800-723-5937 Fax (406) 259-4744 Prices subject to change • Shipping additional

YS DZ175 Sport $788.29

• Developed for serious aerobatics competition and just won the world championships. • Crankcase supercharging system • Conventional fuel pump adjustment • High horsepower output with long sevice life Displacement 28.87cc Bore 34mm Stroke 31.8mm Weight 960g

YS FZ115 Sport

YS FZ70 SPORT

$397.35

$319.97

New regulator design for ease of operation. Proven fuel injection system for a more consistent run.Ring sealed crankshaft to increase crankcase boost for more power. Same mounting pattern as YS110FZ-S Displacement 18.73cc Bore 30.4mm Stroke 25.8mm Weight 730g

NR4J RX NICD FL 4.8V FUTM1280 This is the NR4J Rechargeable NiCad Receiver Battery Pack for Futaba or compatible “J” style Radio Systems. This battery pack is shrinkwrapped with wire and connectors pre-installed. INCLUDES: One Receiver Battery Pack w/wire and “J” connector

The FZ70S is the most powerful 4 cycle engine of its size and was developed for sport flying as well as power demanding acrobatics. Supercharged system, Fuel injected,regulated and pressurized fuel system muffler. Displacement 11.45CC Bore 27.7 mm Stroke 19.0mm Weight (engine) 455g (muffler) 33g Practical RPM 2,000-15,000

RECEIVER BATTERY PACK 2S 7.4V 2600MAH LITHIUM-ION

Designed specifically for onboard receivers, combining economy withlithium dependability. Size: Approx. 2 9/16”L x 1 7/16W x 3/4”H Wt. 3.8oz/108 grams

$27.83

SPECS: Length: 2.25” Width: 1.97” Thickness: .56” Weight: 3.3 ounce Voltage: 4.8 Amperage: 600mAh Cell Size: AA

$17.99

HITEC PN 54117 RX NIMH BATTERY PACK 4 8V 1600 MAH Features: Flat pack with lime green shrink wrap and 22AWG lead wires with a Universal (serv0 type) connector Includes: One 4.8V 1600mh flat battery pack Requires: NiMH compatible charger Specs: Length: 2-1/4” (57mm) Width: 1/2” (13mm) Height: 2” (51mm) AA sized cells.

$24.99

NT8IB TX 9.6V 9VA/ H/6PNK FUTM1295 NT8IB Tx NiCd 9.6V 9VA/H/6NPK/FK 600mAh INCLUDES: One Square 9.6V, 600mAh Transmitter NiCd Battery w/J Connector SPECS: Length: 3-15/16” Width: 1-1/8” Height: 1-1/8”

$17.99

Regular Charge Rate: 50mAh for 15 hours Fast Charge Rate: 150mAh for 5 hours Weight: 180 grams November 2012

BY Anthony Richards

Aurora 9 High-End, Professional Performance at an Affordable Price

Because of the new 5.1-in. touch screen and excellent design, the front of the Aurora 9 has a clean look and is free of any extra buttons and switches.

hen flying a remote control (RC) aircraft, the pilot must be able to control it with ease for optimal performance. Options like retractable landing gear and flaps require a transmitter that can handle those function as well as the basic controls. Add programmable mixes along with 3D control functions, and the transmitter must have added control power. In today’s RC world pilots are starting to demand flight data to understand the aircraft’s realworld performance. There is a very powerful and affordable transmitter that can give you this power now and into the future. Enter the most sophisticated transmitter Hitec has produced to date, the simple-to-use Aurora 9. The Aurora 9 is an Adaptive Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (AFHSS) 2.4-GHz, PPM/PCMcompatible transmitter. It comes in an ergonomically designed, lightweight case that features a 5.1in. backlit touch screen. It includes nine assignable control channels. The control sticks have grip tips that fit one’s fingers or thumbs comfortably because of their flared tops and adjustable lengths. They deliver excellent control response due to their ball-bearing gimbals and adjustable tension controls. The Aurora nine-channel transmitter has memory storage for 30 models. It can be programmed for three different model types: ACRO for powered airplanes, GLID for gliders or HELI for helicopters. All the model types have programming functionality in depth with customizable menus. Once you’ve programmed an airplane setup into 74

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

memory, features like adjustable throttle-lock, channel functions, dual rates and exponentials, subtrim, servo reverse, mixes and other fine-tuning options give the pilot complete ease of control over an airplane’s flight handling and safety. Although the Aurora 9 is only compatible with Hitec Optima AFHSS 2.4-GHz receivers, it can use interchangeable 72-MHz FM and QPCM Spectra Pro modules. Because the built-in Aurora software allows for programming different 72-MHz channels through the transmitters

menu, pilots no longer have the hassle of removing and replacing the adaptor to swap channels. Battery options include the factory-installed six-cell, 2000-mAh NiMH, a six-cell NiCd or a two-cell LiPo battery pack. With the LiPo option, however, the battery must be removed from the transmitter for charging. The charger that is supplied with the transmitter is only meant for NiCd and NiMH packs. The stock charger is compatible with either 100 or 220 V DC. The charging port is found on the back of the transmitter.

Hitec Aurora 9 Part 1 A series of four toggle switches and two trimmers are at your fingertips. They can be used as channel controls or adjustment controls for your aircraft.

On the right top side are four toggles and one trimmer that function the same as those on the left to allow for the pilot’s control preferences.

When programming an aircraft’s parameters into the Aurora 9, certain channels will be automatically assigned to specific switches, but can be re-assigned to other controls later.

The charger is designed to charge a 4.8-V receiver pack as well. Touch screen navigation is easy! You simply touch the word or icon on the display to access menus. Then you’ll adjust values in the same fashion by touching the screen appropriately. The touch screen eliminates the need for extra buttons, which leaves the front of the transmitter clean. Accessing the system menu and sub-menus is done by touching the wrench icon on the screen. It’s extremely intuitive navigation. The home screen menu provides easy-to-read model number, name and type information on top of live data that may come from your model’s onboard telemetry. All screens are organized well and provide excellent pilot information and feedback. The transmitter comes with the now-standard digital trims and programmable sub-trims. They RC-SF.COM

provide you micro-increment adjustments as small as 0.025 degrees or as large as five degrees per step. The trims can also be mixed to control surfaces, such as syncing aileron and rudder trim. Programming an aircraft’s control setting is a piece of cake with the Aurora 9’s simple setup procedure. You’ll begin by using the system menu, which lets you create a new entry in the model selection screen. Next you can name the new entry using up to 20 characters. From there, the corresponding model, wing, tail and engine types for the aircraft are selectable. If the aircraft has retracts, an air brake or a fuel control, you are given the option to enter that information. After that, you can preview what channels on the transmitter are assigned to specific functions on the aircraft and decide if the configuration is what you want to save. Once done, a few taps on the

The arrangement of the left top side control switches and toggles allows for easy simultaneous operation without having to disengage the control stick.

The addition of a slider control on the left side of the Aurora 9 allows for smooth input to variable aircraft controls such as flaps, or for mixing controls in flight.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Should you want to control a transmitter function as well as varying the flaps, an additional slider volume is found on the opposite side of the transmitter, and is easy to access.

Hitec Aurora 9 part 1 The same comfortable control switch layout is mirrored on the right top side of the Aurora 9 so the switches are easy to access for control.

back (exit) icon and the transmitter is ready for use. Also you can customize servo reversals, sub-trim, endpoint adjustment, dual rates and exponentials for your specific model. When programming dual rates and exponentials, a graph is shown to give the pilot a visual of how smooth or coarse the adjustments are for a specified control. Special advanced settings give

helicopter pilots the option to set needle control, governor, rudder/ throttle mix, servo speed, swash/ throttle mix and gyro sensitivity to further the control of the aircraft. Other specialty settings allow glider pilots to assign air brakes or flaps to a toggle switch, as well as launch mixes for the ailerons, flaps and elevators to other switches. These adjustments are specific to each model type you will program, so for

The interchangeable 72-MHz and 2.4-GHz signal modules provide the Aurora 9 with a wide range of receiver compatibility and allow quick swapping between either signal.

the multi-talented helicopter and aerobatic pilot, switching settings from one aircraft type to another is done when switching between models. Veteran RC pilots will appreciate the flight condition options with seven customizable modes and the default “Normal” mode. What makes this feature unique to the Aurora 9 is that a switch can be programmed to toggle between different flight conditions, such as shifting from the normal mode to a customized 3D mode. Aircraft control assignments aren’t all that can be programmed into the transmitter’s memory either. The transmitter’s power settings are programmable too, so you can customize how long the backlight remains on and enable or disable auto power off to save on battery life. When running the Aurora 9 on a LiPo pack, you can reprogram the low-voltage alarm value. This will save the LiPo battery from being drawn too low, which could ruin it. Also, should you be an international buyer of the transmitter, you can switch the transmitter control modes between three continental locations. With the nearly unlimited programmable control and functions that can fine-tune any RC pilots airplane, glider or helicopter, the Hitec Aurora 9 is a superb value. At an online price of only $399.99 for

A single 7.2-V NiMH battery pack powers the Aurora 9, but if you want you can change out the battery for a two-cell LiPo pack, although you must remove it for charging. RC-SF.COM

an Aurora 9 2.4-GHz transmitter and Optima 7 receiver, you’re not breaking the bank or wasting an extra cent. You will, however, get the control power to unlock any aircraft’s true potential. Finally, the fact that the Aurora 9 is telemetry compatible really underscores its value. Now you can get on-screen, real-time telemetry information from your aircraft flight systems and parameters. This information can be used in a multitude of ways. The bottom line is that when you are flying your model airplanes with a new Aurora ninechannel transmitter you will know exactly what your aircraft is doing at all times.

A nine-channel Hitec Optima 9 AFHSS 2.4-GHz receiver with telemetry support comes with the transmitter to be used in any future aircraft.

Hitec includes a CG-S45 wall charger. It can charge both the 7.2-V transmitter battery and a four-cell receiver battery pack.

You will be asked to confirm the frequency the transmitter will transmit after powering on, as shown here with the 2.4-GHz module installed.

The model menu provides for programming in depth, allowing you to adjust anything from servo reversals and sub-trim values to throttle cut at a single touch.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

The programming interface is organized with a series of icons that lead to sub-menus for model selection, trim setup, transmitter mode adjustments and so forth.

Hitec Aurora 9 part 1

Features • AFHSS 2.4-GHz PPM / PCM Compatible • Easy to Read 5.1-in. Wide Backlit Touch Screen • Customizable Menus • One-Stop Model Type Setting • 3 Multi-Tasking Digital Trims • Fully Assignable Control Switch, Knob, Stick and Digital Trims • Highly Sensitive 8 Ball-Bearing Gimbals with Adjustable Tension • Full-Sized Comfortable Hand Grips Featuring Top Quality Elastomer • Selectable Control Stick Mode / Change Hardware without Opening Case • Power Management System (adjustable backlight & auto shut-off) • Digital Trim Nano-Adjuster (approx. 0.025deg per step up to 5 deg)

Advanced ACRO Programming • 9 Wing Type (6 main wings, 3 flying wings) • 5 Tail Type (main wing: Normal, V-Tail, Ailevator) (flying wing: 1 servo rudder, 2 servo rudders) • Quick Model Options Select (dual engine, retracts gear, airbrake, fuel mixture) • 7 Point Throttle Curve* • Throttle Cut • Idle Down • Fuel Mixture* • Airbrake • Airbrake to Elevator Mix** • Aileron to Rudder Mix** • Elevator to Camber Mix** • Rudder to Aileron Mix** • Aileron Differential* • Aileron to Flap Mix** • Camber Mix** • Flap Control* • 3 x Gyro Sensitivity (ex: AILE/ELEV/ RUDD)* • Snap-Roll (4-way switching multi direction)** • V-Tail** • Delta Mix** • Ailevator**

Standard Programming Features • 9 Assignable Control Channels • 3 Model Types (ACRO/GLID/HELI) Programming • 30 Model Memories • 20 Character model name • 8 Flight Conditions with 10 Characters • Throttle Lock • Fail-safe • Channel Function • EPA • Dual Rate & EXP* • Sub-Trim • Servo Reverse • Servo Speed (up to 25 sec in each direction) • Servo Monitor (Monitor & Servo Test) • 8 Programmable Mixes (5 x 2-Point , 3 x 7-Point Curves)** • Trainer Port

Advanced HELI Programming • 6 Swash Types (90° Type: 1 Servo, 3 Servos, 4 Servos; 120° Type: 3 Servos; 140° Type: 3 Servos; 180° Type: 2 Servos • Quick Model Options Select (governor, needle control, fuel mixture) • 7 Point Pitch Curve* • 7 Point Throttle Curve* • Throttle Cut • Gyro Sensitivity* • Needle Control* • Swash to Throttle Mix* • Rudder to Throttle Mix* • Fuel Mixture* • Throttle Hold*** • Swash Mix (swash rate/calibration )*** • Revolution Mix* • Governor (three rates)*

* Capable of a maximum of 24 rates by 8 flight conditions and 3 switch positions ** Capable of a maximum of 8 rates by 8 flight conditions *** Capable of a maximum of 3 rates using 3 switch positions

Advanced GLIDER Programming • 9 wing Type (6 main wings, 3 flying wings) • Five Tail Type (main wing: Normal, V-Tail, Ailevator) (flying wing: 1 servo rudder, 2 servo rudders) • Quick Model Options Select (motor, retracts gear, airbrake) • Motor Control (switch on/off)** • Airbrake • Airbrake to Elevator Mix** • Aileron to Rudder Mix** • Elevator to Camber Mix** • Rudder to Aileron Mix** • Aileron Differential* • Aileron to Flap Mix** • Launch (stick position auto cut function)** • Camber Mix** • Flap Control* • 3 x Gyro Sensitivity (ex: AILE/ELEV/ RUDD)* • Butterfly** • V-Tail** • Delta Mix** • Ailevator**

Specifications Dimensions

57x21x12-mm.

Weight

924-g.

Channels

Memory

30 models

Modulation

AFHSS 2.4GHz / PPM / PCM

Battery

7.2-V 6-cell 2000-mAh NiMH (Or 7.4-V 2-cell Li-Po)

Charger

NiCd/NiMH 100/220-V DC charger w/4.8-V Rx lead

Screen

5.1 in.

Digital Trims

Trainer Port

Yes

Modes

1/2/3

Telemetry

Yes

Price

$399.99

Distributor Hitec RCD 12115 Paine Street Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-6948 hitecrcd.com

RC-SF.COM

BY RC-SF Staff

The Professional’s Radio Pick with Real-time Telemetry Built In

DX18

C pilots continually push the outside of the performance envelope with their aircraft and control hardware. They just won’t settle for second best! RCers are designers, builders and most importantly innovators. As such, they are constantly seeking RC systems that let their aircraft go above and beyond what they were previously capable of doing. Spektrum’s new DX18 is a prime example of how the industry is continually striving to make better products for RC consumers. The new DX18 is innovative, has superb design lines and is built to last well into the future. What we found in this new system is pretty riveting. Spektrum’s new system is certainly going to change

The case design provides superb ergonomics for the pilot, with the sticks, switches, sliders and trimmers well placed.

the way you interact with your aircraft, as well as how you control them. Here’s the lowdown.

What You Get • • • • • • • • • •

18-channel transmitter 2600-mAh LiPo (Installed) 12-V DC Global power supply SPMAR9020 9-channel receiver DX18 Neck Strap Hex Wrench Decal Sheet SD Card Bind plug Manual

Ergonomics The left top side of the transmitter sports three 3-position switches and one 2-position switch, plus the bind button and a trimmer.

The right top side of the transmitter sports three 3-position switches and one 2-position switch, plus a potentiometer and a trimmer.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Let’s start our review by telling you that the case of the new DX18 is unlike any you’ve seen. It is lightweight and has an excellent

Spektrum DX18 part 1 feel in your hands. The rubber sides and rear grips give you a secure hold on it. The sticks are well positioned for either thumb or thumb and finger control. The sticks are adjustable both in height and tension, and their tops are machine serrated to enhance the grip between thumb and stick, which augments the control feel greatly. The trim levers for the digital trims for channels 1, 2, 3 and 4 are well placed below and adjoining the sticks’ positions at the center of the case. The on/off Here you see how the top left side of the transmitter Here is how the right top side of the transmitter is switch sits in a recess is laid out. Notice that 2-position and 3-position laid out. Again notice the lettering to identify the just above the neck switches are identified by letters. control switches. strap loop. The neck strap loop is situated The switches and slider on the left antenna, with another in the case. The so the radio lies horizontally when top of the transmitter are mirrored access points for adjusting tension it is around your neck. At the top on the top right of the transmitter, in the sticks are on the back as well, left of the transmitter’s case are with the exception of the long handle with some points hidden beneath three 3-position switches and one toggle snap switch in the very top the hand grips. The trainer port is 2-position switch, plus the bind back position. There is also a rotary located just above the battery cover. button and the left trimmer. The knob positioned on the top right To get to the SD slot, however, you’ll two long handle toggles in the group position of the radio, adjoining the need to remove the battery cover let you recognize them by feel only. two toggle switches. All the switches and investigate the bottom of the There is a rotary slider control on on both side of the transmitter are transmitter. the left top side of the case, which positioned so that the pilot will The LCD screen on the radio uses indent positioning. It is very recognize their function by feel only. measures 3.4 x 1.55 in. of viewable easy to access with your index finger The carry handle is located on the area. To its left are the speaker without taking your thumb off the back of the radio. It also houses on grill, the Back button and the Clear control stick.

The right side of the transmitter has the rotary slider plus the charging port. The sides of the transmitter are rubber, which enhances your grip.

This shows you the left side of the transmitter. A helpful feature is that the control sticks’ tops are machine serrated for a better thumb grip. RC-SF.COM

The back of the radio gives you access to the stick tensioners, the trainer port and the battery box, which also houses the SD slot.

button. The rubberized rolling selector to the right of the LCD screen enhances the thumb grip. The DX18 is very well designed and laid out in terms of fit and feel in one’s hands. We especially like the positioning of the sticks and the control switches. They have a comfortable, user-friendly feel.

How To

Your DX18 transmitter will come with a 2S 7.4-V 2600-mAh LiPo battery pack, which lowers Tx weight yet provides long run time.

have eight sub-menus from which to choose. The functions are: Servo Setup, D/R and Expo, Mixing, Sequencer, Range Test, Timer, Telemetry and Monitor. In the submenus you can program specific functions to the needs of an aircraft. For example, if you want to program the Telemetry Function you navigate to Telemetry, select it and then scroll the telemetry function you want to enable or disable. It is quite easy to understand the programming logic of the DX18. Of course, the 42-page manual will help as well. The manual is

If you’ve used a Spektrum radio before you know that to enter the System Setup you need to hold down the rolling selector and then turn on the radio. The start-up screen will let you select from 18 sub-menus. They include Model Select, Model Type, Model Name, F-Mode Setup and Channel Assign. Using the Back button will step the radio’s programming sequence back one selection at a time. Pressing it at the System Setup, however, will take you out of that selection and into the Main Screen. At the Main Screen you will see the trim values, battery voltage, aircraft type and telemetry information. When the radio is in normal operation, pressing the rolling selector will take the You get a 110 to 240 volts AC wall charger for radio into the Function the DX18, so you can use it even when you are at List. There you will international competitions. 82

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

The DX18 comes with an AR9020 receiver and two satellite receivers. It also comes with a 256-MB SD card—we upgraded to 2 GB, but it is not required.

You’ll get a 42-page manual plus a nice sheet of decals that you can dress up your airplane with to look like a Pro pilot.

Spektrum DX18 part 1

The Function List provides you with all the functions that you’ll want for any of your airplanes.

Features • • • • •

The transmitter’s Main Screen shows you the battery voltage, trim positions, airplane type and a timer display.

System Setup is where you will select and set up those parameters that are specific to the radio’s operating system.

available as a PDF download too, so you can scope out the features and function of the radio by reading it.

Value

Priced at only $799.99, the DX18 is a great value. This is especially so when you consider that the transmitter incorporates Airware™ and X-Plus™ technologies, plus telemetry. Airware is Spektrum’s programming architecture, which makes navigation of the menus and programming easy by way of the SimpleScroll™ interface. X-Plus lets you add eight extra channels of control to your receiver system when you are using the DX18 mated with the AR9020 receiver. In that case you just plug a module into the AR9020 and bind it to the DX18’s guide-coded signal. It is straight up, as they say. The DX18 is the perfect pick for pilots who are looking to upgrade their system or who need extra control channels for an airplane, sailplane or helicopter. Spektrum now offers the DX18QQ, a special-

edition transmitter that builds on the capabilities of Spektrum™ technology with refinements shaped by World Champion pilot Quique Somenzini.

Specifications

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

50-model memory Built-in telemetry with vibe alerts Extensive airplane, helicopter and sailplane programming Throttle start or switch start timer Regional settings for global compliance 16 programmable mixes Flap delay and elevator compensation 10 airplane wing types 6 airplane tail types 5 airplane and heli flight modes Dual rates and expo Active gyro trim 7-point heli throttle curve 7-point heli pitch curve 7-point heli tail curve 6 swashplate types Swashplate timing 5 sailplane wing types 3 sailplane tail types 10 sailplane flight modes Global charging system X-Plus™ technology expandability up to 18 channels 11-ms frame rate Large LCD screen 2048 resolution on the first 10 channels Language selectable

Distributor Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 horizonhobby.com spektrumrc.com

Band

2.4 GHz (DSM2 & DSMX)

Channels

Battery

2600-mAh LiPo

Charger

Global

Computer Radio

Yes

Experience Level

Advanced

AR9020 Specifications

Frame Rate

11/22 ms

Weight

0.42 oz (11.9 g)

Model Memory

Voltage Range

3.5–9.6 V

Model Types

Airplane/Helicopter/ Sailplane

Length

1.61 in. (41 mm)

Width

0.91 in. (23 mm)

Height

0.79 in. (20 mm)

Range

Full

Channels

Telemetry

Yes

Receivers

One internal and two remote, with optional third

Resolution

2048

Frame Rate

11 ms

Modes

User Selectable Mode 2, 4

Modulation

DSM2/DSMX

Range

Full

Receiver

AR9020

Resolution

2048 on the first 10 channels

Servos

None included

Telemetry

Yes

Price

$799.99

RC-SF.COM

BY Anthony Richards

XG11

op-level pilots fly the biggest, fastest and most complex and competitive model aircraft available today. They demand an RC transmitter that has the most programming power available— one with high-end control mixing, three control rates, precise control sticks, low latency and a system that allows for fine-tuning adjustments to control surfaces and functions. Control over nearly every variable of their complex and intricate aircraft is essential. The Japanese Remote Control Company (JR) has long recognized the demands of these pilots. JR has been in business many, many years. It has an outstanding reputation in the RC business, having produced high-end, high-quality radio equipment for the world’s best RC pilots. JR manufactures transmitters, servos, receivers, programmable robots and other electronics. It was also a pioneer in the area of 2.4-GHz radio systems. Now JR is introducing its new flagship radio system, the XG11.

What You Get

The ergonomic design of the XG11 is best seen in the easy-to-reach placement of the throttle stick, trim tabs and corner switches.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

The new XG11 comes in a sturdy box that has two styrofoam shells to safely encase the transmitter and the accessory equipment. My XG11 radio for this review arrived in perfect condition. Inside the box was a JR Propo RG1131B 11-channel DMSS receiver, which is purposely built to work with the XG11. The receiver features two coaxial antennas and a remote antenna that is designed to take advantage of the XG11’s new spread spectrum technology and telemetry. Operating each switch with the index finger and The transmitter moving the sticks with the thumbs are accomplished comes equipped with by feel—you need not look down!

JR XG11 Part I a 2S 6.4-V 1400-mAh LiFe battery installed. A wall charger that can adapt to voltages from 100–240 V at 50–60 cycles, and that delivers 1.3-amp, 9 V DC, is included. The LiFe battery is lightweight and is charged through a regulated control circuit built into the transmitter. A 124-page user’s manual is provided and is also available as a PDF download from jrradios.com. It provides extensive details on how to program the transmitter for airplanes, helicopters and gliders. It is an easyto-follow instruction set, with stepby-step procedures for programming the XG11 for all types of aircraft. The manual includes illustrations alongside the text to guide you through specific procedures. A packet of tools and hardware for adjusting the stick plates and a bind plug are included in the XG11’s package as well.

The controls are built around the pilot’s hands. The switches and sliders are comfortable to reach with the index fingers.

Showcasing the special attention paid by JR, the placement of the rear sliders and snap switches complements the transmitter’s handholds.

What DMSS Is

The JR XG11 11-channel transmitter incorporates a 2.4-GHz system called the Dual Modulation Spectrum System (DMSS). DMSS uses broadband frequency hopping over a spread spectrum rather than the conventional hopping over a narrow band. This ensures that when RF noise or competing noise is present, the control signal will reach the receiver intact. Unlike most other 2.4-GHz systems, DMSS uses a wide band RF transmission that runs across a true spread spectrum, so its signal is durable and resists RF noise. The radio’s DMSS-equipped receivers also make use of dual coaxial antennas and a remote receiver to allow for operation in any RF environment. Two-way communication between the transmitter and receiver allows for the receiver to transmit aircraft flight data back to the transmitter via a built-in telemetry system. The telemetry data is displayed in real time on the transmitter’s LCD screen—very cool! Note that the XG11‘s new E-Z Bind system eliminates the need for a bind plug in specific park flyer receivers. You only need to turn on the transmitter, and after three seconds the receiver will recognize

The opposite side mirrors the right side design. Switches, stick, trim tabs and menu buttons can all be toggled effortlessly.

the RF signal from the transmitter and automatically bind to its 2.4-GHz signal.

The Transmitter

You can see that the XG11 has a clean, ergonomic design that is enhanced by a metallic face with very little clutter in design. The large backlit screen is easy to read and displays all of the programming

information in an easy-to-understand logic system. The XG11’s case is plated in a great-looking titanium finish that is extremely durable. At 2 lb (32 oz) with the LiFe battery installed, the transmitter is lightweight and easy to hold. Your hands will conform to the case and its grip pads, which provide a natural and comfortable hold. The on/ off switch is well positioned in the RC-SF.COM

An excellent mate for the XG11, the JR RG1131B 11-channel DMSS 2.4-GHz receiver is included in the transmitter package.

center of the transmitter, just above the LCD screen. The control sticks are well positioned too. They are adjustable and have serrated machine tops that help you grip them easily and securely—no slipping off the top with these. The sticks’ gimbal are smooth and accurate, with adjustable tensions—but you must remove the case back to adjust them. The trimmers are located in the typical fashion below and to the sides of the sticks. They are easy to reach and comfortable to use. Placed at the top left of the transmitter’s case are two three-position switches and two twoposition switches. Two long toggles in the cluster as well help you recognize them by feel. There is a slider control, which uses indent positioning, on the top back of the transmitter. You can easily access it with your index finger. There is also a trimmer position to the right on the long toggle on the front of the transmitter. A mirror image of the switches, trimmer and controls is positioned at the top right of the transmitter, with the exception of the long toggle snap switch on the very top back position. There is another slider in the mirrored position from that of the one on the left. All the switches on either side of the transmitter are positioned so that the pilot will recognize their function by feel only. On both sides of the transmitter’s top are indents where switch identification stickers can be placed. Stickers can reference default control assignments for their corresponding switches. They are useful if you’re going to be flying without any 86

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

The battery charger accompanies the included hardware kit, tool and bind plugs that are all bundled in with the XG11.

customized control assignments, but for most pilots the stickers won’t help much because different models may have switch assignments. On the transmitter’s back, the module appears to be removable, but it is not. A direct servo connection (DSC) port is located right below the module, and the battery compartment is located at the very bottom of the backside. To remove it you must slide the cover down by grasping and pulling. The 6.4-V 1400-mAh battery fits snuggly in a foam receptacle. There is an SD card reader slot on the circuit board just to the right of the battery lead’s connector. It is easy to add and remove an SD card to the slot, but you’ll want to remove the battery first. The case has a built-in handle on its back. When you pick up the transmitter by the handle, the transmitter rolls away from the antenna, which helps protect it from accidental damage. The antenna folds to the side as is now typical with most 2.4-GHz radio systems, keeping it out of the way of damage as well.

How It Works

Navigating the programming menus is easy. It follows in the logic of other JR radio systems in using ladder logic. For example, to enter the System Menu you would hold down the E function keys to the left

A detailed manual comes with the transmitter, providing easy-to-follow instructions and illustrations for operation.

of the LCD screen and then turn on the radio. Or navigate to System Menu from second page of the Function List. Once in the System Menu there are 20 programming options available. They include: Model Select, Copy/Erase, Type Select, Model Name, F-Mode Name and so forth. You can navigate through these programming menus with the well-placed rolling selector, which operates by rolling and clicking. To enter the Function List you simply press the LST button, which is the second button down on the four to the left of the LCD. It is marked with a large L. The Function List includes 25 options for programming. They include such functions as D/R & Exp, Travel Adj, Limit Adj, Sub Trim, Servo Speed, Mixes and Pitch Curve. Again, you will navigate through these programming menus with the rolling selector. It is quite easy to program this transmitter system once you understand that there is a System Menu for setting up the aircraft and a Function List as well.

Buy

If you are looking to upgrade to a radio that offers competitive or world-class pilot level performance, the new JR XG11 transmitter is one to consider. It is truly packed with programming power and performance. It has a rugged and durable design that will give you

JR XG11 Part 1 Key Features • • • • • • The System Menu is home to the sub-menus that let you program the basic functions of the controls like model type and name.

• • • • • •

When programming an aircraft’s parameters into the transmitter, you must select the type— helicopter, airplane or glider.

• • • • • • •

The main screen displays what a pilot needs to see while flying, i.e., digital trims, battery voltage, flight time and telemetric data.

The Function List is easy to access. It contains sub-menus to adjust features like dual rates, subtrim, throttle hold and so on.

literally years of service. Moreover, this new radio is absolutely priced right at only $849.99. If there were one thing I would want for my new JR XG11 it would be a matching case. However, I found one on the JR website for only $64.99, so all is good.

Distributor Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 horizonhobby.com jrradios.com

Titanium black plating offers a robust, durable finish Large, backlit LCD screen 30-model internal memory Airplane, helicopter and glider program options SD card slot for data sharing, storage and updates (SD card required) Li-Fe 6.4-V 2S 1400-mAh transmitter battery pack Integrated charging circuit 9-V AC/DC adapter supplied with automatic shutdown Easily adapts to stick modes 1–4 Data entry via scroll bar and four push-button keys Telemetry with receiver voltage sensor built in, optional telemetry sensors available 5-point mixing curves with midpoint adjustment 3-axis gyro remote sensitivity adjustment Balance function for multiple servo setups Dual trim options Dual side slide-lever controls Touch Select System for switch selection 11-channel failsafe Three independent programmable timers

Specifications Channels

Modulation

DMSS

Frequency

2.4 GHz

Programming

Airplane, sailplane, helicopter

Model Memories

Modes

1, 2, 3, 4 (selectable)

Battery

6.4-V 1400-mAh LiFe

Receiver

RG1131B 11-channel

SD Slot

Yes

3-position switches

2-position switches

Momentary switches

Trimmers

Sliders

Telemetry

Yes

Price

$849.99

RC-SF.COM

BY RC-SF Staff

DUPLEX DC-16 A Fresh, Functional Face in an RC Transmitter & Receiver

ETI model Company is known in the RC world for their speed controllers and motors. JETI has been in business since 1993 when Mr. Jelen and Mr. Tinka formed a partnership to produce electronic speed controllers. The company has grown significantly since then and now offers a range of electronic components that use surface mount technology. Their latest entry into the RC market is duplex transmitters and receivers, including the new and exciting DC-16. The DC-16 is a paradigm shift in transmitter design and technology. It was built from the ground up by a team of professional pilots and world champions. The project plan was to create a transmitter/ receiver system that would provide an optimized user interface and programming

The DC-16 design goes back to the basics, giving you function and features before form. The control sticks, switches, sliders and programming buttons are very well positioned.

options yet be extremely durable and easy to program.

In the Case

What you get when you open the sturdy aluminum case is a 16-channel transmitter housed in an inner foam case. There is an R9 nine-channel receiver and a 100- to 240-V AC wall charger. Also, a 6-ft-long, five-pin mini-B USB cable is included, which provides the transmitter to computer connection when needed. On the top of the radio you have the antennas buried inside the handle. To the right of the handle is the mini-USB port, while to the left is the charging female receptacle.

RC SPORT FLYER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; november 2012

Jeti USA DUPLEX DC-16 Part I

In the upper right corner of the case’s face are two three-position and two two-position switches. There is also a rotary knob with a slider on the right side of the case.

Our review radio came with a very well-made, carbon simulated transmitter tray. We also ordered some of the telemetry gear including: a four-channel expander, USBa, GPS, variometer, voltage sensor, speed sensor, voltage and current sensor and battery voltage sensor.

Transmitter Design

The DC-16 transmitter is built around an extremely rugged and durable aluminum case. It includes two control sticks with adjustable lengths as well as tensions. They are metal quad-ball-raced sticks that use Hall sensors to provide maximum control sensitivity and friction-free

The upper left face of the transmitter is a mirror image of the right in both position and function. Notice the numbering, which represents the switches and channels.

movement. The control feel is silky smooth—almost unusually so. At the center top of the front panel is a 3.8-in. backlit LCD display. It provides a clear, legible screen that you can see in any lighting condition. Just below the LCD screen are five function buttons (F1–F5) that you will use to start timers, clear settings, navigate around the boot-up screen and move left and right in the on-screen menus. To the immediate left and right of the function buttons are one each three-position toggle switches. The power button is positioned just below the navigation buttons. In the upper right corner of the transmitter’s face are four

In the lower right corner of the transmitter’s face is the menu, rotary selector with selection button and the esc key. In combination these are super easy to use when programming the Tx.

toggle switches—two are threeposition and two are two-position. Adjoining these switches, but to their lower left, is a rotary knob you can program for a specific function. The switches and knobs are mirrored on the upper left side of the transmitter. Below and just slightly to the left of the right control stick (channels 1 and 2) are the digital trims for this stick. Again, it is mirrored for the left stick (channels 3 and 4). On both the upper right and left sides of the aluminum case are slide levers, which are smooth and friction free. In the lower right position of the case are the menu and escape buttons with the 3D wheel positioned between

In the lower left corner of the transmitter are the speaker and headphones jack. The speaker is plenty loud, and the headphones and sounds will help you when using telemetry systems.

RC-SF.COM

them. In the bottom left corner of the transmitter’s face is the speaker with a headphone jack positioned to its lower right. On the top of the transmitter is the antenna, which also serves as a carrying handle. A mini-USB port is situated to the right of the antenna, and a charge port is to the antenna’s left. All the switches are labeled on the case from sa through sj. Also, the control numbers are marked, as are the trims, menu and escape buttons and phones. Consequently, you can look at the radio and know what toggle, knob or lever belongs to a specific control function. It is extremely well laid out. When we put the transmitter on the scales it weighed in at 51 oz. So, we recommend you buy the transmitter tray, which will help you be more steady at the control sticks—that is once you get used to the idea of using a tray. This photo give you an oblique look at the right side of the transmitter. Notice how the slider is machinefitted into the right side of the case. It is ultra smooth to operate too.

Basics

Booting up the DC-16 is easy. You simply press the power button for about one second and then confirm that you want to turn it on by pressing the Yes function button. Once the radio has started, the LCD screen displays the battery voltage as a percentage, the name of the model and the page number you are on in the model selection. There is an Opt. (option) function, a left and right arrow for the pages, a Start and a Clr (clear) command. To enter the menu

you simply press the menu button in the lower right of the transmitter’s face. You can then move up and down the Main Menu with the 3D wheel. Your options there are: Model, Fine Tuning, Advanced Properties, Timers/ Sensors and System. You can also select the User at this screen as well as the throttle lock and the servo

There is nothing magical about the back cover. It is function before form again. It is, however, super easy to remove to get into the transmitter to make adjustments and change switches.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

display for all available channels. Using the esc (escape) button gets you right back to the boot-up screen. Any selection in the Main Menu is done by pressing down on the selection button that sits atop the 3D wheel. For example, if you select Fine Tuning and press the selection button, the radio will advance to the Fine Tuning

You may not need this manual because the DC-16 is extremely intuitive to program. However, it will aid you when you want to program complex control functions and features.

Jeti USA DUPLEX DC-16 Part I programming section. There you have available Flight Modes, Digital Trims, Flight Mode Trim, Dual Rate/Exponential, Function Curves, Aileron Differential, Butterfly and Free Mixes. Although we are not going to delve into the programming of the radio in this review, we’ll be doing two more reviews of each of the radios in this issue to Here you see what the DUPLEX R9 receivers look The DC-16 uses a wall type charger. However, this provide you with a really like, including their bind plug. The receivers use charger is designed specifically to charge the 3.6-V two antennas for redundancy and bi-directional 3200-mAh Li-Ion battery that the transmitter uses in-depth report on these communications. for power. new radio systems. The DUPLEX DC-16 radio control system is equipped with an outstanding telemetric data transfer system, which displays the in-flight data from the airplane on the LCD screen. Alternatively, the data can be saved for later analysis on a PC. The transmitter also allows you to set up audible notifications, which can be related to You’ll likely want to buy the optional transmitter tray When you buy the DUPLEX DC-16 transmitter you for your DC-16. The DC-16 weighs in at 51 oz, and get a very durable aluminum case to carry it, the actual telemetric values its design lends itself to the tray, which will also help charger and several receivers. It is lined with foam to or to sound alarms or steady your control of the aircraft. protect the transmitter against damage. signals. These values would be assigned to conditions of various control elements such as low battery, altitude, airspeed and so forth. You get to pick what you want these alarms to do for you and your aircraft. What is important for you to know is that the DC-16’s telemetry systems are easy to set up and are invaluable in both flying your Here is the screen that appears when the transmitter boots up. It is clear and easy to read. You will navigate away from this screen to program the transmitter or check settings. aircraft and possibly saving it from a catastrophic situation such as a dead battery or dangerous speed.

A Paradigm Shift

The new DC-16 transmitter is somewhat of a paradigm shift in terms of programming, functions and features. Although it gives you the ultimate in control response and sensitivity for your model, what really separates this radio from the others is its look, feel and easy of programming. We found it so intuitive

This is the Main Menu. As you can see there are five options to choose. At the bottom of the screen you can select the User or Throttle Lock and see the status of the servos’ positions. RC-SF.COM

Jeti USA DUPLEX DC-16 Part 1 to program that you might not even need the manual. We also learned that Gernot Bruckmann is now flying the Jeti DC16 system. As you may have read he walked away from the Clover Creek Invitational event with $20,000. Gernot is also a three-time Tucson Shootout Freestyle champion as well as the German Acro Cup winner.

So, it is safe to say his DC-16 gets a workout and then some. Obviously this transmitter/ receiver system is not for everyone. However, if you’re looking for a radio system that offers options, this is a radio worth investigating. Priced at $1295, it just might be a huge bargain for a 16-channel, programmable radio system.

At the System Menu you have eight options. To choose one, you simply rotate the selection wheel until you’ve highlighted the function you want. Then you push the selection button on top of the wheel.

Fine Tuning also gives you eight options. Again, it is easy to make a selection and then program that selection’s parameters with the rotary wheel and selection button.

Specifications Dimensions

7.1 x 10.6 x 1.6 in.

LCD display

3.8 in.

Weight

51 oz

Number of channels

Controls directions

Up to 20

Resolution

4096

Battery

3.6-V 3200-mAh Li-Ion

On time

Up to 11 hours

Internal memory

4 GB

Telemetry

Yes

PC connection

mini-USB

Operating temperature

14–140 F

Price

$1295.00

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Optional Accessories • • • • • • • • • • • •

Transmitter neck strap bracket Transmitter tray 4-point adjustable harness Neck strap Additional switches Special switch removal wrench Tx sticks with 2- or 3-position switches/push buttons 3200-mAh Li-Ion replacement battery Replacement aluminum case Wireless trainer module Assortment of 4- to 18-channel Duplex receivers Assortment of Jeti telemetry sensors

Distributor Esprit Model 1240 Clearmont St NE, Unit 12 Palm Bay, FL 32905 Phone: 321-729-4287 Espritmodel.com

Features Duplex 2.4-GHz

frequency hopping, digital data stream system that was originally developed by Jeti Model in the Czech Republic. It is reliable as well as bidirectional.

Built-in telemetry

includes the full integration of all Duplex telemetry sensors.

Design

emphasizes user comfort and stateof-the-art appearance, and uses premium quality components.

Precise metal gimbals

equipped with Hall sensors and ball bearings for precise resolution, with an almost unlimited lifespan.

LCD display

oversized 3.8-in. backlit LCD display with 320 x 240 resolution—highly visible under any lighting condition.

Li-Ion battery

3200-mAh for reliable energy source with a long service life.

Easy charging

wall charger. The DC-16 may also be charged through its USB to PC interface. Charge status is shown on the display.

Integrated antenna

an integral part of the transmitter case which protects the Rf antennas from mechanical damage.

Large memory

4 gigabytes for model and telemetry data and sound files.

USB connector

connection to PC for firmware and sound upgrades, as well as telemetry data downloads.

Fast navigation

3D wheel-style interface combined with function keys allow for speedy navigation within the DC-16 menu.

Digital trims fully programmable trims and a revolutionary automatic trimming function. Swappable/ assignable

all switches (2- or 3-position) are easily moved and assigned to create a custom configuration that works best for your application.

Programming

logical and intuitive firmware is easy to understand—step-bystep programming interface.

Sounds/ alarms

equipped with audible alarms and also allows user-recordable alarms and sounds

To the Horizon . . . and Beyond!

Of course, complete 3D freedom is just part of the story. Phoenix V4.0 also gives you: » Over 175 Accurately Modeled Aircraft » Free Aircraft and Flying Site Updates » Gorgeous Photo-Panoramic Flying Sites » Internet/LAN Multiplayer with Voice Chat » Realistic Engine Sounds » Support for TrackIR™ and NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ software

NEW Phoenix V4.0 RC Professional Flight Simulation with

The Phoenix RC flight simulation has always had stunning visuals and some of the most accurate physics available in any desktop simulator. With version 4.0, it takes virtual RC flight to new heights with the InfinityScape 3D terrain generator. No longer are you confined to the limits of a map. InfinityScape lets you fly beyond the horizon over beautiful, ever-changing 3D terrain that you create and control. And you can take it all in from thrilling in-cockpit or chase camera views. Even if you stick with the default view on the flying field, you’ll have a blast changing InfinityScape settings to see what kind of exciting environments it creates around you. No two are ever alike and you can save your favorites.

The Only RC Flight Sim Available with a Functional Spektrum™ DSMX® DX5e Transmitter

See for yourself just how immersive a professional RC flight simulation can be.

VISIT

Your Local Retailer

CLICK

horizonhobby.com

CALL

1.800.338.4639

SERIOUS FUN.™

©2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. The Horizon Hobby logo is a trademark of Horizon Hobby, Inc. DSMX is a trademark of Horizon Hobby, Inc., registered in the U.S. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. PhoenixRC and the PhoenixRC logo are registered trademarks of Runtime Games Ltd. Exclusively distributed by Horizon Hobby, Inc. NVIDIA® and 3D Vision™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation. TrackIR™ is a trademark of NaturalPoint, Inc. 36370.1

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February 9-10 Champaign, IL

hobbico-efest.com

BY Michael Holman

Cosmic Wind T

Throttle Way Up for Fun on this Little Racer

he original Cosmic Wind was built by a group of Lockheed employees, including Tony LeVier. The project started in 1946, and three aircraft were built. They were designed to compete in the 1947 Goodyear Trophy Race, which was held in Cleveland, Ohio. The airplanes finished in third and fourth place. Later, in 1964, one of the three Cosmic Winds (Ballerina) finished in first place at the Kings Cup Race in the United Kingdom. One of the original aircraft is now on display in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Great Planes’ model of Cosmic Wind is a hot, little, lightweight, electric-powered and almost-readyto-fly (ARF) airplane that looks fast just sitting on the runway. It is the kind of model that anyone who likes handling quick, responsive models will get a thrill flying. I know I did!

What you Get Airframe Landing Gear Wheels Hardware Pack

Needed to Complete • Motor

The Cosmic Wind remains very stable, even through a slow inverted pass down the length of the runway.

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

RimFire .10 outrunner • Speed controller Electrifly SS 25-amp ESC • Servos (3) Futaba 3114 micro • Battery 11.1-V 1800-mAh 3S LiPo • Propeller 8 x 8 Thin Electric • Servo Extensions 1 x 9-in. • Transmitter Futaba® 6J • Receiver Four channel min.

Positioning the plane right between the camera and Mt. Adams, I gave it full power, and it screamed towards us!

Great Planes Cosmic Wind

In Flight

At the airfield, the wing was bolted on and the battery installed. After doing a quick radio range check, the Cosmic Wind was ready to fly. Ground handling is good on the pavement, but the tail wheel is pretty small, so unless you are taxiing it on a close-cut grass runway it would be a bit difficult to maneuver. However, once it was lined up on the paved runway at our airfield, I gave it power and it accelerated rapidly. It used only a short amount of runway before it was airborne. As is to be

This shows the Cosmic Wind coming down for a high-speed inverted pass above the runway.

Dropping one wing, I brought the Cosmic Wind down low above the runway for a photo pass.

This is how the kit looks out of the manufacturerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shipping box. You get a fuselage, wings, stabilizers, canopy and pushrods.

This is the hardware needed to complete the kit. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to buy a motor, speed controller, battery, propeller, receiver and servos.

RC-SF.COM

Sitting on the taxiway, its nose is holding a Rimfire .10 brushless outrunner motor that will pull it into the air!

quite a bit of down elevator control, slow down quickly. I recommend you expected with any aircraft of this size the airplane remained stable. fly it in a place with plenty of room and design, it required right rudder Although I would have loved to for a long approach and runout. control input during its takeoff roll. keep flying it, the battery was getting The Cosmic Wind is capable of Once up to flying airspeed, though, low, so I brought it around for a sport aerobatics, including loops, the airplane flew straight and true, landing. Slowing it down, I touched rolls, snaps, spins and at high speeds requiring very little trim correction. its wheels to the pavement and let even knife-edge flight. Overall, this The Cosmic Wind is surprisingly it come to a stop. One thing to keep airplane is a blast to fly. Anyone who stable, and overall flew very well. It in mind is that because this model’s has an itch to go fast and race with feels “solid” in hard turns and does airframe has so little drag, it does not their buddies would have a lots of not have the tendency to high-speed stall, something that has plagued many racers. I flew the airplane up high to try a stall, expecting it to drop a wing, but it didn’t! Even holding full up elevator control, the airplane just “mushed” and then started to fall. It did not drop a wing. When I let its airspeed build again, it recovered quickly. So, enough for flight tests! I wanted to see By removing the wing you can easily access the ESC, There is lots of room in the fuselage for the receiver this airplane do what it receiver and tail servos. and servos, as you can see in this photo. was meant to do. I gave it power and pushed it to a vertical down line. As it approached the ground, I slowly pulled to level while advancing the throttle to full, and man, that thing moved. With its low drag design and large motor spinning a high-pitched propeller, this airplane does not lack for speed. Bringing it around from the opposite direction, I flew it for an inverted The battery access hatch is held in place with The aileron servo is mounted on top of the wing magnetics, making it quick and easy to remove the inside the fuselage and attached to control arms pass, and although the LiPo for charging. buried inside the wing to reduce drag. Cosmic Wind requires 98

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Great Planes Cosmic Wind

Coming in at full throttle, I pulled the airplane around in a hard left turn, and it screamed past us!

Here you see the small steerable tail wheel and the pushrod attached to the rudder. The model uses nylon control arms for the rudder control.

The Futaba T8J makes a perfect companion to the Cosmic Wind for control. It is affordable and comes with an eight-channel receiver that fits in the model easily. RC-SF.COM

Great Planes Cosmic Wind

Assembly The Cosmic Wind is very easy to assemble. The build is covered in depth in the instruction manual. You will need a few tools and a little building experience, though. Start by joining the wing halves. There is a hardwood wing joiner as well as an alignment pin. It is best to dry-fit the parts before glueing them in place because a little sanding may be necessary. Next, I assembled the fuselage, beginning by attaching the landing gear, axles, wheels and wheel pants. Then the horizontal stabilizer was installed. The important thing when installing the stabilizer is to get it glued in perfectly straight. If you have an angle finder, it is a very handy tool for this step. If not, you can either use a measuring stick/tape measure, or a piece of string to measure the distance from the front of the fuselage to each tip of the stabilizer, which will help you ensure that the stabilizer is properly aligned. Once you have it aligned properly I recommend you mark the stabilizer along the lines of the fuselage with a pen so you can re-insert it at the correct angle. Then you will remove the stabilizer and remove covering material from the fuselage/stabilizer contact area. Then it will be ready to glue in position. However, you must make certain that the elevator joiner rod is inserted into the stabilizer slot before you glue it in place. Then you can hinge the elevator and rudder. The kit provides cyanoacrylatetype hinges, which makes the install a snap. Next you will screw in the tail wheel bracket. It is a very simple process. The next step is installing the motor and electronic speed controller (ESC). fun with this little racer. Also, the kit quality is quite good, assembly is very easy and the flight performance is great. Whether you are an intermediate or even an advanced pilot, the Cosmic Wind will put a smile on your face!

Specifications Wingspan

36 in. (908 mm)

Wing Area

254 in.2 (16.4 dm2)

Weight

27.5–29.5 oz (780–835 g)

Wing Loading

15.6–16.7 oz/ft2 (48–51 g/ dm2)

Length

32 in. (815 mm)

Radio

4-channel

Motor

RimFire™ .10

Speed controller

Electrifly SS 35-amp ESC

Servos

(3) Futaba 3114 micro

Battery

11.1-V 1600–1800-mAh 3S LiPo

Propeller

8 x 8E

Price

$129.99

Distributor Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 greatplanes.com

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RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

My Cosmic Wind is powered by a RimFire .10 brushless outrunner. The ESC is Electrifly 35-amp unit. The motor bolts in to the pre drilled firewall, and the ESC is attached to the side of the fuselage with Velcro®-type material. Your next part of the assembly is to screw the control horns into the elevator and rudder. Then you’ll insert the pushrods into their housings. You must use a pair of pliers to create a Z-bend in the end of the pushrod, which connects to the control horn. My Cosmic Wind is controlled by Futaba 3114 micro servos. You’ll connect them to the the pushrod by way of “EZ” connectors. The same method is used to install the aileron servo. The receiver is held in place by Velcro too. The canopy is a well-made part and takes only a few minutes to mate to the fuselage. You’ll finish your Cosmic Wing by installing the propeller and spinner. The model’s center of gravity is called out in the manual as being 52-mm (2in.) behind the leading edge of the wing root. You’ll also want to program in the proper control throws, both high and low rates. Overall, the airplane went together very well and the kit was complete. I did have to use a hobby knife to cut back a little bit of the plate holding the wing’s blind nuts because the control horns on the wing rubbed the plate. The battery access hatch also did not fit perfectly flush with the fuselage. Other than that, I was very happy with its assembly.

Control Throws Control Throws High Rates (Up/Down) Low Rates (Up/Down) Aileron

3/16 in. (5 mm)

1/8 in. (3 mm)

Elevator

1/4 in. (6 mm)

1/8 in. (3 mm)

Rudder

9/16 in. (14 mm)

3/8 in. (10 mm) Its sleek lines and bright red paint scheme make the Cosmic Wind really stand out from other airplanes.

The Cosmic Wind will even deliver knifeedge flight as I show it flying down the runway at full throttle!

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BY Anthony Richards

n the early years of aviation, the First World War (WWI) broke out in Europe. Airplanes were almost immediately put to combat use. American air power was next to nothing, while the British and French led the Allies against the juggernaut that was the German Luftstreitkräfte. Allied pilots flying Sopwith and Nieuport biplane fighters engaged superior German Fokker triplanes and Pfalz biplanes over a lifeless noman’s land. The advanced German aircraft coupled with elite pilots made for air superiority in favor of

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RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

Albatros D.Va BNF A World War I Warbird for the Park Flyer Collector the Central Powers. One of these war machines was the Albatros D.Va—an improved version of the successful D.III. The D.V was nearly identical to the D.III with the exceptions of its more elliptical fuselage and its revised aileron linkages that were contained

entirely within the upper wing. Much like the D.III did, the D.V began to experience significant structural failures in the lower wing in service. These continued failures and the Flying the large ParkZone Albatros D.Va is both easy and fun, but it is not an aircraft for beginners to fly solo.

ParkZone® Albatros D.Va BNF The unique trim scheme, replicating Manfred von Richthofen’s D.V colors, gives the aircraft high visibility when flying low. It looks great too!

minute improvement in performance over the D.III caused pilot discontent, and famed ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen remarked that the D.V was “so obsolete and so ridiculously inferior to the English that one can’t do anything with this aircraft.” Subsequently, Albatros reworked the D.V into the D.Va, which incorporated strengthened wing spars, a reinforced fuselage, heavier wing ribs and the addition of a 180hp Mercedes D.IIIaü engine in place of the 170-hp Mercedes D.IIIa. These improvements made the aircraft 50 lb (23 kg) heavier than the D.III, but slightly better to pilot than the D.V. The structural problems weren’t entirely resolved. As a result, the D.Va only saw service with the Luftstreitkräfte as an alternative to faultier Fokker Dr.I and Pfalz D.III aircraft until it was replaced by the Fokker D.VII. Note that Richthofen flew the D.V from late June to late July in 1917 before switching over to his famed Fokker Dr.I triplane. During that month, Richthofen was shot down in his D.V near Wervicq, Belgium by British ace Captain (Capt.) Donald Cunnell in an F.E. 2d after Richthofen engaged Cunnell’s formation. Richthofen was downed after suffering a head wound that immediately disoriented The kit includes the airframe, an optional rear wheel, him and rendered him skid bar, a LiPo battery, LiPo balancing charger, hardware and a detailed manual. temporarily blind. He

With the kit’s 11.1-volt 1800-mAh LiPo battery, the Albatros D.Va delivers an impressive amount of motor runtime per charge.

The receiver and servos are factory installed, and they fit comfortably into the fuselage of the Albatros D.Va. A latched hatch covers them. RC-SF.COM

105

would require multiple surgeries to remove bone splinters from the injury site. It is theorized that the wound was to blame for his postflight nausea, headaches and change in temper following the incident. Cunnell was killed days after his victory over Richthofen.

The incredible detail put into the Albatros D.Va complements the aircraft in flight, as even the pilot’s scarf dances in the breeze.

Model Albatros D.Va

The ParkZone Albatros D.Va bind-n-fly (BNF) comes as an airplane that is molded from Z-Foam™. It is lightweight and durable. The kit arrives double-boxed for safe transit during shipping.

Foam packaging neatly organizes the parts and pieces and adds further protection against damage. The kit comes nearly ready to fly, but there are a few pieces that must be assembled. It is easy to do, and the result is an attractive, strong model. The D.Va comes painted in the colors of an early, unfinished scheme worn on the D.V that was piloted by infamous German ace Manfred von Richthofen, better known as The Red Baron.

Kit Includes • Airframe Z-Foam • Wings Z-Foam • Empennage Z-Foam

Plenty of power is delivered to the aircraft through the 480-size brushless motor for quick intercepts of enemy aircraft over the RC airfield.

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RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

ParkZone® Albatros D.Va BNF Thanks to the large 10 x 8 propeller, the Albatros D.Va can perform basic aerobatics like rolls and loops, which promise extra fun.

A bottom-side pass reveals both the ribbed appearance in the wings and the unique shape of the Albatros D.Va’s horizontal stabilizer.

• • •

• •

• Spinner Plastic Landing Gear Fixed plastic Propellor ParkZone WWI 10 x8 Motor ParkZone 480 Brushless Outrunner, 960 kV Speed Controller E-Flite 30-A Pro Switch-Mode Brushless Servos 2) DSV130 & (2) SV80 long lead servos 3-wire

With the installed Spektrum AR600 2.4-GHz DSMX receiver, you can fly this aircraft at any airfield or airstrip without the problem of interference from other aircraft.

• Receiver Spektrum AR600 DSM2/DSMX • Battery ParkZone 1800-mAh 3S 11.1-V LiPo

The full-scale Albatros D.Va wasn’t made for it, but you can perform inverted flight with this model. Your model had better have plenty of altitude when you do so. RC-SF.COM

107

The powerful propeller and brushless motor pairing allows for the D.Va to do steep climbs and quick takeoffs as a World War I fighter.

• Charger ParkZone 2- to 3-cell LiPo balancing

Needed to Complete Transmitter

In Flight

What you are going to discover at the controls of the ParkZone Albatros D.Va BNF model is that it is surprisingly easy to fly. I would, however, add that this is not a beginner’s model, unless of course you are going to fly it with an instructor at your side.

108

RC SPORT FLYER — november 2012

I found that when you apply the throttle progressively the model tracks quite straight down the runway. The rudder control was exceptional for a park flyer of this size. You’re going to like the power the 480-size motor provides too. The 10 x 8 propeller delivers enough thrust for steep climbs and some moderate, but very fun aerobatics. I found that the model loops well. It does rolls too. Inverted flight is best done very high because this model is not made for it, and it will fall out of the sky. You’ll enjoy doing some strafing runs on the enemy—your

flying buddies and their airplanes. The big wheels provide for nice touchand-go landings too. Another thing I found enjoyable about my Albatros D.Va is that its ParkZone 1800-mAh 3S 11.1-V LiPo battery delivers great flight times. I was surprised by the length of the motor run time. My only regret is that I did not buy an extra battery. One will be on order soon!

Debrief

I think it is fair to say that the ParkZone Albatros D.Va is a very good buy. At a price of $239.99 and

ParkZone® Albatros D.Va BNF

Assembly As with most ParkZone kits, the assembly of the Albatros D.Va is simple. As I do with all of my builds, I follow the instructions in the manual. In this case I began by attaching the wing—the lower wing first. Common to ParkZone aircraft, a mounting plate on the fuselage guides the front of the wing into a neat and secure fit. The rear of the wing is then fastened in place with a pair of 3 x 10-mm screws that mount to the rear of the fuselage. Next, the fixed landing gear was assembled. An axle must be slid into both left and right landing gear covers. A pair of simulated shock absorbers are mounted to the inner sides of each gear cover. They are a bit tricky to assemble but fit well once figured out and mounted. A wheel spacer is then put on the end of each axle, followed by the wheel and a wheel collar that is locked in place with a setscrew. The landing gear is then fastened to the bottom of the fuselage by eight 2.5 x 8-mm. screws on top of the left and right, front and back plates that secure the gear to the fuselage. Easy stuff. Installing the upper wing is even easier. You’ll begin by attaching left and right cabanes to the wing. They rock into place on a set of brackets that lock them in but allow some free-play you’ll need for alignment when attaching the wing to the fuselage. A pair of servo leads hang from the center of the wing and attach to

an assembly time of under an hour, it is one of those little park flyers that you really should consider putting in your hangar. One thing is for certain: it is a good-looking WWI fighter aircraft in the air. If you like the photos in this review, point your browser at rc-sf. com. I’m going to add some photos to my blog post there. I think you’ll agree that this is an attractive little model.

the Y-harness that runs to the receiver. You’ll fasten the cabanes to the fuselage with four 3 x 10-mm screws that go into prepunched holes in the fuselage. A pair of L-brackets rock into mounting plates on the lower wing to form the interplane struts. Once rocked into position, the struts align with mounts on the upper wing and are fastened together by a long retainer pin. That completes the wing assembly. To finish the empennage, you’ll mount the horizontal stabilizer to the fuselage. The stabilizer slides into a precut track in the rear of the fuselage. It tightens securely once it is completely forward. Not much force is needed, so be mindful of your strength. The stabilizer must fit with the elevator control horn when it is facing downward to meet the clevis at the end of the servo pushrod. There is an option to install either a tail wheel assembly or a tail skid. My model uses the tail skid, which lets me avoid cutting away the parts of the rudder as well as removing and reinstalling the rudder control horn. To mount the tail skid, you only need to align the skid to the tail assembly and secure it with the four 1.5 x 8-mm. screws. All in all, the Albatros D.Va is an easy build.

Control Throws Control Throws High Rate (Up/Down) Low Rate (Up/Down) Aileron

40 /30 mm

26/24 mm

Elevator

20 mm

15 mm

Rudder

40 mm

30 mm

Specifications The large wheels make for smooth touch-and-go landings and allow the aircraft to operate well from grass or turf runways.

Wingspan

42.3 in. (1070 mm)

Overall length

35 in. (890 mm)

Flying weight

43.4 oz (1230 g)

Propellor

ParkZone WWI 10x8

Motor

ParkZone 480 outrunner, 960 Kv

Speed controller

E-Flite 30-amp Pro SwitchMode

Servos

(2) DSV130 & (2) SV80 long lead servos

Transmitter

JR 11X or DSM2/DSMX

Receiver

Spektrum AR600 DSM2/ DSMX

Battery

ParkZone 1800-mAh 3S 11.1-V LiPo

Price

$239.99 / PNP $169.99

Distributor Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com

RC-SF.COM

109

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smart-fly.com

Central Hobbies

centralhobbies.com

Soaring USA

soaringusa.com

Desert Aircraft

desertaircraft.com

110

Spektrum

spektrumrc.com

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thunderpowerrc.com

E-flite

horizonhobby.com

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ttamerica.com

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espritmodel.com

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flyzoneplanes.com

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tx-ready.com

103

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Weak Signals

toledoshow.com

Great Planes

greatplanes.com

ZAP

zapglue.com

Heli-Max

helimax-rc.com

Zenoah Engines

zpengines.com

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ULTrA MiCro HELiCoPTEr Funnels in the foyer, flips over the futon, kaos in the kitchen – the tiny Blade Nano CP X lets you indulge in aerobatic fun just about anywhere, anytime. Weighing just 29 grams, battery and all, it boasts the balance of stability and agility that only the AS3X® (Artificial Stabilization – 3-aXis) Flybarless System can provide. This combination of miniscule mass and AS3X precision frees you to get aggressive on the sticks without having to worry much about damage to the heli or your surroundings. It also makes the Nano CP X perfect for those who’ve mastered fixed pitch helis and want to make the jump to collective pitch machines.

LENGTH: HEIGHT: FLYING WEIGHT: ROTOR DIAMETER: MAIN AND TAIL MOTORS: RECEIVER: CYCLIC SERVOS: BATTERY: CHARGER: TRANSMITTER:

7.75 in. (197mm) 3.15 in. (79mm) 1.05 oz (29 g) 7.75 in. (197mm) Brushed coreless DSM2®/DSMX® receiver/ESC/AS3X sensor unit, installed 2.1 gram linear long-throw, installed 1S 3.7V 150mAh 25C Li-Po, two included DC Li-Po charger with 4 AA batteries Spektrum™ DX4e 2.4GHz DSM® transmitter with 4 AA batteries (included with RTF only)

BNF version requires a DX4e, DX5e or a 6+ channel DSM2/DSMX computer transmitter with heli programming, sold separately.

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© 2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. Blade, AS3X, DSM2, DSMX, DSM, Bind-N-Fly, Serious Fun and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. US 7,898,130. US D578,146. PRC ZL 200720069025.2. www.bladehelis.com 37181