RC Sport Flyer Aug 2012 (Vol 17-06)

RC Sport Flyer Magazine

A Competitor’s Report World’s Most In-Depth RC Aircraft Magazine

E-flite Hawker Hurricane & Flyzone® Fw 190 Flight Tests

Hawker Hurricane & Beechcraft Staggerwing

Flight Tests

A Competitor’s XFC Report

Our Experts Explain How To Make Scale Pilots Build Dummy Engines

Building Dummy Engines august 2012 Volume 17 Issue 06

Plus:

august 2012

USA & Canada $6.49

rc-sf.com

Airplane Lights Mr Mulligan Plan J3 Cub Photo Spread & Fw 190

TRU want the facts first-hand?

Š2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. The Horizon Hobby logo is a trademark of Horizon Hobby, Inc. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. US 7,391,320. Other patents pending.

38263

UTH Some just can’t handle it.

The truth is:

It’s understandable. When you first hear everything it’s capable of, the Spektrum™ DX18 transmitter does sound a little too good to be true. But it isn’t.

– The DX18 does offer up to 18 fully-proportional channels.

– The DX18 does not need extra equipment to work with receivers of more than 10 channels.

– The DX18 does let you adjust every parameter of every servo for all 18 channels.

– The DX18 does have a built-in sequencer and servo balancer.

– The DX18 does have world-class airplane, helicopter and sailplane software.

– The DX18 will transform how you fly.

Anyone who says otherwise is trying to sell you something else.

Get to your nearest Spektrum retailer and see for yourself. The DX18 truly is everything we say it is and more.

spektrumrc.com

Hero of the Pacific

F4F Wildcat From Pearl Harbor through 1942 the rugged F4F Wildcat was the only plane that stood between the U.S. Pacific Fleet and total enemy air superiority. Now you can fly this rarely-modeled warbird legend in the time it takes to charge a battery with this 4-channel, hand-launch Wildcat from ParkZone. It comes loaded with scale details including a great looking trim scheme based on that of a Wildcat flown by Butch O’Hare – the U.S. Navy’s first ace. Its light wing loading, perfectly balanced controls and punchy 480-size brushless motor make sport aerobatics about as fun as they get.

Go to ParkZone.com right now for complete details on the Wildcat and to find a retailer near you.

Wingspan: 38.4 in (975mm) Length: 28.7 in (730mm) Weight: 25.4 oz (720 g) Motor: 480-size 960Kv BL Outrunner (installed) Speed Control: PKZ 18A Brushless (installed) Transmitter: 4+ Channel (transmitter sold separately) Receiver: Spektrum™ DSM® full-range sport receiver (installed on BNF only) Battery: 3S 11.1V 1300mAh Li-Po (included with BNF only) Charger: 3S DC Li-Po balancing fast charger (included with BNF only)

Numerous Scale Details

Two-Piece Plug-In Wing

BNF (PKZ1980) PNP (PKZ1975)

©2011 Horizon Hobby, Inc. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. ParkZone, just fly and DSM and are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. 31548

™

Calypso. Soaring made simpler.

The Calypso glider has no equals in ease and convenience, because there’s no muss, no fuss, no worry or hurry. And that means there’s no time like the present for kickin’ back with the Calypso for a little bit of simple, unhurried fun.

Assembly is short and sweet. Getting airborne takes an easy toss. And flying is a low-key pleasure you can enjoy from the comfort of a lawn chair.

The hardest thing about owning the Calypso may be choosing which version is right for you. There’s the RTF for maximum convenience, an ARF for more equipment options, the Rx-R in the middle and a Tx-R that offers you RTF ease and the economy of using your current transmitter. But no matter which one you choose, you’ll enjoy the benefits of smart engineering and the durability of a light, tough AeroCell™ foam airframe.

Assembly shortcuts include a selfaligning tail that installs without glue — and just one screw.

Visit your favorite retailer and take the easy way out this weekend: Calypso.

Wingspan: 73 in (1855 mm)

™

© 2012 Hobbico®, Inc. All rights reserved. 3074552

™

flyzoneplanes.com/111z

™

We give you the first in-depth look at the powerful, new RCGF 40-cc twin-cylinder, gas-power engine. Pg 46

Beechcraft Staggerwing Page 82

6

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Take aim at this exciting Fw 190 to discover why warbirds are the hottest thing going right now. Pg 88.

august 2012

DEPARTMENTS 10

leading edge

14

Hot Products

104

advertiser index

105

Mystery airplane

26

event

xfc 2012 Get a winning pilot’s inside look at the10th anniversary Extreme Flight Championships.

By Daniel Holman

BUILD

36

Wings Part 4b Jeff finishes sheeting the Fokker Dr. I’s vintage scale wings in this continuation of last month’s column.

By Jeff Troy

42

Scale pilots This month’s column details how to give your model the finishing touch with a scale pilot in the cockpit.

By Rob Caso

60

64

how to

dummy engines This easy, inexpensive upgrade of plastic and paint will give your model a standout scale appearance.

By Bob Mitchell LED Light system See just how simple and cheap it is to add a light system to your model for some fun night flying.

By James VanWinkle

68 photos

j3 cub Built from Bob Neltiz’ plans, this classic beauty is hard to distinguish from the full-scale version.

By Jerry Smith

14 Hot Products

46

test

rcgf 40-cc engine We test this affordable, compact engine with its six propellers on our automated system.

By Mike Hoffmeister

54 plan

mister mulligan Examine this plan for the Howard DGA-6 to see if you want the challenge of building one.

By Wendell Hostetler

See why Mike Lee thinks this new Xplorer 3800 is a winning competition machine.

Pg 74

56

74

nan models xplorer-ii Lightweight and strong, this new glider is very competitive in F3J.

By Mike Lee

82

E-flite staggerwing A scale biplane that offers tons of nostalgia and good performance.

By Gene Cope

88

flyzone fw 190 Superb scale details, power and value make this fighter a winner!

By Gene Cope

96

hawker hurricane Easy and fun to fly, this gorgeous RAF fighter is a real warbird.

By Wil Byers

Conversion

stinger 40 See how easy it is to convert this airplane from glow power to a clean, electric motor system.

By Jerry Smith

reviews

RC-SF.COM

7

Editor in Chief: Assistant Editor:

Wil Byers

wil@rc-sf.com

Tara Swanson

assted@rc-sf.com

Bess Byers, Don Porten

Art Director:

subscribe @ RC-SF.com for only $24.95

Photography:

Wil Byers Bess Byers

Graphic Designers:

Zhe Meng Bess Byers Shi Yuang

graphics@rc-sf.com

Webmaster Contact: Office Manager/Circulation:

Staci Fogler

bookkeeper@kionapublishing.com

Janice Banda, YinZi Cui

Circulation:

Mike Werner / Janice Banda

Marketing:

Wil Byers, YinZi Cui wil@rc-sf.com ads@rc-sf.com

Contributing Editors: Don Bailey, Rob Caso, Gene Cope, Daniel Holman, Mike Hoffmeister, Marcus Hubbard, Richard Kuns, Bob McGowan, Joe Nave, Steve Rojecki, Gary Ritchie, Richard Tacklind, Jeff Troy, James VanWinkle RC Sport Flyer (ISSN: 1941-3467) is published monthly for $24.95 per year by Kiona Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004. Periodicals postage paid at Richland, WA and additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to RC Sport Flyer, P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004.

Office: (509) 967-0831 Hours: M–Th 8-5, Closed Fri, Sat & Sun. Subscriptions: kionasubscribe.com Toll Free (Orders Only) (866) 967-0831 Editor/Ads/Design: (509) 967-0832 E-mail: subscriptions@kionapublishing.com Fax Number: (509) 967-2400 Ask for RC Sport Flyer at your local hobby shop!

Hobby Shop Orders (800) 558-1544 ext. 818 www.retailers.kalmbach.com

Hobby Shop distribution by: Kalmbach Publishing Co. (800) 558-1544 ext. 818 Subscriptions: USA and possessions and Canada: $24.95 per year, $54.95 overseas.

Washington residents add 8.3% sales tax. Single copies $6.49 plus $3.50 S&H U.S. All payments must be in U.S. funds. Visa, Mastercard, Amex, and Discover accepted. Send to: RC Sport Flyer – Circulation, P.O. Box 4250, W. Richland, WA 99353-4004.

Please allow eight weeks for change of address.

Contributions: Articles and photographs are welcome, but cannot be considered unless guaranteed exclusive. When requested we will endeavor to return all materials in good condition if accompanied by return postage. RC Sport Flyer assumes no responsibility for loss of or damage to editorial contributions received. Any material accepted is subject to possible revision at the discretion of the publisher. Publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of content. Opinions of contributing authors do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

RC Sport Flyer will retain author’s rights, title to and interest in the editorial contributions as described above in both print and electronic media unless prior arrangement has been made in writing. Payment for editorial materials will be made at our current rate. Submission of editorial material to RC Sport Flyer expresses a warranty by the author that such material is in no way an infringement upon the rights of others. The contents of this magazine may not be reprinted traditionally or electronically without permission of the publisher.

All rights reserved.

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Chang Liang

web@kionapublishing.com

Office Assistant:

Copyright ©2011

8

Zhe Meng

graphics@rc-sf.com

Printed in the USA

We’ve upped the charger game with the introduction of our X4 Eighty and X2 400! Leading the pack in ease of operation, powerful output wattage and the ability to charge all popular battery chemistries; these heavyweights are exactly what you have been waiting for!

• Four 80-watt Power Outputs, Total Output Power 320 watts • Charges all Types of Lithium, NiCd/NiMH and Lead-Acid Based Batteries • Lithium to 6 Cells • NiCd/NiMH to 15 cells • Pb to 10 cells • Individual Balancing Ports • Twin-Fan Cooling System • Stock# 44169

• Two 400-watt Power Outputs, Total Output Power 800 watts • Charges all Types of Lithium, NiCd/NiMH and Lead-Acid Based Batteries • Lithium to 6 Cells • NiCd/NiMH to 15 cells • Pb to 10 cells • Individual Balancing Ports • Internal Cell Balancers • Aluminum Case for Rapid Heat Dissipation • Stock# 44170

All our chargers carry a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects from date of purchase.

Customer service is available through phone support and email inquiries.

WIL BYERS

I

t has been just a crazy busy spring season for us. Looking forward into the summer season we’re all praying for some good weather for flying RC airplanes, sailplanes, and helicopters. I’m wanting for some outstanding soaring, with a bit of cross-country flying thrown in for good measure.

What I find so enjoyable about sitting in the editor’s chair is that with each issue I get to learn more about the hobby and the hardware. However, what really turns my propeller is the aviation history. There are, after all, some absolutely superb stories about the full-scale aircraft that we’ve copied our models after. So, for this issue, I did a some research to learn more about the kits and plan that we’ve featured. What I learned about the Mister Mulligan, the Hawker Hurricane, the Beechcraft Staggerwing and the Fw 190 was quite enlightening. It was especially interesting to learn that all these aircraft were designed, built and manufactured during some extremely challenging times for the world financially. However, the pioneers of aviation design found the resources—manpower and money— to get their designs built and flown. It was thought-provoking to discover that the 1934 designed Mister Mulligan was capable of flying at 280+ mph, with a climb rate of 2000 feet per minute—outstanding, I’d say!

I also found it noteworthy that both the Hawker Hurricane and Fw 190 were designed even before WWII, which was not yet full blown. No matter, the countries anticipated that a fight would ensue, so the designs went forward. Then, too, thinking that a Beechcraft Staggerwing was used as a bomber was kind of mind challenging—where did they hang the bombs?

So, as you read this issue, you might also want to point your browser at Google’s search engine and investigate some of the history of these great airplanes. It will certainly add to your understanding of how these airplanes came to be and who were the designers that had them built, as well as who were the pilots that flew them. Their designs weren’t all fun and games, but they were very purposeful, from what I’ve read at least.

Our team pilot Daniel Holman competed in the 2012 XFC Championships. He placed third! Daniel has also written a report about the event for us, with an insider’s look at what this event is about and how the competitors prepare for the battle. You’ll love the fireworks shot that we’ve ended the article with too.

Hey if you are into scale airplanes, you’ll definitely want to read Rob Caso’s column this month. He explains step by step how to make a scale pilot for your next project. You’ll learn from one of the masters that it is not that difficult to make a very realistic pilot if you just follow some simple steps. Rob even shows you how to paint them and the products that he uses to make them look extremely realistic.

If you’ve got a 40-cc-size airplane you’ll definitely want to flip the page to Mike Hoffmeister’s test of the new RCGF 40-cc twin-cylinder gas-powered engine that is now being offered by BP Hobbies. As you’ll learn, this new engine has a great sound and good performance. I’m thinking it would be pretty awesome to upgrade some of your models with this new engine, which can only add to your fun of building and flying RC airplanes. Give this test a read because Mike tells it all.

If you are a glider guider, Mike Lee has given us a superb in-depth article on the new Xplorer-II that is being sold by Soaring USA. This review details how to build, set up and fly this machine. I’ve been a glider pilot now for about 36 years, but even so I found that Mike’s article provided some content I’d not known.

Additionally, Mike details why this new version of the Xplorer glider can advantage you in the area of contest flying. Suffice it to say, this is a good piece. Don’t miss it.

Well, that about does it for this month. I’m off to Joseph, Oregon in a few days for some alpine soaring.

Be sure to point your browser at RC-SF.com to see some of the photos that I’ll be posting from the event.

This is a very unique soaring environment, so the photos should be fun.

APC Competition propellers for the intermediate and

advanced sport flyer as well as the competition community.

Over 400 pitch/diameters available ranging from slow-flyer electric to High performance Giant Scale Racers.

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

LANDING PRODUCTS All propellers are in stock and overnight delivery is available.

Proudly made in the USA

10

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

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

To the Horizon . . . and Beyond!

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

NEW Phoenix V4.0 RC Professional Flight Simulation with

.

The Phoenix RC flight simulation has always had stunning visuals and some of the most accurate physics available in any desktop simulator. With version 4.0, it takes virtual RC flight to new heights with the InfinityScape 3D terrain generator.

No longer are you confined to the limits of a map. InfinityScape lets you fly beyond the horizon over beautiful, ever-changing 3D terrain that you create and control.

And you can take it all in from thrilling in-cockpit or chase camera views. Even if you stick with the default view on the flying field, you’ll have a blast changing InfinityScape settings to see what kind of exciting environments it creates around you. No two are ever alike and you can save your favorites.

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

Get to horizonhobby.com/phoenixsim for complete details and to find a retailer near you.

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

horizonhobby.com ©2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. The Horizon Hobby logo is a trademark of Horizon Hobby, Inc. DSMX is a trademark of Horizon Hobby, Inc., registered in the U.S. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. PhoenixRC and the PhoenixRC logo are registered trademarks of Runtime Games Ltd. Exclusively distributed

by Horizon Hobby, Inc. NVIDIA® and 3D Vision™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation. TrackIR™ is a trademark of NaturalPoint, Inc. 36370

YS DZ175 Sport

YS FZ115 Sport

$788.29

$397.35

Developed for serious aerobatics competition and just won the world championships.

• Crankcase supercharging system • Direct inject system • Conventional fuel pump adjustment • High hprsepower output with long service life

12

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

New regulator design for ease of operation.

Proven fuel injection system for a more consistent run.Ring sealed crankshaft to increase crankcase boost for more power.

Same mounting pattern as YS110FZ-S Displacement 18.73cc Bore 30.4mm Stroke 25.8mm Weight 730g

YS FZ140 Sport $459.97

This engine is very easy to operate with smooth running characteristics and the ability to run well on fuel in a variety of nitro percentages. But we still recommend YS 20/20 fuel for best results. Fits the same area as the 1.20.

Displacement 23cc Bore 32.0mm Stroke 29.0mm Weight 890g

PHOENIX ICE2 HV SERIES

Available in 40, 60, 80, 120 and 160 amp capacities.

Up to 12S max.

Great for extreme plane and heli performance.

Blade® 300 X BNF

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

T

he nimble Blade® 300 X packs big 3D performance into a compact 300-size frame that’s small enough to fly in many indoor spaces. At the heart of its amazing performance is the Spektrum™ AR7200BX Flybarless Control System with integrated BeastX™ technology. The amazing precision and agility of this system perfectly complement the impressive power of the E-flite® 320-H, 4500-Kv brushless motor and high-output 3S 30C LiPo battery. The model has even been flight tested and had the rotors balanced at the factory. You simply charge the battery, bind the receiver to your DSM2®/ DSMX® transmitter and fly.

• Spektrum™ AR7200BX flybarless control system • Powerful E-flite 320H 4500-Kv brushless

Platinum Series Albatros D.Va 25e ARF

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

T

he E-flite Platinum Series Albatros D.Va 25e is an accurate, electric-powered reproduction of Germany’s famed fighter, very much like those used during World War I with the Jasta 18 squadron. E-flite has faithfully replicated the red-nosed hunter from laser-cut balsa, and even the most particular modeler will appreciate the exceptional level of detail; the fit-and-finish is second to none.

The painted fiberglass parts and accurate

motor • E-flite 25-amp S-BEC ESC • Extremely rigid and lightweight, two-piece main frame • 245-mm symmetrical main blades • Spektrum DS76 digital sub-micro cyclic servos • Spektrum DS76T digital sub-micro tail servo • Composite aluminum/fiber-reinforced swashplate • Triple-ball-bearing-supported, hardenedsteel main shaft • Belt-driven tail rotor • Weighted tail blade mounting hardware • Aluminum tail boom • Thrust bearings installed on tail and main grips • E-flite 3S 11.1-volt 1350-mAh 30C LiPo battery • DC LiPo balancing charger • Requires a 6+ channel DSM2/ DSMX computer transmitter with helicopter programming (sold separately)

Specifications

scale lozenge camouflage covering on the bottom of the wings truly give the model that authentic, battle-bird look.

Specifications

• Fully-functional, shock-absorbing landing gear with scale wheels • Top and bottom plug-in wings with carbonfiber tube support • To-scale Mercedes engine, air-cooler and Spandau machine gun detail • Genuine UltraCote® film covering and lozenge-pattern • Authentic wire rigging and optional pullpull controls included • Spring-loaded, to-scale wooden tail skid with varnish finish • Unique, painted aluminum spinner included • Enormous top hatch provides access to all equipment • Painted pilot figure included • optional cockpit kit (EFL460516) available The E-flite Platinum Series Albatros D.Va 25e is designed to be flown with either

14

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Main Rotor Diameter

21.7 in. (550 mm)

Tail Rotor Diameter

5.50 in. (140 mm)

Height

7.70 in. (195 mm)

Length

20.1 in. (510 mm)

Weight with Battery

17.3 oz (491 g)

Price (BLH4580)

$379.99

Wingspan

53.0 in. (1350 mm)

Wing Area

755 in.2 (48.7 dm2)

Length

44.0 in. (1120 mm)

Flying Weight

6.00–6.40 lb (2.70–2.90 kg)

Motor Size

Power 25–32 brushless outrunner

Speed Control

40A SW ESC

Servos

2 mini servos, 2 micro servos required

Radio

5+ channel transmitter and receiver radio system

Battery

14.8-V 3200-mAh 4S LiPo

Price (EFL4605)

$329.99

the reliable E-flite Power 25 or Power 32 outrunner motor. Choose the smaller motor for authentic scale feel and performance. The larger motor gives a recommended power advantage that allows the airplane to climb up and away from enemy guns. Either motor choice uses the same great E-flite accessories, so well known for quality and dependability.

HOT PRODUCTS

Blade® 500 X BNF

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

T

he Bind-N-Fly® Blade 500 X is one of the hottest 500-Class 3D experiences available in a flight-ready package. The Blade team of experts pulled out all the stops to equip it with just about every high-performance hop-up an experienced 3D pilot could want, including an impressive list of aluminum and carbon-fiber parts.

• Spektrum S300 digital cyclic servos • Spektrum S400G high-speed digital tail servo • CNC-machined-aluminum head block and swashplate • Triple-ball-bearing-supported, hardenedsteel main shaft • Belt-driven tail rotor • Weighted tail blade mounting hardware • Aluminum tail boom • E-flite 6S 22.2-V 2900-mAh 30C Li-Po battery • DC LiPo balancing charge • Requires a 6+ channel DSM2®/DSMX® computer transmitter with helicopter programming (sold separately)

Specifications Main Rotor Diameter

38.2 in. (970 mm)

Tail Rotor Diameter

7.80 in. (198 mm)

Height

11.8 in. (300 mm)

Length

33.5 in. (850 mm)

Weight w/ Battery

3.90 lb (1.80 kg)

Price (BLH4080)

$899.99

• Spektrum™ AR7200BX flybarless control system with remote receiver • Powerful E-flite® 520-H 1320-Kv brushless motor • E-flite 70A S-BEC ESC • Single-piece, carbon-fiber side frames • 425-mm carbon fiber-main blades

Ares™ Chronos CX 75 NanoMicro RTF

T

Firelands Group, LLC Ares-RC.com E-mail: deborahgray@ firelandsgroup.com

he incredible stability and unbelievable durability of the Ares™ [air–eez] Chronos CX 75 make it easy and fun for anyone to fly an RC helicopter. The coaxial, counter-rotating blade design offers unsurpassed stability that will have any pilot hovering like a pro in no time while fully proportional controls deliver excellent maneuverability and precise control.

The Chronos CX 75’s nano-micro size and

low weight make it possible to fly indoors just about anytime and anywhere. The helicopter comes 100% factory assembled and ready to fly right out of the box, plus it really is durable!

A full line of replacement parts is available in the rare case you need them.

Also in the box is everything needed to fly the helicopter including AA batteries for the three-channel 2.4-GHz-transmitter that is equipped with digital trims and a built-in LiPo battery charger. The included 110-mAh 1S 3.7-V LiPo battery delivers plenty of power and long flight times of up to 10+ minutes per charge.

The all-new Chronos CX 75 Nano-Micro RTF is available in HobbyTown USA stores and at HobbyTown.com now!

Specifications Length

7.3 in. (185 mm)

Height

3.5 in. (90 mm)

Rotor Diameter

6.9 in. (175 mm)

Weight w/ Battery

0.7 oz (21 g)

Main Motor

Micro coreless (2)

Battery

110-mAh 1S 3.7-V LiPo

Charger

1S 3.7-V LiPo

Transmitter

3‐channel 2.4-GHz w/ LiPo charger

Receiver

4-in-1

ESC

2 w/mixer/gyro

RC-SF.COM

15

10- to 15-Size, 90 Degree Rotating Electric Retracts

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

Wraparound Mufflers with Smoke Fitting

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

Flybar and Flybarless Revolution Carbon Blades

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

A A

dd the realism of functioning retracts to your 10- to 15-size airplanes with this completely self-contained E-flite® retract system. The new system requires no air tanks, no complex linkages—not even extra servos.

The gears simply need to be bolted into place and plugged into the receiver. A specially designed Y-harness is also included, allowing pilots to use a single receiver channel to control the entire retract system.

Price: $89.99

BF109e Free Update for RealFlight

RealFlight P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 realflight.com

T

he fifth free update for RealFlight 6 is now available for download on realflight.com via the RealFlight 6 Launcher. This new update gives RealFlight 6 owners the opportunity to pilot one of the most produced fighters in history, Willy Messerschmitt’s BF109e. A total of 33,984 BF109s was produced between 1936 and 1945.

This airplane was not only one of the most numerous German fighters, but also one of the deadliest. It was a favorite of Germany’s top three aces, who claimed 928 kills combined. The

16

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

n updated line of Evolution® Wraparound Mufflers has been introduced for the following engines: EVOE26GX,EVOE30GX, EVOE33GX, EVOE40GX and EVOE35GT2. The wraparound muffler design places the muffler behind the cylinder head to completely enclose the exhaust system in the cowl. These new mufflers feature lightweight aluminum construction, which results in lower weight for the airplane. Longer exhaust tubes extend past the cowl on a greater number of aircraft designs, and the included Teflon® smoke fitting stops the heat transfer that would damage smoke fluid tubing.

Price Fits 40GX and 35GT/2 $88.99 Fits 26GX and GT/2 $89.99

109 is considered to be one of the world’s first modern fighters, with advancements that included retractable landing gear and a closed canopy.

RealFlight faithfully replicates the BF109e Messerschmitt aircraft in rich detail, from the twin 20-mm MG cannons in the wings to the working stick and rudder pedals in the cockpit. Bridge the gap between simulation and reality. Only from realflight.com.

T

he Revolution team of experts has more than 25 years of combined helicopter expertise, and this crew uses only the finest materials and most advanced manufacturing techniques to create everything they design. Pushing the limits of 3D helicopter performance requires more than power— precision and balance are mandatory too, and the new Revolution Carbon Blades help to maximize both.

Constructed of cross-woven carbon fiber, these new blades have the lateral and torsional strength necessary to translate the helicopter’s power into the most aggressive response possible—and each set is weight matched and balanced to help you experience a sense of precision that’s second to none.

Sizes and Pricing 325 mm $36.99 325 mm Flybarless $36.99 430 mm $58.99 430 mm Flybarless $58.99 520 mm $67.99 520 mm Flybarless $67.99 550 mm $77.99 550 mm Flybarless $77.99 600 mm $87.99 600 mm Flybarless $87.99 690 mm $114.99 690 mm Flybarless $114.99 710 mm $119.99 710 mm Flybarless $119.99 (RVOB020000–B080050)

HOT PRODUCTS

Acro-Wot MkII

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

T

he Flyzone Acro-Wot MkII was designed with one goal in mind—pure sporting fun. The Acro-Wot MkII combines sleek looks, modern construction and classic sport performance in a lightweight, molded AeroCell™ foam airframe. The model’s unique design offers outstanding durability, and its carbon-fiber-reinforced surfaces provide greater rigidity and more precise flight. Final assembly is quick and easy with no gluing: a screwdriver and pliers are all you need.

Choose the all-in-one convenience of the RTF version, or fly the Tx-R with your own favorite transmitter.

Millenium Master EP

• Brushless power system with outrunner motor and 40A ESC • One-piece wing with one-bolt installation • Self-aligning empennage that secures with just one screw • Sturdy, aluminum landing gear with large, lightweight wheels • RTF comes with a Tactic™ 4-channel RC system • Tx-R lets you use your favorite transmitter with an AnyLink adapter

Specifications Wingspan

40 in. (1245 mm)

Wing Area

410 in.² (26.4 dm²)

Weight

38–42 oz (1075–1190 g)

Length

39.5 in. (1005 mm)

Price

RTF (FLZA3310): $279.99 Tx-R (FLZA3312): $199.99

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

T

he Millennium Master is a versatile performer for progressive sport pilots.

With its AeroCell™ foam construction, this 41-inch-span model accurately captures the full-size homebuilt’s sleek, contemporary profile, but just wait until you see it fly. Final assembly is quick and easy—you can enjoy its wide performance envelope and aerobatic capabilities in almost no time at all. Equip the Rx-R version with your choice of radio, or fly the Tx-R with your favorite transmitter and the AnyLink adapter. The Millennium Master lets you enjoy the best that sport flying has to offer.

3-Axis G-Force Telemetry

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

Specifications • Large hatch attaches magnetically • Roomy battery compartment—enough for 1800–2100-mAh LiPo packs • Each aileron has a dedicated servo • Tricycle landing gear and a steerable nose wheel • Smooth flight, impressive speeds and sporty maneuverability • Flight-ready in just minutes

with these two new G-force sensors for Spektrum aircraft telemetry systems. Both sense G-forces in all three axes and make it possible to set threshold alarms so you don’t overstress airframes.

Wingspan

41 in. (1040 mm)

Wing Area

268 in.² (17.3 dm²)

Tx-R Weight

26.8 oz (760 g)

Rx-R Weight

26.8–28.8 oz (760–815 g)

Length

38.5 in. (980 mm)

Price

Tx-R (FLZA3602): $229.99 Rx-R (FLZA3604): $169.99

Aircraft Telemetry Price Sensor: 8G (SPMA9585) Sensor: 40G (SPMA9586)

$32.99 $69.99

S

pektrum continues to grow its impressive line of telemetry hardware and accessories

RC-SF.COM

17

Wide Voltage Low Profile Brushless Digital Servos

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

W

ith certain receiver batteries, the modeler must carefully choose appropriate servos or use a regulator between the battery and receiver, or servos may be damaged due to a high-voltage supply. JR has a solution to the dilemma with the new Wide Voltage (WV) Series servos. Every WV servo has a micro computer to detect incoming voltage and automatically set the right voltage for the motor.

The JR® Wide Voltage Low Profile Digital servos are an excellent choice for driving an airplane’s aileron or steering an RC car. The extreme accuracy of JR digital precision gives a resolution of 5900 steps per 120 degrees of travel and zero deadband. A durable, composite-metal gear train composed of hard-anodized aluminum, and hardened steel and brass gears provide backlash- free operation.

Another sophisticated benefit of the new

Instruments

Bill Hempel billhempel.com iflytailies.com/store/ instruments/1-2-scale/

B

ill Hempel’s Team Edge has partnered up with IFLYTAILIES here in the USA for some great accessories for your Bill Hempel airplane.

The company now offers a selection of greatlooking instruments and cockpit accessories

18

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

WV servos is the slow start function. Slow start ensures that the servo returns to the neutral position very slowly on initial power up, rather than instantly finding center as quickly as possible. The benefit is that you’ll see longer life from the internal servo gears and less wear and tear on the control surface linkages.

The MP91R retract servo features a proportional output so you can set the servo endpoints via the travel adjust function of your transmitter, making mechanical retract setup simple and accurate. Transmitter travel adjust at 150% equals 180 degrees of servo travel.

The motor used in this series of servos is a low-maintenance brushless motor that ensures long life and near instantaneous response. You’ll feel the difference the moment you take off on your first flight.

• Uncompromised digital precision for accuracy and performance • Exceptional performance with power sources from 4.8–8.5 V • High-frequency digital amplifier • Brushless motor power • Slow start function • Metal gears and heat-sink case • Dual ball bearing support • JR three-year limited warranty

and is now offering a 10% discount on all items through the end of the year.

• 50% Cub Instrument Set comes with five 40-mm-diameter instruments: $64.99 • 50% BD-5 Instrument Set comes with three 1.6-in.-diameter instruments and five 28-mm-diameter instruments: $69.99 • 50% KA-6 Instrument Set comes with four 400-mm-diameter instruments and three 28-mm-diameter instruments: $59.99

Specifications MP91T Torque Torque

191.6 oz/in. (13.8 kg/ cm) @ 4.8 V 301.4 oz/in. (21.7 kg/ cm) @ 7.4 V

Speed

0.25 sec/60° (4.8V ); 0.17 sec/60° (7.4 V)

Dimensions

23×21×40.5 mm

Weight

1.62 oz (46 g)

Voltage Range

4.5–8.5 V

Price

$184.99 MP91S Speed

Torque

108.3 oz/in. (7.8 kg/ cm) @ 4.8 V 169.4 oz/in. (12.2 kg/ cm) @ 7.4 V

Speed

0.14 sec/60° (4.8 V) 0.09 sec/60° (7.4 V)

Dimensions

23×21×40.5 mm

Weight

1.62 oz (46 g)

Voltage Range

4.5–8.5 V

Price

$184.99 MP91R Retract

Torque

191.6 oz/in. (13.8 kg/ cm) @ 4.8 V 301.4 oz/in. (21.7 kg/ cm) @ 7.4 V

Speed

0.75 sec/180° (4.8V) 0.51 sec/180° (7.4V)

Dimensions

23×21×40.5 mm

Weight

1.62 oz (46 g)

Voltage Range

4.5–8.5 V

Price

$184.99

• 50% KA-6 Instrument Panel Kit comes with the factory-cut-and-painted 22.6x18.8cm instrument panel, the complete set of instruments, screws to mount the instruments to the panel and a drawing of the panel: $95 All instruments come fully assembled and ready to be attached to a panel. Other instruments and accessories are also available.

HOT PRODUCTS

Multiplex EasyStar II Upgrade

U

Multiplex USA 12115 Paine Street Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-6948 Multiplexusa.com

pdated and upgraded, the quick-tobuild and easy-to-fly EasyStar II is sure to become one of your favorite models. Based on one of our most popular aircraft, the original EasyStar, this improved kit boasts larger internal space, more payload capability and optional ailerons. It is designed to accept a powerful brushless motor which makes it a versatile, durable aircraft sure to impress both the beginner and more advanced pilots.

Its gentle gliding characteristics and ease of transport make the EasyStar II effortless hobby fun.

Specifications • Folding propeller to reduce drag in glider mode • Protected pod motor mount • Easily detachable tailplane for ease of transport • Large internal space for high capacity LiPo packs

Specifications Motor

200-watt 28-mm brushless

Battery

3S 1600-2500mAh LiPo

ESC

17- to 27-amp

Propeller

5.5 x 4.5

Servos

2 HS-55

Receiver

Minimum 6

Price

$94.99

RC-SF.COM

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Titan X50E Flybarless

Giant Scale Gold Edition F4U Corsair ARF

T

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

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

D

espite the Corsair’s popularity, many modelers have been discouraged from flying one because of the time and expertise required to reproduce its distinctive gull wing.

That all changes now—Top Flite proudly introduces a 50-cc-size Giant Scale Gold Edition™ F4U Corsair ARF! Gold Edition ARF engineering makes it easy to enjoy the “bent-wing” bird in giant scale. Prebuilt of balsa, ply and aluminum, the center wing section is itself a masterpiece of time-saving design. With this and other Gold Edition advantages, Top Flite reduces months of building work to just hours of assembly.

Hidden mounting screws secure the painted fiberglass cowl, leaving the scale

20

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

he Titan X50E makes 3D helicopter flight look effortless. One of the most eagerly anticipated helicopters ever introduced, this new Thunder Power machine takes the proven Titan X50, adapts it for electric power and equips it with a flybarless head. In addition to taking advantage of flybarless technology, the Titan X50E also features machined-aluminum control arms, hardened main and feathering shafts, carbon-fiber blades, a 120-degree CCPM control system and a torque tube-driven tail rotor.

• Precision CNC-machined aluminum flybarless rotor head • One-piece carbon main frames with a slim profile • Lightweight, rigid onepiece metal main rotor hub • Metal tail blade grips with dual radial bearings and one thrust bearing • Accepts a wide range of motor sizes, top-

outline clean and untouched. A supplied two-piece aluminum spinner hub further enhances the completed model’s appearance.

Impressive scale details are everywhere. There are molded-in panel and cowl flap lines, a replica radial engine complete with pushrod tubes and spark plug wires, strut covers for the main gear, tailwheel doors that open and close and much more.

Fully sheeted and covered in flat-finish MonoKote®, the Gold Edition Corsair also includes painted fiberglass parts to create a seamless scale look. Matte-finish decals add authentic markings and insignia.

The Top Flite Giant Scale Corsair ARF makes this favorite fighter easier to enjoy than ever before with: • Built-in, reinforced mounts for Robart® retractable landing gear • Located on the inner wing panel, the main gear remains in place when the outer panels are removed, providing an easy way to walk the fuselage to and from the flightline • The factory-hinged flaps on the center section and outer panel are linked with a phenolic tab. Once linked, the flaps in both panels

Specifications Length

47.25 in. (1200 mm)

Main Rotor Diameter

53 in. (1345 mm)

Main Rotor Blade Length

23.6 in. (600 mm)

Tail Rotor Blade Length

3.74 in. (95 mm)

Weight w/o Batteries

6.06 lb (2748 g)

Price (TTRE0053)

$549.99

mounted for better CG • Large battery bay that accommodates 8–12S LiPo batteries • Torque tube-driven tail • Titanium turnbuckle pitch linkages • V2 carbon fiber main blades and tail blades included

• •

•

•

work as one surface and require only one servo in each wing half Like the ailerons and elevators, the flaps are factory-hinged to reduce build time A fiberglass tail cone and fairing offer effortless scalelike appearance and easy access to tail control linkages Cockpit includes a detailed instrument panel with recessed gauges—just add the pilot figure Machined spinner, authentic wheels, a work/display stand and a foam work mat included

The Giant-Scale Gold Edition F4U Corsair ARF also requires main and tailwheel retracts.

Specifications Wingspan

86.5 in. (2195 mm)

Wing Area

1376 in.² (88.8 dm²)

Wing Loading

39–42 oz/ft² (119–128 g/dm²)

Length

70 in. (1780 mm)

Weight

23–25 lb (10.43–11.34 kg)

Servos

3 standard and 8 hightorque servos

Radio

7+ channel radio

Engine

50–55 cc gasolinepowered

Price (TOPA0704)

$749.99

HOT PRODUCTS

ZP Engines

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

Pricing 20-cc (ZENEP20) 26-cc (ZENEP26) 38-cc (ZENEP38) 62-cc (ZENEP62) 80-cc (ZENEP80T)

$299.99 $309.99 $319.99 $429.99 $949.99

E

asy starts. Incredible fuel efficiency.

Legendary Zenoah reliability. You get it all, and power to spare, with the new line of ZP electronic-ignition, gas-powered engines.

ZP engines share the same core components as world-famous Zenoah™ magneto engines, and like the magneto engines, they’re built for pilots who value dependability and ease of use above all else.

What sets ZP engines apart is a simple, efficient electronic ignition system that makes them ridiculously easy to start and operate. It can be powered with everything from 4.8-V NiMH packs to 2S 7.4-V LiPos. No power regulator is required, and current draw is so low that you have the flexibility of using smaller-capacity battery packs to save weight or bigger packs to fly more between charges.

The elimination of the magnetos and bulky PTO shaft make ZP engines much lighter too.

This light weight, coupled with an abundance of torque, make it possible to achieve thrilling power-to-weight performance using a variety of propellers.

F4U-1A Corsair BNF

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

long with the North American P-51, the Chance Vought F4U Corsair is one of the most popular “heavy metal” fighter aircraft of World War II. Horizon Hobby has recently announced an exciting update to the company’s already popular F4U Corsair. The new ParkZone® F4U-1A Corsair includes optional retracts, optional flaps, removable drop tanks and a more powerful, 15BL-size

Specifications Wingspan

44 in. (1120 mm)

Length

36 in. (915 mm)

Weight

43.4 oz (1230 grams) with drop tanks

Motor

15-size, 950-Kv brushless outrunner

ESC

30-amp brushless

Price

$269.99

(PKZ6080) motor. While maintaining a scale outline and amazing functionality, the new F4U-1A Corsair comes as a BNF. It’s a four-channel model out of the box, constructed from durable and reliable Z-Foam™ material.

RC-SF.COM

21

Hitec New Telemetry Sensor Station and Sensors

Stock # 55854 Estimated Street Price: $49.99 Hitec RCD 12115 Paine Street Poway, CA 92064 Phone: 858-748-6948 hitecrcd.com

H

itec RCD’s new HTS-SS Advance Sensor Station module delivers on its name by providing capabilities to work with all types of models. Compatible with Hitec’s existing line of sensors, the HTS-ADVANCE also provides engine temperature via the HTS-ETEMP sensor, air speed via the HTS-AS sensor, sensitive rate-of-climb tracking via the HTS-VM sensor and servo performance via the HTS-SM sensor. This leading-edge telemetry module provides the most reliable and comprehensive communication with your model yet.

HTS-SS Advance Advance Sensor Station Stock # 55853 Estimated Street Price: $32.99 HTS-ETEMP Engine Temperature Sensor Stock # 55861 Estimated Street Price: $21.99 HTS-AS Air Speed Sensor

22

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

HTS-VM Variometer Sensor Stock # 55860 Estimated Street Price: $28.99 HTS-SM Servo Manager Sensor Stock # 55859 Estimated Street Price: $39.99 Combo Packs: HTS-SS Advance Full Combo Includes: 1 each HTS-SS Advance, HTSORPM, HTS-MRPM, HTS-GPS, HTS-SM, HTS-C50, HTS-C200, HTS-Volt, HTS-Fuel, HTS-VM, HTS-AS, HTS-ETEMP & 4 x HTSTemp Stock # 55852 Estimated Street Price: $239.99 HTS-SS Advance Glider Combo 1 each HTS-SS Advance, HTS-GPS, HTS-SM, HTS-VM, HTS-AS, 2 x HTS-Temp Stock # 55858 Estimated Street Price: $184.99 HTS-SS Advance Upgrade Combo 1 each HTS-SS Advance, HTS-ETEMP, HTSSM, HTS-VM, HTS-AS, 2 x HTS-Temp Stock # 55856 Estimated Street Price: $94.99

Falcon Wood Props • Made of top grade German beechwood, • Crafted for top quality & maximum effectiveness at competitive prices, • 100% attention from hub to tip for optimum performance, • Every prop is individually inspected & pre-balanced for immediate use from package,* • Newly launched in the US market - check website for new sizes.

Gas Wood Props P/N WPC1006 WPC1106 WPC1204 WPC1206 WPC1208 WPC1304 WPC1306 WPC1406 WPC1408 WPC1506 WPC1508 WPC1510 WPC1606 WPC1608 WPC1610 WPC1706 WPC1708 WPC1710 WPC1806 WPC1808 WPC1810 WPC1908 WPC1912 WPC2006 WPC2008 WPC2010 WPC2012

DxP 10x6 11x6 12x4 12x6 12x8 13x4 13x6 14x6 14x8 15x6 15x8 15x10 16x6 16x8 16x10 17x6 17x8 17x10 18x6 18x8 18x10 19x8 19x12 20x6 20x8 20x10 20x12

P/N WPC2108 WPC2110 WPC2206 WPC2208 WPC2210 WPC2212 WPC2308 WPC2310 WPC2408 WPC2410 WPC2412 WPC2608 WPC2610 WPC2612 WPC2710 WPC2810 WPC2812 WPC2910 WPC3010 WPC3012 WPC3013 WPC3210 WPC3212 WPC3410 WPC3412 WPC3610 WPC3612

DxP 21x8 21x10 22x6 22x8 22x10 22x12 23x8 23x10 24x8 24x10 24x12 26x8 26x10 26x12 27x10 28x10 28x12 29x10 30x10 30x12 30x13 32x10 32x12 34x10 34x12 36x10 36x12

Electric Wood Props P/N DxP WPE10050 10x5 WPE10060 10x6 WPE11040 11x4 WPE11060 11x6 WPE12050 12x5 WPE12060 12x6 WPE12080 12x8 WPE13040 13x4 WPE13065 13x6.5 WPE13080 13x8 WPE14060 14x6 WPE14070 14x7 WPE14080 14x8 WPE15060 15x6 WPE15070 15x7 WPE15080 15x8 WPE16060 16x6

P/N DxP WPE16080 16x8 WPE16010 16x10 WPE17080 17x8 WPE17010 17x10 WPE18080 18x8 WPE18010 18x10 WPE18012 18x12 WPE19080 19x8 WPE19010 19x10 WPE20080 20x8 WPE20010 20x10 WPE20012 20x12 WPE22080 22x8 WPE22010 22x10 WPE23080 23x8 WPE23010 23x10 WPE24010 24x10

US Distributors Aeroworks

www.aero-works.net info@aero-works.net Phone: 303-371-4222, Fax: 303-371-4320

Bobs Hobby Center

www.bobshobbycenter.com derjager@msn.com Phone: (407) 277-1248, Fax: (407) 282-7281

Maxx Products International, LLC.

www.maxxprod.com sales@maxxprod.com Phone: (847) 438-2233, Fax: (847) 438-2898, Ordering: (800)416-6299

Canada Distributor Thunderbolt RC

www.thunderboltrc.com jeff@thunderboltrc.com Phone: 519-971-1975

www.falconhobby.com

*Final balance check is suggested before use due to uncontrolled conditions during transit.

RC-SF.COM

23

Situational Awareness JR has always delivered intuitive solutions that offer the RC pilot a precise connection to an aircraft. With the telemetry available in the new Dual Modulation Spectrum System (DMSS), now your aircraft can communicate vital information that allows you to respond with a mutual level of precision. Every DMSS receiver includes input voltage telemetry standard, and at any time you can add on user-friendly telemetry sensors such as temperature, altitude, current and rpm to enhance your connection even further.

JR® DMSS™ radio systems, receivers and telemetry sensors are for any RC pilot that wants precision solutions that are easy to use.

From the basic XG6, versatile XG8 and professional level XG11, the tradition of innovation is not only upheld, they bring a new level of situational awareness that will refine your expectation of precision. Your favorite dealers display and sell JR radios and accessories because they know that using a JR product will encourage you to fly more often and always be equipped for success.

For more information or to locate a retailer near you, visit horizonhobby.com

©2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. JR, feel the difference! and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. DMSS is a trademark of JR PROPO. JR is exclusively distributed by Horizon Hobby, Inc. JRradios.com 37036

100cc Carbon Cub

sport Cub s2

168” Wingspan

NEW ARF

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Cessna 195

35cc Extra 300 Wing Span: 78”

8 To 10 houRs AssEmblY TimE

Weight: 13-15 lbs Engine: 35cc-45cc Gas

Engine: 1.60-2.20 Glow

90” Wingspan 1.80 glow to 30cc gas

$499.95 PLUS S&H

50cc Pitts Python ARF

YAK 54 .90-1.20

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70” Wingspan 1725 sq. in.

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Wing Area: 1350 sq. in.

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VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE Be sure to visit our website for all your shopping needs.

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303-371- 4222

Email: info@aero-works.net 4903 Nome Street • Denver, CO 80239

XFC 2012

BY Daniel Holman

It’s All About Extreme Aerobatics Competition

A

fter a month of intense preparation for one of the largest freestyle aerobatic competitions in the world, I am more than ready to sit down, relax and write about it. The Extreme Flight Championship (XFC) has truly exploded in popularity over the past decade. It started in 2002 and has without a doubt become the spectator event to attend in the area of extreme aerobatics.

The evolution of this contest is amazing in terms of the pilot skill level and how the hardware has advanced every year. The first years of XFC were, for the most part, comprised of simple yet elegant routines. They were, however, limited by the aircrafts’ airframes, engines, servos, etc. Today, with advancements in hardware and software, the flying has evolved into what 3D pilots call Extreme Aerobatics (XA) style flying, where the pilots push the airplanes to and sometimes past their limits, pulling and pushing over +/- 12-G loads (G = force of gravity) at times.

26

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Here I am performing a high-alpha knife edge with my Extreme Flight 104-in.

Extra 300.

Your 2012 XFC Helicopter champion, Mr. Nick Maxwell, from Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Nick’s flying was mind blowing, and his hard work paid off!

All of the airplanes that are used in this type of a contest boast powerto-weight ratios of roughly 2:1, and they are capable of maneuvers that full-scale aerobatic airplanes just can’t perform. When you couple these amazing machines with 18 of the best XA pilots in the world, it is, simply put, EXTREME! If that isn’t enough, the XFC is not only America’s largest airplane freestyle competition, but it is also one of the largest helicopter freestyle competitions. It too hosts 18 of the world’s best helicopters pilots. They attend this amazing event where the competition alternates between fixed wing and rotary wing wonders throughout the week.

Preparing for this event is no small thing, and each pilot puts forth a great deal of time, energy, effort and money just to get into the contest.

This was my second year flying in the XFC, and in this report I will give you all the aerobatic details from the competitor’s point of view.

XFC 2012

Arriving at XFC

After an 11-hour drive from Atlanta, GA to the AMA headquarters in Muncie, IN, I felt more like sleeping than practicing, but after a short night’s sleep on Wednesday, we were ready to go at it Thursday.

Many pilots come over a week in advance to camp at the site and practice every day leading up to the competition.

Knowns and Unknowns

One of the aspects of the XFC that sets it apart from other competitions is that there are two types of flights that must be performed. There is the “Known” sequence, which is created and choreographed primarily by the pilot, but must include three precision

maneuvers that are predetermined by the XFC committee. These maneuvers are judged for execution, placement and choreography.

The second type of sequence is a freestyle, or “Unknown” round which is put together solely by the pilot.

It does not require any particular maneuvers.

Both of these sequence types are judged for originality, execution, choreography and use of the aircraft’s entire flight envelope. The flight must be four minutes in length and be flown to music for the duration of the program.

Last-Chance Qualifying

Of the 18 places available to the competitors in both the airplane and helicopter classes of the XFC, 15 of each class are given by invitation. The remaining three spots are left for Last Chance Qualifying (LCQ). This selection process is held on Thursday morning, and anyone is welcome to try out to qualify. The top three pilots from LCQ earn a spot in the Extreme Flight Championships starting the following day.

After LCQ is complete, the flight line is opened for the competitors to practice. Because all the pilots want to get some practice flights in, there is a lot of waiting during this time. We would push our airplanes into line and then go back and sit in the shade for an hour or so until

XFC 2012 champion Seth Arnold doing a fast Axial roll with smoke on!

Jase “The Ace” Dussia was the youngest pilot in the competition and flew his Extreme Flight 104-in. Extra 300 to an excellent fifth place finish!

RC-SF.COM

27

it was our turn to fly. I flew four flights on Thursday and then cleaned and did a thorough inspection of my Extreme Flight 104-in. Extra 300 before putting it in the trailer for the night. After watching my fellow competitors practice through the day, I knew this would be one of the stiffest competitions yet because all the pilots had worked very hard to raise the bar with original maneuvers and figures. The atmosphere around the pilots was quite tense because they knew that their mistakes made in practice this day would hurt them if they were repeated the next.

That evening all the pilots had a meeting to discuss safety, rules and judging criteria, and to draw the flight order.

My brother Michael (left) and I (right) with our DA-120 powered Extreme Flight 104-in. Extra 300s. We are both running the Spektrum DX-18 transmitters and JR high voltage servos.

28

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Friday: Day One

The event began at 9 a.m. on Friday. All the pilots arrived much earlier to prepare their aircraft for the flights. The helicopters went first on Friday, giving the fixed wing pilots a little extra time for setup and to catch their breath. I drew number 14 in the flight order, which had its ups and downs. The first pilot to fly generally has the best weather conditions, but the morning sun makes it hard to see the airplane’s orientation. The conditions went to the other side of the spectrum as we went down the line of pilots. The first round of each day is always a known round, and on Friday especially, the judges were not giving away free points. Everyone flew very well, so with every competitor’s flight I got

more nervous.

My first flight went quite well, and my brother Michael who also flew in the contest was behind me calling the known maneuvers to the judges and starting the time and music. Knowing that I had a solid round completed felt very good, and a lot of stress drained off me as I walked back to the tent to prepare the airplane for the next flight.

After the known round, Matt Chapman arrived in his full-scale Eagle 580 and wowed the crowd with a world class air show routine. Matt is an amazing pilot, and to see him performing in person and coming within 20 feet of the ground during his routine was awe inspiring! During the first half of the flight, Frank Noll flew his 43% Carden Extra 300 in

XFC 2012

Joe Smith of Ft. Wayne, IN wowed the audience with his extremely low-flying style throughout the weekend. He flew the 3D Hobby Shop 104-in. Slick 540 very well!

Nicholas Pinzon taking off for another excellent flight with his Hangar 9 35% Extra 300. Nicholas used a DA-120 engine and a JR 12X for guidance.

RC-SF.COM

29

mock formation as Matt flew a beautiful sequence. After Matt’s routine was finished, he got on the PA through the radio and took a couple of maneuver requests, much to the crowd’s delight. The crowd asked for a slow roll and a knife-edge spin, both of which Matt Seth Arnold right after another beautiful flight with performed expertly. his Hangar 9 35% Extra 300. Seth flew extremely After the noon demo, precisely and deserved his first place win! we began the Unknown round, switching between airplanes and helicopters Saturday every six flights. The Unknown round Saturday’s flying started off with continued until about 5 p.m. when a bang at 8 a.m. with 12-year-old the airfield opened for more practice.

Jase Dussia. Jase was the youngest My Unknown round went very well, competitor, but you wouldn’t know and knowing I had a good score in it by watching his piloting skills! both the Known and Unknown was a Everything went smoothly during the huge relief. After cleaning the airplane first round. At noon, Matt Chapman and checking the aircraft over, we graced us with another amazing fullwent to dinner and hit the sack early. scale air show performance.

Team Puerto Rico came out to support Gabriel Altuz. These guys were always working to keep Gabriel’s airplanes spotless, and we had a great time hanging out with them.

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Sammy Swink came up from Texas to fly his Aeroworks 170-cc Ultimate biplane in the contest.

This was the only biplane at this year’s XFC, and it presented very well.

Our family keeps the seventh day Sabbath and because of this, Michael and I did not fly on Saturday and took zeros for both of those rounds. With that in mind, I was doubly grateful to have two good scores from Friday.

The way the XFC scoring works is that all pilots fly one Known and one Unknown on Friday and Saturday, and the lowest scored flight of each

XFC 2012

Team Extreme at the XFC. Left to right: Daniel Holman (author), Chris Hinson (owner of Extreme Flight), Michael Holman, RJ Gritter, Devin McGrath and Jase Dussia. All of us Team Extreme pilots flew the new Extreme Flight 104-in. Extra 300 with a Desert Aircraft DA-120 engine.

is dropped. Based on the two highest scores from Friday and Saturday, the top seven pilots advance to the final rounds on Sunday, which consist of two Knowns and two Unknowns. The lowest score of each is again dropped, and the final results are taken from normalizing the four remaining scores.

Gabriel Altuz from Puerto Rico hovering his PAU Chris Hass put on a wild show with his DA-120Extra 300SP at show center with smoke on. Gabriel powered Ohio Model Planes Yak-55.

On Saturday flew extremely low and was a crowd favorite! afternoon the pilots flew an Unknown round began—the world famous XFC Night which went well with the exception After the round was complete, the Fly championships! This is always a of one crash. After flying hard and judges took an hour to tabulate the crowd favorite, and this year was the low for three-and-a-half minutes, scores and then named the finalists. best ever. Five competitors braved Joe Smith unfortunately got his 3D This was immediately followed by the night with their aircraft. Some Hobby Shop Slick 540 into such a southern style barbecue for the covered their entire aircraft with a tight knife-edge spin that it just pilots and spectators.

LED lights, and others mounted highwould not come out. The crash was intensity LED lights on the wingtips spectacular, but it’s always sad to see.

Saturday: Night Fly! that then illuminated the airplane. In Joe had a backup airplane to fly for As soon as the sky was completely this contest, almost anything goes and the Sunday rounds, though. dark, a whole new competition RC-SF.COM

31

pyrotechnics are used extensively, which really gets the crowd going!

Because this portion of the event is aimed at crowd pleasing more than anything, the crowd gets to decide the winner by cheering for each individual pilot. This year’s night fly championship winner was Bobby Watts flying a Gaui 90-size helicopter. It was covered in lights that were precisely synchronized to his freestyle music. Bobby and his crew spent hundreds of hours working on the electrical system for his show. His show included flame throwers, fireworks ON the helicopter and lots of pyrotechnics on the ground. The show had the audience on their feet by its end. It was an unforgettable flight.

In a close second was 12-yearold Jase Dussia flying his Extreme Flight 110-in. Yak-54 with an Aurora lighting system and lots of smoke and fireworks. This was another amazing show, and because I’m a fixed-wing kind of guy, it was my personal favorite.

Sunday: Finals!

Because the Night Fly goes so late every year, Sunday’s flying doesn’t begin until 9 a.m., much to the relief of the pilots and judges.

Starting with the Known rounds, the seven airplane and seven helicopter pilots went through the line without an intermission.

The weather played its roll very effectively with winds gusting to 20 miles per hour during the middle of the day, making it difficult for

Michael Holman put on an amazing air show with his Extreme Flight 90-in. Extra 300 EXP prototype, while RJ Gritter and Devin McGrath lit off the pyrotechnics!

32

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

all of the pilots to keep up with the routines and execute correct geometry in their maneuvers.

The competitive flying lasted until about 4 p.m. when the judges took approximately half an hour to tally the scores.

Everyone was invited to gather outside of the gazebo at center field for the awards ceremony. Because no scores were disclosed on Sunday, the ceremony was quite tense while the results were called from seventh place to first place. Every pilot was on edge, hoping that their name would be as close as possible to the last called.

There was a cash prize for each of the pilots down to seventh place and beautiful plaques for the top three spots in each class.

XFC 2012

Showing off the power of his Lycoming IO-580 engine and a Hartzel carbon fiber prop, Matt Chapman does a snap roll on a 45-degree up line.

The top three airplane pilots of the 2012 XFC: first place Seth Arnold, second place Gabriel Altuz, third place Daniel Holman.

Results Airplane 1st

Seth Arnold

2

Gabriel Altuz

nd

3

Daniel Holman

4th

RJ Gritter

5th

Jase Dussia

6

th

Nicholas Pinzon

7

th

Joe Smith

rd

Helicopter 1st

Nick Maxwell

2

Jamie Robertson

nd

3rd

Kyle Dahl

4th

Bobby Watts

5

Kyle Stacy

th

6

Colin Bell

7th

Jesse Kavros

th

After the awards and the inevitable pictures and interviews, I gassed my airplane up and went out to the runway for a stress-free and fun flight. Many of the other competitors enjoyed a few minutes of fun flying at the end as well, and with the competition over, it was all about enjoying friendships between the pilots as we packed our trailers.

By 6 p.m. the airfield that had been packed full just a few hours earlier was almost completely deserted. I felt very blessed to have placed where I did and was very grateful for God’s blessing on my efforts. We were among the last to leave, and as I looked back at the airfield, I was torn between relief and a little sadness because I knew it would be 362 days until the next Extreme Flight Championships.

If it’s not already marked on your calendar for next year, I would highly recommend saving the dates. This contest gets better every year, and I’m already looking forward to the XFC 2013. I hope to see you there!

RC-SF.COM

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34

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

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By Jeff Troy

Wings Part 4b Balsa Flies on the Ziroli Fokker Dr.1 Triplane

H

ere we go! This is a continuation of my column from last month. Enjoy.

There are two interplane strut supports on the top surface of the wing, one on each side, and you will see that the upper sheeting over the 1 2 spar can’t lie flat until you trim either the sheet The forward sheeting isn’t able to lie flat against the Let the edge of the sheet guide the position of the or the supports. Working spar where the cabane strut supports are mounted. blade while you saw partially through the strut Either the sheeting or the supports will have to be support. Do not saw all the way through the support, with one side of the relieved for a good fit. just down to the level of the top of the spar. wing at a time, use the edge of the sheet as a guide for your Zona kerf saw and start a cut in the support in line with the edge of the sheet.

Don’t cut all the way through the support, just down to the level of the main spar, and then use your hobby knife to cut away the wood from the 3 4 support over the spar and up to the saw cut.

Lift the sheeting and use a hobby knife to trim the When properly made, the notch acts as a ledge to What you have now is a front of the support flush with the top of the spar. let the upper sheeting lie flat against the main spar.

Use the spar as a guide for the knife blade as you Little or no gap is visible between the sheeting and perfectly fitted notch to work toward the saw cut. the strut support. let the sheeting lie flat on top of the spar.

The upper sheeting is now attached to the entire length of the trailing edge, and your next step is to attach the forward portion of the sheeting. With the wing resting on its trailing edge, carefully raise the sheeting over the center 5 6 section enough to get a decent view of the Stand the wing on its trailing edge, gently lift the top Drip generous beads of gap-filling CA over the rib rib edges and internal sheeting and examine the area of the center section edges, spars and anywhere else you can’t reach with under the sheet. The object is to know exactly where the glue nozzle. You can’t get all the way back, so the structure underneath the adhesive must be applied without wasting too beads will run rearward and do the job for you. After that will be inaccessible much time in the process. you apply the adhesive inside the center section, lay the wing flat and hold the sheeting down against after the sheeting is the framework until the adhesive cures. with the glue nozzle. When all the attached. Drip generous beads of center section until the adhesive internal contact points are sufficiently gap-filling CA over the rib edges, cures. wetted with adhesive, quickly lay the letting the beads accumulate and Flip the wing over again, and apply wing flat on the work surface and flow downward toward the spar into gap-filling CA to the underside of all the areas that cannot be reached hold the sheeting down over the 36

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Wings Part 4b one side of the sheeting where it will engage the main spar. Use gentle pressure to hold the wing down against the work surface, trapping the sheeting between the work surface and the main spar, and ensuring a straight surface and a good bond 7 8 over the length of one With the center section secured, work from the Install the upper cap strips and sand them to half of the wing. Now bottom of the wing to attach the upper sheeting blend neatly into the wing sheeting. Pay particular repeat the procedure to the top of the main spar. Then attach the upper attention to the strut supports, which must also be sheeting to the ribs and the leading edge. The bend sanded to the correct airfoil shape. for the other half of the is far less severe, so no water or glass cleaner should wing. be needed, and it’s easy to drip CA along the ribto-sheeting and sheeting-to-leading edge joints by slipping the CA nozzle in Attaching the between the upper and lower spars and giving the bottle a gentle squeeze. forward edge of the upper sheeting is like attaching the lower edge, but you won’t have such an extreme curve to deal with where the sheet meets the leading edge, so no wetting should be required.

Hold the upper sheet tightly against one of the wing ribs, slip the 9 10 CA bottle in between the upper and lower Flip the wing over and sand the bottom cap strips to Use the razor plane to put a flat face on the spars and drip a line of blend into the sheeting on the underside of the wing. upper and lower sheeting along the leading edge of the wing. Remember that there is a thin CA along the joint 1/4-in.-square leading edge piece under all between the rib and the that sheeting, and your objective here is to sheeting. Do the same for the next down the forward edges of the upper expose approximately 1/16-in. of that leading edge stick along the entire length of the wing. rib, and when the adhesive is cured, and lower sheets. The object is to Work carefully to prevent removing too much hold the sheeting between the two plane the edges of the sheets down material, but be sure to get enough. The exposed leading edge will give you an excellent ribs against the leading edge and drip flat enough to expose 1/16-in. of the guideline to follow on either side. Just keep another line along the leading-edgeleading edge stick under the sheets. the guidelines parallel and you’ll be okay. to-sheeting joint.

When you finish that, work the razor Continue working one rib bay plane at 45 degrees to the upper and at a time until the sheeting is firmly lower sides of the face cut to begin Wing tip blocks are often attached along the entire length rounding the leading edge. Finish considered difficult to shape, but of the wing, then cut away the rounding the leading edge sheeting there’s a way to do it quickly and overhanging excess sheeting. Add the with the bar sander. easily. Use the bar sander to sand all 12 upper cap strips in the same manner as the lower cap strips, and once they are installed, use the bar sander to blend the strips into the sheeting. Remember to work at an angle with only light pressure when you sand to prevent dinging the cap strips or wing skins.

11 12 Stand the wing on Here’s the Dr’s lower wing’s leading edge, all planed Use the razor plane again to make additional cuts its trailing edge and use to a flat face with approximately 1/16 in. of the 1/4at approximate 45-degree angles to the flat cut. the razor plane to take in. leading edge stick exposed.

RC-SF.COM

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the wing sheeting flush with the tip rib, then check the fit of the tip block against the end of the wing. Do your best to position the block so that there is a slight amount of overhanging balsa both above and below the rib; you’ll get a much better finished 13 14 job by sanding the block Switch from the razor plane to the bar sander and Use the bar sander to make the sheeting and cap to fit instead of trying to bring the leading edge to a nice, round shape. You’ll strips conform to the tip rib, and when you’re align it evenly along any find that sanding the leading edge is easier if you let finished rough-sanding, the tip rib and leading edge it hang over the edge of the work surface while you sheeting should look something like this. one edge. sand. Sand one side, then flip the wing over again and Tack glue the block sand the opposite side. over the end of the wing.

“Tack” gluing means that you don’t want a permanent joint, but one that’s just strong enough to hold the block while you shape and sand it.

Tack glue the block by applying one drop of gap-filling CA at the leading edge, another at the upper and lower 15 16 spars and a fourth just Tack glue the tip blocks to the tip ribs. Note the “X” Use the razor plane to shape the upper and lower ahead of the trailing marks I made to demonstrate where four drops of surfaces of the tip block to match the airfoil. Try to edge. Hold the block in gap-filling CA should be applied. You don’t want the follow the grain of the wood for the smoothest cuts. position against the tip block to be permanently attached, just held strongly Work a little at a time using shallow cuts. Cutting too enough to remain in position while you shape the much away can be annoying to repair. rib until the four glue block to match the wing. dots cure.

Use the razor plane to shave the upper and lower faces of the block to conform to the airfoil, then use the bar sander to sand the block to match the airfoil. Now, just as you did for the leading edge sheeting, plane additional cuts into the 17 18 block at approximately 45 degrees to the square After planing, use the bar sander to match the block It’s razor plane time once again, and now you will to the airfoil shape. Use light-to-moderate pressure use it to begin rounding the tip blocks. You’ll have edges. This will result on the sander and follow the contours of the wing. to remove quite a bit of material, but as before, you in the beginnings of must be careful not to remove too much. a rounded tip shape.

Continue planing until a pleasantly stubborn, slip a razor knife between shaped cutters into your rotary tool rounded shape is achieved, then an unglued area of the joint and work and use it to hollow the inside of the finish the rough shaping with the bar it forward and back until you can free tip block. The objective in hollowing sander. That wing tip block should be the block. the tip blocks is to save weight at the looking very nice.

Robart Manufacturing offers outer ends of the wing, creating an Remember that the block was a selection of effective, braisedoverall lighter model and reducing tack glued to the tip rib. If you didn’t tungsten-steel cutting bits for the roll inertia—two desirable and easily apply too much CA, you should be rotary tools that are made by achievable goals. You don’t need to be able to pop the block away from Dremel, Craftsman and many other very artistic here, but do try to take the tip rib without trouble. If it’s manufacturers. Fit one of the ballaway as much material as you can 38

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Wings Part 4b from the inside of the block, being careful not to let the wall become so thin that it could be broken during normal handling of the finished model.

After the tips have been sufficiently hollowed, run a bead of gap-filling CA along 19 the entire inside edge Here’s my rough-sanded tip block after only a minute of the wing tip block, or two with the bar sander. Always sand with smooth, and glue it back in its flowing strokes that follow the shape you want. Sand as if your hands were describing the finished shape in proper position over the the air. tip rib—permanently.

Use the block sander to reaffirm the fit between the wing and tip block, then stand back and admire your completed lower wing.

Finishing the Dr.1’s mid wing follows the same general procedure as the bottom wing, although there are two 21 significant differences.

First, before installing Hollowing the tip blocks serves three useful purposes.

It makes for an overall lighter model, it helps reduce the lower sheeting, the roll inertia in flight and it makes you feel like a better sheet must be trimmed model builder for having done it. to accommodate the grooved-hardwood block that will hold the rear cabane struts. When fitting the lower sheeting at the center section, just draw a pencil line on the sheeting all around the block. Remove the sheet, cut the rectangle away inside the pencil lines and install the 23 sheeting. When you’re adding the beads of The mid wing sheeting is installed in the same gap-filling CA along the manner as the bottom wing sheeting, but you must cut a rectangular recess in the bottom sheet to center-section joints in accommodate the hardwood block that holds the rear the lower sheeting, be cabane struts. If you cut slightly oversize, as I did, just add a few scraps of balsa around the gaps and sand it sure to add them around all to blend neatly. the block as well.

The second difference is that the usual recess These laminations must be sanded to for the fuselage belly in the forward match the airfoil shape, allowing the portion of the lower wing has been upper sheeting to lie on top of them exchanged for a recess at the rear of when it is installed. the mid wing behind the cockpit. A The upper wing is handled in two-part-balsa lamination is installed similar fashion. It, too, has two over the lower sheeting on each side hardwood blocks for the cabane of the recess between the inboard rib struts. While there is no added and the plywood trailing edge brace. complexity of a forward or rearward

20 The tip blocks were only tack glued over the tip ribs, so break them away and use a Robart braisedtungsten-steel cutting ball in a rotary tool to hollow the tip blocks.

22 Glue the tip blocks back over the tip ribs— permanently this time—and sand them once again to blend them perfectly into the airfoil.

24 The bottom wing has a recess in the leading edge for the fuselage belly, but the mid wing has a recess in the trailing edge in the cockpit area. The laminated fairings you see are glued over the bottom sheeting against the inboard ribs and the plywood brace. The laminations must be sanded to match the airfoil before the top sheeting can be installed.

recess, there is the matter of finishing the rearward faces of the rear spars in the insets where the ailerons are located. After the upper and lower sheeting has been installed on the upper wing, dress the inner faces of the aileron recesses with the bar sander, then use a wide scrap of 3/32-in. sheeting to cover the area.

RC-SF.COM

39

Wings Part 4b Block sand the sheeting flush with the upper and lower wings’ skins and you’re done.

Add a finishing touch to the hardwood blocks in the mid wing and upper wing by installing bits of scrap wood at the outer ends of their grooves. Sand the scraps 25 26 flush with the surface Just like the mid wing, the upper wing has hardwood After the top and bottom sheeting is installed on the of the blocks. When blocks to hold the cabane struts. The bottom sheeting upper wing, the inset areas for the ailerons must be properly installed, these must be relieved to accommodate the blocks, and it’s sanded to receive their 3/32-in. balsa facings. You a good idea to install bits of scrap balsa in the ends must also flush-sand the ends of sheeting over and small scraps provide the of the grooves to prevent wrinkles in the covering under the rib just inboard of the ailerons. covering material with when it is applied. an attachment point, giving the covering a nicely finished edge and preventing the material from puckering at the ends of the grooves.

Finish the Fokker’s ailerons by adding the upper trailing edge sheeting and the upper and lower cap strips to both ailerons. Add the 1/4-in. facings to the 27 28 leading edges of the Install the balsa facings in the aileron inset. Cut When the aileron facings are flush-sanded top ailerons and use the the sheet wide enough to let some of the wood and bottom, they should blend perfectly into the bar sander to roughextend above the top sheeting and below the bottom contours of the wing. sheeting. shape them. Check the fit of the ailerons to the upper wing, sanding all the edges to their proper mating angles and allowing sufficient clearance for covering and paint.

Finally, increase the hinge mounting areas by adding a 1-in.-long scrap of 1/4x1/4-in. balsa behind the facings where each hinge will be 29 30 located.

Sheet the leading edges of the ailerons with 1/4The three wings for the Ziroli triplane are That’s it! The Dr.1’s in. balsa, then add the cap strips top and bottom. constructed and rough sanded and not too far from three wings are almost Position the ailerons in their insets and use the bar ready for the covering process. Wings for three sander to dress all the edges for a perfect fit to the more airplanes still remain to be constructed, as ready for covering, wing. Work carefully because irregular lines are easy do the fuselages and all the many accessory parts and you have a lot of to spot along the aileron outlines. Be sure to leave for all five of my subject models. I’m in for the long enough room between the ailerons and the insets for haul, my friends, and I hope you’ll enjoy staying new tricks to use and covering and paint. with me. perfect on this or your next construction project. Three more wings remain course, there are five fuselages to touches that can be used to dress to be constructed in my Building build, engines, motors, cowls, landing up any project from sport-hack to Model Airplanes series—for the gear, radio systems and linkages to contest-level scale.

Great Planes® Super Sportster 60, install, all kinds of finishing methods Stay with me, please, and you’ll the Dynaflite® Super Decathlon and and materials to demonstrate and a eventually learn most of my building the SIG® Spacewalker II. Then, of seemingly endless stream of extra secrets.

40

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

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BY Rob Caso

Scale Airplane Pilots Modifying Pilot Figures

The open cockpit on my DH2 is prominently positioned at the very nose of the model, making a pilot—or the lack thereof—the first thing you notice.

Here a foam torso and legs have been added to the bust with epoxy. The added areas are covered with a heavy application of vinyl spackle/ Minwax Polycrylic to hide the foam texture and later create wrinkles in the flight suit.

I

hate to step on the cake here, but all scale models must have a pilot.

Even if it’s an almost-ready-to-fly (ARF) airplane, I cringe when I see a model whiz by with no pilot. If it’s an open cockpit biplane, then it’s time for another visit with my therapist. It makes me crazy!

Then too, for open cockpit models, just a pilot won’t do—it should be a good one. Let’s face it, as scale modelers our lofty goal is the achievement of realism. The effect of a good or even a great model is spoiled, for me at least, with a weak pilot figure.

There are two forces that stand in the way of our goal here. First, a pilot is most often considered late in the build, when we are nearing the “I’m sick of working on this model” stage, to the point where pilot detail almost is an afterthought. And many efforts exhibit this phenomenon.

Second, figure modeling and the 42

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

I made a template for the left arm to show the proper angle for the pilot to operate a control, then attached and rounded in the arm. Toothpicks were slid into the elbow to support the arm during sanding and finishing.

Since the pilot is such a tight fit in the cockpit (as per the real airplane), multiple test fits in the model were required.

Scale Airplane Pilots An arm from stiff copper wire was made for each hand, dividing the strands into five groups to form the fingers. Use your own hand as a guide to shape and size the fingers.

Note that the thumb comes off the side of the hand.

After this, I applied two-part EvercoatÂŽ auto-body filler to each hand and worked with files to define the fingers.

After smoothing down the multiple applications of spackle with 150 and then 220 sandpaper, I brushed on Polycrylic over the spackled areas and primed the figure with very light coats of auto body primer.

I fluffed in the gauntlets with more Evercoat and base-coated the figure with an airbrushing of the appropriate colors. I later changed the color of the headgear.

Once the base coat was done, I shaded the underarms and creases with darker-colored base coats.

The skin tone is a mixture of oil paints—burnt sienna, raw umber and yellow ochre. It is applied over a base coat mixture of Model Master panzer yellow and skin tone.

After 15 minutes, I wiped off the dark oil mix with a clean brush, applied yellow ochre, left it for 45 minutes and wiped off and blended it in with a clean brush.

To finish up, I applied white oil paint, left it for about 15 minutes and then wiped and blended.

related painting are almost too much of an art for most of us, and thence somewhat scary to attempt. Hey, I can mask a panel and shoot that with nimble aplomb, but shading?

Fagettaboutit!

Knowing full well that I was not

good at those skills, I made it my mission to improve. The pilot was on my mind when I glued the first two sticks of balsa together for my 1/9-scale DH2, which is the example I am using for this article. Having to make a pilot was hanging over my

head like an anvil the entire build.

After all, there was no canopy to hide him behind, no wing to hide him under and no engine in close proximity to draw attention away from the cockpit. Rather, the gaping hole of a cockpit was going to be RC-SF.COM

43

Scale Airplane Pilots

Here’s the result. If you don’t like it, wipe it all off and start over.

The eyes were painted white first, and then vertical blobs of eye color were added.

there for all to see. Even worse, I wound up making a decent machine gun and, in so doing, actually drew attention to the cockpit. I was in a fix!

Okay, now that I have related my deep-seated scale modeling phobias, I have to say in retrospect that good pilot figures aren’t that difficult to make, although they do take some time. The first thing to do is to get a bust or even a head figure that you can work with that is close to what your model needs. The rest can be made.

For my DH2, it had to be a bust of a WWI pilot that also had the proper head gear. Maxford’s 1/8-scale pilot bust was slightly out of scale, but it was close enough, and its detail was pretty good too. For it, I made the torso, arms and legs from blue construction foam and the hands from armature wire and auto-body filler. The sequential photos tell you how I did it. Note that I took all the dimensions for my pilot figure from my dimensions. That let me get the added foam pieces close to the proper scale sizes.

When it came to painting the figure, skin tones are always a challenge to get right, but the beauty of this is that you can always take the paint job off and start over.

A lot of work to make a pilot? Yes perhaps, but for certain models this has to be done right to get the scale effect that is needed.

44

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

The underside of the pilot was opened so that the pilot could then house the airplane’s receiver.

Here is the installed pilot.

Note that all the color demarcations were enhanced and defined by lining with a 000 brush and dark shades of brown and burnt umber.

BY Mike Hoffmeister

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Why Buy

The RCGF 40-cc engine produces outstanding power for its size, delivers up to 22 pounds of thrust and weighs just less than four pounds, including the mufflers and ignition unit. The price tag of only $489.95 makes this a powerful, low-cost engine that is also economical to operate due to the extremely low fuel cost

The RCGF 40-cc engine comes with instructions, tuning tip sheet, ignition system, spark plugs, mufflers, mount plate (pre-installed), exhaust gaskets, carburetor arm, spark plug wire protective sheaths, propeller bolts/ washer and warranty card.

(vs. glow fuel). Also, as a twin-cylinder engine, its vibration level is quite low, and the unmistakable sound of a twin will surely make your airplane’s flights more pleasing!

Break-In and Performance Testing

The first step was mounting the engine to the thrust test stand.

Thanks to the simple, pre-installed rear mount plate, it was very easy to drill a few new holes into the thrust test stand adapter plate and attach the engine. After that, rigging the throttle servo, the fuel line and installing the RCGF 20×8 wood propeller went very quickly. The engine was mounted with mufflers and carburetor pointing up (“upside down” vs. most airplane installations), due to the test stand’s constraints.

After these steps, I fueled the test stand tank with a 32-to-1 mix This front view shows off the quality and compactness of the machined crankcase, and thick flanges on the cylinders that assure a good seal and rigid cylinder bores.

Also note the ample cooling fins on the cylinder and compact reed valve block.

46

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

RCGF 40-cc Engine This front view, with mufflers fitted, shows how compact the overall power plant is. Weighing in at just less than four pounds, including mufflers and ignition, the engine should be a good fit for many different types of models.

For the first 20 minutes or so, I ran the engine in the lower and mid rpm range, with the carburetor set slightly rich. Then I started to run the engine up to high power for short bursts, and after another 20 minutes I tuned the carburetor progressively toward optimum power settings.

I found the original carburetor settings to be quite close, plus the engine came with a tuning recommendation sheet

ratio of pump gasoline and Royal Purple synthetic twostroke oil. Then I connected the hoses and double-checked everything. I closed the choke completely and opened the throttle.

Then with the ignition OFF, flipped the propeller a few times until I saw fuel in the hose all the way up to the carburetor. I flipped it a few more revolutions to fill up the carburetor and move fuel into the engine. With the choke closed and carburetor at about half-throttle, I switched on the ignition, and after several flips the engine started!

This rear view shows the pre-installed engine mount plate, which makes mounting a snap. It also shows the orientation of the needle valves and the straight, line-of-sight access to the throttle arm.

The RCGF 40-cc twin looks great and would make a modeler proud to display what is “under the hood� on their newest model.

The propeller bolt pattern is the same as the popular DA-50/60 and DLE-55.

specific to this engine.

Once this initial break-in was complete, I tuned the low and high needle valves to give a slow and steady idle with clean acceleration even when the throttle opened rapidly. The high needle was set just slightly richer than peak rpm (about 100 rpm on the rich side of peak).

With the carburetor set and initial break-in complete, the engine idled very smoothly and consistently, took throttle well, quickly accelerated to top rpm and ran clean during sustained full-throttle operation.

A computer runs and monitors the test stand, assuring that the same test can be run over and over with minimal variation. My standard test is to run the engine for five seconds at stable idle, then five seconds at RC-SF.COM

47

20-percent throttle, then five seconds at 40-percent throttle, and so on, with the final five seconds at wideopen throttle. All the while, the Medusa Research Power Analyzer Pro data system captures rpm, thrust, ambient temperature and cylinder head temperature. In a test taking less than one minute, a large amount of data is captured, which then allows the results to be graphed so they can be interpreted easily, and various propellers can be compared with each other.

After the first test with the RCGF 20×8 wood propeller (also provided

by BP Hobbies), I changed propellers

As mounted in most models, this would be a “bottom view.” Again, this shows off the overall compact size of the engine and ease of access to key interfaces.

The engine is very compact, even when fully equipped with the included muffler, making it easy to package in a variety of models.

in an airplane, 1500 is a good starting point. It sounds really nice at idle, demonstrating one of the desirable traits of a multicylinder engine. Throughout testing, vibration levels were very low.

After running the engine for a few hours and testing it with six propellers, I was very impressed by how easily the engine started by hand—ranging from the first to the third flip.

The engine has very good compression and draws

several times until I had completed test runs for each of the six propellers included in this review. I found that the high needle needed only a small adjustment when going from low-load to higher-load propellers (or vice versa). With the RCGF 20×8 wood propeller, the engine turned 6700 rpm, producing 22.1 pounds of thrust. Toward the end of testing, it briefly got up to 6900 a few times, indicating that with further break-in and run time, it would likely start running at higher rpms consistently. Idle rpm was set to around 1500. I had it down to 1200 reliably, but for practical use 48

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

fuel well, and once running it has outstanding throttle response. The engine seemed equally happy swinging the larger Vess 22B propeller as it did the low-load APC 20×8, which was a bit too small for the engine, allowing it to run past the upper end of its rated 1500–7500 Rpm range.

In the end, the RCGF 20x8 propeller seemed to be the best choice, in terms of keeping the engine at an appropriate rpm level and producing outstanding throttle response/thrust.

Engine Hardware Layout

I removed the carburetor and reed valve block, then removed one of the two cylinders, which was easily accomplished. This gave me a

With the cylinder removed, it is possible to see the transfer port feed pockets that are CNC milled into the crankcase, along with the steel connecting rod. Also note the dual compression rings on the piston.

RCGF 40-cc Engine sufficient view of the engine internals, so I did not attempt to remove the crankshaft. The RCGF 40-cc engine uses a supported crankshaft (two ball bearings on the output end, and one on the rear). The connecting rods are made of steel, with needle bearings on each end. The piston, rings and cylinder are common to the RCGF 20-cc v2 engine that we tested early last year. This was a good move by RCGF, both from a commonality and performance point of view, as the 20cc v2 engine was a strong performer!

The carburetor and reed valve assembly are very compact, contributing to overall low weight and small package size. The four-petal, pyramid style reed valve does not compromise on flow or power, however. The yellow hose provides the crankcase pressure pulse signal to the carburetor pump diaphragm.

The cylinders are sturdy, compact and lightweight—with outstanding fit and finish and ample cooling fin area.

This view up into a cylinder shows the transfer port arrangement. Ports are sized to give a good balance of flow area and velocity, and they match nicely to the crankcase. Note the small boost port shown at the bottom, opposite the exhaust port.

The finish on the chrome-plated cylinder bore is outstanding.

The fit and finish of the parts are very good.

The center-mounted carburetor makes the engine very compact and is consistent with most other opposed-twin, gasoline-powered engine configurations. The included mufflers fit well and did a reasonable job of reducing noise.

The electronic ignition system was easy to connect, worked fine in all of our testing and proved to be fairly efficient in terms of current draw. At RC-SF.COM

49

The RCGF 40-cc engine is mounted to my PC-controlled test stand, which drives the throttle servo automatically to conduct the test, while thrust, rpm, throttle position and ignition current draw data are all displayed and captured by the PC for later analysis. The PC and sound level meter are also shown in the background.

This front view with the engine at idle shows the 40-cc in action and the orientation of the mufflers, with the camera flash freezing the propeller. The RCGF wooden propeller turned out to be one of the best performing propellers for this great-running two-cylinder, gasoline-powered engine.

The throttle servo mounts to the rear of the engine adapter plate and has a nice short/straight linkage (similar to what you could expect in an airplane), making throttle control precise and smooth. Note the ignition box mounted in foam.

Behind the propeller is a small green circuit board with a gray wire that runs to the data collection system. This is the optical tachometer sensor, which is used to measure and log engine rpm throughout the test.

peak rpm, it required just over 0.9 amps, and at idle, around half an amp.

This data can help you choose the size of the ignition battery pack for your application. RCGF specifies 4.8– 7.0 volts; however, if a two-cell A123 or two-cell LiPo is used, a regulator must be used. With a four- or five-cell NiMH pack, it will work fine without a regulator. For our testing, we used a six-volt regulated power source.

On Final

The RCGF 40-cc engine includes an ignition system, mount and mufflers. It sells for less than $500, Here you can see the six propellers tested as part of this review. See the data table and graphs for a complete list of test results from each of the propellers.

50

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

RCGF 40-cc Engine

RCGF 40-cc Twin - Ignition Current vs. RPM (at 6 V) 

 1.0

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

 25

 0.9  20

 0.7

Static Thrust (lb) 

Ignition Current (amps) 

 0.8

 15

 0.6  0.5 

 0.4



 10

 0.3

 RCGF 20X8

 0.2

 Mejzlik 20X12

5

 MA 20X10 Wood  APC 20X8

 0.1

 APC 20X10

 0.0  1,000

 2,000

 3,000

 4,000

 5,000 RPM

 6,000

 7,000

0

 8,000

 Vess 22B

 10

 20

 30

  40 50 Pitch Speed (MPH)





This graph shows the ignition current draw across the rpm range, using a regulated 6.0-volt power source. This data can help you choose an appropriate capacity ignition battery to match your application.  Thrust vs. Throttle Position

20

 Thrust vs. RPM

Static Thrust (lb)



 20

Static Thrust (lb) 

25

 15



 RCGF 20X8  Mejzlik 20X12



5

15 

10

 RCGF 20X8  Mejzlik 20X12

5

 MA 20X10 Wood

 MA 20X10 Wood  APC 20X8

 APC 20X8

 APC 20X10

 APC 20X10

0

 Vess 22B

0

 10

 20

 30

 40

 50

 60

 70



 80

 90

 100

 Vess 22B

0  1,000

 2,000

 3,000

 4,000

This graph shows how thrust relates to engine rpm for each of the six propellers tested.

This graph shows how thrust output varies with throttle position.

As throttle is advanced, thrust increases gradually but with a decreasing rate. Use of a throttle curve or throttle exponential could help make the thrust response feel more linear.

at youtube.com by searching for RCSportFlyer.

Vendors BP Hobbies LLC 140 Ethel Road West - Suite J Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone: 732-287-3933 bphobbies.com

RCGF 40-cc Twin-Cylinder Gasoline Engine RPM This table shows the top rpm, static thrust and pitch speed achieved with each of the eight propellers tested.

RCGF 20X8 Wood

6700

 5,000



 6,000

 7,000

 8,000

RPM

Throttle Stick Position (%)

and gasoline costs are also super low by comparison. Combine this with the ability to produce up to 22 pounds of thrust, and you have a great-value option for enjoying the sweet sound and smooth operation of a multi-cylinder engine in your model! To see and hear the RCGF 40-cc engine, you can view videos

 70

This graph shows how static thrust and static pitch speed relate to each other. If you want maximum static thrust, then just pick the one with highest thrust, but if you want to trade off some static thrust for more pitch speed, this graph can help you visualize the tradeoff.

 25

 10

 60

Static Thrust Pitch Speed Sound Pressure (lb) (MPH) Level (dBA) 22.1

50.8

99.9

Specifications Type

Two-cylinder, two-stroke gasoline engine

Displacement

40 cc (2.44 in.3)

Bore

1.26 in. (32 mm)

Stroke

1.02 in. (26 mm)

Cylinders

Two (opposed)

Engine Weight

52.1 oz (1180 grams)

Engine/Ign/ Mufflers Weight

63.4 oz (1495 grams)

Suggested Props

20×8–20×10

Rpm Range

1500–7500

Maximum Output

4.6 hp

Gas/Oil Mix Ratio

90-octane unleaded mixed 25–40:1

Muffler Type

In-cowl style (two included), aluminum

Cylinder Type

Chrome-plated cast aluminum

Mejzlik 20X12 Carbon

6300

18.2

71.6

99.5

APC 20X8 Composite

7975

21.5

60.4

103.5

APC 20X10 Composite

7300

19.7

69.1

101.2

MA 20X10 Wood

6250

19.5

59.2

100.1

Intake / Carb Type

Reed valve / pumper, two needle valve

Vess 22B Wood

6300

21.9

47.7

99.7

Crank Type

Three ball bearings RC-SF.COM

51

Radial Realism From A Name You Trust

260cc

99cc

77cc 35cc

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And all are manufactured to exacting tolerances with: • Cylinder heads and crankcases machined from aircraft-grade alloys • Heavy-duty double ball bearing crank shafts • Billet aluminum pistons and hardened steel piston rings • Hard-chromed and lapped cylinder bores • Hardened steel cams • Advanced carburetor jetting for smooth acceleration To learn more about these and other Evolution engines, go to EvolutionEngines.com or visit the Evolution retailer near you.

©2011 Horizon Hobby, Inc. Evolution, the Evolution logo and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. 33728

BY Wendell Hostetler

Howard DGA-6 Mister Mulligan A Historic Racer with a Noteworthy Record

G

ordon Israel and Benjamin Howard designed and built the sole DGA-6 in 1934. Their airplane featured a steel tube fuselage with a wing that was plywood skinned.

The DGA-6 was designed to race.

Unfortunately, while in route to the 1934 air races, the airplane’s oxygen and fuel system developed problems, which forced an off-field landing. The results were a damaged propeller and landing gear, so it missed the 1934 race season.

In the 1935 Bendix race, however, the aircraft carried 300 gallons of gasoline and 30 gallons of oil. It was also fitted with oxygen equipment for two. Consequently, it was capable of seven hours of flight at 22,000 feet.

Carrying a load like that, the aircraft required 1500 feet of runway to take off, but it had an initial climb out of close to 2000 fpm!

For the 1935 Bendix race, Benny Howard was pilot and Gordon Israel was copilot. Mister Mulligan placed first in the race from Los Angeles to Cleveland, with an average speed of 238.7 mph.

This win was followed by Harold Neumann’s flying the DGA-6 in the 1935 Thompson Trophy after Roscoe Turner’s airplane lost its engine.

Then Mister Mulligan lost a 54

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

propeller blade in the 1936 Bendix race. It was totaled in an off-airport landing, but without loss of life.

Howard then produced a commercial version of the aircraft, the DGA-8, which was followed by the DGA-9, DGA-11 and DGA-12.

Full-Scale Specifications

Wingspan 31 ft 8 in.

Length 25 ft 1 in.

Wing Area 150.7 ft2 Airfoil NACA 2412 Max Speed 287 mph (830 hp) at SL (Thompson Trophy Race 1935) Top Speed 251 mph (550 hp) at SL

Plan

Now you can build one of these very special and historic aircraft from a 26-percent-scale set of plans from Wendell Hostetler Plans. Wendell’s plan is superbly drawn, and it includes every detail you’ll need to build the model. If you are interested, point your browser at his website to order a set.

Wendell Hostetler Plans 545 Jerome Dr Orrville, OH 44667 Phone: 330-682-8896 hostetlersplans.com

Plan Specifications Scale Wingpan Length Weight Wing Area Power

26 Percent 98.8 in.

78.26 in.

22–26 lb 1544 in.

45- to 75-cc

Howard DGA-6 Mister Mulligan

Why Pay a Dollar for just 4 Screws?

We have the hardware you need at a fraction of retail!

Order today at:

www.rtlfasteners.com or call 800-239-6010

708 Battlefield Blvd South #107 Chesapeake, VA 23322 RC-SF.COM

55

BY Jerry Smith

Stinger .40 An Easy-to-Do Conversion to Electric Power!

T

he Great Planes Stinger .40 is a nice-flying airplane in its redesigned form. I had the chance to review it for Model Aviation magazine some time ago. Moreover, I was also quite involved with the original airplane.

Lately, I asked myself, why must it be glow-engine powered? I suspect this is because the manufacturers married it to a glow engine. However, glow-powered airplanes are not as popular as they once were because of the high price of fuel nowadays. So, why not make the Stinger an electricpowered ARF. Since they didn’t, I did!

Now I’m am about to show you how easy it is to convert the Stinger .40 to electric power.

Looking at the Stinger, I determined what parts needed to be removed as well as what needed to be added. I had to remove the engine and mount, the fuel tank (filled with fuel), the receiver battery and the throttle servo. Out of curiosity I weighed them. I discovered they weighed a little over two pounds.

The airframe weighed exactly three pounds without them. I then weighed the four-cell LiPo battery, electronic speed controller, motor and newly

These are the components I removed from the Stinger before the conversion. I filled the fuel tank with fuel to simulate flying weight. Total weight of these components was 2.1 lb, leaving a three-pound airframe.

56

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

built motor box, and they weighed 1.2 pounds. So, the conversion would take a little less then one pound out of the airplane. More about this later.

The most difficult part of the conversion was building the motor box. I chose to build mine out of 1/8in. aircraft plywood for two reasons.

First, the aircraft plywood is much stronger than liteply. Second, I knew the model would need weight up front for balance purposes. Oneeighth-inch aircraft grade plywood is available at most hobby shops, or you can get it from Balsa USA. It comes in sizes as small as 6x12 in., which

These are the components I put back in the Stinger. They weigh considerably less at 1.3 lb. In the beginning the Stinger was inherently nose heavy, so this helped, but I still had to add weight to the nose for proper balance.

Great Planes Stinger .40 is more than enough to build the motor box. It is not cheap, however.

When designing the new motor box I opted to make mine fit between the cowl mounting blocks on the firewall, which would provide a good reference for locating it. This turned out to be a 2.5-in. square mounting surface for the motor. That much area let me easily center the box between the cowl blocks from side to side. The length of the box was determined by installing the cowl and measuring the distance from the firewall to its front surface. Then I added 3/32 in. From that measure, I then subtracted the length of the motor from its mounting backplate to propeller hub surface.

With the dimensions determined, I was ready My electric-powered GP Stinger flies fantastic, with plenty of power thanks to the motor system I chose for it. And, the model lost 1.3 lb in weight by using an electric motor over glow.

This is the space where you will install the battery and electronic speed controller after removing the fuel tank. There is not much room to shift the battery’s position for balancing, so you’ll need to add nose weight to CG the airplane.

With the firewall cleared off, I decided to make the motor box fit between the horizontal cowl mounting blocks. That let me place it accurately with respect to the thrust line—keeping the same thrust line is important for airplane performance.

The firewall for mounting the motor came out to 2.5 in. square. I drew lines from corner to corner to find the square’s center and drilled a hole in the plywood with a 7/8-in. Forstner bit. I then centered the motor mount on it and tack glued it with thin CA. Then I match drilled the mounting holes with a drill press.

Before assembling the motor box, I re-drilled the mounting holes to fit the 4-40 blind nuts. You’ll want to hammer them in. Just make sure they are level with the wooden surface. Don’t forget to apply a little glue to the holes, which helps hold them in place. You can use CA glue if you want.

RC-SF.COM

57

Great Planes Stinger .40 to start cutting wood.

The motor you choose to power this airplane with should deliver around 600 watts of power minimum.

A 600-watt motor will provide decent performance. If you want straight-up vertical power, then you’ll need a motor system that delivers power. I installed the Extreme Flight RC Torque 820 Kv (Kv = rpm per volt) and the Airboss 60amp ESC. The battery is a 4S 2700-mAh 65C Thunder Power, which by the way barely fit in the space previously used for the fuel tank.

So check the space available for the battery you decide to use. The motor swings an 12x6 APC E type propeller.

This power system delivered 700 watts and drew 49 amps of current. It flew my model for about eight minutes of flight time without throttle management.

The combination worked perfectly for the Stinger.

If you decide to convert your Stinger .40 to electric motor power, I know you will be pleased by how easy the conversion is. It will fly the same as it did with glow-engine power, but it’s a whole lot quieter and easier to maintain.

Good luck with your conversion!

Here are the parts of the motor box. Note I laminated a piece on the back side of the firewall 1/8-in. smaller all the way around. The length of the box is determined by cowl distance from the firewall and motor.

The box is shown ready to install on the firewall. I added air vent holes for cooling and used Mercury Adhesives 30-minute epoxy to glue the box together … strong stuff. Remember, good air flow is important to cool the electronics.

When mounting the motor box to the firewall, I used the top of the horizontal cowl mounting blocks to maintain the original thrust line. I added 3/16-in. square hardwood blocks to the inside of the box flush with the back edges to give it a large glue footprint.

Again I used Mercury 30-minute epoxy.

You must add weight to the model’s motor box for balance. I added three ounces on each side of the motor box to get the model to balance properly.

Now instead of a 5.25-lb airplane I have a 4.5-lb Stinger, which flies very well.

Don’t forget to open a hole in the bottom of the fuselage for ventilation. I also opened a hole in the bottom of the cowl. You must have air flowing through the fuselage to cool the motor, ESC and battery pack.

58

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

References Lanier RC Great Planes P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 greatplanes.com Extreme Flight RC 3600 North Pwy, Suite 101 Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: 770-887-1794 extremeflightrc.com Mercury Adhesives 6110 Parkway North Dr. Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: 770-886-9566 mercuryadhesives.com

1815 South Research Loop Tucson, Arizona 85710 Phone: (520) 722-0607 E-mail: info@desertaircraft.com Web Site: desertaircraft.com

DA-200

Price $2795

Displacement: 12.20 cin (200 cc) Output: 19 hp Weight: 10.95 lb (4.95 kilos) Length: 9.625 in. (244 mm) Warranty: Two Years

DA-150

Price $1395

Displacement: 9.15 ci (150 cc) Output: 16.5 hp Weight: 7.96 lb (3.61 kilos) Length: 7.67 in. (195 mm) Warranty: Three year

DA-100L

Price $999

Displacement: 6.10 ci (100 cc) Output: 9.8 hp Weight: 5.57 lb (2.53 kilos) Length: 6.5 in. (162.5 mm) Warranty: Three year

DA-50-R

Price $595

Displacement: 3.05 ci (50 cc) Output: 5.0 hp Weight: 2.94 lb (1.33 kilos) Length: 6.7 (170 mm) Warranty: Three year

DA-170

Price $1695

Displacement: 10.48 ci (171.8 cc) Output: 18 hp Weight: 8.05 lb (3.56 kilos) Length: 7.67 in. (195 mm) Warranty: Three year

DA-120

Price $1199

Displacement: 7.4 ci (121 cc) Output: 11 hp Weight: 4.95 lb (2.25 kilos) Length: 6.25 in. (159 mm) Warranty: Three year

DA-85

Price $795

Displacement: 5.24 ci (85.9 cc) Output: 8.5 hp Weight: 4.3 lb (1.95 kilos) Length: 5.9 in. (150 mm) Warranty: Three year

BY Bob Mitchell

Painting Dummy Engines W

hether you’re superdetailing a contest-quality, scratch-built warbird or merely wish to get your ARF trainer to stand out in the crowd, installing a realistic motor in your aircraft can add a lot to its distinctive appearance and uniqueness.

The ready availability of a wide range of lightweight molded plastic engines makes this project a simple one, well within the abilities of everyone. Your bird’s appearance will benefit tangibly from the easy upgrade, as the nose is something everyone looks at first! You’ll get standout looks for very little effort, and your airplane won’t look just like everyone else’s at the airfield—not a bad idea!

Measuring your cowl carefully, and/or consulting with the experts at your local hobby shop, is an important step at the front end of the project, as is the fun of doing a little research if you’re emulating a scale airplane. Note that Piper® J-3 Cubs did not come with Wasp radial engines! Once you’ve obtained the appropriate motor, carefully cut off any extraneous plastic from the casting. Some trimming may be done with sharp scissors, but I prefer a

Painting dummy engines is not hard! You’ll need some basic tools like scissors, tape, paper, a hobby knike, paint brush and even a bit of Silly Putty, as I explain in the text.

(new) hobby knife. It is really easy to slip when cutting since some molded vinyls are very slick, so take your time and watch your fingers. A good tip is to lightly scribe a path for the blade with an initial shallow cut, then go over the track you scratched with increased pressure. When you really bear down on a knife, you have less control, so several light cuts are best.

You’ll want to have an area where you can spray paint the plastic parts of the dummy engine. I use paint bomb cans.

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This applies to all cutting tasks.

I’ve worked with a wide range of resins and plastics, and I’ve encountered several that have a chemical mold release on them. This release agent resists paint adhesion, so I habitually wash parts in warm soapy water, even scrubbing cast resin parts with a toothbrush. Obviously, avoid getting skin oils on washed

You can do create an very realistic looking dummy engine by applying a bit of Artist Black with a brush.

Painting Dummy Engines parts before painting them. As you already know, painting can make or break a model’s appearance. Even a small detail like the motor can really add eye appeal to your aircraft. With just a little bit of effort, I’ll show you how to attain scale realism without airbrushes, compressors or any really heavy lifting. Aerosol paint in spray cans will save the day!

I get no residuals, but I’m really hooked on the Tamiya® brand spray paints. They’re not cheap, but I’m convinced they are superior to the big-box stores’ 99-cent aerosols.

The colors are superb, faithful to the prototype, wide ranging and easy to use. I’m also a model train nut, and I use these paints extensively for locomotives, cars and structure models. The downside is, they really stink. You must use a real paint mask, not a paper dust mask. And you must ventilate your spray booth, or do what I do, paint outside. Remember to use the respirator, even outdoors.

If you’re unfamiliar with spray painting, it’s cool to practice on unessential parts. It’s not hard to do, but a bit of finesse will give you the results you want. I warm my paint (not in a microwave oven!) by immersing the cans in warm water.

I maintain that this results in a finer mist. Read the directions and get a feel for what distances from the motor will give a wet, but not thick, coat. Shake the can obsessively. For my model’s radial engine, I spraypainted the entire casting flat grey.

Again, a little research will give you the correct prototype color scheme.

Or, just wing it and pick colors you like! I wanted silvery metallic cylinders, but also wanted the center of the engine to remain flat grey.

The solution was obvious—mask the center, then apply silver to the cylinders’ jugs.

The challenge was to accurately cover the intricate curves of the engine while leaving the cylinders exposed. By building a simple paper collar and cover, I managed to protect most of the engine block, but soon realized that applying low-tack blue painter’s masking tape around each of the (many) cylinders would take a long time and not be much fun.

I needed a shortcut.

Here is the dummy engine I made for my Mister Mulligan airplane. Without the cowl you can see how easy it is to install on the model. Note that my model is electric powered, so the motor extends through the dummy engine and will be hid by the propeller somewhat.

Of course, the answer was in that marvelous childhood goo: Silly Putty®!

I can’t tell you how many hours I spent with the viscous brown rubber, transferring cartoon pictures and stretching the stuff with delight. Now I find it makes a fabulous masking material. Conforming to any complex

shape, it will not stick to painted parts, is effortlessly removed and it is reusable! I may choose expensive spray paint, but I love a bargain. This stuff is a great bargain, as well as a best-kept painters’ secret. Plus, it’s fun to use—stretching and warming it in your hands makes it more pliable RC-SF.COM

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Painting Dummy Engines and gives it the perfect amount of “stick.”

After covering the center, I sprayed the cylinders with Tamiya TS-42 Light Gun Metal, a good choice for a metallic, semi-reflective appearance.

You may remove the Silly Putty immediately or wait until the paint dries. It’s your call.

The icing on this radial cake is equally easy and almost as much fun— embellishing the jugs with shading and detail emphasis. The Renaissance Italians had a term for this, chiaroscuro, literally, light and dark. Blackening the depressions in the molded cylinder heads creates a contrast between raised highlights and dark depressions.

It adds realism, dimensionality, depth and weathering to the scale engine.

You’ll need the smallest tube of black artist’s oil paint (not acrylic) and some paint thinner or mineral spirits. Odorless thinner is no better, but it has a less-intrusive olfactory component. In other words, it stinks less. Buy the smallest quantities of each.

This is what the finished product looks like, with the cowl and the propeller installed. In the air the dummy engine provides a good scale appearance.

Squeeze a pea of oil paint into a cup and add a couple of tablespoons of thinner to that, stirring thoroughly.

Dip a brush into the thinned “wash” and apply to scrap. If it’s totally black, add thinner, mix and try again. If you see too little blackening in the depressions, add more pigment to the mixture. It may take a few tries to get the right balance, but you’ll

know when you’ve got it! Apply to all the cylinders, and notice how gravity is a key factor. The wash settles into depressed areas and runs off raised ones. Don’t be afraid of this step, as you can effortlessly remove goofs with a bit of thinner on a clean brush, or even a soft cloth. Have some fun and play with the mixture. It can take several days for it to dry, so you may be able to undo your adventure in chiaroscuro in the cold light of next morning. If you save the mix in a jar, it will separate, as it’s an emulsion rather than a solution. I simply make a fresh batch each time I need it.

I know you’ll appreciate the dimensionality the oil wash will give your model’s engine. It is a very useful technique for adding depth, visual interest and contrast to a number of applications. Use brown oils for rusty effects and even white for a faded appearance, although white tends to be a highlight rather than a depression. Have fun. I know you’ll enjoy experimenting with this new skill almost as much as you’ll love the resulting realism and detail that turn a generic airplane into a model that is a personal expression of your talent and skill.

References Tamiya 36 Discovery #200 Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: 800-826-4922 tamiyausa.com

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

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BY James VanWinkle

BP Hobbies LED There Be Light B

y now most of us have seen lights attached to RC aircraft.

The most spectacular use of them that I’ve seen is the perfectly choreographed nighttime helicopter routine put on by Bobby Watts at the recent XFC event (rc-sf.com).

He synchronized his model’s lights to music and some outstanding fireworks. Then he flew a precise but absolutely wild-looking performance in the dark.

Most of us can’t fly like these hobby professionals! However, we can add some of the same bling they use to our models to help us stand out from the crowd. The best part

is we can spice things up without spending much money or effort.

What are They?

BP Hobbies offers a host of flexible LED (light-emitting diode) light strips that you can put on your model. They come in a multitude of colors as well as lengths, so you can create a customized fit for your airplane or helicopter application.

BP’s lights come in a standard length of 39 inches. You can cut them with a pair of scissors to any length you need. I’ve been putting them on airplanes and helicopters.

In the package, the LED light strip comes as a 100cm strand with bare wires ready to solder to the preferred connector type.

With a simple nine-volt battery, the LEDs come to life during a bench test right out of the package.

Multiple power sources can be used, which means LiPos for my preferred setup.

Located every few inches is a spot on the LED strand where it can be cut to a shorter length.

The small solder spots serve as tabs to connect wires, turning a single strand into multiple shorter strands. Just look for the scissors symbol and cut along the line.

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A soldering iron and some spare connectors come in handy. Where did the connectors come from? Broken servos and old batteries are a great source. It doesn’t matter which connector is used or if the strands are soldered directly to each other. To offer the most flexibility this setup uses servo lead connectors.

The tabs to solder to are shown with no connector on one LED strand and the soldered connector in place on the other strand. It doesn’t get much easier than this to turn one strand into two.

However, the lights are waterproof so you can use them on boats or other applications without the worry of ruining them with an electrical short.

Note too that you can string the lights together using Y-connectors and extensions. In so doing you can make up a set that will fit any airframe.

The BP lights can also be used with a flasher unit, which is placed between the power source and the lights. The flasher unit lets you control blink intensity and rate. It

BP Hobbies LeD There Be Light Y-harness connected to Y-harness can make for a lot of wires in one area. Velcro or a zip tie is an easy way to keep the area tidy. The strands come together near the canopy where they enter the fuselage and eventually the power source.

makes it possible to simulate the anti-collision lights or beacons on full-scale airplanes.

Also, using a Y-harness with them lets you connect multiple lights to the same battery. Connecting multiple strands to one power source does not present a problem because the current draw of the LEDs is very low. A typical servo wire will conduct roughly 3.0 amps, and these LEDs pull only about 0.4 amps per strand.

That means seven strands should be fine in terms of current draw, though I would stick to about four or five strands at the most to keep the current consumption reasonable.

I also recommend that you outfit your model with a dedicated power source for the LEDs as a way to keep

A low pass as the sun was setting made for some nice colorful shots.

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LED strips are plugged into their battery, and everything is functioning perfectly.

Time to get this airplane in the sky.

the model’s flight battery isolated from the lights. It is best to keep the model’s flight pack dedicated to the control system.

The lights can be configured in countless ways to form letters or as streamers, which I used. They don’t get hot and don’t consume much power, yet they are bright enough to be seen in full daylight. There is also an adhesive backing on the strips which is extremely strong. For my testing I just used some tape and left the backing in place for when I want to make the strips a more permanent fixture.

The application options for these light systems are endless. The Aerobatics are the same as if the strands weren’t there. As long as the airplane balance is not thrown off and there is enough power to overcome the additional drag from a hanging strand, the airplane flies like nothing is attached.

Using more leftover connector parts to connect a battery makes for a bright LED strip. Plugging in additional strips with the Y-harness is easy and fast.

You can dress your airplane up with lights everywhere from the tail to the fuselage and plenty on the wings. It looks great in flight!

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BP Hobbies Led There Be Light BPhobbies.com website even shows the lights being used inside a pumpkin for some Halloween fun.

Conclusion

BP Hobbies is always up to something new and unique, and here they have done it again. Their LED strips can be cut and shaped in any way The underside of the wing reveals extensions used to the imagination chooses. bring the light source out to the ends of the wings.

They have a very low Masking tape holds them in place for the test flight. amp draw, allowing many lights to be combined Distributor with Y-connectors to BP Hobbies LLC share a single battery, and they are 140 Ethel Road West, Suite J priced low so you can trick out your Piscataway, NJ 08854 ride without hitting the wallet too Phone: 732-287-3933 hard. This was my first introduction bphobbies.com to lighting an aircraft, and I know some future projects will see these lights again.

The Bixler is an awesome test rig because it is durable, has plenty of power and flies like a trainer when the power is pulled back.

Any airplane will do, though something that carries a bit of extra load is preferred for first flights.

BP’s LED lighting system is very bright, so you can even see them in the daytime. However, at night they really pop with intensity!

Specifications Length

39.4 in.

Width

0.3 in.

LEDs per strip

60

Connector

Bare wire leads (+/-)

Input voltage

6–12 V (2S/3S LiPo or A123)

Current consumption

400 mA

Price

$14.95 per strip

Yes, this photo might be blurry, but that’s because the sun is going down and my wife is tracking the airplane. Of course I have to make a low inverted pass, just because!

Daylight is not a match for the LEDs; they are still easily visible.

You will have an absolute blast flying your model airplane at night when it is lit up with a set of BP’s LED light strips!

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All Photos BY Jerry Smith

J3 Cub T

his classic J3 Cub was built by Pedro Sanchez of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Pedro tells us that he builds models to create airplanes that have outstanding detail and realism.

Pedro built his model following a set of plans from Bob Neltiz. The Cub took over four months to build, cover and finish. It is powered with an O.S. 320 four-stroke engine. The Cub was covered in fabric using the Stits system and finished with dope.

Pedro’s J3 Cub has a ready-to-fly weight of 35 pounds.

His model is both a beauty and a joy to see in flight. It is certainly what scale airplanes are all about, wouldn’t you agree?

Look at that engine cowling, cylinder heads and propeller combination. This is what scale airplanes are all about—details, details.

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J3 Cub

From pilot to pitot tube this J3 Cub is well done. Even the spark plug wires look to scale on Pedro’s model.

You would have a difficult time telling this model apart from the full-scale airplane if you were just looking at this photo.

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You know Pedro is proud to be showing off his absolutely stunning scale model airplane, which he flies expertly as well.

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J3 Cub No matter how you look at this model, it is well built and finished. We wonder if it replicates a Continental or Franklin engine.

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Win the Battle of the Breezes

The NEW Ultra Micro Series Spitfire Mk IX with AS3X® Technology You won’t have to worry about wind ruining your fun with this little Spitfire. It’s the world’s first ultra micro warbird with the advanced AS3X (Artificial Stabilization – 3 aXis) System. The AS3X System uses a sophisticated 3-axis MEMS sensor and exclusive flight control software to smooth out the effects of wind and turbulence. While other ultra micros are getting tossed about, you’ll feel like you’re flying a finelytuned, giant scale model.

This fantastic flight performance is accompanied by a level of detail rarely seen in a Spitfire this size. Molded panel lines, gun and exhaust details, 4-bladed prop; you get it all. Even the trim scheme is that of a Spitfire flown by famed World War II ace, Gabby Gabreski.

Go to parkzone.com right now to learn more about this groundbreaking little warbird and to find the ParkZone retailer near you.

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15.9 in (403mm) 13.5 in (343mm) 1.65 oz (46.8 g) 8.5mm Brushed (installed) ParkZone® DSM2®/DSMX® Receiver/ESC/AS3X unit (installed) 1S 3.7V 150mAh 25C Li-Po (included) 1S DC Li-Po (included) 4+ Channel DSM2/DSMX required (sold separately)

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horizonhobby.com ©2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. ParkZone, AS3X, DSM2, just fly. and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registerd trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. DSMX is a trademark of Horizon Hobby, Inc., registered in the U.S. US D578,146. US 7,898,130. PRC ZL 200720069025.2. Other patents pending. 35212

BY Mike Lee

NAN Models Xplorer-II Explore the Competition with this F3J/TD Sailplane!

The Xplorer-II is a potent competition machine just as you see it here straight out of its shipping box.

I

t started in 2008 when Benedikt Feigl of Slovakia won the F3J World Championship with a relatively new model from NAN Models of Bulgaria.

It was called the Xplorer, and it soon became not only one of the most popular competition sailplanes in the world, but also one of the winningest models anywhere.

The first of these aircraft arrived on the North American continent in July, 2008 and was reviewed for you right here in RC Sport Flyer magazine.

The original Xplorer was a 3.5-meter aircraft that weighed 74 ounces. It was one of the first Xplorer models to feature the cross-tail design, when the norm in Europe was to use a V-tail design. The V-tail models weighed 69 ounces, which was considered to be very lightweight for the time. I was able to acquire the first of the “carbon-lite” versions, which used more carbon and lighter lay ups. The result was a 68-ounce, 3.5-meter cross-tail model that simply hung in the air, but also had good penetration when modestly 74

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

ballasted. In late 2009, the Xplorer 3.8 debuted, providing a larger model with a lighter wing loading for light thermal conditions. I have owned two of them, and both of my 3.8s have weighed in at only 72 ounces, yielding a wing load of 8.21 ounces per square foot. Very shortly after, the massive four-meter Xplorer arrived to provide the ultimate float machine for those daybreak/sunset flights when lift is truly rare.

Competition generates innovation and changes in strategy, which in the case of F3J competition was to stay

An “X-ray” view of the right horizontal stab shows the spar design inside this hollow-molded tail feather.

on the launch line for the absolute minimum amount of time, while at the same time giving the pilot a chance of finding a low-level thermal.

A one-second launch was suddenly a game changer, and in order to get away with that, you needed a model that was lightweight (for float), fast (to take advantage of the zoom and range out quickly) and able to penetrate the wind or range out.

Being fast and ranging out meant covering more airspace for finding lift.

Thus was born the Xplorer-II model.

The Xplorer-II (X-II) looks just like the original Xplorer in shape and planform. In fact, all of the outer dimensions and shapes are exactly the same, attesting to the successful planform. The differences show up in two areas—the wing airfoil and the weight. The airfoil is still described as being the “NAN F3J,” but the discerning eye will see the difference at the wing’s center section. It is there that you can see a smoothing of the airfoil’s undercamber, making the airfoil a bit closer to being semi-symmetrical. The second major change is the use of spread tow carbon construction. While later examples of the original Xplorer also had spread tow carbon construction, the construction and layout of X-II’s

NAN Models “Xplorer-II” carbon material is optimized to yield high strength and low overall weight.

Assembly Work

There is not much to do to make the X-II airworthy. If you are used to building models, even ARFs, you probably look forward to at least applying glue In this view of the flap servo bay, you can see the At the center section of the outer rib, you see the to the hinges. Sorry to mild diamond shapes of carbon fiber material, which main wing joiner box, a smaller rectangular hole for is the signature design of a spread tow carbon skin. aileron servo wires and the aluminum alignment pins. disappoint you, but you This adds a ton of strength to the model.

The fit and finish are superb. won’t need to do that with the X-II. But in case you were wondering what to expect in the shipping box, you’ll find a fine, 2.4-friendly fuselage, a very nice wing center section with two outer wing panels that match perfectly to the center section and a pair of stabilizer halves for the tail. There is also a hardware bag that has threaded “turnbuckle” This shows the wing saddle and the molded-in cavity On the fuselage bottom, you’ll find the factorystyle pushrods for the for a DB-9 multi-pin connector used for the wing’s installed tow hook. The hook’s location on the bottom wing, chrome spring wiring harness to seat in. of the fuselage is adjustable. steel clevices, brassthreaded control precise and consistent connection horns and other small every time the wing is mated to the hardware items. fuselage. In the morning, I finish the I started the assembly work connector install by driving a couple by installing the wiring harness, of self-tapping screws through the which was purchased from RC lugs of the DB-9 connectors.

Harness (rcharness.com). It is a DB-9 MKS DS6125 thin servos are used connector that is completely wired, to drive the flaps. They are set into ready to install and expertly done.

MKS plywood servo mounts, which The wire is a standard 24-gauge are laser-cut, high-density aircraft servo wire with female servo plywood. The mounts were glued connectors at the end of each wire in place with Zap Goo adhesive. set. I pride myself on making my Before installing any of the wing model’s wiring harnesses, which takes servos, make sure you center them me two evenings. Then I agonize over by plugging them into the receiver making them fit into the model’s and turning on the system. Once wings due to their thickness. The the servo frames are set and the wiring harness from RC Harness was adhesive has cured, the servos are much better than mine, providing installed. Then you can start on the a trouble-free installation and fit. I outer panels. I chose MKS DS6100 also used their matching fuselage sub-micro servos for the ailerons. wiring harness. I use Zap® Goo I glued these servos directly to the inner wing skin of the aileron servo adhesive to attach the connector to bay, again using Zap Goo. In my the fuselage, mating the wing to the This is the vertical fin and rudder, which four years of flying Xplorer models, fuselage quickly, and then allowing although nothing special, are notable for their finish. You can just make out the I have yet to break or damage an the adhesive to cure overnight. This reflection of my photographer on the aileron servo. I chose the MKS servos installation method provides for a skin’s surface.

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because I know they perform well, even in an F3J environment. I used a nine-inch servo extension to allow the servo wire to reach the root rib panel of the tip panel. Next, you’ll install the typical brass control horns and stainless steel pushrods and cut out and install the servo bay covers. Once done, the Comparing the wing’s outer rib section from a The contents of the hardware bag include the wing wing is assembled. standard Xplorer with the new Xplorer-II, you see panel joiners, servo covers and a bag of pushrods, there is less undercamber with the X-II. clevices, control horns and more.

At the empennage, begin by installing the ball link to the rudder and a threaded-brass adapter to the tip of the stainless steel pushrod. For a secure joint, I soldered the adapter to the rod with silver solder and a droplet of acid flux. The elevator pushrod is factory installed and connected to the bellcrank, so you need only mount the stabilizer halves.

I installed the MKS DS6125H thin servo for the elevator and a submicro DS6100 for the rudder. Then I determined the correct length for the elevator and rudder pushrods.

Then I silver-soldered the nickelplated clevises into position.

For onboard power, I used a 2S 1400-mAh Li-Ion battery pack. It feeds a Castle Creations 10-amp BEC, which provides a steady six volts of output. A Spektrum AR9310 DSMX receiver takes commands RCHarness.com makes this ready-to-use wing The MKS laser-cut plywood servo mount and fuselage wiring harness for the Xplorer frames are simple, strong and a perfect from a JR Radio 11-X transmitter. series and other models. The quality of their fit to the MKS6125 flat servos, which The nose of the X-II is 2.4-GHz harnesses is top of the line. provide lots of power to the model. friendly, so all antennas can remain inside the fuselage.

As a pilot who has logged more than 1000 flights on Xplorers, I know what to expect when flying one, but I always start a maiden flight by setting the model up with a known, safe balance point. Because there are no instructions, you might not know where to start. I recommend setting the balance point at 105 mm back from the wing’s leading edge as measured at the wing root. Achieving the balance required adding some weight to the nose.

Inside the cockpit, we have the elevator and rudder servo in position. Due to the submicro-sized rudder servo, we had to make a servo tray from thin fiberglass.

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NAN Models “Xplorer-II”

Control settings:

Ailerons 1/2 in. up, 1/4 in. down—at root edge Elevator 5/8 in. up, 5/8 in. down—at root edge Rudder One in. left, one in. right—at bottom trailing edge Flaps 1/8 in. up, 80-degrees down—at root edge Launch Hook set at CG, flaps/ailerons down 1/4 in.

Camber Three-mm flap & ailerons down Reflex Four-mm flap & ailerons up Landing mode Flaps 80-degrees down, ailerons up three mm, elevator compensated Flaperons Flaps move only 1/8 in. up/down max w/ ailerons Aileron to rudder Rudder at 55 percent of aileron travel Final CG point 108 mm (set after initial flights)

hard, and with an excellent zoom.

Wing flex was minimal, and when the model reached the apogee, a push on the elevator transitioned her smoothly into level flight.

My initial setup of the X-II was really close to being how I like to fly Xplorers. In the cruise mode, the X-II is just a tad faster than what I fly my standard Xplorer at, yet it flies very light. You can definitely feel the loss of six ounces in weight. The aileron response is quick and snappy, which is exactly what

I prefer, and the elevator response is also rapid. In this mode, the X-II readily indicates lift, even the light stuff. And it should, with a wing loading of less than 7.5 oz/ft2. That’s down in the range of many RES models—the gas bags!

What I like about any competition glider is the ability to move out easily. The X-II does

Flight Impressions

I took advantage of the early morning’s calm air to trim in. Ed Stewart, a club local pilot, gave the X-II its first flight with a running hand launch. The glider never got higher than 15 feet above ground, but I flew it 250 feet up the field, executed a gentle 180 right turn, came all the way back and added another 250 feet going down field. I had to drop flaps and land it quickly before I ran out of airfield. That was impressive, and I only needed to trim in five clicks of down elevator to get it flying level. Time to put her up the winch.

People who know me will tell you that I don’t pamper my planes. If there is any doubt about the strength of a model, you’ll hear me say that if this one is going to blow up, let’s blow it up right now, instead of doing it in a contest! So I showed no mercy to the X-II, using a standard TD winch equipped with monofilament line. To my amazement, the launch was very steep yet stable. The ping was impressive as the X-II launched RC-SF.COM

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that when you let its nose drop a tad and it finds a step in speed. My standard Xplorer 3.8 needs to be placed into reflex for this to happen.

If you do engage the reflex mode, the speed increase and penetration feel very good, particularly since it is unballasted. You can definitely cover some airspace with this machine.

If you pop the X-II into the camber mode, you will find it needs a bit more camber than the standard Xplorer to get a visibly slower flight.

You will also have to trim in a bit of down elevator to get level flight, but once there, the X-II will loiter in

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

light lift and eat up the clock in fine fashion. Where the camber really comes into play is down low, slow and in ground-forming lift. Like a hand-launch model, the X-II excels at using low-level lift. It just doesn’t stop flying.

Landing is also a strong point with the X-II. With such a light wing loading and those huge flaps, you have to be careful not to use full flaps for very long, as the plane will nearly stop in the air when the airspeed drops below minimums. By doing a little airspeed management via the flaps, you can get the X-II to make a

slow, controlled approach to the spot landing circle, requiring you to simply suck up the flaps for her to plop down on the spot. There is no excuse for this glider to blow past the spot except by pilot error.

Okay, now for the direct comparison between the X-II and the standard Xplorer. The X-II is a faster, higher-climbing model on the launch, which is a definite plus no matter what. It can cruise faster than the standard yet still remain very sensitive to lift. It will not fly any slower in camber than the standard, and in my opinion gets into

NAN Models “Xplorer-II”

If you hang out the flaps on this F3J machine, it will slow down, so you must manage the glider’s airspeed on final approach to avoid stalling it—it will slow that much!

a stall situation more easily than the standard when flying in camber. This makes for a bit more pilot workload.

When placed into reflex, the X-II takes off readily, while I had to kick the standard into high gear to get it moving out. Down low and looking for that ground level thermal, the X-II has it all over the standard Xplorer. With a lighter wing loading and cleaner airfoil, the X-II has an advantage and will probably make a lot of intermediate pilots into experts. Landing is where the X-II has an advantage of better airspeed management by using the flaps better to control airspeed. Thus you can get the X-II to creep up on the spot.

Most pilots simply drop the flaps and aim the nose, never truly trying to control the model’s speed and angle.

Although jockeying the flaps means more pilot workload, this is what excellent piloting skills are about— using the glider’s controls to your advantage.

Final thoughts

No, you should not cross the standard Xplorer off of the list of gliders you must fly. It is still one of the most competitive models in the air today, by far. However, if you have the skills to make a sailplane dance the tango with you and not just follow along, then the Xplorer-II is going to be your partner for a long time. You can and will grow with it, giving you the edge in competition or just letting you challenge Mother

Notice the down elevator control that I’m using to fly my Xplorer-II to the spot landing circle. You’ll want to have this mode programmed into your transmitter to make good approaches every time.

Nature and her elusive way of scattering thermals around the sky.

The Xplorer-II provides increased capabilities, starting with a wider flight envelope, better light lift performance, wonderful speed and penetration and ending with an enhanced landing ability. This is a very potent contest machine!

References SoaringUSA 827 N. Glendora Av. Covina, CA 91724 Phone: 626-967-6660 soaringusa.com MKS Servos SoaringUSA 827 N. Glendora Av. Covina, CA 91724 Phone: 626-967-6660 Castle Creations 540 N Rogers Road Olathe, KS 66062 Phone: 913-390-6939 castlecreations.com JR Radio Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com Zap Glue 3607 Ventura Drive East Lakeland, FL 33811 Phone: 863-607-6611 zapglue.com

Specifications Aircraft type

F3J/TD Competition

Manufacturer

NAN Models, Bulgaria

Pilot skill

Intermediate and up

Length

64 in.

Wingspan

149 in. (3.8 m)

Chord

8.5 in. average

Wing area

1,263 in.2

Aspect ratio

17.5:1

Stabilizer span

32 in.

Stabilizer area

140 in.2

Wing airfoil

NAN F3J - II

Stabilizer airfoil

Symmetrical

Vertical fin airfoil

Symmetrical

Weight ready to fly

66.2 oz

Wing loading

7.5 oz/ft2

Control functions

Ailerons, elevator, rudder, flaps

Construction

All-molded: fiberglass, carbon fiber and Kevlar®.

Radio channels

Six

Battery pack

≥1200-mAh

Transmitter

JR® 11X

Receiver

Spektrum® AR9310

Servos

MKS DS6100 (ailerons/ rudder) DS6125 (flaps/ elevator)

Assembly

Almost-ready-to-fly (ARF)

Accessories

Custom wiring harness from fuselage to wing

Instructions

None

Price

$1699.99

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Get Back to the Front

with the NEW ParkZone RAF S.E.5a You advance the throttle. The tail comes up as you gain speed. A little back pressure on the elevator and suddenly you’re transported back in time to dawn patrol on the Western Front. At least that’s what it will feel like the first time you take to the skies with the incredibly scale ParkZone® RAF S.E.5a––the first ParkZone World War I park flyer.

It comes with an authentic British trim scheme and all kinds of pre-applied details, including a dashing pilot figure with a white flying scarf. These details, combined with the model’s light wing-loading and potent 480-size brushless power system, will win the heart of anyone who loves the classics.

Wingspan: 37.1 in (943mm) Length: 30.0 in (760mm) Weight: 40.6 oz (1150 g) Motor: 480, 960Kv BL Outrunner (installed)

Get to parkzone.com right now to get all the details on this exciting new development in foam warbird fun and to find a ParkZone retailer near you.

Speed Control: E-flite® 30A Pro Switch-Mode BEC (installed) Servos: 4 sub-micro (installed) Transmitter: 4 Channel (sold separately) Receiver: Spektrum™ AR600 DSM2™/DSMX® (installed on BNF only) Battery: 3S 11.1V 1800mAh 15C Li-Po (included with BNF only) Charger: 2S – 3S DC Li-Po balancing fast charger (included with BNF only)

BNF (PKZ5580) PNP (PKZ5575) Numerous Scale Details Include a Pilot Figure with Scarf and Realistic Guns

Fly with Tail Wheel or Scale Tail Skid, Both Included

©2011 Horizon Hobby, Inc. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. 33909 ParkZone, just fly, E-flite, DSM2, DSMX and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. Patents Pending.

BY Gene Cope

Beechcraft Staggerwing 480 A Beautiful Biplane Gets Recreated as an Electric

W

hen I saw the new Beechcraft Staggerwing 480 ARF kit advertised on the E-flite website I just had to have one in my hangar. After all, the full-scale Staggerwing was an airplane with a spectacular history… Then too, its design lines are some of the most beautiful ever created in an airplane, with its reverse stagger wing, big and powerful radial engine and a cockpit sized for comfort and elegance.

When I opened the kit box for the Staggerwing, I saw in miniature the aircraft that Walter Beech envisioned long ago as an executive transport airplane.

The E-flite kit underscores his daring to build such a beautiful, classy and expensive airplane in the midst of the Great Depression era. This model took me to the historic time of 1932 when the first Beechcraft Staggerwing flew. It made me feel the excitement that must have embraced all of the Beechcraft team when they finished this

My Beechcraft Staggerwing is photographed making a nice pass in front of Mt. Adams during an early spring day.

Take a look at the design lines of this biplane as it makes an approach at the cameraman—this is one classy airplane.

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

E-flite® Beechcraft Staggerwing 480

Here is the airplane that you’ll get in your E-flite kit. I added the pneumatic retractable landing gear to my model.

200-mph airplane that had a range of over 800 miles. Then too, I could not help but think how the full-scale airplane served in so many roles—as executive aircraft, air racer, record setter, military liaison, light personnel transport, even air ambulance and, oddly enough, bomber.

The E-flite model is patterned after the U.S. Navy’s VIP transport.

It is made of molded Z-Foam™, which employs carbon rods for spars in the upper and lower wings to make it strong enough even for aggressive pilots. E-flite’s Staggerwing design includes a great paint scheme, a detailed cockpit, simulated ribs, antennas, mass-balance tabs, decals and the optional retractable landing

gear. If you add an optional servo you’ll even get working flaps on this beautiful, little scale airplane.

What I Got

Here is what I got with my E-flite Staggerwing: durable Z-Foam construction fuselage, upper wing, lower wing, empennage, cowling and canopy hatch. Note that I bought the servo so that my model would have functional flaps, and I opted for the pneumatic retracts too. The model has a steerable tail wheel. It is powered by an E-flite Park 480 1020-Kv brushless outrunner that turns a three-blade plastic propeller, with snap-together spinner. You will discover that the model has a nice magnetic hatch in the cowl that provides easy access for the battery

These are the components that come in the Beechcraft Staggerwing’s kit, which includes the fixed landing gear.

and receiver. The kit includes the inner-plane struts, a pushrod set and hardware, plus wing bolts.

The foam wheels are two inches in diameter too, so it can be flown off grass runways—short grass!

Finally, because I chose to use the pneumatic retracts I bought the 100PSI air pump with gauge to fill the air reservoir.

In Flight

I found that marrying the E-flite Park 480 BL 1020-Kv outrunner motor to the E-flite 40-amp Pro Brushless BEC and E-flite 2100mAh 3S, 20C LiPo provides plenty of power for this little model. The Staggerwing jumped off the runway at my airfield, which is paved. Even at just over half throttle the model

You’ll need to buy these components to complete the assembly of the Staggerwing and ready it for flight.

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climbs at a 45-degree angle well.

My model required just a couple of clicks of up elevator trim to have it flying straight and level. I found that it rolled well and delivered plenty of speed for my wants and needs. While it is not designed to be an aerobatic model, it will fly upside down just fine, although you’ll need to use some down stick The aileron servo is mounted on the bottom of the The Park 480 outrunner motor is held to its mount top wing with a six-inch servo extension allowing it to with three-mm machine screws. Be sure to use blue pressure to maintain reach the receiver. thread lock compound on the screws. level flight.

What I like about this model is that it handles well and is pleasantly predictable. You’ll find that it carves the turns nicely, has good speed when needed and slows down too.

When the flaps are dropped, the model will come down at a nice airspeed for landings. With its reverse stagger wing it will get into ground effect and pretty much float down the runway, so you can make it land in a nice three-point fashion.

Also, you’ll be happy to know that the power system delivers at least eight minutes of flight time. If you use throttle management it will give you even more air time, possibly as much as 10 or 11 minutes.

In the air, the Beechcraft Staggerwing just looks outstanding.

Take a look at some of the photos and you’ll see what I mean. This This is everything that comes with the E-flite The AR6115 6-channel 2.4-GHz receiver is is a classy model that has tons of pneumatic retract package. You’ll need to buy located under the front seat. It is held in place a pump, which you’ll use to fill the small air with a hook-n-loop material, so removal is nostalgia wrapped in its foam frame! reservoir in the fuselage.

easy if necessary.

Assembly

The Beechcraft Staggerwing assembles in just a few hours, provided you use the recommended components listed in the manual. Most of the parts get fastened with screws that are provided in the kit. Other parts are held secure with just a few drops of medium cyanoacrylate (CA) glue.

Be very careful during the assembly to avoid denting the foam and 84

The ailerons servo is held in place in the top wing by just two screws. Be sure to use dental floss to secure the connection between the servo leads.

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

The rudder and elevator servos are positioned inside the fuselage aft of the wing’s trailing edge. The foam hatch is held in place firmly by a magnet.

E-flite® Beechcraft Staggerwing 480 marring the finish. Rest the aircraft on a soft cloth or knee, or support it by a hand to prevent damage.

To start the assembly of my Staggerwing I bound the AR6115 Microlite receiver to my Spektrum® eight-channel transmitter—you’ll need to use at least a five-channel.

Then I centered all the servos before proceeding with their installation.

This guarantees that all the servo arms are properly positioned before the servos are installed.

The DS76 servos are secured in the model with CA glue or the screws that come in the kit, depending on what control function they provide. The rudder and elevator servos get screwed to a plywood servo mount plate built into the fuselage. The screws are provided in

The flap servo is held in place on top of the bottom wing with a couple of drops of medium CA glue on its edges. The retract valve is also shown.

The hardware used to drive all the control surfaces is very good quality plastic such as this used for the tail wheel and rudder.

the kit package.

You will use a six-inch lightweight extension for the top wing’s aileron servo. Don’t forget to secure the connection between the leads with dental floss and use a drop of gap filling CA on the knot so that it stays tied. The flap servo just drops into place and is fastened with a couple of drops of medium CA glue.

The rest of the assembly is very straightforward, although I had a few problems mounting the retract air valve. One problem was that the measurement of 1-1/8 in. for the This full-scale Beechcraft Staggerwing was used by the American Embassy in London to shuttle military and diplomatic personnel around the country.

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The model not only includes all the control hardware but even the mass balance tabs in its scale detailing—nice!

pushrod as stated in the manual was too long for the distance between the servo arm and air valve. I had to reduce it to one inch. Another problem was that the air valve mount hole centers were not the same as the mount in the wing. This made mounting the air valve with the 2-56 machine screws very difficult. In my case, the air valve mount came loose from the wing during the process of starting the second screw. So I placed

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

the mount so that the screw was at 90 degrees to the table top and I could apply more pressure to the screw. Then the mount and valve unit were secured to the wing with medium CA. Also, the instructions are wrong concerning the positioning of the colored tubing connections

No matter which side of the airplane you look at, this model has great design lines.

The gear is up for this photo.

You’ll like how this model handles in the air. It carves beautiful turns, and with its flaps deployed it will slow down well for landings.

E-flite® Beechcraft Staggerwing 480 on the valve. They are backwards to that of the photo in the manual. If you get these tubes on backwards, the air will bleed off the tank after one cycle. Because I’m color blind, I didn’t notice this until a friend helped me troubleshoot the system. Once we made the change, I’m happy to report that the retractable landing gear worked wonderfully. You must, however, make certain that the tubing is routed so that there is no kinking.

To alleviate this problem I removed a little foam from the bottom of the fuselage above the air valve. With a full tank of air, the gear cycled 45 times before it stopped retracting. It slowed noticeable at about 40 cycles.

I’ll add that the pneumatic retracts are not difficult to install. Moreover, they add a great deal of scale detail to the Beechcraft Staggerwing.

It isn’t designed for aerobatics, but you’ll have no trouble turning it upside down for some inverted flight fun.

Center of Gravity Place it 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches back from the leading edge of the lower wing. With the LiPo battery pack in the most forward position, the aircraft balances at 2-3/8 in. back of the leading edge.

Specifications

Off the Staggerwing goes for a flight around Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens, communicating via a 2.4-GHz receiver.

After burning up the “juice” in the 2100mAh LiPo pack, it was time for a pass by the wind sock to set the airplane up for a final approach to landing.

Distributor E-flite / Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 e-fliterc.com

Control Throws High Rate

Low Rate

Expo

Ailerons

+/- 1/2 in.

+/- 13/32 in.

15% Expo

Elevator

+/- 21/32 in.

+/- 1/2 in.

15% Expo

Rudder

+/- 3/4 in.

+/- 21/32 in.

15% Expo

Flap

Mid 3/16 in. Full 13/32 in.

Type

Scale

Pilot skill

Intermediate

Wingspan

35.0 in. (890 mm)

Length

30.7 in. (780 mm)

Wing Area

354 in.2 (22.9 dm2)

Flight Weight

22.0–25.7 oz (625–730 g)

Motor

E-flite Park 480 BL outrunner, 1020 Kv

Speed Controller

E-flite 40-amp Pro Brushless BEC

Battery

E-flite® 2100-mAh 3S, 20C LiPo

Propeller

10×8E

Transmitter

5-channel min. (Spectrum® DX8)

Receiver

Spektrum AR6115 Microlite

Servos

(4) E-flite® DS76 Super Sub-Micro

Retracts

E-flite® 90 Degree Main Micro

Trim Scheme

Navy blue, light blue, white

Flight Duration

≈7 minutes

Price

$119.99

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BY Gene Cope

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A Fighter that’ll Make You a Winner Flying it

No matter how you look at this little airplane—kit, build, price—it is a winner!

I

n August of 1941 the full-scale, single-engine, single-seat FockeWulf Fw 190s went into service over France. These fearsome machines were powered by a radial engine that gave them the ability to climb fast and deliver large payloads in their role as fighter bombers, although they also served as fighters and ground-attack aircraft. The Fw 190s saw service in all the WWII European theater campaigns for the Luftwaffe right up to the end of the war.

Flyzone’s 44.5-in. wingspan, readyto-fly (RTF) Focke-Wulf Fw 190 has captured the character of its fullscale counterpart in a highly detailed, durable AeroCell™airframe model airplane. This exciting little scale fighter comes complete and ready to fly right out of the kit box. The RTF package includes a superb six-channel Tactic™ brand 2.4-GHz transmitter and receiver, as well as the servos and receiver, which are factory installed in the model.

In the Air

The Flyzone Focke-Wulf Fw 190 is flat out a winner, from the moment you push the throttle forward. This little model will leap into the air!

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

You’ll want to be on the ready on the rudder as you push the throttle forward, adding right rudder as it hurtles forward. Once in the air, you’ll find that the ailerons are super responsive, so you can fly this model like a fighter. Then too, when you suck up the gear the Fw 190 is pretty fast.

We flew our model on a rather cold morning, but it delivered lots of

You get everything you need to start flying this little fighter in the kit. It even comes with the four AA batteries for the transmitter.

Flyzone™ Focke-Wulf Fw 190 performance nonetheless. It would roll, loop and fly knife-edge a bit, and it climbed great too. With the flaps down, the Fw 190 slows well for long, straight-in approaches. The brushless motor runs flawlessly and gives the model plenty of power for steep climbs and fast, tight turns.

Dropping the gear on this model adds a bit of drag, but the airplane is still pretty fast on the landing. So, drop the flaps to slow the model down and fly it right down the center of the runway to make a nice landing approach. About 10 feet off the runway you’ll want to begin to pull back on the elevator to slow the model further. Then you’ll just fly it into ground effect and wait for it to settle onto the runway. We kept a bit of power applied, and the model landed in a near three-point touch down.

Finally, you can expect about 10- to 12-minute flights from this

A TACTIC TTX600 transmitter is included in the model’s kit package.

This is the perfect match for the Fw 190 airplane.

It’s a 2.4-GHz system too!

The Fw 190 is a fun airplane to fly! This shot shows the split flaps partially deployed to slow the model for the photos.

airplane, depending on how you manage the throttle. Flyzone offers a FlightPower 2100-mAh pack that will give your model another couple of minutes of flight time as well. I’d suggest just getting another 1800mAh pack because they are super affordable.

Assembly

To make your model flight ready you’ll want to charge the 1800-mAh LiPo battery as soon as you take it out of the kit box. The kit includes a 12-volt charger, which

The propeller even includes a fan to deliver cooling air to the motor and speed controller, and it is a three-blade too, which is just plain cool.

You’ll install the LiPo pack through the access hatch in the top of the fuselage’s cowl. It makes for easy in and easy out!

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can mate to either a cigarette type chord or a120-VAC wall type power supply. Note that by the time you have the battery charged this model will be ready to fly.

I started by installing the horizontal stabilizer. You’ll fasten it to the fuselage with one screw. Then you’ll connect the elevator’s linkages.

Next you’ll install the three-blade propeller and spinner assembly. To do so requires a small adjustable wrench and number one Phillips-head screwdriver. That it is it!

When the 1800-mAh battery is charged to capacity, remove it from the charger. Then install it in the model through the top hatch in the nose of the airframe.

The Tactic transmitter requires four AA-type batteries, which are provided in the kit. You’ll install them in the lower back of the transmitter.

The retractable landing gear includes working The wheels retract into these wheel wells. oleo struts and large tires, which make for Once you suck up the gear you’ll see a Then you’ll need to bind the 2.4nice landings on grass or pavement. noticeable increase in speed.

GHz receiver to the transmitter. This is done by simply turning on the transmitter, plugging in the receiver and pushing a button on the receiver. It doesn’t get much easer to do.

Once the radio system is operational, plug in the wing servos and check their setting travel deflections and directions; some adjusting may be Check out the tail wheel and the linkages. This model Even the aileron linkage is faired into the wing’s top, required. is very well done in terms of both scale appearance so the model is quite clean aerodynamically. I like the and functionality.

scale paint scheme too.

The Fw 190’s well-detailed airframe—panel lines, paint scheme, oleo struts and more—could be perfected only by a pilot in the cockpit.

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Flyzone™ Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Its tall landing gear and big wheels let you fly it off smooth grass runways as well as pavement. Look at that three-blade propeller too!

Once you’ve mounted the wing to the fuselage, the assembly is finished.

As a last step, check the model’s center of gravity (CG) specified in the assembly manual. Then you’re off to the airfield.

Debrief

The Focke-Wulf Fw 190 is a very welldetailed airframe. The model lacks only for a pilot in the cockpit—a scale model of this era definitely needs one.

With the amount of detail included in this

The only thing this model lacks is a pilot in the cockpit. It would add lots of scale realism to the model during flight.

The Fw 190 has great design lines no matter what angle you are looking at it from—in this case it was flown below the runway.

You’ll drop the flaps a bit and pull back on the power to land this model. Then it almost glides down onto the runway. Once it’s in ground effect you’ll cut the power completely, and it will settle in for landing.

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Flyzone™ Focke-Wulf Fw 190

You’ll discover that the Fw 190 is fast! So pull up the landing gear, push the throttle forward and go have a ton of fun flying this model like the fighter it is!

Center of Gravity 3 in. from leading edge at fuselage model—panel lines, scale cockpit interior, flaps and retractable landing gear (with functional oleo struts)— it’s a shame to see it in flight without a pilot figure.

We flew this model off pavement, but its large main gear wheels make it is very suitable for grass airstrips. The six-channel Tactic 2.4-GHz spread spectrum radio control system provides excellent control for the Fw 190—and what a great price with it included in the kit.

Flyzone’s RTF Fw 190 is an outstanding scale model. I’m pretty much amazed that it sells for only $269.97 considering that everything you need to get it flying is included in the kit.

While this is not a beginner’s model, its stable flight characteristics make it an airplane that intermediate pilots can fly and enjoy. Get one so 92

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

you can make a few strafing runs.

You can contact me for comments and feedback at gliderflyer@gmail.com.

Control Throws Low Rate

High Rate

Elevator

5/16 in.

7/16 in.

Ailerons

3/8 in.

1/2 in.

Rudder

3/4 in.

1 in.

Flap

1/2 in.

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

Specifications Construction

AeroCell foam

Wingspan

44.5 in. (1130 mm)

Wing Area

349 in. 2 (22.5 dm2)

Weight

2.5 lb (1130 g)

Wing Loading

17 oz/ft2 (52 g/dm2)

Length

39 in. (990 mm)

Landing Gear

Retractable

Motor

Brushless

ESC

30-amp

Battery

3S 11.1-V 1800-mAh 25C LiPo

Propeller

10x6 3-blade

Transmitter

Tactic TTX600 6-channel 2.4GHz

Servos

Five micro

Battery Charger

12-volt w/ 120-VAC Adapter

Price

$269.97 (towerhobbies. com)

THE PERFORMANCE YOU WANT, AT A PRICE YOU WON’T BELIEVE.

When you consider all of the functions that the 8J offers, along with its price point, you’ll realize that this is the radio you’ve been waiting for.

Simply put, there’s not enough room here to list all of the features that the 8J offers. Some of the more popular ones include frequency-hopping security, the ability to transfer model data wirelessly between 8J transmitters, 6 programmable mixes (2 with curves), 5 heli flight conditions, 3-axis gyro support, 5-point pitch/throttle curves and a full-range, internal antenna that can handle any application you can think of. It also has a backlit LCD screen with on-screen terms spelled out. And everything is easily accessed and programmed with a jog dial and three buttons.

Precision. Programming ease. Versatility. It’s all here with the 8J, and at a price that makes it one of the most incredible values in radio control.

The included R2008SB 2.4GHz S-FHSS receiver is S.Bus-compatible and features Dual Antenna Diversity. It also comes equipped to handle high voltage applications.

TM TM

®

©2012 Hobbico®, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3137312

futaba-rc.com/110y

2012WASHINGTON WARBIRDS Sponsored by:

Goldendale, WA Airport

August 31 – September 1 & 2 Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., with open night flying Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

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RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

DON’T MISS THIS 1st ANNUAL WARBIRD MEGA EVENT!

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Fly Warbird: Airplanes, Helicopters, Jets For More Information and Pre-Registration go to: rc-warbirdflyer.com, Phone: 509-967-0832 RC-SF.COM

95

BY Wil Byers

Hawker Hurricane BNF An RAF Fighter that will Distinguish You at the Airfield

T

he Hawker Hurricane was a WWII fighter that set itself apart from other aircraft with truly distinguished service to the Royal Air Force. It is now an E-flite Bind-N-Fly (BNF) kit that promises to distinguish you at the RC airfield.

Sydney Camm designed the original Hawker Hurricane. He started work on the aircraft’s design in 1934, with the prototype making its maiden flight on November 6,1935. Production Hurricanes then entered RAF service in December 1937 with the No. 111 Squadron.

Powered by the famous Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the Hurricane became the first RAF monoplane fighter with an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear. It was the first RAF fighter monoplane capable of exceeding 300 mph in level flight.

On February 10, 1938, the squadron leader J. W. Gillan demonstrated the prowess of the Hurricane by flying from Edinburgh to Northolt at an average speed of 408 mph. Consequently, squadrons were

rapidly equipped with the Hurricane.

At the start of the war on September 3, 1939, nearly 500 Hurricanes had been delivered, equipping eighteen squadrons. The Hurricane I, at 7127 pounds, had a maximum speed of 325 mph at 17,500 feet, and a range of 700 miles at 200 mph at 15,000 feet.

The E-flite Hawker Hurricane will definitely have heads turning at your airfield when you taxi it onto the flight line!

Its service ceiling was 36,000 feet, with a climb to 20,000 feet of only nine minutes. While not as fast at the RAF’s Spitfire, the Hurricanes could turn tighter and faster than many of the enemy fighters.

Model

With a history like that of the Hurricane, the new E-flite BNF model has a lot to live up to. I was eager to fly it. It is made of Z-Foam™ material, so it is tough and quick to build. The model is powered by a 25-size motor that is married to a 11.1-volt 3200mAh battery pack, so plenty of power is available for fast climbs to altitude.

The BNF model is equipped with This full-scale Hawker Hurricane is the epitome of design change forced by the rigors of war and the need for speed and maneuverability!

96

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

E-flite Hawker Hurricane BNF digital servos, functional flaps and a Spektrum DSMX receiver—already installed. You scale buffs will like the fact that the model is detailed in the authentic RAF No. 1 Squadron paint scheme too.

Features • • • •

Z-Foam™ construction 25-size 1000-Kv brushless motor E-flite 60-amp Pro brushless ESC Spektrum 6-channel AR600

• • • • • • •

DSMX receiver High-speed digital metal hybrid gear servos 3S 3200-mAh 11.1-V 30C LiPo battery 3S variable rate DC LiPo balancing charger Flaps installed Retracts ready RAF No. 1 Squadron paint scheme Simulated engine exhaust, air-

foiled tail section, scale pilot and clear navigation light lenses

Needed to Complete

Five-channel-plus DSM aircraft transmitter (six channels with flaps and retracts).

Fight Report

After the quick and easy assembly, the model was loaded into the airplane transport vehicle (van). The

This close-in, banking pass shows you why this model is an extremely popular warbird—it has the great looks and detailing that set it apart from others.

RC-SF.COM

97

This is a “full meal deal.” You get everything you need to fly the Hawker Hurricane in the Bind-N-Fly kit, except for a transmitter, which in my case is a JR 11X.

battery pack was put on charge, and off we went for some test flying. The battery must have had some residual charge on it because by the time we got to the airfield it had stored all the electrons needed to bring it to a full charge.

Once the model was unloaded,

Notice that you get a model that comes painted in RAF colors. There is a battery, charger and manual included. All you need is about one hour of time to assemble the model.

we performed a radio system range check, and the model’s system worked flawlessly. Note that I had set the flaps for two positions—midpoint at about 40 degrees and full flap at about 85 degrees. Then I doublechecked the flight controls for the proper travel directions as well as

tested the motor.

The grass at the airfield was cut short, which was ncessary because longer grass would cause the model to nose over from wheel drag. Since the airfield was in good condition, I taxied the model out and applied the power gradually. The model started to accelerate down the airstrip. I’m guessing that it ran for about 150 feet before I was able to coax it into the air with some up elevator applied. Once the wheels broke ground, the model started to climb aggressively, which put a big ol’ smile on my face. At about 150 feet I leveled the Hurricane off

The E-flite BNF kit comes with everything wired and ready to go. You’ll need to charge the battery pack and fasten it tightly in place.

Your model will even come with a pilot installed in the cockpit, which to my way of thinking is absolutely mandatory for any scale model—unless it is a UAV.

You can buy optional retractable landing gear if you like. My model is fitted with the fixed gear. The wheel will work on short grass, don’t worry.

Check out those split flaps. They come down about 85 degrees on the inner flaps and at least 75 degrees on the outer flaps, which really slow it for landings.

98

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

E-flite Hawker Hurricane BNF

and trimmed it for level flight, which only required about two clicks of up.

There was no trimming needed for roll or rudder.

Then I turned the model onto the downwind leg of the pattern. Oops! I got it flying too slow, and the model stalled and dropped its right wing.

To be fair, it was in a bit of a right turn, so that would be the tendency of the airplane. Because I was flying it slow with the throttle pulled back to about 20 percent, I added throttle, let the nose fall through, leveled the wings (which then had it flying away from me) and pulled up gently on the elevator. The model recovered nicely, so I made a right turn and got it back on pattern, but with about 50 percent throttle applied this time. Once I’d

turned it onto final I lowered the nose and applied full throttle. The model immediately responded with good acceleration and nice crisp control. Let me tell you that it looks super cool in the air doing a flyby pass. So, I pulled the nose up a bit and flew it through a nice slow roll—you’ll need to add a bit of down elevator to keep the model flying on a straight line, but that is to be expected with this type of model.

Next we needed some photos, so I flew some circles around the cameraman. Unfortunately the cloudy overcast sky wasn’t great for photos, but I found that the model absolutely grooves and goes where you command it to go.

About five minutes into the flight,

With the flaps deployed to their midpoint position, the model will slow down nicely, so you can do some camera passes or fly bys for the crowd. Way cool!

All the linkages come installed, as does the tail wheel. You’ll need to bind your transmitter to the Hurricane’s receiver and then set the control centers, etc.

I dropped the flaps to their midpoint and discovered that the Hawker Hurricane will slow down nicely, albeit I stayed on the safe side of the airspeed even so. Then I took it up to about 300 feet to try the full flap position. With the flaps deployed full, it is like putting the brakes on, and the model slows way down. You can even drop the nose and point it at the numbers without worry if the model is going to over-speed. What a kick! I pointed the Hurricane at the end of the runway and just flew it down to eye level for a photo pass.

Next I sucked the flaps up, applied power again and took the model to about 100 feet for a circle of the field. On the downwind leg I could feel the power starting to fade, so I deployed the flaps, made a quick turn onto a short final and then flew it at the numbers. About five feet off the runway I leveled the model off, pulled RC-SF.COM

99

back on the power and let it settle onto the grass. It was almost a threepoint landing. However, I didn’t hold back quite enough on the elevator once the wheels touched, so just before it slowed for a stop it nosed up on the spinner, but not over onto its back. Next week, I’m going to mow the grass a bit shorter.

Assembly

All that the factory leaves you to complete is a few minutes of final assembly while charging the battery.

Then, you just bind the receiver to a compatible DSM2/DSMX aircraft transmitter and fly. E-flite gives you the option of adding their15- to 25-size, 90-degree electric-powered retracts, which you must buy separately. The retracts are easy to install and definitely add to the

model scale realism, but I skipped this option and went with the fixed gear.

I would recommend that you put the battery pack on charge while you are assembling the model. That way it will be ready for the model’s first flight by the time you are done with assembly.

What you’ll need to do to finish the Hawker Hurricane is join the wing halves—they glue together on the carbon fiber joiner rod with six-minute epoxy. You’ll also need to install the fixed landing gear in the wing.

The elevators’ halves must be mounted to the vertical fin, and the control rods’ clevises must be attached. Don’t skip putting the retainer bands on the clevis. They are your insurance against loss of control!

You’ll discover that the 25-size electric motor gives this model a good rate of climb. It seems the power combo is well done, including the 3200-mAh LiPo.

Here is another look at the detail and controls on the empennage of the E-flite Hawker Hurricane, which is all well done and detailed.

Here is how they do the aileron linkage. It is clean, tight and slop free, so you’ll have total control of this model at all times.

I really enjoy the way this model feels in flight. It goes where you point it, and the controls are responsive to your inputs, even at low airspeeds, but be careful there.

100

RC SPORT FLYER — august 2012

Here I’m flying the model for a camera pass with the flaps set to their midpoint position. You’ll like the way it slows down and especially how it looks in flight with its WWII fighter scheme.

E-flite Hawker Hurricane BNF When you install the battery, be certain to fasten it securely to its tray. You do NOT want it moving around during flight, which will cause center of gravity shifts.

Also, you need to adjust the flap linkages to make certain they close properly and deploy the same amount on both sides. The instruction manual goes over this, but read the steps carefully and follow them!

Also, I programmed my model to have the recommended control travels as called out in the instruction manual. They were spot on. I also set the model’s center of gravity at 3.6 inches and found that setting worked well for my piloting preferences. I recommend you start at the 3.5-inch position.

Analysis

All in all, this is a superb-flying airplane. It just feels good in the air, and I particularly like the way it lands.

Its roll rate is good, and there is plenty of power for steep climbs. Plus

Control Throws

Center of Gravity

High Rate

Expo

Low Rate

Expo

Ailerons

+/- 3/4 in.

30%

+/- 1/2 in.

20%

Elevator

+/- 7/8 in.

25%

+/- 1/2 in.

20%

Rudder

+/- 1-1/8 in.

25%

+/- 7/8 in.

15%

Flap

Mid 13/16 in.

Full 1-5/8 in.

Specifications

Distributor E-flite / Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 e-fliterc.com

the model will fly inverted for those low, look-at-me passes for the crowd.

Then too, because it is a BNF airplane you will not spend more than a couple of hours readying this airplane for flight. It is safe to say that if you’ve purchased a BNF airplane before, you will know what to do with this one.

This gives you another look at the flaps set to the midpoint position and the fixed landing gear. Check out the radio anntenna that graces the top of the fuselage too.

3.50–3.75 inches back from the leading edge of the wing at fuselage

Wingspan

53.5 in. (1360 mm)

Length

42.0 in. (1060 mm)

Wing Area

460 in.2 (29.7 dm2)

Weight

4.50–4.65 lb (2.00–2.10 kg)

Motor

25-size 1000 Kv outrunner

Transmitter

5+-channel 2.4-GHz

Servos

6 digital high-speed metal hybrid gear servos

Speed Controller

60-amp Pro Switch-Mode BEC

Battery

3200-mAh 3S 11.1-volt 30C LiPo, 12AWG EC3

Charger

3-cell DC LiPo balancing charger

Flaps

Yes

Retracts

Optional

Assembly Time

Less than one hour

Price

$349.99 BNF / $279.99 PNP

On this pass the split flaps are deployed to their full 85-degree position. The model will really slow down with this much drag hung off the trailing edges of the wings—way, way fun!

RC-SF.COM

101

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THE JUG

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Few subjects are as magnificent in giant-scale as the mighty P-47D Thunderbolt (aka The Jug).

Its big, round-cowl nose, stout airframe and wide stance landing gear make for an imposing presence on any flight line. Now you can experience the thrill of flying a giant-scale Jug without having to spend months at a workbench to do so.

The new Hangar 9 P-47D-40 Thunderbolt 30cc ARF comes covered with an authentic UltraCote trim scheme. It also includes a huge list of additional details like functional flaps, wing guns, a dummy radial engine and a painted fiberglass cowl with hidden mounting screws.

Three different sets of decals give you your choice of markings. You even have the option of adding extra scale details like a full-depth cockpit, Robart retracts and a retractable tail wheel, all of which are sold separately. ®

®

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SPECIFICATIONS | HAN4485 Wingspan Length Wing Area Weight Engine

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Putting together a big, beautiful scale warbird really doesn’t get much easier than this. Get to Hangar-9.com right now for complete details and to find the Hangar 9 retailer near you.

Get to Hangar-9.com right now for complete details and to find the Hangar 9 retailer near you. horizonhobby.com

© 2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. Hangar 9, UltraCote and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. 35641

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This marvelous balance of agility and stability is made possible by the proven AS3X® (Artificial Stabilization – 3 aXis) Flybarless System. Using a 3-axis MEMS sensor and exclusive flight control software, this system is able to make the 130 X feel like a much bigger, finely-tuned heli in flight. Whether this is your second CP heli or you’re a 3D pro, this sense of precision will let you push your limits, indoors or out, with confidence and control.

LENGTH: HEIGHT: FLYING WEIGHT: ROTOR DIAMETER: MAIN MOTOR: RECEIVER: CYCLIC SERVOS: TAIL SERVO: BATTERY: CHARGER:

12.0 in. (305mm) 4.80 in. (122mm) 3.80 oz (107 g) 12.8 in (325mm) 6730Kv brushless inrunner, installed DSM2®/DSMX® receiver/ESC/AS3X sensor unit, installed Spektrum™ 2.9 gram linear long-throw, installed Spektrum 2.9 gram linear performance, installed 2S 7.4V 300mAh 35C Li-Po, included E-flite® Celectra™ 2S 7.4V DC Li-Po with AC adapter, included

Requires a 6+ channel computer DSM2/DSMX transmitter, sold separately

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© 2012 Horizon Hobby, Inc. Blade, Bind-N-Fly, AS3X, E-flite, Celectra, DSM2 and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. DSMX is a trademark of Horizon Hobby, Inc., registered in the U.S. US 7,898,130. US D578,146. PRC ZL 200720069025.2. Other patents pending. www.bladehelis.com 37078