Worth a Closer Look
14 MODEL AVIATION
BVM Bombs and EZ-DROP System
Delivering an
inert weapon
(practice bomb)
on a simulated
ground target from
a high-angle dive
can be challenging
and great fun,
especially if you
are competing
against your
buddies for
accuracy.
Dropping bombs
has been done in Scale
competition to some degree,
but by relatively few RC
pilots.
Bob Violett Models
thought more modelers would
get involved if the necessary
equipment was available,
inexpensive, repairable, and easy to install and use. The company
has developed these components and now offers a complete “bomb
for fun” system. (These are not pyrotechnic devices.)
The bombs are in kit form, consisting of vacuum-formed halves
with a balsa keel and formers, laser-cut Poly Ply tail fins, and a
foam-filled nose cone. Each bomb is 2.5 inches in diameter, 11
inches long, and weighs 2.5 ounces.
The bombs can take a 150+ mph impact on hard turf (not
pavement) and not break. There are no guarantees, of course, but
after many practice drops we found that except for paint scratches,
the BVM bombs are extremely durable.
Plan for roughly a half hour to assemble each bomb, and add
paint if you want; Tamiya has great dark-green colors. Then you
can apply white primer
to the aft section and
spray with fluorescent
orange, red, or yellow
to help you spot them
in the grass.
Many BVM jets
have pylon kits available that
will contain the air-operated
EZ-DROP bomb-release
mechanism. The company
now offers a quick-toassemble
(no paint required)
pair of pylons for its KingCat.
It is possible to adapt one of
these two sizes to other models
too.
These accessories are intended for fairly experienced pilots.
Please be careful about where you toss the bombs; they are
lightweight, and the rubber stopper is intended to blunt off-target
impact. Extra rubber stoppers are available if you lose them.
The bomb kit is $52.95 for a pair. A complete KingCat pylon
package (including EZ-DROPs, air valves with a laser-cut servo
mount, and pylons with all hardware) is $148.50. BVM also
carries the expandable foam, which is required inside the bombs’
noses, for $12.30 (16 ounces).
Bob Violett Models, Inc.: 3481 SR 419, Winter Springs FL
32708; Tel.: (407) 327-6333; Web site: www.bvmjets.com
Tiger 400 ARF
The Tiger
400 ARF is
Carl Goldberg
Products’
airplane for the
pilot who is
ready for a step
above electric
trainers. Shrinking
the larger Tiger 2’s
low-wing tail-dragger
configuration, the Tiger
400’s long tail moment,
shallow dihedral, and clean airfoil make for a
smooth aerobatic model. Loops and rolls are clean
and precise, and inverted flight is easy and stable.
The kit includes a complete hardware package, including a
propeller, a spinner, wheels, a 400-size motor, and gear drive.
The Tiger 400 is preassembled from machined and laser-cut
wood and comes precovered. Its built-up wing and fuselage
help keep it lightweight for longer flights and better
performance.
This model spans 39 inches, has a wing area of 297 square
inches, and weighs 500 grams ready to fly. It requires a battery
pack and a four-channel radio system with four microservos.
The Tiger 400’s retail price is $99.99.
Carl Goldberg Products: Box 818, Oakwood GA 30566;
Tel.: (678) 450-0085; Web site: www.carlgoldbergproducts.com
Fuji BT-64EI Engine
With its innovative electronic
ignition system, Fuji developed the
BT-64EI with an Automatic
Timing Module (ATM)
and a spring starter,
which is an important
consideration for
weight-conscious
fliers!
The ATM
controller box
is vibrationproof
and
moistureproof.
The
BT-64EI
includes a
Walbro
carburetor, a
direct linkage
throttle setup, an
insulating plate, a
regulating pump, and a Champion spark plug.
This engine weighs 4.74 pounds with muffler and has a
displacement of 63.1cc, a practical rpm range of 1,300-7,200, and
a horsepower rating of 5.7 at 9,000 rpm.
The Fuji BT-64EI has a street price of $539.99.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.fujiengines.com
10sig1.QXD 7/23/04 12:50 pm Page 14
October 2004 15
Li’l Rascal ARF
Sig’s new Li’l Rascal ARF
takes park flying to a whole
new level. With a tiny 29.75-
inch-span wing and 180
geared electric motor, this
model is compact enough to
take when you have a minute
or two—whether it’s
lunchtime, a coffee break, or
the early morning—to
squeeze in your favorite
pastime.
The Li’l Rascal builds
fast—in as few as two to
three hours. This quick build
time is made possible by a
low parts count, a one-piece
preassembled wing, and a
factory installed motor/
gearbox.
However, this is no toy
airplane. The sturdy allbalsa/
plywood
construction
makes it light,
yet capable of
handling
rough
landings. This
built-up wood
construction is
handassembled
and
comes
precovered
with iron-on
Oracover in Sig’s classic Rascal motif, which is available in two
color choices: red/white and blue/white.
The Li’l Rascal is a great
deal of fun for an airplane
this size. Fly it in typical
small areas and even in
moderate wind conditions.
Full aerobatic maneuvers
(Loops, Barrel Rolls, etc.)
are possible with typical
rudder/elevator movements,
and this model is extremely
stable and easy to fly.
Run times of 10 minutes
or longer are typical with
good throttle management. A
typical flight will give you at
least a good six minutes of
spirited flight time.
The Li’l Rascal has a
wing area of 134 square
inches and a flying weight of
8.5-9.5 ounces (depending
on the battery pack you
choose). The test model
weighed 8.9 ounces. Power
comes from the included
Speed 180 motor,
which drives a 2.9:1
gearbox.
To finish the kit,
you’ll need
cyanoacrylate glue,
a seven-cell battery
(300 mAh NiMH is
recommended), and
a typical threechannel
micro radio
system with two
microservos. A GWS Naro system was used with the review
model.
The Li’l Rascal ARF has a street price of $153.99.
Sig Manufacturing Co., Inc.: Box 520, Montezuma IA 50171;
Tel.: (641) 623-0215; Web site: www.sigmfg.com MA
10sig1.QXD 7/23/04 12:51 pm Page 15
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/10
Page Numbers: 14,15
Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/10
Page Numbers: 14,15
Worth a Closer Look
14 MODEL AVIATION
BVM Bombs and EZ-DROP System
Delivering an
inert weapon
(practice bomb)
on a simulated
ground target from
a high-angle dive
can be challenging
and great fun,
especially if you
are competing
against your
buddies for
accuracy.
Dropping bombs
has been done in Scale
competition to some degree,
but by relatively few RC
pilots.
Bob Violett Models
thought more modelers would
get involved if the necessary
equipment was available,
inexpensive, repairable, and easy to install and use. The company
has developed these components and now offers a complete “bomb
for fun” system. (These are not pyrotechnic devices.)
The bombs are in kit form, consisting of vacuum-formed halves
with a balsa keel and formers, laser-cut Poly Ply tail fins, and a
foam-filled nose cone. Each bomb is 2.5 inches in diameter, 11
inches long, and weighs 2.5 ounces.
The bombs can take a 150+ mph impact on hard turf (not
pavement) and not break. There are no guarantees, of course, but
after many practice drops we found that except for paint scratches,
the BVM bombs are extremely durable.
Plan for roughly a half hour to assemble each bomb, and add
paint if you want; Tamiya has great dark-green colors. Then you
can apply white primer
to the aft section and
spray with fluorescent
orange, red, or yellow
to help you spot them
in the grass.
Many BVM jets
have pylon kits available that
will contain the air-operated
EZ-DROP bomb-release
mechanism. The company
now offers a quick-toassemble
(no paint required)
pair of pylons for its KingCat.
It is possible to adapt one of
these two sizes to other models
too.
These accessories are intended for fairly experienced pilots.
Please be careful about where you toss the bombs; they are
lightweight, and the rubber stopper is intended to blunt off-target
impact. Extra rubber stoppers are available if you lose them.
The bomb kit is $52.95 for a pair. A complete KingCat pylon
package (including EZ-DROPs, air valves with a laser-cut servo
mount, and pylons with all hardware) is $148.50. BVM also
carries the expandable foam, which is required inside the bombs’
noses, for $12.30 (16 ounces).
Bob Violett Models, Inc.: 3481 SR 419, Winter Springs FL
32708; Tel.: (407) 327-6333; Web site: www.bvmjets.com
Tiger 400 ARF
The Tiger
400 ARF is
Carl Goldberg
Products’
airplane for the
pilot who is
ready for a step
above electric
trainers. Shrinking
the larger Tiger 2’s
low-wing tail-dragger
configuration, the Tiger
400’s long tail moment,
shallow dihedral, and clean airfoil make for a
smooth aerobatic model. Loops and rolls are clean
and precise, and inverted flight is easy and stable.
The kit includes a complete hardware package, including a
propeller, a spinner, wheels, a 400-size motor, and gear drive.
The Tiger 400 is preassembled from machined and laser-cut
wood and comes precovered. Its built-up wing and fuselage
help keep it lightweight for longer flights and better
performance.
This model spans 39 inches, has a wing area of 297 square
inches, and weighs 500 grams ready to fly. It requires a battery
pack and a four-channel radio system with four microservos.
The Tiger 400’s retail price is $99.99.
Carl Goldberg Products: Box 818, Oakwood GA 30566;
Tel.: (678) 450-0085; Web site: www.carlgoldbergproducts.com
Fuji BT-64EI Engine
With its innovative electronic
ignition system, Fuji developed the
BT-64EI with an Automatic
Timing Module (ATM)
and a spring starter,
which is an important
consideration for
weight-conscious
fliers!
The ATM
controller box
is vibrationproof
and
moistureproof.
The
BT-64EI
includes a
Walbro
carburetor, a
direct linkage
throttle setup, an
insulating plate, a
regulating pump, and a Champion spark plug.
This engine weighs 4.74 pounds with muffler and has a
displacement of 63.1cc, a practical rpm range of 1,300-7,200, and
a horsepower rating of 5.7 at 9,000 rpm.
The Fuji BT-64EI has a street price of $539.99.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.fujiengines.com
10sig1.QXD 7/23/04 12:50 pm Page 14
October 2004 15
Li’l Rascal ARF
Sig’s new Li’l Rascal ARF
takes park flying to a whole
new level. With a tiny 29.75-
inch-span wing and 180
geared electric motor, this
model is compact enough to
take when you have a minute
or two—whether it’s
lunchtime, a coffee break, or
the early morning—to
squeeze in your favorite
pastime.
The Li’l Rascal builds
fast—in as few as two to
three hours. This quick build
time is made possible by a
low parts count, a one-piece
preassembled wing, and a
factory installed motor/
gearbox.
However, this is no toy
airplane. The sturdy allbalsa/
plywood
construction
makes it light,
yet capable of
handling
rough
landings. This
built-up wood
construction is
handassembled
and
comes
precovered
with iron-on
Oracover in Sig’s classic Rascal motif, which is available in two
color choices: red/white and blue/white.
The Li’l Rascal is a great
deal of fun for an airplane
this size. Fly it in typical
small areas and even in
moderate wind conditions.
Full aerobatic maneuvers
(Loops, Barrel Rolls, etc.)
are possible with typical
rudder/elevator movements,
and this model is extremely
stable and easy to fly.
Run times of 10 minutes
or longer are typical with
good throttle management. A
typical flight will give you at
least a good six minutes of
spirited flight time.
The Li’l Rascal has a
wing area of 134 square
inches and a flying weight of
8.5-9.5 ounces (depending
on the battery pack you
choose). The test model
weighed 8.9 ounces. Power
comes from the included
Speed 180 motor,
which drives a 2.9:1
gearbox.
To finish the kit,
you’ll need
cyanoacrylate glue,
a seven-cell battery
(300 mAh NiMH is
recommended), and
a typical threechannel
micro radio
system with two
microservos. A GWS Naro system was used with the review
model.
The Li’l Rascal ARF has a street price of $153.99.
Sig Manufacturing Co., Inc.: Box 520, Montezuma IA 50171;
Tel.: (641) 623-0215; Web site: www.sigmfg.com MA
10sig1.QXD 7/23/04 12:51 pm Page 15