F-86 Sabre
Raymond Belanger (Pensacola FL; email: ryblng00@cox.net) built this F-86 Sabre Micro electric ducted-fan model from a Great Planes kit.
This jet is a replica of the Royal Canadian Air Force F-86 Sabre Golden Hawks air demonstration team that flew from the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Raymond painted the model with Tamiya spray paint and the graphics come from Bad Brad Graphics.
Cessna 170
Fred Mulholland (Tampa FL; email: fredbarb1@verizon.net) constructed this 6-foot wingspan Cessna 170 from a 60-year-old “crush-cut” Berkley kit.
The model is covered with silk and Brodak Dope. Power is from an O.S. FS56 four-stroke engine. Fred built this same model 60 years ago when only single-channel RC and rubber band escapements were available for control. His new 170 has full-house control and a 2.4 GHz Futaba radio.
F6F Hellcat
Lee Moody (Dacula GA; email: rcfanga@gmail.com) built this 72-inch F6F Hellcat from a CMP ARF.
Lee wrote:
“The modified airframe sports new wingtips carved from balsa plugs then mounted and finished with fiberglass to more closely match the scale outline of the wing. It also has a new Hangar 9 F6F canopy and Hangar 9 oleo struts with RCLander electric retracts.
“The Hellcat is powered by an Evolution 1.20 two stroke with a 15 x 8 Master Airscrew propeller and guided with a Spectrum DX7 radio. The 1/6-scale pilot is from ESM. The two radio masts and some weathering round out the build,” Lee wrote.
“This plane flies like a trainer. With the flaps down, it will float in with just a click or two of throttle.”
Senior Falcon
Peter Van Staagen (Zebulon NC; email: mvanstaagen@nc.rr.com) started this Carl Goldberg kit in 1976 and finished it in 2013.
The Senior Falcon is powered by a 1,500-watt motor with a 55-amp ESC and 6S 3,700 mAh LiPo. The model spans 69 inches and its 6.6-pound weight allows unlimited vertical performance.
Some modern touches include electric conversion, a carbon-fiber spinner, air scoops for cooling, bolt-on wings, flaps, seven servos, a magnetic hatch, LED landing lights triggered by battery voltage, and UltraCote covering. A Spektrum DX6i provides control.
GeeBee Z
Kevin Strathy (Sebring FL) built this 33% GeeBee Z from Hostetler plans.
The GeeBee Z is powered by a Great Planes 65cc electric motor with a 12S 10,000 mAh battery pack. A 160-amp Castle Creations speed controller helps turn the 26 x 12 Xoar propeller.
“It flies very well and scalelike,” wrote Kevin.
Stuntman 23
Jeff Croy (Webster MN; email: jscroy@aol.com) submitted the following:
“My son, Ashton, built this Stuntman 23 from an old Carl Goldberg kit. He has been flying ARF RC aircraft for several years and wanted to give building a try. The airplane was built true to the plans and powered with a new Cox Black Widow .049.
“His first Control Line flights have been very successful and a joy to watch as this was also my very first model airplane back in the late 1960s.”
Wedell-Williams Model 44 Racer
Patrick Aman (Prattville AL; email: reeperinbama@gmail.com) built his Wedell-Williams Model 44 Racer from a kit produced by Troy Built Models.
The model spans 88 inches with a 71-inch length. A 77cc Evolution radial engine provides power with control from six Hitec HS-5645MG servos. The model weighs slightly less than 24 pounds because of the larger engine that had to be extended four inches from the original firewall. Patrick had to add 1.5 pounds of weight to the tail to correct the center of gravity.
Cloud Dancer 40
Mike Hausner (The Villages FL; email: mikehausner@aol.com) built this modified Cloud Dancer 40 designed by Fred Reese from RCM plans.
Modifications to the original design include reshaped tail feathers, wingtips, and a razorback turtledeck. The model sat in Mike’s workshop for approximately 17 years. In 2013, he converted it to electric. The nose was lengthened and redesigned to accommodate an E-flite Power 25 with 60-amp ESC. A removable lower cowl section was also created for battery access.
Powered by a 4S 3,200 mAh LiPo, its all-up weight is 4 pounds, 8 ounces. The wingspan is 60 inches with a covering of royal blue and cream MonoKote and red trim sheet graphics.