80 MODEL AVIATION
THIS MONTH’S column is the second part
of what I wrote for the December 2005 issue;
it will center on electric-powered RC models.
I had originally intended to include text about
and photos of George Sauer’s electricpowered
Senior Telemaster with material
about the foamie 3-D models and comments
on outrunners, but I ran out of space.
This month I’ll share some spectacular
computer-graphic-generated flight shots and
general information about a delightful large
electric conversion.
Telemaster History: The first Hobby Lobby
Senior Telemaster advertisement I can find
was published in the October 1972 Model
Airplane News, and it claimed “Change of
Pace kits from Germany.” The ad mentioned
that although the model could be flown with
rudder only, for full effect fliers should use
four channels, including the supplied
ailerons.
Although the Telemaster spanned 95
inches, the recommended engine was a .45-
60, “ … which is plenty of engine for a plane
with such huge lifting capability,” the ad
read. “This plane has been used in Germany
to string cables over valleys, for aerial
photography, and as an R/C glider tug.”
The ad also read, “Sufficient nylon
covering material is included to make the
‘Senior Telemaster’ as indestructible as an
R/C model can be made.”
This design has been in continuous
production for 33 years, putting it in a class
with Sig’s 1/12-scale Cub as one of the
longest-running production RC kits of all
time. Originally designed by Alex Engle and
Flying for Fun D.B. Mathews | [email protected]
Electrifying the Senior Telemaster
George Sauer with his electric-powered Hobby Lobby Senior Telemaster. George took
and/or generated all the photos featured in this month’s column.
An AXI 4130/20 motor pulls the
Telemaster off the ground quickly. The
model climbs briskly with flaps extended.
The Senior Telemaster’s beautiful transparent MicroLite covering looks appropriate for
what the author describes as “dreamlike” flight.
drawn by Joe Bridi, the Senior Telemaster has
undergone minor improvements during that
time.
During those many years several
manufacturers have produced the kit for
Hobby Lobby in Germany and the US, but
the airplane’s basic aerodynamic and
structural design has remained the same. Its
popularity owes to the fact that nearly every
older RC modeler probably has one in the
shop, used to have one, or has at least flown
one.
My remembrances of the Telemaster go
back at least 30 years, to one a flying buddy
used successfully as his initial trainer. He
essentially learned to fly the Telemaster
without an instructor’s help; it was that stable.
As the years go by I see more and more of
these super-stable, graceful, wonderfully
gentle models with huge engines stuffed in
their noses. Although a 120 four-stroke is
more than enough, I have to wonder when I
see heavy Zenoahs or Quadras hung on them.
The considerable increase in overall weight
leads to a much higher flying speed necessary
to maintain flight, which, in turn, requires a
0larger engine. It’s sort of a catch-22 with ugly
results.
The Telemaster is not intended to be a
fully aerobatic/hang-on-the-propeller design.
It is meant to fly using its built-in lift and
gently cruise around the patch in a manner
that is reminiscent of a full-scale lightplane.
Generally, if any kit’s builder/flier will
stick with the designer’s recommended
power plant, the resulting model will stay
within its design parameters and be much
more fun to fly. If you’re the kind of fullscale
flier who would stick a Merlin on the
nose of a Beechcraft Bonanza, be prepared to
spread aircraft parts across three counties just
before you die.
George Sauer’s electric-powered Senior
Telemaster illustrates my previous point. The
model would weigh a ton with a big AXI
4130/20 Outrunner motor driven by a pack of
14 Kokam Li-Poly cells of 2000 mAh
(7S2R), right? Wrong!
The complete ready-to-take-off model
weighs an astonishing 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
This gives it a wing loading of roughly 15
ounces per square foot, which is close to that
of a sport FF model or an Old-Timer design
converted to RC.
George’s Telemaster is covered with
MicroLite by Coverite, which is a light but
surprisingly brightly colored transparent
material. He built the model stock but did
vigorously sand all the sheet wood smooth
and was judicious with adhesives.
Pull-pull controls are used on the rudder
and elevator servos (which are Airtronics
94551s) using 1/2A Kevlar CL lines with
supplied nylon horns and screw clevises on
one end and home-bent soft wire loops on the
other end.
The speed controller is a Jeti Advance 77
opto. The motor is propped direct drive with
a 15 x 6 Zinger. This setup pulls 20 amps at
25 volts wide open (7,500 rpm), but the
model is flown at half throttle or less since it
climbs excessively at full throttle. The
batteries are charged with an AstroFlight 109
charger.
George and I fly together often—if you
want to call it that. We spend nearly as much
time at the flying field discussing modeling
as we do flying, but what great fun it is!
George has equipped his Senior
Telemaster with flaps and flaperons mostly
just for kicks. Using the flaps on takeoff is
astounding. I swear the model takes off after
a short roll and ascends approximately 4 feet
for every foot traveled horizontally. It sort of
looks like an express elevator.
On the other hand, dropping the flaps on
final when landing lifts the nose high, and the
model settles in that attitude. It is essential
that power be added with the flaps down to
create a reasonable-looking landing.
Otherwise, the model hits the ground tail first
and then plops onto the mains.
The flaperons haven’t been used, or at
least not when I was watching. Considering
the model’s flight envelope, I wonder what
flaperons would add.
Watching George’s electrified Senior
Telemaster is a pure joy. It more closely
February 2006 81
With the Telemaster’s nose hatch off you can see Kokam battery packs and the motor.
George Sauer generated an unusual sequential look at the Telemaster’s landing approach
with computer graphics.
Dick Massey launches his Tribute electric-powered foamie in this composite photo that
George Sauer generated with computer graphics.
anything I’ve ever observed. It’s vastly
superior to most 1/4-scale Cubs, etc. that tend
to be too heavy and too overpowered to fly
realistically.
Perhaps I should explain that last
statement. Most large Scale lightplane models
are heavily structured because they have to be
able to withstand the vibration forces and heat
generated by their large internal-combustion
engines.
There is reciprocating mass which induces
vibration, but there is also the consideration
that things are exploding inside a wet-power
engine on every stroke. Then it’s necessary to
finish the model in heavy, fuelproof paint. All
of this contributes to weight that is
unnecessary when using a smooth-running
motor.
You may be wondering if I am suggesting
that motors are lighter per pound of thrust
than engines. Yes, as a matter of fact I am.
Ask a mechanical engineer about this
sometime.
I’d love to see someone build a 1/4-scale
Piper Cub for electric power and bring its
total weight in at 7 or 8 pounds instead of the
usual 15 or 16 pounds for a wet-powered
Cub. I’ll bet it would look and fly fine.
(Editor’s note: Send your mail on this subject
to D.B.—not us!)
The Telemaster in flight is rather ghostly
in some ways. The fact that it flies so
smoothly yet is nearly silent adds a dreamlike
quality to its flight envelope. Although it’s
much too large to be flown in school yards or
similar venues, its noise level would never
upset the neighbors.
I’ve probably upset you readers enough
for this month. But consider what George has
shown us with his remarkable Senior
Telemaster.
During one of our “visits” George
complained that his electric-powered P-40
was much too quiet when making high-speed
low passes. I had to agree with him; somehow
the silent whirr of the model seems nonscale.
Propeller-driven full-scale warbirds create
a wild amount of noise as they pass by. I once
attended Unlimited races where full-scale P-
51s, Bearcats, and Sea Furys were flown in
tight formation and close to the ground; the
noise levels approached pain.
Following that observation we concluded
that it might be time for someone to
manufacture a tiny recording device that
would add realistic sound to an electricpowered
model on demand. George’s P-40
needs the sound of a full-scale Allison engine
for effect.
For years we have fought to make our
models quiet. Now that we have the proper
technology, we want to add noise. Is that
weird or what? MA
(Editor’s note: Your prayers for the
proper “noise” to go along with your
electric-powered Scale models have been
answered. In fact they have been for the
past couple years. Radio Controlled
Models, Inc., or Ram, sells onboard sound
systems that feature acoustically recorded
and digitally reproduced engine sounds.
Each of Ram’s systems has a compact 1
x 21/2-inch circuit and a 2- or 3-inchdiameter
speaker. It is powered by a 9- to
18-volt battery and weighs 21/2-3 ounces.
The systems are complete with a switch for
servo control and a speaker amplifier box.
These sound systems are not intended for
use with ultrasmall models, but they are
easy to adapt to larger Scale and even
nonscale projects such as George’s
Telemaster.
The recordings are of an even engine
sound level so that there is a Doppler effect
as the model flies by. The installation of a
Ram sound system has to be adapted to the
construction and design of the particular
airplane you are going to use it in.
Now for the good part: there are four
aircraft sounds available. There is a typical
lightplane engine sound, which would
simulate a Lycoming or Continental power
plant; a Merlin engine sound, so Mustang
and Spitfire fans will be happy; a radialengine
sound which can be used on the
popular World War II Navy fighters and
models such as the P-47 Thunderbolt; and a
helicopter rotor sound.
For more information contact Ralph
Warner at Ram, 229 E. Rollins Rd., Round
Lake Beach IL 60073; Tel.: [847] 740-
8726; Fax: [847] 740-8727; Web site:
www.ramrcandramtrack.com.)
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/02
Page Numbers: 80.81.83
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/02
Page Numbers: 80.81.83
80 MODEL AVIATION
THIS MONTH’S column is the second part
of what I wrote for the December 2005 issue;
it will center on electric-powered RC models.
I had originally intended to include text about
and photos of George Sauer’s electricpowered
Senior Telemaster with material
about the foamie 3-D models and comments
on outrunners, but I ran out of space.
This month I’ll share some spectacular
computer-graphic-generated flight shots and
general information about a delightful large
electric conversion.
Telemaster History: The first Hobby Lobby
Senior Telemaster advertisement I can find
was published in the October 1972 Model
Airplane News, and it claimed “Change of
Pace kits from Germany.” The ad mentioned
that although the model could be flown with
rudder only, for full effect fliers should use
four channels, including the supplied
ailerons.
Although the Telemaster spanned 95
inches, the recommended engine was a .45-
60, “ … which is plenty of engine for a plane
with such huge lifting capability,” the ad
read. “This plane has been used in Germany
to string cables over valleys, for aerial
photography, and as an R/C glider tug.”
The ad also read, “Sufficient nylon
covering material is included to make the
‘Senior Telemaster’ as indestructible as an
R/C model can be made.”
This design has been in continuous
production for 33 years, putting it in a class
with Sig’s 1/12-scale Cub as one of the
longest-running production RC kits of all
time. Originally designed by Alex Engle and
Flying for Fun D.B. Mathews | [email protected]
Electrifying the Senior Telemaster
George Sauer with his electric-powered Hobby Lobby Senior Telemaster. George took
and/or generated all the photos featured in this month’s column.
An AXI 4130/20 motor pulls the
Telemaster off the ground quickly. The
model climbs briskly with flaps extended.
The Senior Telemaster’s beautiful transparent MicroLite covering looks appropriate for
what the author describes as “dreamlike” flight.
drawn by Joe Bridi, the Senior Telemaster has
undergone minor improvements during that
time.
During those many years several
manufacturers have produced the kit for
Hobby Lobby in Germany and the US, but
the airplane’s basic aerodynamic and
structural design has remained the same. Its
popularity owes to the fact that nearly every
older RC modeler probably has one in the
shop, used to have one, or has at least flown
one.
My remembrances of the Telemaster go
back at least 30 years, to one a flying buddy
used successfully as his initial trainer. He
essentially learned to fly the Telemaster
without an instructor’s help; it was that stable.
As the years go by I see more and more of
these super-stable, graceful, wonderfully
gentle models with huge engines stuffed in
their noses. Although a 120 four-stroke is
more than enough, I have to wonder when I
see heavy Zenoahs or Quadras hung on them.
The considerable increase in overall weight
leads to a much higher flying speed necessary
to maintain flight, which, in turn, requires a
0larger engine. It’s sort of a catch-22 with ugly
results.
The Telemaster is not intended to be a
fully aerobatic/hang-on-the-propeller design.
It is meant to fly using its built-in lift and
gently cruise around the patch in a manner
that is reminiscent of a full-scale lightplane.
Generally, if any kit’s builder/flier will
stick with the designer’s recommended
power plant, the resulting model will stay
within its design parameters and be much
more fun to fly. If you’re the kind of fullscale
flier who would stick a Merlin on the
nose of a Beechcraft Bonanza, be prepared to
spread aircraft parts across three counties just
before you die.
George Sauer’s electric-powered Senior
Telemaster illustrates my previous point. The
model would weigh a ton with a big AXI
4130/20 Outrunner motor driven by a pack of
14 Kokam Li-Poly cells of 2000 mAh
(7S2R), right? Wrong!
The complete ready-to-take-off model
weighs an astonishing 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
This gives it a wing loading of roughly 15
ounces per square foot, which is close to that
of a sport FF model or an Old-Timer design
converted to RC.
George’s Telemaster is covered with
MicroLite by Coverite, which is a light but
surprisingly brightly colored transparent
material. He built the model stock but did
vigorously sand all the sheet wood smooth
and was judicious with adhesives.
Pull-pull controls are used on the rudder
and elevator servos (which are Airtronics
94551s) using 1/2A Kevlar CL lines with
supplied nylon horns and screw clevises on
one end and home-bent soft wire loops on the
other end.
The speed controller is a Jeti Advance 77
opto. The motor is propped direct drive with
a 15 x 6 Zinger. This setup pulls 20 amps at
25 volts wide open (7,500 rpm), but the
model is flown at half throttle or less since it
climbs excessively at full throttle. The
batteries are charged with an AstroFlight 109
charger.
George and I fly together often—if you
want to call it that. We spend nearly as much
time at the flying field discussing modeling
as we do flying, but what great fun it is!
George has equipped his Senior
Telemaster with flaps and flaperons mostly
just for kicks. Using the flaps on takeoff is
astounding. I swear the model takes off after
a short roll and ascends approximately 4 feet
for every foot traveled horizontally. It sort of
looks like an express elevator.
On the other hand, dropping the flaps on
final when landing lifts the nose high, and the
model settles in that attitude. It is essential
that power be added with the flaps down to
create a reasonable-looking landing.
Otherwise, the model hits the ground tail first
and then plops onto the mains.
The flaperons haven’t been used, or at
least not when I was watching. Considering
the model’s flight envelope, I wonder what
flaperons would add.
Watching George’s electrified Senior
Telemaster is a pure joy. It more closely
February 2006 81
With the Telemaster’s nose hatch off you can see Kokam battery packs and the motor.
George Sauer generated an unusual sequential look at the Telemaster’s landing approach
with computer graphics.
Dick Massey launches his Tribute electric-powered foamie in this composite photo that
George Sauer generated with computer graphics.
anything I’ve ever observed. It’s vastly
superior to most 1/4-scale Cubs, etc. that tend
to be too heavy and too overpowered to fly
realistically.
Perhaps I should explain that last
statement. Most large Scale lightplane models
are heavily structured because they have to be
able to withstand the vibration forces and heat
generated by their large internal-combustion
engines.
There is reciprocating mass which induces
vibration, but there is also the consideration
that things are exploding inside a wet-power
engine on every stroke. Then it’s necessary to
finish the model in heavy, fuelproof paint. All
of this contributes to weight that is
unnecessary when using a smooth-running
motor.
You may be wondering if I am suggesting
that motors are lighter per pound of thrust
than engines. Yes, as a matter of fact I am.
Ask a mechanical engineer about this
sometime.
I’d love to see someone build a 1/4-scale
Piper Cub for electric power and bring its
total weight in at 7 or 8 pounds instead of the
usual 15 or 16 pounds for a wet-powered
Cub. I’ll bet it would look and fly fine.
(Editor’s note: Send your mail on this subject
to D.B.—not us!)
The Telemaster in flight is rather ghostly
in some ways. The fact that it flies so
smoothly yet is nearly silent adds a dreamlike
quality to its flight envelope. Although it’s
much too large to be flown in school yards or
similar venues, its noise level would never
upset the neighbors.
I’ve probably upset you readers enough
for this month. But consider what George has
shown us with his remarkable Senior
Telemaster.
During one of our “visits” George
complained that his electric-powered P-40
was much too quiet when making high-speed
low passes. I had to agree with him; somehow
the silent whirr of the model seems nonscale.
Propeller-driven full-scale warbirds create
a wild amount of noise as they pass by. I once
attended Unlimited races where full-scale P-
51s, Bearcats, and Sea Furys were flown in
tight formation and close to the ground; the
noise levels approached pain.
Following that observation we concluded
that it might be time for someone to
manufacture a tiny recording device that
would add realistic sound to an electricpowered
model on demand. George’s P-40
needs the sound of a full-scale Allison engine
for effect.
For years we have fought to make our
models quiet. Now that we have the proper
technology, we want to add noise. Is that
weird or what? MA
(Editor’s note: Your prayers for the
proper “noise” to go along with your
electric-powered Scale models have been
answered. In fact they have been for the
past couple years. Radio Controlled
Models, Inc., or Ram, sells onboard sound
systems that feature acoustically recorded
and digitally reproduced engine sounds.
Each of Ram’s systems has a compact 1
x 21/2-inch circuit and a 2- or 3-inchdiameter
speaker. It is powered by a 9- to
18-volt battery and weighs 21/2-3 ounces.
The systems are complete with a switch for
servo control and a speaker amplifier box.
These sound systems are not intended for
use with ultrasmall models, but they are
easy to adapt to larger Scale and even
nonscale projects such as George’s
Telemaster.
The recordings are of an even engine
sound level so that there is a Doppler effect
as the model flies by. The installation of a
Ram sound system has to be adapted to the
construction and design of the particular
airplane you are going to use it in.
Now for the good part: there are four
aircraft sounds available. There is a typical
lightplane engine sound, which would
simulate a Lycoming or Continental power
plant; a Merlin engine sound, so Mustang
and Spitfire fans will be happy; a radialengine
sound which can be used on the
popular World War II Navy fighters and
models such as the P-47 Thunderbolt; and a
helicopter rotor sound.
For more information contact Ralph
Warner at Ram, 229 E. Rollins Rd., Round
Lake Beach IL 60073; Tel.: [847] 740-
8726; Fax: [847] 740-8727; Web site:
www.ramrcandramtrack.com.)
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/02
Page Numbers: 80.81.83
80 MODEL AVIATION
THIS MONTH’S column is the second part
of what I wrote for the December 2005 issue;
it will center on electric-powered RC models.
I had originally intended to include text about
and photos of George Sauer’s electricpowered
Senior Telemaster with material
about the foamie 3-D models and comments
on outrunners, but I ran out of space.
This month I’ll share some spectacular
computer-graphic-generated flight shots and
general information about a delightful large
electric conversion.
Telemaster History: The first Hobby Lobby
Senior Telemaster advertisement I can find
was published in the October 1972 Model
Airplane News, and it claimed “Change of
Pace kits from Germany.” The ad mentioned
that although the model could be flown with
rudder only, for full effect fliers should use
four channels, including the supplied
ailerons.
Although the Telemaster spanned 95
inches, the recommended engine was a .45-
60, “ … which is plenty of engine for a plane
with such huge lifting capability,” the ad
read. “This plane has been used in Germany
to string cables over valleys, for aerial
photography, and as an R/C glider tug.”
The ad also read, “Sufficient nylon
covering material is included to make the
‘Senior Telemaster’ as indestructible as an
R/C model can be made.”
This design has been in continuous
production for 33 years, putting it in a class
with Sig’s 1/12-scale Cub as one of the
longest-running production RC kits of all
time. Originally designed by Alex Engle and
Flying for Fun D.B. Mathews | [email protected]
Electrifying the Senior Telemaster
George Sauer with his electric-powered Hobby Lobby Senior Telemaster. George took
and/or generated all the photos featured in this month’s column.
An AXI 4130/20 motor pulls the
Telemaster off the ground quickly. The
model climbs briskly with flaps extended.
The Senior Telemaster’s beautiful transparent MicroLite covering looks appropriate for
what the author describes as “dreamlike” flight.
drawn by Joe Bridi, the Senior Telemaster has
undergone minor improvements during that
time.
During those many years several
manufacturers have produced the kit for
Hobby Lobby in Germany and the US, but
the airplane’s basic aerodynamic and
structural design has remained the same. Its
popularity owes to the fact that nearly every
older RC modeler probably has one in the
shop, used to have one, or has at least flown
one.
My remembrances of the Telemaster go
back at least 30 years, to one a flying buddy
used successfully as his initial trainer. He
essentially learned to fly the Telemaster
without an instructor’s help; it was that stable.
As the years go by I see more and more of
these super-stable, graceful, wonderfully
gentle models with huge engines stuffed in
their noses. Although a 120 four-stroke is
more than enough, I have to wonder when I
see heavy Zenoahs or Quadras hung on them.
The considerable increase in overall weight
leads to a much higher flying speed necessary
to maintain flight, which, in turn, requires a
0larger engine. It’s sort of a catch-22 with ugly
results.
The Telemaster is not intended to be a
fully aerobatic/hang-on-the-propeller design.
It is meant to fly using its built-in lift and
gently cruise around the patch in a manner
that is reminiscent of a full-scale lightplane.
Generally, if any kit’s builder/flier will
stick with the designer’s recommended
power plant, the resulting model will stay
within its design parameters and be much
more fun to fly. If you’re the kind of fullscale
flier who would stick a Merlin on the
nose of a Beechcraft Bonanza, be prepared to
spread aircraft parts across three counties just
before you die.
George Sauer’s electric-powered Senior
Telemaster illustrates my previous point. The
model would weigh a ton with a big AXI
4130/20 Outrunner motor driven by a pack of
14 Kokam Li-Poly cells of 2000 mAh
(7S2R), right? Wrong!
The complete ready-to-take-off model
weighs an astonishing 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
This gives it a wing loading of roughly 15
ounces per square foot, which is close to that
of a sport FF model or an Old-Timer design
converted to RC.
George’s Telemaster is covered with
MicroLite by Coverite, which is a light but
surprisingly brightly colored transparent
material. He built the model stock but did
vigorously sand all the sheet wood smooth
and was judicious with adhesives.
Pull-pull controls are used on the rudder
and elevator servos (which are Airtronics
94551s) using 1/2A Kevlar CL lines with
supplied nylon horns and screw clevises on
one end and home-bent soft wire loops on the
other end.
The speed controller is a Jeti Advance 77
opto. The motor is propped direct drive with
a 15 x 6 Zinger. This setup pulls 20 amps at
25 volts wide open (7,500 rpm), but the
model is flown at half throttle or less since it
climbs excessively at full throttle. The
batteries are charged with an AstroFlight 109
charger.
George and I fly together often—if you
want to call it that. We spend nearly as much
time at the flying field discussing modeling
as we do flying, but what great fun it is!
George has equipped his Senior
Telemaster with flaps and flaperons mostly
just for kicks. Using the flaps on takeoff is
astounding. I swear the model takes off after
a short roll and ascends approximately 4 feet
for every foot traveled horizontally. It sort of
looks like an express elevator.
On the other hand, dropping the flaps on
final when landing lifts the nose high, and the
model settles in that attitude. It is essential
that power be added with the flaps down to
create a reasonable-looking landing.
Otherwise, the model hits the ground tail first
and then plops onto the mains.
The flaperons haven’t been used, or at
least not when I was watching. Considering
the model’s flight envelope, I wonder what
flaperons would add.
Watching George’s electrified Senior
Telemaster is a pure joy. It more closely
February 2006 81
With the Telemaster’s nose hatch off you can see Kokam battery packs and the motor.
George Sauer generated an unusual sequential look at the Telemaster’s landing approach
with computer graphics.
Dick Massey launches his Tribute electric-powered foamie in this composite photo that
George Sauer generated with computer graphics.
anything I’ve ever observed. It’s vastly
superior to most 1/4-scale Cubs, etc. that tend
to be too heavy and too overpowered to fly
realistically.
Perhaps I should explain that last
statement. Most large Scale lightplane models
are heavily structured because they have to be
able to withstand the vibration forces and heat
generated by their large internal-combustion
engines.
There is reciprocating mass which induces
vibration, but there is also the consideration
that things are exploding inside a wet-power
engine on every stroke. Then it’s necessary to
finish the model in heavy, fuelproof paint. All
of this contributes to weight that is
unnecessary when using a smooth-running
motor.
You may be wondering if I am suggesting
that motors are lighter per pound of thrust
than engines. Yes, as a matter of fact I am.
Ask a mechanical engineer about this
sometime.
I’d love to see someone build a 1/4-scale
Piper Cub for electric power and bring its
total weight in at 7 or 8 pounds instead of the
usual 15 or 16 pounds for a wet-powered
Cub. I’ll bet it would look and fly fine.
(Editor’s note: Send your mail on this subject
to D.B.—not us!)
The Telemaster in flight is rather ghostly
in some ways. The fact that it flies so
smoothly yet is nearly silent adds a dreamlike
quality to its flight envelope. Although it’s
much too large to be flown in school yards or
similar venues, its noise level would never
upset the neighbors.
I’ve probably upset you readers enough
for this month. But consider what George has
shown us with his remarkable Senior
Telemaster.
During one of our “visits” George
complained that his electric-powered P-40
was much too quiet when making high-speed
low passes. I had to agree with him; somehow
the silent whirr of the model seems nonscale.
Propeller-driven full-scale warbirds create
a wild amount of noise as they pass by. I once
attended Unlimited races where full-scale P-
51s, Bearcats, and Sea Furys were flown in
tight formation and close to the ground; the
noise levels approached pain.
Following that observation we concluded
that it might be time for someone to
manufacture a tiny recording device that
would add realistic sound to an electricpowered
model on demand. George’s P-40
needs the sound of a full-scale Allison engine
for effect.
For years we have fought to make our
models quiet. Now that we have the proper
technology, we want to add noise. Is that
weird or what? MA
(Editor’s note: Your prayers for the
proper “noise” to go along with your
electric-powered Scale models have been
answered. In fact they have been for the
past couple years. Radio Controlled
Models, Inc., or Ram, sells onboard sound
systems that feature acoustically recorded
and digitally reproduced engine sounds.
Each of Ram’s systems has a compact 1
x 21/2-inch circuit and a 2- or 3-inchdiameter
speaker. It is powered by a 9- to
18-volt battery and weighs 21/2-3 ounces.
The systems are complete with a switch for
servo control and a speaker amplifier box.
These sound systems are not intended for
use with ultrasmall models, but they are
easy to adapt to larger Scale and even
nonscale projects such as George’s
Telemaster.
The recordings are of an even engine
sound level so that there is a Doppler effect
as the model flies by. The installation of a
Ram sound system has to be adapted to the
construction and design of the particular
airplane you are going to use it in.
Now for the good part: there are four
aircraft sounds available. There is a typical
lightplane engine sound, which would
simulate a Lycoming or Continental power
plant; a Merlin engine sound, so Mustang
and Spitfire fans will be happy; a radialengine
sound which can be used on the
popular World War II Navy fighters and
models such as the P-47 Thunderbolt; and a
helicopter rotor sound.
For more information contact Ralph
Warner at Ram, 229 E. Rollins Rd., Round
Lake Beach IL 60073; Tel.: [847] 740-
8726; Fax: [847] 740-8727; Web site:
www.ramrcandramtrack.com.)