Modeler's Mall
Perfect Foam Wing Construction @ $19.95 from Airborne Media, 5655 David Pl., Fairfield OH 45014; Tel.: (888) 829-4060.
The world of model-airplane construction changed forever in June 1964 with the Model Airplane News magazine publication of a how-to feature article by Ed Izzo and Ray Olson. Ed and Ray explained how to hot-wire "cut" expanded polystyrene foam to make accurate wings, tails, and other model airplane components.
This type of construction has become enormously popular in the years since that article appeared, and virtually every type of model airplane has been built using foam components. The inherent self-fixturing accuracy, rugged durability, and rapid assembly speed of foam-core wings have made them the material of choice for designers of sport, scale, racing, sailplane, and aerobatic models.
Master craftsman and professional precision model builder Bob Noll has built more than 100 foam-wing models, and in this video he shares his knowledge on the subject.
In order, Bob shows how to check the cores for accuracy; how to measure, mark and accurately cut servo bays and retract wells; how to make and install plywood landing gear reinforcing false ribs; how to quickly and easily true the edges of wing skins and join them securely; how to adhere the skins to the core using a very thin coat of epoxy glue; how to trim the edges of the covered wing and install leading and trailing edges, wingtips, and a plywood root cap (used on plug-in type wings); how to cut the ailerons free and install framing; and a new method of assuring that the leading edges of both wings are sanded to identical contours.
Bob also shares many of the custom tools he has designed to make foam-wing construction easier and more accurate. Included are dozens of useful building tips and more than 800 individual video clips depicting the action in up-close, screen-filling detail.
Run time is one hour, 46 minutes (on VHS only).
To order, or for more information (including Quicktime video clips), visit the Web site at www.airbornemedia.com.
Scepter sailplane kit @ $99 + $11 insured shipping (within the continental US) from Laser Arts, PMB112, 445C E. Cheyenne Mt. Blvd., Colorado Springs CO 80906; Web site: LaserArtCo.com.
The 100-inch Scepter was inspired by the Olympic II and designed with building efficiency in mind. Scepter makes a great entry-level RES competition model. It's well behaved and docile—perfect for the new competitor. An SA7038 airfoil and super-efficient spoilers aid in contest landings.
The Scepter kits come complete with laser-cut parts, high-quality wood, full-size plans, instruction booklet, and all hardware.
Orr's Chieftain 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.bhplans.com.
CAD-drawn plans and laser-cut parts are available for this Old-Time Rubber model.
The Chieftain has a wingspan of 35.2 inches and a wing area of 24.0 square inches.
The model can also be converted to electric for sport flying or flown in the SAM small fuselage or commercial Rubber events. As an Electric, it may be flown in the Spirit of SAM event.
Plans have been copied in CAD to make sure everything fits. Laser-cut parts include all the parts that you need to cut out. You add the stock sheet, sticks, propeller, etc.
Plans are $8, laser-cut parts are $15, and shipping is $4.
Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a list of Rubber and Old-Time Gas plans and parts.
How To Build I-Beam Wings video @ $19.95 + postage from Airborne Media, 5655 David Pl., Fairfield OH 45014; Tel.: (888) 829-4060.
When Bob Dailey, the 1949 National CL Stunt Champion, first conceived the I-Beam method of wing construction, he had no way of knowing how great an impact it would have on the event.
The I-Beam concept was adopted by the Strathmoor club of Detroit, Michigan, and for years it closely guarded the secrets of the techniques used to produce the lightweight, strong, beautiful wings.
When Bill Werwage first saw Stunt models built around this concept, he was 11 years old, but the effect they had on him was to remain with him for the next 40-plus years. He was so intrigued by this type of construction that he began closely studying the I-Beam models that would show up at contests.
Bill eventually learned from some members of the Strathmoor club the form of the construction that was hidden beneath those wings, and he began to build several models each year, refining his I-Beam technique with each one.
Today Bill is recognized as the world's foremost authority on the I-Beam wing. Flying models built around this format, Bill has won five National Championship crowns in CL Stunt and two World Championship Gold Medals.
Bill has refined the I-Beam throughout the years, and now he shares the wealth of information that he has gathered in this 1 1/2-hour how-to video.
He details all his building secrets and shows in extreme close-up detail footage how to lay out an I-Beam wing, construct fuselage sides, fabricate an I-Beam spar, laminate carbon fiber to the spar caps and trailing edges, build a rib-stripping device, install ribs and half ribs, fit the motor can, construct wingtips, and install rib supports as he constructs one of his legendary Ares models.
Running time is 1 hour, 30 minutes (VHS only).
To order, or for more information (including Quicktime video clips), visit www.airbornemedia.com.
GWS motor and gearbox electric power systems from Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 355-9511; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com.
GWS has released six new electric power systems for park flyers based on the 370-type motor that features different gear ratios.
Each system uses a stick-style mounting system and includes the prewired motor with the gearbox already attached. The stick-style mounting system allows the models to easily swap power systems so they can use different gear ratios on the same airplane.
Retail: EPS Motor & Gear Box 3.75:1 (GWSP0375), $24.99; EPS Motor & Gear Box, 4.43:1 (GWSP0443), $24.99; EPS Motor & Gear Box, 5.53:1 (GWSP0553), $24.99; EPS Motor & Gear Box, 6.60:1 (GWSP0660), $26.99; EPS Motor & Gear Box, 7.75:1 (GWSP0775), $26.99; EPS Motor & Gear Box, 10.66:1 (GWSP1066), $26.99.
GWS is distributed exclusively by Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Installing wing bolts can be a difficult task to accomplish accurately. Harry Higley has developed a new wing-mounting procedure that removes most of the guesswork from this difficult chore. Now you'll never need to settle for a poorly mounted wing again. A wing can be perfectly aligned and the bolts drilled and tapped with precision.
Harry's new procedure uses a steel guide which measures 1½ inches around, 3/16 inch thick, and weighs a hefty six ounces. The guide works for 10-32, 10-24, and 1/4-20 bolts. It comes with step-by-step instructions that contain 16 photos showing Harry's new wing-mounting procedure in complete detail.
The price is $13.95 (direct sales add $4.50 for shipping), and the catalog number is wbg001.
ICARE introduces these newly developed brushless motors from Hacker. These sensorless, brushless motors are designed specifically for RC helicopter and 1/10 car application and have a standard 500- to 600-series attachment hole pattern.
They feature an extra-long tempered output shaft with flat to ease pinion attachment and have integrated cooling rings on the body. Also featured are a new high-temperature magnet and coil and a lateral cable exit for easy installation.
These motors are excellent "drop in" replacements for JR Voyager E, Corona LMH, or ECO 8 helicopters, as well as for 1/2, 2WD, 1/10, 4WD, or E-MAXX RC cars. They are available in many winding configurations for seven- to 10-cell applications.
For maximum performance, ICARE recommends that the motors be used with the new Hacker Master controllers.
Olympic II sailplane kit @ $89.95 + $7.95 S&H from Sky Bench Aerotech, 9218 Thunder Hill Pl., Fort Wayne IN 46804; Tel.: (260) 434-1322; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.skybench.com.
Sky Bench announces the availability of the famed original Airtronics Olympic II sailplane kit, a Lee Renaud design, better known as the OLY II.
The OLY II has taught thousands of beginning RC sailplane enthusiasts how to fly successfully. It will stay up on the slightest of thermal activity and produce long flights for the beginner, but the OLY II also wins contests. Tom Kallevang flew his OLY II to first place in the 2000 AMA/LSF Nats, and the wind was fierce all day.
The kit was originally designed to be built fast, and now Sky Bench has improved on that with laser-cut wing ribs that are stacked and ready for immediate use without needing to be punched out like a die-cut kit.
The fin is now a one-piece laser-cut part that saves building time and makes the model stronger to better withstand a flip-over landing. The stabilizer and rudder also have laser-cut parts to save building time and create more accurate and stronger flying surfaces. The fuselage top and bottom are now laser-cut, which will also save building time.
The wing leading edges are preshaped and require minimal sanding, and spoilers are optional, but installation is shown on the construction plan. All hardware to complete the model is furnished except the adhesives and covering materials, which are available from Sky Bench. The 5/16-inch steel wing rod that joins the wing halves is a competition-level wing joiner.
Separate panels are furnished for the wings, and the construction manual is illustrated with many photos to make building a snap.
Specifications: wingspan, 99.9 inches; fuselage length, 49 inches; wing loading, 5.5-6.0 ounces per square foot; wing area, 928 square inches; radio system, two- or three-channel; and airfoil, 10% thick flat-bottom.
Jimmie Allen Skyraider plans and parts 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.bhplans.com.
CAD-drawn plans and laser-cut parts are available for the Jimmie Allen Skyraider. The Jimmie Allen models were rubber-power kits sold by Skelly Oil during the 1930s as an advertising gimmick. It sponsored a radio show called the "Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen," about a teenager who was learning to fly.
As many as 20,000 people would come out to watch the young men and boys fly their models because of the radio show's popularity.
The laser-cut parts package includes all the parts you need. You add the stick stock, sheet stock, propeller, etc. They also have rib sets and replacement ribs and laser-cut tips.
The plans and full-size parts kit price are $8 and $12, respectively. Add $4 shipping and handling. Send an SASE for a list of Rubber and old-time gas plans and parts.
November 2002 159
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
