Modeler's Mall 2003/02

FiberClassics Yak-55 SP @ $4,999
from Planes Plus, Inc., 10025 Clow
Creek Rd., Plainfield IL 60544; Tel.:
(630) 904-9983; Fax: (630) 904-5077;
Web site: www.planesplus.com or
www.fiberclassics.com.
With a length of 114 inches and a
wingspan of 131 inches, the YAK-55 SP
is a giant among large-scale airplanes.
The model faithfully replicates the lines
and details of the full-scale YAK-55, while
adding design details to maximize
competitive advantage.
The design details include a sevenlayer
carbon-fiber floating spar. With the
fillets molded into the wing, the entire
wing structure can be moved to one of
three preset positions. This feature
allows you to adjust the balance point
without adding trim weight and maintain
10% TOC rules. Other design features
include huge control surfaces retained by
removable pins and a removable cowl
that does not require propeller and
spinner removal.
As are other FiberClassics machines,
the YAK-55 SP is constructed entirely
from vacuum-bagged composite. At 38
pounds and powered by a 150cc engine,
the performance is nothing short of world
class. The first 10 aircraft sold include the
red-and-silver paint job used on the
original prototype.
Contact Don Kanak at Planes Plus,
Inc. for more information on the YAK-55
SP and other FiberClassics aircraft.
Hangar 9 60-size P-51D ARF @
$254.99 from Horizon Hobby, Inc.,
4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL
61822; Tel.: (217) 355-9511; Web site:
www.horizonhobby.com.
This version of the venerable P-51D is
unlike any other Mustang Almost Ready
to Fly (ARF). Its 60-size airframe alone
sets it apart from other Mustang ARFs
that are almost all 40-size. The larger
size has allowed Hangar 9 to closely
match its proportions and lines to that of
the full-scale aircraft.
Underscoring the scale design is an
UltraCote trim scheme that’s authentic
right down to the name on the nose and
the identification number on the tail. A
prepainted fiberglass cowl with molded
Merlin exhaust stacks is included.
Hangar 9 has also installed
retractable landing gear at the factory.
Each wing half comes out of the box with
the retract mechanisms completely
installed. All that’s left for the modeler to
do is install a compatible retract servo,
such as the JR low-profile S703 or
Expert’s low-profile SL680. Hangar 9 has
simplified the servo installation with
precut servo bays in the wings and tail for
the aileron, rudder, and elevator servos.
Equipped with Saito’s muscular 100
four-stroke, the Mustang flies a lot like a
nimble 60-size sport model. Roll and yaw
authority is excellent at slow speeds and
during approach to landing. At high
speeds, using the recommended control
throws, low-level banking passes and
hard-breaking dogfight maneuvers are
exhilarating. The throaty sound of the big
Saito produces its share of goose bumps
too.
Specifications: wingspan, 651⁄2 inches;
wing area, 745 square inches; length,
553⁄4 inches; weight, 7-8 pounds; scale,
1:7; engine, .60-.78 two-stroke or 91-100
four-stroke; item number for the P-51 .60
ARF with retracts (Ultra), HAN2375.
Hangar 9 is distributed exclusively by
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Matrix Hotliner @ $109.99 + $10.99
S&H from K&A Models Unlimited, Box
66527, Albuquerque NM 87193-6527;
Tel.: (505) 994-8083; Web site:
www.kamodels.com.
K&A Models Unlimited announces the
release of its new Matrix Hotliner electric
kit. The Matrix is designed for multitask
flying. The size of its airframe allows you
to go from a Speed 400 motor on seven
cells all the way up to an 05 brushless
application on 10 cells.
The Matrix is extremely stable in flight
and a great aerobatic and thermal
performer. The wide range of
performance is owed largely to its tripleairfoil
wing and its lightweight airframe
that averages only 23 ounces carrying 10
cells.
The kit comes with an
epoxy/fiberglass fuselage, precut-toshape
tail surfaces, foam-core wings that
you sheet with the supplied balsa,
precision-cut plywood parts, plans, and
instructions.
Specifications: wingspan, 42 inches;
area, 206 square inches; wing loading,
16 ounces per square foot; weight, 20-23
ounces; kit number, 10148.
Gas Passer Flight Box @ $44.99 from
Sig Manufacturing Co., Box 520,
Montezuma IA 50171; Tel.: (641) 623-
5154; Web site: www.sigmfg.com.
The Gas Passer is the newest
member of Sig’s popular family of 100%
laser-cut flight boxes. Designed for the
gasoline-powered-model flier’s special
needs, this flight box features an extralarge
compartment to hold a gallon bottle,
a gallon can, or even Du-Bro’s popular
EZ Fill gallon container.
It also has roomy parts drawers, two
custom positional tool holders, a large
battery compartment for wet or gel-cell
batteries, and a handy place for your Sig
FieldBoss power panel (not included).
This Build-It-Yourself flight box builds
fast, thanks to its laser-cut parts, and can
be finished in your choice of paints or
clear polyurethane. It’s a classy box for
classy fliers.
Specifications: length, 181⁄2 inches;
width, 91⁄2 inches; height, 133⁄4 inches;
weight, 6 pounds (empty); item number,
SIGBX003.
The Gas Passer Flight Box is
available at your local hobby retailer.
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.
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