RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Sal Calvagna 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741 E-mail: [email protected]
OUR HOBBY/SPORT has seen a marked increase in Giant Scale ARF models. Aircraft from the dawn of powered flight and the Golden Age to the ever-popular World War II fighters and beyond are now available in ARF form. This is wonderful for those who lack the time, patience, or even skill level to get an RC Giant into the air. Many other modelers who do like to build have also added an ARF or two to their stables.
Unfortunately, the effect on kit manufacturers and those in the industry who manufacture and sell accessories is not so positive. I surmise that it is a classic case of economics: supply and demand. It certainly is not a result of fewer Giant Scale modelers.
In the past, if you wanted a Giant Scale model, you had to build it. Now we all have a choice. ARF dealers and kit manufacturers need to find a way to coexist. I want to see both survive and prosper. In the end, all of us will benefit.
This month I'm happy to welcome the newest RC Giant kit to the Balsa USA fold. It's a 1/4-scale Nieuport 11 C.1, Bébé. I'll also describe the common hinge types used in larger models—at least the ones that I have the most experience using.
Nieuport 11
Gustave Delage designed the Nieuport 11 fighter, but it owes its origins to a prewar racing monoplane. Nicknamed the Bébé, it entered service in the summer of 1915. Although it utilized the outmoded over‑wing Lewis gun as armament, in January 1916 it gave the French a fighter that could best the Fokker Eindeckers and help put an end to the so‑called "Fokker Scourge." The diminutive fighter was neither a monoplane nor a biplane. It fell into a class of 1 1/2‑wing aircraft called sesquiplanes. A sesquiplane has a lower wing that is less than half the area of the upper wing. More than 700 Nieuport 11s were built under contract by Italy and Russia.
Balsa USA, of Marinette, Wisconsin, has added another flying legend to its stable of World War I fighters with the Nieuport 11 C.1. It has a span of 73 inches, a 61‑inch length, 1,450 square inches of wing area, and weighs 12 to 14 pounds. The construction is the typical stick‑built method used in all of the Balsa USA classics. This time the company designed its newest model for electric power.
The Nieuport prototype is powered by an SR Batteries power system that includes an AXI 4130/20 external‑rotor brushless motor and 24 2400 Max Series cells powering an 18 x 6 Zinger wood propeller. The model will also accept a .90 two‑stroke or .120 four‑stroke glow engine or a 20–25cc gas engine.
Dave Lewis of Balsa USA reports that the electric‑powered Nieuport prototype takes off in less than 10 feet and climbs out with authority. The model cruises nicely at half throttle and will perform consecutive loops with only a little throttle added. The small fighter can turn on a dime and makes beautiful low approaches and perfect landings.
For more information about the Nieuport or any of Balsa USA's offerings, visit www.balsausa.com or call (906) 863‑6421. To order the Nieuport, call (800) 225‑7287 or write to Balsa USA, Box 164, Marinette WI 54143.
Hinging the Giants
In the 20 years or so that I have been building RC Giants, I have come to rely on several different hinge types. Each of the three types of hinges has characteristics that make it desirable for Giant Scale modeling. My favorite hinges include:
- Robart Super Hinge Points
- Du‑Bro Heavy Duty Hinges
- B&B Quick Hinges
Below are details on each type, installation tips, and supplier contact information.
B&B Quick Hinge
The B&B Specialties Quick Hinge was designed to give superior strength, be lightweight, and offer ease of installation. It is made from high‑strength Mylar bonded between two layers of a fabric (woven) product. The hinge is approximately 1 inch wide and 2 inches in length and can be cut to any size with scissors to accommodate custom installations.
Using a typical elevator installation as an example, locate where the hinges are to be installed. Make slots in these locations with a sharp X‑Acto knife using a #11 blade in the stabilizer and elevator. Slide the hinges into position, making sure that the elevator can deflect the proper distance up and down without binding.
Wick in a few drops of thin cyanoacrylate (CA) glue by dabbing a drop at a time on the exposed section of hinge. A few seconds later you have a finished hinged elevator surface. Make sure you wick in the glue on both the top and bottom surfaces.
The B&B Quick Hinge is the easiest and fastest of the three hinges to install because all you need is a sharp #11 blade and some thin CA glue. It is rated for aircraft in the 20–35 pound range. Purchase directly from B&B Specialties by calling (574) 277‑0499 or writing to 14234 Cleveland Rd., Granger IN 46530. Web: www.bennettbuilt.com.
Du‑Bro Heavy Duty Nylon Hinge
The Du‑Bro Heavy Duty Hinge package contains two nylon 3/4 x 3/4‑inch hinge halves and a brass cotter pin. Install this in a similar manner as the B&B Quick Hinge; however, you will need to use a hinge‑slotting tool to enlarge the slots for this 1 mm‑thick variety.
Du‑Bro has a hinge‑slotting tool (part number 216), or you can use the Great Planes patented electric‑powered Slot Machine. I like to use two‑part epoxy to secure the hinges. One distinctive feature is that once you install your control surface, you can easily remove it for painting or repairing by removing the cotter pins from the hinges.
These hinges may be readily available in your local hobby store or you can order directly from Du‑Bro at (800) 848‑9411 or write to Box 815, Wauconda IL 60084. Web: www.dubro.com.
Robart Super Hinge Point
Instead of a chiseled slot such as ordinary hinges have, the Robart Super Hinge Point is round with many barbs on the hinge shaft. These are available in 3/32‑, 1/8‑, and 3/16‑inch sizes.
To install this type of hinge you drill a hole, add some glue, and insert the Hinge Point. To aid in the installation, Robart has a Hinge Point Drill Jig that will perfectly align and locate the hinge installation. Robart recommends white glue or epoxy to secure the hinge.
The Robart Super Hinge Point is extremely versatile and can be used in standard installations or for scale aileron or external flap hinging. Its design allows for installation of ailerons on a World War II model aircraft where the actual rotation point is behind the leading edge of the aileron surface. Using Hinge Points results in realistic operation and scale appearance.
To learn more about the Super Hinge Points, call Robart Mfg. at (630) 584‑7616; visit www.robart.com; or write Robart Mfg., Box 1247, Saint Charles IL 60174.
There are certainly many other types of hinges available for model aircraft. Some are for specialized purposes such as hinging scale flaps, gear doors, bomb bay doors, etc. The three that I have described work well.
So ends another RC Giants column. Keep building 'em straight!
I hope to see many readers at the 2005 Toledo Show. Stop by and say hello! MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
