Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/07
Page Numbers: 14,15,16,17
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Product Spotlight - 2012/07

GAUI Hexagon Screw Driver Set

At the Toledo Expo, held in April, one of the things that caught our eye was the GAUI Hexagon Screw Driver Set. The combination of its compact, portable size and its rugged construction from SUJ2 high-alloy steel made us want one for our toolbox.

Around the barrel of the tool are five different replaceable screwdrivers that have heads on both ends. A sixth is mounted for use, for a total of twelve options for different screw types.

The CNC aluminum-alloy handle has a knob on the bottom that you turn until you get to the driver you want, all of which are marked. Then the release lever is depressed to add or remove the driver and it locks into place. The tool includes the following driver sizes:

  • Hexagon screwdriver head 1.5 mm
  • Hexagon screwdriver head 2.0 mm
  • Hexagon screwdriver head 2.5 mm
  • Hexagon screwdriver head 3.0 mm
  • Hexagon screwdriver head 1/16 inch
  • Hexagon screwdriver head 3/32 inch
  • Hexagon screwdriver head 0.05 inch
  • Hexagon screwdriver head 5/64 inch
  • PH0 Philips screwdriver head
  • PH00 Philips screwdriver head
  • Straight-edge screwdriver head 1.5 mm
  • Straight-edge screwdriver head 2.5 mm

We have been using the tool since the show and it has come in handy. It is small enough to carry in your pocket or with the rest of the tools that won't see much use with the GAUI Hexagon Screw Driver Set around.

Contact

  • Empire Hobby L.L.C.: 950 E. Baseline Ave., Unit 210, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
  • Tel: (480) 982-0909
  • Website: www.empirerc.com

BLADE mSR X

The Blade mSR X is the fixed-pitch little brother of the collective-pitch mCP X. Like the mCP X, it is flybarless and features the new AS3X stabilization system. The AS3X Digital Flybarless System uses an advanced three-axis digital MEMS sensor and exclusive control software in place of a conventional flybar to achieve a higher level of stability and responsiveness.

It is available in RTF and BNF versions. We received the RTF version, which includes a 2.4 GHz DSM2 four-channel transmitter with batteries. Both versions include the helicopter, manual, E-flite 1S 3.7 V 150 mAh 25C LiPo battery, and a one-cell DC LiPo charger.

A quick inspection while the flight battery was charging showed some definite improvements over the original mSR. One that stood out was a much cleaner and more robust rotor head.

The included transmitter has dual-rate flight controls. It comes set to high rates but can easily be switched to low by pushing down on the right-hand stick. When set to high rates, the red LED on the transmitter is solid; on low rates it continuously blinks.

Before flying, set the helicopter on a flat surface and plug in the battery without trying to insert it into the mounting slot. This allows the four-in-one control unit to initialize properly. Once initialized, a blue LED on the unit indicates the heli is ready. Insert the battery and you are ready to fly.

If spooled up slowly, the mSR X has a tendency to drift to the left and may fall over if it's not on a smooth surface. This drift was not experienced in flight and is not a trim issue. We recommend adding power quickly and getting the helicopter at least a foot off the ground for a successful takeoff.

The mSR X is crisp and agile, especially on high rates. It can be flown more aggressively than other micros and does not seem to exhibit any pendulum effect when transitioning from flight to hover. The benefits of AS3X can be seen when dealing with the tail, which locks in similarly to a heading-hold gyro.

The mSR X can be flown indoors and outdoors in calm conditions. Flight times with the included battery are approximately six minutes, so have extras on hand. It is an enjoyable helicopter for the intermediate pilot looking for flexibility to fly indoors or out and as a stepping stone to a collective-pitch model.

Contact

  • Horizon Hobby: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822
  • Tel: (800) 338-4639
  • Website: www.bladehelis.com

Gold Edition Giant Corsair ARF (Top Flite) — $749.99 + S&H

The Top Flite 50cc Giant Scale Gold Edition F4U Corsair ARF makes it easy to enjoy a bent-wing aircraft. Prebuilt from balsa, plywood, and aluminum, it is fully sheeted and covered in flat-finish MonoKote. Fiberglass parts are painted for a seamless look, while matte-finish decals add authentic detail.

The gull-shaped wing is reproduced in the factory, eliminating hours of building work. The main gear is located on the inner wing panel and stays in place when the outer panels are removed, making it easy to "walk" the fuselage. Prehinged flaps on the center section and outer panel are linked with a phenolic tab: once linked, the flaps in both panels work as a single surface, requiring only one servo in each wing half.

Abundant scale details include molded-in panel and cowl flap lines and a replica radial engine complete with pushrod tubes, spark plug wires, and a detailed cockpit interior with recessed gauges in the instrument panel. Extras such as a machined spinner, authentic wheels, a work/display stand, and foam work mat are included.

Minimum requirements:

  • Seven-channel radio
  • Three standard and eight high-torque servos
  • Main and tailwheel retracts
  • 50–55 cc gas engine

Contact

  • Great Planes Model Distributors, Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826
  • Tel: (800) 637-7660
  • Website: www.top-flite.com

Sky Limit Altitude Limiter — $24.90–$54.90 + S&H

The Sky Limit Altitude Limiter monitors altitude and/or flight time of an RC airplane. When the airplane reaches a user-specified altitude or time limit, it reduces the throttle to a preset level.

The limiter works in gas-, glow-, and electric-powered models and is applicable for Altitude-Limited Electric Soaring (ALES) and F5J competitions, altitude limiting to meet rules and regulations, keeping aircraft within visual range, fun-flys, club contests, or casual use.

A 3.6-gram airborne circuit installs inside the airplane, connecting to the receiver and throttle servo or speed control. The plug-in programmer is powered by the airborne circuit. It has a simple two-button control with a two-line LCD display to select altitude, time, and option settings.

Key specs:

  • Altitude limit range: 50 to 9,999 feet
  • Timer range: 5 to 9,999 seconds

The Sky Limit Airborne Unit and Programmer are sold separately or as a combo. A single programmer can be used with any number of Sky Limit Airborne Units.

Contact

  • Winged Shadow Systems, Box 432, Streamwood, IL 60107
  • Tel: (630) 837-6553
  • Website: www.wingedshadow.com

T-38 Talon (Bob Fiorenze) — $895 + S&H

Bob Fiorenze's T-38 Talon is available as either a 48-inch scale wing or a larger 51-inch sport wing. Weighing 15 to 20 pounds, the T-38 can be powered by an electric motor, .91 engine, or turbine.

The kit features a white, epoxy-primed fiberglass fuselage and precut foam flying surfaces. All panel lines, rivets, and access panel details are molded in. The large 11 x 19-inch flanged hatch is premolded. Inlets and the bifurcated exhaust duct are fiberglass, as is the canopy frame. Flying stabilizer hardware is included.

The T-38 Talon kit also includes three-view drawings, plans, former templates and photos, and an assembly instruction book.

Contact

Economy Electric Gas Can (Madison Components) — $128 + S&H

The Madison Components Economy Electric Gas Can is a high-quality Blitz gas can with an efficient pump that moves 20 ounces in approximately one minute. No holes are drilled in the sealed container, which prevents gas vapors.

Contact

Long Arm Micro Clevis (Du-Bro) — $2.49 + S&H

Du-Bro's Long Arm Micro Clevis has a throat depth of 0.6 inches, allowing for a maximum control angle. It features a perfect snap-fit closure with a color-matched silicone safety band to securely hold the arms.

The clevises come in three sizes: .032 inches, .047 inches, and .062 inches. The .032-inch and .047-inch versions use a threaded coupler; the .062-inch clevis threads directly onto the .062-inch pushrod.

Available colors: black, red, blue, lime green, and yellow.

Contact

  • Du-Bro Products, Inc., Box 815, Wauconda, IL 60084
  • Tel: (800) 848-9411
  • Website: www.dubro.com

aeroflyFS Mac Version (IKARUS) — $64.99 + S&H

IKARUS has released aeroflyFS for Mac. The Mac version emphasizes realistic flight characteristics and simple operation, similar to the PC version. All aircraft are highly detailed and flight environments are realistic. The software features many interactive flight challenges and special functions, combining easy, intuitive operation with accurate flight simulation.

The Mac software includes an international version with program menus and a printed manual in English. Mac OS X 10.6.8, 10.7.3, or higher is required. A joystick is recommended for control.

Contact

MicroLux Micro Lathe (Micro-Mark) — $499.95 + S&H

The MicroLux Micro Lathe from Micro-Mark is a durable, tabletop machine tool perfect for small spaces. Constructed with a rigid, heat-treated cast-iron bed and precision-ground V-ways, it can finish turnings up to 6 inches diameter and 10 inches long, yet remains compact and portable at 64 pounds.

The lathe cuts all metals, including carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, copper, nickel-silver, brass, and aluminum, as well as non-metals such as wood and plastic.

Included accessories:

  • Three-jaw chuck
  • 1/2-inch capacity rocker tool post
  • Tailstock dead center
  • Carriage feed gear set
  • Backsplash
  • Chuck guard
  • Wrench set

Milling attachments and machining accessories are sold separately.

Contact

SIAI Marchetti SF-260 (CARF-Models) — $2,790–$2,990 + S&H

The newly released 112-inch wingspan SIAI Marchetti has more than 1,900 square inches of area to carry its takeoff weight of 33 to 35 pounds. The 93-inch fuselage is sized to house single- or twin-cylinder, or two- or four-stroke engines.

The sandwich-construction fuselage includes carbon-fiber reinforcement and the model features a fully retracting undercarriage. Trailing link struts are by Airtech Germany, the nose strut by Behotec, and the wheels by Du-Bro. The model can also be used as a glider tow with a release on the fuselage.

Available paint schemes: Chequer, Conservative Stripes, Orange Italian, or Individual & Custom. A 104-inch turboprop version is being developed.

Contact

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.