Author: Sal Calvagna
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/06
Page Numbers: 129,130
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Radio Control Giants - 2007/06

Sal Calvagna [[email protected]]

Many Giant Scale products were seen at the 2007 WRAM Show

I attended the annual Westchester Radio AeroModelers (WRAM) hobby trade show, held at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. The show features exhibits by approximately 150 manufacturers and organizations. It is the largest of its type on the East Coast and one of the largest held in the country. This event has been held continually since 1968.

When I attend this type of show, I'm always on the prowl for goods and services specifically designed for the larger models. The following are just a few products I saw.

B&B Specialties

B&B Specialties advertises that it is "Your Giant Scale Headquarters," and it certainly is—especially for gas engines and associated accessories. B&B specializes in Zenoah, Quadra, U.S., and Fuji engines.

The company's booth was chock full of wares, from complete engines to the smallest fittings. What caught my eye was the blue fuel tubing. Many of the aircraft I own have the Tygon brand of fuel tubing installed. This brand is greenish-yellow in color and is available in different sizes. It is manufactured for use with gas and diesel fuels and is a very good product although it becomes slightly stiff with age.

The blue tubing B&B offers is manufactured by Aerotrend and is sold as Easy Flex gas and diesel fuel line. It is extremely flexible and doesn't harden with age. The price is $1.25 per foot. This is my favorite choice of fuel line for gas engines. If you would like to try some, contact Dick Bennett at B&B Specialties.

Ziroli Plans

Among his other talents, Nick Ziroli Sr. is a prolific model airplane designer. Now Nick has designed an all-wood sport jet called the Turbinator, which incorporates proven wood-type construction. The model is International Miniature Aircraft Association-legal with a wingspan of 72 inches and a length of 80 inches. The all-up weight is 20–22 pounds, and it was designed for a turbine with 12–16 pounds of thrust.

The plans are available from Nick Jr. at Nick Ziroli Plans for $54. The available accessories include canopy, scale pilot figure, Robart retracts, and an air support package. Nick's model has a Robart Funsonic 12-pound-thrust turbine installed.

Futaba

One of the more exciting new products available for RC modelers is the 2.4 GHz radio system. AMA has approved it for models of all sizes. Futaba states that it has been using spread spectrum technology for nearly 15 years in industrial RC applications. The company's new system, the Futaba Advanced Spread Spectrum Technology (FASST), utilizes custom integrated circuit chips that are ideally suited for the unique demands of RC modeling.

Features include:

  • Small but powerful R606FS receiver capable of controlling Giant Scale models
  • Continual channel shifting that occurs every two milliseconds to prevent signal conflicts and interruptions
  • Unique identification code in the Futaba 6EX transmitter; after linking with the R606FS receiver, the receiver will only follow commands from that transmitter
  • More than 134,000 possible codes for near-zero chance of conflict

The 6EX 2.4 GHz transmitter is available in different configurations. The street price for a transmitter/receiver set is approximately $219.99.

J&B Access Panels

J&B Access Panels offers access panels that can add serious value to a model. J&B claims, "Just like their full-size cousins, model airplanes benefit greatly from access panels and removable hatches."

After building a few Giant Scale models, I have to agree. I especially appreciate the convenience of servo hatch mounts/covers. Fabricating these hatches yourself is not difficult, but it is time-consuming. J&B has made the process easy:

  • Choose the size and shape of the panel you want.
  • Install your equipment.
  • Glue the whole installation in place.

Made from plywood, the panels come in two pieces: the base and the removable panel. The base is machined with an end mill to form a precise opening that fits the panel perfectly. The servo mounting blocks are made when the base is machined. You remove the pieces when you cut the base open. Holes are predrilled and countersunk, and the servo-arm slots are cut partway through the panel. All mounting screws are provided.

BatShare (Smart-Fly)

BatShare is a battery backup device by Smart-Fly. The company claims it is dedicated to providing the RC modeler with high-quality, high-performance, affordable products.

BatShare enables the modeler to use two battery packs and to switch from the main pack to the backup pack automatically when a low-voltage condition occurs. The product can tolerate a single failure (open circuit, short circuit, or low-voltage conditions) in either of the battery packs, switch, or battery wiring without causing radio control loss. The unit continuously monitors both packs and switches to the one with the higher voltage.

Features include:

  • 3-amp continuous current per input (connector limited)
  • Very low voltage drop (0.47 V at 6 amps, 0.55 V at 12 amps)
  • Visual power indicator (LED)
  • All 22-gauge wiring on inputs and outputs
  • Dual 22-gauge outputs for minimal voltage drop

For more information about the BatShare or to see Smart-Fly's other products:

That's it for this month. Summer is here, so fly often and have lots of fun—safely! MA

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.