spread.indd 2-3 9/25/13 11:28 AM spread.indd 2-3 9/25/13 11:28 AM CONTENTS Volume 13 Number 1 January 2014
Features 26 2014 Buyer’s Guide 62 hot new products for your hangar By the Electric Flight crew 48 Pilot Reports 16 Exclusive! FMS B-25 Mitchell Panchito is bomber makes a great fi rst twin By Rick Bell 22 Flyzone Tiger Moth A classic barnstorming micro fl yer By Gerry Yarrish 38 Durafl y Fi 156 Storch An exceptional fl yer that’s priced right By Greg Gimlick 42 SIG Rascal 72 EG A popular design gets an electric makeover By Klaus Ronge 60 47 Special Helicopter Section 48 Helicopter Jamboree Electric news from the IRCHA fl ightline By Jim Ryan 52 Durafl y Auto-G V2 An unusual bird with remarkable fl ight performance By Jim Ryan 56 Hobby People X2 Fly fast with authority By Charlie Hynes
Columns 60 Custom Corner 22 Easy scale details for the Hangar 9 P-40B By John Reid ON THE COVER: e FMS B-25 Mitchell 62 Aerobatics Made Easy Departments Panchito looks remarkably scale-like Fly the Inverted Circle 6 | On the Web 12 | Shop Tips as its gear retracts and landing gear By John Glezellis doors close during takeoff . Don’t miss 8 | From the 14 | Current News our exclusive Pilot Report on page 16. Cockpit 66 Tailview 64 | AirAgeStore.com Photo by Peter Hall. Dave Perrone’s Giant Flying Razor 10 | Airmail
By Gerry Yarrish
ELECTRIC FLIGHT (USPS # 021-655; ISSN# 2159-0672) is published bimonthly by Air Age Media, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA. Copyright 2013, all rights reserved. Periodicals postage permit paid at Wilton, CT and additional offi ces. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40008153. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Go to ModelAirplaneNews.com USA: call (800) 479-5849; Canada and elsewhere: call (386) 246-3323; fax (386) 447-2321. USA: $29 (1 year); Canada: $34 including GST (1 year); elsewhere: $39 (1 year). All international orders must be prepaid in U.S. funds; Visa, MC, Discover and AmEx accepted. EDITORIAL: Send correspondence to Electric Flight, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA; email: electricfl [email protected]. We welcome all editorial submissions but assume no responsibility for the loss of or damage to unsolicited material. To authors, photographers and people featured in this magazine: all materials published in Electric Flight become the exclusive property of Air Age Media unless prior arrangement is made in writing with the Publisher. ADVERTISING: Send advertising materials to Advertising Dept., Electric Flight, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA; (203) 431-9000; fax (203) 529-3010; [email protected]. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: To make sure that you don’t miss any issues, send your new address to Electric Flight, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235 USA six weeks before you move. Please include an address label from a recent issue, or print the information exactly as shown on the label. For faster service, go to ModelAirplaneNews.com and click on the customer service link. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Electric Flight, P.O. Box 420235, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0235 USA.
TOC_EF0114.indd 4 9/27/13 12:17 PM full page.indd 1 9/25/13 11:26 AM full page.indd 1 9/25/13 11:26 AM On the Web ModelAirplaneNews.com
MOVIE MAKEOVER: CREATING DISNEY’S BULLDOG e Disney movie Planes features a cast of airplane characters, and when Rich Uravitch ran across the Durafl y de Havilland DH-88 Comet available from HobbyKing, he decided to transform it into “Bulldog.” He notes, “ e fact that the model was an electric twin ARF equipped with retracts, and had the servos pre-installed, made it perfect for the intended purpose. I could concentrate on the actual conversion without having to spend a huge amount of time building and fi nishing.”
FLIGHT PREMIUM TECHNIQUE: SITE MASTER EXCLUSIVE! INVERTED BRUSHLESS Learning new maneuvers is MOTOR something that many pilots enjoy, but it isn’t always easy NAMES & to master advanced fl ight SIZES GET IN THE KNOW! techniques. In this video, A video of this half-scale, 15-foot-span Jason Benson will help to e way that motors electric Cub was featured in our free simplify that learning curve are named can be very weekly newsletter. It’s powered by 6S, as he explains the intricate confusing if you’re 6000mAh LiPos — that’s 7,500 watts details of mastering inverted new to electrics. For of electricity! Missed it? Sign up for the fl ight. You’ll be down on the that matter, it can be confusing if you’ve been around them for a while. newsletter at ModelAirplaneNews.com, deck fl ying upside-down in e good news is that there are only a few methods being used now. is and you’ll always be in the know! no time at all! online article by Greg Gimlick explains these terms and concentrates on outrunners, since they are most common.
WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK! Please tell us what YOU want to see! Find us online at ModelAirplaneNews.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr, Instagram, or Pinterest. You can also always drop us a line at [email protected]!
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On the Web0114.indd 6 9/26/13 6:03 PM full page.indd 1 9/24/13 2:22 PM full page.indd 1 9/24/13 2:22 PM From the Cockpit By Gerry Yarrish
EDITORIAL Executive Editor Debra Cleghorn ›› [email protected] Senior Technical Editor Gerry Yarrish ›› [email protected] West Coast Senior Editor John Reid ›› [email protected] Deputy Managing Editor Katherine Pierpont Copyeditor Suzanne Saunders CONTRIBUTORS Bob Aberle, Gary Allen, Jason Benson, Budd Davisson, Roy Day, Don Edberg, Mike Gantt, Dave Garwood, Dave Gierke, Greg Gimlick, John Glezellis, Henry Haffke, Aaron Ham, Sal Iasilli, Clarence Lee, Jim Newman, Mark Rittinger, Jim Ryan, David Scott, Jerry Smith, Quique Somenzini, Aaron Strietzel, Faye Stilley, Michael Stroup, John Tanzer, Richard Thompson, Craig Trachten, Paul Tradelius, Pat Tritle, Rich Uravitch, David Vaught, Michael York, Nick Ziroli Sr.
MEDIA SERVICES Vice President Media Services & Icon of Aviation Corporate Strategy Laurene R. Booth Creative Director Betty K. Nero I think the most famous WW II bomber was the B-25 Mitchell. Made famous by Jimmy Art Director Kevin Monahan Doolittle’s aircraft carrier attack on Tokyo, it set the stage to highlight the courage and Web Producer Holly Hansen bravery of America’s airmen. Several movies have followed the exploits of the Doolittle Production Assistant Paul Streeto Raiders and in doing so, has kept the twin-engine B-25 medium bomber a popular aircraft VIDEO/PHOTOGRAPHY for full-size and RC warbird enthusiasts. Photographers/Videographers Joseph Arthur, This month’s cover plane is one of the newest B-25s to hit the market and the all-silver Johnathan Henninger, Adam Lebenstein bomber from FMS is a great flyer. Distributed by HobbyKing, it comes with loads of details ADVERTISING and takes a very short time to assemble. If you have ever watched Thirty Seconds Over Advertising Director Mitch Brian ›› 203.529.4609 Tokyo and have a soft spot for these iconic ocean-going bombers, then you’re going to Senior Account Executive Ben Halladay ›› 203.529.4628 Sales Assistant Tracey Terenzi ›› 203.529.4637 love this warbird! CONSUMER MARKETING The Media Source, a division of Source Interlink Companies, UPSIDEDOWN AEROBATICS Inc. If you’re looking for more excitement to add to your RC bag of tricks, in this month’s “Aerobatics Made Easy,” columnist John Glezellis shares all you need to know to perfect MARKETING & EVENTS the inverted circle! Nothing wows the crowd quite as much as inverted flight, and when you Vice President, Marketing Laura Hagan Associate Creative Director Leslie Costa slow it down and precisely execute this move, everyone will take notice. Event Manager Emil DeFrancesco Also in this issue, we have a good mix of micro RC fliers, including the new de Havilland Tiger Moth from Flyzone and an indoor micro coaxial helicopter from Blade—the Red Bull PUBLISHING Group Publishers Louis V. DeFrancesco Jr., BO-105 CBcx. Both of these pint-size aircraft hold gallons of fun and are extremely easy Yvonne M. DeFrancesco to fly. Whether you like fixed-wing or coaxial-rotor flight, these reviews will give you the latest inside scoop.
On Sale Now! FLIGHT JOURNAL SPECIAL ISSUE: SPITFIRE New from the editors of Flight Journal, this special issue is devoted to what is arguably the most beautiful and lethal fi ghter aircraft of WW II: the 88 Danbury Road Supermarine Spitfi re. Hear the voices of those who Wilton, CT 06897 USA Email electricfl [email protected] saw WW II through a Spitfi re’s gunsight from England Internet ModelAirplaneNews.com to India and all points in between. Spitfi re shares Editorial offi ces (203) 431-9000 insider information on every page and is packed with the spellbinding stories and the extraordinary Customer Service (800) 479-5849 photography that have made Flight Journal famous. For more ways to contact us, check out our Reader Services page. is one-of-a-kind collector’s issue is sure to become a must-have addition to your WW II library. Order your copy of Spitfi re today at Magazine Publishers AirAgeStore.com or pick up a copy at your local newsstand or hobby shop. RCX.com of America Printed in the USA
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Editors_masthead0114.indd 8 9/26/13 4:01 PM full page.indd 1 9/24/13 12:45 PM Airmail Email: electricfl [email protected] | Mail: Airmail, Air Age Media, 88 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897 USA
MUSTANG FEVER I have loved the Mustang for years and I think e RC Bulldog — looks almost as good as it did on the big screen! your last issue with the P-51 from Hobby People on the cover was great. I know there are a lot of molded-foam warbirds on the market but many seem too big and require large motors and high-count LiPo packs. Most of my limited electric power experience has been with airplanes that have medium- size 11.1V LiPo packs, so fi nding a nice Mustang that can use my existing equipment is awesome! anks for the timely review. Walter Watkins, email WRITE TO US! We welcome your comments and Walter, the 49-inch Mustang from Hobby suggestions. Address People is a nice size warbird that can letters to “Airmail,” be transported to the fl ying fi eld fully Electric Flight, Air Age assembled in just about any compact car. With an PLANES ON THE BIG SCREEN! Media, 88 Danbury Rd., excellent power-to-weight ratio and neat features like I just brought my family to the new Disney movie Planes. Wilton, CT 06897-7337 retractable landing gear and optional fl aps, you get a lot Wow! If ever there was a reason to go out and get an USA; email electricfl ight@ airage.com. Letters may of value from this 3S LiPo-powered P-51. Equipped with electric-powered airplane for some kit-bashing, this be edited for clarity and standard Deans connectors, you can use just about any movie is it! I can just imagine all the Dusty crop-dusters brevity. We regret that, sport pack that can handle a 50-amp system. We also and Skipper Corsairs that will be coming out of modelers’ owing to the tremendous love the fact that the Mustang performs nicely with its workshops. I am on the lookout for a micro crop-duster numbers of letters we scale-looking 4-bladed propeller. —GY model right now! ought I’d share! Love your magazine. receive, we cannot Bill Parkinson, Kingston, Ontario, Canada respond to every one. SPY IN THE SKY Having already fl own the standard 1SQ quad from Heli- Bill, thanks for writing. I agree, the new animated Planes Max, I was pleased to read your recent review of the new movie should inspire some great characterizations camera-equipped V-Cam version. I had been wondering for electric-powered RC. We happen to have a great how the little quad would handle the additional weight of makeover in the form of Rich Uravitch’s online post a video system, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue. Do you where he modifi ed a HobbyKing de Havilland Comet into have any videos that were shot with your review model? the movie’s great British racer, “Bulldog.” I really got a Keep up the good work. chuckle out of the “Chupacabra” Gee Bee, but I think Sammy Costello, Brooklyn, NY Disney missed a historical opportunity to properly name their Corsair character “Pappy” in honor of USMC “Black Sammy, we had a blast putting the new Heli-Max 1SQ Sheep Squadron” commander Major Gregory “Pappy” V-Cam through its paces. If anything, compared to the Boyington. But that’s just my opinion. It was a splendid camera-less 1SQ, I thought it was even more stable. movie. —GY is is perhaps because of the extremely slight weight increase. e video footage is stored in a removable Micro MINI MICRO ACTUATORS SD card and you can easily download the fi les to your I read with interest your review of the Ares Tiger Moth 75 laptop. We combined the fl ight footage taken in the Model from HobbyTown. I know all about micro servos but what Airplane News offi ce with some other fl ight video and are the actuators you mentioned in the article? How do you can fi nd it at ModelAiplaneNews.com. —GY they work? Frank Phillips, email
Frank, thanks for writing. Magnetic actuators go back Get Talking on ModelAirplaneNews.com many years and they produce semi-proportional Our recent “Quadcopter as Companion” post really got your control on extremely lightweight RC planes. A magnet is attention. It seems that sci-fi stories of the future hit closer to attached to the control surface and is positioned inside home than we think. Here’s what some readers had to say. a fi xed coil of fi ne wire. e coil is connected to the receiver board and when the transmitter stick is moved, Where can I buy one!? —Tony Bastist the receiver changes the voltage sent to the wire coil. is changes the magnetic fi eld around the magnet What a joke. $50 on eBay ... so just how is this thing going to carry out any tasks for us? —Phrank Stein and causes it to move back and forth, which leads to the swinging of the control surface back and forth. is I am interested in building one from scratch! —Michael DeWitt control setup is practical only for lightweight indoor fl iers ough not in production yet, there’s some more info at kickstarter.com as the amount of force applied to the control surface is —John Franki very slight. For the Tiger Moth, the actuator is only used on the rudder. —GY
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airmail.indd 10 9/26/13 5:28 PM
SHOPTIPS
Cockpit Combing One of the things many scale modelers are faced with is trimming the edges of an open cockpit of a vintage airplane. Many use split fuel tubing painted black but for No-smell Accelerator a really nice-looking treatment, you can use golf club grip wrap. is is available in We all know that CA glue is a standard in model airplane building; however, the use sporting good outlets or you can even remove it carefully from old clubs you fi nd at a of accelerator can give some people a bad headache! e problem with accelerator fl ea market. is inhaling the fumes. Instead of using the spray bottle, apply the accelerator with a Gene Oshrin, Southampton, NY cotton swab. Saturate the cotton with accelerator and apply it to the surface. ere will be a slight smell, but no strong vapors to inhale. In fact, if you can do your heavy- duty gluing outdoors, you’ll do away with the strong odors all together! Joe Maran, Grovetown, GA
iPod Protector Easy Wing Bolt Retainers ese days, we can get a lot of electronic reference material at the workbench: digital To help prevent losing your wing bolts, or leaving them in the workshop when you go magazines (like Model Airplane News), along with how-to posts, photographs, and to fl y, slip some snug-fi tting O-rings onto the bolts so they are retained on the bolt. instructional videos from the Internet. ough smartphones and tablets may have a e O-rings provide some fl exibility to easily guide the bolts into the threaded block in screen protector, they are not really protected from spills and overspray. So, put the the fuselage and are easy to remove should you need to replace the bolts. To make it device in a sealed plastic bag; you can keep that reference handy without worrying easier to slip the O-rings over the threads, use a piece of a plastic drinking straw. Split about ruining your gadget with a spill of thinner or a drop of CA instant glue. Also, it lengthwise, slip the O-ring onto the end, and slide the straw over the bolt. Hold the many touchscreens will work through the plastic bag. Warning: Don’t try this with O-ring in place and pull the straw away. devices that require ventilation for cooling (laptops, netbooks, and others). Tim Bourgeois, Tehachapi, CA Sal Calvagna, Holbrook, NY
SEND IN YOUR IDEAS and if we pick your tip, we’ll send you an Electric Flight baseball cap! You can send in a photo or sketch describing your favorite shop trick to: “Shop Tips,” c/o Electric Flight, 88 Danbury Rd., Suite 2B, Wilton, CT 06897 or email us at electricfl [email protected]. Be sure to include your name and mailing address. We’re sorry to say that due to the number of hobby-related ideas we receive, we can neither acknowledge each one, nor return unused material.
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Shop Tips_0114.indd 12 9/26/13 4:07 PM full page.indd 1 8/5/13 12:39 PM full page.indd 1 8/5/13 12:39 PM Current News LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN ELECTRIC RC
under Tiger Raptor E700 Tough enough to handle any 3D moves, this ultra-lightweight machine has an eCCPM fl ybarless control system with an aluminum rotor head and a quick-calibrated system for easy, precise alignments. Its aluminum tail boom has extra-long supports for added rigidity and the tail servo is mounted at the rear for a low center of gravity. It costs $699.99. thundertigerusa.com
E-fl ite Carbon-Z Cub Sporting an 84.6-inch wingspan, this big Cub comes with a powerful brushless motor and radio system installed and only requires a 6-channel radio and 6S 3200mAh LiPo. It has fl aps and is an ideal towplane and photo/ video aircraft. We think the optional fl oats are a must-have! e Carbon-Z Cub costs $399.99. e-fl iterc.com
If you’ve always wanted to build a kit but didn’t want to take on a large Stevens project, here’s your chance! is 3-channel sport-scale aircraft is designed to accept readily available micro components and is perfect AeroModel for small fi elds and indoor fl ying. e 18.5-inch-span microMAX 103 kit microMAX 103 costs just $37 and is intended for fi rst-time builders. stevensaero.com
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Current News0114.indd 14 9/26/13 3:44 PM Ares Chronos FP 110 Ready to step up from coaxial helis? is helicopter’s advanced fi xed-pitch and self-stabilizing rotor head make it easier to learn the basics of more advanced fl ight, and because it’s larger, it can handle light winds yet comfortably maneuver indoors. e ready-to-fl y Chronos costs $99.99 and comes with everything you need. ares-rc.com
ParkZone Ultra-Micro Icon A5 From land or sea, this Bind-N-Fly model is ready for action! Its AS3X technology means it can easily handle the breeze and fl y like a much larger model. e Micro Icon A5 comes with quick-mount landing gear so you can also fl y off pavement. e 24.5-inch-span fl ying boat costs $159.99. parkzone.com
Futaba CGY7 50 Now with upgraded software, this popular unit off ers smooth operation and fl ybarless control in a smooth, lightweight design. Heli pilots will appreciate its high cyclic gains, excellent pirouette compensation, superior rate control, and consistency between stationary and fast forward fl ight. e half-ounce unit costs $269.99. futaba-rc.com
HobbyZone Delta Ray You don’t have to be a fi rst-time pilot to appreciate the fl ight assistance of this SAFE-equipped plane. is micro model comes ready to fl y and features Z-Foam construction, so it’s durable and lightweight. e 34-inch-span twin costs $179.99. hobbyzone.com
Hobby People Activator-EZ At last: a totally automatic battery charger! Just push the button and the Activator-EZ detects battery size and capacity, and sets the charge rate to the optimum safe charge setting every time. Use it anywhere because it works with both AC 110V and DC 12V input. It charges 2S to 6S LiPo and 1- to 15-cell NiMH battery packs and costs $49.99. hobbypeople.net
JANUARY 2014 15
Current News0114.indd 15 9/26/13 3:44 PM Pilot Report FMS B-25 Mitchell Panchito This bomber makes a great first twin By Rick Bell Photos by Peter Hall
Mention the B-25 Mitchell to any warbird fan, and they will most likely bring up the Doolittle Raid. While the attack on Tokyo on April 18, 1942, was the most famous B-25 mission, North American Aviation’s brilliant bomber played a much larger part in WW II. Designed as a medium bomber to operate from altitudes between 8,000 and 12,000 feet, the B-25 was powered by two 1,700hp Wright R-2600 engines and it served in every theater of WW II. The aircraft performed well and had a formidable array of firepower.
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PR B25 Panchito.indd 16 9/26/13 4:24 PM Specifi cations Highlights Model: Mitchell B-25 + Fast assembly Manufacturer: FMS (fmsmodel.com) Smooth fl ight performance Distributor: Diamond Hobby + (diamondhobby.com) + Sequencing retractable landing gear and FMS Type: Scale WW II medium bomber gear doors Wingspan: 57.9 in. Counter-rotating propellers Wing area: 434 sq. in. + Length: 44.5 in. Weight: 68.1 oz. Gear used Wing loading: 22.6 oz./sq. ft. B-25 Mitchell Radio req’d: 6-channel (rudder, elevator, Radio: Futaba 14SG transmitter, Futaba R617FS ailerons, throttle, fl aps, retracts) 2.4GHz receiver (futaba-rc.com) Power req’d: 3S 3300 25C LiPo battery Servos: Eight FMS 9g servos (included) Price: $299.99 Retracts: FMS 1400mm B25 MD202 electric retract system (included) Panchito Motor: FMS 4023 KV1000 x 2 (included) is bomber makes a great fi rst twin Speed Control: FMS-ESC-40A BP x 2 (included) By Rick Bell Photos by Peter Hall Battery: Turnigy 3S 3300mAh 25C LiPo (hobbyking.com) Prop: 9x6.5 3-blade propeller with spinner x 2 (included)
Author Rick Bell walks the B-25 Mitchell to the end of the runway for takeoff .
JANUARY 2014 17
PR B25 Panchito.indd 17 9/26/13 4:24 PM e fi rst fl ights were made on our club’s In the Air well-mowed grass runway. As expected, the B-25’s tricycle landing gear confi guration makes for easy ground handling. With full power, takeoff runs are surprisingly short, and on the fi rst fl ight, the B-25 leaped into the air in less than 20 feet! at sure caught me by surprise! Future takeoff s were made with less power and were very realistic. While the B-25 is making a nice scale-like takeoff , retract the gear and watch the landing gear doors close — it’s mesmerizing! Landings should be made with some power on and the plane needs to be fl own all the way to Shenzhen Famous touchdown. A gentle fl are about a foot off the ground will grease the Electronic Tech Co., plane every time. With confi dence-inspiring fl ight characteristics, better known as FMS, the B-25 will remove any fears about fl ying a twin-engine model. is one of the industry’s fastest growing RC GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE airplane manufacturers. Stability: e B-25 has a moderate wing loading and this makes Known for their for a nice, solid feel. For the fi rst fl ights, I set up the model a little commitment to quality nose heavy on the forward side of the CG. After a couple of fl ights, I and innovation, the realized that the B-25 will easily tolerate a more aft CG. new Mitchell B-25 is Tracking: With its counter-rotating props, there aren’t any torque no exception. It has a issues. I only needed a couple clicks of right aileron and down- elevator to fl y hands off , straight and level. span of 57.9 inches, is Aerobatics: While the B-25 is capable of mild aerobatics, it’s very constructed of durable much out of character. Rolls are very axial due to the counter- EPO foam, and the rotating propellers and do look pretty cool. Also, loops are easily Panchito is painted in done — enter with full power and gently pull up-elevator. Be sure to brilliant silver and packs reduce power on the downside of the maneuver. scale details including Glide and stall performance: e B-25 airframe has a fair amount forward, rear, top, and of drag and will slow down quickly when power is reduced. I didn’t side gun turrets with notice any snapping tendencies when the model stalled, just the clear canopies and Scale details are plentiful — here is the dummy radial nose dropping. gunner fi gures. e twin engine and 3-blade fl ying prop. KV1000 motors provide PILOT DEBRIEFING strong power, great e B-25 taxis well, thanks to its wide stance main gear and reliability, and smooth steerable nose gear. e twin motors provide a lot of thrust and performance, while the main landing gear and nose gear use worm drive I had no problems taking off from a thick grass runway. is is a electronic, servoless retracts that feature sequential closing and opening standoff scale, twin-engine bomber, and I think it looks best fl own doors. is is accomplished with a very simple-looking circuit board that in a scale-like manner. Cruising at half-throttle provides a nice the retracts and the servos for the gear doors simply plug into. No fancy scale-like speed that looks perfect for a B-25. While aerobatic radio programming is required here and they look awesome in action! maneuvers are out of character for a bomber, loops and rolls do look ere are also bright LED navigation lights in the leading edge of the pretty cool! e best-looking maneuver is a nice low pass with the wing. While the wing panels are detachable for ease of transportation, gear up and cycling the landing gear. Watching the gear doors open I don’t recommend removing them once installed because of the large during these passes and then the landing gear dropping is just too much fun that guarantees to bring a smile to any pilot’s face! amount of leads (fi ve per wing panel) that need to be connected and stored. Access to the fl ight battery is through a removable canopy. Any intermediate pilot will be proud to add this warbird to their hangar!
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PR B25 Panchito.indd 18 9/26/13 4:24 PM full page.indd 1 7/25/13 1:09 PM FMS B-25 Mitchell Panchito
Getting a B-25 Type Rating Text and photo by Budd Davisson
A great feature is the sequencing landing gear doors. They are timed to close when the gear are retracted.
If I live to be 100 years old, I’ll never forget the feeling of sitting at the end of the runway, right hand wrapped around two throttles, looking out at 3,600 horses in two big radial engines. The 22,000 pounds of airplane UniqUe featUres The wings are the heart of the around me agitated gently but noisily in their wake. I was about to fly Distributed by Diamond Hobby, model and require the most effort the big, beautiful B-25 bomber! I was in the left seat of N543VT, a North the B-25 comes extremely well when it comes to assembly. The American B-25N, Mitchell. Junior Burchinal, proprietor of Flying Tigers packaged. The manual is nicely aileron servos are pre-installed and Air Museum, was in the right seat, shouting at me to do this and that. illustrated with photos and shows you only need to screw the control Yes, I’m multi-engine rated, but most of my limited experience has horns to the control surfaces and been in a couple of moth-eaten Apaches, and the B-25 bears as much a logical assembly sequence. resemblance to an Apache as I do to Raquel Welch. Also included is a 7-page manual make up the pushrods from the Flying a 10-ton aluminum ingot isn’t something you just wander out that also covers the operation of included hardware. Like the tail to your local FBO and do. I was going through the WW II flight course at the speed controls. Everything assembly, I tested the ailerons the Flying Tiger Air Museum in Paris, TX, and my original intent was to needed to complete the model before attaching the engine fly the fighters. The B-25 is also part of the program, intended to broaden is included — even a tube of glue nacelles to adjust them. Now is a your education — and it does, in spades! “Heavy” in this case means and a screwdriver. However, I used good time to check that the wing about 17,000 pounds empty, with an allowable emergency overload of some 5-minute ZAP epoxy as the panels fit the openings in the nearly 45,000 pounds. That’s more than my hometown weighs! supplied glue takes several hours fuselage — mine were pretty tight Originally, I was to go up with Junior and drive the 25 around for an to dry. Glue is only required for the and required some sanding of the hour or so, just to see how it felt. I began to like the idea of flying the big attachment of the twin vertical fins airfoiled section that fits into the moose, however, and I soon heard myself saying things about “more to the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage. A couple of minutes of time,” and the words “type rating” kept popping up. Type rating! That’s various dummy cannons, so a bare light sanding had the wings fitting the special license it takes to carry passengers in airplanes that weigh minimum of epoxy is needed. The perfectly. The wing uses two over 12,500 pounds, and the B-25 weighs that much with one wing and model also comes complete with carbon-fiber wing tubes to attach both engines removed. It takes a different type rating for each type of decals applied. the wing panels to the fuselage. airplane. This also meant I would have to learn the airplane inside and The B-25 assembles very Two built-in clamp assemblies in out, and that’s a lot of territory. Junior is an FAA-designated examiner quickly and without a lot of fuss. All each wing panel provide a tight for the B-25, and I knew he would be tough. My first “introductory” of the servos are already installed pinch around the tubes, and the flight made me feel like crawling into the bomb bay and going for a walk and the control surfaces are hinged screws to tighten the clamps are outside. on the bottom of the wing. Before When we got up into the air and over the practice area, Junior at the factory. This saves a lot signaled for me to take it. I took the wheel, and a slight out-of-trim of time, as there would be eight inserting the wing panels on the condition caused the nose to drop. I automatically pulled the nose up servos to install. The tasks you do tubes, make sure the screws are — or at least I tried. I was flying with my left hand as my right rested need to complete are basic and go loose, otherwise you won’t be able lightly on the throttles. I could hardly pull the wheel back with one hand! quickly. The tail assembly is first, to slide the wing panels on. I really I released the throttles and brought the other hand over to help, barely and the control horns for the twin like this feature as it makes repairs getting the nose up level. I finally had enough sense to wheel in some rudders and elevators need to be or replacing a wing panel a snap. up-trim. I then made a turn to the left (or at least my hand did), but screwed to the control surfaces. The engine nacelles come the control wheel resisted my attempts to move it. Grasping it firmly, This should be done before gluing ready to screw onto the wing determined to do it with one hand, I forced one end down and the wings the vertical fins to the stabilizer for panels, and the motors, 40-amp responded smartly enough by rolling obediently into a left bank. Then handling ease. A clever array of speed controls, cowls, retractable the nose started to fall. With the 30-degree bank I was holding, I had to pushrods and bellcranks actuate landing gear, and gear doors force the wheel to the rear to keep the nose from falling. It had started the twin rudders and elevators are all factory installed. You only losing altitude the second I started to roll. I wasn’t prepared for the and they are pre-installed to the need to snake the leads of all the heavy control pressures. rudder and elevator servos on components through the wing to Just to prove to me that the airplane would fly, Junior reached up and the underside of the horizontal the root and screw the nacelle to punched a red button on the console between us that started moving stabilizer. After the vertical fins are the appropriate wing panel. Before levers. As I was watching him, I saw the right propeller come to a stop, its glued to the stab, you only need attaching the wing panels to the blades edged into the wind. He diddled with some trim wheels and sat to attach the rudder pushrods to fuselage, hook up the receiver to there, hands off, boring along with only one engine going. Satisfied that complete the assembly. Before the various functions to test the I had been suitably impressed, he fired up the other engine and headed motors and make sure they are back to his field. screwing the tail assembly to the To read the entire Pilot Report, check out Budd Davisson’s website: fuselage, I tested the rudders and rotating (without the propellers airbum.com. elevator and adjusted the pushrods attached) in the proper directions to neutralize the control surfaces. and that the retracts and doors
PR B25 Panchito.indd 20 9/26/13 4:24 PM Rudder and elevator control linkage are below the Ready for another mission, the B-25 has plenty of detail including crew fi gures and machine guns. stabilizer.
work properly. After I confi rmed that everything fi tting the battery, installing the 3-bladed and gunner fi gures, and all hardware needed to was working appropriately, I attached the propellers, adding the clear nose piece and complete the model. e assembly was quick wing panels, fed all of the leads to the battery dummy cannons to the fuselage, and balancing and easy, and I love the sequenced landing gear compartment, and plugged the leads to the the model. All in all, it took me about two hours doors! e removable cockpit hatch provides receiver. Here’s where FMS really shines in my of eff ort to make the B-25 ready for fl ight. easy access to the receiver and makes battery book — they supply the needed Y-harnesses swaps a snap. I am impressed with the level and they are labeled so you can easily and BOTTOM LINE of detail packed into this bomber and it is the correctly plug everything into the receiver. e FMS B-25 Mitchell bomber from Diamond center of attention on every trip to the fl ying ey also supply a harness that connects both Hobby is a steal at $299.99. It is a highly fi eld. e B-25 Panchito provides warbird thrills motors together to use a single battery. From detailed model that includes retractable landing in a beautiful EPO foam package and sure looks here, it’s only a matter of securing the receiver, gear, sequenced gear doors, lights, and pilot great making low passes down the runway!
AT HOME AT THE FLYING FIELD ON THE GO
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1/3S.indd 1 JANUARY3/13/13 2014 10:53 21 AM
PR B25 Panchito.indd 21 9/26/13 4:25 PM Pilot Report
Flyzone Tiger Moth A classic barnstorming micro flyer By Gerry Yarrish Photos by Peter Hall
Flyzone’s micro airplanes are very well known for their stable, pilot-friendly flight performance and out-of-the-box great scale looks. I have flown and reviewed several of Flyzone’s WW I micro biplanes and all have been excellent performers in the gymnasium and outside in calm conditions. There’s virtually nothing to do except charge the battery (with the RTF versions) and link the plane to your transmitter (for transmitter-ready planes) to be flight-ready. Each comes in a nicely packaged box so they are safe and easy to store and transport. Whenever I attend a club indoor flight night, there’s never a lack of club members asking to fly my Flyzone planes.
The de Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth is just the ticket for Unique features relaxing afternoon flights. It’s ideal for committing micro The Flyzone RTF Micro Tiger Moth comes with a LiPo aviation in a backyard, at a local park or indoors at any school 140mAh flight battery and a charger built into the gymnasium. Like other Flyzone planes, the Tiger Moth is transmitter, an SLT transmitter, servos, speed control available in two versions—a complete, all-in-one RTF package, and receiver installed, and a basic Instruction manual. and as a Transmitter-Ready (Tx-R) model that can be linked This review features the Tx-R version of the Tiger Moth with any SLT transmitter, or a radio with an AnyLink module. and I linked it with a 6-channel TTX650 Tactic 2.4GHz It takes only moments to get the Tiger Moth ready to fly.
The review model is a Tx-R (transmitter ready) version and it comes with the airplane and pilot figures, charger and a LiPo flight battery.
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PR Tiger Moth.indd 22 9/26/13 4:18 PM Specifi cations Highlights Airplane: DH-82 Tiger Moth + Lightweight foam construction Manufacturer: Flyzone (fl yzoneplanes.com) Molded-in details Distributor: Hobbico (hobbico.com) + Length: 12.9 in. + Two micro pilot fi gures included Wingspan: 15.1 in. ElectriFly LiPo battery (with charger) included Flyzone Weight: 1.1 oz. + Price: $99.89 (RTF); $79.98 (Tx-R) Gear used Radio: 6-channel Tactic TTX650 transmitter, receiver, servos, ESC (installed) Tiger Moth Battery: 140mAh 1S LiPo pack (with charger) both A classic barnstorming micro fl yer included By Gerry Yarrish Photos by Peter Hall
e Tiger Moth performs GENERAL FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS In the Air nicely at my RC club’s fl ying Stability: e Tiger Moth is pilot-friendly and stable enough to be a great second fi eld with calm conditions; it was a real joy to fl y! It airplane for anyone who has soloed RC successfully. is stable and has enough rudder and elevator throw Tracking: e plane tracks nicely without too much need for rudder. making it easy to control. Even with the occasional Aerobatics: is is a 3-channel (no ailerons) airplane and so it’s capable of loops, gust, this little vintage era biplane easily rights itself wingovers, and other vertical maneuvers. For me, the Tiger Moth is designed for with little control input (if you’re high enough). Even if low-level barnstorming in close to yourself. you manage to hit the ground on occasion, the model Stalls and Glide Performance: Power off , the Tiger Moth does glide but being a is so lightweight that there rarely any damage. If the biplane, its nose needs to be kept pointing downward to maintain airspeed. Stalls wind is blowing however, forget it. Flying off grass is are easy to recover from simply by releasing some elevator back pressure and not possible with any truly micro RC plane because adding some power. of the small wheels—you need to hand launch it. If PILOT DEBRIEFING you are indoors on a smooth level fl oor, takeoff s are e Flyzone Tiger Moth is ready to fl y straight out of the box. Charge the fl ight a piece of cake. e rudder is eff ective and the Tiger battery, and you’re good to go. Flight durations of about eight minutes are normal Moth will become airborne almost all by itself. You and the included charger takes about 20 minutes to recharge a partially used can also make tight fi gure-8s and loops if you are battery. Be sure not to full deplete the battery. daring and the ceiling is high enough.
NOVEMBER 2013 23
PR Tiger Moth.indd 23 9/26/13 4:18 PM Flyzone Tiger Moth
de Havilland’s Answer to the Piper Cub Old man de Havilland’s line of “Moths” goes clear back to the 1920s, a time in which they were on a par with their peers. However, as their peers advanced, the Moths continued to An excellent transmitter to use for all Flyzone Tx-R come from the cocoons with only minor mutations. Maybe an engine cowling change here, airplanes is the Tactic 650 programmable 6-channel radio. an engine mod there, but no sweeping design changes. The altimeter, marked in meters, speaks of a time long ago, and the horizontal floating compass betrays its nautical heritage. As I eased the thrust lever forward, I was greeted more by noise than anything else and we started rolling with no real sensation of acceleration. Just after I eased the tail up, the airplane gently lifted off and we hadn’t even rolled a half a dozen airplane lengths. I have tried several times to pick a single word to describe the Tiger Moth. The airplane is soft in all its movement and does nothing fast, especially climb. Finally, I opted for “leisurely” as the Moth is absolutely in no hurry. I cannot say I felt comfortable in the Moth. I’m used to a much more predictable, precise control feel as well as a machine that is less at the mercy of the elements. On final, I couldn’t decide whether my eyes or the airspeed was out of whack. To keep a decent airspeed number (50 knots), it required pointing the nose down at a ludicrous angle. When it was time to flare everything just plain stopped. We floated down close to the ground, hovered for a second, and plopped down, rolling forward just far enough to leave a short set of tire tracks in the grass. As an elementary trainer, the Tiger Moth was to the British Empire what the Piper Cub was to us. After the Canadians abandoned their Fleet Finches in 1942, the Moth was the only primary trainer the RAF and RCAF used. I now know why the English and Canadians call their airplanes “Kites.” —Budd Davisson/airbum.com
Above: The rudder and elevator control linkages have V bends in them for fine tuning the surfaces mechanically. Painting Micro Pilot Figures Below: The 1S 140mAh LiPo flight battery fits into an One thing that you have to do to make your open compartment under the airplane’s nose. Flyzone Micro flyer look more scale, is to dress up the included all-white molded foam pilot figures included with the plane. I detail how I did this for my other Flyzone classic—the Fokker Triplane Check it out at ModelAirplaneNews.com/micropilotpaint
transmitter. The Tx-R Tiger Moth comes out Having elevator and rudder control on the right of the box ready to go and will link to any SLT transmitter stick is the goal (for mode 2 pilots). transmitter. Simply turn on your transmitter Once you have linked the Tiger Moth to your (place the throttle stick to the off position), transmitter, be sure to check the control throws and then power up the Tiger Moth by plugging for proper function and direction. This also goes in the flight battery. The only issue you might for the throttle so keep your fingers clear of the encounter is that with a 4-channel transmitter, propeller and maintain a firm grip on the model the rudder control will be on the transmitter’s when arming the motor. Besides charging the throttle (left) stick and the elevator control will included 1S 140mAh LiPo flight battery, the only be on the right stick. Using the Tactic TTx650 task left is to paint and install at least one pilot programmable transmitter, I simply used figure. Luckily, there are two unpainted micro channel mapping to assign rudder function pilot busts included with the Tiger Moth. to the aileron stick, no mixing is necessary. J
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PR Tiger Moth.indd 24 9/26/13 4:19 PM full page.indd 1 9/25/13 1:49 PM BUYER’S GUIDE Are you in the market for something new to fl y? Well, you picked up the right magazine because this year’s Buyer’s Guide will have exactly what you’ve been searching for! Every one of the 62 products you’ll see on the next pages has been editor tested and approved. All you have to do is narrow down your choices and get ready to enjoy your new aircraft!
BY THE ELECTRIC FLIGHT CREW
AEROBAT
Aero-Model Inc./FMD Planes Metis E-fl ite Edge QQ Designed by Filippo Materazzi, this super lightweight indoor performer is ideal for Modeled after the full-size Edge 540, this mini performer has been tweaked by freestyle 3D aerobatics. Made from pre-printed milled 3mm and 2mm Depron foam, Quique Somenzini to produce a mini aerobat with huge performance. Powered by carbon rods, super lightweight carbon control horns, the Metis comes with all the a BL280 outrunner moto system, its light weight, high-speed digital servos and necessary hardware to complete the plane. Motor, prop, speed control, battery, Spektrum Nanolite receiver give the plane super performance for 3D and precision servos and radio are not included. Wingspan: 37.4 in.; wing area: 270 sq. in.; weight: aerobatics. Wingspan: 26 in.; wing area: 162 sq. in.; weight: 8.3 oz., wing loading: 5.1 oz.; wing loading: 2.72 oz./sq. ft. 6.64 oz./sq. ft. $82; aero-model.com $169.99; e-fl iterc.com
E-fl ite UMX Sbach E-fl ite Carbon-Z Splendor BNF A new level of ultra-micro aerobatic performance, the UMX Sbach 342 3D packs is sleek F3A precision aerobatic plane is designed by Quique Somenzini and big-time performance into an impressively small package. Ideal for both outdoor is part of the Carbon-Z series of rugged, molded aircraft. Able to perform all and indoor aerobatic fun, this aerobat comes completely ready to fl y — just bind modern FAI precision maneuvers, this Bind-N-Fly pattern ship comes with a the Spektrum AS3X receiver to a DSM2/DSMX transmitter, add a 2S 180 20C LiPo Spektrum AR635 receiver with built-in AS3X technology to give it amazingly pack, and you’re good to go. Wingspan: 17 in.; wing area: 51 sq. in.; weight: 19 oz.; stable performance. Wingspan: 54.5 in.; wing area: 645 sq. in.; weight: 5.5 lb.; wing wing loading: 5.36 oz./sq. ft. loading: 19.7 oz./sq. ft. $140; e-fl iterc.com $349.99; e-fl iterc.com
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EFBG_2014.indd 26 9/27/13 12:30 PM 62 EDITOR BUYER’S GUIDE PICKS! HOT NEW PRODUCTS 2014 FOR YOUR HANGAR
INSANE 3D MACHINE!
Precision Aerobatics KMX RC Factory/Icare Crack Yak Lite is easy-to-assemble, lightweight aerobatic ARF has amazing performance. is foam profi le aerobat is made from pre-printed EPP foam sheet parts and It gets its strength from its Fiber Fusion construction that laminates wood and is designed by Chris Jewett. It is perfect for learning 3D fl ight and honing your carbon fi ber together to maximize rigidity and durability without adding additional aerobatic skills both indoors and outdoors. It has carbon-fi ber reinforcement and weight. e PA rust 50 power package and 70A speed control provide amazing includes carbon-fi ber control rods, wheels, basic hardware, and plywood parts. e performance for 3D maneuvers. Wingspan: 57 in.; wing area: 749 sq. in.; weight: 66 hinges are molded into place. Wingspan: 31.5 in.; wing area: 229 sq. in.; weight: 6.2 oz.; wing loading: 12.96 oz./sq. ft. oz.; wing loading: 3.9 oz./sq. ft. $299.95; precisionaerobatics.com $77; icare-icarus.com
HELI BUYER’S GUIDE Assurance RC/Align T-Rex 700 Heli-Max BLACK HAWK Tx-R Every major component of the T-Rex is pre-assembled at the factory, including is transmitter-ready heli comes with the BLACK HAWK Scale Helicopter with carbon-fi ber side rails with integrated bearing blocks for the main shaft. e T-Rex Gyro, 7.4V 600mAh LiPo battery pack and instruction manual. Includes a plastic 2 0 1 4 700 is a quick build and delivers great performance. Also included are: 750MX fuselage with sliding cabin doors, LED lighting and authentic trim scheme, a 4-blade motor, Castle Creations ICE2 120 speed control and carbon-fi ber main and tail rotor rotor head with collective pitch, a torque tube tail drive and a TAGS (Triple Axis Gyro blades. Main rotor dia.: 61.5 in.; length: 52.9 in.; weight: 11.5 lb.; height: 14.17 in. Stabilization) Gyro system. Main rotor dia.: 12.8 in.; length: 13.8 in.; weight: 7.4 lb.; $1,799.99; alignrcusa.com height: 3.39 in. $299.97; helimax-rc.com
JANUARY 2014 27
EFBG_2014.indd 27 9/27/13 12:31 PM Horizon Hobby/Blade 500 3D BNF Horizon Hobby/Blade 500 X BNF This Bind-N-Fly 3D capable heli comes completely assembled and set up straight This Bind-N-Fly heli features BeastX flybarless technology to bring advanced out of the box. It includes G210 Gyro and Spektrum digital servos, a carbon-fiber pilots a big, powerful 3D machine that’s ready to fly in the time it takes to charge main frame, E-flite 520H outrunner motor and a 70A E-flite speed control. It a battery. It comes assembled and equipped for aggressive 3D with an E-flite requires a 6-channel DSM2/DSMX compatible transmitter with heli programming 520H brushless motor and a high-output 6S 30C LiPo battery. All you need is a and a 6S 2900mAh LiPo pack. Main rotor dia.: 61.5 in.; length: 52.9 in.; weight: 11.5 6-channel DSM2- or DSMX-compatible heli transmitter Main rotor dia.: 38.2 in.; lb.; height: 14.17 in. length: 33.5 in.; weight: 3.88 lb.; height: 11.8 in. $260; horizonhobby.com $750; horizonhobby.com
IFT Evolve 300 CX Thunder Tiger Mini Titan E325S Featuring an on-board collision avoidance system, the Evolve 300 CX is very easy An almost-ready-to-fly heli, the Thunder Tiger Mini Titan E325S includes an iFHSS to hover even in tight quarters. Loosely based on the full-size Eurocopter AS350 2.4GHz Radio System, Brushless Motor, 2200mAh LiPo, 1100mAh NiMH battery, Ecureuil, the model comes with its own 2.4GHz radio system (RTF Version), a and charger. It features a 120° eCCPM system and a flybarless rotor head, a molded spare set of rotor blades, an 80mAh 3S LiPo pack, and a DC balancing charger. The lightweight one-piece main frame, belt driven-tail, Ace GT5.1 FBL 3-axis gyro, and collision avoidance system is adjustable for sensitivity. Main rotor dia.: 18 in.; length: 325mm carbon-fiber main rotor blades. Main rotor dia.: 28.58 in.; length: 26.77 in.; 18.3 in.; weight: 2 lb.; height: 10.4 in. weight: 4.06 lb.; height: 7.32 in. $219.99; hobbytown.com $449.97; ttamerica.com
Jet
FAST & FURIOUS!
Global/Skyartec Mini SkyFun Great Planes F-86 This tail-less, fun-to-fly pusher jet design has a pusher propeller/motor in the tail This micro ducted fan jet comes ready to fly out of the box. All you have to do is between its two vertical stabilizers. It comes with a radio gear installed and includes charge the battery and you’re ready to go! Gear includes: 4-channel Tactic TTX402 motor, receiver/autopilot, and servos with pushrods. Also included are 2.4GHz 2.4GHz transmitter, 11,500Kv brushless inrunner motor, 6A speed control, 2S transmitter, 900mAh 2S LiPo pack and charger. Even five-minute epoxy is included 250mAh LiPo pack and charger. Wingspan: 15 in.; wing area: 53.1 sq. in.; weight: to assemble this molded foam flyer! Wingspan: 21.75 in.; wing area: 151 sq. in.; 2.35 oz.; wing loading: 6.4 oz./sq. ft. weight: 7.6 oz.; wing loading: 7.25 oz./sq. in. $149.97; greatplanes.com $149.99; skyartec.com
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EFBG_2014.indd 28 9/27/13 12:32 PM 62 hot new products for your hangar
Micro SPEED DEMON!
HobbyKing Stinger Mk2 64 E-flite UMX ASK-21 This ARF EDF jet has great performance and is recommended for intermediate This DSM2/DSMX compatible micro sailplane is intended for micro aerotowing RC pilots. The Stinger Mk2 64 comes with five 9g servos, and a 3500Kv brushless when matched up with the UMX Carbon Cub. Both models use a 6-channel motor installed and includes a 22mAh 4S LiPo pack included. The jet is easy to hand micro receiver featuring AS3X flight stabilization built in. It is recommended for launch but instructions say tricycle gear are available as an option. Wingspan: 28 in.; intermediate pilots. Wingspan: 33.9 in.; wing area: 80.4 sq. in.; weight: 2.5 oz.; wing wing area: 202 sq. in.; weight: 27.5 oz.; wing loading: 19.6 oz./sq. ft. loading: 4.4 oz./sq. ft. $99.99; hobbyking.com $119.99; horizonhobby.com
UMX Micro Carbon Cub HobbyTown/Ares Micro Tiger Moth This DSM2/DSMX compatible micro bush plane is intended for micro aerotowing This foam-constructed, nano-micro plane comes ready to fly or receiver ready. when matched up with the UMX ASK-21 glider. Both models use a UMAS3X With little assembly, this model can be completed by anyone who has any modeling 6-channel micro receiver featuring flight stabilization built in. It also includes BL 180 experecne, and these qualifications would also meet the flight requirements. If motor, 180mAh 2S LiPo pack, and 5x2.75 propeller. Wingspan: 24 in.; wing area: you’re short on space to fly or if you fly indoors this plane will meet your needs. 83.5 in.; weight: 3.1 oz.; wing loading: 5.3 oz./sq. in. Wingspan: 11.4 in.; weight: 5 oz. $169.99; e-fliterc.com $64.99; hobbytown.com u i d e g B u y e r ’ s ParkZone SE5a Micro EP ParkZone UMX Spitfire Mk IX This nicely detailed WW I biplane comes ready to fly straight out of the box with Part of the UMX Micro warbird series of molded foam aircraft, the Spitfire is DSM2/ 2 0 1 4 all the markings and details installed. It comes as a RTF (with transmitter) and as a DSMx compatible and takes only minutes to be flight ready. It comes with motor, Tx-R requiring a Tactic transmitter or another brand of transmitter with an AnyLink prop, servos, ESC, and receiver installed and it comes with the AS3X flight stability module. It comes with servos and receiver installed, and includes 1S 140mAh LiPo system built in. Wingspan: 15.9 in.; wing area: 43.3 sq. in.; weight: 1.65 oz.; wing pack and charger. Wingspan: 14.3 in.; wing area: 50.4 sq. in.; weight: 1.3 oz.; wing loading: 5.4 oz./sq. ft. loading: 4.3 oz. /sq. ft. $99.99; parkzone.com $99.98 (RTF); $79.98 (Tx-R); parkzone.com
JANUARY 2014 29
EFBG_2014.indd 29 9/27/13 12:32 PM ParkZone UMX P-40 Warhawk ParkZone Ultra Micro F-27Q Stryker 180 Part of the UMX Micro warbird series of molded foam aircraft, the Warhawk is is small jet delivers amazing speed and performance — especially considering its DSM2/DSMx compatible and takes only minutes to be fl ight ready. It comes with size! It can do it all: fl y with agility, perform impressive aerobatic moves, and slow motor, prop, servos, speed control, and receiver installed and with the AS3X fl ight down with solid control response for indoor fl ight. It comes assembled and ready stability system built in. Wingspan: 15.8 in.; wing area: 41.2 sq. in., weight: 1.6 oz., to fl y. Wingspan: 17 in.; wing area: 80.56 sq. in.; weight: 2.2 oz.; wing loading: 3.93 wing loading: 5.7 oz./sq. ft. oz./sq. ft. $99.99; parkzone.com $159.99; parkzone.com
MULTI-ROTOR CAMERA READY!
2DogRC Dualsky 460 Hornet DJI Phantom is receiver-ready quad requires only 15 minutes to put together. e all- is bird is so advanced that it comes out of the box ready to fl y, and even if you’ve reinforced plastic construction makes this bird very lightweight and gives it the never had your hands on the sticks of a helicopter or quadcopter before, you won’t ability to do some very nice maneuvers. Like many quads with the advance fl ight have any problem fl ying this one. e aircraft’s main body, including the motors, control systems, this bird is even easy to fl y for the newbie quad pilot. Diagonal ESC, and fl ight computers, is completely assembled. Just the props and landing gear distance: 18.5 in.; height: 4.5 in.; weight: 25.75 oz. need to be put together. is is the perfect quad for the newbie entering the multi- $299.99; 2dogrc.com rotor world. Diagonal distance: 14 in.; height: 7 in.; weight: 35.26 oz. $680; dji-innovations.com
DJI 500 Flame Wheel Innov8tive Impact-resistant plastic makes this quadcopter almost indestructible. e six arms Next Level 650mm Quad Combo Kit add more stability and improve the solid fl ight characteristics of the Flamewheel. Available as a build-it-yourself project, all of the parts come in their own bags, Everything is included in the kit, and all the modeler has to add is the battery and a labeled to match the instructions for assembly. e aluminum outrigger bars are 6-channel receiver. e assembly can easily be done by anyone with any type of thick to provide a solid framework for the quad motor mounts. When complete, you RC experience, and the Naza system makes this an easy bird to fl y. Any novice RC have a very solid fl ying platform that is easy enough to fl y, even for a fi xed-wing pilot would have no problem with this aircraft. Diagonal distance: 21.6 in.; height: 12 pilot. You will have to supply a 6-channel radio system and a 3-cell 5000mAh LiPo in.; weight: 57 oz. battery. Diagonal distance: 25 in.; height: 7 in.; weight: 3 lb. 6 oz. $799 ($700 SR Pro Micro XL Gimbal); dji-innovations.com $854; innov8tivedesigns.com 30 MORE FROM THIS ISSUE AT MODELAIRPLANENEWS.COM
EFBG_2014.indd 30 9/27/13 12:33 PM 62 hot new products for your hangar
Scale
Traxxas QR-1 Alien PT-17 This ready-to fly (RTF) package is very complete. You get a 4-channel 2.4GHz The Alien Aircraft PT-17 is 3D-CAD designed and contains laser-cut parts that transmitter with four Traxxas AAA alkaline batteries, two 3.7V 240mAh LiPo packs, use tab-and-notch construction for a fast and accurately built model, so builders and a spare rotor blade set. Straight out of the box, our test aerial vehicle was up rejoice! Alien Aircraft also offers the kit as a Deluxe Combo that includes the kit, and hovering in as much time as it took to install the batteries in the transmitter and motor, speed control, motor mount, propeller, connectors, pushrods, and Velcro. if charge the two included LiPo flight packs. Diagonal distance: 4.7 in.; height: 1.1 in.; you can build kit planes, you will most likely be able to fly this bad boy. Wingspan: weight: 1.16 oz. 34 in.; wing area: 331 sq. in.; weight: 25.5 oz.; wing loading: 11.09 oz./sq. ft. $99.99 (RTF); $69.99 (EZ-Connect); traxxas.com $109.99 (kit); $197.99 (Deluxe Combo); alienaircraft.com
EDITORS’ CHOICE!
Diamond Hobby/FMS Corsair E-flite Albatros This scale warbird is constructed entirely of EPO foam. It comes painted with E-flite really did their homework on this balsa/plywood aircraft, which has plenty molded panel lines and scale details from inlets to cooling louvers and even retracts. of fine details, including brass hinges on the tail section, pull-pull elevator cables, You’ll just need a 6-channel radio and 6S 4000mAh LiPo, as the brushless power shock-absorbing landing gear, a wooden tailskid, and colorful markings. It can be system and servos come installed. It performs exceptionally well, especially for a constructed by any modeler, but the flight requirements are a little higher (more for warbird. Wingspan: 52 in.; wing area: 836.25 sq. in.; weight: 12 lb.; wing loading: pilots who are advanced or intermediate). Wingspan: 53 in.; wing area: 755 sq. in.; 33.1 oz./sq. ft. weight: 6.2 lb.; wing loading: 18.92 oz./sq. ft. $459.99; diamondhobby.com $329.99; e-fliterc.com u i d e g B u y e r ’ s E-flite Hawker Hurricane E-flite PA-20 Pacer 10e The all-foam Hawker Hurricane has a lot of great detail molded right in, and it This great-looking, built-up flier is ready for any traditional high-wing sport
comes out of the box all done up. Two versions are available—PNP (Plug-N-Play), aerobatics you care to try! The classic plane is intended for a Power 10 out-runner 2 0 1 4 where you supply the receiver and battery pack, and BNF (Bind-N-Fly), where you and 5-channel radio with four to six servos, and can be assembled in just a few supply the transmitter. Wingspan: 53.5 in.; wing area: 460 sq. in.; weight: 4.5 lb.; enjoyable evenings. Wingspan: 51 in.; wing area: 451 sq. in.; weight: 48 oz.; wing wing loading: 22.5 oz./sq. ft. loading: 15.33 oz./sq. ft. $349.99 (BNF); $279.99 (PNP); e-fliterc.com $149.99; e-fliterc.com
JANUARY 2014 31
EFBG_2014.indd 31 9/27/13 12:33 PM Flyzone Beaver Flyzone Corsair One great thing about this model is the fact that assembly requires no glue or Made of durable AeroCell foam, the Corsair has all of the panel lines, as well as other cutting tools: everything is pre-fitted and ready for final construction. You will find scale details such as molded-in guns and oil coolers. The RTF comes complete everything necessary to complete your new DHC-2 Beaver. This includes all parts with everything needed to get airborne, including a Tactic TTX600 2.4GHz spread of the airplane as well as a 2.4GHz, 6-channel radio, 1800-3S LiPo battery, charger, spectrum 6-channel transmitter. The easy-to-follow instruction manual covers and batteries to operate the radio. The Beaver is perfect for anyone who has everything the intermediate and above pilot needs to get the plane flight ready. already mastered a basic trainer. Wingspan: 59.5 in.; wing area: 430 sq. in.; weight: Wingspan: 48.5 in.; wing area: 426 sq. in.; weight: 49.6 oz.; wing loading: 16.7 oz./ 3 lb. 4 oz.; wing loading: 17 oz./sq. ft. sq. ft. $299.97 (RTF); $209 (Tx-R); flyzoneplanes.com $229.98; flyzoneplanes.com
FAVORITE FIGHTER!
Hangar 9 Messerschmitt Bf 109F-2 Hobby People P-51D Mustang Built-up wood construction and detailed UltraCote covering make this Luftwaffe A great scale warbird that has retractable main gear and tailweel, a 4-blade prop warbird an attractive scale subject. It is intended for a Power 60 motor system and and scale spinner, this P-51D comes with its brushless power system and radio 5-channel radio, and is well-suited to intermediate builders and pilots. Wingspan: gear installed. Assembly is simple: just bolt it together, add your 5-channel radio 64 in.; wing area: 679 sq. in.; weight: 10 lb., 13 oz.; wing loading: 36.7 oz./sq. ft. and 3S 2100mAh LiPo, and you’re ready for takeoff. Wingspan: 49 in.; wing area: $349.99; hangar-9.com 410 sq. in.; weight: 3 lb., 2 oz.; wing loading: 17.6 oz./sq. ft. $169.99; hobbypeople.net
HobbyKing Skyraider HobbyKing AT6 Texan Made from durable EPO foam and adorned with waterslide decals, the Skyraider is This nicely detailed EPO foam model comes with three-section split flaps, certainly not lacking in scale detail. The Skyraider is a breeze to fly and anyone who retractable landing gear, treated rubber tires, detailed cockpit, pilot figure, and even has warbird experience will have no trouble handling it. This plane has great flight lights and a sound system. Its power and radio systems come installed, so you’ll performance and an included optional ordnance and drop tank. Wingspan: 63 in.; need a 3S 2200mAh LiPo and 5-channel radio. Wingspan: 51 in.; wing area: 390 sq. wing area: 535.5 sq. in.; weight: 6 lb. 7 oz.; wing loading: 27.7 oz./sq. ft. in.; weight: 47.62 oz.; wing loading: 17.58 oz./sq. ft. $214.99 (from U.S. warehouse); hobbyking.com $177.63; hobbyking.com
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EFBG_2014.indd 32 9/27/13 12:34 PM 62 hot new products for your hangar
FIRST-CLASS FIGHTER!
HobbyKing/Durafly Ryan HobbyKing/Durafly Spitfire This Ryan represents Durafly’s first venture into the all-wood structure arena, and it The major parts of this Spitfire include the fuselage that comes with the motor, appears to be well executed. The framework is largely balsa and poplar ply with the ESC, and tail servos installed, and a one-piece wing with retracts, flap, and aileron “swoopy” parts, like the cowl, headrest, and wheel pants, nicely done in fiberglass. servos installed. The only real work to do is to install the rudder and aileron control Construction is easy and straightforward, which makes it a breeze for any modeler, horns and snap the molded plastic split flaps into place. This is the perfect scale but for actual flight, you need the skills of an advance pilot. Wingspan: 38 in.; wing warbird for a novice. Wingspan: 44 in.; wing area: 372 sq. in.; weight: 42 oz.; wing area: 252 sq. in.; weight: 32 oz.; wing loading: 16.2 oz./sq. ft. loading: 17.3 oz./sq. ft. $124.98; hobbyking.com $149.99; hobbyking.com
Kondor Model Products P-47 Kondor Model Products P-51D Mustang This is a rather large EPO foam, scale replication of a great plane. With molded This plane is not a difficult build provided that you are familiar with ARF assembly details, this plane is perfect for the intermediate pilot looking for a first scale subject and have a few basic tools. The Mustang has a very effective rudder, so it is very without having to dedicate a year to build it. Perhaps the most interesting thing easy to coordinate rudder and aileron inputs to make the plane track smoothly about this plane is that the construction can be accomplished without using any through turns. Wingspan: 63 in.; wing area: 719 sq. in.; weight: 7 lb. 6 oz.; wing type of glue. Wingspan: 63 in.; wing area: 788 sq. in.; weight: 135 oz.; wing loading: loading: 23.63 oz./sq. ft. 25 oz./sq. ft. $239; kmp.ca $279.95; kmp.ca u i d e g B u y e r ’ s ParkZone Corsair ParkZone Albatros This model comes with everything needed to fly except a transmitter. The sharp Available as both bind and fly and plug and play, this small, field-friendly, vintage paint job almost hides the fact that this plane is made from Z-Foam and the fighter is made of durable Z-Foam painted in a less-common Red Baron paint 2 0 1 4 included pilot bust and cockpit detailing is a sweet addition. Intermediate pilots scheme. The plug-and-play model requires a receiver, 4-channel radio, and will have a blast and advanced pilots will love the fun maneuvers that this plane is 1800mAh 3S LiPo battery. If you already have a compatible transmitter, it’s hard to capable of. Wingspan: 44 in.; wing area: 407 sq. in.; weight: 43.75 oz.; wing loading: beat the bind-and-fly version, as it comes with a Spektrum AR600 DSM2/DSMX 15.5 oz./sq. ft. receiver already installed and is supplied with the battery. Wingspan: 42.3 in.; wing $270; parkzone.com area: 495 sq. in.; weight: 43.3 oz.; wing loading: 12.6 oz./sq. ft. $169.99 (plug and play); $239.99 (bind and fly); parkzone.com JANUARY 2014 33
EFBG_2014.indd 33 9/27/13 12:35 PM RC Guys AgWagon Cessna 188 Tower Hobbies Corsair Looking for your first giant-scale project? Redesigned for electric power, this This model is a remarkably accurate rendition of the full-scale bent-wing built-up model is ideal for someone with intermediate flying skills. A big, gentle bird molded in EPO, which Tower calls “AeroCell” foam. Actual assembly is flyer, it can be outfitted with a functional cockpit door and has plenty of scale straightforward and doesn’t require much in the way of tools and adhesives; you details. Our test plane used a Rimfire 50 out-runner motor and a 6S 5000mAh LiPo won’t need much else to complete the project besides a 4-channel radio and 3S pack. Wingspan: 97 in.; wing area: 1,256 sq. in.; weight: 18 lb.; wing loading: 33 oz./ 1800mAh LiPo. Wingspan: 39 in.; wing area: 271 sq. in.; weight: 32 oz.; wing loading: sq. ft. 16.2 oz./sq. ft. $489; rcguys.com $124.98; towerhobbies.com
Tower Hobbies Hellcat VQ Models FW-190A The F6F Hellcat EP is designed for the modeler looking for a simple, bolt-together The pre-printed iron on type material that was well done by the factory and this was aircraft that requires minimal experience. This plane fits the bill nicely for someone applied over a full built-up structure of balsa and ply. The cowling and accessory looking to get into a scale warbird design that will fly almost anywhere. This is a very panels are made of both fiberglass and ABS plastic painted to match the covering in well-constructed, receiver-ready ARF that pilots with a little tailwheel experience a smooth, flat-painted finish. If you have some prior building experience you should can master. Wingspan: 39 in.; wing area: 272 sq. in.; weight: 31 oz.; wing loading: have no trouble getting this model together. Wingspan: 59 in.; wing area: 590 sq. 16.4 oz./sq. ft. in.; weight: 6 lb. 4 oz.; wing loading: 24.40 oz./sq. ft. $139; towerhobbies.com $139; globalhobby.com
Sport CLOUD SURFER!
AF-Model Sky Surfer E-flite Mystique A great design for first-time pilots, this model is also well-suited to first-person- An electric sailplane that’s suitable for Limited Motor Run competition, this view equipment. It’s made of foam that can be repaired easily, and assembly is fast. full-house soaring machine can reach 200 meters in 21 seconds and has a climb A brushless motor and radio gear are installed; you just need a 4-channel radio. rate of 9.5 meters per second! It requires a 6-channel radio system and Power 25 Wingspan: 55 in.; wing area: 410.75 sq. in.; weight: 22.15 oz.; wing loading: 7.77 oz./ outrunner motor, and can be assembled in less than 8 hours. Wingspan: 114 in.; sq. ft. wing area: 1034 sq. in.; weight: 4.85 lb.; wing loading: 10.9 oz./sq. ft. $100; hobby-lobby.com $369.99; e-fliterc.com
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EFBG_2014.indd 34 9/27/13 12:35 PM 62 hot new products for your hangar
TWO PLANES IN ONE!
Flyzone Eraze Flyzone Mini Switch Looking for a plane that you can easily keep in the back seat for those any time, Get two planes in one with this multi-purpose design! This bolt-together plane anywhere flying opportunities? The Eraze is the answer! Constructed of AeroCell comes with a high and a low wing, and switching them is easy and quick. The Switch foam with ABS plastic skidplates, the Eraze can be assembled in two minutes and comes with its brushless power system and radio gear installed; you just need a is incredibly fun to fly. Wingspan: 18.1 in.; wing area: 182 sq. in.; weight: 7.6 oz.; wing 4-channel radio. Wingspan: 31/34 in. (low/high); wing area: 169/195 sq. in. (low/ loading: 5 oz./sq. ft. high) ; weight: 20.4/21.2 oz. (low/high); wing loading: 17.38/16.65 oz./sq. ft. (low/ $99.98 (Rx-R); $149.97 (RTF); flyzoneplanes.com high) $249.99 (Tx-R); $279.99 (RTF); flyzoneplanes.com
Flyzone Millenium Flyzone Tidewater With its installed 1000Kv brushless motor, speed control, and servos, the Millenium This scale-like seaplane’s AeroCell foam construction is ideal for flying off water, can be flight-ready in no time. It is perfect as a second aileron airplane and will and it offers excellent on-the-water performance. It comes with installed brushless easily fly for 7 to 8 minutes on one 1800mAh pack. Aerobatics are crisp and power and radio systems, and has aerobatic performance that will satisfy any sport responsive. Wingspan: 41 in.; wing area: 268 sq. in.; weight: 27 oz.; wing loading: 15 pilot. Wingspan: 41.5 in.; wing area: 310 sq. in.; weight: 32 oz.; wing loading: 14.9 oz./sq. ft. oz./sq. ft. $159.99 (Rx-R); $199.98 (Tx-R); flyzoneplanes.com $169.98 (TX-R); $259.98 (RTF); flyzoneplanes.com u i d e g B u y e r ’ s Great Planes Phazer Great Planes Proud Bird Featuring a lightweight fiberglass fuselage and built-up wing covered in MonoKote, Do you have a need for speed? This model delivers! The Proud Bird is an awesome 2 0 1 4 this jet comes with an ElectriFly Ammo in-runner motor and HyperFlow ducted- flying plane that can win pylon races or fly pattern maneuvers with the best of fan unit that provide a wide performance envelope. In fact, this jet will appeal to them. You supply the motor and 4-channel radio system. It features built-up both speed demons and sport fliers! You’ll need a speed control, battery, two micro construction and MonoKote covering. Wingspan: 52 in.; wing area: 388 sq. in.; servos, and a radio. Wingspan: 49 in.; wing area: 410 sq. in.; weight: 3 lb., 2 oz.; wing weight: 3 lb., 2 oz.; wing loading: 18.56 oz./sq. ft. loading: 17.6 oz./sq. ft. $149.97; greatplanes.com $179.99 (ARF); greatplanes.com
JANUARY 2014 35
EFBG_2014.indd 35 9/27/13 12:35 PM Hobby Lobby ParkZone/Horizon Hobby VisionAire Senior Telemaster Laser-Cut Kit V2 A great-flying, 3D-capable plane equipped with Horizon’s AS3X stabilization This kit-built model can tow sailplanes and drop things like a utility plane. It comes system, the VisionAire will shorten your 3D learning curve. This Z-Foam model with laser-cut balsa pieces, aluminum gear, and all hardware except for wheels. The comes with its brushless motor system and radio gear installed, and assembly is Senior Telemaster is a very stable flyer and very predictable. Add Hobby Lobby’s straightforward and quick. You’ll only need a compatible 4-channel radio system. optional floats and fly off water! Wingspan: 91.5 in.; wing area: 1,301 sq. in.; weight: Wingspan: 45 in.; wing area: 539 sq. in.; weight: 44 oz.; wing loading: 11.7 oz./sq. ft. 10.5 lb.; wing loading: 18.6 oz./sq. ft. $299.99 (BNF); parkzone.com $249.99; hobby-lobby.com
Trainer
FIRST FLIGHT SUCCESS!
Top Flite Mini Contender EP Hitec Sky Scout A modern update to a classic design, this model handles like a fun-fly plane: it’s A great choice for beginners, this 3-channel Elapor foam model has durability, nimble, quick, and stable while flying at slower speeds. It is intended for a Rimfire .10 dependable electronics, and impressive flight characteristics. More experienced or similar motor and requires a 4-channel radio system. The Mini Contender EP is a pilots can install the optional aileron controls for increased maneuverability. solid aerobatic performer that will keep experienced pilots very happy. Wingspan: Wingspan: 54.5 in.; wing area: 372 sq. in.; weight: 24.5 oz.; wing loading: 36 in.; wing area: 329 sq. in.; weight: 28 oz.; wing loading: 12 oz./sq. ft. 9.5 oz./sq. ft. $99.98 ; topflite.com $79.99 to $249.99 (depending on gear included); hitecrcd.com
HobbyZone Firebird Stratos ParkZone Apprentice S 15e This twin Z-foam airplane was engineered with the beginner in mind. Its virtual A stable-flying high-wing trainer, the Apprentice is equipped with Horizon’s AS3X instructor technology makes it easy to learn to fly, and it can slow down to a crawl, stabilization technology as well as its innovative SAFE pilot training aid. The included so landing is a piece of cake. It comes with everything you’ll need and can be transmitter provides multiple levels of flight protection, which can be reduced as airborne in minutes after you unpack the box. Wingspan: 42 in.; weight: 17 oz. your skills improve. This model comes with everything you need to get airborne. $129.99; hobbyzonerc.com Wingspan: 59 in.; wing area: 515 sq. in.; weight: 49 oz.; wing loading: 13.7 oz./sq. ft. $299.99; horizonhobby.com
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EFBG_2014.indd 36 9/27/13 12:36 PM full page.indd 1 9/24/13 2:23 PM Pilot Report
Durafly Fi 156 Storch An exceptional flyer that’s priced right By Greg Gimlick
The Fieseler Storch was one of the most recognized planes to serve in the Luftwaffe, and it saw service in every German theater of conflict during WW II. Even today, it’s considered one of the best STOL designs of all time. Used primarily as an observation platform, it outperformed every Allied counterpart with its construction, reliability, and performance. Most notably, it excels in slow flight. Allied fighter pilots found it hard to engage and shoot down because of its slow-speed flight characteristics. As a sign of how great it was, Field Marshal Montgomery and Air Vice Marshal Harry Broadhurst both used captured Storches in North Africa and Western Europe for personal transport and observation.
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PR Storch.indd 38 9/26/13 5:20 PM Specifi cations Highlights Model: Fieseler Fi 156 Storch + Exceptional build quality Manufacturer: Durafl y (durafl y.com) Great fl ight characteristics Distributor: HobbyKing (hobbyking.com) + Type: Scale + Excellent fl ap characteristics Wingspan: 45.5 in. Outstanding value for the money Wing area: 276 sq. in. + Weight: 36 oz. Wing loading: 19 oz./sq. ft. Power incl’d: 3530 outrunner w/ 25A Gear used speed control Radio: JR 9503 (jrradios.com); HobbyKing Radio req’d: 5- to 6-channel OrangeRX 6-ch. DSM2 receiver (hobbyking.com); Price: $159.99 (6) HXT900 9g servos (installed); Turnigy BEC 25A speed control (installed) Motor: NTM 3530 outrunner 1100Kv and Turnigy BEC 25A speed control (both installed) Battery: Turnigy 3S 2200mAh LiPo 25-35C Prop: 10x6 (included)
Durafl y Fi 156 Storch An exceptional fl yer that’s priced right By Greg Gimlick
NOVEMBER 2013 39
PR Storch.indd 39 9/26/13 5:20 PM e NTM 3530 motor and 10x6 prop In the Air provide lots of power for this little gem. Taking off from a grass fi eld can be a challenge because of the small wheels, which is to be expected. I set mine up with the recommended control throws and center of gravity, and I haven’t made any changes to them over several fl ights. Access to the battery is easy using the removable windshield access and the aft access panel allows access to the receiver and tail surface servos. I have the fl aps set up for maximum defl ection and, for a plane this size, they seem very eff ective. A bit of elevator is required when deployed completely. I’ve fl own it using both high and low rates, but generally keep it in the high setting.
GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE Stability: I expect a plane of this size and weight to be infl uenced by wind conditions, and it is, but it remains controllable with the assigned settings. I think the big legs on the gear help its upright e ARF contents as e Durafl y Storch is small in stature, but huge stability by providing a CG lowering eff ect. ere is very little, if any, they shake out of the in features. It is all built-up balsa and light ply dihedral in the wing, but the plane just feels comfortable in fl ight. box construction, covered fl awlessly with matte Tracking: It tracked beautifully, with no surprises in the air, and camo covering. All of the electronics are takeoff /landing runs were straight and true in spite of some installed, including the brushless motor and diffi culty with our grass fi eld. e rudder has plenty of authority speed control. e only thing you’ll need is a to handle takeoff runs and I fi nd it’s best to ease into the throttle receiver to match your radio and an evening for a scale-like takeoff rather than just fi rewall the throttle. e tail to assemble it. Anyone who has soloed and comes up quickly and ground track is solid with rudder. mastered coordinated fl ight can enjoy having this as an introduction to scale modeling — and Aerobatics: Nothing in the mission profi le of this plane says it’s it would be a very good introduction! aerobatic, but it certainly can be with the power of the NTM motor/ prop combination on 3S LiPos. e only thing that proved diffi cult in the aerobatic routine was inverted fl ight. It can be done, but it is not UNIQUE FEATURES the easiest plane to fl y inverted and that led me to believe the gear e fi rst thing that comes to mind when design inhibits that. Loops, rolls, etc aren’t a problem and power is thinking about all the great features on this ARF there for vertical climbs that are far from scale. is the method of retaining the wing. A 6mm carbon wing tube slides through the fuselage Glide & stall performance: Stalls were gentle and with the fl aps tube and into the wing receptacles in the usual deployed, it looks like it’s going to stop before it actually stalls. e fashion, but that’s where the similarity ends. nose dropped and it was recovered in the standard fashion. e At the root of each wing is a drilled tab Storch has a nice glide angle and with a wing loading of 19 oz./sq. ft., that matches a slot on the fuselage. it does a nice job fl oating around, especially if you use the fl aps. As the wing is slid into place and the PILOT DEBRIEFING tab enters the fuselage, there is is plane hand-launches easily with more than enough power a latch that you pull down as provided by the system, but if your grass is short, it will take off the wing is seated. Once the just fi ne. is plane is well suited to a pilot who’s comfortable with a wing is fully seated against trainer. It just looks great tooling around the sky low and slow … just the fuselage, the latch lever e cowl has been what the full-size plane was designed for! removed to show the is released and the spring-loaded retaining pre-installed motor. pin rises up through the tab to hold it fi rmly in
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PR Storch.indd 40 9/26/13 5:21 PM Left: Pre-formed gear legs fit into pre-drilled holes and slots. The gear is dressed up with airfoil pieces provided. Above: The wing slides over the wing tube Up Close with Greg and wires are fed through provided slots. Below left: Wing servos are pre-installed, wing struts are Gimlick screwed in place. Below right: The aft fuselage hatch allows access to receiver and tail servos. Reviewer Greg Gimlick has been a longtime contributor to Electric Flight and is the “Ultimate Electrics” columnist for our sister publication, Model Airplane News. Here’s what he has to say about his involvement in “clean and quiet” RC power.
Electric Flight: How many years have you been flying electrics and are you exclusively electric now?
Greg Gimlick: I’ve been flying electrics since 1991 and although I’m primarily an electric flier, I still enjoy the occasional giant-scale gas project. Right now, I have 28 flyable planes and helicopters that are all electric. I also fly discus launch gliders.
EF: What’s your most important tip for keeping your electric power system operating properly?
Greg: This is easy — battery management! place. The wing is further secured with scale it’s almost foolproof because of the interlocking It’s a very simple process that many wing struts. Removal of the wing for transport stabs. The landing gear is pre-formed and only people ignore and it costs them only requires unplugging the servo wires, needs to be secured in place with brackets. There unnecessary expense and aggravation. removing the lower strut screw, and releasing is no need to remove the cowl for any reason, but Here’s a simple recipe for keeping your the latch inside the fuselage. It takes about a I popped mine off so you could see the motor electrics happy for a long time: minute, if that. installation. The covering and built-up surfaces Having all the servos pre-installed was a are gorgeous, which is especially noticeable on 1. Use a balance charger whenever possible. welcome sight. Unfortunately, on my review the vertical fin. All of the markings are in place 2. Keep a log for each battery pack. model, three of the four servos in the wing when it comes out of the box, and even the 3. Always use a 1C charge rate. failed within seconds of plugging them in. A call leading edge slats are scale in appearance. 4. Never store them fully charged or fully to HobbyKing found that there had been a bad discharged. batch of servos that found their way into some ConClusion 5. Always store them at 3.7-3.8 volts per kits. A new set of servos was quickly sent at no “Wow!” about sums it up. This is a scale airplane cell. charge and I was assured the issue had been that flies well, looks great, and comes with 6. NEVER leave them in your hot car! addressed in later kits. The level of customer all the gear you need (except a receiver and 7. Never leave them unattended while service I received was excellent and rectified the LiPo battery) for $159.99! It can be ready to charging. issue without question. It’s a shame but stuff fly in an evening of easy assembly. If you are Even if you don’t keep a log for each happens. going to fly from grass, expect it to flip over on pack’s history, if you do the other steps, The list of notable features is impressive, landing. There is just no way around it unless your batteries will serve you well for a especially at this price point! All of the control you change to bigger wheels. The gear is long time. surfaces are hinged and although you still need beautiful, but the scale-size wheels are best for to glue the tail pieces squarely to the fuselage, pavement or dirt. J NOVEMBER 2013 41
PR Storch.indd 41 9/26/13 5:21 PM Pilot Report
SIG Rascal 72 EG A popular design gets an electric makeover By Klaus Ronge Photos by Hope McCall
The classic ever-popular SIG Rascal 40 has gotten a makeover. Renamed the Rascal 72 EG, it now features added enhancements for electric power. The Rascal design originated in the 1950s, and SIG has been producing kits and ARFs in various sizes from small electrics all the way up to the 110-inch-span giant-scale model. The mid- size Rascal 72 EG is a convenient size, is easy to transport with its two-piece wing, and has good presence in the air. Designed for 2- or 4-stroke glow engines or equivalent electric power, the Rascal goes together quickly no matter which powerplant option you chose. Since I had the original Rascal 40, which was powered by a 4-stroke engine, I was excited to see how an electric version would compare. Some of the kit updates for electric power include a removable battery hatch and a removable cowl for easier engine/motor installation.
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Sig Rascal.indd 42 9/26/13 3:36 PM ANYONE WHO HAS MASTERED A HIGHWING TRAINER WILL HAVE NO DIFFICULTY HANDLING THE EASYFLYING SIG AND FORGIVING RASCAL. Rascal 72 EG A popular design gets an electric makeover By Klaus Ronge Photos by Hope McCall
Specifi cations Model: Rascal 72EG Manufacturer: SIG Mfg. (sigmfg.com) Type: High-wing sport Wingspan: 72 in. Wing area: 720 sq. in. Length: 51.75 in. Weight: 5 lb., 14 oz. Wing loading: 18.8 oz./sq. ft. Power req’d: 500- to 800-watt brushless motor system; Glow power: .40 - .46 2-stroke .40-.54 4-stroke Radio req’d: 4-channel w/5 servos Price: $310
Highlights + Wide fl ight envelope + Classic vintage design + Designed for glow or electric power + Excellent fi t and fi nish
Gear Used Radio: Futaba 10C transmitter and R617FS receiver (futaba-rc.com), 4 Graupner DES807 BB MG servos Motor: Turnigy G46 550Kv Brushless Outrunner, Turnigy Plush 60A speed control Battery: Turnigy 4-cell 5000mAh LiPo Prop: APC 15x8 in Electric (apcprop.com)
JANUARY 2013 43
Sig Rascal.indd 43 9/26/13 3:36 PM ONCE YOU BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE MODEL’S POTENTIAL, AEROBATICS ARE FUN AND RELAXING.
Typically, when fl ight testing a new model, I get the prefl ight jitters, In the Air but since I had many fl ights on the original version I felt like I was fl ying an old friend. Field setup is quick and only takes a few minutes. e battery hatch on the underside of the fuselage makes it easy to change battery packs. e Rascal fl ies equally well on electric or nitro power, but I prefer the clean and convenient electric option. Ground handling is excellent for a tail-dragger with no tendency to nose over and can be described as trainer-like. It’s easy to keep the takeoff roll straight with the rudder and it is off the ground in under 100 feet. Landing is equally easy, simply decrease power and line up the Rascal on fi nal e Rascal 72 EG is available in either UltraCote and fl are for a 2- or 3-point landing. transparent blue or red with white trim, allowing the fl awless laser-cut wood construction to GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE Stability: e high-wing Rascal has excellent stability, yet is very maneuverable. show through. e wing is in two pieces with an aluminum joiner and alignment pin. All the Tracking: e overall tracking of the plane is very good. Turns look nicer when rudder is added quality SAE hardware is more than adequate for either manually or by radio mixing. this size plane and all is usable. A fi berglass cowl and wheel pants, wheels, molded windows, Aerobatics: While you won’t mistake this for a precision aerobat, it is surprisingly agile. e decals, fuel tank, plastic spinner, engine mount, Turnigy G46 has more than enough power to pull the plane through the maneuvers. It can and instruction manual are also included. perform all the sport aerobatics such as loops, rolls, and stall turns. As the long wing results With its docile fl ight characteristics, the in a rather slow roll rate at the recommended control throws, get plenty of altitude and start Rascal 72 EG would make an excellent second a slight climb before attempting the fi rst roll. Increasing the aileron throw and adding down or third plane. While it is easy to fl y, it has a elevator during the inverted portion of the roll results in a nearly axial roll. Inverted fl ight wide performance envelope, and seasoned requires only a small amount of forward-elevator pressure to maintain altitude. Once you fl iers will enjoy its sport aerobatic potential. become familiar with the model’s potential, aerobatics are fun and relaxing.
Glide and stall performance: e Rascal can glide very slowly without any hint of tip-stalling. When the model is coaxed into a stall, it recovers quickly when the controls are released.
PILOT DEBRIEFING Anyone who has mastered a high-wing trainer will have no diffi culty handling the easy-fl ying and forgiving Rascal. However, it has plenty of aerobatic performance to satisfy the more advanced pilots. e vintage look of the model lends itself to low and slow fl ybys.
UNIQUE FEATURES of photos and construction tips, so even the As I unpacked the box, the quality of the fi rst-time builder should have no problems. construction and covering became evident. I Assembly begins with the wing halves, e Turnigy G45 60A Plush speed control and 4S used my heat gun to shrink the few wrinkled which incorporate a separate aileron servo 5000mAh LiPo power the Rascal 72 nicely. areas before beginning assembly. e for each panel. e servos are mounted on a informative instruction manual contains plenty molded hatch cover, which has a streamlined
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Sig Rascal.indd 44 9/26/13 3:37 PM Graupner DES 807 BBMS servos are more than adequate for controlling the Rascal. Tru-Turn Turbo Cool Spinner Tru-Turn has introduced a line of spinners designed for electric motor applications to assist in motor cooling. The spinner cone has a machined opening for cooling air and the backplate spokes are machined to act as a blower to direct cooling air over the motor. The spinner is available in fairing for the linkage. I was pleased to find that assorted sizes and shapes up to 3 1/2 inches and requires an adapter kit (sold separately). Spinners the ailerons and elevators were hinged and can be custom cut for your prop at no charge and are available in several anodized colors as well glued at the factory, but I gave them a good tug as natural aluminum. These spinners will add a touch of class to your plane while increasing the to make sure they were secure. For maximum performance and longevity of the power system. I really like the spinner I used on the Rascal and control authority and precision I used Graupner will use a Tru-Turn Turbo Cool spinner on my next electric plane. DES 897 BB Metal Gear servos (graupner.de) for all the control surfaces. A string is installed instructions are provided for electric or glow for the speed control and LiPo battery. The in the wing halves to make it easy to bring the power and I chose the Turnigy G46 and 60A electric version also requires slots to be cut servo leads to the wing center section. speed controls (hobbyking.com). Aluminum in the fiberglass cowl for cooling air which The installation of your preferred motor or standoffs were used to get the proper prop is easily done with a Dremel tool. For extra engine is made much easier than the original hub to firewall distance. Three holes need to cooling, I installed a vented 2 1/4-inch Tru-Turn Rascal 40 with the removable cowl. Detailed be drilled in the firewall to provide cooling air, e-spinner (tru-turn.com). I found that I had to extend the plywood battery tray aft to obtain the proper CG without adding any lead weight. Installation of the tail feathers starts with gluing on the horizontal stabilizer after ensuring it is level with the wings and properly aligned. The rudder is hinged after installation using the provided CA hinges. A nice, high-quality tailwheel assembly is included, which uses springs to absorb the gear shock loads. The heavy-duty main aluminum landing gear bolts into place using the pre-installed blind nuts in the fuselage. The fiberglass wheel pants are very quick to attach and self-aligning. To attach the graphics, I wet the area where they are to be applied with glass cleaner to make them easier to position. I added a false cockpit floor and a Hangar 9 1/6-scale pilot figure (hangar-9. com) for scale effect.
ConClusion It is easy to see why the Rascal family of planes enjoys such a devoted following. With its classic lines, elliptical wing and tail feathers, and docile flight characteristics, it makes for a relaxing and enjoyable day at the field. Don’t let the high- wing trainer-like appearance of the Rascal fool you; it has plenty of aerobatic potential, yet is forgiving for the novice pilots.
JANUARY 2013 45
Sig Rascal.indd 45 9/26/13 3:37 PM full page.indd 1 9/25/13 11:26 AM SPECIAL Helicopter Section
48 Helicopter Jamboree Electric news from the IRCHA fl ightline By Jim Ryan 52 Durafl y Auto-GV2 An unusual bird with remarkable fl ight performance By Jim Ryan 56 Hobby People X2 Fly fast with authority By Charlie Hynes SPECIAL HELICOPTER SECTION
JANUARY 2014 47
Heli Opener_0114.indd 47 9/27/13 9:55 AM Israeli phenom Eitan Goldstin was a well-deserving selection for the wildcard “Lucky 7” slot in “The One” competition. As Eitan flies, his spotter S p e CIA l H e l ICo p t e R preps his backup bird. The competition S e C t I o N rules allow the usage of two helis to fill the pilot’s 7-minute slot, but this takes fast footwork and coordination.
Helicopter Jamboree Electric news from the
IRCHA flightline By Jim Ryan
For nearly any RC heli enthusiast, the IRCHA Jamboree is the highpoint of the year. For sheer size, it’s in the running with Joe Nall as the world’s largest RC flying event, and this year it drew 1,132 registered pilots. The vendor area is a heli pilot’s dream, where you can attend educational seminars, buy the latest products, or find out-of-stock spares for a trusted old workhorse. The competitions and industry demos at show center give you a chance to see the best of the best in action, and the informal parties at night top it all off. The event is so enjoyable that even non-heli flying RC’ers from all over the Midwest make the trip just to take it all in. N o I t C e S
R o p t e IC l H e l CIA S p e
Invasion of the multi-rotors! IRCHA may be a helicopter event, but this year Acro isn’t just for “fish heads.” Mikado factory pilots put on a smooth and graceful “multis” were everywhere! From micro quads like the Heli-Max 1SQ and Blade aerobatic demo with a pair of really sharp V-Bar-equipped BO-105s. These large Nano QX up to big professional-grade camera platforms with GPS navigation and birds flew with real authority and looked great. capable of hauling large digital SLRs, there were multis everywhere you looked.
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IRCHA_0114_4 pages.indd 48 9/27/13 12:19 PM ElEctric HEli trEnds “IRCHA” is an event for heli pilots, but this year the explosion of popularity for multi-rotors was striking. These ranged from ready-to-fly micros to professional-grade systems with GPS navigation, laptop datalinks, and camera- mounting gimbals with inertial stabilization. In the middle ground are products that are nearly plug and play like DJI’s Phantom and Flamewheel. If multis are your thing, IRCHA is the place to be. Bigger electric helis in the 700 and larger class have really become a major trend in 3D heli flying. These 12-cell machines have been around for a few years, but now they’ve caught on big with regular fliers. Just about all the major manufacturers now offer 700- class machines. Blade has entered this niche with their outstanding 700X airframe, and established 700-class players like Align and Thunder Tiger continue to refine and upgrade birds, with companies like Scorpion, Savox, their veteran machines. Add excellent designs Castle, and more all offering premium-quality to the mix like the SAB Goblin, Mikado Logo, motors for 12S power. Gaui X7, and Compass HV7, and the only As big helis become such a growing problem is which one to pick! There’s no segment, even the small 450-class birds that shortage of power options for these brawny have traditionally been a major part of the
The Gaui X5 is an excellent mid-size heli, engineered for high performance but tough enough to stand up to the occasional mishap. The simple design makes maintenance and repairs a snap. Here Mitch Marozas Blade goes big! Blade RC has long been a big player shows off the X5’s rock-steady handling down on the deck. in small helis. In recent years they’ve added 450, 500 and 550 machines, but now they’ve leapt into the 700 class with their excellent Blade 700X. Make no mistake: this is a serious entry in the 12-cell market, with features like direct cyclic drive and a tailcase CNC-machined from billet aluminum. I watched a number of impressive demo flights by the likes of James Haley and Jared Granzow, and this heli can do it all.
electric heli market are getting size and power upgrades. New releases like Gaui’s X3 and Compass’ Warp and longtime workhorses like Align’s T-Rex 450 and Thunder Tiger’s Mini Titan are now running 360mm blades and 4S to 6S power. The great thing is that this added capability comes at such affordable cost; Gaui’s X3 kit is available for under $200!
ElEctronic nEws The gear for electric helis just keeps getting better. High-capacity chargers, like Progressive RC’s iCharger line, offer ease of operation and the ability to parallel charge up to six battery packs at up to 30 amps. As a guy who goes back to the early delta peak chargers that could charge one NiCd battery per hour (and that battery capable of providing maybe five minutes of flight time), I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven now that I can literally charge batteries faster than I can empty them. In the electronic speed control world, Castle Creations’ outstanding Edge controllers have really raised the bar. These high- Darrell Sprayberry’s scratch-built Sikorsky H-34 is a masterpiece. Pulled from Darrell’s own molds and with scratch-built mechanics, the 12-cell machine weighs nearly 40 pounds. Tail drivetrain issues kept Darrell from voltage speed controls are compact, easy to showing it off to best advantage, but he’ll surely have it sorted out soon.
JANUARY 2014 49
IRCHA_0114_4 pages.indd 49 9/27/13 12:19 PM IRCHA 2013
The premier competition of the weekend is “The One” event, with seven world-class pilots facing off to complete for a first prize including $7,000 in cash. This year Kyle Dahl and his Logo 700 topped the field with a truly outstanding and inventive routine. 3D IRCHA features some really impressive duet flights, competition just doesn’t get any better. and here two Gaui factory pilots mix it up close-in with their 12-cell X7s. The heavy shift to bigger electric machines in the 700 class was even more obvious this year. Big just flies better. IRCHA CompetItIons IRCHA features some impressive competitions, with electric power a major presence in all of them. One of my favorites is the IRCHA Speed Cup, in which contestants fly their helis through a 200-meter course. There are several classes for wet and electric power, but the Electric Unlimited class is the one to see. Oliver Jellen traveled from Germany to take first in the Unlimited class, with his highly modified 14-cell TDR Velocity clocking runs up to 158mph! The sight and sound of these electric missiles is something any speed junkie would love. program, and offer improved data logging for stabilization was a real novelty, but this year The headline competition of the weekend is performance diagnostics. Not to be outdone, they were everywhere, with DJI’s Naza and “The One” event, with seven world-class pilots Kontronik’s JIVE and Scorpion’s Commander Wookong systems flying off the shelves. GPS competing for a cash prize of $7,000. This year, lines have been upgraded for even better stabilization isn’t just for aerial photography; the five-judge panel of world-class heli fliers performance. As with heli airframes and sport helis and scale machines alike can really crowned Kyle Dahl as “The One.” Kyle’s flight motors, there’s no shortage of choices. benefit from this added layer of safety and routine was truly something to see, and his win Flybarless systems have taken over the reliability. was well-deserved. RC heli world, and these days you really have to look around to spot a mechanical flybar. Airframe manufacturers like Mikado, Thunder Tiger, and Align, and electronics specialists like bavarianDEMON (formerly HeliCommand), Futaba, BeastX, and Skookum SECTION
Robotics all have outstanding units for fliers of all levels. Flybarless units on the market can be grouped into those that are directly
ICOPTER programmed using buttons on the unit and the l E transmitter and those that are programmed l H via a laptop computer using a USB interface. I’ve programmed and flown a number of units PECIA
S in both camps, and it’s really just a matter of Indiana Air Search and Rescue’s full-scale Huey personal taste. was on hand for the event and selling rides to lucky The most notable development on the attendees. There is just nothing quite like a Huey, and electronic front this year was the huge IASAR’s example is particularly well-maintained. growth of GPS autopilots. Just last year, GPS
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IRCHA_0114_4 pages.indd 50 9/27/13 12:19 PM Curtis Youngblood’s Stingray is a quad with something different! This amazing bird has full collective pitch, making it fully aerobatic as CY demo pilot Kenny Sierra shows here. The 2200-4S power train is belt-driven, and with very low blade inertia, the ’Ray is remarkably durable. Flight stabilization is provided by a special version of the Total-G 3-axis gyro unit, and the performance really is mind-boggling.
As a natural fit with their outstanding line of Edge controllers, Castle Creations has rolled out their line of “Vertigo” motors for helicopters ranging from 450 to 700 size. The 700-size 4540 shown here is an 8-pole design with a 490Kv. Castle will be selling the Vertigos direct to fliers.
The contests wrap up Saturday night with Swiss master scale modeler Roland the hugely popular night fly competition. Kaufmann was a well-deserving Night heli flying is an absolute blast, and the first place in the IRCHA Scale world-class competitors in this competition competition with his immaculate Alouette III. Believe it or not, this really raise the bar with their choreographed 15-pound scratch-built beauty is 25 lighting systems and spectacular flying. This years old and still flies with vintage year, Bobby Watts topped the field with his Heim mechanics, now converted to very entertaining routine, but every competitor 10S LiPo power. brought something truly different.
Next Year I no sooner get over the post-IRCHA daze when I start looking forward to the next year’s event, which in 2014 will take place August 6 though 10. Make your plans now!
Sandy Jaffe’s MD-500 Explorer was one of the most technically impressive electric models flown at the event. Getting a NOTAR system to work properly is challenging, and yet Sandy’s machine showed absolutely steady tail hold even in gusty conditions.
JANUARY 2014 51
IRCHA_0114_4 pages.indd 51 9/27/13 12:20 PM
ong before helicopters took over Assembly is my life, I was fascinated with RC minimal, as the autogyros. For at least 25 years, servos, electronics I’ve watched the state-of-the-art and motor are all progress from dual-rotor outrigger installed. Ldesigns to gradually more practical single-rotor versions. However, with all the other projects on the bench, I never got around to building one. With the Durafl y Auto-G gyrocopter, available in an ARF version for just $75, I fi nally decided to do something about that. Here was an autogyro I could have fl ying in an hour!
UNIQUE FEATURES e Auto-G V2 comes almost totally assembled and includes some neat design features, chief among these a fl ex-drive to spin up the rotor for takeoff . is drive plugs into the fl ight battery’s balancing plug, and it’s electronics and motor are all installed. e connected to a spare channel on the receiver, landing gear snaps in place, the horizontal stab Specifi cations ideally a momentary switch like a push button. mounts on the tail boom with two clamps, and Model: Auto-G2 Gyrocopter e drive has a one-way bearing so that the the vertical fi n is glued in place with supplied Type: ARF Autogyro rotor can uncouple in fl ight, and the drive glue. e rotor blades are screwed to the hub, Manufacturer: Durafl y (durafl y.com) shaft is fl exible to allow for tilting the rotor for which has built-in fl apping hinges. Finally, the Distributor: HobbyKing (hobbyking.com) roll control. is should only be used prior to rotor and prop are mounted on their shafts. All Rotor span.: 32.3 in. takeoff , as the rotor should freewheel in fl ight. that’s left is to install the pushrods and bind the Weight: 21 oz.. Length: 31.3 in. Assembly is minimal, as the servos, receiver. It’s a good idea to put the fl ight battery Motor included: 800Kv outrunner on charge before you start assembly, as you’re Radio required: 5-channel likely to have the airframe fi nished before the Price: $74.99 battery is charged. With the minimal assembly completed, it’s time to head to the fi eld. Gear Used Radio: Spektrum DX7s (spektrumrc.com); OrangeRX 6-channel receiver (hobbyking.com); 4 microservos installed Battery: Nano-Tech 11.1V 1300-3S LiPo (HobbyKing.com)
Highlights e rotor is mounted on a sturdy plywood pylon, and e installed 41mm brushless outrunner provides + Outstanding fl ight performance aileron control is via two micro servos in a pull-pull plenty of power for very short takeoff s. I do most of Quick and simple assembly arrangement. e motor drive uses a fl ex-shaft my fl ying below half-throttle, allowing fl ights of over + and one-way clutch to spin up the rotor for takeoff . 10 minutes. + Clever engineering details Ideally, this should be assigned to a momentary + Unusual and eye-catching switch, but a toggle will suffi ce.
I really had no idea what to expect from the test Auto-G has proved reasonably capable. It does very nice chandelles and In the Air fl ight, which naturally took place on training/ stall-turns and is even capable of loops. Do bear in mind that the rotor club meeting night (no pressure here!). Initial takeoff was a breeze! I hit blades are not designed for high-G maneuvers, and you can crease the the switch to spin up the rotor and then cut the rotor as I added power. foam if you overstress them. e Auto-G accelerated smoothly, and I eased it off the runway. Once in the air, it handled much like a high-wing airplane: all fl ight controls were Glide and stall performance: While the Auto-G can do normal landing normal, and it showed no bad habits. approaches like a regular airplane, the real fun is steep short-fi eld landings. Fly the traffi c pattern at what seems way too high altitude. GENERAL FLIGHT PERFORMANCE After turning fi nal, pull throttle back to near idle and use down elevator Stability: With its tall rotor pylon, the Auto-G has a natural tendency to keep the rotor rpm up. e Auto-G will sink like it’s on an elevator, but to level itself. I fi nd turns are better with a healthy amount of rudder. won’t pick up speed. About 10 feet above the runway, add a little power to Autogyros won’t stall in the conventional sense, but you need to manage arrest the sink and it will land like a butterfl y. pitch and power to keep the rotor speed up. Don’t be afraid to shove in some down-elevator if you see the rotor getting slow. PILOT DEBRIEFING is little gyrocopter exceeded my expectations in every way. e Tracking: is is one of the Auto-G’s most remarkable traits. Even on powered rotor makes takeoff s a snap, and handing in fl ight is much better minimum distance takeoff s, with the rotor powered and full throttle, it than expected. Landings are where the Auto-G really shines, and I can do tracks straight as a string. is was really unexpected. touch-and-gos for as long as the battery lasts.
Aerobatics: Aerobatics are hardly the purpose of an autogyro, and yet the
JANUARY 2014 53
AutoGyro KM.indd 53 9/27/13 12:21 PM The Auto-G is an odd-looking bird, but the flight performance is remarkable. Tracking on takeoffs is straight as can be, and handling is honest and predictable. The model has loads of power for short-field takeoffs but flies happiest around half -throttle.
Autogyros: A Different PAth to rotAry Wing flight From the earliest days of powered flight, ambitious designers attempted to build rotary-wing aircraft. In 1909, before he had built a successful airplane or even learned to fly, Igor Sikorsky built two unsuccessful helicopters. Given the incomplete knowledge of aerodynamics (and the limitations of structures and powerplants) true helicopters simply weren’t yet practical. Even Sikorsky, a man passionate about the possibilities of hovering flight, turned his attention to more conventional fixed-wing designs for the next 30 years. There was, however, a simpler middle road to rotary-wing flight. Just 10 years after Sikorsky’s unsuccessful attempts, Spanish engineer Juan de la Cierva began work on a rotary-wing concept in which the rotor was not powered but simply windmilled or “autorotated” as the aircraft flew through the air. With a freewheeling rotor there The Cierva C.6 was the world’s first truly successful rotary-wing aircraft, capable of cross-country flight. Based on the fuselage from an Avro 504, it used stubby wings for roll control. This photo shows how the rotor was spun was no torque to deal with and no need to wrestle up by men pulling on a rope, just like a toy top! (Photo via Wikimedia Commons) with the complexities of controlling cyclic and collective pitch.
e c t i o n While not capable of true vertical takeoff or sustained hovering, de la Cierva’s “autogiro” showed S important advantages over conventional aircraft. It could take off from short fields, fly safely at very slow speeds and could make extremely steep landing approaches with minimum rollout. Pitch and yaw could be controlled by conventional tail surfaces. After moving to England in 1925, de la Cierva steadily improved his designs, which were licensed to manufacturers around the world, including U.S. companies Pitcairn and Kellett. One major improvement was the development of direct rotor control—a forerunner of cyclic pitch control. Later designs could use engine power to spin up the rotor and then “jump” into the air. By the mid- Special Helicopter 1930s, the autogyro was well on the way to evolving into a true helicopter. Ironically, de la Cierva, who embarked on his autogyro designs in an effort to improve flight safety, died in 1936 in an airliner crash. It would be left to others to perfect the helicopter, but The C.6 demonstrated full 3-axis control, gyrocopters remain in use to this day as light recreational aircraft. and the Spanish press called its 7-mile flight in March 1924 “the leap into glory.”
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AutoGyro KM.indd 54 9/27/13 12:21 PM 1/2V.indd 1 9/24/13 12:41 PM
1/6H.indd 1 5/7/13 10:02 AM
1/3V.indd 1 9/25/13 11:04 AM S P E C I A L HELICOPTER SECTION
Hobby People
X2Fly fast with authority By Charlie Hynes Photos John Reid
With the X2 out of ground eff ect, it steeled into a very stable hover with little stick movement needed.
his is the high-performance X2 of helicopters with little to no fl ying experience. Adding the brushless motor package will helicopter from Hobby People, e height limiter is intended for beginners increase the fl ight range from 109 yards to 328 which is a coaxial helicopter that and the aileron assist is designed for advanced yards. e fi xed-pitch coaxial rotor system is ready to fl y out of the box. e pilots, so you can buy the accessories to fi t stability is a given and this larger model is even only thing you will need to add your intended fl ying skills. With the video more forgiving than some smaller helicopters. areT four AA batteries into the included 2.4GHz camera mounted under the heli, the optional is RTF model comes with a charger, a LiPo transmitter. e LiPo fl ight pack and AC charger foam and Velcro housing will protect your fl ight pack, and a transmitter that is already are included and will take a few minutes to camera from the hardest of landings. bound to the receiver. It’s suggested that you charge before getting into the air. Out of the fi rst charge the fl ight pack with the included box, everything is installed — even the main UNIQUE FEATURES charger, and that fi rst charge took 15 minutes. rotor blades and canopy. e 2.4GHz radio is 100% factory assembled model can be During that time, I added the four AA batteries system has switchable sensitivity depending fl own in a large indoor space or outdoors in to the transmitter and read the manual. on whether you’re fl ying indoors or outdoors wind up to 8mph. e transmitter also has a Within minutes, it was time to test fl y the X2. and your skill level. switch to vary the amount of authority on the e LiPo battery can only fi t into the helicopter You can also make it an extreme performer sticks so you can tailor the responsiveness to one way. ere were no straps to hold it in by adding brushless motors, aileron power your surroundings or match the performance place, and just a fi rm push is needed to seat it assist, video housing with extended landing to your fl ying skills. in the cradle and allow the canopy to fi t. When gear, a fl ight height limiter, or LED lights. All of e automatic yaw gyro adds stable fl ight connecting the large power connectors, the these options plug into existing wiring (be sure characteristics, and with composite plastic helicopter has to be on a level surface to let the to read the sidebar and learn how we added all main and metal mainframe components, this gyro set properly.
SPECIAL HELICOPTER SECTIONthe above accessories to showcase the stock bird comes out light and durable. An aluminum With the transmitter switched on, it takes a and fully modifi ed versions!). Along with global tail boom holds an Extreme Flyer’s patented stick movement to full power and back down service and support, this is a very nice package Anti-Wind Tail Control System so that it makes to low power to arm the speed controls. A for someone wanting to get into the 350 class contact with the chassis. beep comes from the transmitter when it is
Hobby People X2 v2.indd 56 9/26/13 3:41 PM Specifi cations Model: X2 Distributor: Hobby People (hobbypeople.net) Rotor dia.: 18.75 in. Length: 20.2 in. Weight: 16.6 oz. Radio: Extreme Flyers FHSS 5-channel 2.4GHz Hobby People (included) Power: 180 brushed (two) Price: $219.99 (accessories shown: $239.95)
Highlights + Fully assembled and trimmed out of the box With everything installed, Durable materials used for rotor blades and skids it looks like quite a diff erent + machine the camera mount + Flight battery fi ts without any hold-down straps shown below it is a foam box or Velcro X2 suitable for the Go Pro or other Box can be used for transportation sized video camera. +
Gear Used Radio: Extreme Flyers 5-channel 2.4GHz (included) Motors: 180 brushed (two included) Battery: 3S 11.1V 850mAh 22C LiPo (included) Main rotors: Molded composite plastic fi xed-pitch sets A and B are mirror opposites (included)
In the Air With the nose pointed in the wind, the X2 took off like any other helicopter, and what happened next was a nice surprise — it hovered hands off with little input. Sure, I threw the sticks around and it stabilized itself every time despite my eff orts to do otherwise. In no wind, it was able to fl y around me with ease and as the wind came up, it needed more forward stick to keep its spot over the landing zone or achieve forward fl ight. I did a few takeoff s and landings and each time, the little X2 impressed me with its stability and self-righting tendencies. As I watched it hover overhead, I noticed that the tail rotor was turning at times and at other times it was not. Being a fi xed-pitch heli, the X2 wanted to stay aloft even as the rotor speed slowed to a visible rotation, and its light weight and ample power allowed it to fl oat back into a nice landing every time. is helicopter is a fi rst pilot’s dream. On initial setup of the brushless motor installation I had reversed the motor control wires going into the receiver and that rendered the gyro useless, causing the helicopter to spin like a top. If you have a similar problem, just swap the two leads into the receiver and everything will be resolved.
JANUARY 2014 57
Hobby People X2 v2.indd 57 9/26/13 3:41 PM ready to fly.a quick test hop on the bench POWER & PERFORMANCE ADD-ONS confirmed it was really ready to fly, but using We got all of the optional parts for the X2 to try out, including the brushless motors. It was a the least sensitive settings proved to be a little fast swap out with only four screws on the main frame holding the landing gear in place, and the less control than i like. i found that setting three provided screwdrivers are a perfect fit for the screws holding the motors to the aluminum plate. suited me better indoors. The upper motor requires the cage to also be removed with two more screws and the lower motor if you are just starting out, it’s suggested with the fiberglass spacer fit perfectly from the bottom. to add the height limiter. The number on the After replacing the motors, I then attached the speed controls to the skids. Since the brushed display has no actual measurement, so some motors unplug from the receiver, the new speed controls had to plug into the marked servo plug in experimentation will be required to find the best locations. number to keep this bird from hitting your ceiling The next accessories installed were the aileron assist fans. This went together a lot faster than (if flying indoors). For you advanced pilots, the I expected due to only one of them needing to be wired. The next accessories were the lights, so recommendation is to have aileron assist. after plugging them into the matching red plug and powering it up, I was able to see which lights were which color. Placing solid lights and blinking lights in different locations is recommended, ConClusion which I followed. But you can install them to suit what you like because there is enough slack in the it would probably take a beginner a few lessons wires to go either way. I used black electrical tape to secure the wiring but you could also use hot with an experienced pilot by their side to feel glue or zip-ties. comfortable flying this helicopter. For the The next optional item I installed was the height limiter and again, the different plug was already experienced pilot, this bird has so much lift wired in so getting them mixed up is next to impossible. The last optional item I added was the ability that carrying a 2-ounce Gopro camera camera mount with a pre-cutout foam housing designed for a GoPro-type camera. An extended would be fun and easy. on a first flight, i would wire landing gear is included to keep the camera from getting damaged due to any rough landings. recommend that you resist the temptation All of these optional add-ons make this helicopter a fun bird for the experienced pilot. to hover a few inches off the deck and get at
least 24 inches high before attempting any trim aerobatics: This might not be one of the X2’s adjustments. strongest points. This is due to the fixed-pitch and stable flight, which is what it was designed General FliGht PerFormanCe for. That being said, an experienced pilot can Stability: Stability is one thing you can count on push the envelope to find this bird’s limitations. with the X2 coaxial helicopter. With indoor flight becoming more popular, this is sure to be the Pilot DebrieFinG helicopter that people will want to try indoors. You will have such fun with this helicopter that tracking: on the X2, tracking it was very good, you will need at least a second or third lipo and the nose stayed where i wanted it to be at battery pack. overall, i enjoyed flying the X2 Here is the height limiter installed the numbers light all times. The helicopter would buck and shutter from Hobby people and look forward to seeing up a bright red that can be seen in flight when it gets at some of my control inputs, but just relaxing what’s next. overhead. the sticks made these tendencies disappear.
For the experienced e c t i o n
S pilot, this bird has so much lift ability that carrying a The wicked good looks are 2-ounce GoPro evident here with all rotors
Special Helicopter spinning it is quite impressive camera would be up close. fun and easy.
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Hobby People X2 v2.indd 58 9/26/13 3:41 PM 1/4H.indd 1 9/24/13 12:33 PM Tools For Better Building.
Easy Hinger Wire Benders Tap-N-Drill Guides Like. 2QO\WRROVSHFL¿FDOO\ Make exact length push- Align taps and drills for designed for CA hinges. rod, landing gears, ca- engine mounts and wing Machined from aluminum, banes and tight “Z” bends bolts. Many sizes avail- Follow. and uses number #11 in tough wire without able! hobby blades. The slots fracturing it. Most com- Join. will be exactly in a straight mon sizes available. line eveytime.
One North Haven Street Online Catalog @ Harry Baltimore, MD. 21224 USA New!Harryhigley.com www.harryhigley.com higley
47872.indd 1 1/2/12 4:18 PM Vintage Cover Posters Display aviation history with these striking color posters from the Posters to early issues of Model Airplane News. Full-size cover replicas from the 60 choose from 1920s through the 1950s feature artwork highlighting the style and images popular in decades past. These posters are high-quality, non- Available only at tear stock and are suitable for framing. AirAgeStore.com 24" x 33" | $44.95 each Custom Corner By John Reid
n the last issue, we added a simple camoufl age color scheme to a heat-shrink-covered plane using Easy scale details inexpensive hardware spray paint. For the example here I used the Hangar 9 P-40B Warhawk, which you for the Hangar 9 P-40B Ican see in the before photo. Now we will add some detail work to the color scheme to make our conversion complete to the English version of this plane, the Tomahawk. We’ll add some new decals and panel lines to fi nish off this customization of the P-40 Warhawk, plus I will answer the red spinner question from last issue.
Here is my fi nished Kittyhawk ready for its fi rst fl ight in the new colors.
is is how the P-40B started out. While it is an actual scheme for a P-40B I started out by applying the decals to the fuselage. I like to use glass cleaner Warhawk, there is not much pop to this plane. I could not fi nd a B-version P-40 when working with decals, that way I can lay the decal down and make any 1with camoufl age paint, so that is why I went to the other side of the pond for 2adjustments needed. Here I am using a soft cloth to press out any air bubbles my color scheme. e British had a number of B-version aircraft to pick from, so I by starting from the middle and working out to the edge of the decal. selected the one with the most graphics.
YOU’LL NEED Here are some of the tools required to fi nish up the P-40 conversion. From left to right, the fi rst is the three-view drawing I used to lay out the panel lines, this is the same book from which I pulled the color scheme and aircraft marking. An assortment of extra-fi ne felt-tip markers, various size metal fl exible rulers with cork backing to protect the fi nish, and a laser level to lay out the fi rst panel line to be used as a guide for the rest of the lines. On the bottom is my sheet of custom-made vinyl decals. I had to order a minimum size sheet, so now I have many other markings made for future projects.
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Custom Corner 0114.indd 60 9/27/13 9:48 AM I use a laser level to lay out the longest panel line on the fuselage. Notice that Again, I drew on my base (longest) line to use as a measurement point for I level the fuselage to the line; once I have it where I want it, I make a couple all the other lines. I found that the marker would go dry after a line or two. I 3of marks along that line that I will use as a guide for my longest ruler. The 6purchased three of them and would use one for a line, cap it, and stand it on nice thing about the laser line is that even over a compound curve, it will lay down a the cap, so the tip would be pointed down. Use the other one for a line and cap it straight line, which is hard to do with even a flexible ruler. the same way. This helped to make sure all of my lines were even.
With my foundation line, the longest line is I used on the fuselage. I can measure from that one different and using other fuselage features, such as the Why the red spinner? drafting 4 Last month, I posed the question, “Why did the 7 canopy, lay down all of the other panel lines. I ended templates to up using a gray felt-tip marker for all of my panel British put a red spinner on camouflage color lay down the smaller panels and circles. These can lines, which worked very well — I like the lines to be scheme?” In my research, I could not find any be purchased from any stationary and department noticeable when you are up close to the aircraft. definitive answer on that. But I did receive a stores. couple of responses that are worth noting.
On the ground, a big red spinner means danger, keep away from my spinning prop. In the air, that big red spinner becomes a minute red object that doesn’t really hurt the camo job. —Beak, RF4b pilot, USMC, Ret.
No idea why the scheme was used, possibly to make the thing look more fierce than it was (generally, the Warhawk family had inferior performance to the opposition, especially at altitude) but it was only used in desert colors, not in European colors. —John Rutter (Britain), via Scott McKie
John is correct that the red spinners were on the desert birds and my color scheme is With the fuselage done, I moved on to the wing, Because this is an electric plane, there is no need from the European theater. The true color of following the same order by laying down the to open up the air intake on the cowl, but I did decals first. I used low-tack tape and accurate the spinner from the plane I copied this color want to paint them black. I used a fine-point black 5 scheme from was actually gray, the same color 8 measurements to mark the location of the wing marker to do the job and it worked perfectly. Using a symbols, so they match all sides. After laying them as the underside of the Kittyhawk. However, I felt-tip marker on this plane is fine, but it would need a down, I removed the tape and again used the soft like the red spinner and I can easily change it if clear coat of fuel paint if this were a gas or glow aircraft. cloth to remove all the air bubbles. I want to put it into a scale event. A little note: if you make a mistake, you can clean off the marker line with a little rubbing alcohol.
Final thoughts I really like the end results and now feel that my plane has a little more color and style with the new layout. While I’m sure my design may not be 100% historically accurate, I have a plane that represents the one that RAF ace Sqn. Ldr. Peter Wykeham-Barnes flew in 1941.
JANUARY 2014 61
Custom Corner 0114.indd 61 9/27/13 9:49 AM Aerobatics Made Easy By John Glezellis Illustrations by FX Models
Fly the While maintaining 1 altitude, execute a half Inverted Circle roll to inverted fl ight. Four easy steps to master this fun move
ost aerobatic fi gures contain multiple combinations of various individual maneuvers. Becoming an expert aerobatic pilot requires that you practice these individual elements before trying to conquer a more complex stunt,M and one great individual maneuver to become profi cient at is the ENTRY: Enter in straight and level fl ight. “inverted circle.” Flying an aircraft upside down can be challenging at times. Typically, this is due to the fact that to maintain altitude, you need to push on the elevator stick and apply down-elevator, which may seem odd at fi rst. Depending on the bank angle that is established at the start of the maneuver, rudder input is needed to maintain altitude, as higher bank angles require larger amounts of rudder. Like all things in life, though, these control inputs will become second nature with proper practice techniques. As an example aircraft, we will take a look at the Eratix 3D from E-fl ite. It features a rather light wing loading, which makes it perfect for individuals who are new to the aerobatic world because a lighter wing loading gives a plane docile fl ight characteristics at low speeds and will give the pilot more time to react. As always, we will fi rst examine some programming techniques for the aircraft. We will then transition into the fundamental steps that will make you an expert at performing this stunt!
BEFORE WE BEGIN For a maneuver like the inverted circle, the “low-rate” settings that were recommended from the factory proved to have enough control throw. However, if your aircraft did not come with an instruction manual, start off with 15 degrees of control surface defl ection on all control surfaces. If you are using a computer radio that off ers exponential, using it fully will prove to be benefi cial. Common on many radios, exponential softens how the airplane responds to a certain control input. For example, during the inverted circle, you may feel that you are only briefl y touching the elevator input to initiate the maneuver and the airplane responds more quickly than you’d like. Adding an exponential percentage to the elevator, INVERTED CIRCLE OVERVIEW in this case, will soften the plane’s response and make it feel smooth and With the aircraft fl ying upright and parallel to the runway at a moderate more connected to your input. If you are unfamiliar with using exponential, speed, perform a half-roll before it passes you. en input a little aileron please only add this percentage in small amounts. en, take to the skies to initiate the bank followed by down-elevator to start the circle. You’ll and pay special attention to how the aircraft responds. need to vary the amount of elevator and aileron input to maintain a Now that the control throw and exponential values are set, let’s take constant bank angle and altitude. It is important to reach the cardinal a look at the center of gravity. For a maneuver like this, if the plane’s points of the circle, and some rudder input may also be needed to keep center of gravity is too far back, it will have a tendency to climb while the turn coordinated (i.e., keep the nose of the aircraft in the turn). Once inverted. is fl ight characteristic is highly undesirable for consistency as the airplane is directly in front of you and has completed the 360-degree the airplane will become rather unstable at times. If this is the case, shift turn, it can be rolled to upright level fl ight. Now, let’s divide this stunt into the fl ight battery forward in small increments until the airplane reacts four separate steps: exactly as desired. I like to fl y parallel to the runway at full power and then roll the airplane to inverted to take note of the tracking. If the airplane STEP 1. Orient the aircraft so that it is parallel to the runway and dives slightly, the center of gravity is perfect. If it dives excessively, it approaching you (a.k.a. the “center” position). At about 100 feet before is nose-heavy and the fl ight battery should be moved rearward. On the the airplane reaches center, apply 60% power and begin the half-roll to other hand, if it climbs, the fl ight battery should be moved forward as the inverted fl ight. In this example, a left half-roll will be executed, so a touch aircraft is tail-heavy. of left aileron will be applied to roll the airplane inverted.
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AeroEZ_InverCircle.indd 62 9/26/13 4:27 PM When the maneuver is complete EXIT: Exit 5 and the plane is in front of you, straight execute a half roll to the left, back to and in level upright, and then exit the maneuver. fl ight at When the plane is directly the same 2 in front of you, bank altitude and the model with left aileron, heading as right rudder, and slight down the entry. elevator to maintain altitude.
Continue to apply slight 3 correction of down elevator and left aileron to Continue a constant bank angle maintain a constant bank 4 and adjust throttle for constant angle and altitude. airspeed and use rudder to maintain a constant circle radius.
DIGITAL EXTRA! Get exclusive video in our digital edition. e Eratix 3D from E-fl ite is an excellent fl yer to practice inverted maneuvers.
I LIKE TO FLY PARALLEL TO THE RUNWAY AT FULL POWER AND THEN ROLL THE AIRPLANE TO INVERTED TO TAKE NOTE OF THE TRACKING. IF THE AIRPLANE DIVES SLIGHTLY, THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IS PERFECT.
STEP 2. When ready, bank the airplane by applying a touch of aileron Like all maneuvers, proper practice is mandatory. A maneuver like the input. Since the airplane is travelling from left to right and rolling left, bank inverted circle can become somewhat tedious as the orientation of the it 15 degrees and then input elevator to start the circle. After the fi rst airplane may become diffi cult at times for the aerobatic newbie. Most cardinal point is met, the nose of the aircraft should be pointed out 90 will experience some orientation issues when the aircraft nears the 75% degrees from where it began. Apply elevator and aileron input to maintain completion point as the airplane will be headed toward you. At this point, a constant bank angle and to maintain altitude until the second cardinal it is important to know proper roll directions and what elevator input is point is met. needed to maintain altitude. Keeping the airspeed somewhat low and STEP 3. Now the maneuver is 50% complete! Continue a constant bank having a generous amount of altitude is benefi cial and will give you time to angle and apply throttle as needed to maintain airspeed. For the best respond to various corrections that may be needed. aerobatic presentation, constant speed is mandatory! Also, depending on the bank angle of the aircraft, rudder input may be needed to maintain FINAL THOUGHTS altitude. You have now learned how to not only properly program and set up your STEP 4. As the airplane approaches the last cardinal point, it should be plane, but also how to perform the inverted circle. When you’re familiar directly in front of you. At that point, roll the airplane to inverted fl ight by with your airplane, its orientation at all stages of the maneuver as well as applying a touch of aileron input in the opposite direction of the bank. is the inputs needed, you can bring the maneuver down to just inches from will get the airplane back to inverted fl ight and parallel to the runway. en the ground at higher speeds to really impress the crowds — inverted fl ight you can either stay inverted or perform a half roll to upright level fl ight. is always a show-stopper! JANUARY 2014 63
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EF_holiday13_spread.indd 2 9/26/13 2:36 PM Tailview By Gerry Yarrish Dave Perrone’s Giant Flying Razor A super-detailed Fokker D.VIII
As we near the end of the flying season in New England, there are Caught on the flightline at the two events in New York that draw NEAT Fair, Dave shows off his some pretty impressive models. impressive 1/3-scale Fokker D.VIII. It is a Glenn Torrance They are the WW I Jamboree at the Models' design. Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome and the NEAT Fair in Downsville. Someone I bumped into at both events was Aexpert WW I scale modeler and RC pilot Dave Perrone of Pittsfield, MA. Dave was flying his beautifully executed WW I Fokker D.VIII parasol fighter. Dave and I chatted, and here’s what he had to say about his impressive "flying razor."
Tell us a little about your impressive aircraft. I wanted something new since I have been flying my 1/3-scale Fokker D.VI for a couple of years, and the D.VIII was on my list of planes to build. It is a Glenn Torrance Model (GTM) design and it is also 1/3- scale. It has a 114-inch wingspan, is 78 inches in length, and weighs about 28 pounds with batteries. The fuselage is built using hardwood dowels for the framework and I tried to with several coats of clear shellac and a final sprayed-on coat. use the same design and building techniques that were used on the full- The fabric is GTM 4-color lozenge covering, which really brings out size D.VIII. Similar to the full size, the wing is sheeted with thin plywood the model’s scale look. It’s sewn together into panels and applied with and finished with stain from the Schimek Holzbeize Aleene’s fabric glue and finished with Randolph clear company in Austria. Back in 1918, they supplied the nitrate and butyrate dope. same stain to the Fokker Aircraft Company and are from Quick SpecS the original aircraft’s bill of materials! The pattern is of Model: Fokker D.VIII What is the power system and radio setup? Wingspan: 114 in. Echim Engel’s reproduction aircraft. I covered the stain I did not want to do a lot of experimenting, so I copied Length: 78 in. the same setup I have in my Fokker D.VI biplane. The Weight: 28 lb. D.VIII has an AXI 5360/20 brushless motor spinning Power: AXI 5360/20 a 30x20 prop. Power comes from a 12S LiPo (two 6S brushless motor Prop: 30x20 5000mAh packs in series) battery, which is managed Time to build: 2.5 years by a Castle Creations HV 85 speed control. This setup easily provides over 10 minutes of flight duration. I use a Futaba 10CAG transmitter with 3305 Futaba servos and two receivers, one in the wing for the ailerons and one in the fuselage for rudder, elevator, and throttle. I did this to eliminate any visible servo lead wires along the cabane struts.
Now for the big question — how does it fly? The maiden flight was several weeks back and it flies like a trainer and in 1/3-scale, the model performs much better than my 1/4-scale D.VIII. There’s plenty of power on tap and it takes only 30 or 40 feet to become airborne. It presents itself well in the air and has less of a tendency of bad ground handling or ground looping. The plane lands very nicely; again, with no bad ground habits during the runout. Dave's Flying Razor is detailed inside and out. Here you see the stained plywood finish of the wing and the machine guns.
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