RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Sal Calvagna 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741 E-mail: [email protected]
Three-engine bombers — a brief history
During World War I and since, the developed nations of the world have exploited the use of bombers in every conceivable configuration for many specialized missions. Before and during World War II, the Germans and Japanese relied on twin-engine bombers almost exclusively, while Britain and the United States formed medium (twin-engine) and heavy (four-engine) bomber forces.
When one looks back to the development and use of three-engine bombers, only one nation stands out: Italy. Italy’s Air Force, the Regia Aeronautica, used three-engine bombers successfully built by Savoia-Marchetti (SIAI) and Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (CRDA), especially in the Mediterranean region. Many examples of Allied and Axis medium and heavy bombers have been reproduced as radio-control (RC) models — and especially RC Giants — but finding a kit of one of Italy’s three-engine bombers has been as difficult as spotting the elusive Loch Ness Monster. Not anymore!
Aviomodelli CANT Z.1007bis Alcione (kingfisher) Bideriva (twin-tail)
Phil and Tony of Internet-RC are the United States distributors of the Mantua Model Group, including the Aviomodelli line of premier RC airplane kits and Almost Ready-to-Fly aircraft (ARFs). Aviomodelli offers a 90-inch-wingspan CANT Z.1007bis Alcione bomber kit. The kit includes:
- Fome-Cor-sheeted outer wing panels
- Laser-cut light plywood and balsa parts
- Fuel tanks, hardware, nonretractable landing gear, and wheels
- ABS engine cowlings and pushrods
- Insignia and decals for the Fascist and post-armistice Italian Air Force
The only items not included are the engines, the radio system, and paint. The CANT Z.1007bis requires three .46 two-stroke glow engines (or the equivalent).
For more information about the CANT and other Aviomodelli RC aircraft:
- Phone: (602) 347-1600 (Phil and Tony)
- Mail: Box 31189, Phoenix AZ 85046
- Web: www.internet-rc.com
Keep an eye on future RC Giants columns as I build my own Aviomodelli CANT Z bomber model.
i4c Products — background
A number of nice people have shared our hobby and sport throughout the years. Some have come up with better ways to do things or invented products that other modelers would be thrilled to own. Such is the case with Rod and Janet Johnson of i4c Products.
Rod says it all started in 1972 when, as a pilot for a small oil company, he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma. That was the same year he acquired his first RC model and became a member of the Tulsa Glue Dobbers. Since then he has flown many types of full-scale and RC aircraft. In 1995 Rod started i4c Products; it has grown into a full-time job for him and several others in the Tulsa area. Most of the products the company sells are made in Tulsa. Rod handles research, development, and product testing while Janet handles sales and the computer end of the business. Because it is a small company, they use a hands-on approach to each product they develop to ensure quality and performance.
If you see the i4c Products booth at one of the major hobby shows, make it a point to stop by and say hello to Rod and Janet.
i4c Products — offerings
Rod and Janet offer a number of useful products for modelers, especially those who build and fly larger models. Highlights include:
- ACE R/C Dual Digital Variable Charger (DDVC)
- Variable adjustable output for all sizes of battery packs
- Two outputs adjustable in 5 mA increments starting at 5 mA and ending at 500 mA
- Sirius Electronics SuperTest Cycler
- Gives an accurate digital reading of battery capacity
- Does not require an external power source (in the unit I prefer)
- V-Tach onboard tachometer
- Two meters in one: 30–20,000 rpm tachometer (16-bit microprocessor controlled) with peak rpm recall
- 0–20 volt digital voltmeter with 0.01-volt resolution
- Hall-effect sensor switches the unit automatically to rpm mode when motion is detected
- Stores peak rpm during flight; peak rpm displayed for 10 seconds after engine stop, then reverts to voltmeter
- Powered by a 9-volt battery; turns on with the receiver (no external power switch needed)
- C-Volt digital battery-voltage monitor
- Onboard, self-contained unit that reads +4.00 to +18.00 volts to the nearest 0.01 volt (nearest 10 millivolts)
- Weighs approximately 0.5 ounce, draws less than 3 mA
- Reverse-polarity protected; available with JR, Futaba, or Airtronics connector
- Plugs into any unused receiver channel; moving the servos in flight shows loaded battery voltage
- Also available in an aluminum-case version
- The Isolator
- Provides mechanical isolation of servo battery power from receiver power
- Eliminates glitches caused by long servo extensions and heavy-duty servos by isolating servo and receiver power
- Approximately the size of a standard receiver; weighs about 12 ounces
For more about i4c Products:
- Web: www.i4cproducts.com
- Mail: 6924 E. 92nd, Tulsa OK 74133
- Phone: (918) 492-9425
Battery charging and care
Last month I wrote about how to determine what size Ni-Cd receiver battery is appropriate for your RC Giant model. This month I want to cover how to charge and care for your receiver and transmitter batteries.
Primary charging recommendation:
- Slow-charge your receiver and transmitter packs at the 10% rate.
- Example: a 1000 mAh battery pack should be slow-charged at 100 mA for 14–16 hours to achieve a full charge. This promotes longevity.
Notes:
- Fast-charging is possible, but slow-charging (10% rate) is preferable for routine charging and will not harm packs, even if left on charge beyond 14–16 hours.
- Using the 10% rule lets you safely charge overnight without damaging the battery even if the pack had some remaining capacity from field use.
Charger selection:
- Choose a charger that you are comfortable using. I like a variable-output charger such as the ACE R/C Dual Digital Variable Charger (DDVC) because of its flexibility for different-capacity packs (5 mA increments, 5–500 mA).
Cycling and capacity testing:
- The only real way to check a pack’s performance and capacity is to charge and cycle it.
- Cycle packs a few times a year to monitor performance.
- Any pack that cycles out to less than 80% of its rated capacity should be replaced.
- I prefer the Sirius SuperTest Cycler for capacity testing: set it for 4-, 5-, or 6-cell operation and set the discharge to 250 mA for an accurate digital capacity reading.
There are many chargers and cyclers on the market — some combine both functions. Choose one that suits your needs and comfort level, but primarily slow-charge your receiver and transmitter packs.
Closing
This brings us to the end of another RC Giants column. If you have a specific topic you would like to see covered here, send me an e-mail or mail a letter to the address at the top of the column.
If you have an RC Giant that you are particularly proud of, send photos and a description and I will do my best to include them in a future column.
See you on the flightline. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
