BUILDING WITH FOAM
Readers might be familiar with Keith Sparks. Not only is he the owner of Park Flyer Plastics, but we published his P-40 construction article in the February 2012 issue, along with an article about how to work with foam. If you missed it or would like more information about the subject, Keith has released a revised version of his book titled Building With Foam.
It's not only for the novice builder. Intermediate and advanced scratch builders will benefit from this easy-to-read, 133-page book. It is the result of 20 years of mistakes and successes, updated with the current construction materials available today. Inside you will learn how to make "homemade" tools such as a bow, cutting templates, and other special implements needed to work with foam. The book has nearly doubled in content, with 60 pages added because of the many new materials, adhesives, and available equipment. Bound with a sturdy metal spine and covered with protective plastic, this book will last on your workbench for years.
Wingspans from 10 inches to 8 feet are covered, as well as glow- and electric-powered models. Three methods of construction are extensively covered, as well as several finishing types. It contains all of the "rules" you need to know to affordably build flying models.
The book also covers storing and transporting models as well as tips on their repair. Black-and-white photos and illustrations appear on nearly every page to complement the text and further reinforce more complex topics.
If you are interested in building your own foam models and want the tips and tricks to make them stand out, Building With Foam is worth a closer look.
Park Flyer Plastics: 7755 Northeast Drive, North Richland Hills, TX 76180; Tel.: (817) 233-1215; website: www.parkflyerplastics.com
RC LOGGER RC EYE ONE
The LED on the top right can be used for orientation if it is in the line of sight. One of the things we like about the RC EYE One is that it has three flight modes, which go beyond the typical dual rates.
Located on the bottom of the quadcopter is a push button to select the flight mode. This is chosen after the LiPo battery is plugged into the RC EYE One. The flight mode always starts at Beginner mode, even if it was previously set to one of the other two settings.
- Beginner mode: indicated by the LED flashing green. Recommended for your first indoor flights in a small area because it softens the controls.
- Sport mode: indicated by a flashing orange LED. Offers more agile flight characteristics while still providing stability when needed. This is the mode we typically use when flying outdoors or indoors in a slightly larger space such as a living room.
- Expert mode: indicated by a red blinking LED. Provides no limitation on the controls. Pilots comfortable with multicopters and helicopters and looking for extreme maneuverability will find it with this setting.
The RC EYE One exhibits self-stabilizing flight characteristics, and once trimmed will allow the pilot to release the right stick. The quadcopter will hover almost effortlessly when flown in the Beginner and Sport flight modes.
The amazing thing about this scant 77.4-gram quadcopter is its ability to handle wind. We initially held off on flying it outdoors until Adam at RC Logger shared a video of the RC EYE One holding its own in winds of 10-plus mph.
The RC Logger RC EYE One is a versatile quadcopter, as evident by the success pilots of all skill levels have had flying it in the office. It has provided the most fun we have had in a while from an RC product at this price.
The only drawback we found is that plugging in the battery can be slightly challenging because the socket is flush on the bottom and resides between the battery tray and the body of the quadcopter. It was easier to first plug in the battery, then put it in the tray and attach the strap to hold it in place. Flight times are approximately 8 minutes.
Although the included transmitter does an adequate job, RC Logger is working on a "One-Link" to allow a flier to use his or her transmitter of choice to pilot the RC EYE One.
If you are looking for a micro quadcopter that pilots of all skill levels can be successful with, the RC EYE One should be on your short list.
RC Logger: website www.rclogger.com
BUILDING SQUARES
Whether you build your models from scratch or from a kit, there are certain tools one needs to ensure that the model is built straight and true. A builder’s square with a 45° angle works well to align the vertical and horizontal stabilizer or can be used to ensure each wing rib has the proper angle.
Generally, some builders use only one square for alignment. Building Squares from Precision Aero come in packs of two or four and include a stand that allows them to be freestanding. Made from heavy, 1/4-inch-thick PVC, they are sure to last a long time.
If you labor over installing your airplane’s tail and are looking for a simple way to ensure alignment, the Building Squares from Precision Aero might be just what you are looking for.
Precision Aero: 1561 River Highlands Dr., Oconomowoc, WI 53066; Tel.: (262) 352-6670; website: www.precision-aero.com
Product Spotlight
New products from the Modeler's Mall
NAZA H Auto Pilot System for Helicopters — $269.99 + S&H
From Atlanta Hobby, 6110 Parkway North Dr., Cumming, GA 30040; Tel.: (678) 513-4450; website: www.atlantahobby.com
The DJI Innovations NAZA H Auto Pilot System for helicopters goes beyond simple gyros, making helicopter flying easier for both beginner and advanced pilots. The all-in-one design contains damping, controllers, a three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer, and a barometer. The tail gyro is built into the controller, reducing power loss and making 3-D flying easier.
A firmware update will soon be available online for semiautomatic takeoff and landing, with the NAZA H in charge of cyclic pitch/roll stabilization, requiring only a push of the throttle stick to gently take off in GPS Atti. Mode or Atti. Mode. An optional GPS module is available that can provide accurate positioning with longitude, latitude, and altitude locked in even in the windiest conditions, as well as an intelligent fail-safe to automatically hover the heli if the transmitter signal is lost.
The NAZA H is suitable for 450- to 700-size electric helicopters and supports different swashplate types. Regular receivers and Futaba S-BUS are supported. The user-friendly assistant software makes setting up the unit convenient and simple.
Thunder Tiger Raptor E550S ARF Helicopter — $649.99 + S&H
From Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1, Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 398-8970; website: www.ttamerica.com
The Raptor E550S is designed to get the pilot into the air fast by being 95% assembled out of the box. Advanced electronics are factory installed, as is the brushless power system that includes a 1150 Kv brushless motor and 80-amp brushless ESC, a TG7200 heading-hold gyro, high-torque metal-gear cyclic servos, and a DS0606n digital tail servo.
Other features include a precise, responsive 140° eCCPM rotor head, belt-driven tail rotor, two-piece carbon-fiber airframe with a large compartment for a 6S 5000 mAh LiPo battery, and high-performance 550mm carbon-fiber main blades. With lightweight tailboom and reinforced boom support brackets, this helicopter has easy-to-install tail guides with a metal tailboom clamp and nylon landing gear with low-profile aluminum skids.
A 6S LiPo battery and a radio system with up to six channels are required to complete this helicopter.
Hitec ePowerBox 30 Power Supply — $109.99 + S&H
From Hitec RCD, 12115 Paine St., Poway, CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website: www.hitecrcd.com
The ePowerBox 30 is a 30-amp AC power supply designed for use with Hitec H4, X4, X4 Eighty, or any other DC charger. It accepts input voltages from 100 VAC to 240 VAC and provides an adjustable output of 12 VDC to 18 VDC. The unit features dual 4mm output jacks and a backlit LCD screen that displays both voltage and amperage output.
ParkZone Mini Vapor BNF/RTF — $79.99–$99.99 + S&H
From Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.parkzone.com
The ParkZone Vapor has gone mini. With a wingspan of 8.7 inches and flying weight of less than 1/3 ounce, the Mini Vapor is the perfect size to navigate small indoor spaces. With precise, fully proportional throttle, elevator, and rudder control, the Mini Vapor flies with a DSMX three-channel receiver and ESC with two servos and a 1S brushed coreless motor. The lightweight PET film covering and carbon-fiber fuselage rod keep weight to a minimum while providing durability.
Jeti DS-16 Radio System — $1,295 + S&H
From Esprit Model, 1240 Clearmont St. NE #12, Palm Bay, FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
The Jeti DS-16 is a revolutionary 2.4 GHz, digital 16-channel, frequency-hopping radio system considered one of the most advanced on the market. It features a solid CNC aluminum case with a fully integrated antenna and mini USB port for downloads and firmware updates. The system also includes a built-in speaker, headset jack, metal transmitter gimbals with Hall sensors and nine ball bearings for precise movement, and a 320 x 240 backlit display.
Built-in logical switches and integrated functions allow the pilot to program complex strings of control events with the flip of a switch. All switches and channels are movable and assignable, and safety is enhanced with programmable sounds and alarms for monitoring temperature, speed, battery voltage, and receiver battery capacity. The unit includes an onboard 2GB SD memory card.
Blade Red Bull BO-105 CB CX RTF Helicopter — $69.99 + S&H
From Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.bladehelis.com
The full-scale Red Bull BO-105 CB helicopter is a highly modified aerobatic machine. The Blade Red Bull BO-105 CB Coaxial Ultra Micro helicopter brings some of that thrill to modelers as a state-of-the-art RTF model. Advanced 2.4 GHz technology allows multiple helicopters to fly at once without interference. The computerized Piezo gyro provides control and stability, while the proportional rotor head servo brings smooth control response.
Officially licensed by Red Bull GmbH Austria, everything needed to get the heli in the air is in the box, including four AA batteries for the radio and a 1S 3.7-volt 150-mAh 25C LiPo battery. Replacement parts are available through the Horizon Hobby website.
Revolver 50cc Gas ARF — $429.99 + S&H
From Great Planes, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1, Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.greatplanes.com
If you want "bigger-is-better" performance with simple ARF assembly, the Revolver 50cc gas airplane is for you. Self-aligning wings and stabilizers are easily removed and attach with joiner tubes and screws. Prehinged ailerons and elevators make assembly as easy as with .40- or .60-size models. The hatch, painted pilot figure, and canopy are preassembled for easy installation.
With a 7-1/2-foot wingspan, the Revolver 50cc features factory-applied MonoKote, aluminum landing gear, and spinner. The simple four-channel design makes radio setup a snap. In addition to a minimum four-channel radio, the following are required to complete the model:
- Five high-torque servos and one or two standard servos
- A 50cc to 55cc gasoline engine
Ares Tiger Moth 75 WOT/RTF — $64.99–$79.99 + S&H
From Hobby Town USA, 1233 Libra Dr., Lincoln, NE 68512; Tel.: (402) 434-5050; website: www.hobbytown.com
The nano-micro size and low weight of the Ares Tiger Moth 75 make this semiscale model perfect for small indoor spaces. The three-channel throttle, rudder, and elevator controls offer maneuverability for flying outdoors in calm or light wind.
Weighing 14 grams, the Tiger Moth 75's unique, lightweight airframe design is durable and assembles with magnets. Parts interlock for easy maintenance and repair without glue. Ready to fly out of the box, the model comes in a variety of scale finishes including authentic trim schemes, molded wing rib details, and a pilot.
The Ares Tiger Moth 75 is available as RTF or without transmitter (WOT). Both versions include a factory-installed receiver and onboard electronics, as well as a 50 mAh 1S 3.7-volt LiPo battery. The WOT version also includes a DC USB charger and is ready to bind to compatible Ares 2.4 GHz transmitters.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
