Worth a Closer Look
Dynamic ARF
If you're ready to try something different in Electrics, the new Dynamic from Hobby Lobby is worthy of a closer look.
This ARF features a 37-inch-long fuselage constructed from fiberglass, which gives it strength and a sleek, clean shape. The fiberglass canopy is detachable and acts as a hatch for quick battery replacement. The landing gear is also fiberglass.
The sheeted foam wing spans 46 inches, and the wing area is 353 square inches. The wing and tail surfaces come precovered, as shown.
A Jeti Phasor 15/4 motor (or similar) is recommended; it will provide speeds as fast as 70 mph in level flight as well as aerobatics from an eight-cell battery pack.
The Dynamic has a flying weight of 49 ounces and retails for $139.
Hobby Lobby: 5614 Franklin Pike Cir., Brentwood TN 37027. Tel.: (615) 373-1444; Fax: (615) 377-6948; Web site: www.hobby-lobby.com
Micro Miller FF 230
The Micro Miller FF 230 is a small, surprisingly accurate milling system used to mill, drill, and countersink steel, cast-iron, aluminum, brass, plastic, and wood.
The headstock swivels through 360°, which is indicated on a scale. The height is adjustable via a zero adjustable handwheel, which is also used as a fine feed when milling. One revolution of the wheel equals .04 inch (1 millimeter) of travel. The quill and headstock may be locked into position, which is essential when doing any kind of precision milling.
The permanent magnet motor drives the spindle via v-belt. This system gives you quite a bit of torque, even at lower cutting speeds. Speeds are adjustable to 280, 550, 870, 1,250, 1,700, and 2,500 rpm.
The overall table size of the Micro Miller is 10.60 x 3.15 inches. The amount of X travel is 6.70 inches, and Y travel is 2.60 inches. Maximum height is 7.10 inches, and maximum depth is 5.10 inches.
Collets of .24 inch (6mm), .31 inch (8mm), and .4 inch (10mm) are included. The Micro Miller runs on 110-120 VAC and retails for $815.
Proxxon: 2555 Tate Blvd. S.E., Hickory NC 28603; Tel.: (828) 326-0326; Fax: (828) 326-0325; Web site: www.proxxon.com/engl/default.html
Ryan STA-M ARF
Whether you're a nostalgia buff or a warbird enthusiast, Great Planes has a replica of the Army Air Corps' choice for a first low-wing monoplane trainer. This Ryan STA-M is an Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) that flies gently at low speeds—with the capacity to perform scale Loops, Rolls, and Stall Turns at higher power settings. Adding to the realism is a dual cockpit for instructor and student and detailed instrument-panel decals.
The fuselage, tail surfaces, and ailerons are built up from balsa and plywood, and they are precovered with MonoKote®. The cowl features realistic-looking panel lines and rivets. The cowl and wheel pants are made from fiberglass and come prepainted.
The Ryan STA-M includes an adjustable engine mount, a complete hardware pack, and assembles in as little as 12 hours.
Specifications: wingspan, 82 inches; wing area, 1,066 square inches; weight, 10¼–11½ pounds; wing loading, 22–25 ounces/square foot; fuselage length, 60 inches; engine required, .61–.91 two-stroke or .90–1.20 four-stroke; radio required, four-channel with six servos.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826-9021; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
Little Tote Wingbag
Has your model ever suffered a bit of damage during transport to the field? Let's face it: it happens to all of us. One solution to this problem is a new series of tote bags from Wing Tote. These bags were developed to offer your model protection from punctures, scrapes, and tears.
At the right is one of the smaller bags: the Little Tote. It can easily hold wings of up to 63 inches in span. The outside is made with 1000 Denier DuPont Cordura®, which is extremely durable and water-resistant. Inside, the wing is surrounded by a soft layer of fleece. Between the Cordura® and the fleece is a layer of 1/2-inch closed cell foam to help protect the wing from dings and dents.
There are hooks on the corners you can use to hang the Little Tote on a wall (vertically or horizontally), out of the way and free from dust.
A double zipper goes around three sides, so the wing can be inserted easily. Since the zipper doesn't go all the way around, the wing is kept from sliding out in case you forget to zip it up.
Both straps, which are made from 1½-inch webbing, are spaced wide and at an angle to make the bag balance well while it's on your shoulder. The bottom of the bag is lined with 1½-inch webbing to protect the outside from wear and tear.
The inside and outside of the Little Tote can be cleaned using soap and water in conservative amounts. Fuel and oil may stain the bag or its lining, so it is recommended to clean the wing before you use the bag.
Although the Little Tote won't protect a wing from a slamming trunk lid or a misplaced step, it does a good job of absorbing the small hits that could easily scratch paint or poke through the iron-on covering. The bag is not waterproof, but it is water-resistant; this means that it can keep a wing dry while you're moving it to the car when that sudden downpour hits!
Wing Tote makes two other sizes of these wing bags, which hold wings up to 82 inches in span. A Double Tote is available for plug-in wings, and the new Heli Totes come in two sizes.
The Little Tote measures 64 inches long, 20 inches high, and four inches thick (without a wing). It weighs just less than four pounds and retails for $49.99.
Wing Tote; 18000 72nd Ave. S., Suite 190, Kent WA 98032; Tel.: (425) 251-5241; Fax: (425) 251-5240; Web
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
