Welcome back. As the memory of the winter of 2015 fades and summer is around the corner, let’s hope that we all have our new models ready to go for the flying season—or at the least have made repairs and maintenance on the existing fleet.
In my February 2015 column, I featured a “guess the aircraft” contest by posting a photo of a rudder. I had a number of responses; however, no one guessed correctly. So, here is your second chance to win a prize. I have included a new photo that shows a little more detail.
Remember, the first correct answer will win a heavy-duty receiver switch harness from either Maxx Products International (MPi Himax) or Electronic Model Systems (EMS). Good luck!
Warbirds Over Delaware 2015
The 24th Annual Warbirds Over Delaware will take place July 8-11, 2015. The Delaware R/C Club hosts the annual event at Lums Pond State Park in Kirkwood, Delaware. This is one of the largest, if not the largest, warbird-only Giant Scale RC modeling events in the US. All aircraft are required to be copies of genuine military aircraft.
The Delaware R/C Club’s website describes the event:
The Delaware R/C Club is proud to host the Warbirds Over Delaware R/C airshow every summer! For more than 23 years, the Delaware R/C Club has sponsored this warbird event, which attracts modelers from across the country!
All aircraft flown during the event hours must be a Scale warbird and have 80-inch wingspans for monoplanes, 60-inch wingspans for multiwing aircraft, or 1/4-scale aircraft or larger.
From vintage World War I aircraft to modern jet fighters, you will be sure to experience the thrill of it all! Both flying and static displays will be available for spectator viewing.
For more information about this wonderful event, please visit the Delaware R/C Club website. The link is listed in the “Sources” section.
WRAM Show 2015
The Westchester Radio Aero Modelers (WRAM) Show was held February 20-22, 2015, and was a welcome attraction—or should I say distraction—from the miserable winter we had here in the northeast. There were plenty of vendors and static displays to interest all. Here are a few samplings from the show.
Sullivan Products: The ever-friendly team from Sullivan Products brought many of the company’s great products. What caught my eye was the new S642 Battery Box that mounts to all Sullivan starters, as well as many others.
It accepts many battery types including NiCd, NiMH, LiPo, LiFePO4, and lead-acid battery technologies. The S642 allows you to check the battery’s charge with the touch of a button, and features a charge-access door that accepts the battery manufacturer’s charger without having to remove the battery pack.
For more information about the S642, visit the Sullivan Products website.
Excel Blades: Excel Blades is a manufacturing company based in Paterson, New Jersey. It has been operating for the past 25 years as one of the leading knife, blade, and precision tool companies in the US. Founded in 1989 with only two employees, a few products, and a telephone, it has since grown into a corporation of more than 30 employees and prides itself on extending its dream to each of them.
The company’s products range from abrasives to tweezers and everything in between. For more information, please visit the Excel Blades’ website.
JT Servo Extensions: Jeff and Tony Jones of JT Servo Extensions have products that all modelers can use, including Futaba and JR extensions, receiver switches, and Y harnesses. All are heavy gauge and silicon coated, and more importantly, they have gold-plated connectors. The show price for any extension, whether 6 inches or 48 inches, was $3. Now that’s a deal.
If you forgot to pick some up, send the company an email at the contact information listed in “Sources.”
National Balsa: Eric Granger of National Balsa brought along plenty of balsa and hardwood products to the show. He also entered the static competition with his beautifully finished Piper PA-20 Pacer that he scratch-built from enlarged Wendell Hostetler plans.
The model spans 176 inches, weighs a hefty 95 pounds, and is powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-170 gas engine. The Pacer was beautifully painted with urethane auto paint and sported magnificent cockpit detail. The model won the Best Paint category at the show.
National Balsa sells thin sheets of quality balsa, basswood, Sitka spruce, cherry, mahogany, walnut, maple, and plywood. The company can also custom laser cut its sheets to your specifications.
That’s all for now. See you in August. Remember to try your luck and guess the name of the aircraft.
