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.
Model Flyer magazine
Wise Owl Worldwide Publications 1926 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 204, Redondo Beach CA 90277 Tel.: (310) 944-5033; Fax: (310) 944-9963; E-mail: [email protected]
Model Flyer is a new British magazine, edited by David Boddington. It includes the latest news and product reviews; interviews and technical input from top fliers and designers; information direct from manufacturers; meeting events and club locations; and questions directed to the editorial team.
A one-year subscription (12 issues) costs $62 by surface mail, and can be ordered through Wise Owl at the above address. Subscriptions can be ordered with a check (made payable to Wise Owl Worldwide Publications), Visa®, MasterCard™, or Discover™.
Wise Owl Worldwide Publications has moved to the address shown above.
Brian Taylor Me 109E (Bob Holman Plans)
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
Laser-cut parts are available for the Brian Taylor Me 109E.
Brian is one of England's most-experienced scale designers, with wins at four UK Nationals. He has also done well many times at the World Championships scale meets, flying for the British teams.
Photos of Brian's models are very hard to distinguish from photos of the full-scale aircraft; many pictures in the magazines of models built from kits look like photos of model aircraft.
Brian never sells a plan until the model has been built and test-flown; you will never unknowingly build the prototype.
The Me 109E has a 68-inch wingspan, and the plan shows scale flaps and retracts. Power is .60 two-stroke or a .75–.90 four-stroke.
Accessories are available, including a detailed fiberglass cowl, canopy, and scale spun-aluminum spinner, which might cost $50 or more, if you could find one the right shape.
Laser-cut parts include most of the parts that need to be cut to shape.
- Plans: $40 + $5 S&H, rolled.
- Accessory package: $85.
- Laser-cut parts: $95.
- Add $10 shipping for complete package.
modelSPORT magazine
modelSPORT magazine Box 12557, Jacksonville NC 28540 Tel.: (910) 938-3371; Fax: (910) 989-1912; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.modelsport.com
modelSPORT magazine enters its third year of production by releasing MS0301 (volume 3, number 1).
modelSPORT magazine is a video-magazine-format television program about the hobby of radio control (RC). Released every other month on VHS videotape, the feature-length issues (two hours long) are composed of segments covering a wide variety of subjects.
Each issue features a unique assortment of general and technical information about RC modeling. Feature and "how-to" segments cover a diverse range of subjects, including modeling techniques, RC engines, radio programming, tips and tricks, flying and trade events, tools, construction, and new products.
A six-issue subscription is $39.99, plus a one-time $5.95 S&H charge. Complete your collection, or build your personal library for $6.99 per issue plus $2.95 S&H, $5.00 each additional tape. Nine issues are available. Savvy modelers will save the S&H if they get theirs from one of more than 200 local hobby shops. Visit the Web page for the dealer nearest you.
Crickit (Mud Duck Aviation)
Mud Duck Aviation, Flying Frog Farm 5380 Providence Ln., Sumerduck VA 22742 (for info-pack) Tel.: (888) 790-8577
The Crickit is the newest airplane from Mud Duck Aviation. Unlike the giant 108-inch Mud Duck, the Crickit has a delightfully tiny 34-inch span, for a .15 to .25 glow engine.
With wing and fuselage sides of FomeCore® board, as on the giant Mud Duck, the Crickit assembles quickly and accurately. Laser-cut balsa-and-plywood parts assure accurate assembly.
A complete graphics package showing Spinner (Tom Chipley's cartoon character) on the controls is included.
The unique landing-gear design includes two huge wheels and a fiberglass axle for straight-line takeoff and landings.
No covering required (just a clear spray-paint) means less time building and more time flying. This three-channel, sporty flyer is docile and/or acrobatic—depending on your desire and how you wiggle the sticks.
40 and 80cc gas engines (RC Showcase)
RC Showcase 734 Kent Oaks Way, Gaithersburg MD 20878 Tel.: (888) 313-7316 toll-free in US, or (301) 926-6746 outside US; E-mail: [email protected]; Web page: www.rcshowcase.com
Two new lightweight engines have been added to RC Model Showcase's ZDZ ModelMotor family.
- ZDZ 40 RV-L: single-cylinder, delivers 4.8 horsepower, weighs 2.9 pounds. Cost: $450.
- ZDZ 80 B2 RV-L: horizontal twin-cylinder, 7.8 horsepower, weighs 4.1 pounds. Cost: $950.
The new ZDZ engines achieve excellent power-to-weight ratios with lightweight Nikasil cylinder technology. Throttle handling is excellent throughout the rpm range, owed to the advanced rotary-valve induction system.
Designed and built for Giant Scale, they are supplied with a microprocessor-controlled auto-advance ignition system operating from 4.8–6.0 volts, allowing direct connection to a lightweight Duralite battery without the need for a regulator.
A range of suitable laminated propellers and spinners are available.
DAS System Primary Flight Training manual (1st U.S. R/C Flight School)
1st U.S. R/C Flight School, Box 212, Shawano WI 54166 Tel.: (715) 823-2151
The 1st U.S. R/C (Radio Control) Flight School has been in existence since 1987. More than 800 people have attended and successfully learned to fly in a week.
Throughout this experience, a system of R/C flight instruction has been developed along the lines that the best solutions are often the simple ones.
Good habits are the same whether learning to fly or flying advanced aircraft; good pilots fly with the same repetitive techniques, and proficient fliers fly with ease because of where they place their priorities.
Those priorities have been assembled into a 112-page manual—the DAS system of Primary Flight Training.
The DAS System brings to the forefront the central solo techniques that good fliers use.
The 1st U.S. R/C Flight School runs its concentrated hands-on flight-training courses May–October, with each three-student class held Monday–Friday.
Buddy-system instruction and all equipment needed throughout the week is provided for a $549 tuition.
Primary flight training through solo is common, but aerobatic training is becoming more popular as a growing number of students return for further instruction.
Lessons are structured and presented each day, based on what has proven to work best when learning to fly—not on theory—meeting the goals of each person attending. These goals include good habits, avoidance of mishaps, long-term time and money savings, and solo independence.
The manual sells for $29.95 postage-paid in the US. MasterCard™ and Visa® are accepted.
Call for more information, or send $3 for a complete information package.
Florida Jets 2000 (SKS Video Productions)
SKS Video Productions R.D.#1 Box 264 Pine Rd., Abbottstown PA 17301 Tel.: (800) 988-6400 in US or (717) 259-7193; Fax: (717) 259-6379; E-mail: scott@sksvideo; Web site: www.sksvideo.com
This year's Florida Jets attracted some of the most-unusual aircraft, such as Gustavo Campana's X-29, Norm Redenshek's TZJ Buckeye, Erich Himmler's Venom, Pat DeFillipi's F-104, Bill Steffes' Panther, and Dean Wichmann's Eagle Bandit.
Get a firsthand look at some of the latest products, such as the new Hammer P120 turbine, Mini Hobbies' new autospeed, and the new Aviation Design's F-16, and ride along in Captain Eddie's twin-turbine-powered DC-10 with an onboard camera.
Run time is 90 minutes. Price: $24.95 + $3.25 S&H.
Dave's Custom Models / Air Magic
Dave's Custom Models (10205 Spring Cir., Austin TX 78736; Tel.: (512) 288-2055) has decided to cease manufacture of all its product lines and has sold all its molds, fixtures, and related parts to a firm in California called Air Magic.
Dave's Custom Models has enjoyed 12 years of manufacturing high-quality kits and was the first to introduce the B-scale epoxy/fiberglass fuselage and foam cores of the Hawker Sea Fury and the Hawker Typhoon—excellent-flying warbirds.
Air Magic produces high-quality jet aircraft kits, and Dave's Custom Models hopes it enjoys the same popularity with its new venture into big-propeller warbirds.
Air Magic Models: 2325 Regional Parkway #3, Santa Rosa CA 95403; Tel.: (707) 542-5721.
Modeler's Mall
Brian Taylor P-51D epoxy/fiberglass fuselage and laser-cut ribs (Bob Holman Plans)
The fuselage and wing and tail ribs are now available for the Brian Taylor P-51D plan.
The Brian Taylor P-51D is one of the most scale-accurate P-51s available. Like all Taylor plans, these show all-built-up construction, with no foam. Fiberglass cowls have surface detail—plastic cowls are never used. Scale-size aluminum spinners are also available.
The epoxy/fiberglass fuselage saves the time of building the fuselage up. This fuselage is made from a high-quality metal surface mold.
The P-51D semi-kit includes Taylor plans, fiberglass cowl, fiberglass belly scoop, canopy, drop tanks, spinner, and laser-cut wing and tail ribs. The wingspan is 69 inches, and power is .90–1.08.
The semi-kit is priced at $220 + $25 UPS shipping. This model is for the experienced builder; no construction details are shown for the glass fuselage.
1937 Kellett YG-1B autogiro kit (Autogyro Company of Arizona)
Autogyro Company of Arizona Tel.: (888) 783-0101 (toll-free orders); (623) 582-9428 (free brochure, information, and tech support); Web site: www.autogyro-rc.com
The smooth lines and nostalgic look of this new 1/5-scale sport-scale 1930s-era Kellett autogiro kit are certain to attract scale and autogiro enthusiasts, taking us back in time to the "golden age" of the autogiro.
This is the fourth autogiro kit to be released by the Autogyro Company of Arizona, and it is by far the largest model autogiro kit ever produced.
The rotor disk spans 74 inches, spawning an enormous 4,300 square inches of disk area and producing a very light disk loading of less than 4.5 oz./sq. ft.
Designed for .61 two-stroke or .91 four-stroke engines and simple four-channel operation, this laser-cut kit is remarkably simple to construct; no machining is required, and no fancy mixing or computer radios are needed. All simple rotor head parts are included; blades are airfoil-shaped and laser-cut.
Standard and Deluxe kits are offered. Characteristic short-field operations and no-ground-run landings are the norm with only a few mph of headwind. Cruise flight is remarkably slow and scale-like; the huge blades chopping great bites out of the air as this Kellett whirls overhead generates a wonderfully exciting, unique swooshing sound produced only by big autogiro models.
For scale builders looking for a novice subject, this kit is easily finished, replicating any of the many Kellett KD-1A, KD-1B, and YG-1B (military) models from 1935 to 1939 (documentation available).
For Sunday fliers, this kit will be a large and attractive model, with lots of "presence" in the air at your local flying site.
Plans for Sikorsky S-38 Carnauba and S-39 (Classic Aero)
Classic Aero, 1782 Laverne Ct., Oxford MI 48371; E-mail: [email protected]
Allen Mrock, owner of Classic Aero, has released the plans for both airplanes, which won first place in their events at the WRAM (Westchester Radio Aero Modelers) show in February 2000.
The plans are offered in 3/8-inch to 1-foot scales, and the models are based on full-scale replicas. Both sets of plans are highly detailed, showing ribs, rib stitching, cockpit, and cabin interiors.
- The 1/6-scale S-38 has been converted from two Saito engines to the 3-W24 gasoline engines and weighs 42 pounds. The engines fit nicely in the engine nacelle.
- The new 1/6-scale S-39 uses an OS 160 twin or a Saito 150 mounted sideways and weighs 17 pounds.
Full color and photo-pack documentation is available from Classic Aero.
Accessories are available for the 1/6- and 1/12-scale S-38 and the 1/6-scale S-39 only at this time. Write or e-mail for more information.
Documentation Picture Packs (Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum)
Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum, Box 229, Rhinebeck NY 12572 Tel.: (914) 752-3200; Fax: (914) 758-6481; Web site: www.oldrhinebeck.org
The Sopwith Camel is the first subject in a series of aircraft "Picture Packs" from Rhinebeck's internationally known collection.
Each Picture Pack includes 20–24 4 x 6 color photographs of the subject, including front, side, rear, and all quarter views.
A variety of close-up pictures, including strut and cable fittings, landing gear, details, hinging, tail surfaces, cockpit details, and more are included to meet the needs of most modelers and early aviation enthusiasts.
The prints are provided in a compact photo album.
When available, paint descriptions and sources of additional documentation (including three-views and written information) are provided.
Coming soon will be Photo Packs for the Fokker Dr.I, Fokker D.VII, Nieuport XI, Albatros D.Va; many others will follow. Price per Picture Pack is $20 + $4 S&H. Please include payment in U.S. funds. All shipping rates are for deliveries in the continental U.S. Contact Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum for rates to other areas. Visa®, MasterCard™, and Discover® are accepted.
For further information on the Picture Packs, other gift-shop items, and museum memberships, contact the Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum.
Modeler's Mall
Plans for Piper J4-E Cub Coupe (Reid's Quality Model Products)
Reid's Quality Model Products, 30 Clifton St., Phelps NY 14532 Tel.: (315) 548-3779; Web site: www.REIDSMODELS.com
The 1/6-scale 1941 J-4E has accurate scale outlines. Designed by giant-scale pioneer Jim Messer, the Cub Coupe features a three-piece wing with scale airfoil.
As with most Piper aircraft, the J-4E is a stable-flying airplane capable of mild aerobatics.
The Cub Coupe features full-length aluminum tube spars for strength and ease of construction. The airplane is mostly wood construction, with an available fiberglass cowl and wheel pants. Bob Shattlerow has made the metal landing gear available.
This 144-inch beauty has almost 3,000 square inches of wing area, flies very well on a 4.5–6 horsepower engine, and has a flying weight of 28–32 pounds.
Reid's Quality Model Products will offer a semi-kit in the near future; write for prices. Plans are shipped rolled. There are 99 square feet of drawings for $40 plus $6.75 S&H. Items may be ordered directly from Reid's.
1/2A Pathfinder (Brodak Manufacturing and Distributing Company Inc.)
Brodak Manufacturing and Distributing Company Inc., 100 Park Ave., Carmichaels PA 15320
The 1/2A Pathfinder competition stunt design features durable construction, detailed engineering, and top-quality materials.
What sets the 1/2A Pathfinder apart from other airplanes is its design. This model is made to use shorter leadout cables and is engineered for tighter turns, making it much more maneuverable.
Because the Pathfinder flies with a tighter circumference and responds so quickly, you can fly it in a smaller area, turn faster, and do tighter stunts.
The 1/2A Pathfinder features a wingspan of 35 inches, a wing area of 236 square inches, and an overall length of 27 inches. It can be flown with engine sizes .049–.070, depending on personal flying preference.
The 1/2A Pathfinder includes detailed full-size plans and complete, fully-illustrated instructions that include building tips.
Featured in the kit are a one-piece preshaped fuselage, die-cut plywood parts, and die-cut ribs and tail surfaces. Like all Brodak kits, the 1/2A Pathfinder features select AAA balsa.
Included in the kit are a formed-wire landing gear, a Brodak heavy-duty bellcrank, leadout cable and guides, a full hardware kit containing a nylon control horn, leadout cables, and an adjustable weight box.
The kit contains a complete set of fuelproof decals, a pushrod splitsleeve coupler, 4-40 x 1 mounting bolts, and more.
Also included are control-line flying instructions for enthusiasts who are just getting started.
The 1/2A Pathfinder is available through hobby shops.
Expanded Scale Voltmeter MKII (Great Planes Model Distributors)
Great Planes Model Distributors, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign IL 61826-9021 Tel.: (217) 398-6300; Fax: (217) 398-0008
Hobbico's new Expanded Scale Voltmeter MKII is 25% smaller than industry-standard ESVs, and it weighs less, so it's easy to carry and comfortable to use.
The voltmeter offers greater versatility, measuring 4.8V and 6.0V receiver batteries, and 9.6V transmitter packs.
The Expanded Scale Voltmeter MKII measures a compact 2 7/8 x 3 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches to fit easily into any flier's pocket or field box.
Its improved meter includes a mirrored area that ensures a proper viewing angle, as well as red and green zones to indicate safe and unsafe voltage levels. The meter shows four-, five-, and eight-cell scales, with dual descriptors for each. For maximum accuracy, the unit simulates a very realistic 225–275 mAh load when testing batteries.
Hobbico backs the Expanded Scale Voltmeter MKII with one year of warranty protection. Price: $19.99.
Aluminum Tail-Blade Grips and CNC Aluminum Tail Rotor Gearbox (Miniature Aircraft USA)
Miniature Aircraft USA, 3743 Silver Star Rd., Orlando FL 32808 Tel.: (407) 292-4267; Fax: (407) 292-4296; Web site: www.x-cellhelicopters.com
- CNC Aluminum Tail-Blade Grips, #0860, are a direct replacement for #0873 or #0453 plastic grips. Weight is 20% less than #0873. Fits all X-Cell helicopters. Special hardened long-shank pivot bolts are included. The grips are sold in pairs.
- CNC Aluminum Tail Rotor Gearbox, #0861, is a direct replacement for "99" Spec. 1004 SE, 1060 Pro II, or any X-Cell equipped with #0859 Pro-pitch slider kit. Net weight gain of 1.7 grams over original parts (total net weight of #0860 and #0861 is equal to original parts replaced).
Unique design affords easy setup and service. Kit includes all hardware required to adapt #0859, and an improved output shaft. (Order #0861-1 if you do not already have #0859 and want the entire assembly.)
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
