RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Sal Calvagna 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741 E-mail: [email protected]
IN THE NORTHEAST we are rapidly approaching the 2004 flying season, as are other cold-weather-prone parts of this great land. I hope that many AMA members have Giant models and can't wait for warmer temperatures and calmer skies to perform that first test flight. I am happy to report that I have had the opportunity to test-fly the Balsa USA 1/4-scale S.E.5a World War I fighter, and I have been working on completing the Kangke Industrial (Super Kraft) 1/4-scale Rearwin Speedster Almost Ready to Fly (ARF). I have some member projects to feature and a great story about an AMA member who flew in the full-scale counterpart of one of his projects. Enjoy the column.
S.E.5a Takes to the Air
The day finally arrived—a cold day, I might add—for the first test flight of the 1/4-scale S.E.5a from Balsa USA. The model was finished in Billy Bishop's Squadron 60 color scheme and is powered by the ubiquitous Zenoah G-38 gas engine. As reported in previous columns, the 80-inch biplane is constructed using tried-and-true, stick-built methods. One of this kit's major design attractions is the movable engine-mount box; it is designed to slide forward or backward during construction to accommodate nearly any engine choice the builder might make. The engine-hatch cover allows for easy access to the engine compartment. There is also a removable simulated radiator and a lower exhaust cover that allows even better access to the engine area.
Overall, the building process was quite enjoyable. My friend Ed Hirschfeld of Selden, New York, framed up the model and said that the parts were a good fit and the construction manual detailed each step with ample photos. All of the accessories needed to complete the model can be purchased directly from Balsa USA. These include:
- William Bros. 6 5/8-inch-diameter wheels
- A 1/4-scale Vickers machine gun
- Solartex covering material
- A markings-and-insignia package
The test flight took place at the Model Airplane Facility supplied by the Town of Brookhaven at 9 a.m. Winds were light and the temperature hovered at 30°F. As I pushed the throttle up, the S.E.5a started to roll and almost immediately lifted its tail. The model tracked straight and lifted off after approximately 40 feet of travel at full throttle. After a click or two of right aileron trim, the aircraft flew hands-off. As do other flat-bottom-airfoil models, the S.E.5a climbs with increasing throttle response. After a number of racetrack patterns it was time for the slow photo passes. I had no problem controlling the model in slow flight and enjoyed the low passes. This airplane has a distinctive color scheme that shows up well; one of the most visible attributes is the Lewis machine gun on the upper wing. The S.E.5a is attractive.
When my hands started to get numb from the cold, I knew it was time to land. I turned onto final, pulled the throttle back, and pointed the nose toward the ground. At roughly 20 feet of altitude it started to flare. The big biplane slowed down, settled in, and touched down beautifully. I couldn't have asked for a better first flight.
For more information concerning the 1/4-scale S.E.5a or any of Balsa USA’s other products, visit www.balsausa.com or call customer service at (906) 863-6421. To place an order, call (800) 225-7287. The address is Box 164, Marinette WI 54143.
CANT Z.1007bis
Several months ago I wrote in consecutive columns about building an Aviomodelli CANT Z—a three-engine Italian World War II bomber that is distributed by Internet RC. Not a popular World War II subject to model, I was surprised by the interest generated by the columns and the number of e-mails that I received on the subject.
Joe Caruso of Atlantic City, New Jersey, e-mailed a picture of himself with his CANT Z model. It spans 90 inches and is powered by three O.S. .46 FX glow engines. It is finished in Coverite and Chevron Perfect Paint. Joe’s model has a McDaniel onboard glow-driver system installed. With a flip of a switch, all three glow plugs are ignited, so there is no need to move batteries and glow-plug connectors around those moving propellers.
Joe has owned his CANT Z for years and enjoys flying it. He says that right rudder is needed during takeoff to counter the torque of the three engines, and coordinated rudder turns make the model look better during flight. Joe enjoyed building the model because the laser-cut parts fit together nicely. As I did with my CANT Z, Joe replaced the wheels that came with the kit for softer ones to absorb shock during landing. He made a set of bomb-bay doors from the servo-access hatch to drop bombs, and he wrote that the safest place to stand is where he is aiming the aircraft!
Joe belongs to the Atlantic County Sky Blazers, the Jersey Sky Devils, and the Salem County Radio Control (RC) clubs. In addition to fixed-wing models, he flies helicopters and is a retired full-scale flight instructor. He has been flying models and full-scale aircraft for nearly 40 years. Joe’s model looks great, and it is refreshing to see something new and exciting at the model field.
The most amazing letter I received on this subject was from Louis Marcon of Farmington, Michigan. Louis is a construction worker who joined the AMA after he retired in 1991. He is now a member of the Midwest RC Society of Canton, Michigan, and the Ribcrackers Model Airplane Club of Wixom, Michigan.
Louis flew seven missions as a marconista—a radio operator/navigator—in the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) in the CANT Z.1007bis during World War II. Louis wrote that the CANT Z was a beautiful airplane that brought him back safely even after US P-47 fighter attacks.
On a humorous note, Louis wrote that while on a training mission with other radio operators, they were practicing using a high-frequency antenna wound on a reel. During flight the reel was turned and the antenna was let out much in the manner of a garden hose on a reel. At the end of the antenna was a lead ball roughly the size of a baseball that kept the antenna straight out behind the aircraft. The antenna extended roughly 60 feet behind the aircraft to optimize power output on high frequencies.
Since Louis was the last operator to use the radio system during one particular flight, it was his job to reel in the antenna prior to landing, but he forgot. When the bomber was making its final approach over the hangars to the airfield, the aircraft was slightly low and slow. The lead ball at the end of the antenna was being dragged through the air, and it went through one of the hangar roofs and did some damage to the hangar. The base commander was not amused and ordered the whole crew punished—the Italian version of KP.
In another story, Louis wrote that during the day his airbase in Bari, Italy, had its bombers parked (hidden) under some trees while mockups made from plywood and fabric that were painted in camouflage were parked near the hangars. One day the Americans attacked the base with aircraft, destroyed all of the bombers hidden under the trees, and left all of the decoys intact. Louis thought that the Partisans must have had something to do with it!
You can’t make this stuff up. It is certainly amazing to learn these types of stories from fellow AMA members.
For more information about the Aviomodelli CANT Z.1007 model, contact Internet RC at (602) 347-1600 or write to Box 31189, Phoenix AZ 85046. The e-mail address is [email protected].
Rearwin Speedster ARF
Kangke Industrial has released its second Golden Age ARF model: the 1/4-scale Rearwin Speedster. It spans 96 inches and is designed for a 2.3 or larger gas engine. Four channels operate the aircraft, and it requires six servos.
My Rearwin Speedster is nearly completed. All of the surfaces are prehinged with an easy-hinge-type material; with a small amount of thin cyanoacrylate glue, the surfaces are complete. All of the servo mounts are ready to accept servos. The tail feathers are installed with epoxy, and the support wires/brackets are installed with the supplied hardware. All of the hardware is good quality, and the painted parts—cowling, wheel pants, and landing gear—are superbly painted and match the UltraCote covering on the model.
The model goes together quickly and will be test flown at the soonest opportunity. Stay tuned!
To find out more about the Rearwin Speedster, visit www.kangkeusa.com or call the order line at (877) 203-2377. For technical information call (631) 274-3058.
Come back next month to learn how to make great-looking decals and insignia. In the meantime, fly safely and be happy!
Sal
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
