Radio Control Giants - 2011/06 | Model Aviation Library

Author: Sal Calvagna

Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/06
Page Numbers: 94,95,96

Radio Control Giants — 2011/06

Threadlocker follow-up

WELCOME BACK! In the February 2011 column I wrote about the importance of using threadlockers—especially in high-vibration environments such as our gas-powered models. Mick Van Kampen, a member of the Watervliet Highflyers in Watervliet, Michigan, sent the following in response:

"Your recent article in MA touched on removable and permanent threadlockers. You probably already know further details but it might be something that others benefit from if space allows. Here's a pretty good document: www.permatex.com/documents/ThreadlockerSelector.pdf."

Thanks for the assist, Mick. The flowchart will certainly be useful to fellow AMA members!

WRAM Show

In late February I attended the 43rd annual WRAM Show, hosted by the Westchester Radio AeroModelers (WRAM) at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York. Notwithstanding rising fuel prices and a sluggish economy, many products and services at the event were geared toward larger models. Visit the club's website for more information about this show.

JT Servo Extensions

I included a picture of Jeff and Toni Jones of Rockford, Illinois, at their booth at the WRAM Show. They do business as JT Servo Extensions and sell a multitude of servo extensions, Y harnesses, heavy-duty switches, and snap-lock safety connectors.

All extensions are 22 AWG, with gold-plated contacts and silicon insulators.
Heavy-duty switches are rated for 10 amps and include a charge jack with a protective sliding door.
Extension lengths: 4 to 48 inches.
Pricing: $3 each for 4–24 inches; $5 each for 36 and 48 inches. Heavy-duty switches are $14 each.

For more information, please call Jeff and Toni or visit their website.

Aircraft Modelers Research (AMR)

Aircraft Modelers Research (AMR) of Quebec, Canada, offers a variety of large-model kits. Dominating the company's booth at the WRAM show was the Monster Stick.

Wingspan: 144 inches
Fuselage length: 110 inches
Wing area: 4,320 square inches
Stabilizer area: 880 square inches
Recommended engine: 150–170 cc
Includes 8-inch main wheels and a 3-inch tail wheel

AMR reports the kit is easy to build using provided wing fixtures and that the fuselage is a fixture in itself. Parts are laser-cut for a precise fit; the model is easy to assemble at the field with plug-in wing and stabilizer. Each kit includes an instruction manual with photos. AMR offers customer support via e-mail and phone, controls quality and delivery by making kits in their factory, and stocks replacement parts year-round. The company is working on several new projects, including a 1/4-scale PT-19.

Easytiger Models (ETM) — Me 109 ARF

The ETM booth featured a 96-inch-span Me 109 ARF, finished in desert tan. Curtis Mattikow of ETM provided these details:

Quick-building ARF; assembles in about 15 hours.
Fuselage and cowl: fiberglass. Wings and tails: built-up balsa, sheeted, covered, and painted. Markings hand-painted.
Includes a complete top-quality giant-scale hardware package.
Power: 50–85cc engines or the Tiger Power 100 outrunner electric motor.
Optional landing gear set (includes 85-degree retracts, beefy struts, top-quality metal and rubber wheels, and all air hardware): $295.
Weight: about 25–30 pounds. Span: 96 inches. Wings and stabs plug in for transport.
Price: $995.
Ground handling is excellent, even off grass; the model is light and easy to land. A video is available on their website.

For more information about the Me 109 or other ETM products, contact Curtis Mattikow by phone or email.

Kondor Model Products — ESM Supermarine Spitfire

Kondor Model Products of Thunder Bay, Ontario, specializes in ARFs. Their ESM Supermarine Spitfire (shown at the WRAM Show) has these specs:

Wingspan: 89 inches
Length: 76 inches
Wing loading: 35.6 ounces
Flying weight: roughly 22 pounds
Designed for a 50cc gas engine

The Spitfire comes factory-painted in a British color scheme with preapplied decals. Features include functional flaps, factory-installed pushrod guide tubes, and all hardware. Fuselage and cowling are epoxy resin fiberglass; wings are built up. An illustrated instruction manual is included. The model is available in primer only as a custom order (lead time approximately eight to 10 weeks). The Spitfire was due back in stock in early July.

Giant Scale Cutters — Heavy-duty pushrod kit

Giant Scale Cutters owner Tom Johnson offers a heavy-duty pushrod kit for larger airplanes.

Kit consists of a 32-inch-long, 3/8-inch-diameter carbon tube and two 4-40 aluminum ends (note: original text said "3-inch-diameter" which is likely an OCR error; typical pushrod diameters are smaller—confirm with vendor before use).
Price: $10.
Carbon rod can be cut to any length; aluminum ends can be installed using J-B Weld. Extra tubes or ends available separately.
The accompanying photo shows one of Tom's pushrods supporting 60 pounds of weight.

Selected static-display models

There were many gorgeous giant-scale models in the WRAM Show static display area. Two I selected:

Mike Plott (Bronx, New York) — de Havilland Chipmunk built from Dave Wormsley plans. At 1/4 scale the model spans 104 inches, is powered by a Laser 180 engine, and is finished with latex paint. The cowl, engine cowling, and hatches have scale hinging and latches.
Michael and Alfred Fusco (Stamford, Connecticut) — 1/5-scale Bud Nosen P-47 Thunderbolt. Spans 106 inches, powered by a Husky Challenger 144cc inline twin engine, weighs 49 pounds, and is finished in Flite-Metal.

The full-scale P-47D "Balls Out" was flown by Captain Milton W. Thompson of the 509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force.

So long for now. Summer is around the corner—attend some flying events and send me your photos. As always, practice safe modeling. —MA