Modeler’s Mall

Edition: Model Aviation - 2001/10
Page Numbers: 128, 129, 130

Modeler’s Mall

Manufacturers who wish to have their products considered for inclusion in this department should send information and a photo, if possible, to the editorial office of Model Aviation. These reviews are composed from such information, and do not imply an endorsement of the products.

E-Flite DC Fast Charger

E-Flite DC Fast Charger from Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 355-9511; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com.

Slow charge times and incompatible chargers often dampen the simplicity of electric flight. Designed for use with a 12-volt power supply, the E-Flite DC Fast Charger will charge six- to seven-cell Ni-Cd and NiMH packs ranging in capacity from 250 to 700 mAh.

This handy charger’s Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC)-style connector can be used with nearly all the battery packs for slow and park flyers and other small electric aircraft. It is even small enough to fit in a car glove compartment.

Everything needed for field use comes with this E-Flite charger, including a 30-minute timer and alligator clip connectors. This charger’s compact size and compatibility make it one of the easiest to use.

Charge-time reference:

225–350 mAh, 7.2-volt — 20 minutes
225–350 mAh, 8.4-volt — 25 minutes
500–700 mAh, 7.2-volt — 40 minutes
500–700 mAh, 8.4-volt — 55 minutes

The slow-flyer DC Fast Charger (7.2–8.4 volts) is item EFLC2000, available for $14.95.

E-Flite is distributed exclusively by Horizon Hobby, Inc.

Du-Bro Clunks

Du-Bro, Box 815, Wauconda, IL 60084; Toll Free: (800) 848-9411; Fax: (847) 526-1604; E-mail: [email protected].

Du-Bro Standard and Large Clunks are now available separately. The clunks weigh one ounce (Standard) or three ounces (Large), and are nickel-plated to prevent corrosion. Fuel-line barbs are machined in the clunk to grip your fuel lines securely.

The clunks come one per package.

No. 837, Standard Clunk — $1.25
No. 838, Large Clunk — $1.75

DHS PROSTANDS

Don’s Hobby Shop, 1819 S. Broadway, Salina, KS 67401; Tel.: (800) 972-6273.

DHS PROSTANDS can be used in the workshop or at the field to hold Giant Scale, International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC), or Tournament of Champions (TOC) size airplanes as large as 25–40% scale.

Both stands feature a fine white powder-coat finish, neoprene saddle cushions, and are adjustable to fit a variety of large models.

DHS PROSTAND (fits airplanes up to 40% scale)

Removable, adjustable tool tray
Adjustable cradle width and length to accommodate a wide variety of fuselage sizes
Perfect for the workshop to set up incidence angles or to conveniently work on large-scale airplanes
Retail price: $149.95; introductory price: $129.95

DHS PROSTAND-II (fits airplanes up to 40% scale)

Collapsible in width, length, and height for easy transportation
Adjustable cradle-bed length to fit a wide variety of large airplanes
Sturdy and field-friendly; allows assembly/disassembly without lying on the ground
Retail price: $99.95; introductory price: $79.95

The Jet Set — Dave Platt Models

Dave Platt Models Inc., 1306 Havre NW, Palm Bay, FL 32907; Tel.: (321) 724-2144; Web site: daveplattmodels.com.

Dave Platt announces the release of the second volume in his new “Black Art” video series. This volume deals with gas turbines and is an ideal introduction to this powerplant.

The video shows:

How to get non-rotor controls, even on sharply swept surfaces
Making a fiberglass bifurcated intake duct
Work on the fuselage, installing the turbine and components, and the landing gear
Tips and techniques to help you build your own jet
Making a sliding-canopy mechanism and preparing a serious cockpit interior

A free leaflet is available for a self-addressed stamped envelope to Dave Platt Models Inc.

Sailplane Books — Martin Simons

Martin Simons is a retired English college professor and current resident of Australia. A glider pilot for more than 50 years, he has roughly 100 glider types in his logbook, including 20 of those in this book. He has authored or co-authored five books about sailplanes and model-sailplane aerodynamics.

Available titles:

Sailplanes, 1920–1945 (EQIP Werburg & Verlag GmbH, Königswinter, Germany, 2001, ISBN 3-9806773-4-6)
The World's Vintage Sailplanes, 1908–45 (Kookaburra Technical Publications Pty Ltd., Melbourne, Australia, 1986, ISBN 0-85880-046-2)

Price: $64.95 + $3 S&H each. Checks or money orders only.

HobbyZone Firebird XL Ready-to-Fly (RTF) Electric

Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 355-9511; Web site: http://www.horizonhobby.com.

The new Firebird XL (item HBZ2000) takes the simplicity and flying manners of the first Firebird and adds more size, more power, and landing gear for rolling takeoffs and touch-and-gos.

The Firebird XL includes everything needed to fly:

Two-channel transmitter
900 mAh NiMH battery pack with 300 mA wall charger

Assembly takes roughly 15 minutes; initial battery charge may take an hour or two. An included instructional video guides assembly and offers flying tips for beginners.

Main differences from the original Firebird:

Larger 40-inch wingspan
Bigger fuselage
More powerful Mabuchi 380 motor (flown in windier conditions)

Wind guidance:

Beginners: up to ~8 mph
Experienced pilots: up to 12–15 mph

Specifications:

Wingspan: 40 inches
Length: 28 inches
Weight: 16 ounces
Frequency: 27 MHz (six available)
Modulation: FM
Range: 1,500+ feet
Motor control: proportional
Directional control: Flight-Trak
Aircraft battery: 900 mAh NiMH
Transmitter battery: eight AA (not included)

HobbyZone products are distributed exclusively by Horizon Hobby, Inc. Price: $119.99

Buccaneer Laser-Cut Kit

Ultra Hobby Products, 9930 Edgecliff Cir., Dallas, TX 75238; Tel.: (214) 348-3962 or (214) 826-3041.

Kit features:

Laser-cut hand-selected balsa
Built-up wing ribs, fuselage sides, fuselage formers
Plywood fuselage doublers and bellcrank mounts
Flaps, stabilizer, elevators, rudder, and wheel pants
Complete hardware kit from RSM Distribution included

Specifications:

Wingspan: 59 inches
Wing area: 650 square inches
Recommended engine: .46 to .61-size

Price: $160 + $8 S&H in the U.S. Write to the address above or call for a free catalog.

530 Series Mighty Mini Gear Retracts — Robart

Robart Manufacturing, Inc., Box 1247, St. Charles, IL 60174; Tel.: (630) 584-7616; Fax: (630) 584-3712; Web site: www.robart.com.

Robart offers 176 combinations of struts and retract angles in an ultra-low-profile unit that is only one inch high and weighs 2.8 ounces. There are seven standard main gear retract angles and five for the nose gear.

The Mighty Minis are strong enough to use Robart’s series 380 (3/8-inch-diameter) or series 440 (7/16-inch-diameter) struts. Strength comes from heat-treated steel and aluminum components and Robart’s 1/2-inch-bore air cylinders that provide 20 pounds of force at 100 psi.

Suitable for jets and thin wings.

Monocoupe 90A (¼-Scale)

Ikon N’Wst, 3806 Chase Rd., Post Falls, ID 83854; Tel.: (800) 237-7298; Web site: www.ikonnwst.com.

This is a 1/4-scale version of the Monocoupe 90A, powered with an O.S. .46 FX. Parts are hand-cut, it includes a fiberglass cowl, and the landing gear is pre-bent. Construction uses 1/4 balsa sticks over full-size drawings; tail surfaces are from 1/4 sheet balsa. Ikon supplies airfoil-shaped struts.

Specifications:

Wingspan: 64 inches
Fuselage length: 40 inches
Wing area: 640 square inches
Weight: 5.5 pounds

Order today — the model ships tomorrow. MasterCard, Visa, or cash accepted. Call (208) 773-9001 for more information.

T-38 Talon Scale Rims and Tires

Bob Fiorenze, 401 Westchester Dr., Altamonte Springs, FL 32701; Tel.: (407) 673-9080; Web site: www.rcaviation.com/fiorenze.

These rims and tires are preassembled and lightweight. Tires are molded black; rims are molded gray and ready to paint if desired. Hub and lug-nut details are molded into the rims.

Originally designed for the T-38 Talon, they can be used on any jet or sport airplane requiring similar dimensions:

Nose tire: 2 5/8-inch diameter x 5/8-inch wide
Nose rim: 1 13/16-inch diameter
Main tire: 3-inch diameter x 3/4-inch wide
Main rim: 2 1/8-inch diameter

Price: $100 for a set of three. Send $3 for an illustrated catalog.

2000 NFFS/AMA Free Flight Nationals Video

Homegrown Television Productions, 94-20 66th Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11374; Tel.: (718) 275-6362; Fax: (718) 275-5976; E-mail: [email protected].

This video captures the action and thrill of free-flight model airplanes. Features include Dawn Unlimited flights and in-depth interview with Jim Walston demonstrating his model-retrieval system.

Also available: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 FF Nationals videos. All videos are $20 + $3 S&H each. Silent Magic — the Indoor video — is $15 + $3 S&H.

Buy two or more videos and Homegrown Television Productions pays S&H. Send orders to Alan Abriss at the address above.

Modeler’s Mall

Modeler’s Mall

E-Flite DC Fast Charger

Du-Bro Clunks

DHS PROSTANDS

The Jet Set — Dave Platt Models

Sailplane Books — Martin Simons

HobbyZone Firebird XL Ready-to-Fly (RTF) Electric

Buccaneer Laser-Cut Kit

530 Series Mighty Mini Gear Retracts — Robart

Monocoupe 90A (¼-Scale)

T-38 Talon Scale Rims and Tires

2000 NFFS/AMA Free Flight Nationals Video

Top Gun 2001 Video