RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Jeff Troy, 19 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Ambler PA 19002
The trade-show circuit is very active during the first half of each year.
In January there was AMA Convention 2000 in Pasadena, California and the New York International Toy Fair 2000 in the heart of downtown Manhattan.
In February there was the WRAM (Westchester Radio Aero Modelers) Show in White Plains, New York and the East Coast Hobby Show in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania—just outside of Philadelphia and roughly three minutes from my front door.
In April there was the Weak Signals' annual show in Toledo, Ohio and the trade-only National Retail Hobby Stores Convention & TableTop Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It's nice to attend each of these shows and many others each year. They keep me on top of the industry's newest releases and reissues, and they allow me to make you aware of inside trade activities.
There was a lot going on in Toledo this year; I brought back shots of several things I think will interest you.
Sig Manufacturing — Extra 300SX ARF
Sig Manufacturing broke ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) ground with last year's CAP 231. Sig is now offering an Extra 300SX, which should knock the socks off anyone who wants to get a great-looking airplane into the air in a minimal amount of time.
- Wingspan: slightly less than 74 inches.
- Intended power: 1.20 to 1.50 two-stroke or 140 to 180 four-stroke.
- Expected weight: 12 to 13 pounds depending on engine and equipment selection.
- Radio: four-channel RC system with six servos (two servos for elevators, one servo for each aileron).
The Extra is covered with white, purple, and black Carl Goldberg Models UltraCote®, and the fiberglass cowl and wheel pants are painted to match. With its striking color combination, this model will be the center of attention wherever it's on the flightline.
The ARF kit includes all U.S.-made quality hardware, 4-40 steel pushrods, a one-piece tempered-aluminum landing gear, and a scale-type tail rear. There's also a 16-ounce fuel tank and a set of adhesive-backed Mylar™ graphics.
Sig is the exclusive North-American importer of England's Irvine Engines, and the 1.50 two-stroke would be ideal for the 300SX.
For more information about the Extra 300SX, contact Sig Manufacturing Co. Inc., 401-7 Front St., Montezuma IA 50171; Tel.: (515) 623-5154.
Pete's Pilots (Nelson Hobby Specialties)
Jerry Nelson introduced his new line of pilots in Toledo. Pete's Pilots are made from high-grade latex rubber and are manufactured in England. The figures are very flexible, so they withstand exposure to consistent, excessive vibration without cracking or breaking.
- Available: busts and full figures in several configurations and scales, including 25%, 33%, 40%, and 50% of actual size.
- Features: many accessory items (headsets, hats, sunglasses) are removable and interchangeable with other figures; many head, torso, and shoulder pieces can also be interchanged.
- Note: pilots are individually molded and hand-painted; delivery time can be up to five weeks.
For specific information on available figures and scales, contact Jerry Nelson at Nelson Hobby Specialties, 394 SW 211th Ave., Aloha OR 97006; Tel.: (503) 629-5277.
Slimline Manufacturing — Mufflers and Pumps
Slimline Manufacturing has a large selection of standard and smoke mufflers for two-stroke, four-stroke, and gasoline engines. Many configurations are available, and Slimline accommodates an almost endless list of engines.
If you're looking for something to fit inside your next project's fully-cowled installation, check the company's online catalog at www.slimlineproducts.com, or telephone Slimline's Bill Leonard at (480) 967-5053.
Slimline released its new Boxer electric fuel pump and the newly engineered SL-2000 Fuel Pump and SL-2000 Battery Base.
- Boxer: comes with a sturdy aluminum bracket for mounting in any convenient location on your flight box.
- SL-2000 pump and base: intended for mounting at the top and bottom of a typical gasoline fuel jug.
- Construction: all three components are CNC-machined from billet aluminum.
Futaba Distribution and YS Performance
Futaba gear is now exclusively distributed in North America by Great Planes Model Distributors. Great Planes is also handling all Futaba service issues at its facility; for assistance, contact the Futaba Service Center, 1610 Interstate Dr., Champaign IL 61822.
Until the distribution change, YS Engines were imported and distributed in the United States by Futaba USA. Now the YS line is available through YS Performance.
The newly formed YS Performance company is the combined effort of Richard Verano, who worked with Futaba USA in California until the change, and Dave Shadel, two-time Pylon Racing world champion and owner of Performance Specialties.
The YS line has consistently proven itself under the harshest competitive conditions, and it should gain recognition and market share with Shadel and Verano at the forefront.
YS Performance offers four-stroke engines in 140, 120FZ, 91FZ, and 53FZ displacements. Specialty two-strokes are also available in the .61 helicopter engine and .45 aircraft engines in side- or rear-exhaust configurations.
The 140 four-stroke was used to win the 1999 Pattern World Champion title in Florida.
For complete information, contact YS Performance at 1295-C Industrial Ct., Gardenville FL 89410; Tel.: (775) 782-4562.
EZ Models (OK Model Company Ltd.) — ARF Lineup
EZ Models, the OK Model Company Ltd.'s line of high-quality ARF kits, was extremely popular with sport and wannabe Scale modelers throughout the 1980s.
ARF airplanes didn't have the broad level of acceptance they have now, but EZ's World War II fighter series was good enough to make a slight dent in the Scale crowd even then—something that few others could have succeeded in doing at the time.
A fire took EZ out of the picture several years ago; the company's American activities ceased abruptly. However, the OK Model Company Ltd. has been rebuilt with all-new designs, and the models are distributed by Model Rectifier Corporation (MRC).
ARF airplanes don't fit the pro's definition of Scale modeling, but they have their place—here and in every other form of aircraft modeling.
- Advantages of ARFs:
- There is no EDE (Emotional Debt Factor) in ARFs, and they make ideal expendable learning tools when a pilot needs exposure to a new maneuver or a different style of aircraft.
- They allow modelers who are poor builders to fly high-quality Scale subjects (Spitfire, Mustang, F6F, etc.) without the build time.
- Most modelers today, even hardcore Scale guys, realize that everything has its place.
I saw the new EZ lineup's debut at the WRAM show, and the models looked very good. The new kits were built with laminated foam skins over a wooden crutch, as were their predecessors, but production seemed improved over the original series.
This unique construction method results in excellent flight performance because the weight is kept to a minimum. Despite the light weight, the models are very sturdy and resistant to flightline wear and everyday handling.
EZ's lineup was on display at the MRC exhibit in Toledo. The Sukhoi Su-34 45 was the center of my attention in the booth, and I recently had a chance to build and fly it. This graceful Russian Scale air-show warrior makes an ideal Scale-for-fun model.
I powered the Sukhoi with Enya's newly released .50 Ring engine, and the model weighs slightly more than five pounds. I've only put two flights on the airplane so far, but it has delivered everything I need in style.
EZ kits are reasonably quick to assemble and come with everything needed to finish the complete airframe. Wheels, a fuel tank, spinner with a metal backplate, and even a pilot figure are included.
Modelers add the radio gear, a suitable engine, a propeller, and a glow plug, and they're all set. My Sukhoi Su-34 45 took approximately 22 hours to assemble and finish; the completed model was certainly worth the small effort required.
Takeoff was straight down the tube with a gentle, realistic climbout. Rolls, loops, snaps, wavers, split-Ss, spins, and other basic maneuvers were crisp and clean. Scale stalling and landing recovery were immediate, and every other flight detail was predictable and fun.
If you're looking for a low-EDF airplane that will get into the air in a hurry, look at the EZ line; there's a Texan and a Zero that might interest sport modelers who would like to try Scale without committing to the otherwise required time in the shop.
Check the EZ line at Model Rectifier Corporation, 80 Newfield Ave., Edison NJ 08837; Tel.: (732) 225-2100.
Well, my friends, that's enough of me for one sitting. Until next time, build straight and fly safely. We'll do this again. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
