RC Sport Flyer Nov 2014 (Vol 19-11)

Check it out!

New Ominus Dromida™ Quad

RC Airplanes | Gliders | Helicopters

NOVEMBER 2014

We Test REPORTS

• • • • •

China Aviation Museum Tx Travel Volumes Fixing Fiberglass Sailplane Repair Jeti Profi Box

DHC-2 Beaver 30cc ARF USA & CANADA $6.49

RC-SF.COM

GrACE

&SPEEd

The E-flite® Allusive™ 2.2 m ARF The E-flite® Allusive™ 2.2 m ARF is a remarkable breed of airplane that’s both a capable glider and aerobatic sport model all in one. Sleek from nose to tail and tip-to-tip, it’s the ideal airplane to have regardless of how you want to fly. Climb quickly and soar, or stay down low and power through—the choice is yours. The strong design of the Allusive airplane is centered around a molded fiberglass fuselage. Each wing panel is a fully-balsa sheeted foam core while the airfoil-shaped V-tail surfaces are built-up balsa and fully sheeted. A high-contrast genuine Hangar 9® UltraCote® covering design, that’s factory applied, completes the sharp appearance so that you can get flying sooner than later.

With the Allusive 2.2 m you’ll be ready to enjoy speed and grace, all in the same flight.

Visit E-fliteRC.com now for more details, video or to find the closest retailer.

Shown with E-flite® 12×8 Folding Propeller (EFLP12080PP) and 40mm Aluminum Spinner (EFLP12080S). ©2014 Horizon Hobby, LLC. E-flite, Hangar 9, UltraCote and the Horizon Hobby logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, LLC. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and logos are property of their respective owners. 46246

Features built for Power and Speed

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S

Two-PiEcE, Plug-in wing

EFL4925

The two-piece, plug-in wing features a foam-core that’s fully sheeted in balsawood for a lightweight structure that naturally maintains airfoil accuracy.

A solid carbon fiber wing joiner provides ample strength for high G-loads.

> Two-piece, foam-core plug-in wings > Built-up, balsa plug-in stabilizers > Streamlined fiberglass fuselage > Four-channel control with V-tail > Film hinging on the ailerons and ruddervators > Easy access to electronic equipment

V-TAil AdVAnTAgE

> Solid carbon fiber wing and stabilizer joiners

The V-tail configuration offers the highest weight and drag saving benefits in conjunction with optimal control. Each stabilizer connects with solid carbon fiber alignment pins built deep into the all-balsa surfaces.

> Ready for E-flite® Power 15 outrunner motor > Complete, high-quality hardware package included > High-contrast, genuine Hangar 9® UltraCote® covering 87.5 in (2.20 m)

climb. diVE. REPEAT 43.0 in (1.10 m)

Combine the recommended E-flite® Power 15 motor (EFLM4015A) and optional 12x8 carbon fiber folding propeller/40mm aluminum spinner combo (EFLP12080CP) for even more climbing power and speed.

VISIT

Your Local Retailer

546 sq in (35.2 sq dm) 48.0 oz (1.40 kg)

CLICK

horizonhobby.com

CALL

1.800.338.4639

SERIOUS FUN.®

QuadPack 25:

• 490 Hz refresh rate • 6S LiPo • 25 amps • 8 amp peak BEC* *This package contains one MultiRotor 25 with a BEC and three with no BEC. The single BEC supplies power for all 4 controllers

QuadPack 35:

• 490 Hz refresh rate • 6S LiPo • 35 amps • 7 amp peak BEC* *This package contains one MultiRotor 35 with a BEC and three with no BEC. The single BEC supplies power for all 4 controllers

®

When Graupner’s engineers were tasked to design the next generation radio they knew telemetry must be an integral part of the system. They named it HoTT, which stands for Hoping Telemetry Transmission.

Graupner HoTT radios and products have been providing users with a streamlined experience where ease of use is guaranteed due to tight integration specifications for the radio’s protocol, as is the case in all of Graupner products. For example, Graupner receivers provide standard telemetry functions such as temperature, voltage and signal strength — all without the need to add expensive components to the system.

With over HoTT’s 50 enabled products — airplane, helicopter, car and boat ESCs, motor and engine modules, variometers, and GPS sensors — we provide users with almost unlimited possibilities to connect with their models. Then too, HoTT receivers now provide three-axes flight stabilization and flybarless control, and they do it in one and smart HoTT package.

THE FUTURE IS NOW, THE FUTURE IS !

GRAUPNER MZ 9 OR 12 CHANNEL MZ-18 $389 MZ-24 $400

visit us online at: Visit us at facebook.com/openhobby

©2013 Graupner/SJUSA-OPENHOBBYLLC. The HoTT trademark is used with permission of Graupner Co, Ltd4386066

TABLE OF CONTENTS DEPARTMENTS

LEARN THE SIMPLE AND EASY STEPS TO REPAIRING FIBERGLASS COWLS.

PG 48

10 LEADING EDGE 14 HOT PRODUCTS 96 AD INDEX 97 MYSTERY PLANE EVENT

REPORT

HOW TO

30

38

48

12 O’CLOCK HIGH SEE ALL THE WARBIRDS THAT RALLIED AT PARDISE FIELD, FL.

By Gary Rosier

CHINA AIR MUSEUM WE TAKE YOU INSIDE CHINA’S FAMOUS AVIATION MUSEUM.

By Meng Zhe

REPAIRING FIBERLASS GET A SIMPLE STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE FOR FIXING COWLS.

By Tom Wolf

54

COMPOSITE WING REPAIR SAVE YOURSELF A TON OF MONEY BY REPAIRING THOSE BROKEN WINGS.

By Fred Thijssen

IT’S 12 O’CLOCH HIGH COVERAGE YOU WON’T GET ANYWHERE ELSE.

PG 30

PG 68

3-VIEW

68

PILATUS PC6 PORTER

6

RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

SEE SUPERB 3-VIEWS OF AN AVIATION ICON.

By Hans-Jürgen Fischer twitter.com/rcsportflyer

NOVEMBER 2014

BUILD

60

HACKER A50 BRUSHLESS MOTOR ROB SHOWS YOU HOW HIS NEW HACKER A50 BRUSHLESS MOTOR PUMPS AMPS AND POWER FOR HIS TIGER MOTH.

By Rob Caso

FUSELAGE BUILD #1 64 DECATHLON JEFF EXPLAINS HOW BUILDING THEM STRONG AND STRAIGHT IS NOT AT ALL DIFFICULT TO DO.

By Jeff Troy

REVIEWS

72

WE EXPLAIN WHY THIS NEW RC MODEL STAND WILL HELP YOU IN THE WORKSHOP.

By Staff

PG 72 SEE HOW THIS STAND WILL TAKE THE ACHE OUT OF YOUR BACK.

200 QX 80 BLADE QUAD W/ CAM DISCOVER WHY THE 200 QX IS AN INEXPENSIVE QUAD FOR AN INTRO INTO AERIAL CAMERAS.

By Lucidity

PG 86

IF IT LOOKS A WILD AND CRAZY FLYING BUG, IT IS A FUN QUAD TO FLY. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

76

STBL ULTRA RC STAND

OMINUS DROMIDA QUAD IT LOOKS LIKE A FOUR-LEGGED BUG, BUT IS OUT-OF-THIS WORLD FUN TO FLY INDOORS AND OUT.

By Wil Byers

86

HANGAR 9 DHC-2 BEAVER IT’S A 1/4-SCALE AIRPLANE THAT IS BUILT TOUGH TO TAKE YOU INTO THE TIGHTEST AIRSTRIPS.

By Staff

THIS IS BRUTE FORCE AVIATION AT ITS GAS-POWERED BEST.

PG 76 RC-SF.COM

7

EDITOR IN CHIEF Wil Byers wil@rc-sf.com ASSISTANT EDITORS James T Baker Bethany Davis Louie Scribner Asa Clinton PRODUCTION Zhe Meng mengzhe@kionapublishing.com PHOTOGRAPHY Wil Byers Bess Byers GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Zhe Meng Bess Byers Shi Yuang graphics@rc-sf.com WEBMASTER CONTACT Chang Liang web@kionapublishing.com OFFICE MANAGER/ Haley Knutson CIRCULATION support@kionapublishing.com OFFICE ASSISTANT Bethany Davis CIRCULATION Christian Wells MARKETING Wil Byers ads@rc-sf.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Rob Caso, Gene Cope, Andrew Gibbs, Daniel Holman, Mike Hoffmeister, Richard Kuns, Joe Nave, David Phelps, Steve Rojecki, Gary Ritchie, Mike Shellim, Patrick Sherman, Jerry Smith, Jeff Troy, James VanWinkle, Tom Wolfe

Moswey 4 3.8m (150’’) ws all moulded

RC Sport Flyer (ISSN: 1941-3467) is published monthly for $29.95 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.

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

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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.

Copyright ©2014 All rights reserved.

Printed in the USA

twitter.com/rcsportflyer

Nick Picked

When Nick decided he wanted a 60% Cub, he had a big decision to make Go the conventional yet complicated way and have 5 separate flight packs to manage, with 5 batteries to charge and 5 switches to remember to power on and off.

Or ease, simplicity, and unmatched power Go with the eas distribution that JR’s powerful XBus technology has to offer... at the flip of a single switch.

Conventional

With XBus, Nick was able to eliminate all the complexity and risk of the “ 5 Flight Pack” conventional setup, and was able to digitally match and power the 4 Aileron servos per wing panel using a single XBus PC4 converter harness and one servo lead/14g power lead to each wing panel as shown above.

Not only did XBus ease the installation, setup, and pre-flight procedure on the Cub, but it saved Nick hundreds of $$$ in the process.

So, when you are getting ready to select your radio gear for your next project, take a look at what JR’s powerful yet simple XBus system has to offer. Just like Nick, we think you’ll be smiling as well.

For more information on the XBus installation on the 60% Cub as well as information on the complete lineup of XBus products, visit our website at JRAmericas.com/xbus JR Americas | 2710 N Mattis Ave Unit E Champaign IL 61822 | 1 (855)-868-8700 (toll-free)

LEADING EDGE

WIL BYERS

W

hile not an article about RC aircraft, we’ve included a very interesting one from our art director, Meng Zhe. His article details in photos and word the many aircraft now on display at the China Aviation Museum, which is located near Beijing. The museum is at a former military airfield at the Datangshan Mountain — a site left over from the Cold War era.

What I like about this piece is how it focuses on aircraft we do not typically see tied down, hangared, or flown at most airports and airfields around the USA and Canada, or even in Europe.

Meng’s article underscores how World War II, the Korean War and the Cold War influenced Chinese aircraft designs. It documents how between the former Soviet Union and China many airplanes were designed and developed to surveil and fight China’s enemies. Others were purpose built to serve the civilian market or to train military pilots. In Meng’s piece you’ll see famous bombers, WWII fighters, Korean War jets, and even some of China’s more modern jet fighters such as the J-10. We found the designs exceedingly interesting, especially in light of their history and how world events have influenced aircraft design and production.

I would encourage model builders to examine the airplanes in Meng’s article. We’ll be putting many more photos from his museum visit on our Tumblr website too, which you can see for free.

My point in underscoring his article in this Leading Edge is that you should consider designing and building some of the Chinese designs for RC flying.

They would definitely turn heads at any RC airfield, if not be a standout at events like Joe Nall, Top Gun, 12 O’clock High, Washington Warbirds, etc. These

Chinese aircraft are also worthy of being produced as kits, almost-ready-to-fly, or even ready-to-fly RC airplanes. I think they are just that impressive in terms of their uniqueness.

As a continuation of that way of thinking, I’m encouraging — if not out and out begging — any RC model manufacture to produce and offer to the masses a 1/4-scale or larger Pilatus PC-6 Porter, like the one featured in this month’s issue. Talk about one fine looking STOL type airplane. It has that stodgy look that makes it recognizable at 10,000 feet. It also has a performance history that makes it an airplane pilots want to fly or use in their aviation businesses.

Additionally, the Pilatus PC-6 Porter has been built as both piston-engine- and turboprop-powered versions. It has big ailerons and enough flaps area to let it descend at the same rate as the skydivers it carried, but who just toss themselves overboard.

Its elevator, rudder, and fin are fixed to the boxy fuselage’s boom big and proud, with enough control authority to let it be maneuvered into any tight airstrip. The landing gear is standing out there in the breeze too, but ready to absorb the biggest bumps any airstrip can deliver. This airplane is just so utilitarian that even its big, long turbine-enginehiding cowl looks fitting.

We can only hope that one of the mindful model manufactures will produce the Pilatus PC-6 Porter airplane as an RC version. I’m wanting to see it in 1/3-scale, with a Wren turboprop hid neatly inside its big, long cowl, but electric power will work for me as well. That would be a fantastic RC machine, especially if it had a glider tow release mechanism built in the fuselage.

Well, enough wishing and wanting for this month.

Besides the hangar is getting pretty full, so not much more room for gotta-have airplanes.

As long as the snow continues to fly, have fun working on airplanes in the shop. Just crank the heat up and have the coffee pot filled with lots of joe — milk and sugar in mine please. See you next month.

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 . NOVEMBER 2014

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

TAKE THE RUNWAY • 3-in-1 Radio w/ACRO/GLID/HELI Programming • 4096 Resolution

• Low 7ms Latency

• Telemetry Capable

• SLT Compatible*

Our Flash 7 transmitter delivers outstanding performance and star-quality features at an unbeatable price. With extensive programming, comprehensive telemetry capabilities, 20-model memory, 3 programmable mixes and 4 flight conditions, this 7-channel radio expands with you and your growing fleet. Its compatibility with all Hitec AFHSS receivers as well as SLT Compatible* Tx-Ready models demonstrate the versatility and power of this popular aircraft computer system. BE FLASHY! *For more information about SLT compatible products visit Tx-Ready.com.

Secure Link is a registered trademark of Hobbico Inc.

Hitec RCD USA, Inc. | 12115 Paine Street | Poway, CA 92064 | (858) 748-6948 | www.hitecrcd.com

100cc Carbon Cub 168” WINGSPAN

VISIT US ON FACEBOOK

NEW ARF

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Sport Cub S2

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LIGHT SERIES

110” WINGSPAN 50cc Gas

Freestyle 260 52” WINGSPAN Electric

35cc Extra 300

Cessna LC-126

Wing Span: 78”

79” WINGSPAN 30cc Gas

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

90” WINGSPAN 30cc Gas & 1.80 Glow Float Ready!

Engine: 1.60-2.20 Glow

Cessna 195

50cc Pitts Python ARF

YAK 54 .90-1.20

90” WINGSPAN 1.80 Glow to 30cc Gas

70” WINGSPAN 1725 SQ. IN. WING AREA

72” WINGSPAN

50cc ,100cc, 150cc Extra 300

P-51D & P-51B Mustang 86” WINGSPAN 50cc Gas

.46-.61 EDGE 540T ARF

Edge 540 30cc, 50cc & 100cc

60” WINGSPAN

Extra 260 35cc 50cc 75cc 100cc 150cc

30cc Extra 300 & Edge 540

Ultimate 20-300

74” WINGSPAN 30cc Gas 1.60-1.80 Glow

30cc 50cc 100cc 150cc

YAK 54

50cc, 85cc, 100cc, 150cc

.46 & .61 Profile Extra 260 48” & 56” WINGSPAN

.60-.90 Extra 260, 300 & Yak 54

100cc Yak 55M 108” WINGSPAN

NEW PRODUCTS! 30cc Laser 200 76” WINGSPAN 30cc Gas

Mustang P-51C “Kitten”

Gas, Glow & Electric Ready!

30cc Ultimate 20-300

86” WINGSPAN 50cc Gas

60” WINGSPAN 30cc Gas

VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE

Be sure to visit our website for all your shopping needs.

www.aero-works.net

50cc Yak 55M 86” WINGSPAN 50cc Gas

CheckMate 70” WINGSPAN 50cc Gas

303-371- 4222

Email: info@aero-works.net 4903 Nome Street • Denver, CO 80239 Advertised information subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographical or misprint errors.

Maxx Products is your complete source for Electric Airplane Accessories

Mounts - Heatsink or plain mounts for beam mount Fit 20, 28, and 36 mm motors.

Heatsinks - Extruded aluminum heatsinks Fit 12, 20, 28, and 36mm motors.

Prop Adapters - Over 20 types and counting, Collet and set screw type prop adapters and prop savers Fit 2mm, 2.3mm, 3mm, 1/8”, 4mm, 5/32”, 5mm, 6mm, & 8mm motor shafts.

Spinners - 29, 38, 44 and 50mm lightweight polished aluminum spinners - Fit 2 to 5mm motor shafts.

Gearboxes - Assorted planetary and offset gearboxes to fit a variety of motors.

Tools - Universal Pinion Puller. Universal Extracting Tool

1570 Switch - This simple switch temporarily disconnects BEC power to the radio system between flights.

• Micro wire (32AWG) extensions, Y-harness, switch harness for small electric airplanes, • Full line of Himax Brushless motors and gear motors, • Full line of ferrite motors and high performance cobalt & neodymium motors, Micro servos, micro receivers, and battery packs.

Visit Our Website to See the Complete Line!

Get The Most For Your Hobby Dollar, Visit Your Local Hobby Shop!

Wheels - Light weight wheels with strong hubs Sizes: 1.25”, 1.5”, 2”, 2.5”, and 3.00”

Exclusive Distributor

MAXX Products International, Inc. 815 Oakwood Rd., Unit D, Lake Zurich, IL 60047, USA Ph: 847-438-2233 Fax: 847-438-2898

www.maxxprod.com

HOT PRODUCTS ARES ADVANTAGE ETHOS FPV QUAD

T

he Ares Advantage Ethos FPV is the platform for budget-minded customers in the market for a large quad to take high-quality FPV video. Its large size makes it easy to see in flight, and the Aegis 6-axis flight stability system (FSS) gives it the control you need to get the quality footage you want. A high-quality camera that films 720p HD video at 30 FPS comes installed on the Ethos FPV, along with an antivibration mount that helps hold the camera

Specifications Length Length including rotors Height Rotor diameter Weight with battery Motors

Battery Charger Transmitter

11.5 in. (292.1 mm) 18.75 in. (476.25 mm) 5 in. (127 mm) 7.75 in. (196 mm) 11 oz (312 g) 350 brushed motors with ball bearings on the props’ shafts to minimize wear on the motors 2S 7.4V 1200-mAh 25C LiPo 2S LiPo 600-mAh AC charger 2.4-GHz, 4-channel flight function, 2-channels for camera operation 4.5-in. diagonal 5-in-1 control board

LCD screen On-board electronics SD card 4 GB memory, C4 Data Transmission Speed (DTS) Photo 1600 x 12 JPEG resolution AVI video 720p = 1280 x 720 pixels resolution (16:9), 30 FPS

steady so you can avoid shakes and bumps in the video footage. The signal is sent to a 4.5-in. LCD screen that mounts directly to the transmitter. There is an anti-glare shield that frames the screen. The Ethos FPV comes with a high-speed SD memory card and a USB card reader.

The Ethos FPV comes with an integrated LED light system and is capable of doing 360° flips at the touch of the Tx’s button.

The Ethos FPV is RTF (Ready-To-Fly), so it arrives 100% factory-assembled. Everything needed to fly and take FPV video is included in the box. In addition to the Ethos FPV airframe, camera, and anti-vibration mount, you get a 2.4-GHz standard size 4-channel transmitter (with 2 additional channels to control the camera), the 4.5-in. LCD screen that attaches to the transmitter and receives the FPV video signal, the anti-glare shield, a 1200-mAh 2-cell 25C LiPo battery, an AC charger for convenient charging from

Distributor HOBBYTOWN USA 1233 Libra Drive Lincoln, NE 68512 Phone: 402-434-5050 Hobbytown.com

almost any outlet, a high speed SD card and reader, and even the AA batteries needed to power the transmitter. With nothing extra to buy, you can begin flying the Ethos FPV and taking quality aerial videos within minutes of opening the box.

Price

$299.99 (AZSZ2550) $269.99 (AZSZ2552)

MULTIPLEX CONNECTOR SOLDER COUPLERS

T

he new Multiplex solder couplers are designed to provide a large area for soldering servo lead wires to the connector’s pins than was previously possible.

They are designed to provide strain relief for the servos’ wires and power leads at the connector, which means much less chance of a connection break over the life of your model.

Price $4.50

14

RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

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

ESPRIT AEROBTEC ATLIS V4 ALTIMETER Specifications Functions Altimeter, thermometer, altitude switch, telemetry Upgradeable Via USB PC interface Telemetry Jeti Duplex, Multiplex support M-Link Operational 4 to 12.6 volts voltage Dimensions 33 x 20 x 6.5 mm Weight 8 g w/cable Calibration None required Memory 15 hours at the 0.1 second sample interval Sample rates Adjustable from 0.1 to 25.5 seconds per sample

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

T

he AerobTec Altis V4 is an RC altimeter designed especially for F5J and E-Soaring electric-powered sailplane competitions. It can also be used to record the altitude of any aircraft.

One benefit is the built-in screen that displays the F5J start height (or other data) automatically. This allows F5J competitions to be run very easily and safely. Another great benefit is its ability to interface with Jeti Duplex and Multiplex M-Link 2.4-GHz receivers for telemetry. Despite these very powerful features, the Altis V4 is very small and lightweight.

The Altis Flight Manager software is used to download the log data to a PC, to display and analyze it, and to save it in various formats. The software must be downloaded separately. The Micro USB to USB cable and telemetry cable are not included.

Price $85.00

FUTABA S.BUS TERMINAL BOX 6-WAY Distributor Hobbico 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-8970 Hobbico.com

T

he latest accessory in the innovative Futaba S.Bus system is the Terminal Box 6-Way. It allows modelers to unleash their flight system’s potential and cut down on cable clutter. S.Bus uses digital serial data communication technology to transmit control signals between the receiver and servos, and the Terminal Box connects S.Bus components for reliable, spaceefficient operation. It’s an innovative system that simplifies setup and gives pilots lots of

programming capability.

Features • S.Bus for servos, hubs, batteries, and receivers • Compact size for mounting in cramped fuselages • Cutting-edge Futaba technology for your airplanes Price

$17.99 (FUTM4199)

PROTO X PROTO-X FPV HD MICRO QUAD RTF

T

Distributor Hobbico 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 Hobbico.com rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

he Proto-X FPV is durable, stable, and easy to fly. It puts you in the pilot’s seat by streaming HD video to the transmitter’s 4.5-in. screen and lets you save your inflight videos to the memory card for later review. It’s easy to fly indoors or out, gyro stabilized, and comes with an interferencefree 2.4-GHz radio with a hood for easy outdoor viewing. It also comes complete with a LiPo battery, USB charge cord, and everything else you need to fly, film, and have fun! Just install four AA batteries and you’re good to go.

Price

$229.99 (ESTE4716) RC-SF.COM

15

HOT PRODUCTS

ARES OPTIM 80 CP RTF

T

he Ares (air-eez) Advantage Optim 80 CP is the ideal RC helicopter for learning how to take the big step from sport flying to 3D, because it’s equipped with Aegis Natural Flight Progression (NFP). If you’re new to CP flight, your first step is to fly using the advanced 6-axis Flight Stabilization System (FSS) on the Optim 80 CP that allows you to fly basic sport maneuvers. All you have to do if you happen to get into trouble is let go of the sticks, and the 80 CP will right itself, return to a level hover, and avoid a potential crash. When you’re ready to give 3D flying a try, just the flip of a switch puts you into 3-axis control mode and you’re able to try just about any 3D move you can imagine.

If your model gets out of control, just flipping the switch back to the 6-axis FSS automatically stabilizes the heli — helping to make the Optim 80 CP a great product, designed to help you progress from sport flying to 3D flight!

The Ares Advantage Optim 80 CP

Specifications Length Height Main rotor diameter Weight with battery Motors Battery Charger

8 in. (203 mm) 3 in. (76.2 mm) 8 in. (203.2 mm) 36.7 g

Coreless 1D 3.7V 180-mAh 25V 500-mAh dual port charger Transmitter 6-channel 2.4-GHz On-board 3-in-1 control board electronics

airframe is powered by a coreless motor and comes 100% factory-assembled as an RTF (Ready-to-Fly) heli, so you get a 6-channel 2.4-GHz transmitter, a 180-mAh 1S 3.7-volt 25C LiPo battery, and even the AA batteries to power the transmitter. A 500-mAh DC dual port charger and 5-volt 1S USB power cord are also included so you can charge two batteries at once to maximize your flying time.

Distributor HOBBYTOWN USA 1233 Libra Drive Lincoln, NE 68512 Phone: 402-434-5050 Hobbytown.com

Price

$149.99 (AZSZ2400)

E-FLITE FJ-2 FURY BNF BASIC

T

he E-flite® FJ-2 Fury airplane recreates the famous Navy jet fighter. So now you can enjoy thrilling jet flights at your RC airfield. From the accuracy of the model outline to the efficient EDF system, this FJ-2 delivers stunning scale appearance

Specifications Construction type Length Wingspan Wing area Flying weight Motor EDF size EDF fan Servos ESC Receiver Transmitter Battery Landing gear Drop tanks

16

Z-Foam material 38.8 in. (984 mm) 36.8 in. (933 mm) 304 in.2 (19.6 dm2) 43.5 oz (1232 g) 15-size, 3700-Kv brushless inrunner 70-mm fiber-filled nylon EDF unit 5-blade rotor (6) E-flite micro servos 4S compatible, 60-amp 14.8-volt Spektrum AR636A DSMX 6-channel AS3X 4+ channels DSM2®/ DSMX compatible aircraft transmitter (required) 14.8-volt 3200-mAh 4S 30C LiPo (required) Removable, steel wire with nose wheel Removable

RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

and rock-solid performance. Built into the included Spektrum AR636A receiver is an AS3X® system that’s been specially tuned for this airplane. Not only does it combat the effects of wind and turbulence, the overall experience delivers a locked-in feel comparable to flying an expertly tuned jet that’s much larger.

Features • Easy to complete final assembly • AS3X technology delivers rock-solid stability and great handling • Durable, lightweight Z-Foam™ construction • Authentic outline and scale details • Spektrum™ AR636A DSMX® 6-channel AS3X® sport receiver • Powerful 70-mm EDF unit features a 15size, 3700-Kv motor

• 60-amp 14.8-volt brushless ESC installed • Finely tuned ducting delivers a scale appearance • Six micro servos control ailerons, elevator, rudder, and nose wheel • Clear canopy, cockpit details, and pilot figure • Removable fixed landing gear • Removable drop tanks Price

$299.99 (EFL7250)

Distributor Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com twitter.com/rcsportflyer

DLA ENGINES 64CC-I2 IN-LINE TWIN CYLINDER ENGINE Specifications Weight total ~90.2 oz Weight Engine 77.0 oz Muffler 4.0 oz HP 7.4 @ 8,500 rpm Idle ~1,400 rpm Pull 45 lb @ 300 ft altitude Propeller 22 x 10, 23 x 8/10, 24 x 8

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olden Skies R/C Aircraft, Inc., the USA distributor and sales and service center for DLA Engines, announces the new DLA 64-cc-I2 in-line, twin cylinder engine. Designed using the esteemed 32-cc components, and CNC machined

from 7075 aircraft grade aluminum, the DLA 64-cc-I2 is destined to be a reliable powerhouse.

Scale warbird builders will value the ability to fit the 64-I2 into narrow cowls.

Firing every 180O, the torque is astounding,

Distributor Golden Skies R/C Aircraft, Inc. 30882 Rivera Pl. Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 Phone: 949-378-5998 Goldenskiesrc.com

and the sound is awesome. Producing ~7.2 HP @ ~6,600 rpm, when swinging up to an 24 x 8 propeller, it runs smoothly and has a static thrust >34 pounds. It has dual Walbro© carburetors and dual ignitions. All engine components are included. The DLA 64-cc-I2 in-line twin comes with a twoyear warranty and free shipping.

Price $649.99

JR AMERICAS HD ALUMINUM SERVO ARMS

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R’s new arms reveal beautiful CNC execution of a very important item — the attention to detail is obvious. Each arm is carefully machined from the highest quality aluminum bar stock to the tightest of tolerances. They are much thicker than typical aluminum servo arms for better shear and tensional strength. The hubs are even thicker than the arms for maximum strength and surface contact with the servo’s output gear. A feature also unique to the hubs is their secure locking clamp

design that will tighten onto the servo’s shaft to virtually eliminate any mechanical slop, yet release for easy removal from the servo without tools. They sport polished, bevel-cut edges and a laser-engraved JR logo, too.

• Locking clamp design locks onto output shaft with zero slop • Easy removal • Anodized turquoise • Polished, beveled corners relieve stress risers Price $18.99 (JRPA05205) single arm $21.99 (JRPA05206) double arm $24.99 (JRPA05207) 3D double arm

Distributor

Features • Machined from the highest quality aluminum bar stock • Thicker design with reinforced center for maximum strength

JR Americas PO Box 8757 Champaign, IL Phone: 217-352-7959 Jramericas.com

ELECTRODYNAMICS EDR-102 ONECLIK MULTI-CONNEX

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Distributor ELECTRODYNAMICS 31091 Schoolcraft Rd. Phone: 734-422-5420 Livonia, MI 48150 Electrodynam.com rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

lectroDynamics is pleased to announce the EDR102 OneClik Multi Connex. The EDR-102 OneClik allows you to connect multiple servo leads between your model’s fuselage and wing without any guesswork or mistakes. Featuring super heavy-duty 20-AWG multistrand super-flex cables with gold-plated contacts and secure latching housings, the OneClik offers superior vibration resistance and is rated for more than 10,000 insertion cycles. Available in 2- to 5-servo versions.

Price

$15.00 (2 servos) $18.00 (3 servos) $25.00 (4 servos) $30.00 (5 servos) RC-SF.COM

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HOT PRODUCTS

HITEC Q-COP 450 QUADCOPTER

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itec has introduced their first multirotor, the Q-Cop 450. With its aerodynamic design, incredible flight stability, and autopilot return function, this high performance quadcopter brings ultra-performance flying excitement to your backyard. Equipped with a built-in high-definition camera, you can effortlessly capture astounding aerial photos and shoot real-time hi-res videos.

Features • Ergonomically-designed, multifunctional transmitter • Streamlined design with powerful brushless motors • Ultra-efficient propellers • 22- to 33-mph cruise speed • 11.1-volt 5300-mAh LiPo • 20 – 25 minutes flight times • Return-to-Home feature • GPS enabled directional control • Built in high-performance camera • HD recording capabilities of 1080p @ 30fps and 720p @ 60fps • 16 megapixel still photos • 120° wide angle HD lens • 90° vertical camera control with shock

isolation • WiFi connection with 1000-ft range for streaming video • Mobile device app for iOS and Android Price $799.99

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

BLADE 350 QX3 RTF/BNF

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his easy-to-fly camera-carrying quad gives you everything you need to put your GoPro camera (not included) in the perfect spot for epic aerial shots. The readyto-fly version includes a DX4 transmitter, batteries, charger, and GoPro compatible camera mount. The BNF version includes batteries, a charger, and a GoPro compatible camera mount.

Features • GoPro-ready (not included) • Compatible with 5+ Channel Spektrum™ DSM2®/DSMX® transmitters (BNF) • Easy to fly – no experience necessary • 15-minute flight times • Mast-mounted GPS antenna for improved GPS performance • Advanced SAFE™ (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) Technology • Smart Flight Mode – SAFE™ Circle barrier, stick relative control response and GPS/Altitude hold • AP Flight Mode – faster panning and tracking response with GPS/Altitude hold • Return Home function – aircraft returns to start up point and lands on its own • GoPro compatible camera mount

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

• Optional Blade CGO2 GB 3-axis stabilized HD camera available separately • E-flite® 3000-mAh 11.1-volt LiPo flight battery • E-flite DC LiPo Battery Charger with AC adapter • Spektrum™ DX4 transmitter • Four AA transmitter batteries Price

$499.99 (BLH8100) $449.99 (BLH8180)

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

Specifications Approx. flying 10 – 15 minutes time Battery 11.1-volt 3S 3000-mAh 30C LiPo Length 18.3 in. (465 mm) Width 18.3 in. (465 mm) Height 5.45 in. (138 mm) Weight 24.0 oz (680 g) Completion Ready-To-Fly/Bind-N-Fly® level Recommended Outdoor environment Length 18.3 in. (465 mm) Width 18.3 in. (465 mm) Height 7.50 in. (190 mm) Weight 33.7 oz (955 g) twitter.com/rcsportflyer

REALFLIGHT 7.5 ADDS LOTS OF NEW AIRPLANES & FEATURES

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Distributor Hobbico 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-8970 Hobbico.com

ealFlight 7.5 is now available in five different versions. One of the innovations in the RF 7.5 edition is a wireless SLT interface.

Other RF 7.5 editions include one with a 6-channel Tactic TTX610 radio that can be used to fly RC aircraft at the airfield when equipped with an SLT receiver.

One features the realistic InterLink® Elite controller by Futaba that has eight channels for direct access to all RealFlight features, with no setup required. Another version offers a wired transmitter interface for pilots wishing to use a radio that is not SLT-compatible. There is a software-only upgrade that modelers can purchase to upgrade their RealFlight G4, G5 or 6 software up to RF 7.5.

The five new editions include a new 3D site of a Japanese temple, new aircraft, RealPhysics™ technology upgrades so pilots can experience multi-rotor flight, a new challenge called Scavenger Hunt, and a “Ghost Run” feature for competing against a visual of a modeler’s best times in any challenge.

Features • Over 130 aircraft • 30 PhotoField™ and 3D flying sites • RealPhysics™ 3D • TrueView™ realistic lighting • Reset/Rewind on the InterLink™ Elite controller • Multiplayer and MultiMode • Onscreen camera controls • Water takeoffs and landings • Night flying • Real Rendering™ • FlexiField™ flying site editor • TruFlo™ Wind Dynamics • Blade stop autorotations Price RF7.5 Flight Sim w/InterLink Elite Mode 2 $169.98 (GPMZ4520) RF7.5 Flight Sim w/Wireless Tx Interface $129.99 (GPMZ4524) RF7.5 Flight Sim w/Transmitter Interface $139.99 (GPMZ4525) RF7.5 Flight Sim w/Tactic TTX610 Radio $179.97 (GPMZ4526) RF7.5 Flight Sim Upgrade $49.98 (GPMZ4528)

TACTIC RC TTX410 4-CHANNEL SLT RADIO Distributor Hobbico 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 Hobbico.com

Specifications Four 2.403- to 2.480-GHz FHSS spread spectrum (4) AA alkaline, NiCd or NiMH cells (3.4 – 7.0 volt; not included) Trainer Systems Wireless (for Tactic radios with wireless trainer systems); wired (for others) Channels Frequencies Modulation Input Power

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he new TTX410 has much to offer RC pilots in terms of form and features, and at a very reasonable price. It gives you the dependability of 2.4-GHz technology with the added security of Secure Link Technology (SLT) — the same protocol used in the receivers of all Tractic transmitterready aircraft. Push the receiver’s button, and you create an instant, unbreakable link between it and the transmitter. Linking other receivers is just as easy, so you can

use the TTX410 as your go-to transmitter for any of your aircraft with an SLT receiver.

Features • Wireless trainer system, plus wired system with a 3.5 mm round jack • Digital trims with memory, fast/slow step adjustment, and sound cues • Servo reversing (all channels) • V-tail and elevon mixing • Quad-bearing gimbals • Adjustable stick lengths • Low-voltage and no trainer signal alarms • Charge jack for optional rechargeable batteries • Internal antenna • Mode 1 and Mode 2 selectable • On/off switch • Factory-set failsafes (aileron, elevator and rudder) • User-settable throttle failsafe • TR625 twin-antenna receiver with pushbutton linking • 4-cell AA battery holder • Adjustable neck strap Price

$79.99 (TACJ2410) RC-SF.COM

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HOT PRODUCTS

HOBBICO STAR PLUG POWER PLUG

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he Star Plug is 100% compatible with one of the most common polarized plugs in RC. This gives modelers the opportunity to try it on a new pack without changing the plug in their model. Its unique design also makes for faster, easier, and neater installations by eliminating the need for heat shrink tubing. The plug has a rear cap that separates from the main body.

You’ll slide the rear cap up the leads before soldering them to the connector, and slide it down afterwards, where it snaps tight to the main body. The rear cap also features a center isolator, a simple feature that effectively prevents terminals from shorting. Like the cap, the main body is molded from a heat- and impact-resistant polymer for safe handling and long life.

Its tapered shape and grip strips make the

Star Plug easy to separate and connect.

Gold- and nickel-plating on terminals ensure excellent conductivity and long life. A stainless steel spring ensures that connections start and stay tight, even after hundreds of uses.

Price

$2.99 (HCAM4001) $3.49 (HCAM4010) $2.59 (HCAM4020) $4.99 (HCAM4021)

Specifications

Distributor Hobbico 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 Hobbico.com

Dimensions (assm) Weight (assm) Max. wire gauge

1.36 x 0.61 in. (34.5 x 15.42 mm) 0.19 oz (5.4 g) 12 AWG (with rear cap installed) 10 AWG (without rear cap)

TOWER HOBBIES VISTA BL BRUSHLESS ARF

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he Vista BL is a fun new limited-motorrun (LMR) sailplane. It’s capable of slow-and-steady gliding as well as chasing thermals. A factory-installed 1000 Kv brushless motor and LiPo-compatible 30-amp brushless ESC allow the Vista BL to climb to thermal-soaring altitudes in a matter of seconds. The glider’s low parts count helps keep assembly time down to a mere two to three hours. A factory-applied trim scheme helps the Vista BL stand out in the air and at the airfield.

Features • Motor climbs to thermal-soaring altitudes in seconds • Powerful 1000-Kv brushless motor • LiPo-compatible 30-amp brushless ESC

Specifications Wingspan Length Wing area Weight Wing loading Requires

• Lightweight, built-up balsa/ply construction • Factory-covered in colorful, quality heatshrink film • Pre-hinged tail surfaces and factoryinstalled control horns • Spacious interior for installation of micro or standard servos • Convenient, quick-access battery hatch • 12 x 6.5-in. folding propeller • Low parts count Price

78.5 in. (1,995 mm) 41 in. (1,040 mm) 678 in.2 (43.7 dm2) 35 – 38 oz (992-1,077 g) 7.5 – 8 oz/ft2 (23-24 g/dm2) 4-channel radio w/2 mini or standard servos, 11.1-volt 1800-mAh to 2200-mAh LiPo battery & charger

Distributor

$129.99 (TOWA4020)

Hobbico 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 Hobbico.com

JR AMERICAS NEX E6-550 FULL COMBO

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heck out the new E6-550 full combo from JR. Earlier this year, JR introduced a new FRP canopy and tail boom cover for their proven E6-550 helicopter, and now they have added to it by putting together a complete combo package, with all the options and high quality components you could want.

Includes • (3) DS11 digital brushless cyclic servos • DS3500G tail gyro servo

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

Distributor JR Americas PO Box 8757 Champaign, IL Phone: 217-352-7959 Jramericas.com

• • • • • •

NHM-40-8P 1750-Kv motor NHA-75-SB5 V2 75A ESC TAGs 01 flybarless controller Main blades One-touch battery mount FRP canopy and tail boom cover

Price

$949.99 (JRP988352) twitter.com/rcsportflyer

Distributor

ICARE VENTUS 2CX(M) WITH 4.4 M WINGSPAN

ICARE/ICARUS 890 d’Anjou Boucherville, QC, J4B 5E4 Canada Phone: 450-449-9094 Icare-rc.com

Specifications

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CARE now offers two new versions of their high-performance scale glider. It is designed for thermal soaring as well as aero-towing or slope soaring. This new version of the Ventus 2cx is now available with a four-piece wing option. Each wing half now breaks down into two pieces that are shorter than the fuselage. It is also available as a Ventus 2 cxM, which means it comes with an operational self-launch unit pre-installed, which only requires a 5-cell LiPo battery for power.

With a wingspan of 4.4 meters, this 1:4 scale Ventus 2cx is one of their finest super scale gliders. The cockpit comes completely finished with upholstered seats

and many scale details. The canopy is finished, fitted, and painted. All that remains for the builder to do is add a scale pilot for realism.

The kit is available with sheeted and covered wings. All control surfaces are pre-cut and hinged, ready to hook up the controls. This model features a modified RG15 airfoil. It is well suited to slope soaring, and can be winch launched. It is in its element when aero-towed or with a self-launch system. The Ventus’s unique wing planform gives it exceptional thermalling performance, and the wings are sturdy enough to withstand even strong aerobatics. Like its full-scale counterpart, the poly-brake wing planform with winglets make it especially graceful and distinguishable in the air.

With the level of completion of this glider, only a few hours of work are required

BLADE 350 QX3 AP COMBO

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apturing spectacular aerial video and stills is easy with the new Blade® 350 QX3. Its simplified controls, new GPS features, and 3-axis stabilized camera will make you look like a pro, even if you’ve never flown a camera drone before.

Specifications Approx. flying 10 – 15 minutes time Battery 11.1-volt 3S 3000-mAh 30C LiPo Length 18.3 in. (465 mm) Width 18.3 in. (465 mm) Height 7.50 in. (190 mm) Weight 33.7 oz (955 g) Completion Ready-To-Fly AP combo level

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Features • Everything in one box • Smooth, steady aerial video in brilliant high definition • Easy to fly — no experience necessary • 10- to 15-minute flight times • Mast-mounted GPS antenna for improved GPS performance • 5.8-GHz WiFi link for compatible iOS and Android devices • Advanced SAFE™ (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology • Smart Flight Mode – SAFE Circle barrier, stick relative control response, and GPS/

Scale Wingspan Length Wing area Wing airfoil Flying weight Wing loading Radio Servos

1:4 173 in. (4.4 m) 61 in. (1.56 m) 1100 in.2 (71 dm2) RG15 mod. ≈158 oz (4.5 – 5.3 Kg) 20 oz/ft2 (63 g/dm2) 6-channel min. mini and micros

before it’s ready to take to the air. The wings and control surfaces are Oracover® covered and completely finished. Airbrakes are installed and ready to be connected to your servos. A retract is installed in the high-gloss, gel-coated fiberglass fuselage.

Its rudder and elevator are hollow-molded parts. All servos wires are installed. A small package of hardware and building instructions complete the kit.

Radio requirements are four micro servos for the ailerons/flaps, two minis for the airbrakes, two sub-micros for the winglet ailerons, and four regular servos for the elevator, rudder, retract, and tow release.

Price

$1193.00 (Ventus 2cx) $2346.00 (Ventus 2cxM)

Altitude hold • AP Flight Mode — faster panning and tracking response with GPS/Altitude hold • Return Home function — returns to startup point and lands • Blade CGO2 GB 16MP 1080p/60 camera with integrated 3-axis brushless gimbal • Micro SD card for camera • E-flite® 3S 3000-mAh 11.1-volt 30C LiPo flight battery • E-flite DC LiPo battery charger with AC adapter • Spektrum™ DX4 transmitter with mobile device mount and gimbal control • Four AA transmitter batteries Price

$999.99 (BLH8160)

Distributor Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com RC-SF.COM

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HOT PRODUCTS

E-FLITE UMX B-17G FLYING FORTRESS BNF

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he E-flite® UMX™ B-17G Flying Fortress model is an ultra micro marvel. The first ultra micro RC model of the famous WWII bomber, it includes innovative AS3X® technology that makes flying an advanced airplane in small spaces more fun. Built into the Spektrum™ DSMX® receiver, AS3X stabilization has been specially tuned to combat the effects of wind and turbulence, so you get the kind of locked-in

Specifications Type Scale Construction Recommended environment Wingspan Length Wing area Flying weight Radio Motor size Propeller size Flight battery Landing gear Charger

Scale military 1/48-scale Lightweight foam Indoor/outdoor 26.0 in. (660 mm) 18.3 in. (465 mm) 87.5 in.2 (5.65 dm2) 2.75 oz (78 g) 4+ channel DSM2/DSMX transmitter (required) 6.0-mm geared/brushed (left and right rotation) 72 x 65 3-blades 250-mAh 1S 3.7-volt 20C LiPo Removable USB 1S charger

handling that’s comparable to an expertly tuned airplane that’s much larger. The model features four motors, three-blade propellers, full four-channel control, and an abundant amount of scale detail.

Features • Completely built and flight ready • AS3X technology provides superior flight performance • Ultra-lightweight construction with an authentic “Man O’ War II” trim scheme • Four-motor, counter-rotating operation with three-blade propellers • Four-channel control includes throttle, aileron, elevator, and rudder • Industry leading 2.4-GHz Spektrum DSMX technology • Performance ultra micro linear longthrow servos • Removable landing gear with simulated

O.S. ENGINE GGT15 GASOLINE ENGINE W/ E-4040 MUFFLER

Features • Uses a glow plug instead of a spark plug for ignition • Simple starts using a glow driver — no ignition module required • Uses a typical 50:1 fuel:oil mixture • Features a 61H carburetor with PD-8 pump system • Equipped with special shell-type roller bearings

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

HORIZON HOBBY 4105 Fieldstone Rd Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-403-3148 Horizonhobby.com

retracted wheels • Ultra micro 250-mAh 1S 3.7-volt 20C LiPo battery (included) • E-flite 1S DC LiPo charger (included) Price

$159.99 (EFLU5380)

Distributor HOBBICO 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 Hobbico.com

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low plug ignition makes the GGT15 a unique 15cc gasoline engine. Not only does glow plug ignition make for easier starts, it also reduces the engine’s overall weight by eliminating the ignition module. Additional features found on this engine include specialized shell-type roller bearings and a 61H carburetor with PD-8 pump system. It’s the ideal power plant for larger, .61 – .91 class models.

Distributor

Specifications Displacement Bore Stroke Practical RPM range Output

0.912 in.3 (14.95 cc) 1.091 in. (27.7 mm) 0.976 in. (24.8 mm) 2,000 – 11,000

2.35 ps/2.32 hp @ 15,000 rpm Engine 21.5 oz (610 g) Muffler 6.28 oz (178 g) Ignition 3.35 oz (95 g) module

• A power plant for 2-stroke .60 class and 4-stroke .91 class models Price

$399.99 (OSMG1513) twitter.com/rcsportflyer

ESTES-COX CORP. PROTO-X 2.4-GHZ RTF

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he Proto-X is now available in six colors: black, white, red, yellow, green, and purple. Not only is it the world’s smallest quadcopter, it’s also one of the world’s lightest. The 1.8 x 1.8-in. Proto-X is tiny, ideal for indoor flying — and it weighs only four-tenths of an ounce. Bright, built in

All you need to add are two AAA batteries.

Price:

$29.99 (ESTE48**)

Distributor

LEDs make it easy to see the Proto-X in low-light conditions. A 2.4-GHz radio not only allows for interference free flight, it makes it easy for multiple Proto-X helis to fly at once. A 3.7-volt 100-mAh LiPo battery, USB charge cord, and spare rotor blades are also included in the ready-to-fly package.

HOBBICO 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 Hobbico.com

• Requires a 6-channel+ transmitter with Spektrum DSM2®/DSMX® technology • Requires suitable LiPo battery charger

Distributor HORIZON HOBBY 4105 Fieldstone Rd Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-403-3148 Horizonhobby.com

BLADE 180 CFX BNF BASIC

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his 3D machine breaks all the rules of performance. That’s because the Blade® 180 CFX packs everything you’d expect from a 700-size, pro-class electric helicopter into a ballistic machine you can 3D just about anywhere. Digital rotary servos are mounted inside carbon fiber frames with optimized servo geometry.

Our Spektrum™ AS3X® flybarless system now includes piro-compensation to offer control that’s kinetic in every orientation.

Because performance is nothing without power, a high-speed outrunner, Castle ESC, and 3S LiPo battery deliver incredible authority to both the flybarless head and torque-tube driven tail rotor.

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Features • Optimized servo geometry for flawless control • AS3X technology with pirocompensation • Castle Creations Talon 15 ESC • Rigid carbon fiber side frames deliver a solid structure • Integrated bearing block servo mounts • Digital high-speed Spektrum nanolite rotary servos • Spektrum DSMX AR6335 nanolite receiver with AS3X • Powerful, 4000-Kv brushless outrunner motor • High-output 450-mAh 3S 11.1-volt 30C LiPo flight battery • Efficient torque-tube drive tail with ballbearing support • Aluminum tail boom and one-piece tail case design

Price

$249.99 (BLH3450)

Specifications Size/scale 180 Rotor type Collective pitch single rotor Completion Bind-N-Fly® basic Recommended Indoor/outdoor environment Assembly required No Number of 6 channels Type Collective pitch flybarless electric helicopter Swashplate type 120-degree CCPM Construction Carbon fiber frame sides with aluminum bearing/ mounting blocks Main rotor 14.17 in. (360 mm) diameter Main blade length 6.06 in. (154 mm) Main blade Plastic material Tail rotor 3.56 in. (90.5 mm) diameter Tail rotor blade 1.77 in. (45 mm) length RC-SF.COM

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HOT PRODUCTS

ATLANTAHOBBY.COM UAVEXPERTS.AERO TAKES FLIGHT AT AG EXPO

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AVExperts.aero, the newly launched professional division of AtlantaHobby.com, impressed crowds with their display and demonstrations at the recent Delta AgTech Symposium. Hundreds of attendees joined the FAA’s Jim Wilson, the AMA’s Rich Hansen, and the UAV Experts team to learn how UAVs can transform agriculture.

As the only exhibitor to conduct live test flights, AtlantaHobby. com President Cliff Whitney and Director of UAV Technology Greg Ledford spoke to over two hundred symposium attendees about the potential for UAVs in agribusiness, from family farms to massive ranches.

“You want to find out which cows are pregnant? UAVs can do that just by sensing body heat,” Cliff remarked. “Mount a multispectral camera and you can tell what areas are being fertilized right, where bug infestations are, check the moisture content of the soil to more efficiently lay out your irrigation, and do it all in a far more cost effective fashion

than manned systems and with far more efficiency than covering that ground on foot. UAVs will help farmers maximize yield and maintain sustainability, continuing America’s history of being one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world.”

UAVExperts.aero also showed a variety of unmanned aerial systems, from multi-rotor systems like the DJI Phantom II to fixed-wing craft like the revolutionary Tempest, capable of operating up to 60,000 feet high and cruising for up to 90 minutes in almost any weather.

Their systems can be mated to a variety of cameras and sensors, creating customized solutions for each customer.

Distributor ATLANTA HOBBY 6110 Parkway N. Dr. Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: 678-513-4450 Atlantahobby.com

DROMIDA KODO MICRO QUAD WITH CAMERA

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uadcopters with cameras are not new, but the KODO micro-quad breaks the price barrier with a price below any other camera-equipped quadcopter on the market.

Dromida is a quadcopter package that virtually anyone can enjoy. Its advanced stabilization system includes a three-axis gyro as well as three accelerometers for smooth, stable flight. The included 2.4-GHz radio system offers pilots a choice: Easy, Normal, and Expert flight modes. The radio also includes an Auto Flip feature, which delivers pro-style flips instantly just by touching a button.

Taking pictures or shooting videos is just as easy. A push-button on the top left of the radio snaps photos; the one on the top right helps pilots shoot sharp, clear videos at will. With the provided memory card and reader, pilots can review images just by plugging the card into a laptop or PC. With a diagonal measurement of just 3.5 inches (90 mm), the KODO can shoot photos or videos virtually anywhere, inside

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

or out. High-intensity LEDs on the motor pods simplify tracking and orientation during the day and on into the night.

Specifications Diagonal measurement 3.5 in. (90mm) Weight 1.8 oz (52 g)

Features • Fully assembled quadcopter • 2.4-GHz radio system • Integrated digital camera • 2 GB memory card and card reader • 1S 3.7-volt 390-mAh rechargeable LiPo battery • USB charger • AAA batteries • Extra blades • Blade guards Price

$59.99 (DIDE0005)

Distributor HOBBICO 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-8970 Hobbico.com

twitter.com/rcsportflyer

EVOLUTION 15GX AND 20GX GAS ENGINE WITH PUMPED CARBURETOR

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he Evolution® 15GX and 20GX engines now feature a pumpedcarburetor for greater reliability and ease of installation. New carburetor design utilizes crankcase pressure to make fuel flow uniform and consistent regardless of fuel tank location and makes needle valve adjustment easier. The purposebuilt carburetor is easy to use and offers outstanding operation that will have you in the air in no time, while still delivering the reliability and economical operation of gasoline.

Features • Pumped-carburetor for greater reliability and ease of installation • Muffler included: one-piece torpedo style muffler on 15GX and wraparound In-cowl muffler on 20GX

Specifications

Distributor HORIZON HOBBY 4105 Fieldstone Rd Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-403-3148 Horizonhobby.com

Evolution 15GX Type Fuel type Displacement Bore Stroke Cylinder type Plug type Total weight Engine (only) weight Muffler weight Ignition weight Crankshaft thread Propeller range Rpm range Recommended fuel Oil type and content Muffler type

FALCON PROPELLERS CIVILIAN SCALE PROPELLERS

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he Civilian Style propeller is an ideal complement to any scale airplane.

These post-1950s-style propellers will add great performance and a finishing touch to your models, no matter their size or vintage.

Features • Initially available in the following sizes: rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

• • • • • • •

Price $249.99 / $279.99 (EVOE15GX2 / EVOE20GX2)

Specifications 2-stroke airplane Gas 15 cc (0.91 in.3) .10 in. (28.0 mm) 0.98 in. (24.8 mm) Ringed/steel liner 1/4–32 31.3 oz (890 g) 21.7 oz (616 g) 6.1 oz (175 g) 3.5 oz (100 g) 5/16 x 24 13 x 6 – 15 x 6 1600 – 10400 rpm 87 – 91 octane Synthetic 20:1 (break-in) One-piece torpedo style

Evolution 20GX Type Fuel type Displacement Bore Stroke Cylinder type Plug type Total weight Engine (only) weight Muffler weight Ignition weight Crankshaft thread Propeller range Rpm range Recommended fuel Oil type and content Muffler type

2-stroke airplane Gas 20 cc (1.20 in. 3) .20 in. (30.5 mm) 1.10 in. (27.9 mm) Ringed/steel liner 1/4–32 33.9 oz (961 g) 25.2 oz (714 g) 5.2 oz (148 g) 3.5 oz (100 g) 5/16 x 24 15 x 6 – 17 x 8 1800 – 10000 rpm 87 – 91 octane Synthetic 20:1 (break-in) Wraparound in-cowl

Distributor

18 x 6, 8, 10 20 x 6, 8, 10 22 x 8, 10 23 x 8, 10 24 x 6, 8, 10 26 x 8, 10 27 x 10

Price

• Reliable fuel system — easy to tune and efficient • Lightweight construction based on the Evolution .91NX and 1.20NX glow engine • Standard-size beam mount allows for traditional mounting • Gasoline fuel delivers low operational cost and simplicity • 2S LiPo battery compatible ignition without a regulator provides long run times • Lightweight electronic ignition provides easy starts and superior reliability • Single propeller nut attachment convenience • Supplied with fuel tubing and filters

BOB’S HOBBY CENTER 540 N Goldenrod Rd Orlando, FL 32807 Phone: 407 277-1248 Bobshobbycenter.com

from $23.15 to $64.75 RC-SF.COM

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HOT PRODUCTS

REAL FLIGHT REALFLIGHT MOBILE

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s of now, tablets and smartphones are more than a way to stay in touch; they’re a way to discover the world of flight. The RealFlight Mobile app is available for iOS and Android devices now and ready to offer would-be pilots a fast, easy way to fly anytime and anywhere.

RealFlight Mobile brings the look and feel of flight to you wherever you are, creating a world in which your airplane and the environment around it respond just as they would in the real world. All that’s required is a smartphone or tablet; RealFlight Mobile provides everything else: a flying site, two aircraft, onscreen joysticks, and an entire suite of customizing tools. RealFlight Mobile makes it easy to learn basic flight skills in

a hurry. There’s a Help/About screen to guide you and adjustments that make it easy to learn at your own pace.

For the person who’s always wanted to fly, RealFlight Mobile offers the chance to do it whenever and wherever they are. The RealFlight Mobile app is available online at the Google Play Store and Apple App store. For more information, visit realflight.com.

Price Free

Distributor HOBBICO 2904 Research Rd. Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-398-0007 Hobbico.com

BLADE PICO QX RTF WITH SAFE

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he Blade® Pico QX™ quadcopter is the smallest heli Blade has ever released. Thanks to the simplicity of flying with SAFE™ (Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope) technology, you can pilot this compact quad in no time. With flip mode functionality included, you can perform single- or double-flips like a pro with the push of a button. Even charging is easy; all you do is plug the included USB charge cables into a USB port and you’re ready to charge the internal flight battery or transmitter. The addition of propeller guards minimizes the effects of collisions and helps to ease new pilots into RC flight.

In the event the propeller blades get worn, four replacement blades are included with the Blade Pico QX.

Specifications

Distributor HORIZON HOBBY 4105 Fieldstone Rd Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-403-3148 Horizonhobby.com

Main rotor diameter Main rotor size Gross weight Length Width Motor size Radio Flight times Channels

66 mm 31 mm 8g 75 mm 75 mm 5 mm 2.4-GHz 5 – 7 minutes 4 channels

Features • Engineered with SAFE™ technology • Internal battery and LED lights • Includes 2.4-GHz transmitter with internal battery • Execute single- or double-flips with the push of a button • USB charge unit works with any available

USB port • Charging cable charges radio and Pico QX • Includes four replacement propellers • Includes everything you need to fly Price

$49.99 (BLH8200)

COMMON SENSE RC SILICONE WIRE

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ommon Sense RC’s super-flexible silicone wire is now available in five different colors: red, black, white, yellow, and blue. This highly-stranded wire comes in even-number gauges from 6 AWG through 30 AWG. Its low resistance levels and extreme flexibility make it perfect for any radio control or robotics project.

Features • Gauges:

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All even number gauges 6 through 30

RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

• Colors: Red, black, yellow, blue,

and white • Lengths: By-the-foot or pre-cut

(5, 25, or 100 ft) Price

Varies by length

Distributor COMMON SENSE RC PO Box 3546 Chatsworth, CA 91313 Phone: 866-405-8811 Commonsenserc.com twitter.com/rcsportflyer

SEAGULL MODELS ISPORT 10CC

Distributor HORIZON HOBBY 4105 Fieldstone Rd Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-403-3148 Horizonhobby.com

Specifications

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he Seagull RC iSport 10cc is a lowwing airplane designed with the sport crowd in mind. This next-level sport aircraft is designed to have familiar and forgiving manners. As the next-step after a trainer, the iSport 10cc is a true sport aerobatic flyer, able to do a variety of smooth aerobatics. It is constructed of lightweight balsa and plywood, and includes factorypainted fiberglass cowl and wheel pants.

In addition, its functional flaps add a level of capability that complements its flight performance. For convenient storage and transport to the RC airfield, the two-piece bolt-on wing removes quickly and easily.

Features • All wood, laser-cut construction airframe • Eye catching color scheme in genuine UltraCote® covering • Operational flaps for an expanded flight envelope • Painted fiberglass cowl and wheel pants match the Ultracote covering • Perfect match for the Evolution 10GX gas engine • Two-piece, plug-in wings with aluminum joiner tube • Removable top hatch allows for easy access to electronics • Dual aileron and flaps servos

65.0 in. (165 cm) 51.9 in. (131.7 cm) 821.5 in.2 (53.0 dm2) 7.1 – 7.9 lb (3.2 – 3.6 kg) 10-cc 2-stroke gas/0.55 – 0.61 in.3 2-stroke glow Radio 5+ channel with 7 servos

Wingspan Overall length Wing area Weight Engine size

• • • • • •

Detailed cockpit with included pilot Steerable tail wheel Painted aluminum landing gear Pre-hinged control surfaces Complete hardware pack Electric power conversion hardware is included

Price

$219.99 (SEA210)

E-FLITE HABU S DF 180 BNF Distributor HORIZON HOBBY 4105 Fieldstone Rd Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-403-3148 Horizonhobby.com

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he E-flite® UMX™ Habu S DF180 is a high-speed jet that’s sized for enjoyment just about anywhere outdoors.

Based the popular original UMX Habu, this new ultra micro sport model features exclusive SAFE® technology, making it easier than ever for experienced ultra micro pilots to enjoy EDF flight. With three flight modes, Panic Recovery mode, and AS3X® stabilization technology, the Habu S will appeal to a wide range of experienced pilots.

Features • Completely built and flight ready • SAFE technology delivers flight envelope

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protection and AS3X stability • Ultra-lightweight construction with a scale inspired paint scheme • Powerful E-flite Delta-V® 180-m, 28-mm EDF unit • BL180m brushless ducted fan motor, 11750 Kv • Four-channel control featuring Spektrum™ DSMX® technology • Performance ultra micro linear longthrow servos • Engineered intake and exhaust ducting delivers maximum performance • Removable landing gear and steerable nose wheel • 200-mAh 2S 7.4-volt 25C LiPo battery

Specifications Type Construction Wingspan Overall length Wing area Flying weight EDF size Transmitter Servos Flight battery Charger Flight times

Ducted fan Foam 14.6 in. (372 mm) 17.5 in. (444 mm) 54.0 in.2 (350 cm2) 2.70 oz (76.0 g) 28-mm EDF unit w/ BL180m, 11750-Kv motor 4-channel+ transmitter (required) (4) 2.3-gram performance linear long throw servos 200-mAh 7.4-volt 2S 25C LiPo 2S 7.4V LiPo charger 3 – 5 minutes

• Celectra™ 2S DC LiPo balancing charger • Requires a 4-channel+ aircraft transmitter with Spektrum DSM2®/DSMX® Price

$159.99 (EFLU4380)

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HOT PRODUCTS

JR AMERICAS LIFE BATTERIES AND ACCESSORIES

Distributor JR Americas PO Box 8757 Champaign, IL Phone: 217-352-7959 Jramericas.com

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tandard TX Battery Adapter: 12X, DSX12, PCM10X The TXBT-ADP allows 12X and 10X users to replace their existing battery configuration with a standard 9.6-volt JR transmitter battery. Compatible batteries are: 3F1500 9.6V LiFe transmitter battery, 3F2100 9.6V LiFe transmitter battery.

3F2100 LiFe Transmitter Pack and NEC-J17 LiFe Charger The advantages of using a LiFe battery pack over the traditional NiCd/NiMH packs or LiPo packs are numerous. LiFe packs are a unique lithium battery chemistry that feature lightweight and high energy density

characteristic of lithium batteries, but are much more stable and do not require regulators to lower voltage.

Older JR transmitters operate at a higher voltage, therefore replacing the battery pack with the same battery in an XG-series radio is not possible. The 3F2100 is a 9.6volt nominal pack that will operate the same in your transmitter as the original unit, but with much better performance, and you’ll charge it less frequently. The charger and battery are available as a combo (JRPB4038) or individually as required.

Specifications

POWERBOX LIGHTBOX

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odelers who build for scale realism will be interested to learn about the new LightBox SR from PowerBox Systems.

It controls different light sequences in your model, and is easy to set up using the Terminal PC interface. A PowerBox USB Interface is required, or a USB adapter from another manufacturer such as Multiplex, Spektrum, or Jeti.

The system provides for landing lights, flashers, simulated beacons, and even an afterburner control system. The intervals and burn times for the flashing light function are user-variable, as is the speed of rotation for the beacon. The switching point for all functions is also user-variable.

And, only one channel is required to switch the various lighting circuits on and off.

Price $17.99 (JRPB03424) (TXBT-ADP adapter) $79.99 (JRPB4159) (3F2100 9.6-V LiFe Tx battery) $49.99 (JRPB4027) (NEC-J17 LiFe charger) $104.99 (JRPB4038) (LiFe Tx battery/ charger combo)

Operating voltage Power supply Current drain Current drain, standby Maximum load current Signal input Supports

Features • Four outputs, separately uservariable • Landing light, flasher, beacon, and afterburner functions • Can be controlled via Channels PWM or serial signal • User-variable switching thresholds • Fully configurable lighting functions • Simple PC interface • Use with different current USB adapters • Power supply from receiver or external battery • Stand-by circuit for external battery • Fuse-protected outputs

4.0 – 9.0 volts 2.5 – 13.0 volts 19 mA 150 μA Each output 1.1 amps PWM, serial Futaba, HoTT, JR, M-Link, Jeti, Spektrum SRXL 4

Distributor PowerBox-Systems GmbH Ludwig-Auer-Strasse 5 D - 86609 Donauwörth, Germany Phone: 49-906-22-559 Powerbox-systems.com

HITEC ENERGY SPORT ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL LINE Distributor

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itec is proud to introduce their new Energy Sport electronic speed control line. Designed specifically for the sport flier, these new Energy Sport speed controls deliver the reliability and performance your hobby demands! These ESCs are economically priced, and come prewired with standard motor and battery connectors. They are available in several sizes to accommodate a wide variety of models.

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

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

Features • Smooth linear throttle response • Thermal-overload protection • Signal-loss protection • Low-voltage cutoff • Pre-wired with standard battery and

motor connectors • User friendly • Optional programming card • Hitec’s customer service and warranty Price

from $19.99 to $59.99 twitter.com/rcsportflyer

EVENT

This BVM F-100 Super Sabre was flown by Dr. Shani Studnik from the Miami, FL area. A slick pilot, he presented the airplane in a very scale-like manner. The low, high-speed passes at 200 mph were simply breathtaking!

The fabulous Grumman Wildcat was built from a Fischer kit, out of Europe, by Scott Prossen. This airplane is a constant award winner.

Its wingspan is 114-in., and it weighs 54 pounds. Scott’s model uses a Moki 250 for power, and is fitted with Futaba radio gear.

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twitter.com/rcsportflyer

12 O’CLOCK HIGH

AMERICAN FORCES RALLY AT PARADISE FIELD

BY GARY ROSIER

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osted at Paradise Field in Lakeland, FL, over the weekend of October 23rd, the 12 O’clock High event was promoted as an annual gathering where scale airplane enthusiasts could share their passion for building and flying radio control (RC) aircraft. 12 O’clock High was advertised as a warbirds and classics event. It featured models copied after full-scale aircraft from more than six decades. The airplanes flown and shown at the event were every bit of that and more!

12 O’clock High is open to the public. The organizer does that as a way to give the public exposure to state-of-the-art RC airplanes.

The event is open to models of all sizes, but many, if not most, were of

the large-scale size ­— some sporting price tags well in excess of $10,000.

Over 100 aircraft were entered. While aviation history and nostalgia are the centerpieces of this event, it was the pilots and their aircraft that delivered the real excitement for the spectators and the on-looking participants.

Promoter Frank Tiano provides an upscale RC airfield for the pilots and their airplanes. Note that the RC airfield was upgraded for the 2014 event with a paved, 60- by 700-foot runway. Additionally, the airfield has a closely-cropped grass strip that abuts the new asphalt. It was used by many of the vintage models that do better flying off grass. There was also a very nice vendor area — which was in close proximity to the flight line —

This silver doped Nieuport 17 was built from a Balsa USA kit by Todd Bixby. The model sports a 107-in. wingspan. It is a 1/3-scale model that weighs 35 pounds. Todd has fitted the model with a DA 100 twin-cylinder engine for power. It’s an award winner! rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

­ lus food stands and plenty of closep in parking. Moreover, the spectators had easy access to the aircraft, which was a delight for them; the airborne action was up front and close enough for everyone to see well.

As you may already know if you read the special August Joe Nall Edition of this magazine, RC is quite new to me. I am a fan for sure because I grew up in the world of aviation. I built many of the balsa and spruce kits that were available to me as a youth — among them Jetco kits with 44-in. wingspans, but they were U-control type. As it so often happens, life (family, job, time, and money) gets in the way of other pursuits, so I never really got into flying RC aircraft.

However, all my life I’ve flown with

Arnold Marcus, a pilot from Orlando, FL, owns this Gruman F7-F Tiger Cat. The plans were drawn by Don Smith, and the model was scratch built. It features a 103-in. wingspan and is powered by two Zonoah G45 engines that were fitted with Mejzlik propellers. The landing gear is by Robart.

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EVENT

12 O’CLOCK HIGH

Jimmy Prive entered his big Piper Cub, and had a lot of fun with it all weekend during the perfect “Cub” weather enjoyed by all! It was built from a Balsa USA kit and decked out with a complete interior, working shocks, and instrumentation!

Jerry Deluyck brought along his trusty Ziroli JU-87B Stuka. This bird flies on a 102-in. wingspan. It is a 1/5-scale model that tips the scales at just 35 pounds. It features Sierra custom landing gear and a DA50 two-cycle engine for power.

Doug Smith from Coral Springs, FL, entered his Top Flite® P-47, which is powered by a Zenoah G-62 engine. The model sports a 83-in. wingspan, Robart Gear, Futaba radio gear, and is controlled by HiTec RCD servos.

Check this model out at TowerHobbies.com.

Everybody’s favorite, Rob Lynch, flew the beegeezuz out of his new Bob Violett Models Company (bvmjets.com) F-16C. The jet weighs in at only 32 pounds and comes out of the box in this brilliant color scheme, so you add the turbine and gear and go!

Roger Niolet of Sarasota, FL was flying his nicely detailed TopFlite Stinson Reliant AT-19. He had it done in the military colors of the British Royal Navy. David Barry was the builder. Power is by an O.S. twin 160 4-cycle engine. He uses an Aurora 9 Tx, with the model using Hitec servos.

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This Grumman Cougar is from a Skymaster kit, available form Bob Violett Models in Winter Springs, FL. In fact, a many of the jets at 12 O’clock High were from BVM. This one may have been flown by Joey Bagodonuts — who thinks Bio sheets are not important!

You don’t often see a twin-engine-powered Messerschmidt 110, but Mike Breen brought a nice one. It is from an ESM kit and powered by a pair of DLE 20-cc gas engines.

Remember Spring Air retracts? Mike uses them on this 95-in. model!

Greg Arnette of New Smyrna Beach, FL was flying this F-16 BBM. It was the second prototype developed and has over 190 flights to its credit.

It uses a King Tech 140 for power. The transmitter is Spektrum DX-18 w/ voice. The model is painted up in Desert Storm Colors. Jets are FAST! rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

Another view of Arnold Marcus’s Tigercat. This beautiful model was lost late in the day Saturday due to an engine quitting while he was attempting a go-around landing pass after a too-hot approach. It was a shame to see it go in.

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EVENT

12 O’CLOCK HIGH

Mike Breen of Lake Wales, FL flew this impressive scratch-built copy of an 1932 Aeronca C-3 Master. Mike’s model weighs in at 72 lb as he had it configured for 12 O’clock. It is 98 lb when he flies it on floats! The model is co-owned by Paul Sage.

Mr. Nick Ziroli, yes the Mr. Ziroli, brought along his original Skyraider to mix it up with his dozens of customers and fans. At a wingspan of 100 inches, the model weighs only 35 pounds and uses an old Quadra 75-cc engine for power — fun to watch!

My favorite airplane at 12 O’clock High, and I know I shouldn’t be partial, was this Grumman Wildcat flown by Scott Prossen. It sounded great, looked great, had awesome performance, and did everything else just perfectly. The simulated aluminum skin was done with a special paint!

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Sam Parfitt flew this 110-in. wingspan F4U Corsair (COMP ARF) with a Moki 250 for power and a Dynamic Balsa cockpit kit. The landing gear is from Sierra Giant Scale. He wanted us to be sure we mentioned the functioning canopy and its cowl flaps.

The Aeronca C-3 by the Sage / Breen team looked just awesome against the afternoon’s blue sky. The airplane uses an old 3W 120-cc twin-cylinder engine for power, but it had no trouble pulling the 193-in. wingspan model around the patch.

A few more details: the Aeronca model was the C-3, sometimes called the Collegian. You would think it would weigh more than 78 pounds, but that’s it! Even so, this model flies well on its big wing because its wing loading is not too high.

An outstanding airplane is this Fiber Classics C-47, which was built by Mark Armbrust. It flew well on a pair of G-38 gas engines — with more than enough power for the 140-in. wingspan 1/8-scale model. It is 52 lb, done as a Coast Guard aircraft, and expertly piloted by Curtis Switzer.

What would 12 O’clock High be without at least one all aluminum airplane? This one was built and flown by Carlos Rangel. It is called a Sonex, has a 94-in. wingspan, and weighs 32 pounds. Carlos fitted it with a ZDZ 50-cc engine and JR radio equipment.

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EVENT

12 O’CLOCK HIGH

While not really a “classic” and certainly not a warbird, this airplane was allowed to join the fun because it was once a warbird, now a Reno Racer in full racing livery! Jim Record tore up the sky with this DLE 55 powered Hangar 9 Mustang.

It is a beautiful kit-bash job!

RC, this was the perfect follow-up to Joe Nall. It is, however, a smaller event. Nevertheless, it’s just as cool and every bit as exciting as Joe Nall in terms of seeing beautiful scale airplanes. 12 O’clock High also left me wanting more! I’m certain it will for you as well, that is, if you should be able to attend in 2015.

Now, take a look at my photo essay of the event. You’ll see there was lots of action at the 2014 12 O’clock High.

I’ll end by saying it was superb getting to meet the likes of Mr. Top Gun 2014, David Ribbe, and so many other incredible RC pilots, builders, spotters, club members, and of course, Frank Tiano, the man behind all the events at the fantastic Lakeland

Lindner RC airfield, which is now known as Paradise Field. As you will discover, you can learn much by attending this event and others like it, because there are just so many aircraft to see!

Let me say, I got a big RC high — 12 O’clock High!

SPONSORS

my Dad; he was a pilot and aircraft mechanic. Once aviation gets in your blood, there’s never any lack of interest — it’s just life that gets in the way.

I’m retired now, and it always had been a dream of mine to attend an event like the Joe Nall Week. So, I attended it in 2014. I had no idea at the time what I was going to be exposed to in terms of airplanes, helicopters, multirotors, etc. When it was over, I was glad I made the trip!

For an aviation enthusiast, it was an out-of-body experience for sure.

You can see my report and pics in the RC Sport Flyer August issue. After Joe Nall, I wanted more, hence, my attendance of the 12 O’clock High event in Lakeland. While I’m new to

Aircraft Model Research AS Engines Bold Propellers Frank Tiano Enterprises Horizon Hobby Model Airplane News Spektrum RCFlightdeck.com ZAP

What can I say? I have absolutely no idea who built or flew this good looking biplane. I am guessing it is a Stearman built by Bill Toppa, but I’m not sure. It was just worth sharing with you.

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You get an idea of just how many Chinese aircraft you are going to to see at the museum when you look at all them parked on the abandoned taxiways. There are many MiGs as well as Yaks, and even some from the USA.

CHINA AVIATION MUSEUM HISTORIC AIRCRAFT OF THE WORLD’S MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY

BY MENG ZHE 1

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

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This is the entrance to the museum. Adjoining it is the entry portal where you will pay about $50 RMB to enter the museum, which is a pass for the entire day. You’ll pay extra to enter the Datangshan cave area, though.

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As you enter the museum’s grounds you will see this huge Beriev Be-6 Mug. This one was upgraded to the WJ-6 turboprop engines. It would make an excellent model that would fly off any good-sized pond.

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Here is a very clean example of a version of the Yak-11 that was used by the Chinese military. This one was adapted from the Yak-11 Moose, which was mass produced for the military. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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C Sport Flyer magazine typically presents its readers content about aircraft made in the USA, Great Britain, Germany, and (much less frequently) some from Russia.

However, there have been many airplanes designed, built, flown, and even used in combat that were built in People’s Republic of China.

Consequently, while the editorin-chief (Wil) was working in China a few months ago with me, I took him to the China Aviation Museum, which is about 45 kilometers north of Tiananmen Square in Beijing — or an hour’s driving time by taxi.

The museum is located at the site of Datangshan mountain. Originally the site was a Chinese military installation, which included a cave inside Datangshan Mountain. The museum still includes an extensive collection of airplanes housed inside the 1,900-foot-long cave that is 36 feet high and 130 feet wide. If you should visit the museum, I think you will find the cave an impressive installation, with aircraft that will remind you of the Korean War and the Cold War. The cave is filled from end to end with historic airplanes that are unique to the Chinese military, as well

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as some from general aviation.

The museum was opened to the public from the date of November 11, 1989. When it opened the entry fee was free, however, the cost of admittance is now $50 RMB, about $8.00 in U.S. currency. For that price, you can spend the entire day in the museum and see literally hundreds of aircraft, including Chairman Mao’s airliner, which will cost you $5.00 RMB to tour.

Recently, the museum underwent an expansion with the addition of two buildings: a modern indoor facility and a training facility. The expanded

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REPORT

CHINA AVIATION MUSEUM

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If you look closely at the cowl inlets of the I-16 fighter, you will see that it has adjustable inlets, which were needed for maintaining engine head temperature during the cold winters of the north.

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This F-12 fighter was developed and designed independently by China. It has a 7.192-meter wingspan and is 10.664 meters long. It is the lightest supersonic fighter in the world and packed a 30-mm cannon.

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This is a great example of the I-16 fighter, which was the first low-wing fighter produced by the Polikarpov Design Bureau. From September 1937 to August 1940, it was used for anti-Japanese air battles.

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Here you see an example of the Yak-11 trainer, which was produced by the Yakovlev Design Bureau. It maiden flight was completed in October 1946. It has a wingspan of 9.4 meters and is 8.5 meters long.

This example of the Rosamonde I plane was made in Guangzhou, China in 1923. Rosamonde means bright future in Chinese, after madame Song Qingling. It was used as trainer, and had a wingspan of 10.16 meters.

The Chinese Tu-4 was designed as a strategic bomber by the Soviet Tupolev Design Bureau. It was introduced in February 1953. The bomber has a wingspan of 43.047 meters and is 30.179 long. It could carry 9000 kilogram payloads.

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

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museum now displays both new and old aircraft. You’ll even get a look at a replica of China’s first nuclear bomb, as well an up-close viewing of the Chengdu J-10, or as it has been called, the Vigorous Dragon, which was a designed and developed during the time when Deng Xiaoping was head of state as General Secretary.

Model Them Visiting the museum will give you the opportunity to see and photograph aircraft that you may never see otherwise. It will definitely broaden your understanding of aircraft designs dating back to the early days of Chinese aviation, WWII aircraft, Cold War bombers, and all

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the way to today’s modern jets. You’ll even see some of the drones used by the Chinese military.

It is worth noting that there are many aircraft you may want to model above and beyond the Russian MiG, which has been modeled extensively.

It was made famous for its role during the Vietnam War, but there are many Chinese aircraft that are also very noteworthy, including some that you may have never heard of before.

These include designs such as the I-16 fighter, Y-5 transport, the Lenin plane, China’s first biplane, and others such as the BT-5 bomber and the FT-5 trainer, which served MiG pilots well. You will get to see some of the turbine engines that powered the

Chinese military’s jets too. Also, there are lots and lots of MiG jets that line the former taxiways of the museum grounds. There is even a MiG you can sit in for the price of five RMB. Note that many of the airplanes remain in their original condition.

They have not been rebuilt or restored to immaculate condition, so they no longer represent service-ready aircraft.

Rather, you will find most of the aircraft in the museum’s cave as being in their original, flyable condition, which makes them perfect for model airplane documentation.

Importantly, the museum is designed so that in most cases, the visitors are allowed to get up close to the aircraft, with some open to public

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CHINA AVIATION MUSEUM

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The FT-5 jet trainer was made by the Chengdu Aircraft Manufacturing Company. It is a variant of the F-5A. Note that the aerobatic team of the PLA Airforce used this type of aircraft for a time.

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Here is the business end of the FT-5 trainer. The airplane had a wingspan of 9.60 meters, was 11.5 meters long, and had a gross weight of 6,087 kilograms. Notice the paint is not perfect. It would make an excellent scale model.

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The Kawasaki 48-II was twin-engine powered bomber. It had a maximum range of 2,400 kilometers, had four crew members and had a gross weight of 6,750 kilograms.

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This is an example of the Kawasaki 48-II. It was a light bomber that was designed and built in 1937 to serve the Japanese military during as WWII started to unfold. The airplane has a wingspan of 17.45 meters.

This is a Chinese version of the Yakovlev Yak-12. It was originally designed for the Soviet Air Force as a liason aircraft. The Chinese version was produced as the Shenyang Type 5.

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This is the MiG-21 J-7E, which was used by the 4th Division/10th Regiment of Dalian and Beijing Military District. It was a supersonic fighter capable of flying Mach 2.0. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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As you can see the MiG-15 was equipped with a Nudelman 37-mm cannon. The maximum speed of the 15 was 1,509 km/h as sea level, with a service ceiling of 15,500 meters.

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This the Chinese version of the Yak-18, which was the Nanchang CJ-6. It was designed and built in China for use by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force as a basic trainer. It had a 10.22-meter wingspan.

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The cowl fins of the Nanchang CJ-6 actually rotated in the cowl to provide engine cooling. Notice that it is using a triangular landing gear configuration, which was perfect for this low-wing, trainer aircraft.

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There are many MiG-15s on display at the museum. They line the original taxiways that led to the cave and from it. As you can see, they are pretty much open to public inspection, and for measuring for your scale model.

I’m standing in front of one of the most famous Chinese transport aircraft, the Ilyushin Il-12. It was a Soviet cargo aircraft that was developed in the 1940s. It has a wingspan of 31.7 meters.

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This is the Shannxi Y-8 aircraft. It is based on the Antonov An-12. It is used as a military and civilian transport aircraft. It has a 38-meter wingspan and is powered by four turboprop engines.

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inspection. So, if you were to bring your sketch pad and tape measure with you, you would likely be allowed to measure the airplanes such that you could then reproduce them as scale models.

Visit If you opt to visit the museum, you’ll fly to the Beijing International Airport. Then you’ll take a taxi to your hotel. I recommend you visit Tiananmen Square, too. The hotel

concierge can arrange a taxi to take you to the museum. Be sure to have enough RMB to get you into the museum, to eat, and to pay for the return trip to the hotel.

FMI: rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com.

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This the famous Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG15 Fago that was part of the PLAAF 3rd Fighter Division. It flew in Korea in 1953 and had nine kills to its name. It would make for an excellent example to model in exact scale.

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This is a restored example of the Lenin biplane. It was the first aircraft of the Red Army. Because of heavy fog during a flight in 1930, it was captured from the Kuomintang. It was subsequently renamed the Lenin Plane.

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This is a restored Tachikawa Ki-36 which was captured from the Japanese. The airplane sports a 11.80-meter wingspan and is 8 meters long. It had a maximum airspeed of 348 km/h, and a service ceiling of 8,150 meters.

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The engine used in the Ki-36 was a Hatachi Army Type 98 Ha-13a ninecylinder radio engine. Then engine put out 380 kilowatts of power, which gave the airplane a climb performance of about 500 meters per minute.

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This P-51 was gotten from India and given Chinese markings. If you look at this airplane up close, you’ll see that it’s not a shiny example that has been immaculately restored, which would make it great for scale documentation.

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Here is another look at the Lenin Plane, which was the redesignation of the Vought O2U Corsair. It had a wingspan of 10.97 meters and was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1690-42 Hornet 447 kW radial engine.

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This Ilyushin Il-62 was of the same era as the Boeing 707. It had a wingspan of 43.20 meters and was 53.12 meters long. It used four Soloviev D-30KU turbofans for thrust. Its maximum speed was 900 km/h at 12,000 meters.

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Here is an example of the Chengdu J-7 fighter — the People’s Republic of China version of the MiG-21. It first flew in 1966, with production ending in 2013.

The jet has a wingspan of 8.32 meters and top speed of Mach 2.0.

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The Shenyang J-6 is the Chinese built version of the Soviet MiG-19. It is powered by two Liming Wopen-6A afterburning turbojet engines. The airplane’s wingspan was 9.2 meters, and its top speed was 1,540 kmh.

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This is completely restored version of the Chengdu J-10A fighter. It was produced in China and flies on a 9.75-meter wingspan. It is powered by a Saturn-Lyulk AL-31 turbo fan engine, which gives it a top speed of Mach 2.2.

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In this photo, you can see that it is capable of carrying air-to-air, air-tosurface, and it had a 223-mm twinbarrel cannon on board, plus laserguided missiles. It was first produced in 2002, and is still in production.

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This is the Xian JH-7, which was built as fighter-bomber. It had the nickname Flying Leopard. It is a twin-engine airplane with a wingspan of 12.8 meters.

Its maximum airspeed is 1,808 km/h, with a ceiling of 16,000 meters.

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The Y-11 Chan is a high-wing twinengine airplane made by the Harbin Aircraft Company. It first flew in December of 1975. It has a 17-meter wingspan and is powered by two 9-cylinder radial engines.

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The young boy is the face of the future when it comes to Chinese aviation — maybe even RC competitions. He would launch his model, fly a couple circles, and then hand catch the model as a way to sell these little airplanes.

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This is the Chinese Air Force’s Xian H-6A, which is a variant of the Tupolev Tu-16. It has a wingspan of 33.0 meters and is powered by two Xian WP8 turbojet engines.

Maximum airspeed is 1,050 kmh, with a 6,000 km range. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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REPAIRING FIBERGLASS RESTORING A DAMAGED FIBERGLASS PART TO LIKE-NEW CONDITION

BY TOM WOLF

O

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Materials required to repair fiberglass parts are shown here. West Marine sells metering pumps to ensure the proper mix ratio for their West Systems epoxy.

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Proper safety equipment when working with fiberglass and epoxy resin or paint includes a good quality mask rated for particulates and solvents, and rubber gloves. The gloves can be purchased in bulk at Walmart® or Costco®.

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ften, fiberglass parts are damaged or degraded due to mishaps or from extended use. When that happens, many modelers purchase replacement fiberglass parts and toss out the damaged item. However, in most cases fiberglass can be repaired fairly easily and the restored part, when repaired properly, is equivalent to a new part. In fact, the restored part may very well be better than a new part.

By examining the damaged part, weak areas can be identified and appropriate reinforcement can be added during the restoration process. This article describes a number of typical fiberglass repair procedures I utilized to restore a rather beat-up giant-scale F4U Corsair cowl.

While the discussion will be specific to the cowl, the techniques are applicable to any fiberglass part, whether it’s a cowl, wheel pant, fiberglass fuselage, etc.

Recently, an RC acquaintance of mine contacted me and inquired about the possibility of fabricating a new cowl for his giant-scale Corsair. The model’s existing cowl had become unserviceable because of cracks, delaminated fiberglass, and mounting holes that had enlarged to the point where the attaching screws were pulling through. Since I do not have a mold for this cowl, starting from scratch to fabricate a new cowl would require a considerable amount of labor.

In comparison, restoring the existing cowl could be relatively simple. I asked him to ship the cowl to me so I could look at it, and if possible, restore it. When the cowl arrived, I found it to be in very poor condition, as can be seen in the accompanying photos. However, despite the poor condition, I was certain I could restore it without too much effort. The following how-to article summarizes the procedure I used to restore this cowl to like-new condition.

MATERIALS REQUIRED Any fiberglass restoration project requires epoxy resin (I prefer West Systems epoxy available from West Marine), fiberglass cloth, glass microsphere filler, milled twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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This Corsair cowl is in very poor condition, with blistering/peeling paint, cracks, enlarged holes, and oil soaked fiberglass. This is a challenging restoration project by any measure.

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This damaged mounting hole is typical of the holes on this cowl.

However, holes such as these are easily repairable with a bit of work, patience, and following this procedure as outlined.

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Liquid dish detergent is excellent for cleaning an oil-soaked part.

Initially apply the detergent full strength, working it into the part. Then, add water to develop a rich lather.

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These photos depict a particularly bad section of the cowl before and after paint removal. Note the cracked fiberglass and broken and delaminated edges.

glass filler, masking tape, sandpaper, a good quality dust mask rated for sanding fiberglass, and rubber gloves, which must be worn whenever mixing or applying epoxy resin.

The microsphere filler is used to make a lightweight filling compound by mixing it with epoxy resin until the rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

desired consistency is achieved. This material is used to fill pinholes and low spots, or to form non-structural fillets. A very inexpensive source for glass microspheres is Glen-L Marine.

They sell a large plastic bag full of microspheres (one pound) for a surprisingly low price. One pound of

microspheres is a lifetime supply for most modelers.

The milled glass filler is used to make structural filling compound by mixing with epoxy until the consistency of peanut butter is achieved. This material is used to fill holes and form structural fillets. A RC-SF.COM

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This crack had been present in the cowl for quite some time, as indicated by the paint that was found inside it. The lighter area adjacent to the crack indicates localized internal delamination of the fiberglass.

The paint has been stripped using a chemical paint stripper. Note the cracks in the part, which are highlighted by paint remnants.

The enlarged mounting holes are also evident in this photo.

Delaminated fiberglass and failed prior repairs are removed from the inside of the part by grinding the unwanted material away using a drum sander or a Dremel® with a sanding drum bit.

good source for milled glass is CSTThe Composites Store.

PART PREPARATION When I unpacked the cowl and examined it, I found it completely oil soaked. Some prior repairs were evident, and some of those repairs

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were delaminating. The part also had a number of cracks, each of which was oil-soaked. Whenever attempting to restore a fiberglass part, it is imperative that it is free from oil, paint, or any other contamination that might inhibit the adhesion of newly applied fiberglass materials. So before

beginning work on this part, it was clear some thorough cleaning was required.

I took the cowl to our kitchen sink (while my wife was not around – LOL), and using a dampened sponge and full-strength liquid dish-washing soap, I scrubbed all the surfaces of the cowl to work the dish soap into cracks, crevices and any exposed weave of the fiberglass cloth. I then progressively added water to the sponge and kept scrubbing until a deep lather was formed. Next, I rinsed and checked all surfaces for any evidence of water “beading” or a “water break.” If the surface is clean, the rinse water will sheet off. If the rinse water forms beads, or breaks, then the surface is contaminated with oil. This washing and rinsing sequence is repeated until there is no evidence of water breaks.

The next step in the preparation process is to remove any paint that is compromised or that is on areas that require repair. Localized paint removal can be achieved by sanding, which is the preferred process.

However, for this cowl, the paint was failing on the entire part, with evidence of bubbling, flaking, and chipping almost everywhere. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to remove all of the paint down to the bare fiberglass. To achieve paint removal, use a good quality paint stripper, being careful to leave the stripper on only long enough to soften the paint. Avoid getting stripper on exposed fiberglass surfaces.

Most paint strippers will also soften twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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The suspect fiberglass and old repairs have been removed, and the entire internal surface has been sanded with 100-grit sandpaper. The holes had their edges cleaned to remove the damaged fiberglass.

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Cracks are repaired by forcing epoxy resin into them from the inside of the part. This is followed by a patch of fiberglass cloth over the entire area of the crack.

After a final cleaning using dish detergent followed by a wipedown with denatured alcohol, two layers of masking tape are applied to cover all holes and cracks that are to be repaired.

epoxy, so if the stripper is left on the surface too long, the fiberglass will be damaged. Use an abrasive scrubbing pad to remove the softened paint, and then thoroughly rinse the part to remove any residual paint stripper.

The last remaining issue to be dealt with prior to beginning the restoration rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

is the removal of the damaged or delaminated fiberglass and any prior repairs that may impede restoration of the part. For the delaminated layers of fiberglass, I was able to lift an edge and, using a pair of pliers, pull the delaminated piece of fiberglass off the surface. A drum sander and/or

a Dremel tool is used to grind away fiberglass from prior repairs, as shown in some of the accompanying photos.

The result of these efforts should be a part that is largely made up of the original fiberglass as originally purchased.

At this point, the part is again washed with dish detergent as outlined above, and dried. Then the inside surfaces are thoroughly sanded with 100-grit sandpaper to roughen the fiberglass surface to promote good adhesion for the pending repairs. Finally, the part is wiped down with denatured alcohol to ensure that all surfaces are absolutely clean.

FILLING HOLES AND REPAIRING CRACKS The cowl had a number of holes that required filling and several cracks that required repair. These two items are addressed somewhat differently, but the process is relatively simple for each. The first step is to apply masking tape on the exterior surface, RC-SF.COM

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The masking tape is removed from the part after the filler has cured. A very good exterior finish is revealed. The repair is completed by applying two layers of fiberglass cloth to the inside of the part, covering the area of the hole.

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To restore damaged edges, clean up the edges to remove damaged or delaminated fiberglass, and build a masking tape dam that extends beyond the desired finished edge. It is possible to “grow� the edge of an opening 0.25 inch or more. Two to three layers of fiberglass are then applied on the inside of the part, overlapping onto the tape.

Holes are repaired by filling with a paste made from chopped glass and epoxy resin. The hole should be slightly over-filled. The filler is sanded flush with the inside surface of the fiberglass after curing.

covering each hole and each crack.

Prior to applying the tape, make sure the cracks are pulled together and the edges are properly aligned.

Depending upon the condition of the crack, it may be necessary to grind a little material away to allow the part edges to be in their proper positions.

Apply two layers of tape over all areas being repaired.

Holes are filled using a paste made from milled fiberglass and epoxy resin. As shown in the accompanying photos, use a stick or similar tool to spread the paste into the hole from the inside of the part, until the hole is filled and all air bubbles are worked out. The hole should be slightly over-filled. After the epoxy cures, the filled areas are sanded flush with the surrounding fiberglass. Two layers of 3.6-oz fiberglass cloth are applied over the area of the hole on the inside of the part with epoxy resin. The cloth should extend about an inch beyond the hole in all directions.

Cracks are repaired by applying

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epoxy resin with a paint brush and forcing it into the crack from the inside of the part. When the crack has been fully wetted with epoxy, the crack is covered with a layer of 3.6 oz

fiberglass cloth, applied with epoxy resin. The fiberglass cloth should extend at least one inch beyond the crack in all directions.

When the epoxy has cured, twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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Fiberglass is applied to the inside surfaces of the part to provide additional reinforcement as required.

After the epoxy cures, the edges are trimmed, and the inside is sanded to remove rough spots.

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The finished part is shown here after three coats of primer have been applied. They get sanded between applications to provide for excellent adhesion from coat to coat.

the cowl was lightly sanded with 220grit sandpaper to scuff the surface in preparation for applying the first coat of primer. After sanding, you’ll want carefully examine the surface for defects such as pin-holes, low spots, or other defects that may require filling. Fill and sand as required to correct these issues.

Complete the restoration by priming the exterior of the cowl with a two-part epoxy primer. I have found that Klass-Kote® epoxy paints are excellent, and I recommend them highly. Klass-Kote epoxy primer is fully fuel-proof and solvent resistant. It also is a high-build primer that sands quite easily, allowing quick development of an excellent base for the final color paint. Sand and re-coat as necessary to develop a flaw-free base for the final paint.

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Recognize this area of the part? Quite a change from how it looked when I started this project. It takes a bit of time, but it solves the problem of buying a new part, or making a mold, which can be very time consuming.

remove the tape from the outside of the cowl. The repaired areas should have a very good finish that is almost ready for the application of primer. However, there may be pits or pockets formed by small air bubbles that were trapped against the tape.

Those defects are filled with a filler paste made from a mixture of glass microspheres and epoxy resin.

REINFORCING WEAK AREAS After completing the repairs outlined above, it was evident that this cowl still had some structural weaknesses, mainly due to the rather large cutout for the engine. To remedy that situation, an additional rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

fiberglass lamination was applied to the entire interior surface. Prior to adding this lamination, the entire inside surface was sanded with 100grit sandpaper to scuff up the surface and to remove any rough areas .

After the lamination is applied and the epoxy has thoroughly cured, the inside surface is again sanded with 100-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough areas. A final coat of epoxy resin is applied to the entire inside surface to completely seal the weave of the cloth.

FINISHING To complete this restoration project, the entire outside surface of

SUPPLIERS

SUMMARY Restoring damaged fiberglass parts is generally fairly easy, and the results can be excellent, often better than new. I’m sure my friend will be pleased with the result when I ship his cowl back. After re-drilling the mounting holes, and applying his final paint scheme, he will have a cowl that should provide service for quite some time. The total elapsed time to restore this cowl was only about one week — not bad at all.

Epoxy resin West Marine Phone: 800-262-8464 Westmarine.com Resin, fiberglass, milled glass filler, microsphere filler CST - The Composites Store Inc. PO Box 622 Tehachapi, CA 93581 Phone: 800-338-1278 Cstsales.com Resin, microsphere filler Glen-L Marine Designs 9152 Rosecrans Ave Bellflower, CA 90706 Phone: 888-700-5007 Boatdesigns.com Epoxy primer and paint Klass Kote Diversified Solutions LLC 3755 Denmark Trail West Eagan, Minnesota 55123 Phone: 612-243-1234 Klasskote.com RC-SF.COM

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HOW TO

REPAIR COMPOSITE WINGS YOU CAN FIX THEM SO THEY ARE ALMOST LIKE NEW!

BY FRED THIJSSEN

L

et me start by telling you I live in the Netherlands. I picked up RC modeling in 1999. The first five years I was in the hobby, I flew almost exclusively F3J gliders. Over the last 10 to 12 years, I’ve developed several methods of building and repairing composite models. Ninety percent of my models are gliders — giant-scale and F3J competition models.

I would like to share some information regarding repairing carbon fiber, Kevlar® (CFK), and fiberglass models.

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This photo shows how I’m making a temporary mold from that of a good wing. Notice that I’m protecting the good wing with a plastic film material. You do not want the mold sticking to the good wing!

I use L285 epoxy for my model repairs such as this one. It has a 24-hour cure time and it is thin enough that it will penetrate the fiberglass, Kevlar, and carbon rovings.

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I use a clamp to hold the wing in its temporary mold and to keep the spar in its original position. Next I’ll glue in the filler pieces to the area that has been damaged. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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The shows the repair material being clamped into the spar to replace the damaged areas. Again, I use L285 epoxy to fix this damage. It will require a 24-hour cure, which will allow the epoxy to cure completely.

BUILD TYPES I use three methods of building my models and repairing them. First, I build many of my models in wood — balsa and plywood, with typical gluing methods. Next, I’ve used the positive method, where I cut foam cores with my CNC foam cutter machine and then lay up over the foam cores. I also use the negative methods, where I create molds and then build up or lay up the composite materials in the molds to create composite parts.

REPAIR PRIORITIES My repair methods are certainly not the only way to do the repair I’m going to show you, but for me they work. Hopefully you can adapt some of these methods for your models or the repairs of them.

These are some of the things that I consider important to a good repair: • Making it as strong as needed and as possible • As lightweight as I can make the fix with the materials needed • As inexpensive as possible — remember I’m Dutch • As fast as possible but providing the necessary strength • Optics I consider less important, but needed for good performance.

In this first contribution, I would like to show how I fixed a model that was a total write-off from a crash.

The model was a Pike Perfection that had been badly crashed. Before I start this article, keep in mind the wings are sold for about 600 Euros apiece!

I’d think that kind of cost would rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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At this point I’m doing some repair work to the broken spar. It is important that the spar caps are repaired properly because they are what carry the stress loads imparted to the wing. You can see the carbon tow on top of the spar.

make repairing a set of wings with my methods worth while in terms of conserving finances.

The model crashed for reasons unknown to me. It belonged to a very good pilot, who was the Dutch champion a few times. The wings had very big holes. The spars were broken in multiple places. As I received them, the wings could actually be twisted and bent easily. The wings of this model are about six feet long each.

Their center sections were badly damaged about two feet in from the root sections.

Because the most significant damage was at the junction of where the wings have a dihedral angle (slightly ‘V’ shaped), I needed to make certain I could fix the wings such that they were in their original form and position. I was able to borrow a set of new wings from a friend. I used them make some very simple molds of both wings. I used scraps of fiberglass material of various weights and L285 epoxy to fabricate the molds. The easiest way to fabricate the female molds is to make plaster bandages. I did not have such material at the time, and honestly I thought of it too late (see the pictures).

I let the molds cure for at least two days to make certain they were hard and would not change shape.

Then I returned the borrowed wings to my friend. I molded parts off these tools with plastic between the original and the glass/epoxy to be sure I did not damage anything. During the curing time, I cut away all the bad and

damaged parts from the wings. There was a lot that required removal. The cutting was done by hand by use of a very sharp and fresh Stanley® knife, as well as with a micro-cutter (Proxxon), which only cuts four millimeters deep maximum. When you do this step, do not hold back in cutting away broken pieces. The size of the holes that you’ll be repairing do not matter that much, within reason.

After I was able to position the remains of the wing in the mold, I made sure it was fixed tight in the mold, using plastic film to make certain the wing did not cure and then lock itself in the mold.

THE PROCESS 1.)

You’ll want to fix the broken parts of wing. This is normally what I do first. Start by repairing the spar. It is actually the easiest thing to do on a GFK/CFK model wing. I recommend you take into consideration the function of the item you are repairing. A spar does not have to be the strongest and stiffest part of a wing. A spar, in this case, is a fancy spacer, dividing upper and lower wing pieces. Remember, this type of wing is a stressed box, with the skins both providing torsional and compressive strength. So you can typically fix a broken spar with a few drops of cyanoacrylate (CA) applied to the cracks in the shear webbing.

The carbon on the top and bottom of the spar must, however, deliver the needed strength. In this case, I milled RC-SF.COM

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The suspect fiberglass and old repairs have been removed, and the entire internal surface has been sanded with 100-grit sandpaper. The holes had their edges cleaned to remove the damaged fiberglass.

the carbon away from the break point by about two inches on either side of the failure point. It was removed at the position of the break about two millimeters deep (all the carbon plus a bit extra in the Herex) and at the both endpoints about half a millimeter.

I replace the milled areas’ material with new carbon rovings. Then, I positioned Kevlar and carbon material (40 – 60 grams m2) in the holes, while trying to create an overlap that would give extra strength to the repair.

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The masking tape is removed from the part after the filler has cured. A very good exterior finish is revealed. The repair is completed by applying two layers of fiberglass cloth to cover the area of the bottom’s hole.

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You’ll want to apply some masking tape around the area where you’ll be doing the repair to keep excess epoxy off the wing’s surface. Be certain to use a low-tack tape so that it is easy to remove from the wing skins after the repair.

2.)

I removed all the Herex/sandwich material that was damaged and positioned the Kevlar and/or carbon in the holes like I did previously. For this step I use L285 epoxy that has a 24-hour cure time. To ensure the material is pressed the right way into the mold, I put plastic material on top of the new Kevlar/carbon fabric and positioned foam rubber on it — the kind they use in furniture, the yellow

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At this point, I’m brushing epoxy onto the spar in preparation for applying some reinforcing carbon fiber cloth.

Don’t use too much epoxy on the spar.

The right amount is just enough to wet out the cloth, not soak it.

mushy stuff. You’ll want to put a few kilograms of weight on it, but do not overdo this step.

3.)

After 24 hours of cure time you should be able to remove the wing from the mold. It should be strong enough to carry its own weight. The bottom side of the wing should be more or less ready now.

Now I fill the gaps and holes with hard foam (floormate/roofmate).

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Here you see the spar after it has been repaired, with a new capstrip in place. Notice that the spar has been weighted into the temporary mold that it is resting on. The mold is used to maintain wing shape. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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I’ve cut some foam filled pieces at this point in the repair. You can do this as you’re waiting for the spar repair epoxy to cure. I suggest you make some measurements so that your repair pieces will extend up and under the wing skins around the edges.

I use a CNC foamcutter to rough shape the pieces. Sometimes the airfoil is obvious, sometimes one has to gamble a bit. Because the bottom side is fixed, the airfoil of the foam piece is not important. Make sure it fits sideways and in about half an inch where you can shove it under the remaining good material of the wings (see pics). When satisfied, mix epoxy with lots of glass bubbles. Put some on the bottom of the foam pieces, and where it meets the upper half.

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Notice how I use a weight to hold the wing spar down onto the temporary mold I’ve made for the wing. This is very important in that you want the wing to be in its former position to avoid warps, etc.

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4.)

After curing, you can sand down the topside until it is totally flush with the airfoil of the remaining good material. This is most critical (and the hard part) — you will need elbow grease and experience, but it can be done. If needed you can use extra epoxy with a lot of glass bubbles to fill the holes. It is stronger and lighter than filler. When satisfied, I add one extra layer of 49 grams glass fabric for

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This photo shows the hole in the bottom of the wing after it has been covered over with some carbon fiber material. As you can see the hole in front of the spar has been filled with lightweight foam.

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I’ve added some carbon rovings over the spar area. It does not need to be a perfect lamination, but you must keep the amount of epoxy to a minimum.

Cure in a heated room for 24+ hours.

extra strength and a better finishing.

Of course, you will have to repair the spar/rovings on the bottom side the same as on the top side.

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At this stage of the repair, both the forward hole and the one aft of the spar have been filled with lightweight foam. The bottom holes have been repaired with epoxy and composite fabric before the foam was installed.

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I’ve filled any and all gaps with a mixture of glass bubbles and epoxy, which you’ll want to mix to the consistency of peanut butter or so. You must fill all the areas that have gaps and such before the next step.

5.)

For the optics, spray, apply Oracover®, or apply other adhesives; whatever you want, as long as you are satisfied with the finished look of the wing’s surface.

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For this step, I’m adding a lightweight layer of fiberglass close over the repaired area. As you can see there is masking tape all around the repaired area to protect the wing skins.

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Notice that I’ve added some carbon roving on top of the spar and between the two foam filler parts. You’ll use just enough epoxy to wet out the carbon, and to get good adhesion to the spar below it.

RESULTS The damaged wings I bought weighed 550 grams a piece, with a lot of material cut out of them.

When repaired, the wings weighed 650 grams. Note that they are about

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This photo shows you the repaired area prior to being painted. While it may not look that good, the repair is actually not that heavy, and it is likely stronger than the original wing.

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Your next step is going to be to sand the foam flush with the top of the wing’s surfaces. You want to protect the wing skins with masking tape until the final sanding of the foam blocks and spar cap.

70 grams per wing heavier than the factory wings. I am sure my repaired wings are as strong as new, probably stronger. And, I save quite a bit of money over buying new.

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Here you get another look at the repaired area. You’ll find you can fix just about any wing damage that your model may suffer. Importantly, it will save you much over buying a new one. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

BUILD

HACKER A50 BRUSHLESS WHAT’S INSIDE THE COWL DELIVERS PERFORMANCE PLUS

BY ROB CASO

M I was the pilot for the maiden flight of the Tiger Moth, which is not my usual practice.

Because my model has a good motor and power system up front, a lot of the first-flight fear was removed.

Nine-minute flights are the norm as I have my Moth configured. I set it up so that there is about a 20 percent safety margin in the event that I need to make a go-around pass.

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RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

ake no mistake, I am primarily an airframe and detail guy!

What, you may ask, is a scale guy like me doing here with a motor review? Well, I have been a electricpowered scale modeler for about 15 years. Aside from using many Hackers during that period, my airplanes are always overdue, over budget, and, unfortunately, overweight. As a result, the last thing my models need is an underperforming, unreliable, and inefficient motor.

While I use Motocalc™ exclusively to help guide me on motor selection, some of its inputs rely on my guesstimates, most notably, estimated airframe weight. Intrinsic in these initial assumptions is that I am secretly hoping my motor selection will make up for any shortcomings in my overly optimistic estimates. I am happy to report that both Motocalc and Hacker have never let me down. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

Half throttle power applied pulls the Tiger Moth around the sky straight and level in a very scale-like manner, with plenty of power left for the occasional loop or stall turn.

Here is a close-up of the mounting hardware, and the propeller mounts, the latter of which include both the collet type and bolt-on varieties

Good motors are not cheap! A model’s motor is not an appropriate place for economy; and, I submit that spending a little more for a quality motor is, in fact, economical in and of itself. Therefore, I shoot for efficiency, reliability, power, and quality, with the resulting cost being immediately forgotten once the model is in the air. As such, my scale models have become a showcase for upscale electric motors, with me using predominately Hacker, O.S., and Himax in my serious efforts — Hacker being my favorite. This statement does not mean I will be doing a side-by-side shootout in this article; it merely describes what I have powering my current air force. Nor should you infer that the other brands noted are in any way substantially inferior to Hacker. They are not! Just as in the Olympic 100 meter dash, the differences in the top three spots are rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

almost indiscernible.

I am using a Hacker A50 motor in my recently flown 66-in. wingspan Tiger Moth, which weighed in at almost exactly eight pounds, about a half pound over what I expected it to be when I ran the numbers through Motocalc. A motor’s performance is largely dependent on the stuff behind it. For the Moth, I have a pair of 3200mAh 3S Evo LiPo packs wired in series for 6S power. The model also uses a Castle Creations Talon 90 speed controller. Up front, the motor is turning an APC 13 x 7 propeller, which Motocalc determined was one of two that would yield the optimal power during my mandatory nine minute

These are the contents of the A50 14-XS, with typical Hacker quality and versatility. I recommend using thread-locking compound for everything but the propeller mount.

flight time requirement — a relatively narrow range. In retrospect, Hacker’s model “S” of this motor might have been the better choice, since it is torquier and therefore can spin a larger and a wider range of propellers at the expense of some speed. Since biplanes are draggy, they like torquemonster motors and large propellers.

In the end, the “XS” motor turned out to be an appropriate choice; it flies the model with authority.

As an aside, if you design or kit build your models, it is important to nail down motor selection early on, as this determines what the motor mount should look like and where it will be on the model.

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HACKER A50 BRUSHLESS

The X-mount was secured to the firewall with 4-40 screws and blind nuts. The battery box for the two 3S 3200-mAh LiPo battery packs is shown below the motor.

Wattage output figures on this motor using the above set up are about 850 watts at full throttle, or well over 100 watts per pound on this model. With all its wing area, the Tiger Moth wastes no time getting airborne, even at about two thirds throttle, and flies very scale-like at about half.

For me, Hacker has the edge because of its propeller mounting options — it comes with two mount types. Its collet mount may be used on either end, and the motor may either be mounted at the wires’ end to the firewall using the X-mount or behind a plywood plate. The second

The Hacker motor gets the eight-pound model airborne in about 15 feet of runway run or so, even with only two thirds throttle applied. This underscores the A50’s performance.

At the point of the maiden flight, I was still working on a front cockpit of the Tiger Moth. I wanted to get some air under its wings before I finished detailing the airplane.

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choice — and the one I always seem to use — is the bolt-on propeller mount, which attaches to the spinning magnets barrel of the motor.

Essentially a propeller extension, this option provides a bit more space between the base of the propeller mount and the spinning barrel of the motor. For this option, the wires’ end of the motor is bolted to the airframe using the included X-mount. With a little creativity and some careful machining, an even longer propeller extension can be incorporated if your model needs more room. My scale models always seem to need this extra elbow room, and having this second option is a great feature.

The model flies just like a scale Tiger Moth should. It is stately and deliberate, without any bad flight habits. This model is going to make for a great everyday flier.

Here is what the cockpits look like once I put my finishing touches on them. Now my Tiger Moth delivers the scale presence I like in an RC airplane, both on the ground and in the air. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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• • •

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Just like the full-scale, the cockpit was a tight fit. I detail the scale opening cockpit doors in the January 2014 issue of RCSF.

CONS • German engineering, top quality precision construction Well balanced and powerful Efficient energy usage Either end of the motor may be used to mount a propeller (collet or bolt-on propeller shaft) Quality supporting components

• • • • •

• No contents list • Minimal instructions (English/German) in small print Mounting instructions minimal No disassembly instructions No parts list, with part numbers No English translation for warranty No bullet connectors included

Hacker Brushless 2122 W 5th Place Tempe, AZ 85281 Phone: 480-726-7519 Hackerbrushless.com

SPECIFICATIONS

•

• X-mount • Collet propeller shaft with nut and washer Bolt on propeller shaft with nut and washer Various screws, washers and bushings Ships in padded box with all contents bagged and/or segregated Instructions with motor dimensions and specifications

PROS

DISTRIBUTOR

INCLUDED

Motor : A50-14XS V3 14-Pole Weight : 285 grams Shaft diameter : 6 mm Shaft length : 21.4 mm Shaft bearings : 4 Kv : 520 Idle current : 1.50 amps Operating current : 60 amps Peak current : 80 amps Peak watts : 1500 Peak amps : 80 Resistance : 0.0180 ohms Poles : 14 Type : Outrunner Diameter : 48.70 mm Length : 47.20 mm Retail Price : $135.00

The “chin” of the model is equipped with a fiberglass cover that is removed by sliding it forward to access the battery box. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

See Hans-Jurgen Fischer’s great scale 3-view rendering of the airplane in the May 2014 issue of RCSF. RC-SF.COM

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DECATHLON FUSELAGE, PART 1 GET IT STRAIGHT AND STRONG

BY JEFF TROY

T

he wing panels and empennage for my Dynaflite Super Decathlon are constructed and rough sanded. In this installment, I will start constructing the fuselage.

Building the fuselage is a relatively simple task because all the curvy shapes of the bottom and forward cabin are based on a simple, foursided box. This is an old-school, triedand-true model design at its best, and I believe you’ll enjoy following along.

If you are not building the Decathlon with me, I hope you will take advantage of some of the methods I

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describe when constructing your own favorite models.

I prefer medium cyanoacrylate (CA) glue for most basic construction steps, and one of my favorites is Bob Smith Industries (BSI) Insta-Cure +.

Prepare the plans by taping the fuselage side view to your work surface. The plans must be protected, and when working with CA adhesives, my first choice for a barrier is parchment paper, available in the baking section of most grocery stores.

Tape doesn’t stick well to parchment paper, so use long strips at the corners

Plans should be protected by a barrier. When working with CA adhesives, my choice is parchment paper. You might also consider a Great Planes® Plan Protector or a MonoKote® backing sheet.

RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

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to hold it down as best you can. Don’t worry if it lifts; the model’s structure will trap the barrier as you pin the parts down over it.

The Decathlon fuselage is built from balsawood sticks and die-cut Lite-Ply and balsa parts. The parts will come out of their sheets more quickly and with fewer rough or split edges if you sand the backs of the sheets with coarse sandpaper or a flat Perma-Grit tool on a Great Planes® Easy-Touch bar sander. Sand vigorously, checking a few parts for ease of release as you go. Don’t be tempted to pop them all

Use an Easy-Touch Bar Sander to sand the backs of die-cut sheets.

This often eases parts fit, slightly reduces weight, and helps the parts release from the sheets more easily. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

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You can never use too many clamps when laminating plywood parts. I prefer 15-minute epoxy for its excellent penetration into the wood, high degree of strength, vibration resistance, and longevity.

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Bulkhead parts are joined with medium CA glue, and then pinned down over the plans until the CA sets. I use a Zona saw to cut each of the sticks slightly oversize in length.

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This close-up demonstrates neatly sanded angles on mating parts.

It also hints at the advantages of cutting the sticks oversize and sanding them uniformly after lifting them from the plans.

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Use the Easy-Touch to sand the overhangs away from the sticks, using the perimeter parts as guides for a straight sanding line.

Angle the sides to match the fuselage curve.

out ahead of time; it’s a lot smarter to leave them in their sheets and remove each part as it is needed. The Dynaflite manual provides drawings of all the parts sheets, which you will find helpful in locating and identifying all the die-cut parts.

Construction begins with several sub-assemblies. Getting them ready will let you fit them into their respective places as the fuselage progresses. First up is the firewall, but before you get started, you’ll want to decide how you intend to power your model. The manual provides the options for a gasoline- or glowpowered engine, but making a few modifications to accommodate electric power would not be difficult, because there is plenty of room for a motor and speed controller under that big ABS cowl, and a battery hatch could easily be built into the belly ahead of the landing gear.

I opted for an O.S. 1.20 four-stroke rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

glow engine for my Decathlon, and once that decision was reached, I used BSI 15-minute Quik-Cure epoxy to laminate the firewall’s three pieces of die-cut Lite-Ply. Two additional Lite-Ply laminations are added as spacers to get the engine farther forward so the spinner backplate can fit the front of the cowl correctly. If an engine other than the O.S. 1.20 is chosen, you might have to remove or add one or more of the spacers to optimally position the engine.

After the epoxy on the Lite-Ply firewall parts has cured, drill the holes for the engine mount and tap in the blind nuts with a few drops of epoxy under each one to secure them.

This is also a good time to drill the firewall for the fuel lines and throttle linkage. Hold the engine in position on the mount while you mark the locations for the holes. Drill 1/4-in. holes for the fuel lines, and if you have a countersink bit, use it to put a slight

bevel around both sides of the holes.

Doing this will let the lines pass freely through the firewall without snagging, and will help prevent chafing of the lines from vibration.

Three bulkheads must be constructed from 1/4 x 1/2- and 1/4 x 1/4-in. balsa sticks. Cut the sticks slightly oversize, applying medium CA to each contact point and pinning the parts down as assembly proceeds.

When the CA on the bulkheads is set, remove the pins and lift the pieces from the plans. Cutting the sticks oversize means their ends can be sanded to perfection after the bulkheads are constructed—and you won’t end up with one or more tooshort sticks. Sand the four sides of each bulkhead, putting a slight angle on the two smaller bulkheads’ upright pieces that will approximate the curvature of the rear fuselage sides.

Assemble the forward cabin side of the fuselage from the two pieces RC-SF.COM

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DYNAFLITE DECATHLON FUSELAGE, PART 1

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Proper model building is always more about sanding than cutting.

Smoothly blending the longerons into the tail and cabin pieces is effortless with a 6- or 11-in. Easy-Touch Bar Sander.

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Long clamps are ideal for holding the fuselage sides tightly against the firewall until the epoxy cures. No clamps? See the text for one of my favorite alternative holding solutions.

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of die-cut Lite-Ply. Pin down the lower piece, then apply medium CA to the upper piece, and press them together over the plans. Pin the LitePly tail piece in position, then laminate the upper and lower longerons, each from two pieces of die-cut balsa. Fit the longerons between the forward cabin sides and the tail piece, trimming as necessary with the bar sander for a perfect fit. Use medium CA to add the Lite-Ply cabin doublers, then repeat these steps to construct the opposite fuselage side.

Think before you glue so you don’t construct two left or two right sides.

One right and one left is what your model needs.

Unpin the sides and use the EasyTouch to sand their outer surfaces flush and smooth; the inner surfaces are those with the doublers. You should also sand the longerons, forward cabin, and tail pieces so that their lines flow together smoothly.

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It’s imperative the fuselage’s components are square. Pin down the plywood bottom and use triangles to ensure the sides are standing perpendicular — 90 degrees — to the work surface.

Balsawood triangle stock is available in 1/4-, 1/2-, and 3/4-in. sizes wherever you find a well-stocked balsa bin. I used two lengths to reinforce the Decathlon’s plywood stabilizer mounting plate.

Creating the fuselage box comes next, and it’s best to prepare for this by lifting the side view of the plans from your work surface and replacing it with the top view, again covering the plans with parchment paper. Cut and sand the upper and lower balsa crossmembers, two of each piece, sanding each pair to a matched length. One piece of each matched pair will be used for an upper fuselage crossmember, and the other piece for the bottom. Sand a slight angle into each rear crossmember so it matches the curvature of the sides shown on the top view. Pin down the Lite-Ply fuselage bottom over the plans.

Position the front and rear cabin bulkheads over the bottom, and press one fuselage side against them, making sure that the bottom of the lower side piece rests flat on the work surface. Use right triangles to ensure that the side is at 90 degrees to the surface, then apply a few drops

of medium CA to hold the side in position. Now do the same for the opposite side. When you’re sure that the structure is square, apply a few drops of medium CA along each sideto-bulkhead joint.

Apply an ample coating of 30-minute epoxy to the sides of the laminated firewall where it fits into the fuselage sides, and clamp it in position between the sides with the engine spacer doublers facing forward. If you have only one large clamp, consider buying others. If that’s not an option, you can ensure straight sides by inserting foot-long pieces of straight hardwood or metal in an upright orientation between the fuselage sides and the jaws of the clamp. If you have no large clamps at all, try hanging the forward fuselage over the edge of your workbench and using No. 64 rubber bands above and below the fuselage to force the foot-long uprights against the fuselage sides to twitter.com/rcsportflyer

Four pieces of triangle stock were used to reinforce the fuselage side-to-firewall joints. Two pieces were fitted in front of the firewall, and the other two behind it.

trap the firewall tightly between them.

Let the epoxy set for at least eight hours, preferably overnight.

With the fuselage still in position over the top view, but pinned only in the area where the forward cabin meets the lower rear longerons, tilt the rear fuselage downward against the plans, and draw the sides together at the tail while you insert the diecut rear bulkhead into the slots in the sides that are immediately ahead of the stabilizer saddle. Use the top view to ensure that the sides curve uniformly and are not banana-shaped.

Insert the built-up rear bulkheads and hold everything together with a few drops of medium CA on each joint.

After you’re certain the fuselage is straight and that both sides are perpendicular to the work surface, remove all the pins and lift the structure from the bench. Apply a generous bead of medium CA along each joint, using accelerator to prevent running. An alternative would be to apply the CA in four stages: right side, left side, bottom, and top.

This can also prevent runs while also eliminating the need for accelerator.

I’m a big fan of triangle stock to bolster the integrity of important structural joints. The Decathlon’s stabilizer saddle is a piece of 1/8-in. plywood fitted between the fuselage sides at the tail. This piece ensures ample bonding area between it and the stabilizer, but I did not see where any additional support was provided to hold the saddle plate securely between the sides. This seemed like a good place to add triangle stock.

I cut two lengths of 1/2-in. triangle rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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The clamps are not holding the balsa block. The block is supporting the clamps while they force the plywood wing-bolt plate upward against the recessed doublers until the epoxy cures.

stock to fit against the fuselage sides in the stabilizer saddle area. I trimmed the rear of both pieces to prevent them from spreading the sides apart, and used 15-minute epoxy to attach them to the fuselage sides. I straddled a couple of sticks across the notches at the front and rear of the saddle area to ensure the flat sides of the triangles would be 1/8-in. below the top edges of the saddle along the center.

When the epoxy on the triangle stock was cured, I mixed another batch and installed the plywood saddle piece, aligning the part over the triangles, in the front and rear notches, and between the fuselage sides. Now I had a secure bed for the Decathlon’s stabilizer. I also cut four lengths of triangle stock to reinforce the joints between the firewall and the right and left sides of the fuselage.

I installed two of these ahead of the firewall, and the other two behind it.

Plywood pieces to support the wing dowels were installed at the top of the forward bulkhead, and a 1/4-in. plywood plate was epoxied between the upper sides and against the rear cabin bulkhead to accept the wing mounting bolts. Use clamps and a support over the saddle to hold the plate all the way up in the doublers’ notches. After the epoxy cured, I fitted and added the balsa wood block to cover the plywood plate and prevent the wing’s trailing-edge from crushing if the wing’s bolts were tightened without this underlying support. The sides of the block should be sanded neatly to fit between the fuselage side doublers, and the top surface of the block should be razor planed and

sanded to match the wing saddle.

So now, construction of the basic box for the Dynaflite Super Decathlon fuselage is complete. In my next installment, I’ll sheet the top, fit the wing, and install some of the model’s internal details. I hope you’ll be here with me.

When my Decathlon and Super Sportster 60 are ready for finishing, Coverite 21st Century Fabric will dress the Decathlon, and Top Flite MonoKote will be used for the Sportster.

If you’ll be at Toledo, Ohio, for the Weak Signals 2015 in April, please say hello and catch one of my model covering seminars on Friday and Saturday.

SOURCES

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Bob Smith Industries 8060 Morro Rd. Atascadero, CA 93422 Phone: 805-466-1717 Bsi-inc.com Coverite & Dynaflite Great Planes Model Mfg. Co. P.O. Box 9021 Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 800-637-7660 Bestrc.com Perma-Grit Traplet Distribution USA 816 N. Country Fair Dr. Champaign, IL 61821 Phone: 217-355-2970 Us.trapletshop.com Zona Tool Co. 16 Stony Hill Rd. Bethel, CT 06801 Phone: 203-796-7861 Zonatool.net RC-SF.COM

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PILATUS PC-6 PORTER DRAWINGS BY HANS-JÜRGEN FISCHER

T

he full-scale Pilatus PC-6 Porter is designed as a single-engine short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft. Its maiden flight was made on May 4, 1959. The original

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PC-6 was built by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland, and continues to be produced at their factory in Flugzeugwerke in Stans, Switzerland.

PC-6s have been built as both

piston-engine- and turboproppowered versions. The first prototype was powered by a 254 kW (340 hp) piston engine. The first turboprop version flew in 1961, with turbine upgraded in 1963. The upgraded version had a 410 kW (550 hp) power plant.

For a short while in the 1970s, the Fairchild Hiller Company in the United States built them for use in the Vietnam War. It had the U.S. Air Force designation AU-23A Peacemaker and UV-20 Chiricahua for the U.S. Army.

Note the Peacemaker was fitted with a 20-mm side-firing XM-197 Gatling cannon, plus four wing pylons and a fuselage mount for external ordnance.

The airplane was not suited to the war, so they were returned to the U.S. after a year in service.

What makes the PC-6 stand out from most other aircraft is its STOL performance. It is designed to take off twitter.com/rcsportflyer

A-A

(Scale x 2)

B-B

(Scale x 2)

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PILATUS PC-6 PORTER

SPECIFICATIONS

in approximately 640 feet, and land in 427 feet while carrying a payload of 2,646Â pounds. The PC-6 is the world record holder for highest landing by a fixed-wing aircraft, at 18,865 feet, which was done on the Dhaulagiri glacier in Nepal.

PC-6s are now used in a variety of applications, from air ambulances to back country and parachute jumper aircraft. Their STOL performance, in combination with the turboprop power plants, have made them both reliable and functional.

Crew : 1 pilot Capacity : 10 passengers Wingspan : 52 ft 1 in.

Length : 36 ft 1 in.

Height : 10 ft 6 in.

Wing area : 324.5 ft2 Aspect ratio : 8.4:1 Airfoil : NACA 64-514 Payload : 2,491 lb Empty weight : 2,800 lb Max. takeoff : 6,173 lb weight

PERFORMANCE

Powerplant : Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprop, 410 kW, 550 shp Velocity never : 151 knots exceed Maximum speed : 125 knots Cruise speed : 115 knots @ 10,000 ft Stall speed : 52 knots, flaps down, power off Range : 394 nmi w/ max payload Service ceiling : 25,000 ft Rate of climb : 941 ft/min

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REVIEW

Stop bending over to work on your model.

Now, the STBL Ultra RC Stand can bring it to a comfortable working height.

STBL ULTRA RC STAND

DON’T GET AN ACHING BACK — STAND!

BY STAFF

This is everything that will come in your Ultra RC Stand’s shipping box — you’ll have it assembled in 10 minutes or less.

The Ultra Stand is easy to work around on all sides because it has a very small footprint in any workshop’s floor.

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twitter.com/rcsportflyer

A

s modelers, we’ve all faced the challenges of installing radio gear, engines, motors, speed controllers, batteries, trim schemes, etc. on a typical workbench. It can be done, but there are challenges when trying to work on a model from side to side. We’ve all also faced the reality of getting an aching back while trying to work on a model that is on the floor or on a low bench. Or, we’ve just not been able to adjust the height of the work surface to accommodate our height.

The STBL Company of Edgewood, Washington has just introduced a solution to working on your model’s fuselage that just may fit your frame, and your model’s too. It is called the Ultra RC Stand. We’ve been testing it for a while now, and we’re liking what this unit has to offer in terms of functionality for the model builder.

• • • • •

FEATURES • Sturdy steel construction • Sized for ≥1/4-scale models • Easily holds 1/3-scale sailplanes

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• •

• •

Strong enough for 55-lb models Adjustable for different fuselages Converts to flat for easy storage Stores in trunks or small vehicles Disassembles in less than five minutes, without tools Perfect for model building, setups, and airfield assembly Stake-down holes for secure ground mounting Professionally applied powder coating Colors: blue, yellow, and red Made and assembled in the USA

The head of the Stand comes with foam pads installed on the sides and on the head’s floor to protect the fuselage.

The Stand adjusts in length, height, and fuselage width.

Adjustments require loosening a knob and then retightening.

This photo shows the set bolt that you’ll use to adjust the height of the legs. The leg slides inside the Stand’s upright for easy adjustments.

Here you see how you’ll adjust the width of the Stand’s head. Again, it requires only one set knob adjustment to modify the width.

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This is the knob you’ll use to adjust the length of the stand.

We like that the knobs are all out of the workspace’s way.

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STBL ULTRA RC STAND

In about five minutes or less you can convert the stand into its storage configuration by way of four adjustment knobs.

IN THE SHOP The usability of any product is absolutely measured by how it functions in the workshop or in the airplane. What we found with the new STBL Ultra RC Stand is that it measures up to the manufacturer’s metrics.

We also found it is super easy to assemble. It took us less than 10 minutes from shipping box to usability. We liked how quickly you can convert it from a working stand to one that can leaned against the workshop wall, or be hung from one.

Also, the length of the unit was very easy to adjust, requiring only one adjustment knob to be loosened and then tightened. It was quick and braindead simple. The stand’s head easily adjusted for our respective models as well. Again, you simply loosen a set bolt knob to allow the head to slide open or closed. The same applies for adjusting the height of the unit. The unit’s feet mate to the stand by way of the stand’s steel column legs. To raise or lower the stand, you need only loosen the leg’s set bolt knob, adjust the leg to your desired height, and then retighten the set bolt. The same

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applies for collapsing the unit so that it can be leaned against the wall or hung on it. You simply loosen the set bolts and then turn the heads and the feet 90 degrees. In about two minutes you have the unit reconfigured so that you can stow it away however you choose.

Suffice it to say that the Ultra Stand is extremely functional in one’s workshop or at the airfield.

Weight : 29 lb Max length : ≈ 52 in.

Max head height : ≈ 37 in.

Max head width : ≈ 12 in.

Price : $249.95, plus S&H

DISTRIBUTOR

OPTIONS • Custom head assemblies; i.e., twin boom models, etc.

• Custom graphics: one free set with owner’s name • Extended base leg for extra height • Bungee cord fasteners

SPECIFICATIONS

CONCLUSIONS Our assessment is that the new STBL Ultra RC Stand is a must-have for our workshop. It will take the ache out of our backs, especially during those fuselage installations that can otherwise be a workbench challenge.

We hope that STBL will soon offer a set of heads designed to hold wings, which will make servo installs a whole lot easier, and make damage to wings much less likely.

STBL Edgewood, WA 98372 Phone: 253-778-5477 stblproducts@gmail.com stblproducts.com

The Stand is nearly perfect for working on a scale sailplane’s fuselage because it puts the model at a very good working height.

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WRAM

SHOW 2015 February 20- 22

47th Annual Show Meadowlands Exposition Center at Harmon Meadow Secaucus, New Jersey

www.mecexpo.com

New Seminar location on Main Level

• Convenient access from highways & airports • 150+ exhibitors, large demo areas for aircraft, boats & cars • Centrally located Static Display/Competition • Free, covered parking

• Swap Shop for great used gear deals!

• 15-minute bus to/from NYC

• Hotels, restaurants, shopping & entertainment —all within a 5-minute walk

$10,000 in Cash Prizes!

Visit our website for show details: www.wram.org

REVIEW

QUADCOPTER A CREATURE THAT LETS YOU GO WILD!

BY STAFF

A

s winter closes in, with subfreezing temperatures, RC pilots want to keep their reflexes honed for the upcoming flying season. You can do so with a simulator such as RealFlight® 7.5, but there’s another way to do it — by flying the new Ominus Dromida.

Dromida is a new quad that sports a rotor span of 12.25 inches from blade tip to blade tip. Honestly, it looks like some kind of oversized bug because of its motor arms that are

You’ll get everything you need to start flying your Ominus Dromida quad in the kit box — there is nothing more to buy!

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painted in bright colors. Also, the main body has a drooping nose and light in its rear that flashes to indicate the different flight modes. There are lights in the forward arms and rear arms as well that make the little machine look fearsome it a dimly-lit room. It’s just a great looking little machine that we took a liking to from the moment we opened its box/ carrying case.

INCLUDES You’ll only need to buy the Dromida to get everything you’ll need to start flying this model in 30 minutes or less.

Everything you need to fly this little critter comes in the box: quad, transmitter, four AAA alkaline batteries, USB LiPo charger, 3.7-volt 700-mAh 25C LiPo battery, and four extra blades with set screws. As a point of reference, we took the Dromida out of its box, installed the batteries in the transmitter, and then flew the model on the LiPo’s storage charge for a couple of minutes. From box to the air required less than 10 minutes of work — that includes scanning the user’s manual and learning the setups to program the kit’s transmitter for different sensitivity levels: easy, normal, advanced and expert.

As you can see, you get everything you need to start flying this critter in 30 minutes or less of assembly/charge time.

NEEDED TO COMPLETE You won’t need anything besides a couple of hours to burn because you’ll enjoy flying this little machine all over the house, office, or shop so much you won’t want to stop! We suggest you buy at least one extra battery, but preferably a couple, so you can fly the model for as long as you want. All you’ll need to do is plug the USB charger into a USB port (computer, cell phone charger, or any USB source) and you’ll be set to

Check out the arms on this bug. It comes like this right out of its kit box.

You don’t even need to add decals. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

have the pack charged in about 30 minutes, depending on pack state.

IN FLIGHT This is a quad that almost anyone can fly. Of course, what sensitivity level you’ll want programmed into the transmitter depends on your skill level, but on the easy setting you’ll find that even the office staff will end up not getting their work done because they’ll be flying the Dromida!

Our test pilot cranked the

Dromida’s transmitter is easy to program. You’ll do so with the transmitter stick and the F-mode button on the Tx’s top.

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OMINUS DROMIDA QUADCOPTER

Pick your color! The Dromida comes in red, blue, green, or yellow.

We’ve been flying our red one for these tests.

You’ll want to buy a couple of extra batteries, so you can fly it beyond the 10+ minutes of the 700-mAh LiPo’s charge.

sensitivity setting up to advanced and was showing us all how to put this quad through its paces. In expert mode, you’ll be able to really wring this machine out doing rolls and flips. Believe us when we say that in the expert mode it is very sensitive to control inputs. It is also quite fast if you drop the nose a bit and go full throttle.

While it is designed for indoor flying primarily, you can certainly fly the Dromida outdoors if the wind is not blowing more than about five miles an hour.

As a testament to the quality of this machine, we took it outside for some test flying. It did exceedingly well until we took it too high and the wind started to catch it. Flying it back down to us was not a problem; the Dromida penetrated the wind without problem.

The problem was when we put it in the pond near where we were flying it!

Even so, we shook the water out well, blew the excess out with a hair dryer set to low heat, and then were back to flying in about 15 minutes. There

When you fly the Dromida in the dark, the lights in the arms and the aft end of the body will let you stay oriented with it.

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F-Mode Normal Advanced Expert

F-Mode LE F-Mode Button OFF OFF ON OFF Flashing ON Flashing ON

Quad LED ON ON Flashing Flashing

Tx Sound Low Tone High Tone Low Tone High Tone

the model’s body.

At the Tower Hobbies price, its a seriously good buy too!

was absolutely no damage done to the Dromida. The pilot’s pride was a bit wet, however, because there was plenty of room for a good landing.

SYNOPSIS We are 200 percent confident that you’ll enjoy flying this quad. It comes in four different colors too, so you can pick the color that charges your emotional batteries.

What we like about this quad is its versatility in terms of control sensitivity and its durability, too. It now has about two hours of flight time on it and we’ve yet to break a blade, strip a gear set, or have a motor quit ­— even after some pretty good crashes into the office furniture. Note that you’ll likely get about 12-minute flights out of your Dromida quad per battery charge. That of course depends on how you’ll be flying it, but for our testing we were getting about 10- to 12-minute flights.

We’ll add that this machine is an absolute blast to fly in the dark because of the lights that are built into the motor arms and into the back of

DISTRIBUTOR

The gear train in this model is extremely durable, and we’ve yet to damage them even with a few good crashes.

Price: $79.98 (#DIDE01**)

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

The transmitter comes with a built in flip switch, which is located on the upper left side of the transmitter.

Simply slide the 1S 700mAh LiPo battery into its battery holder as a way to fasten it securely in the quad’s belly.

This gives you a up-close look at how the motors mount to the Dromida’s arms. This is an extremely well-built machine. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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REVIEW

200 QX

LITTLE BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU

BY LUCIDITY, ROSWELL FLIGHT TEST CREW

The Blade 200 QX offers pilots a choice of three different flight modes at the flip of a switch: full acrobatic performance, auto-leveling with tight restrictions on pitch and roll inputs, and an intermediate mode which allows for more aggressive maneuvers but retains auto-leveling capability.

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orizon Hobby® came late to the multirotor scene, introducing its first-ever quadcopter in early 2012. The Blade mQX was fun to fly, but was ultimately just a simple quad. Around that same time, DJI was busy re-defining the industry with the release of a GPSenabled flight control system for the hobby market and the S800 hexacopter, a pro-grade aerial camera ship.

Ever since, Horizon has been playing catch up. When DJI took multirotors mainstream by introducing the Phantom, Horizon answered in kind with the Blade 350 QX, which came complete with a mount for the ubiquitous GoPro Hero3 sports camera and a flight control system with built-in GPS. The company’s latest entry into the increasingly crowded multirotor field is the diminutive Blade 200 QX, announced as a “Little Brother” to the 350 QX. It sells for $229 and, in a break with Horizon Hobby tradition, is only offered in a Bind-N-Fly (BNF) kit. No Read-To-Fly (RTF) version is available, so make sure you have a Spektrum or other DSM-compatible radio before you buy a 200 QX. In addition, Horizon is selling the E-flite EFC-721 camera as an accessory for the 200 QX. The camera, which sells for $49, includes a cable to connect it with the aircraft’s receiver, allowing you to capture still images and video while it’s in the air.

In total, it’s an aerial photography

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system that costs less than $300 — but is it any good?

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX One thing to say about the folks who work at Horizon Hobby is that they are stone-cold professionals, something that you can’t necessarily take for granted in the industry these days. The packaging for the 200 QX is sumptuous to behold, and its sturdy styrofoam inserts ensure that your new aircraft arrives safe and sound.

The manual is clear, complete, well-illustrated, and obviously written by a native English speaker. It even includes a handy chart, telling you how to configure each of the various Spektrum radios — DX5, DX6, DX8, etc. — to work with the 200 QX. The battery charger that ships with the 200 QX is brain-dead simple, connecting to the included two-cell, 800-mAh Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) battery through its balance lead.

Since charging LiPo batteries can be an anxiety-inducing process for newcomers that also entails a small but real risk of fire or explosion, Horizon was wise to make the process so straightforward.

Precious little assembly is required when you receive your 200 QX. Just

attach the spindly landing struts with the hex screws you’ll find inside the box and you’re ready to go — likely before the battery is finished charging.

We found the provided Allen wrench was a little awkward to work with, but that was hardly a show-stopper.

The 200 QX arrives with its propellers already attached. Best practice requires you to remove them before binding the aircraft and, if you choose to take that step, you’ll discover one of its many clever, hidden features: the propeller shafts are threaded in the direction opposite to the motor’s rotation.

This eliminates the possibility of a propeller unscrewing itself in flight and launching into the stratosphere while the rest of the aircraft comes crashing to the ground.

That might seem like overkill on a sub-200-mm quad, but I take it as an indication that Horizon is thinking seriously about the multirotor platform for the long term, not just shoveling product out the door because it’s a hot market segment right now.

The propeller nuts are color coded, enabling you to determine where they belong at a glance, and the box includes a full set (four) of

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BLADE 200 QX

The Blade 200 QX comes with everything you need to go flying, except for a radio.

In addition to the aircraft, inside the box you will find a battery, a battery charger, and a spare set of propellers, as well as the tools you need to attach the undercarriage, disassemble the frame, and mount the propellers.

extra propellers, so that a minor mishap won’t keep your quad on the ground for long. A propeller wrench is also included.

STURDY BIRDIE Taking the 200 QX in your hand for the first time, it immediately feels sturdy and well-constructed, if a little heavy for its size. There are many — including my esteemed friend and colleague, Techinstein — who argue that weight is the enemy of performances and flying time, so it should be minimized, even at the cost of building a less robust aircraft.

For myself, I cleave to a different philosophy: don’t make the aircraft lighter, make the motors larger.

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In designing the 200 QX, Horizon’s engineers clearly came down on my side of this argument, likely anticipating it will see a lot of use by relatively inexperienced pilots, and suffer more than its share of bumps as a result.

However, its solid airframe doesn’t come at the expense of performance.

Four 20-mm brushless 3000-Kv motors turning 4.45-in. propellers provide the 200 QX with plenty of power. It’s capable of aggressive maneuvers and climbs with authority, even carrying the added weight of the EFC-721 camera.

According to the literature from Horizon, the aircraft will fly for five to seven minutes on the stock battery.

During our own tests, the aircraft stayed in the air for nearly seven and a half minutes before we received a low battery warning.

If there is a price to be paid for delivering that kind of performance in spite of the aircraft’s weight, it’s coming out of the battery’s wallet.

After each flight, we noticed that the battery was warm to the touch, indicating an especially heavy draw that will likely shorten its useful life.

This was true whether we were flying with the stock battery, which has a discharge rating of 20C, or a couple Purchasing the Blade 200 QX along with the E-flite EFC-721 camera will set you back $278, however, it includes everything you need to start capturing aerial video, but make sure you have a DSM-compatible radio available.

Likely because it is intended for more experienced RC pilots, the 200 QX is only available as a BNF model.

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The Blade 200 QX incorporates an FPVstyle limb configuration.

Originally developed to provide front-mounted cameras on quadcopters with a clear field of view, it also gives the aircraft its distinctive, sweptback appearance without sacrificing the symmetry of motor placement.

With the E-flite EFC-721 camera mounted to the underside of its airframe, the Blade 200 QX is ready for flight. Also shown are the included battery and battery charger, as well as a full set of spare propellers and tools for assembling and disassembling the aircraft.

of additional 800-mAh 30C E-flite® batteries we purchased to expedite our testing.

So, your batteries may eventually end up looking like overstuffed pillows suitable for the Papa Smurf’s groovy crash pad, but who cares?

They’re cheap to replace and you’ll have had plenty of fun along the way — and looked good doing so.

Like its Big Brother, the 200 QX features a swept, FPV-style limb configuration. Originally developed to provide forward-mounted cameras a view unobstructed by motors and rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

The Blade 200 QX arrives swaddled in a gorgeous box, well protected by sturdy styrofoam inserts to ensure that all of its components arrive safely. It also includes an excellent manual: detailed and clearly written with helpful illustrations.

propellers, this configuration less relevant on quads like the 350 QX and the 200 QX, which carry their cameras slung underneath the airframe — but it still looks cool.

The aircraft’s sleek appearance is enhanced with an internal battery compartment covered by a removable hatch, which minimizes dangling wires and also provides additional protection for the battery.

A LA MODES Most multirotor flight control systems that do not include GPS have

two operating modes. They go by different names depending on the manufacturer, but basically they boil down to whether or not the controller limits how far you can pitch and roll the aircraft and whether or not the aircraft levels itself when you let up on the sticks.

This “limited” or “stability” mode is the preferred choice of camera ship pilots and pretty much everybody else who isn’t interested in doing flips and rolls with their bird. Turn off those limits and you’re flying in “acrobatic” mode — allowing you to RC-SF.COM

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tiny Estes Proto-X which we reviewed in the April 2014 issue of RC Sport Flyer, it is capable of putting on some serious speed quickly, even in its most restrictive flight mode.

rotate the aircraft through a full 360 degrees of pitch and roll. It’s definitely an option that should be reserved for experienced pilots with a stockpile of spare parts on hand.

The 200 QX changes up this fundamental paradigm by giving pilots access to three modes: acro, plus two levels of stabilized performance.

The default flight mode is the most stable, which will probably feel a little sluggish to experienced multirotor pilots, but is a good choice if you’re flying FPV or trying to capture aerial video.

The intermediate mode allows you

to make some aggressive maneuvers with the aircraft, but still leaves curbs in place so your quad doesn’t end up inverted while you’re throwing it around the sky.

Changing back and forth between modes is as easy as flipping a switch.

The aircraft has plenty of power in all three modes to fly outdoors, even in moderate wind.

To me, it seems like having these different modes available would make the 200 QX a good trainer for new pilots. However, Horizon rates it as an “Intermediate” difficulty aircraft.

I suspect this is because, like the

This un-retouched image, captured with the EFC-721, shows the limitations of this inexpensive $49 camera. In particular, notice the wavy distortions in the red, vertical posts in the foreground at the left side of the image. The posts are actually straight — their appearance in this image is due to “Jello” caused by vibration from the aircraft affecting the camera’s rolling shutter.

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LIKE A FLYING R2-D2 One thing to say about the 200 QX is it isn’t shy — you’ll pretty much always know what it’s “thinking.”

Thanks to its integrated LED lighting array and a large vocabulary of chirps and beeps, it seems almost eager to emit. There is a lot happening inside this bird’s brain, all of it calculated to make your flying experience as safe and fun as possible.

Starting with the basics, it has LEDs in each translucent limb to help you determine aircraft orientation, with red lights forward and green lights aft.

These didn’t really stand out during daylight operations, but they are very distinct when flying at night.

Next, at the rear of the fuselage is a large LED that changes color depending on your flight mode: green for maximum stability, blue for relaxed stability and red for acro. This light is steady during normal operations, but if it loses connection with your transmitter, it starts to blink.

The 200 QX also has what we referred to as “crash-recovery” mode.

If the aircraft goes in hard, it starts beeping loudly and the large LED at the rear of the aircraft flashes white — presumably to help you find it in tall grass or other difficult environments.

The stylish Blade 200 QX was designed to be a “Little Brother” to the Horizon 350 QX. The 350 QX was the company’s first foray into purposebuilt multirotor aerial camera platforms. Meant to compete with the DJI Phantom, the 350 QX includes a GPS-enabled flight control system and a mount for a GoPro Hero3 camera. The 200 QX retains some of these fundamental capabilities, but at a lower price and in a smaller package. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

EYE SEE YOU

If the 200 QX has a weakness, it’s the EFC721 camera. It shoots 720p highdefinition video and 1.3 megapixel still images. While its specifications are underwhelming by modern standards, the EFC-721 fails to deliver even on those modest promises. The camera mount is made of rigid plastic, which does an effective job of transferring vibrations from the airframe to the camera, where a rolling shutter transforms it into the rippling visual artifact.

Furthermore, there is a watermark embedded in all of the video files captured by the camera, referring viewers to www.pegasusimaging.com.

The camera has its own internal battery, charged by means of an included mini-USB cable. It records to a micro-SD card, purchased separately.

The manual indicates it will work with cards up to 32 GB. However, we found

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

the camera did not function correctly with several different 32 GB cards we tried: we were able to capture still photographs, but not video.

For a couple of bucks each, we picked up two 8 GB cards at the far ends of the speed spectrum: U1 and Class 4. Both worked fine.

Horizon did one cool thing with the EFC-721: they included a cable that allows you to connect it to the receiver in the 200 QX. By flipping a switch on your radio, you can tell the camera to capture video or still photographs, and change back and forth between the two — all while the aircraft is flying.

An LED blinks to confirm the camera is working properly.

To be fair, the EFC-721 is an optional accessory, not part of the base 200 QX kit. It’s great way to start playing around with aerial video and re-live your flights afterward.

Length : 142 mm Width : 142 mm Height : 90 mm Weight : 193.5 g Motors : 20 mm 3000 Kv brushless Propellers : 4.45 in.

Battery : 7.4-volt 20C 800-mAh LiPo Flight Duration : 5 – 7 minutes Receiver : DSM2/DSMX Flight Controller : Horizon Hobby SAFE Price : $229.99 (BLH7780)

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The E-flite EFC-721 camera, slung below the fuselage of the Blade 200 QX, is capable of capturing 720p high-definition video as well as 1.3 megapixel still images. The servo lead allows the camera to receive signals from the pilot to change modes, as well as capture video or photographs.

SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

FINAL ANALYSIS Robust and agile, the Blade 200 QX has a lot of hidden features that make it an exceptional aircraft. We anticipate seeing additional strong entries from Horizon in the multirotor category over the coming year.

Delivering all that performance will likely send the batteries you use with this aircraft into early retirement, but you’ll be having too much fun to care. The EFC-721 camera feels like an afterthought and will not produce professional quality video, but it adds a whole new dimension to RC flying.

Although it is not well-suited for a novice RC pilot, the 200 QX would be ideal for a more experienced pilot with a limited budget who wants to begin exploring multirotors and

aerial video systems, and for current multirotor pilots who want to keep their skills sharp, learn acrobatic flying, or tinker with adding FPV capability to a small airframe.

DISTRIBUTOR

This aircraft is so smart it will even help you avoid making some boneheaded mistakes. For example, the motors won’t start in acro mode. They require you to get airborne in one of its auto-leveling modes, to avoid the very real danger of an immediate flip and crash upon takeoff. Also, it won’t allow the motors to start if the aircraft is upside down.

It will also alert you to a lowbattery condition by beeping and flashing its lights. However, this isn’t a simple binary indicator like a typical LiPo buzzer. The beeping and flashing actually gets faster and faster as your battery gets lower and lower, which is a nice feature. However, given the heavy demand this aircraft puts on its battery, I’d suggest landing as soon as you receive this warning.

So, not only does the 200 QX have a lot to say, it’s usually worth your time to listen.

Video resolution : 720p HD Still resolution : 1.3 megapixels Audio recording : Internal microphone Storage : MicroSD Weight : 15 g Battery : 3.7-volt 150-mAh internal Charging : Mini-USB cable

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DHC-2 BEAVER 30CC ARF A BUSH PLANE TO GET YOU IN AND OUT OF ANY AIRFIELD

BY STAFF

The Hangar 9 deHavilland Beaver is an impressive machine in the air. The Evolution 33 engine delivers plenty of power for you to fly this model like an Alaskan bush pilot!

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T

he DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver is without question an iconic bush airplane. It is almost worshipped by pilots who must make their living getting in and out of backcountry airfields or ungroomed sites. Its original nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney, 450 horsepower radial engine would send chills up and down any true bush pilot’s spine because its sound truly represented lots of power on tap; and, it still does!

Beavers were designed to provide short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance. They are capable to being fitted with wheels, floats, and skis. The Beaver was also designed to have full-size doors so that it

would be capable of carrying a 55-gallon drum — gasoline, oil, etc. for backcountry vehicles. Note that the airplane is an all-metal aircraft too, so it is built to take some bumps and bruises, but without severe damage that would otherwise limit is flyability.

Now, the DHC-2 is used for just about any kind of flying, including taking passengers and packages into areas they would otherwise not be able to reach. The Beaver is now produced by the Viking company, which offers it as DHC-2T Turbo Beaver, which has a gross takeoff weight of 6,000 pounds.

This history combined, with the quality of Hangar 9 kits, had us

wanting to review this 33-cc gaspowered, 110-inch wingspan Beaver.

It just has nostalgia and performance written all over its nine-cylinder cowl.

FEATURES • Scale outline and appearance • Scale doors, with spring-loaded latches • Corrugated scale surface detailing • Instrument panel and seat details • Laser-cut wood construction • Two-piece, plug-in wings and stabilizers • Aluminum tube joiner • Quick-connect/disconnect struts • Painted aluminum landing gear with fiberglass fairings

At a wingspan of 110 inches, the Beaver presents well in the air. Once it’s in the sky, you’ll discover that it flies and handles like a large-scale, gas-powered airplane. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

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HANGAR 9 DHC-2 BEAVER 30CC ARF

• Scale color UltraCote® covering • Painted fiberglass cowl with dummy engine • Ready for Evolution® 33GX gaspowered engine • Adjustable EP motor box included • Preassembled fuel tank • Complete hardware package • Functional flaps • Hangar 9® 1/4-scale floats (optional) NEEDED TO COMPLETE • Gas Setup • 33-cc Evolution engine • Propeller 18 x 8 wood (BOLD) • 6-channel-plus transmitter • 6-channel receiver, min.

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This is a very complete ARF. You’ll get everything you need, with the exception of the engine/motor, servos, receiver, and battery packs.

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The wings are very well made. They are typical Hangar 9 quality, as is the hardware that comes with them. The servo installation is easy as these wings have been designed.

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Evolution provides you everything you need to get the engine into service, minus an ignition battery. They even produce you with fuel tubing and tank clunk.

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We bought Spektrum high-voltage digital servos four our Beaver. You’ll need extensions, long arms, a couple of switches, LiPo batteries, and a receiver.

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You’ll want to buy the AR9010 DSM-X receiver for your Beaver. It will fit under the pilot’s seat easily, so it will be hidden from sight.

The satellite attaches to the fuselage’s side. twitter.com/rcsportflyer

• 7 Spektrum A6150 digital servos • 7 heavy duty servo extensions • Ignition, Spektrum 2S 2000-mAh LiPo • Receiver, Spektrum 2S 2000-mAh LiPo • 2 power switches • 2 large servo arms • Battery charger

pushed all the way up. It also delivers steep approaches when the flaps are extended fully, which is about an 80-degree angle. Plus, roll control is quite good, so you can make those tight turns that would be required when flying up river canyons and around tight airfields. All around, this is an impressive bush plane.

What we found is it that it takes to the air quickly when the power is applied. You’ll want to stay on the rudder control until the tail gets up and the model is flying. The tailwheel does, however, do its job quite nicely until the model’s tail is up. The DeHavilland DHC-2 needs about 150 feet of ground roll to get airborne,

BUSH PILOT As a scale RC model, the Evolution 33-cc-powered DHC-2 is every bit a bush pilot’s airplane. It has good STOL performance due to the thick, high-lift airfoil wing that is fitted with flaps and ailerons. The DHC-2 climbs aggressively when the power is

unless you apply full power and just yank it off the deck, in which case you can probably shorten that takeoff to about 100 feet. We found the stalls are quite gentle, with both power on and off — the model does drop its left wing just a bit, however, during the stall. Stalls recovery requires about 50 feet of altitude, and you’ll just let it fall through the stall, apply power, and then pull back on the control stick. It does not snap roll or such out of the stall. Loops are easy as well; you’ll just need to apply full power and pull the model up and over the top of the loop, pulling the power back as the model comes out of the loop.

We had our Spektrum 9X transmitter

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The tank gets glued into the motor box with silicone glue. You’ll use your finger as a trowel to smooth the application of the glue around the tank’s perimeter.

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This is what our engine installation looked like when complete. Notice how the fuel tubing and wires are tied out of harm’s way.

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Here is another view of the engine installation. We moved the ignition battery after this photo to be under the cockpit’s instrumentation panel.

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You need to cut a hole in the fuselage behind the cowl large enough to accommodate the engine’s muffler pipes. We used a Dremel for this step.

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I used a Dremel tool, with a cutter bit, to cut an opening in the simulated engine cyclinders. It gets glued into the cowl once it is cut to fit the engine.

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HANGAR 9 DHC-2 BEAVER 30CC ARF

The Beaver is a very good scale representation of the full-scale airplane.

We’re making a “high-speed” pass for the photos during this pass. The Bold propeller works extremely well on this model.

programmed with about a 10 percent down elevator-to-flap compensation for slow-speed approaches. It was not quite enough, so we suggest about 12 percent for half-flap settings and 15 percent for full-flap landings.

You’ll find that when you put the flaps down, the model slows quite noticeably. We recommend you definitely keep at least 10 percent power applied until just before the wheels touch, or alternately, you’ll want to make a steep approach to the landing with a flare just before the wheels touch the grass or pavement.

Note that the wheels will let you

Again, you can see the nearly dead-on scale outline of this model as it makes a pass for the camera. You should know that the model’s tail wheel is very effective during ground handling.

fly this airplane off either grass or pavement, but we think the grass must be short and well groomed.

Larger main wheels will make it a real bush machine. And, a set of Hangar 9 floats would be absolutely awesome!

Note that we did not try to roll the model or do any radical aerobatics.

This model just doesn’t seem to be designed for that type of flying, even though we’re more than confident that its airframe would handle such.

Rather, we opted to fly this model in a scale-like manner, using throttle management to do scale maneuvers and touch-and-go landings.

HANGAR DEBRIEF In terms of scale-like performance, the Hangar 9 DHC-2 30-cc-powered Beaver is an outstanding model. We found that it does not have any bad flying habits, and it just has that largescale airplane feel in the air.

We definitely like that it has big flaps that you can drop for takeoffs and hang all the way out for very steep, minimum power approaches.

The Evolution 33-cc engine took a bit of hand flipping to get running on the cool fall morning of the test flights, however, it was not broken in as yet. After its first start the restarts

We added a 1/4-scale pilot to our model to give it more realism when in flight. The civilian pilot figure is from iflytailies.com

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This is how the engine gets fastened to the motor box. You can also see how the fuel tank’s business end extends through the box’s opening.

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The is how our cowl looked when it was installed on the motor. Notice you must cut the simulated engine cylinders to fit the carburator.

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All the doors in this ARF come with spring-loaded latches installed. To open a door, you simply push down on the outside lever and pull.

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The model’s tailwheel assembly is very well designed. It provides excellent ground handling, too. It will take a bit of adjusting to get it tracking straight on the model, however.

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Look closely at this photo to see how Hangar 9 has designed the elevator’s control rods. They are easy to adjust in throw and alignment between left and right halves.

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You’ll will discover that the Beaver has a very scale-like handling and performance; albeit, the climb performance is probably like the turbine engine powered versions. rc-sportflyer.tumblr.com

We think the Hangar 9 DHC-2 Beaver has that brute-force look that made the full-scale airplane so popular with bush pilots the world over. Your model will deliver a lively performance too.

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HANGAR 9 DHC-2 BEAVER 30CC ARF

were easy. The engine delivers plenty of thrust for this airplane too, especially when it is combined with the 17 x 8 wooden Bold™ propeller.

Then too the Spektrum servos, in combination with the AR9000 receiver, delivered absolutely excellent control resolution. We also like that they were all high-voltage, so no voltage regulator was required — nice feature!

If you are wondering if we think this model is worth the Horizon Hobby price, we’d have to say you get a lot of airplane and hardware with this almost-ready-to-fly kit.

If you want an electric-powered version, Hangar 9 offers it as a Power 160-powered version too. We like our gas-powered version!

CONTROL THROWS (IN.) AILERONS ELEVATOR RUDDER FLAPS

Low (up - down) 5/8 - 9/16 (10% expo) +/- 13/16 (10% expo) 16/16 (15% expo) 1-7/16 in. (mid)

High (up - down) 13/16 - 3/4 (10% expo) 16/16 (10% expo) 1-1/4 (15% expo) 2-13/16 (full)

SPECIFICATIONS

Center of Gravity 3-3/8 to 4-1/8 in. behind leading edge of wing Demo Flight http://youtu.be/GthSWmhQbUQ

Wingspan : 110 in. (280 cm) Length : 66.0 in (168 cm) Wing area : 1485 in.2 (95.8 dm2) Weight : 16.5 – 17.25 lb (7.5-8.3 kg) Engine size : OS 33-cc 2-stroke gas Propeller : 17 x 8 – 18 x 8 (BOLD used) Spinner : 1-in. hub Transmitter : Spektrum DX-9 Receiver : Spektrum AR9010 Ignition battery : Spektrum 2S 2000-mAh LiPo Receiver battery : Spektrum 2S 2000-mAh LiPo Flaps : Yes Radio : 5+ channel radio system Covering : UltraCote White Motor size : Power 160 Speed Control : 80-amp brushless Battery : 37.0-volt 10S 5000-mAh LiPo pack (for electric only)

Bold Propellers

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DISTRIBUTOR

SUPPLIER

Price : $699.99 (HAN4545) Horizon Hobby 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 Phone: 217-352-1913 Horizonhobby.com

RC SPORT FLYER . NOVEMBER 2014

BUILD Building the Hangar 9 Beaver is done nearly as per the instruction manual.

We started the build with the airplane’s wings, then the elevators, and next the rudder. The wings’ servo installations went exactly as per the instruction manual. There was absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

You’ll need to bind a receiver and set all the servos’ arms per the manual before you can adjust the controls’ linkages, however. The flap linkages’ installation is a bit different in that they are inside the wing, but the manual details how to do it well. Where the servo wires extensions’ connectors mate, we secured them against disconnect with dental floss tied around them. The knot was secured with a micro drop of cyanoacrylate glue.

Also, there is nothing special about the elevators’ servo installations.

The servos are in the fuselage with pushrods running to the back of the airplane. You’ll need to adjust the elevators’ control linkages as per the instruction manual — again, the install is straightforward. The same applies to the rudder’s pull-pull cables. Note, however, that we covered the cables’ crimps, at their servo ends, to keep the cables from binding on each other. We used heat shrink tubing to cover them, and it works very well too.

Once we had the servos installed for the wings, elevator, and rudder, we moved onto the motor box. The motor box is a simple build, and the manual explains it exactly. The pre-assembled fuel tank gets glued into the motor box with silicone as well. All was done as per the manual up to this point.

Note that the box that receives the motor box needed to be sanded a bit to get the motor box to fit into it. It was a very tight fit. Once we had it in place, we followed the instructions for gluing it into the airplane.

Then we started mounting the engine, which had been pre-fitted to the motor box. Note the motor gets installed in the airplane inverted, with the muffler’s pipes exiting the bottom of the fuselage just behind the cowl.

This is a bit tricky to get right. So, we recommend you measure twice and cut once. The manual just tells you to cut a hole at the appropriate position in the bottom of the fuselage. We suggest

you mount the muffler to the motor box before the box is glued into the fuselage. Then measure the exhaust pipe exit points relative to the front of the motor box. By doing so, you can then measure the proper spot on the fuselage for cutting the opening. You’ll also need to know that the opening must be large enough in depth to let you install the engine and muffler once the motor box is glued into place. This part of the build is a bit challenging, but not something you can’t do with a bit of patience and good measuring.

You’ll want to look at the accompanying photos for how we routed the fuel tubing, which is somewhat modified from how the manual calls it out. Be certain to secure the fuel tubing against movement inside the cowl with plastic wire ties.

Also, we recommend you protect the ignition wire with some foam packing material and attach it to the side of the fuselage with the ignition module.

Note we show the ignition battery mounted atop the motor box. In our opinion this turns out to be a poor place to mount the battery because it is nearly impossible to charge in this position without removing the cowl.

Instead, we mounted the ignition battery on the right side of the cockpit, underneath the instrument panel and in a vertical position. Alternately, you could buy an extension for the battery’s balance port, such that you could charge it in the manuals location.

The receiver and its battery were installed as per the manual. They fit well as detailed in the manual, as did the model’s ignition and receiver switch.

We followed the programming instructions as per the manual. The recommended settings are very flyable, with the exception that we’ve made changes to the flap-to-elevator compensation to eliminate airplane’s pitch changes as flaps are applied. Also, we set a three-second flap deployment time, so that the model transitions to slow flight without its nose pitching up or down. We recommend you do the same.

That is about all there is to the build, but it will require about 30 hours to assemble, if not a bit more.

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©2014 Horizon Hobby, LLC. Serious Fun and the Horizon Hobby logo are registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, LLC. The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. 44118

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