M o d e l e r ’ s M a l l
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.
134 M ODEL AVIATION
R/C Basics: Hover videotape @ $19.99
from modelSPORT magazine, Box
12557, Jacksonville NC 28546; Tel.:
(910) 938-3371; Fax: (910) 989-1912; Email:
[email protected]; Web
site: www.modelsport.com.
This tape features workbench and
flying-field tips to help you with Radio
Control (RC) helicopters.
It includes things a moreexperienced
modeler will look for in a
helicopter assembled by a newcomer,
including the direction the servos
move, subtrim, travel adjustment, and
the linkages! Then there’s ball-link
sizing, main blade pitch-range, and
gyroscope setups.
Next is flight modes, such as Normal,
Stunt (or Idle Up), and Hold (for
autorotations), then there is a review of
tools, fuel, and field equipment, such as
starter, battery, field-charger, and which
spare parts to have on hand!
Also covered are basic and
advanced hovering techniques, preflight
procedures, and training aids, such as
training gear, a flight simulator, and how
to set up a buddy box.
Interspersed with full-scale footage
of a Robinson R-22 performing the
same lessons, basic hovering tips are
demonstrated, ranging from getting
the model light on the skids, through
extended in-place hovering!
Advanced hovering progresses to the
dreaded nose-in.
Helicopters featured are Kyosho’s
Nexus 30, Century’s Falcon 46,
Thunder Tiger’s Raptor 30, JR’s exciting
Ergo 46 clothed in a remarkable
Robinson R-22 fuselage, and a Logo
20—a 46-size electric helicopter!
Featured are popular six-channel
computer transmitters from Futaba and
JR—including a fully symmetrical 3-D
setup with a V-shaped throttle curve and
CSM’s heading-lock gyros!
Also detailed is how to break in the
smooth and powerful O.S. Max 50SX-H
ringed engine.
The two-hour VHS video tape is item
RCB002.
Micro-Lite park flier from Marky’s
Hobbyshop, Inc., 208 Maplewood Ave.,
Oakhurst NJ 07755; Tel.: (732) 539-
8002; Web site: www.parkflyers.com.
This small Electric park flier is made
entirely from balsa, and is covered with
UltraCote®. It doesn’t need calm air to be
flown; it will fly in a 3 mph breeze.
The Micro-Lite is an Almost Ready-to-
Fly airplane, and it needs some assembly
work. It can be put together in one
evening. The model comes with a
powerful RS-280 motor with an eight-inch
GWS propeller attached, and it will climb
out with authority at full throttle. It will
even loop from level flight, roll, and spin.
The Micro-Lite features transparent
covering, and the wingspan is 36 inches
with washout in both tips. Total weight
of the ready-to-fly airplane is 91⁄2
ounces, with an A-15 Aveox Electronic
Speed Control, Hitec Feather receiver,
two Maxx Products MX-50 servos, and
a six-cell 225 mAh battery pack. All
these items can be purchased from
Marky’s Hobbyshop.
Call or write for more information.
Proportional hydraulic brake system
from Bob Fiorenze, 401 Westchester
Dr., Altamonte Springs FL 32701;
Tel.: (407) 673-9080; Web site:
www.rcaviation.com/fiorenze.
This system is complete with
master cylinder, drill guide,
instructions, and all hardware for
installation. It features the use of fluid
instead of air. It does not require a
reservoir bottle, fill valve, on-off air
valve, or extra servo. The system
allows you to use down-elevator, or an
optional AUX channel if desired.
The universal hubs fit any 5/32-
inch-diameter landing gear for highwing
trainer, low-wing sport airplane
(up to 15 pounds), or ducted-fan jet.
The drums are universal with any
rims and tires. The system weight is
29 grams.
The brake system is available at
local hobby shops, or order direct.
Send $3 for an illustrated catalog.
Sukhoi Su-31 from Aeroworks, 401
Laredo Unit D, Aurora CO 80011;
Tel.: (303) 366-4205; Fax: (303) 366-
4203; Web site: www.aero-works.net.
The 31% Scale Sukhoi Su-31
features true-to-scale outlines, a twopiece
foam wing with aluminum tube,
foam airfoiled tail surfaces, laser-cut
parts, lite-ply-and-balsa fuselage, and
an epoxy/fiberglass cowl.
It also has aluminum landing gear,
contest-grade balsa sheeting, a foam
hatch cover and turtledeck, full-size
Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)-
drawn plans, and a detailed
instruction manual.
Specifications: wingspan, 101
inches; wing area, 1,800 square inches;
length, 86 inches from spinner to
rudder; recommended engine, 4.2-6.0
cubic inches; and ready-to-fly weight,
21-23 pounds.
The Su-31 is offered in three
versions: Builder’s kit, Pre-built, and
Deluxe pre-built. It can be ordered
direct only.
April 2001 135
M o d e l e r ’ s M a l l
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.
The Cover Up @ $12 + $3.20 S&H
(PPD) from Tim Smith, 1457 Spencer
Ave., Hudsonville MI 49426; E-mail:
[email protected].
The Cover Up is a stand designed to
organize the work area. It stores up to
10 rolls of covering vertically. The Cover
Up ends digging through piles of halfused,
half-crushed covering.
The Cover Up has six pegs for
conventional rolls, and four smallerdiameter
pegs for fabric-style rolls. The
all-wood construction provides enough
weight to keep the rolls upright and
easy to see.
The stand’s small dimensions are
5 inches (W) x 2 inches (H) x 12
inches (L).
JR Voyager E electric helicopter @
$399.95 from Horizon Hobby, Inc.,
4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL
61822; Tel.: (217) 355-9511; Web site:
www.horizonhobby.com.
The Voyager E is designed to offer
flight performance not normally
associated with electric-helicopter flight.
It features a single axle through the
head with CCPM inputs, giving
powerful cyclic and collective
response. An autorotation clutch and
cogged toothed tail-rotor belt drive is
standard, as are prefinished and
balanced main and tail rotor blades.
The main frame is constructed from
rugged fiber-filled nylon, and the canopy
is blow-molded from polypropylene.
A high-power, high-rpm 12-turn, 540-
size motor is included. An optional
seven-cell 2000 mAh pack provides
more than enough power for three to
four minutes of loops and rolls, followed
by 30 seconds of gentle flight.
The Voyager E accepts both
standard servos, miniservos, and
microservos, thanks to the nylon servo
inserts included. This helicopter comes
with JR’s NEA-300H speed controller
and special 540 motor.
Construction time is just less than
six hours.
This is item JRP9041.
JR products are distributed
exclusively by Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Pro Built RC Products’ Bob’s
Alignment Gadget and Height
Gauges from Bob Noll, (607) 754-
5279; Fax: (607) 785-1514; E-mail:
[email protected].
The Alignment Gadget will ensure
squareness of the wings and
stabilizers to each other and to the
fuselage—some of the most
important requirements for having a
top-flying model.
The Gadget is actually three tools.
Two are used to make sure the distance
between the wingtips and the stabilizer
tips are equal. The other is used with
the special extension, to ensure that the
stabilizer tips are equidistant from the
nose centerline of the model.
The Alignment Gadget will adapt
to most types and sizes of airplanes.
These tools guarantee that the
dimensions are accurate, and they
maintain the dimensions during the
stabilizer- and wing-attachment
processes.
A complementing set of Height
Gauges ensure horizontal alignment of
the stabilizer.
Bob’s Alignment Gadget is list-priced
at $39.95 (US). The Height Gauges are
list-priced at $14.95.
You receive a discount price when
you purchase these tools with an
Absolute-Accuracy video: $34.95 for
Bob’s Alignment Gadget and $44.95 for
the Height Gauges. Supply the coupon
in the video box for the discount.
modelSPORT Video Magazine (MS0305)
from modelSPORT magazine, Box
12557, Jacksonville NC 28546; Tel.:
(910) 938-3371; Fax: (910) 989-1912; Email:
[email protected]; Web
site: www.modelsport.com.
The latest video features segments
about Radio Control (RC) flight.
Included is Thunder Tiger’s agile
Raptor 30 Almost Ready-to-Fly
helicopter, designed by first F3C World
Champion Shigetada Taya.
The hotSHOTS segment features a
model equipped with a pulse jet,
similar to that used by Germany’s
feared V-1 Buzz Bomb, and fishing
with an RC helicopter!
On the workBENCH is a B-17 with
split-flaps, servo amplifier, and
Robart retracts!
In aboutENGINES are tools in
use, such as Raytek’s MiniTemp MT-
4, TNC’s SensiTach PT10S,
Slimline’s 2102S Pitts-style G-23
smoke muffler, and Sullivan’s
innovative Head Lite.
Can O.S. Max’s 46FX be
improved? On the tape, Saturn’s trick
plasma liner and piston and
Performance Specialties’ Ultra Thrust
tuned pipe are added!
In a brief workBENCH, an
instrument panel and pilots are added
to Hangar 9’s J-3. Also on the
workBENCH is a look at KSJ’s 400-
class electric-powered Silky Wind.
M o d e l e r ’ s M a l l
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.
136 M ODEL AVIATION
12th Superman Jet Rally @ $19.95 +
$3.25 S&H from SKS Video
Productions, 85 Pine Rd., Abbottstown
PA 17301; Tel.: (800) 988-6488 (US) or
(717) 259-7193; Fax: (717) 259-6379; Email:
scott@sksvideo; Web site:
www.sksvideo.com.
Metropolis, Illinois is the home of the
Superman Jet Rally. More than 230 pilots
registered for this edition.
Featured on this tape are Marc
Froehn’s Su-27, Jerry Krause’s F-
4D1 Skyray, Chuck Spoto’s Raptor,
and Lee DeMary’s MiG-15. See the
premier of the new BVM F-100, the
new Jet Model Products Firebird,
Century Jets’ new F9F,
FiberClassics’ Eurofighter, and the
new RA Microjets’ 500 turbine.
Check out Barron Guss’s turbinepowered
helicopter and Pat
McCurry’s L-1011.
This video covers a wide range of
turbine and ducted-fan aircraft.
Run time is 103 minutes.
Plans and parts for Rod Doyle’s 1937
Folly from Bob Holman Plans, Box
741, San Bernardino CA 92402; Tel.:
(909) 885-3959; Fax: (909) 889-9307;
E-mail: [email protected]; Web site:
www.angelfire.com/ct/bhplans.
CAD (computer-aided drafting)-drawn
plans and laser-cut parts are available for
this old- time Free Flight model.
The Folly may be powered by an original
ignition engine (like the model shown) and
flown in Society of Antique Modelers (SAM)
competition, or by a modern four-stroke
engine and used for sport-flying.
The wingspan is 72 inches and
original power was a Brown Jr. The
Folly makes a good model for the SAM
Brown Jr. event. As will all the old-time
models, the Folly will make a good
model for electric power.
The plans were CAD-drawn especially
for Bob Holman Plans. Laser-cut parts
include those that need to be cut to
shape, such as wing ribs, fuselage
formers, and wing and tail outlines.
Plans are $12; laser-cut parts are
$35; postage is $5.
Hangar 9 Ni-Charge™ @ $16.95 from
Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone
Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217)
355-9511; Web site:
www.horizonhobby.com.
This quick-charger features a time of 20
minutes for Ni-Cd glow-drivers. After
charging for 20 minutes at a one-amp rate,
the Ni-Charge™ will automatically switch
to a trickle-charge rate of 50 mA and safely
charge the Ni-Cd battery to full capacity.
The small Ni-Charge™ will fit easily
into most field boxes or can be attached
to the side of a field box, for easy access.
The Ni-Charge™ comes with banana
plugs for power, so you can quickly attach
it to your power panel.
To operate, a green LED (lightemitting
diode) lights when you connect
the power input leads. Attach a Ni-Cd
glow-driver to the dummy glow plug
recessed inside the Ni-Charge™, then
push the “start” button.
A red LED illuminates during the
quick-charge cycle. When completed, the
red LED goes out and your glow-driver is
ready for action.
Hangar 9 products are distributed
exclusively by Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Safety Lock Kwik-Link from Du-Bro
Products, Inc., Box 815, Wauconda IL
60084; Tel.: (800) 848-9411; Fax: (847)
526-1604; E-mail: [email protected]; Web
site: www.dubro.com.
This clevis is self-tapping, leaving
no slop on threads. It features a
square shank, for easy installation
and adjustment.
It has a brass-plated stepped steel
pin—no binding on control horns or servo
arms. It also has a brass-plated steel
safety lock that slides into a groove on the
pin for a secure and solid lock.
Safety Lock is mounted in a trac system
on the clevis, to help prevent losing it.
Three sizes are available: 2mm, 2-
56, and 4-40, in packages of two or
12 per package.
The Safety Lock Kwik-Link is ideal for
upgrading or replacement on Almost
Ready to Flys. It is 10% lighter than steel
a clevis, and has the size stamped on the
safety lock for positive identification
Ask for part numbers: 815—2-56
Safety Lock Kwik-Link (two), $1.95; 816—
2-56 Safety Lock Kwik-Link (12), $10.95;
817—4-40 Safety Lock Kwik-Link (two),
$1.95; 818—4-40 Safety Lock Kwik-Link
(12), $10.95; 819—2mm Safety Lock
Kwik-Link (two), $1.95; 820—2mm Safety
Lock Kwik-Link (12), $10.95.
April 2001 137
M o d e l e r ’ s M a l l
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.
US Scale Masters 2000 videotape @
$24.95 + $3.25 S&H from SKS Video
Productions, 85 Pine Rd., Abbottstown
PA 17301; Tel.: (800) 988-6488 US or
(717) 259-7193; Fax: (717) 259-6379; EMail:
scott@sksvideo; Web site:
www.sksvideo.com.
The Scale Masters Championships,
held in Dayton, Ohio in 2000,
continues to be one of the top Scale
events in the country.
This tape features Dave Lovitt’s
Hercules, David Wigley’s Tempest, Tim
Schurick’s OV-10 Bronco, Greg Hahn’s
SBD Dauntless, Mike Ingram’s Akro,
Nick Ziroli Sr.’s Stearman, Shailesh
Patel’s F-86, Ray LaBonte’s Harvard,
Terry Nitsch’s Rafale, and in Team
Scale, Dave Patrick and Graeme Mears’
D.H.82A Tiger Moth. And many more!
Run time is 108 minutes.
SFM’s Soarstar @ $199.99 from
Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone
Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217)
355-9511; Web site:
www.horizonhobby.com.
This park flier from Super Flying
Model (SFM) includes a proportional
speed controller, 9.6-volt 600 mAh Sanyo
battery, and DC fast-charger.
The Soarstar features a 380 motor
and 1.85:1 gear drive turning an eightinch
propeller. Flight times are in the
seven- to 10-minute range, depending on
how aggressively you’re on the throttle.
Constructed from high-impact
injected foam, the Soarstar is durable
and easy to repair.
Specifications: overall length, 36
inches; wingspan, 44 inches; wing
area, 403 square inches; ready-to-fly
weight, 20 ounces; required radio,
three or more channels.
The SFM Soarstar is exclusively
distributed by Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Minima kit from Airplane Planet, Inc.,
14551 Judicial Rd. Suite 140, Burnsville
MN 55306; Tel.: (888) 660-4142.
Made from extruded polystyrene, the
Minima has a 31-inch wingspan and
weighs 5.76 ounces.
The kit assembles in roughly two
hours, and was designed to be stable
outdoors and maneuverable indoors. A
unique shock-absorbing motor mount
and breakaway propeller ensure that
hard landings won’t cause damage.
The kit includes a GWS-DXB motor, a
nine-inch propeller, and color graphics.
Airplane Planet, Inc.’s technical
contact is Rob Miller at (952) 435-2770;
E-mail: [email protected].
Mike Peterson is the business contact at
(952) 435-2770; E-mail:
[email protected].
Plans and parts for the Hawker Sea
Fury from Bob Holman Plans, Box
741, San Bernardino CA 92402; Tel.:
(909) 885-3959; Fax: (909) 889-9307;
E-mail: [email protected]; Web site:
www.angelfire.com/ct/bhplans.
The Sea Fury plans are drawn to
1⁄5.6 scale, with an 811⁄2-inch
wingspan. Plans show flaps and
retracts, and are mailed direct in a
mailing tube.
More than 20 plans are available,
and most of them span more than 80
inches.
Laser-cut parts include those that
need to be cut to shape. This is an
advantage to the builder; he or she
can handpick the standard sheet, and
strip to complete the model.
Accessories such as the cowl and
canopy are available direct.
Plans are $45 including shipping.
Laser-cut parts are $125 with $10
shipping.
Snowbird Skis from Du-Bro Products,
Inc., Box 815, Wauconda IL 60084;
Tel.: (800) 848-9411; Fax: (847) 526-
1604; E-mail: [email protected]; Web
site: www.dubro.com.
Snowbird Skis make it possible to
fly all year. They mount easily on
airplanes with dural or wire landing
gear in roughly an hour.
These skis are manufactured from
high-density polyethelene. Runners are
molded on the ski for better tracking.
They are ideal for aircraft as large
as .60-powered. Featuring a torsion
bar design, Snowbird Skis flex on
takeoffs and landings, yet remain in
a positive lock position while in the
air. All mounting hardware is
included.
They are available in black and
fluorescent pink.
Ask for part numbers: 825—
Snowbird Skis Main (Black), $22.95;
826—Snowbird Skis Nose (Black),
$11.95; 827—Snowbird Skis Main
(Fluorescent Pink), $22.95; and
828—Snowbird Skis Nose
(Fluorescent Pink), $11.95.
M o d e l e r ’ s M a l l
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.
138 M ODEL AVIATION
Skymasters Float Fly 2000 @ $19.95 +
$3.25 S&H from SKS Video
Productions, 85 Pine Rd. Abbottstown
PA 17301; Tel.: (800) 988-6488 US or
(717) 259-7193; Fax: (717) 259- 6379; Email:
scott@sksvideo; Web site:
www.sksvideo.com.
Island Lake State Park in Brighton,
Michigan was the site of the 10th annual
Skymasters Float Fly. Pilots from across
the country came to fly at this pristine
flying site, featuring a 40-acre lake and
a 1,000-foot beach.
More than 100 floatplanes were in
attendance, including a Maule Rocket, an
Eindecker, a Citabria, a Seamaster, a
Canadair, Northstars, an Electric Lazy
Bee, and a Sikorsky S-39.
This tape features amazing in-flight
footage!
Run time is 92 minutes.
The Doghouse eXtreme kit @ $108.50
including S&H from D&L Designs,
1145 E. Kleindale Rd., Tucson AZ
85719; Tel.: (520) 887-0771; E-mail:
[email protected]; Web
site: www.dldesigns.net/.
D&L Designs and Dick Smith
(designer of the Doghouse) are
releasing this modified version of the
Doghouse.
Changes to the original model are
the addition of larger ailerons and a
larger elevator, and the use of 90
four-stroke engine. These changes
produce a much livelier airplane at
higher throttle settings and a 3D
performer at low-torque throttle
settings (it torque-rolls well).
When a lighter four-stroke engine
is used, the Doghouse eXtreme’s
wing loading actually decreases
because of the increased area of the
enlarged ailerons. The wing area of
the model is 725 square inches, and
it has a 54-inch wingspan.
The model will fly well with a .51-
.60 two-stroke engine or a 70-91
four-stroke engine, although a
lightweight 91 four-stroke engine is
recommended for “all out”
performance.
The Doghouse eXtreme makes a
great practice airplane for those who
want to perfect their flying skills in
advanced and 3D-type maneuvers
without risking their expensive
Pattern-type airplanes.
Even with the “all out”
performance that the Doghouse
eXtreme delivers, it is a very
predictable performer at slow
speeds. It has no tendency to tipstall,
and the landings are slow and
stable.
Power Ram from B&B Specialties,
14234 Cleveland Rd., Granger IN
46530; Tel.: (219) 277-0499; Web
Site: www.bennettbuilt.com.
Do you want to add more rpm to
your gas-burner? Are you tired of
cleaning off the fuel residue coming
out of the carburetor?
The new velocity stack marketed
and manufactured by B&B
Specialties creates a positive airflow
in the carburetor intake, eliminating
siphoning of raw gas. It also
promotes a more positive engine run
through all flight maneuvers.
It is designed to fit all gas
carburetors with full radial
adjustment. The velocity stack is
precision-machined and made from
aluminum stock. It comes in two
pieces: the stack and the retaining
ring. The stack will measurably
enhance engine performance.
Call or write B&B Specialties for
more information.
