Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
THE JIGS UP
Soldering is a project that, for most people, falls into either the love-it or hate-it category. No matter how you feel about the task, it is important to correctly solder model aircraft electrical connections.
The Jigs Up was originally designed—and recently improved—by a modeler to simplify the process. The jig holds the items to be soldered. The holes on top of the jig can hold 3.5mm, 4mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, and 8mm bullet connectors. The "V" slots on the front of the jig are used to hold 2mm bullet connectors and the pins for the Traxxas connectors. The slot on the right side of the jig can be used for XT60, Traxxas, Multiplex 6-pin, and Deans T connectors.
The slot on the left side of the jig is used for Deans 2-pin, 3-pin, and 4-pin micro connectors. On the backside of the jig two alligator clips will hold two wires that need to be soldered together.
Also included is a weighted alligator clip, or "helping hand," that can be used to hold the wires while they are soldered to one of the several different connectors the jig supports.
This handy tool keeps the parts still during the soldering process, and in most cases frees one hand to flow solder onto the joint. The jig packs neatly into its storage container and can easily fit in a field box.
If you are looking for a portable solution to help in your soldering tasks, the $29.95 Jigs Up is the tool you need.
The Jigs Up; website: www.thejigsup.net; email: [email protected]
RUBBER BAND-POWERED AIRCRAFT
Hobby King carries a line of low-cost ($5-$12), easy-to-build, rubber band-powered FF models, some of which even include a battery-powered winder with a built-in counter.
When we received a few, I offered them to MA Managing Editor Liz Helms. Here is what she had to say:
Model Aviation Editor-in-Chief Jay Smith received three slide-together, rubber-powered airplanes from the Lyonnaise History Airplanes series to review for "Worth a Closer Look." He asked if I would be interested in putting one together. Being a fan of biplanes, I chose the Italian CR.32 that came with a battery-powered winder and an extra rubber motor.
The model went together easily and I had fun assembling it—so much fun that I asked Jay if I could have the P-26 as well. The blue and orange Peashooter went together even more easily, so the two models decorated my desk while waiting for the first calm day to fly.
Early one May morning—the first calm, sunny day in weeks—Jay, Graphic Designer Chris Savage, and I took the models outside to fly.
The battery-powered winder required two AA batteries. I purchased some inexpensive ones and the winder held its charge throughout the morning. It works well and it includes a resettable counter so you know exactly how many turns you put on the motor.
The instructions called for 100 turns per flight, but I tried as many as 150. I had fun trimming the models for different flying characteristics. The CR.32 flew fairly well, but I wish the flights would have been longer. The flight patterns were erratic, but probably because it was poorly trimmed.
I was far more successful with the Peashooter. After a few flights and trims, I seldom had to walk more than four or five steps from my launch point to retrieve it landed! I flew the two models for more than an hour while Chris retrieved and helped wind and Jay took photos. Who would have thought work could be so much fun?
I enjoyed the experience so much that I asked Jay for the third review model: the Fokker Dr.I triplane! I haven't had a chance to put it together yet, but I can't wait.
Hobby King; Tel.: (800) 607-5803; website: www.hobbyking.com
Product Spotlight
New products from the Modeler's Mall
Phantom Vision Quadcopter @ Price TBA + S&H from DJI Innovations; email: [email protected]; www.dji-innovations.com.
DJI Innovations announces the launch of the Phantom Vision, a professional-grade, consumer-focused quadcopter with an integrated high-definition (HD) camera.
Based upon the popular Phantom platform, it offers multirotor flight-control technology and an intelligent GPS-based autopilot system. The Vision’s camera comes with a tilt function, takes 14-megapixel still images, 1080p HD video, and has a variable field of view. The Vision features vibration isolation and is ready to fly right out of the box with no programming necessary.
The fully remote camera is controlled via the DJI iOS app, which features a downlink for low-latency video monitoring, wireless synchronization, social media sharing, and FPV functionality. The remote-control unit contains preprogrammed autopilot parameters, allowing the pilot to switch between different flight modes to achieve particular flight experiences.
The original Phantom’s safety parameters are incorporated, including the failsafe feature that brings the quadcopter back to its takeoff point and lands itself if the signal is lost from the remote control unit for any reason.
The DJI Phantom Vision will be available at the end of the second quarter of 2013; the price will be announced.
Great Planes Rifle 1M Sport Electric ARF @ $159.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.greatplanes.com.
Great Planes introduces a larger, 1-meter version of the 31-inch wingspan Rifle with improved handling, better visibility, and even faster speeds. It features lightweight, durable fiberglass and foam-composite construction.
The final assembly takes little time and effort. The wing and stabilizer bolt into place and automatically align. All control surfaces are factory hinged. Factory-cut inlets and exits allow air to pass through the battery compartment to cool onboard electronics.
The Rifle 1M has a low parts count that includes a machined aluminum spinner and complete hardware. A four- or five-channel radio with three microservos, 28mm brushless inrunner motor, 50-amp brushless ESC, and 2S to 3S 2,200 mAh LiPo and compatible charger are required.
The Rifle reaches speeds of more than 130 mph using the recommended speed power setup. The sport setup delivers speeds in the 90-100 mph range.
RCGF 26cc Beam Mount Version Gasoline Engine @ $189.95 + S&H from BP Hobbies, 115 Stryker Ln., Bldg. 4, Unit 10, Hillsborough NJ 08844; Tel.: (908) 431-5603; website: www.bphobbies.com.
BP Hobbies announces the arrival of the RCGF 26cc Beam Mount Version gasoline engine. Producing 2.95 horsepower, this engine can turn an 18 x 8 propeller at 7,000 rpm. Weighing 32 ounces with the ignition and muffler, its lightweight, compact design employs a rail mount system.
Known for high quality and power, RCGF engines come with a propeller adapter, muffler, two beams, spark plug, electronic CDI ignition, a two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and a 30-day BP Hobbies return warranty. Regular 87-90 octane gasoline or Coleman fuel with octane boost mixed with two-cycle oil is required. Use ashless non-synthetic oil for break-in.
BP Hobbies is the exclusive RCGF distributor for the US and Canada.
Flying Ball Indoor Helicopter @ $38.95 + S&H from Common Sense RC, Box 3546, Chatsworth CA 91313; Tel.: (866) 405-8811; website: www.commonsenserc.com.
The Common Sense RC Flying Ball coaxial indoor helicopter is durable, safe, and awesome to fly!
A flexible, shock-absorbing cage protects your eyes and surroundings from the spinning rotor blades and keeps the blades from hitting a wall or the ground, making the aircraft extremely durable. The internal flight battery charges via most standard USB ports using the included USB charger cable or directly through the transmitter. Directional navigation and night flying are made easier with a bright LED.
The Flying Ball helicopter is ready to go right out of the box. Simply add six AA batteries to the infrared transmitter and charge the battery. Three frequencies are supported, so as many as three helis can be flown in the same area.
Available in black, orange, and purple, the Flying Ball helicopter comes with the transmitter, 3.7-volt LiPo flight battery, spare tail and main rotor blades, the charging cable, a micro screwdriver, and instruction manual. Charging time for the battery is 60 minutes, with a 6- to 9-minute flight time.
T-CLIPS EP ARF @ $169.99 + S&H from Sig Manufacturing Company, Inc., 401 S. Front St., Box 520, Montezuma IA 50171; Tel.: (641) 623-5154; website: www.sigmfg.com.
Sig Manufacturing is proud to team with air show pilot Erik Edgren, to offer a new electric-powered RC model of his one-of-a-kind airplane: the T-Clips.
This pure aerobatic delight is a balsa ARF featuring a semisymmetrical airfoil and strong, lightweight construction. All parts are CAD drawn, laser cut, and jig assembled, so everything goes together quickly and fits properly.
The factory-painted fiberglass cowling recreates the look of the full-scale airplane, while the sturdy, aluminum landing gear, lightweight wheels, and factory-painted fiberglass wheel pants all mount with two screws.
The two-piece wing design is easy to transport and store with a strong aluminum-tube wing joiner. Changing the battery pack is easy with the removable windshield hatch held in place by strong, rare-earth magnets, and the built-in battery tray.
The 60-inch wingspan T-Clips requires a four-channel radio with four standard servos, a 500- to 800-watt brushless motor, a 60- to 75-amp ESC, and a 3S to 4S 4,000-5,000 mAh LiPo battery pack.
HSG-8315BH High-Voltage, Ultrafast Helicopter Tail Rotor Servo @ $89.99 + S&H from Hitec RCD, 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-8440; website: www.hitecrcd.com.
Hitec RCD’s new HSG-8315BH helicopter tail rotor servo is built for speed. With its Karbonite and aluminum hybrid gear train, high-performance coreless motor, and high-resolution, low dead-band circuitry, it is the perfect tail rotor servo for 500-plus-size electric and 50-size and greater gas helicopters, where maneuvers and aerobatics demand precision and acceleration.
Rated at 7.4 volts for 2S LiPo operation, with a 560 Hz refresh rate, the HSG-8315BH tail rotor servo rivals anything similar on the market. With a 25-tooth standard spline and dual ball bearings, it will become a heli pilot’s favorite servo.
Blade Nano QX RTF/BNF @ $69.99-$89.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; www.bladehelis.com.
Horizon Hobby introduces flying fun you can take anywhere! The Blade Nano QX features Sensor Assisted Flight Envelope (SAFE) technology with stability and agility modes, which is a revolutionary leap in flight control and training. If the pilot gets into trouble while in stability mode, he or she simply lets go of the sticks and the SAFE technology brings the Nano QX back into a hover. After mastering the basics, the agility mode offers faster flying speeds and more maneuverability.
Small enough to fly in any room or office, the Nano QX has a tough, lightweight airframe with blade guards and potent brushed motors that provide smooth, powerful lift. It also features a four-in-one DSMX receiver/ESC/mixer/SAFE sensor unit.
The RTF and BNF versions include two bodies, extra rotor blades, an E-flite 1S 3.7-volt 150 mAh 25C LiPo battery, and a compact USB LiPo battery charger. The RTF quadcopter includes the MLP4DSM four-channel DSMX transmitter with batteries. A four-channel DSM2 or DSMX transmitter is required to complete the BNF quadcopter.
Tom-E-Boy 150 RC Airplane Kit @ $55-$110 + S&H from Mountain Models; 2935 N. Lynndale Dr., Appleton WI 54914; Tel.: (920) 840-6036; website: www.mountainmodels.com.
Mountain Models’ Tom-E-Boy 150 is a small, electric RC model airplane kit. Its design was influenced by the Vic Smeed Tomboy, bringing back the nostalgic feeling of yesterday.
Designed with state-of-the-art 3-D CAD to allow for exceptional interlocking parts and fit and built from self-jigging, interlocking, laser-cut balsa and plywood, the Tom-E-Boy is easily put together.
Easy enough for a beginner to learn how to fly with help, the Tom-E-Boy 150 has three controls: rudder, elevator, and throttle. With a 30.25-inch wingspan and flying weight of 4.5-5 ounces, the Tom-E-Boy 150 can be built and ready to fly within a few evenings.
The kit includes the balsa and plywood, hardware and wheels, and the full-size plans for reference. A D1811-2000 outrunner motor, 6-amp ESC, two 3.7-gram servos, a 2S 300 mAh or 2S 360 mAh LiPo, microreceiver, 6 x 3 propeller, three-channel transmitter, and one roll of So-Lite covering are needed to complete the model.
The kit is available with only the hardware, or in a complete package with the motor, ESC, servos, battery, and propeller.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
