RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Welcome to the Radio Control (RC) Giants column. In this issue I write about the nearly finished Balsa USA 1/4-scale S.E.5a and the Miracle Y harness from Maxx Products. I conclude with photos and information about fellow AMA members of the Rio Grande Flyers in Rio Grande, Ohio.
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a
The S.E.5a was one of the better-known British fighters of World War I — the "Great War." It was a typical, boxy British design that catered to function rather than form. From the front it "resembled a farm tractor with wings"; however, the boxy and angular appearance belied its outstanding performance. The S.E.5a was a fast fighter capable of getting into and out of combat at will. Strongly built, it could withstand high-speed dives without structural failure. Although not as maneuverable as the famous Sopwith Camel, it was light on the controls, made an excellent gun platform, and was a favorite to fly among top-scoring aces such as Captain William Bishop. The S.E.5 designation stands for Scout Experimental, Number 5; the "a" denotes a later production model.
Balsa USA has introduced a 1/4-scale S.E.5a in its line of Great War fighters. I have reported progress constructing the model in previous RC Giants columns. My good friend and avid giant-scale builder Ed Hirschfeld of Selden, New York, has been collaborating on this project. Ed handled framing, covering, and painting, while I completed the rigging, radio installation, pull-pull controls, and final assembly. The aircraft is 99.9% complete and will be test-flown shortly. Ed chose the color scheme of Captain Bishop; such colorful and individualistic markings were later discouraged, so they’re a notable choice.
The kit is standard stick-built construction with ample instructions and photos. The Balsa USA assembly manual includes:
- a list of items needed to complete the kit,
- information about adhesives,
- a key to all die-cut parts,
- S.E.5a history and color-scheme information,
- reminders of the company’s technical-assistance telephone number,
- final assembly and setup guidance, balancing, final checkout, control movements, and flying information.
The quality of the wood provided is excellent. I liked the procedure for installing the engine: Balsa USA has incorporated an adjustable engine-mount box and a large hatch cover that provides complete access to your chosen engine. The wing assembly follows Balsa USA’s typical technique — easy-to-assemble, accurate wing panels. All expected accessories are provided.
All the accessories you need to finish the model can be purchased directly from Balsa USA, including:
- Solartex covering material,
- wheels,
- a 1/4-scale Vickers machine gun (Williams Bros.),
- a decal set.
Although Balsa USA does not supply a 1/4-scale Lewis gun, the company provides a simple instruction sheet so a modeler can build one.
A final report on flying the S.E.5a model will appear in the next RC Giants column. For more information or to order:
- Website: www.balsausa.com
- Customer service: (906) 863-6421
- Orders: (800) 225-7287
Miracle Y Harness
With better and more reliable radio systems, long-lead servo problems have largely disappeared. More modelers who fly larger aircraft — especially aerobatic models — are installing servos near the movable surface (e.g., in the horizontal stabilizer or the side of the fuselage beneath the stabilizer) and using short, heavy-duty pushrods with robust horns and hardware. This installation gives very precise control.
However, when two elevator servos are installed on either side of the fuselage to drive each elevator half, they can operate like ailerons: one servo pushes while the other pulls. You could have one servo modified to reverse direction, but a simpler solution is a reversing adapter installed in the servo lead.
Maxx Products International (MPI) of Lake Zurich, Illinois, sells the Miracle Y servo-reversing adapter. The Miracle Y is designed to control two servos from a single channel where the two servos must rotate in opposite directions. Installation is simple: hook it up like a standard Y harness. Fine alignment adjustments are made with a trim potentiometer located on the Miracle Y. Other uses include split flaps and twin-engine control. It works on 4.8- and 6-volt systems.
For more information:
- Website: www.maxxprod.com
- Phone: (847) 438-2233
Rio Grande Flyers
Rio Grande Flyers club member Bobby Patterson of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, enjoys flying RC Giants and the company of his fellow club members. Bobby travels 18 miles to the club flying field in Rio Grande, Ohio. The field is located on the original Bob Evans farm, which sits amid approximately 3,000 acres of farmland. Bob Evans is a restaurant chain operating mainly in the Mid-Atlantic and the South.
Although Bob Evans (the founder) is no longer associated with running the corporation, the Rio Grande Flyers enjoy a wonderful relationship with the farm’s current managers and employees. The club is fortunate to have such a magnificent flying field and the support of the people who run the farm.
Bobby asked me to put in a good word for the Bob Evans people — so here it is. A lighthearted way to show support would be for AMA members to visit a Bob Evans restaurant and enjoy a meal; every time I come across one, I’m tempted to go off my diet. Let these people know we are grateful for their support of model aviation. I’ll leave it to readers to decide how they’ll show thanks personally.
That’s my word limit again, so it’s time to sign off. Come back next month to read about the S.E.5a test flights and progress on the Super Kraft (Kangke Industrial) Rearwin Speedster Almost Ready to Fly.
As always, build straight, and fly safely!
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
