product spotlight - 2012/08

SHARK!
It was a quiet day on the couch,
with the unsuspecting TV watcher’s
feet resting comfortably on the coffee
table when … duhduh … duhduh …
duhduh … duhduhduh, the theme
from Jaws suddenly raced through his
mind. There, drifting lazily from behind
the couch and directly toward him, was
a shark!
Yes, as soon as our Air Swimmers
shark was infl ated we began to envision
scenarios such as this, and could not
help but smile. We had the shark
infl ated at a local party store and
cost, as mentioned on the box, was
minimal—$1.07.
We began assembling it, following
the clear, easy-to-follow directions.
A diagram showed which pieces of
double-stick tape went together, and
well-marked spots on the shark’s body
showed where each piece went. It
was helpful to have someone lend
a hand because it was easier to
have one person
hold the shark’s
body while
the other installed the fi ns, rubber
band hooks for the tail, and the tail fi n
unit.
The tail fi n itself was tricky to
install onto the fi n assembly; make
sure to keep an eye on the small
plastic clips that secure the fi n posts
to the tail assembly. They might pop
off before they snap into place.
The next step was to install the
shark’s pod and track, but you need to
know your altitude or elevation to do
so correctly. We just went online and
found our local airport’s listing for
this data. Based on this number, the
directions tell you where to properly
place the pod and track on the shark
body, which has clearly marked
location points.
The last step is making the shark
neutrally buoyant so it neither rises
nor falls, it just fl oats in one place.
Putty is supplied to balance the shark.
It goes into an opening in the front
of the pod. The amount you use
will depend upon your altitude.
We used roughly half of the
supplied putty and began
to remove it as the
shark defl ated.
An infrared controller is used to
operate the shark’s features, so make
sure not to cover the front of the
controller when fl ying. The tail fi n
moves back and forth to provide
propulsion and steering while the pod
moves forward and back along the
shark’s underside to change balance,
making it climb or descend.
Flying was fun, and everyone wore a
smile. We all took turns and even those
with no previous RC experience didn’t
take long to master it.
William Mark Corporation: 112 N.
Harvard Ave., Suite 229, Claremont CA
91711; website: www.airswimmers.com
GET A GRIP
Sometimes Deans Plugs can be
diffi cult to unplug, especially when
they are new or your hands are numb
from fl ying in the cold. Ultra Grip,
from E-Power, provides two benefi ts.
As the name implies, it makes it
easier to unplug your connector,
and it can be used as a visual aid
to determine your battery’s status
(charged or discharged).
The Ultra Grip will also work with
Multiplex USA connectors and comes
in several different colors including
blue, red, black, yellow, green, and
white. Each package includes a set of
eight grips.
E-Power RC: Box 1201, Los Alamitos
CA 90720; Tel. (714) 982-4547;
website: www.rcmicro
A NEW LINE OF PROPELLERS
ProTek RC is well known for its
solid chargers and full-featured power
supplies. ProTek power supplies have
fed the hungry chargers each year at the
National Electric Fly-In (NEFI) without
issue.
The newest offering from ProTek
RC is a full line of propellers. Currently
83 offerings, made from nylon, plastic,
and wood, can be found on A Main
Hobbies’ website.
The line includes
propellers for gas and
electric; the nylon
offerings are supplied with
inserts to fi t up to four sizes
of propeller shafts.
Sizes range from 6 x 4 to
28 x 10 with prices ranging from
$2.29 to $37.99, providing a costeffective
option for your model aircraft.
The propellers are available now and
we will test them with some of our
upcoming review aircraft.
A Main Hobbies: 424 Otterson Drive,
Suite 160; Chico CA 95928; Tel. (800)
705-2215; website: www.amainhobbies.com
of the box. Also included are two rods
to assist in removing cut foam from
the brass tubes and a detailed set of
instructions.
The tool allows for easy adjustment
from 0° to 90°, thanks to its laser-cut
markings. After an angle is set, it can
be locked in place with the nylon bolt
and wing nut. The tool is capable of
drilling holes, slots, and shallow holes
in foam or balsa. The guide tubes on
the base ensure that your cuts are
accurate and the sandpaper on the
bottom of the base keeps the unit
from moving while you make your
holes.
As shown in the photo, using the EZFoam
Drill set to 45° resulted in clean
cuts in the foam. If you need to make
holes in foam or balsa, the EZ-Foam
Drill is worth the $19.95 price tag.
Precision Aero: 1561 River
Highlands Drive; Oconomowoc WI
53066; Tel. (262)-352-6670); website:
www.precision-aero.com
REVIEWS
A NEW LINE OF PROPELLERS
ProTek RC is well known for its
solid chargers and full-featured power
supplies. ProTek power supplies have
fed the hungry chargers each year at the
National Electric Fly-In (NEFI) without
issue.
The newest offering from ProTek
RC is a full line of propellers. Currently
83 offerings, made from nylon, plastic,
and wood, can be found on A Main
Hobbies’ website.
The line includes
propellers for gas and
electric; the nylon
offerings are supplied with
inserts to fi t up to four sizes
of propeller shafts.
Sizes range from 6 x 4 to
28 x 10 with prices ranging from
$2.29 to $37.99, providing a costeffective
option for your model aircraft.
The propellers are available now and
we will test them with some of our
upcoming review aircraft.
A Main Hobbies: 424 Otterson Drive,
Suite 160; Chico CA 95928; Tel. (800)
705-2215; website: www.amainhobbies.com
A HOLE IN ONE
If you have ever worked with
foam models, then you know drilling
holes in the foam is easy, but drilling a
nice, clean hole can be a challenge. The
EZ-Foam Drill simplifi es the process
and comes preassembled from 1/4-inch
aircraft plywood.
Included are three brass cutting tubes
in 1/4, 5/32, and 3/32 diameters that come
sharpened and ready to use right out of the box. Also included are two rods
to assist in removing cut foam from
the brass tubes and a detailed set of
instructions.
The tool allows for easy adjustment
from 0° to 90°, thanks to its laser-cut
markings. After an angle is set, it can
be locked in place with the nylon bolt
and wing nut. The tool is capable of
drilling holes, slots, and shallow holes
in foam or balsa. The guide tubes on
the base ensure that your cuts are
accurate and the sandpaper on the
bottom of the base keeps the unit
from moving while you make your
holes.
As shown in the photo, using the EZFoam
Drill set to 45° resulted in clean
cuts in the foam. If you need to make
holes in foam or balsa, the EZ-Foam
Drill is worth the $19.95 price tag.
Precision Aero: 1561 River
Highlands Drive; Oconomowoc WI
53066; Tel. (262)-352-6670); website:
www.precision-aero.com
HTS-SS Advance Sensor Station
and suite of sensors @ $21.99-
$239.99 + S&H from Hitec RCD,
12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064;
Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website:
www.hitecrcd.com.
The Hitec HTS-SS Advance Sensor
Station module provides more
advanced telemetry capabilities than
any other systems. Capable of working
with all types of models, the Advance
Sensor Station is compatible with
Hitec’s existing line of sensors. It also
provides engine temperature via the
HTS-ETEMP sensor, air speed via the
HTS-AS sensor, sensitive rate-of-climb
tracking with the HTS-VM sensor, and
servo performance from the HTS-SM
sensor.
The HTS-SS Advance Sensor
Station and the sensors are all available
individually, or in three combo packs:
the full combo, the glider combo, or
the upgrade combo.
Flyzone Acro-Wot MkII @
$199.99-$279.99 + S&H from
Great Planes Model Distributors,
Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826;
Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website:
www. yzoneplanes.com.
Flyzone’s new Acro-Wot MkII is
designed with the goal of pure sport
fun in mind. Made from lightweight,
molded
AeroCell foam, it
combines the best
of contemporary
looks, modern construction, and sport
performance into one electric-powered
airplane.
Surfaces are reinforced with carbon
fi ber for a truer, rigid fl ight. Final
assembly is quick and easy—no gluing
is required. The one-piece wing installs
with one bolt. The tail section aligns
itself automatically and is secured with
a single screw.
The 40-inch wingspan Acro-Wot
is equipped with a brushless power
system with an outrunner motor and
40-amp ESC. The aluminum landing
gear is sturdy, with large wheels for
better ground handling.
The RTF Acro-Wot includes a Tactic
four-channel radio. The transmitterready
(Tx-R) version allows the
modeler to use any transmitter with
the AnyLink adapter.
Aero-Pac Waco YKS-6 NC16249
@ $15.95 + S&H from Airborne
Media, 7414 Burton Dr., Liberty
Township OH 45014; Tel.:
(888) 829-4060; website: www.
airbornemedia.com.
Airborne Media announces its
newest addition to the Aero-Pac Scale
Documentation line, the Waco YKS-6,
N-number NC16249.
This Aero-Pac CD-ROM contains
all the Scale
documentation that is
needed, including three-views, eightpoint
walk around exterior photos
shot at every 45° angle, 40 exterior
shots showing close-up details, and
cockpit and instrument panel photos.
A free Waco logo is included. The
digital photo fi les can be enlarged,
made smaller, and/or printed for Scale
documentation packages.
The Aero-Pac exclusive interface is
viewable with any Mac or Windows
Internet browser; the high-resolution
fi les can be opened in any photo editor.
Model Plane Foam @ $50 per
box + S&H from Model Plane
Foam, Inc., 19165 Armada Center
Rd., Armada MI 48005; Tel.:
(586) 805-8593; website: www.
modelplanefoam.com
Model Plane Foam is a new product
developed by modelers, for modelers.
Intended for scratch-built foamie
builders and foamie kit manufacturers,
it comes in 6mm thick, 2 x 4-foot
sheets.
The sheets are made from smooth,
bright white, extruded polystyrene
foam, with no skins, perforations, or
printing. They cut easily with a knife,
router, or hot wire. CNC machinists
have raved about the clean, easy
cuts. Moving the sheets in the CNC
machines is uncomplicated. Scratch
builders have noted that it is easy to
form complex, curved surfaces.
Stiffer than Fan Fold Foam and less
brittle than expensive white foam,
Model Plane Foam is packaged in a
protective box containing 16 cleancut
sheets. Priced per box, the foam is made in Michigan and can be shipped
to any of the contiguous 48 states for
$15.
Rascal EP-49 ARF @ $199.99 +
S&H from Sig Manufacturing
Company Inc. 401 S. Front St., Box
520, Montezuma IA 50171; Tel.:
(641) 623-5154; website: www.
sigmfg.com.
Lunch break flying sessions are easily
managed with the Sig Rascal EP-49
ARF. Retaining the looks of the original
Rascal, the electric-powered version’s
performance is dramatically improved.
Remove the wings via dowel pins to
make it easy to transport. A steerable
tailwheel assembly allows the modeler
to taxi into position and back to the
pits after landing. This is unusual on an
airplane of this size!
The Rascal is completely made from
wood; there is no foam on this model!
Covered with UltraCote, it is available
in two color schemes: white with
transparent red trim, or white with
transparent yellow trim.
A 2410-09 brushless motor with
matched 18-amp ESC is included,
as well as a propeller, “quick change”
battery hatch, molded cowling, quality
hardware, factory-installed molded
windshield, decals, and illustrated
step-by-step assembly manual. A fourchannel
radio system, a mini reciever,
four miniservos, and a three-cell 850-
1400 mAh LiPo battery are required.
E-flite 10- to 15-size 90° rotating
electric retracts @ $89.99 + S&H
from Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105
Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL
61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639;
website: www.e-fliterc.com.
E-flite’s 90° rotating electric retracts
for 10- to 15-size airplanes are an easy
way to add the realism of functioning
retracts to models.
The self-contained system requires
no air tanks, complex linkages, or extra
servos. It is simply bolted into place
and plugged into the receiver. The
mounting bracket and chrome-plated
landing gear strut are included, as is a
bolt on the axle.
The retracts feature an integrated
electric motor with a micro PCB and
built-in over-current protection. A 90°
retraction sweep and 90° rotation give
the model a scale
appearance.
A specially designed
Y-harness is also
included, giving pilots
the option to use a
single-receiver channel
to control all of the retract units.
Tom-E-Boy Micro indoor electric
airplane @ $39 + S&H from
Mountain Models, 2935 N.
Lynndale Dr., Appleton WI 54914;
Tel.: (920) 840-6036; website:
www.mountainmodels.com.
The Tom-E-Boy micro indoor
electric airplane from Mountain
Models was influenced by the famous
Vic Smeed Tomboy. The 23.7-inch
model is easy to build and easy for a
beginner to learn to fly.
A state-of-the-art 3-D CAD package
was used to design the Tom-E-Boy,
allowing Mountain Models to provide
clearer assembly images. Parts are made
from self-jigging, interlocking laser-cut
balsa and plywood. Full-size plans are
included for reference, although they
are not needed for building.
The kit includes all parts, as well as
pushrods, landing gear, wheels, and
control horns. Designed to accept
the popular ParkZone ultramicro
electronics, the Tom-E-Boy requires a
1S 130 LiPo, 130 x 70mm propeller,
and covering. It can be built and ready
to fly in only a few evenings.
Ares Chronos CX 75 helicopter
@ $128 + S&H from HobbyTown
USA, 1233 Libra Dr., Lincoln
NE 68512; Tel.: (402) 434-5050;
website: www.hobbytown.com.
Ares introduces the new Chronos
CX 75 to its line of nano-micro
helicopters. Designed as a coaxial
with counterrotating blades, the heli
offers unsurpassed stability, with fully
proportional controls for excellent and
precise maneuverability.
At 7.3 inches long and 3.5 inches
high and weighing 0.7 ounces, the
Chronos CX 75 can fly indoors in any
place at any time. It is 100% factoryassembled
and ready to fly out of the
box. Everything needed to get into the
air is in the box, including the threechannel
2.4 GHz transmitter which
features digital trims and a built-in
LiPo battery charger. AA batteries for
the transmitter are also included. Its
110 mAh, 1S 3.7-volt LiPo helicopter
battery provides long flight times—as
long as 10 minutes per charge.
Ares helicopters are exclusively
available in HobbyTown USA
stores nationwide, or through the
HobbyTown USA website.