14 MODEL AVIATION
Fly the most distinctive
jet to come out of the
Skunk Works of the Cold
War. Flyboy Models has
re-created the high-speed,
record-breaking aircraft as
a sport model sized for
outstanding performance
with the average sport .40
two-stroke engine.
The Blackbird is
essentially a delta-wing model that is exceptionally stable and
capable of good high-speed performance. Its wing spans just 38
inches and has removable outer wingtips for easy transportation.
The fuselage is 47 inches long. It has the engine mounted in the
pusher configuration roughly midway along the wing root to
maintain the sleek looks.
Outstanding performance has been realized with a good .46 BB
two-stroke engine. A conversion to electric power shouldn’t prove
to be difficult since the top hatch offers access to the long nose of
the fuselage. Seven servos and a four-channel radio are required.
The introductory price is $179 plus shipping and handling.
Flyboy Models: Box 1214, San Gabriel CA 91778; E-mail:
[email protected]; Web site: www.flyboymodels.com
SR-71 Blackbird
The AstroFlight 120
motor (the smaller of the
two shown) is a new
large direct-drive power
plant for 10- to 20-pound
models. Testing has
proven that it has 3.5
horsepower spinning a
15- to 22-inch propeller.
The 120’s “inrunner”
design is typically more
efficient (90%-95%
reported) than comparable outrunners, and its torque constant is
5 inch-ounce per amp.
The motor runs on a six- to 12-cell Lithium pack and requires
a high-voltage, 110-amp brushless speed control such as the
Phoenix HV-110 from Castle Creations. The 120 is wound with
13-gauge wire, five times around each of its eight poles. Its
continuous maximum output is recommended at 80 amps but
may be peaked for one minute at up to 100 amps.
The 120’s typical power range is 2,000-4,000 watts at a speed
range of 6,000-10,000 rpm. That’s more power and thrust than
the typical 1.20-1.40 four-stroke engine.
The sturdy 3.2 x 2.0-inch aluminum case supports two heavyduty
ball bearings and weighs 32 ounces. The propeller shaft is
3/8 inch in diameter and holds a 1/4-inch propeller drive screw
that fits into a wide aluminum drive washer that is suitable for
the popular APC electric propellers.
AstroFlight Inc.: 13311 Beach Ave., Marina Del Rey CA
90292; Tel.: (310) 821-6242; Web site: www.astroflight.com
AstroFlight’s Monster Motors
The full-scale Kelly that competes in the F1 class in the Reno Air
Races has been reproduced for the first time as a 70-class RC model
by Kyosho.
The mostly preassembled structure features a fiberglass fuselage
that comes complete
with basic coloring and
a cowl that produces
stunningly realistic
form. The slanted
engine mount
contributes to the slim
nose.
The precovered
balsa main wing
features one-piece
winglets that increase efficiency and prevent stalling, for increased
stability at low speed. The fully featured kit also includes a fuel tank,
linkage parts, and tires, leaving little assembly time and cost required
to get the model airborne.
The Kelly features factory-finished fiberglass wheel pants that
cover the legs to the tires for better aerodynamics and smooth flight.
The kit also includes wire linkage parts for rudder. The steerable tail
wheel gives full taxiing control.
This 55.1-inch-wingspan model requires a four-channel radio
system with five servos and a .52-.70 four-stroke engine. The wing
loading is 518 square inches, and the expected finished weight of the
aircraft is approximately 5.75 pounds.
Kyosho Corporation of America: 20322 Valencia Cir., Lake
Forest CA 92630; Tel.: (949) 454-8854; Web site: www.kyosho
america.com
Kelly F1 Reno Air Racer
The XtremeLink is a module system for most Futaba, JR, Hitec,
Multiplex, and Airtronics radio systems that have removable radiofrequency
(RF) modules. The
system includes a replacement
transmitter module that plugs into
the RF module location of your
existing transmitter and an
XtremeLink receiver. Receivers will
be available in six-, eight-, and 10-
channel versions.
The installation is transparent to the
user. Nothing changes with your
transmitter settings; install the XtremeLink
receiver and the conversion is finished. Advanced features include
the ability to program a fail-safe position for each individual
channel in case of a catastrophic failure (such as a transmitter
battery failure), mixing, swapping, and duplicating channels.
The XtremeLink system operates on the license-free 2.4 GHz
band, which is typically used for wireless networks, cordless
telephones, and other devices. XtremeLink’s proprietary spherical
RF radiation pattern eliminates the need for multiple antennas and
eradicates dropouts by using all the available frequencies in the
ISM band through an advanced patent-pending frequency-hopping
technique.
High-resolution 1024 systems are great; 2048s are even better.
The XtremeLink has an unparalleled 65536
(16-bit) system. These systems are
expected to be available in April. The
introductory price for a module and
eight-channel receiver is expected to
be $179.
Xtreme Power Systems: 3269
Maricopa Ave. Ste. 114-511, Lake
Havasu City AZ 86406; E-mail:
[email protected]; Web site:
www.xtremepowersystems.net
XtremeLink
Worth a Closer Look
As seen at the 2007 AMA Convention held January 12-14, 2007, in Ontario, California.
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May 2007 15
Worth a Closer Look
Race pilot Johnny Livingston created the full-scale Clip Wing
Monocoupe in 1932 by cutting 9 feet off his standard
Monocoupe’s wings and adding a 60% bigger
engine. After World War II the Clip Wing
was used for aerobatic
competition and air shows. It
was extremely successful,
winning the first World
Aerobatic Championship in 1948.
Pacific Aeromodel brings this classic
to modeling as a 1/4-scale replica that
captures the original’s tough good looks, but the company tamed its
nature to the point where it is as easy to fly as any intermediate sport
model. The airplane is fully aerobatic, yet it lands like a trainer.
The Monocoupe has a wingspan of 69.0 inches and an overall
length of 63.5 inches. Expect the flying weight to be 12.5-14.0 pounds
with either a 1.20-1.80 glow or 25-35cc gas engine. Construction is all
wood, with a two-piece wing and dummy radial engine.
The introductory price is $429.95 plus shipping and handling.
Pacific Aeromodel Mfg., Inc.: 12368 Valley Blvd. Ste. 109, El
Monte CA 91732; Tel.: (800) 780-0100; Web site: www.pacaero
model.com
Clip Wing Monocoupe ARF
The F-22 Raptor—the US Air Force’s newest aircraft—is the
most advanced stealth fighter in aviation technology. With the F-22
PTS, beginners can learn to fly on a trainer that looks exciting.
PTS stands for
“Progressive Trainer
System.” It provides an
aircraft that will allow
you to go from training
to jetlike aerobatics
without upgrading or
purchasing a new model.
This revolutionary
trainer sports removable
NACA droops and wing
extensions and a progressive three-position flap system to provide
extra stability and slow flying. Once the basics have been mastered,
it’s easy to modify the model so the pilot can move up to the next
level and enjoy jetlike aerobatics.
The F-22 has a wingspan of 52 inches with droops and tip
extensions and 48 inches without. The overall length from the Alpha
engine to the simulated afterburning exhaust openings is 50.3 inches.
Expect the weight to be 7.0.-7.5 pounds.
The street price of $429.99 includes the 98% completely
assembled model with the engine and radio system.
Horizon Hobby, Inc.: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822;
Tel.: (217) 352-1913; Web site: www.hangar-9.com
Hangar 9 F-22 Progressive Training System
See page 199 for submission guidelines
Pod-and-boom micro and mini helicopters are extremely popular,
and a number of top-quality manufacturers sell them. Add to their
look and appeal by installing a lightweight scale fuselage.
JMD Models offers scale fuselage kits of the Jet Ranger; A Star;
BK 117; Hughes 300, 500D, or E; and Bell 222 (Airwolf) for the
300- and 400-class mini
helicopters such as the
Showgun, T-Rex, MX-400,
Blade CP, and E-Sky mechanics.
JMD just released the Jet
Ranger and A Star bodies for the
new 100-class machines such
as the Pixy and cross-rotorblade
mechanics such as the
Blade CX or equivalent.
Each kit is vacuumformed
clear plastic, to obtain
the lightest weight possible. Some kits include scale landing gear.
JMD offers a how-to DVD that is a must-have for any modeler who
is looking to make his or her model a showstopper.
Kit prices range from $20 to $45. Optional retractable landing
gear is available for the Bell 222.
JMD Models: 10249 Randwick Dr., Temple City CA 91780; Tel.:
(626) 350-8342; Web site: www.jmdmodels.com
Miniature Helicopter Fuselage Kits
Hitec’s trusted series of dual-conversion Supreme receivers has
been updated with the new eight-channel Supreme IIS that
features Auto Shift. The Supreme IIS can be used
with any brand of modern FM transmitter,
regardless of positive or negative
shift, eliminating the need for two
versions of the same receiver.
Additional improvements to this
high-performance unit include a more
compact case and 26% savings in
weight (0.99 ounce).
All new Hitec receivers with Auto
Shift are available in one version. The company recommends
using only its frequency crystals to ensure the best performance.
Supreme IIS Receiver
Polk’s Hobby enters the 3-D electric market with an ARF allwood
model John S. Gill designed called the Aristo-Cat.
“This cat ain’t no dog” the designer said when
asked if this model would keep up with the
demanding needs of the 3-D expert and
aerobatics learner.
The profile fuselage is constructed
from laminated wood layers with
inlaid reinforcement for
longitudinal and
torsional stiffness.
The 35-inch balsa
wings sport ailerons
that are nearly half
the total wing area and
bolt onto the fuselage for
easy maintenance and storage. The rudder and elevator are huge.
The fully assembled model’s all-up weight is 20 ounces.
The RTF package includes a 22-amp brushless outrunner
motor, four servos, control links, propeller, wheels, and a
propeller mount. All the builder must add to complete the
Aristo-Cat is the ESC, three-cell Li-Poly battery, and four- to
six-channel radio.
Polk’s Hobby: 698 S. 21st St., Irvington NJ 07111; Tel.:
(973) 351-9800; Web site: www.polkshobby.com MA
Aristo-Cat ARF
Hitec’s new receivers feature Auto Gain lock, where the
transmitter’s signal is distinguished with higher accuracy and can
even discriminate between two transmitters on the same channel.
The Supreme IIS is available at a street price of $54.99.
Hitec RCD USA, LLC: 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel:
(858) 748-6948; Web site: www.hitecrcd.com
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