Worth a Closer Look - 2003/04

14 MODEL AVIATION
Worth a Closer Look
In each installment of “Worth a Closer Look” we do our best to bring
you new and exciting products from our industry. These write-ups are not
press releases, but are actually minireviews written by the Model Aviation
staff. In each instance the product or service is actually built, tested,
flown, used, etc. to give you a firsthand account of how it performs.
We have found some of these items on our own, but many have been
brought to our attention from outside sources. If you have a product or
service that you feel might be “worth a closer look,” contact Model
Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt at (610) 614-1747, or send an
E-mail to [email protected].
3D Panels
Skin detailing is a part of
the scale illusion process.
To help us in our quest for
more realistic-looking
models, Jerry Caudle (Mr.
Pro Mark) has created easyto-
apply, slightly raised
panels.
At only 1.5-mil thick,
these panels add just enough
third dimension to the model’s
skin surface to perfectly
simulate certain access plates,
vents, hinge-cover plates, etc. that are non-perfect flush fits on
full-scale jet aircraft. Pro Mark’s 3D panels can also be used to
disguise or cover a blemish.
The various shaped and sized panels are computer-cut into a
sheet of adhesive-backed chromelike Mylar. Use 0000 steel wool
to scuff the shine off the entire sheet—this also gives “tooth” for
paint adhesion—then use a knife point to pick up an edge and
remove a panel. (Photos courtesy of Bob Violett Models:
www.bvmjets.com.)
Pro Mark Graphics: 751 Airport Rd., Metropolis IL 62960;
Tel.: (618) 524-2440; Web site: www.pro-mark.com
The American Fighter Plane
If you were to
ask most modelairplane
enthusiasts
what type of fullscale
airplane they
like to model most,
the answer would
probably
overwhelmingly be
“fighters!” So it is
natural for modelers
to want more
information about
fighters. This new
book written by Amy E. Williams and illustrated by Ted
Williams traces the evolution of the fighter in the US and
features 40 of the most popular, revolutionary, and influential
designs in our country’s history.
Conflict spurs quick and decisive development, and the
airplanes highlighted in this book are representative of the
incredible technological advancements made in fighter design
because of the need for a better weapon. From World War I types
to the most modern jets in our inventory, this book covers the
spectrum, offering the interesting story of each significant
design.
While the text portion of this book is excellent, the artwork is
outstanding. Each airplane discussed includes a clear and
detailed three-view drawing, complete with specifications and
performance figures, and a stunning four-color artist’s rendering.
The detail and quality of these elements make this a must-have
book for those who are looking for great scale documentation.
The American Fighter Plane is priced at $15.98 and is
published by Barnes & Noble Publishing, Inc., 122 Fifth Ave.,
New York NY 10011. It is available at Barnes & Noble
booksellers.
Barnes & Noble: www.bn.com
Brodak .40 CL Engine
John Brodak has come to be known as “the man who saved Control
Line.” In the past few years John has purchased the rights to many
classic Control Line (CL) designs to be produced by his Brodak
Manufacturing company and has brought many other new designs to
market.
One thing John felt
was missing was an
affordable, light,
and powerful 40-
size CL engine.
Most of the models
in the Brodak kit
line are
designed to be
powered by
40-size engines,
so John
started
looking for
someone to
produce a new
engine to his
specifications.
One of the criteria was that
the engine must have reliable cycle-on and cycle-off peak power
(commonly referred to as 2-4 break) during the entire flight.
The result is this engine, which weighs 6.83 ounces without the
supplied muffler and 8.51 ounces with the muffler fitted.
This is an aluminum-aluminum chrome (AAC) engine; the highsilicon
aluminum piston runs in a chrome-plated aluminum sleeve,
yielding less weight for a given-displacement engine and better heat
dissipation. This type of engine construction is also more immune to
damage from the occasional lean run. The supplied instruction booklet
does an excellent job of explaining the advantages of AAC, the proper
break-in procedures required for long life and proper power output, and
how to achieve the best “Stunt run.”
Brodak Manufacturing suggests that a fuel blend containing 11%
synthetic oil, 11% castor oil, and 5-10% nitro be used. Brodak 11 x 4
or 10 x 5 propellers are recommended for most applications.
The Brodak .40 is a true CL engine and comes fitted with a venturi
instead of a carburetor. The machine work is excellent, and the
pressure die-cast case is highlighted with a polished head and venturi
for a pleasing look. The muffler bolts onto the engine with two
supplied screws, and the muffler output can be exhausted in any
direction desired.
During testing the Brodak .40 ran well in the 9,500-10,500 rpm
range and put out consistent, usable power. This is an excellent choice
to power most popular Classic Stunt designs.
The Brodak .40 is $99.99. It is available from Brodak
Manufacturing and your favorite hobby shop.
Brodak Manufacturing: 100 Park Ave., Carmichaels PA 15320;
Tel.: (724) 966-2726; Fax: (724) 966-5670; E-mail:
[email protected]; Web site: www.brodak.com
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April 2003 15
Neon-SS FM
Hitec has introduced an innovative, upgradable new single-stick
radio. Now you can get what
you want when you want it.
Out of the box the
affordable, ergonomically
designed Neon offers threechannel
single-stick operation
with all the basic features you
need and channel 1 and 2
mixing.
With the Neon, you don’t
pay for features you don’t need.
This radio can be upgraded as
your needs change with easy-toinstall
optional packages you
can add.
The Neon features dual rates
on channels 1 and 2, ATV
(Adjustable Travel Volume) on
channels 1-3, a trainer switch with port,
and a fourth channel switch with three
positions.
Best of all, there are no case screws so
upgrading your Neon is a snap!
The Neon comes in two packages: a
Micro version (for small park-flyer
models) and a Deluxe version (with larger
servos, Ni-Cd batteries, and a charger).
Hitec RCD: 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-
6948; Fax: (858) 748-1767; Web site: www.hitecrcd.com MA
R/C Sports Copter Challenge
We have had many
requests for coverage of a
simulator that does not require
a computer—something that
could run on a game console
such as PlayStation—and we
found it. It’s the R/C Sports
Copter Challenge for
PlayStation 2.
Before we get into the
details, this is not a strict
simulator; it is a game in which you
fly a radio-controlled helicopter.
Using the PlayStation 2’s joystick
controllers, you can fly the helicopter
using movements similar to those that
control Radio Control helicopters.
In Copter Challenge you can use
points and awards gained in the
game’s numerous modes to purchase any
of nine real radio helicopters and outfit
them with unique parts. An obstacle
course of challenges waits in adventure
mode. Fly through tranquil gardens,
rushing rapids, and dangerous city skies.
R/C Sports Copter Challenge is available
where PlayStation 2 games are sold.
Xicat Interactive Corporation: 800 E.
Broward Blvd. Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale
FL 33301; Web site: www.xicat.com
AcroPro
Probably the best way to
describe SR Batteries’ AcroPro
is that it’s a fully aerobatic
version of its Cutie on
steroids!
The AcroPro has a fully
symmetrical wing, ailerons, a
second hatch and cowl, beefedup
landing-gear mounts, gear
fairings, a battery tray, and
motor mounts. SR Batteries
has dramatically increased the
horsepower by using the
optional Jeti Phasor 15/4
brushless motor on seven cells.
The AcroPro is an aerobatic
hotrod. Loops, rolls, stall turns,
inverted flight, snap rolls,
Cuban 8s, and the rest of the
usual maneuvers are no
problem. It will even do
horizontal and vertical eights!
Although the AcroPro can
be significantly faster than the
Cutie, it doesn’t have to be. It
will do all of the preceding
maneuvers at a fairly sedate
speed if you want it to. This
model was not intended to be a
Pylon Racer because Pylon
models eat up a lot of sky and
require large flying sites. The
AcroPro can easily be flown at
a ball field.
The AcroPro has a
wingspan of 45 inches, a wing
area of 350 square inches, and
weighs 38 ounces. It has a
flight time of six to seven
minutes for aerobatics and 12+
minutes of casual sport flying.
The AcroPro kit includes all laser-cut balsa and plywood parts,
custom Dave Brown Products wheels, a Du-Bro tail wheel and
tail-wheel bracket, control horns, clevises, threaded couplers, and
wheel collars. It also features Sig wheel retainers, fiberglass tape,
SR composite spars, gapless hinge tape, “Z”-bend pushrods,
computer-cut graphics, gear straps, numerous building fixtures,
socket-head screws, and more.
SR Batteries: Box 287, Bellport NY 11713; Tel.: (631) 286-
0079; Web site: www.srbatteries.com
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