RADIO CONTROL GIANTS - 2004/12

92 MODEL AVIATION
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, I wrote a
construction article on the Kangke
Industrial USA, Inc. Super Kraft 96-inchwingspan,
1⁄4-scale Rearwin Speedster
ARF. The write-up appeared in two
successive columns, with the flight report
appearing much later in the year because of
poor weather conditions. Now, having
logged more than a few hours on the
Speedster, I feel compelled to share my
observations on this outstanding model.
During the construction phase, it was
suggested that I install a 50cc gas engine to
appreciate the aerobatic qualities this
model possesses. The model was designed
with a fully symmetrical, thick airfoil and
large, movable surfaces for aerobatic flight
performance.
Since I did not have a 50cc engine
laying around, I borrowed a Zenoah G-45
from a good friend. The G-45 really pulled
the Rearwin around, but the cold, blustery,
winter-weather conditions and a problem
with the carburetor kept the model
grounded for a time. A busy spring and
summer at work and other ongoing projects prevented me from
returning to the Rearwin until late summer.
Finally, during the dog days of August, I decided to yank out
the G-45 and return it to my patiently waiting friend. Then I
installed a Zenoah G-38 that I had sitting around. I have always
been partial to the G-38s because they are truly reliable and easy
to operate.
Because the Speedster has a narrow cowling, the rear exhaust
of the G-38 made installation simple. As a bonus, I did not have
to hack apart the cowling. I knew the G-38 would have no
problems flying the Rearwin, and I wasn’t really interested in
performing Torque Rolls with the model anyway.
As it turns out, the G-38 has more than enough power and
the Rearwin’s flight characteristics are truly outstanding. With a
thick, fully symmetrical wing and light wing loading, the model
has a magnificent flight envelope. From super-slow passes at
nearly idle to high speed at full throttle, it is a joy to pilot.
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Jerry Bates Plans offers 1⁄4-scale three-views of the Bristol Bullet. The Bullet was one of
very few World War I monoplanes to see service.
A photo of Rich’s Dr.I from the rear shows the superb weathering
and hand-painted insignia that it wears.
Rich Perry’s Balsa USA 1⁄4-scale Fokker Dr.I is finished in World
War I ace Adolph Ritter von Tutschek’s colors.
The author’s Kangke Industrial USA, Inc. Super Kraft 1⁄4-scale
Rearwin Speedster ARF on a takeoff roll.
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94 MODEL AVIATION
The airplane is extremely maneuverable and has no problem
performing aerobatics. Even at a dead-slow pace, the control
surfaces are effective. Since I don’t trust my own conclusions, I
made sure that anytime I brought the model to the field, I passed
the box to anyone who was interested in flying the Rearwin. All
who flew it agreed that this model is an outstanding-flying
machine. Ground handling was equally superb.
If you would like to replicate what I have in my Rearwin, my
G-38 has a B&B Specialties cup mount and dual-stack muffler. It
powers a Zinger 18 x 8 propeller. I used five Futaba S3305
metal-gear, heavy-duty servos that produce 99 ounces of torque
at 4.8 volts and 124 ounces at 6.0 volts. There is one servo on
each aileron, one for the rudder, and two for the elevators.
I used a standard servo for the throttle. Since the elevator
servos are installed in the rear of the fuselage, I used a Maxx
MPI Miracle reversing Y harness so that the elevator halves
Powered by a Zenoah G-38 engine, the Rearwin is a joy to fly,
whether it’s making a slow pass or at full throttle.
Unlike the full-scale aircraft beset with difficulties, Harry
Botkowsky’s 31% Ford Flivver purrs like a kitten.
travel in the same direction. I used a regular Y harness for the
ailerons.
I have an SR Batteries 2200 mAh, 4.8-volt receiver battery
pack installed under the stock fuel tank. With this setup, the
model is slightly nose-heavy, which is perfect. No additional
weight was added.
My hat is off to Kangke Industrial and those who are involved
with the design of the Rearwin Speedster. For more information
about the Rearwin, please visit the Kangke Web site at
Come See Us
in Ontario!
Hope to see
you there!
Model Aviation will have a booth at the
AMA Convention, January 7-9, 2005 at
the Ontario Convention Center in sunny
Ontario, California.
Stop by and visit with Model Aviation
Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt.
Do you have an interesting story idea,
model airplane design or technique you
would like to share with your other modelers?
Find out how you can write an article to
be published in Model Aviation!
Let the Model Aviation people know what
you would like to see in AMA’s flagship
publication.
Look for information at the show about
Model Aviation seminars.
12sig3.QXD 10/25/04 11:13 am Page 94
96 MODEL AVIATION
www.kangkeusa.com or call (877) 203-
2377. You can write to the company at 65
E. Jefryn Blvd., Deer Park NY 11729.
Jerry Bates Plans: Jerry Bates of Mobile,
Alabama, has acquired the rights for seven
plans sets designed by Robert Sweitzer,
who has long been known in the Scale
community for his design, drafting, and
graphic presentations. The following new
plans can be purchased from Jerry Bates
Plans:
1) Zlin Z-37 Cmelak, wingspan 57
inches
2) Druine D.31 Turbulent, wingspan
58.25 inches
3) Giant Astro-Hog, wingspan 90
inches
4) Sequoia Aircraft Corp. F.8L Super
Falco, wingspan 78.75 inches
5) Bristol M.1C Bullet, wingspan 92.25
inches
6) Stearman 4E-4EM, wingspan 76
inches
7) Ryan PT-22 (Navy NR-1), wingspan
90 inches
For more information on any of Jerry
Bates’ plans and accessories, please visit his
Web site at www.scaleaero.comjerrybates.htm
or call him at (251) 478-6720. You can
also write to him at 102 Glenwood St.,
Mobile AL 36606.
Rich Perry’s First Giant: Rich Perry of
Evergreen, Colorado, sent in some
stunning photos of his first Giant Scale
project: a Balsa USA 1⁄4-scale Fokker Dr.I
triplane. Rich writes that he generally flies
Open class and Scale Combat. When he
saw the advertisement for the triplane, he
had to have it.
A Saito 180 four-stroke glow engine
spinning a 20 x 6 propeller powers the
model. The aircraft’s total weight is
roughly 14 pounds, and Rich used Solartex
to cover it. After mixing the paint himself
to get just the right color from artist’s
latex paint bottles, he took the results to
The Home Depot and had exterior latex
house paint mixed for the finished
product.
All the insignia is hand-painted, and
Rich used a technique he learned while
building plastic models to weather the
Dr.I. He added a tail wheel to the aircraft
because the field where he flies has a
paved runway. (Rich belongs to the Jefco
Aeromod’lers and claims that its field is
one of the finest in the country.)
The model is finished in Adolph Ritter
von Tutschek’s colors. Tutschek belonged to
the Jasta 12 unit and was an ace with 27
confirmed kills. He was killed in action on
March 15, 1918.
Great job on your first Giant Scale
aircraft, Rich; however, as with potato chips,
you can never have just one!
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Harry’s Flivver: Harry Botkowsky of
Brooklyn, New York, built the shown
31% Ford Flivver Model 2A from
scratch. He wrote that he sent the curator
of the Henry Ford Museum a request for
information and photos of the Ford
Flivver, and a week later a large envelope
arrived with copies of the original
designs, dimensions, doodlings, photos,
etc. Harry was so thrilled that he sent the
museum a donation.
Harry wrote that aircraft were an
important part of the Ford Motor
Company’s history. Most people
remember the Tri-motor transports
produced between 1926 and 1933, but
few can recall other Ford aircraft. The
Sky Flivver of 1926 certainly falls into
that category.
Weighing 350 pounds with a wingspan
of 22 feet and a length of only 15 feet, the
Flivver was a very small aircraft. It is
said that Henry Ford wanted an airplane
built that would fit in his office. A threecylinder
Anzani engine powered the
airplane. It was designed by Otto Koppen,
a young Ford employee who had
graduated from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. Henry Ford
envisioned that personal aircraft such as
the Flivver would be as commonplace for
the average American as automobiles.
Only two test pilots flew this aircraft:
Ford chief test pilot Harry Brooks and the
famous Charles Lindbergh. Both men
were trusted friends of Henry Ford. Harry
Brooks was killed piloting the Flivver in
1928, and Henry Ford canceled the
project.
Unlike the difficulties and problems
surrounding the original full-scale Ford
Flivver, Harry reports that his model is a
real pussycat; it purrs along nice and
easy. Harry thanks his friend Richard
Piccola for the excellent plans.
This ends another RC Giants column.
Please have a wonderful, healthy, happy,
and peaceful holiday season. See you in
2005! MA
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