Small-Field Flying-2013/04

Small- eld models and the ParkZone
Ultra Micro P-51 power plant
When it comes to electric
power systems for model
airplanes today, we tend to
think only of brushless motors. At
the smaller end of the size spectrum,
brushed motors still represent a
good power option. That is certainly
exemplifi ed by the use of brushed
motors in many of the ready-to-fl y
(RTF) models being sold.
One such brushed-motor power
system that has gained favor within
the build-it-yourself community of
modelers is the ParkZone Ultra Micro
P-51 motor and gearbox. The unit has
proven to be a good power option for
models in the 16- to 25-inch wingspan
range and weighing up to 3 ounces.
Not only will the Ultra Micro P-51
geared motor deliver the needed
power, but it does it on a single LiPo
cell. It’s just the ticket for keeping the
fl ying weight down.
To whet your appetite, I want to
share with you several nice models that
use the ParkZone Ultra Micro P-51
motor package. The Ultra Micro P-51
motor and gear box are available as
replacement parts, so you don’t have to
sacrifi ce a model.
First up is a model from Russ Farris.
He used the reproduction drawing
package from my website (see the
“Sources” list) of the old, sheet-balsa,
Using only a three-view, Keith
Spriggs built this nice, 20-inch
Douglas M2 mail plane.
John Krouse created a hybrid RC/FF model by adding a
ParkZone Ultra Micro P-51 motor system and receiver to
the nose of a Hobby Lobby RTF Zoomer FF glider.
rubber-powered Goldberg FF Shoestring to create an RC
small-fi eld model powered by the Ultra Micro P-51 motor
package. His nicely turned-out model is shown in a photo in
front of its big brother, a vintage Goldberg Shoestring. Russ
does nice work.
Control of the little Shoestring is handled by an AR6400
brick receiver. Russ reports that the converted FF Shoestring
is a great RC small-fi eld fl ier.
Another nice example of a model powered by the Ultra
Micro P-51 motor and gear drive is a Piper Tri-Pacer from
Chris Moes. Chris drew his own plans for this model. It has
a 25-inch wingspan and sports a fl ying weight of 2.8 ounces.
Control is provided by a Vapor three-channel receiver and
Chris says the model performs well. Plans for this model are
Russ Farris built the smaller all-sheet-balsa Shoestring that
sets in front of his larger, vintage Goldberg Shoestring.
scheduled to be part of a construction
article in the Quiet & Electric Flight
International magazine.
Following on the heels of the Tri-
Pacer is another outstanding model.
Please check out the photo for the
Douglas M-2 mail plane built by Keith
Spriggs. That model has a 20-inch
wingspan and was built using a blownup
three-view.
Keith’s nicely detailed model
weighs 2 ounces. It is pulled through
the air with an Ultra Micro P-51
motor package and uses an AR6400
brick receiver to handle the control
functions. It sure turns heads.
I have one more example of an Ultra
Micro P-51 motor system used in a
platform other than the Ultra Micro
P-51 model. My friend, John Krouse,
steps up to the plate.
You may remember that John likes
to follow the less-traveled path when it
comes to model airplanes. He added an
Ultra Micro P-51 motor and gear drive
to the unpowered RTF Zoomer FF
Glider sold by Hobby Lobby.
What makes his application different
is that only the motor is controlled.
The 22-inch wingspan model weighs
slightly more than 2 ounces. This is
another of John’s climb-and-glide
models. It’s a nice hybrid RC/FF model
using a readily available ready-to-fl y
airframe.
In smaller models, the ParkZone
Ultra Micro P-51 power plant is a great
power option for small-fi eld models.
Bill Bradley’s New Ju 52 Short Kit
I have shared with you several
short-kit offerings from Bill Bradley
(no relation) in past columns. He has
a nice addition to his short-kit line in
the form of a Junkers Ju 52. This model
has a 571/2-inch wingspan and a fl ying
weight of 41 ounces.
This is a nice model for the larger
end of our small-fi eld venues. As are
his other models, the short kits are
available from Manzano Laser Works.
See the “Sources” listing for contact
information.
Neat Deans Ultra Plugs Idea
I received a nice note from AMA
Hall of Fame member, Ron Wittman,
regarding the Deans Ultra Plugs.
These popular plugs can sometimes be
diffi cult to separate.
Ron suggests that when soldering the
leads to each plug half, you also touch
the soldering iron tip to the sides of
the plug halves in several spots. This
creates dimples that make it easier to
hold the plug while pulling it apart.
Neat idea, Ron.
MA Digital Library
Before closing, I would like to
remind everyone that the Model
Aviation Digital Library is up and
running. This is a great resource for
AMA members who may be searching
There is P-51 power in the nose of this 25-
inch Piper Tri-Pacer, built by Chris Moes.
Bill Bradley is o ering short
kits for this nice Junkers Ju 52
through Manzano Laser Works.
for that next model to build. You will
fi nd it in the information listed in
“Sources.”
As always, let me know what you are
up to in your small-fi eld modeling
world.
SOURCES:
Horizon Hobby/ParkZone
(800) 338-4639
www.parkzone.com
Quiet & Electric Flight International
[email protected]
www.qefi magazine.com
Hobby Lobby International
(866) 512-1444
www.hobby-lobby.com
Manzano Laser Works
(505) 286-2640
www.manzanolaser.com
Model Aviation Digital Library
https://library.modelaviation.com
Paul Bradley
10201 Scarletoak Dr.
Independence KY 41051
[email protected]
www.parmodels.com