Modeler's Mall - 2004/10
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.
LA FERTÉ 2003: Extreme Giant Scale From France video — $24.95 + $4.75 S&H
Propwash Video Productions, 2973 Berman St., Las Vegas, NV 89109; Tel.: (702) 731-5217; Fax: (702) 735-1521; Toll-free order line: (800) 355-7333; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.propwashvideo.com
La Ferté in France is where the largest model airplanes in the world gather the third weekend in June. For the last several years Propwash Video Productions has distributed the German video of this great event with English narration. For 2003, Propwash was there and captured some fantastic airplanes for your viewing pleasure.
This program features one-of-a-kind models ranging from 40 to 450 pounds each. In addition to old favorites like the 325-pound TWA Super Constellation, the 450-pound B-29 and the 80%-scale Caudron Adelante Racer, many new aircraft are featured: a 1/2-scale, 231-pound Me 109; a 1/4-scale Mirage; a 1/2-scale, 15-foot Zlin 526; a 1/2-scale ASK-27 sailplane with a 39-foot wingspan; a 243-pound Ju 52; a 70-pound, 16-foot Horten Flying Wing; a 1/2-scale Tiger Moth; and a 130-pound Handley-Page Strategic Bomber. Many of the flights include superb aerial footage from onboard camera systems, and there are four in-depth interviews in English (no subtitled translations this year).
The video runs 110 minutes and features 28 RC aircraft—virtually all weighing more than 55 pounds and many over 100 pounds. If you want to see Giant Scale taken to extremes, get a copy of this program. MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express are honored.
Sky Jack
J&L Power Products, 388 Belvedere E., Colgate, WI 53017; Tel.: (262) 628-3506; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.jlproducts.net
The Sky Jack is a two-in-one model-airplane stand for bench or field use. Fold the legs down and they lock into position for a 33-inch working height; collapse the legs to use the Sky Jack on the bench. The adjustable cradles move 5 to 13 inches, allowing the Sky Jack to accommodate models as large as 1/3 scale.
The unit is also designed for transporting models in a vehicle, offering protection from damage and convenience. It is made from strong tubular steel yet weighs only 20 pounds, and no assembly is required. Two handy work trays hold tools and a transmitter, and the 3-inch wheels add mobility in the field position. When not in use, the unit quickly folds to only 4 inches for movement or storage.
For more information, visit the J&L Power Products Web site.
Fast Freddie III
BMJR Model Products, Box 1210, Sharpes, FL 32959; Tel.: (321) 537-1159; Web site: www.bmjrmodels.com
The Fast Freddie III kit represents the third version of the Freddie series designed by Carl Martin. It is a highly aerobatic indoor/outdoor, low-wind flier with wing loading in the 5–6 ounce-per-square-foot range. This model is intended for experienced pilots who want to expand their park-flying envelope.
Powered by a GWS motor, the Fast Freddie III will perform almost any gymnasium-scale aerobatic maneuver short of extended hovering. It will ROG (rise off ground) in approximately three feet and has no bad habits. The model performs extremely tight inside/outside loops and turns, flies inverted as well as upright, will axial roll, and performs excellent rudder maneuvers. With the steerable tail wheel, it will taxi out to the flightline and back to the hangar with pride.
Specifications and kit contents:
- Wingspan: 23.5 inches
- Wing area: 202 sq in
- Kit includes: laser-cut parts, a 5-gram carbon-fiber fuselage tube, a complete hardware pack, full-size plans, and photo-illustrated instructions
If the Fast Freddie III is not available at your local hobby shop, it is available directly from BMJR Model Products for $47.50 plus $5 Priority Mail.
Shelby, Ohio, 2003 DVD or video — $20 + $4.50 S&H
Aces Video, 22 W. F. Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49009; Tel.: (800) 987-5491 (for credit card orders); Web site: www.acesvideo.net
Aces Video presents the Shelby, Ohio, 21st annual International Miniature Aircraft Association 1/4-scale air fair. This DVD/video features jets, warbirds, aerobatic airplanes, and rockets. The TNT Boys really put on a show, blowing the field up.
Phantom II — $199.95
PM Models, 14962 Bear Valley Rd. #231, Victorville, CA 92392; Tel.: (760) 947-4381
The Phantom II was built from a set of full-scale drawings by PM Models. The size was set at 125% of the original drawings, and wingtips were added for a total wingspan of 106 inches. The overall length is 68.25 inches, including the spinner.
Since the airplane weighs only 19 pounds, PM Models used an O.S. 1.60 two-stroke engine with a 16x10 propeller and Spring Air retracts with 4-inch wheels. This model was scratch-built in roughly three weeks. RAM strobe and running lights were installed at both wingtips and at the rear of the outer body. Eight Hitec 645 servos control all moving surfaces.
The model is set up with flaps fixed at one position (no servos) because the original Phantom took a long time to float down for landing, yet could perform all the stunts the builder wanted. The Phantom that appeared in Model Airplane News (April/May) takes approximately 24 hours to build before covering.
The scratch-built Phantom II and the Phantom I were very easy to build due to the unique construction design. The kit, as furnished, includes all hardware, parts, canopy, and cut ribs to simplify construction.
Electron 60 kit
Tuff Planes LLC, 862 Windsor Hills Cir., San Jose, CA 95123; Tel.: (408) 568-1378; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.tuffplanes.com
The Electron 60 is an RC flying-wing sailplane with a 60-inch wingspan and a wing area of 415 square inches. It requires two-channel computer-mixed elevon control. The kit features CNC hot-wire-cut 1.9 wt. EPP wings and fuselage. Wing construction includes a carbon-fiber wing rod, and fiberglass and hardwood wing spars provide an extremely stiff wing. Wings are predrilled to accept a ballast tube.
Included: carbon-fiber longerons, balsa elevons, a corrugated plastic vertical stabilizer, a ballast tube, and all necessary control hardware. Plastic fabric-type shrink-film covering is recommended as a finish. Wing loading is approximately 11 oz/sq ft and, with ballast, increases to about 16 oz/sq ft.
The Electron 60 is in stock and available from the Web site.
YW-48B2 48cc twin-cylinder engine — $679.99
Genesis Hobby Distributors, Box 650208, Vero Beach, FL 32965; Tel.: (321) 624-7439; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.ywengines.com
Ideal for 27%-scale models such as an 80-inch Extra or a 68-inch Christen Eagle II biplane, the YW-48B2 is a pocket-torque powerhouse offering smooth, linear thrust. Featuring CNC aircraft-aluminum construction, the forged crank is supported by four stainless-steel ball bearings. CNC-machined aluminum pistons connect via dual needle-bearing-equipped forged rods, and there's a replaceable prop stud in case of an accident.
The smoothness of the YW-48B2—a 48cc opposed twin ("Boxer" configuration)—promotes long airframe and radio-component life. It measures 5 1/8 inches from the backplate and 8 1/16 inches across the heads (a scant more than 10 inches with plugs), and it weighs roughly what an ordinary 26cc industrial-quality single does.
A video of the YW-48B2's performance can be seen on the Web site. YW Engines are distributed exclusively by Genesis Hobby Distributors.
Electric Flash and Flash Floats
The Electric Flash, designed by Harry Stewart, was inspired by the old Comet Phantom Flash rubber model. It incorporates classic planform features such as a tapered wing and semi-elliptical tail surfaces. As designed, the Electric Flash is intended to be a small motor park flyer, but it has proven to be a good soarer and an excellent float plane.
Flight testing has covered a wide range of motor/battery combinations (details in the building notes). The Electric Flash has a 44-inch wingspan and an area of 260 square inches. The flying weight is roughly 5.5 oz/sq ft, allowing slow and relaxed flying.
The kit contains laser-cut parts, a complete hardware pack, full-size plans, and photo-illustrated instructions.
If not available at your local hobby shop, you can purchase the Electric Flash with floats for $56 or without floats for $38 (plus $5 Priority Mail) directly from BMJR Model Products.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
