14 MODEL AVIATION
Transmitter Stand
If you’re new to
Radio Control, you may
not realize that some of
the early transmitters
had one feature that is
lacking on most of
today’s transmitters: a
sturdy, folding stand.
Madison
Components has
released a new
transmitter stand that is
different from most
other aftermarket stands;
this one is made from
.187-inch-diameter
metal.
Weighing in at less
than 2 ounces, this stand
will raise your transmitter 3.5 inches off the ground. It quickly
attaches to any transmitter with a metal handle (sorry, this is not
for plastic handles) using two screws. Once attached, the stand
swivels so that it will fold up against the back of the transmitter’s
case when you’re ready to fly.
The ends of the transmitter stand have rubber coating to protect
your transmitter’s finish from scratches.
Madison Components’ transmitter stand retails for $9.99.
Madison Components, Inc.: 1059 Valley Crest Dr.,
Birmingham AL 35226; Tel.: (205) 985-4040; Fax: (205) 985-
9466; Web site: www.qualityrcproducts.com
Worth a Closer Look
Aero Base Display Models
We ran across a
unique series of
small display
models at the
International
Model and Hobby
Expo this past
September. These
exquisitely detailed
replicas of
legendary aircraft
are manufactured
by Aero Base and
are distributed by
Great Planes.
Most Aero
Base kits fit
neatly in the
palm of your
hand. Their
detail is
amazing. You
might think you
need specialized
tools, but
assembly is
easy and
requires only a
hobby knife,
tweezers, and a
few drops of cyanoacrylate
glue (CyA).
Scale parts are photoetched
onto one small plate
of finished metal (brass,
copper, nickel/silver, or
stainless steel), ready to be
removed with a hobby knife.
The wings are etched as a
single piece, and you can
create a realistic 3-D airfoil
simply by twisting the ribs
with tweezers.
One-piece fuselages bend
easily into shape, and
elevators and rudders slide
into place and are secured
with small drops of
CyA adhesive.
Currently there
are 16 kits of
popular aircraft in
sizes ranging from
the 1.6-inch-span
Wright Baby Racer
to the 9.2-inch-long
Graf Zeppelin. All
include nameplates,
and almost all come
with a handsome black display base.
Aero Base kits range in price from $9.99 to $109.99.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826-9021; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site:
www.bestrc.com/aerobase/index.html
Access Panels
Whether you’re
building from a kit or
scratch-building,
chances are you’ve
needed a removable
hatch to make access
easier.
J&B Access Panels
has introduced a new
series of CNC
(computer numeric
controlled)-cut panels
for a variety of
purposes. As shown in
the photos, we used a
Standard Servo Panel
to add an aileron servo to a
built-up wing.
Each kit comes
complete with precut
plywood parts and holddown
screws. Each access
panel requires a bit of
assembly (and trimming),
but when you’re finished
you’ll have everything you
need to quickly add a
panel into your model.
J&B access panels range in price from $4 to $7.
J&B Access Panels: 1115 Cleveland Ave., Glasgow KY 42141;
Tel.: (270) 651-9166; Web site: www.jbaccesspanels.com
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:57 pm Page 14
February 2003 15
The heart of this new model is the underfuselage combat pod. It
sends and receives signals,
similar to a television’s
remote control. The
manual claims a range up
to 50 feet, but our review
models were only effective
to approximately 40 feet.
After a quick range
check, we launched our
two Fighterbirds for the
first sortie. Both pilots
agreed to gain sufficient
altitude before engaging
because once the combat pod detects a “hit,” it shuts down the motor
for 10 seconds. All other functions continue to work, but the model
will be descending.
We’d like to see this time cut to five seconds for safety reasons
(or at least be adjustable). It’s possible for inexperienced pilots to find
themselves in trouble if they’re faced with 10 seconds of unpowered
flight, especially when they’re not ready for it.
Until you feel comfortable flying the Fighterbird, we strongly
advise that you don’t “engage” at any less than 200 feet. This will
give you sufficient room to maneuver and recover during the
downtime.
With the exception of
the combat pod’s beeping
when firing and
registering hits, the models
are very quiet, so they
won’t disturb the
neighbors when flown at
soccer fields, school yards,
or parks.
However, don’t
confuse these models with
backyard or indoor flyers. Although this is a low-speed version of
combat, it does require the minimum of a soccer field and light winds
(less than 7 mph) for safe flying.
Our dogfighting duo had approximately 15 minutes of fighting
time, each registering hits on the other. These models are a lot of fun
and a good way to take out the day’s frustrations.
Horizon does offer replacement parts—an optional 8.4-volt (900
mAh) battery and other options—available separately.
The Fighterbird has a street price of $149.99.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL
61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com MA
Fighterbird
It would be hard to dispute the impact that HobbyZone’s
Firebird Ready-to-Fly (RTF) kits have made on exposing
thousands to radio-control aviation. Now its ever-evolving
lineup includes a twist: the Fighterbird.
At first glance this model looks like HobbyZone’s
Firebird II, except that it’s gray instead of yellow. Many
things are similar: the same pusher-propeller configuration,
tail-dragger landing gear, one-piece wing, battery pack, Vtail,
etc.
However, the Fighterbird has a unique trick up its
sleeve—or to be more accurate, under its fuselage. This kit
includes an interactive combat system which snaps onto the
bottom of the fuselage. With this new pod, up to six
Fighterbird pilots can engage in aerial “combat,” shooting
each other down in what could best be described as aerial
“laser tag.”
Horizon Hobby sent us two Fighterbirds so we could put them to
the test. As with the aforementioned Firebird, the Fighterbirds come
99.9% assembled. To finish one takes approximately 10 minutes,
which includes applying the stickers.
A two-stick radio, charger, battery pack, instruction manual, and
instructional videotape round out the package.
Our first thought was, How are we going to tell these models
apart when they’re in the air? Horizon was one step ahead of us; each
Fighterbird
comes with two
sets of decals.
Our case
included the
“Chomp” and
“USAF”
schemes. Other
schemes are
available,
depending on the
frequency of the
Fighterbird you
purchase.
The kit includes a DC-only charger which takes roughly 45
minutes to completely charge the pack. Although it would be nice to
have an AC/DC version, this charger performed fine. If you put the
battery on charge right after you open the kit, it should be ready to go
by the time you’re finished watching the video and assembling the
model.
Control of
the Fighterbird
is the same as in
previous
versions. The
right stick
controls the Vtail’s
“ruddervators,”
allowing turns
left and right.
The left stick
controls the power. Applying full power will make the airplane
climb, cutting power will make the airplane lose altitude, and using
power anywhere in between will hold the airplane at altitude.
Although this isn’t the most accurate control system available, it does
a good job of controlling the model when combined with the wing’s
inherent stability.
And one other thing with the left stick: pushing it full down will
cause the pod to fire and emit a loud (very loud) tone.
02sig1.QXD 11.21.02 2:58 pm Page 15
