Worth a Closer Look
FA-200TI Twin
This is a beautiful new four-stroke from Saito. This inline twin might first appear to be two 100s bolted together, but upon closer inspection you'll find that it is a uniquely engineered engine.
One of its features is the one-piece cylinder-head system which ensures that it can't possibly leak. Another of this Saito's recognizable traits is its unmistakable four-stroke sound; the second you fire one up, you'll be treated to that realistic "phutta-phutta" that only a twin four-stroke can offer.
This radical new "big twin" is perfect for Scale warbirds since its inline design allows it to fit into a narrower fuselage. The Saito 200TI AAC has a bore of 2.11 inches, a stroke of 1.04 inches, a total displacement of 2.02 cubic inches, weighs 3.90 pounds (46.90 ounces) without a muffler, and swings a 16 x 8 propeller.
The Saito FA-200TI has a street price of $749.99.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4015 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639. Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
MiniBoss
Sig's compact MiniBoss gives you all the room you need in a lightweight, well-balanced, yet smaller carryall.
The strong, easy-to-carry MiniBoss is 100% laser cut from the finest 3/16 inch imported plywood. It features three roomy drawers with dividers for tools, topped off with a big top-center workspace.
A compartment complete with a half-gallon fuel bottle (included) features Sig's unique fuel-bottle-level indicator so you never have to guess how much fuel is remaining. A handy compartment next to the fuel is perfect for holding a stash of propellers; they are easy to reach at a moment's notice.
The detachable satellite unit features a vented battery compartment big enough to hold a gel- or wet-cell motorcycle battery and includes a precut opening for the Sig FieldBoss Power Panel. A convenient starter tray on top of the battery compartment will accommodate most standard starters.
Carrying the MiniBoss is a snap. Large, one-inch dowel handles span the main and satellite units, and balanced weight distribution makes transporting the unit to the field a breeze.
The Sig MiniBoss retails for $42.99.
Sig Manufacturing Co., Inc.: 401-7 S. Front St., Montezuma IA 50171-0520; Tel.: (641) 623-0215; Fax: (641) 623-3922. Web site: www.sigmfg.com
Primary Force
Mike Pratt is no stranger to the Control Line (CL) Stunt community; his designs have been flying and winning in the event for many years.
Recently Mike has perceived a need for a good Stunt trainer that would be easy and quick to build. He set out with a clean CAD (computer-aided design) screen to fill this need, and the result is his new Primary Force, which is available in two forms from Mikey's Models.
The Primary Force has aesthetics reminiscent of Mike's successful Magnum Force competition design, but the Primary Force was designed from the start as a tool with which to learn the pattern. Mike decided on a profile format and chose not to include movable flaps.
You can scratch build the Primary Force from available full-size plans or build it from a precision laser-cut "Long Kit." In fact, 95% of this kit's parts are laser cut from high-quality balsa and plywood. A few pieces of sheet and stick balsa are required to complete the model, and the choice of hardware has been left up to the builder.
Although it's not a beginner's project, the Primary Force is the perfect choice for those who want to work their way up the competition ladder with a model that can serve as a trainer and a contest machine for Intermediate and Advanced events.
The Primary Force has a wingspan of 51 inches, a wing area of 502 square inches, a length of 40 inches, and a suggested flying weight of 35 ounces. It accepts .25 - .35 size engines.
The plans sheets for the Primary Force (one 36 x 48-inch sheet main plan and one sheet of parts) are priced at $20, including shipping. The Primary Force Laser-Cut Kit retails for $65 plus $5 shipping.
We have flown the Primary Force, and it is all that Mike claims. The model has a great turn and a good lock in maneuvers, with plenty of line tension everywhere. It's an excellent CL Stunt learning tool and a great choice for a first competition weapon.
Mikey's Models: 199 Glenrose Dr., Pueblo West CO 81007; Tel.: (719) 647-0541; E-mail: [email protected]
RealFlight InterLink™ Controller
A first of its kind, RealFlight's InterLink™ Controller is a controller and an interface—all in one unique package.
You'll find the same controls on the InterLink™ unit as on your Radio Control transmitter (such as a three-position switch for flight mode for helicopters, a rotary knob to set the flaps on airplanes or adjust the pitch of the blades on a helicopter, and an adjustable stick length).
But if you'd prefer to use your real FM or FM-compatible four- to 10-channel radio transmitter as your controller, go ahead! The interface adapter is built in. With the USB hookup's rapid signal recognition, the simulator responds instantly to command inputs no matter which controller method you choose.
Unlike game-port controllers, the InterLink™ plugs into your computer's USB port, providing precision control and digital smoothness.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826-9021; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
Galloping on Wings
One could argue that more models of P-51 Mustangs have been built than of any other full-scale design, except perhaps the Piper Cub. And of those P-51 models, one could further argue that the paint scheme most often chosen is that of the famous number 11 Miss America Mustang owned and flown by the legendary Howie Keefe.
Now you can get to know Howie up-close and personal through the pages of his book Galloping on Wings with the P-51 Mustang, Diary of an Air Race Pilot.
If you like behind-the-scenes stories and want to know what it is like to fly an unlimited racing machine, you will want to add this book to your aviation library. But the stories go far beyond air racing. Howie chronicles his life in aviation from when he received his flight training in 1941 to his Navy flight experiences, private-flying and business-flying stories, and fascinating stories of those who influenced his adventurous life.
The book is filled with hundreds of interesting photographs, dozens of illustrations, and interesting artwork and cartoons. This is a fun read for anyone who is interested in air racing's past and in aviation history in general. It is list priced at $20.
Prestige Group: 6357 Orina Ave., Camarillo CA 93012-8133; Tel.: (877) 773-7843
Bantam Monoplane and Biplane
SR Batteries' new Bantam design is actually two different aircraft: the "Bantam" is a sporty monoplane and the "Bantam Bipe" is a majestic biplane. Both were designed around the popular GWS/MPI power system that is used in the GWS Tiger Moth, Cub, and Pico Stick. If you've busted up one of the GWS airplanes, you can move the power and radio systems over to these kits.
The airfoil used in both kits gives them great flying characteristics. Both are docile and are good for indoor and outdoor flying. Although you wouldn't consider an eight-ounce aircraft a good windy-day flier, the Bantam in particular can handle a little breeze. Both models have a broad speed range.
These aircraft are great for indoor flying. They will fly easily in a 75 x 90-foot basketball court, and the Bantam Bipe is great for this because of its lower wing loading.
Both Bantam kits are complete. They include laser-cut balsa and plywood parts, GWS 1 7/8-inch wheels, pushrods, control horns, window graphic material, computer-cut wing graphics, and much more. There's even a 40-page instruction manual and a newly revised copy of SR Batteries' R/C Techniques Volume R-13 on covering techniques.
Bantam: Wingspan, 39 inches; wing area, 210 square inches; and weight, 8.0 ounces.
Bantam Bipe: Wingspan, 39 inches; wing area, 380 square inches; and weight, 8.8 ounces.
The Bantam is $49.95, and the Bantam Bipe is $54.95.
SR Batteries: Box 287, Bellport NY 11713-0287; Tel.: (631) 286-0079; Web site: www.srbatteries.com
SuperNova S250S Fast Cycler
FMA Direct's SuperNova is a microprocessor-controlled cycler meant primarily for power packs used for power for electric cars, boats, and airplanes. The "super" feature allows the user to store the cycle parameters for up to 10 battery packs in memory. Just select the memory location for the pack you want, and all parameters are set without worrying about whether or not you have them right.
The SuperNova can discharge and rapid charge one to 25 cells from a +12VDC supply such as a car battery or your field-box battery.
To charge, the SuperNova first discharges the pack at a discharge rate programmed (0.5-3.0 amps). Once discharged, the pack is rapid charged at a programmed rate between 0.1 and 5.0 amps until peak cutoff occurs. Charging automatically switches to trickle charge.
The SuperNova is priced at $128.50.
FMA Direct: 5716A Industry Ln., Frederick MD 21704; Sales: (800) 343-2934; Fax: (301) 668-7619; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.fmadirect.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
