RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville, TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
Toledo R/C Expo
This year marked the Toledo R/C Expo's 50th anniversary under the leadership of the Toledo (Ohio) Weak Signals club. A great committee oversees the yearly April RC trade show. More than $5,000 was donated to the AMA Scholarship Fund this year in a ceremony at the conclusion of the event on Sunday. AMA President Dave Brown accepted the check on behalf of all AMA members.
Radio systems and other prizes were awarded in a multitude of model classes, including Scale. I’ll look at some of the classes and some of the goodies that were available at Toledo for Scale modelers, such as new kits, parts, covering, Scale magazines, and Scale ARFs for Fun Scale or fun-flying.
Toledo reminds me of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Oshkosh Fly-In. It’s indoors, and for good reason during the first weekend of April. If you have never been to Toledo, it's a great place to see what's new or what's hot, or you might find something you didn't know existed. Some of the goodies at Toledo are hard to find unless you really look for them. These may be unusual parts or something for your radio system.
One item that impressed me was a set of radio-stick extensions (transmitter knobs). They work well with my — or any — radio system. The stick extensions are 1/2 inch in diameter and 1 1/2 inches long. The ends that are available fit thumb and finger fliers' needs. They are roughly $19 plus shipping and are made by Madison Components Inc., 1059 Valley Crest Dr., Birmingham, AL 35226; Tel.: (800) 811-9135; Web site: www.qualityrcproducts.com.
New kits and ARFs
One of several new kits I saw at Toledo was from Balsa USA: a 1/3-scale Ercoupe. This huge kit comes with plug-in wings with an aluminum-tube spar system, a formed windshield, and cast-aluminum landing gear with functioning struts. At an estimated finished weight of 28–32 pounds, it will need robust landing gear.
- Wingspan: 10 feet (120 inches)
- Features: fiberglass cowl with panel lines and scale cutouts, complete cockpit interior
- Note: The full-scale Ercoupe has many different color schemes and cowl variations; you can modify the provided cowl to suit your chosen version.
Great Planes debuted its Christen Eagle II purpose-built aerobatic biplane. It comes in a large box with all parts neatly packed. The colorful Christen Eagle scheme with the eagle logo on the wings and fuselage is spectacular. Fiberglass parts included are the cowl, wheel pants, and fairings. The model is designed to fly with an engine such as a .30–.60 four-stroke or a 32–52cc gas engine. Consider larger engines for this biplane if you plan to fly full aerobatic routines.
Another new Balsa USA kit is the Fokker D.VII. It spans 88 inches and can be powered by a G-38 or a .150 four-stroke. The kit lists for $295.95, and there is a whole list of accessories you can add. Balsa USA and other suppliers have many detail parts and scale items available. Several books offer documentation on this classic biplane.
Great Planes' Super Stearman ARF spans 71.5 inches and should weigh 14–15 pounds. The kit includes pilot busts. The Stearman is built to fly with engines most modelers already have: a .120–.140 four-stroke. You can use a two-stroke, but it won’t sound the same. The Stearman’s wingspan is a bit longer than the Christen Eagle's, but it’s a lighter model, thus smaller engine requirements.
- Controls: Five servos total
- Two servos on the ailerons (recommended 54 oz-in torque each)
- Two servos for rudder and elevator (same torque recommended)
- Covering: Precovered with white MonoKote and red-and-black stripes (the scheme can be modified)
If you’re interested in World War I aircraft, Balsa USA has a large selection of kits. The new Fokker D.VII is a 1/4-scale fighter spanning 88 inches and can be powered by anything from a .120 four-stroke to a 25–35cc gas engine.
Skyshark R/C
Each year the Skyshark R/C booth catches a lot of attention. The company had several new kits at Toledo, including the Val (previously reported on) and a 60-size Messerschmitt Me 109E. The Emil spans 65 inches and costs less than $300.
The Skyshark kits are complete with laser-cut parts (no die-cutting). Included are color three-views, a fiberglass cowl, intakes, exhaust stacks, a scale cockpit kit, and an aluminum spinner. The Me 109 should weigh less than 9 pounds; a good .60-size two-stroke engine is ideal. A four-stroke could be used, but a two-stroke is best if you prefer the engine to be fully enclosed in the cowl.
These kits make great warbirds for weekend flying or for those getting started in RC Scale.
Experimental Aircraft Models
Experimental Aircraft Models is a newer company offering ARF kits of homebuilt aircraft you might see at EAA Oshkosh. Favorites include the Vans RV-6 and the RV-6A (tricycle-gear version). Other offerings include the Zodiac XL, Challenger II, Glastar, Europa XS, Glasair, and Velocity XL.
These kits come fairly complete; you only need to add the engine, radio, and your own color scheme. They are covered in Oracover, which you can paint any color you like — a smart idea that other manufacturers should consider.
The RV-6 kit includes:
- Formed canopy
- Servo trays
- Fiberglass cowl, wheel pants, and wingtips
- Formed aluminum landing gear
- Aluminum spinner
- Du-Bro and Sullivan Products hardware
Prices for Experimental Aircraft Models kits are approximately $269–$349 plus shipping. They vary in size from the 60-inch-span RV-6 to the new 84-inch-span Glastar. For more information: call (800) 297-1707, E-mail [email protected], or visit www.chromebuilts.com. (The web site may take a while to load, but it's worth it.)
Bookshelf
Fokker D.VII in Action (Aircraft Number 166) by D. Edgar Brannon is part of the "In Action" series by Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN: 0-89747-371-X. The book is dedicated to Peter M. Bowers, who provided several photos.
The book covers the aircraft's beginnings, including aviation trials in which Fokker tested multiple models, one of which became the D.VII. After acceptance, the Fokker entered service and received a wide array of paint schemes from its pilots and squadrons. The book notes that the D.VII was the only airplane mentioned in the treaty. Many examples went to the USA; one is in the U.S. Air Force Museum at Dayton, Ohio.
- Color schemes: Range from Hermann Goering's all-white D.VII to the seven-lozenge patterns
- Contents: 10 color side plates and multiple scale and three-view drawings — useful for Scale modelers
In-line WWI fighters such as the Fokker D.VII and D.VIII, the Albatros, and the S.E.5 seem to fly easier in wind than some other WWI types, thanks to their smaller frontal area.
Check out this book at your local hobby shop or bookstore — you can usually find it for less than $10.
That's it for this month. Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
