Radio Control Soaring - 2004/02

122 MODEL AVIATION
NOW THAT THE HOLIDAYS are
almost behind us, it’s time to get serious
about that new Radio Control (RC) Giant
project for 2004.
Did you notice that I didn’t write
“winter project”? For those residing in
southern climes, you are in the middle of a
flying season and probably don’t want to
take time off from flying to get serious
about building. For the rest of us who live
where the mercury is heading in the same
direction as the Dow Jones average has
been for the past year, now is the time for
hot soup, hot chocolate, a little ZAP, some
ZIP kicker, and lots of balsa.
Whether flying or building, those of us
who are into the “big” models should take
a bow. I respect those who build and fly
Giant model aircraft. It takes a certain type
of person to make such a large investment
of time and money to complete a
magnificent Giant, not knowing if its first
flight will be its last.
All RC airplane modelers face the same
unknowns. There is a certain level of risk,
an adventurous spirit, and a can-do attitude
involved that you don’t find in the other
hobbies. If you can’t take the risks or the
stress is too much, consider one of those
neat trains. For those of you out there who
press on, building, flying—and yes,
crashing Giant models—pat yourself on
the back. You deserve it!
Last month I wrote that I would complete
the Balsa USA S.E.5a project for this
month’s column. I apologize. There wasn’t
enough time to finish the covering and
painting so I’ll report on it next month.
Don’t worry—I have some neat things
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children show off the latest Super Kraft (Kangke
Industrial) 96-inch-wingspan, 1⁄4-scale Rearwin Speedster ARF.
Horn Products of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, produces this 1⁄3-scale Vickers machine
gun. The optional sight is painted to match the gun.
Peter Bresler of Los Osos, California, with his newly finished
Saab 340. The model has an 89-inch wingspan.
Seen from the front, the Saab 340 was built from Peter’s own set
of plans. The fuselage is 81 inches long.
02sig4.QXD 11/25/03 10:16 am Page 122
124 MODEL AVIATION
to share with you this month, so sit back and read on.
Super Kraft Rearwin Speedster Almost Ready to Fly (ARF):
Super Kraft (Kangke Industrial) has released its second Golden
Age aircraft, the Rearwin Speedster 1⁄4-scale ARF. This model
spans 96 inches and was designed for a 1.8 to 3.2 gas or glow
engine.
It is covered with Oracover and has a fiberglass cowl and
wheel pants. The kit is designed for a four-channel radio with six
servos. For those who are interested in a Golden Age Scale model
with real performance potential, this may be the airplane for you.
The wing is fully symmetrical and the moving surfaces are
Protect your models from the elements with plastic drop cloths,
available at most home centers or paint stores.
AMA Education Coordinator Jack Frost with his Mega-Dart. The
aircraft is a great slow flyer for indoor use.
large. I suspect that the Speedster is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The cabin structure is superstrong, built from many laminations.
The painted parts including the landing gear, cowling, and wheel
pants are beautifully finished and match the UltraCote covering
perfectly.
To find out more about this new RC Giant ARF, stay tuned to
upcoming RC Giants columns. Check out the Kangke Industrial
Web site at www.kangkeusa.com or call the company at (877)
3 CHANNEL PROFILE R/C KITS FOR INDOOR/BACKYARD FLYING
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• 3-4 functions: rudder, aileron & elevator
(rudder & ailerons on one servo, or on separate servos.)
• Laser-cut wood parts for an
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• Propeller and spinner included.
• Landing gear and wheels included.
(some kits have removable gear for grass field flying.)
• Contact your local hobby shop, or order direct at: www.djaerotech.com
DJ AEROTECH • 719 Fisk Street • Piqua, OH 45356 • (937) 773-6772
Prices subject to change without notice.
Ryan ST / PT-16
Wingspan: 28.1 in. • Length: 20.2 in.
Weight: 4.5-5.5 oz. (ready to fly)
Wing Loading: 5.5-6.7 oz/sq. ft.
Single motor WWII kits . . $48.95
Lockheed P-38 . . . . . . . . $56.95
Curtiss Jenny. . . . . . . . . . $64.95
Sopwith Camel . . . . . . . . $64.95
Fokker Triplane . . . . . . . . $65.95
DC-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $66.95
Lockheed Electra. . . . . . . $68.95
Piper J-3 Cub . . . . . . . . . $51.95
Curtiss-Wright Junior. . . . $51.95
Ryan ST / PT-16 . . . . . . . $59.95
B-17F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $124.95
(Shipping & Handling extra)
We
carry
E-tec Li-Poly
batteries &
chargers
02sig4.QXD 11/25/03 10:17 am Page 124
203-2377. For technical information, call
(631) 274-3058.
Mike Horn of Horn Products
manufactures the most accurate 1⁄3-scale
version of the Vickers machine gun that I
have ever seen. This beautiful rendition is
made from industrial polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), 6061T-6 aluminum, and painted
with Du Pont Acrylic Lacquer.
The gun comes with mounting
hardware (for Balsa USA’s 1⁄3-scale
Sopwith Pup). Mike accurately created this
1⁄3-scale miniature with authentic
plans/dimensions from the full-scale
version.
Walt Horn (Mike’s father) and Mike
started Horn Products in 1984,
manufacturing medical components and
laser-cutting nozzles. Because Walt and
Mike had been modelers for more than 40
years, they decided to produce some
accessories that fellow modelers could use.
Horn Products manufactures a gun
sight for the Vickers from brass and wire
in a soldered assembly. It is painted to
match the gun. For anyone who owns a 1⁄3-
scale Pup or any other 1⁄3-scale model that
sports a Vickers gun, this is certainly the
one to own. Mike is selling it for $99 plus
$6 for shipping.
Horn Products also makes carburetor
intake stacks for the G-23, G-26, G-38,
and G-62 Zenoah gas engine line. What is
nice about these is that the stack angle is
fully adjustable. The price for each stack is
$7.50.
Some of the company’s other creations
include a spherical propeller washer/hub
for electric starter use and custommachined
engine mounts. All of the
custom aluminum products are made from
6061T-6 or 7075-grade aluminum.
To contact Horn Products, call (508)
347-2164 or fax to (508) 347-3587.
Peter Bresler’s Saab 340: Peter Bresler of
Los Osos, California, built his 89-inchwingspan
Saab 340 model from his own
set of plans. The fuselage is 81 inches long
and is powered by two Ryobi 31cc gas
engines with electronic ignitions.
The Saab has Spring Air retracts and
Robart struts and weighs 26 pounds. Peter
used the CompuFoil program to design the
wing, stabilizer, and engine nacelles. All
controls and switches are hidden behind
the functioning scale door.
The model is covered in aluminum
MonoKote with LustreKote paint on the
nose, tail, and nacelles. The markings were
made using Papilio vinyl transfer material
on a home computer and printer.
Peter hasn’t flown the model yet but
will soon start taxi trials. If you are
interested in Peter’s plans for the Saab
340, call him at (805) 528-5234 or write to
him at 328 Travis Dr., Los Osos CA
93402. The plans sell for $29.95 plus
shipping.
The Saab 340 was a product of a 1979
joint-feasibility study involving a 30- to
40-seat commercial airliner design by
Fairchild in the United States and Saab-
Scania in Sweden. The SF-340 was
launched in September 1980. Saab was
responsible for the fuselage, fin, and final
assembly, and Fairchild was responsible
for wings, engines, and empennage.
The first prototype flew on January 25,
1983, with production of the aircraft
following in March 1984. In November
1985, Saab took over production entirely.
Slow sales forced Saab to cease production
of the 340 in 1998.
RC Giant Mega-Dart: The Giant version
of the famous AMA Delta Dart shown is
the brainchild of AMA Education
Coordinator Jack Frost. At approximately
80 inches, the Dart is a real eye-catcher.
Jack built the Mega-Dart from carbonfiber
tubes and ripstop polyester material.
A 280-size, gear-driven motor swinging a
GWS 10 x 4.7 propeller powers it.
Jack says that the Mega-Dart handles
surprisingly well in windy conditions and
is a great slow flyer for indoor use.
According to Jack, it is a great attentiongrabber
for children of all ages involved in
the Delta Dart building program.
Hey, Jack! Since this is a model of the
real AMA Delta Dart, does this make it a
Scale model?
There are several helpful items you
should consider taking with you to the next
Giant Scale model meet. Many of us know
about the infamous black plastic bag and
why we have it available at the flying field
or weekend flying event. It’s similar to a
body bag for the early demise of our
models.
There is a long list of things to bring,
such as chargers, batteries, fuel, radios,
tent, chairs, etc. This year, however,
because of the extremely rainy weather
that plagued us all summer—mainly on
weekends—I found another “must have.”
Take along a small plastic drop cloth
for your models. Face it; many of us have
probably been to events where rain has
threatened. When rain comes, modelers
scurry to get their Giant 30- to 40-pound
models under the canopy or tent, only to
find that there is no room left for people.
Try using 9- x 12-foot plastic drop
cloths that you can purchase at The
Home Depot or your favorite paint store.
They come in different gauge thickness
such as the ones in the photo and cost
roughly a dollar or two. The drop cloths
are compact, easy to store, and can save
your model from the elements. Pick up
two or three and you should be covered.
Get it?
That’s all for this month. I thank those
readers who have taken the time to write
or E-mail me with their latest projects and
their thoughtful comments about the RC
Giants column. To borrow a phrase from
California’s current governor, “I’ll be
back.” MA
126 MODEL AVIATION
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