Worth a Closer Look
KingCat
The new KingCat from Bob Violett Models is big, lightly loaded, 95% prebuilt, prepainted, and attractive.
For aerobatics fliers, the KingCat can perform almost any maneuver from the International Miniature Aerobatic Club schedule. It also features positive slow-flight stability, so learning to fly a jet will be simple for the newcomer.
Short takeoffs and landings from grass make jet operation possible from most radio-control (RC) club fields. The KingCat helps pilots who prefer larger models ease into the world of turbine flying.
In addition to the normal things jets do, the KingCat has interesting 3-D capabilities. The large, fat wing and generous control-surface size, along with its relatively light weight, allow entry into this realm of flight defined by extreme slow-speed and high-alpha maneuvering.
These same light-wing and high-power-loading features allow this model to operate at high-density altitudes and from more confined grass fields with less challenge to the pilot. The huge flaps produce rapid liftoff when set to approximately 15° deflection. At 40° they allow you to drag the KingCat around the landing pattern at 40–45 mph and drop it in the landing zone with accuracy.
Construction is all-composite, and the model comes prepainted out of the mold. Other features include huge landing flaps, one large canopy hatch for easy access, and large fuel capacity (enough for as many as 14 minutes of flying) located close to the center of gravity.
The KingCat's retracts have heat-treated, precision-ground steel inner struts; the outer steel sleeves are honed for a perfect fit. Machined-aluminum sleeves add detail to the outer sleeves. The nose yoke is cast steel, and each strut has been grass-field tested.
Bob Violett Models' jet wheels and brakes are standard, with 3-1/2-inch wheels on the mains and a 3-1/4-inch wheel on the nose. The KingCat spans 80 inches, has a wing area of 1,600 square inches, and a wing loading of approximately 37 ounces per square foot. It is 94 inches in length and weighs about 26 pounds (weight varies depending on engine installation). Power can be provided by any turbine in the 19- to 35-pound-thrust range. Price was not set at press time.
Bob Violett Models, Inc.: 3481 SR 419, Winter Springs, FL 32708; Tel.: (407) 327-6333; Fax: (407) 327-5020; Web site: www.bvmjets.com
ARF Sport Floats
Great Planes' .40–.60 size ARF Sport Floats are constructed from light, sturdy fiberglass, and final assembly is quick and easy. They come finished and ready to use out of the box, and they can be painted to complement any trim scheme.
These floats are designed to raise model airplanes off the water effortlessly and safely. Low-speed flight stability and straight tracking are preserved by a ventral fin. The Sport Floats can be steered with an in-float servo or with rudder input.
Hardware is included for trouble-free installation and for converting existing models to floats. The ARF Sport Floats are 34-1/2 inches long and have a street price of $84.99.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.greatplanes.com
Transmitter Tray
Several transmitter trays have been featured in this column in the past, but this new version from Madison Components is a decidedly simple solution.
The tray can be used with almost any transmitter that has a wire handle. The base is made from 1/4-inch-thick black acrylic. A neck strap is included and attaches to the adjustable 8-inch chrome posts. An adjustable clamp holds the transmitter securely using a quick-release system.
The Transmitter Tray assembles in just a few minutes, weighs 14 ounces, and sells for $29.95.
Madison Components, Inc.: 1059 Valley Crest Dr., Birmingham, AL 35226; Tel.: (205) 985-4040; Fax: (205) 985-9466; Web site: www.qualityrcproducts.com
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].
RC Log
If you've ever had trouble remembering your inventory of RC goodies, this program might be just what you need. The RC Log from j-holmes.com is a database specifically geared to track all of your aircraft, aircraft accessories, and support equipment.
Installation takes just a few seconds. When you're finished, you'll need to obtain a serial number via the website. After the number is e-mailed to you, enter it and you're ready to explore.
From the main menu you can access a variety of screens; the Aircraft screen is shown. On it, you can import your own images of aircraft, engines, transmitters, batteries, and all other items that are tracked. Other information such as manufacturer, price, radio equipment, etc., can be entered with as little or as much detail as you like.
The maintenance screens allow you to keep records and schedules for future maintenance tasks. Record all of your flight sessions to build a flight history for each aircraft. Record each battery's charging information to identify a faulty battery before it costs you an aircraft. Create your own checklists for those important processes.
There are also 12 predefined reports that allow easy-to-read access to all of your information and much more. About the only feature it doesn't have is the ability to find the logged items in your shop!
RC Log requires a Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP operating system; a Pentium 300 or faster processor; 64 MB of memory; and 25 MB of hard-drive space.
A trial version can be downloaded, and a key code to unlock all of the features is available for $32.
j-holmes.com: www.j-holmes.com
Reflex RC Simulator
One of Europe's leading RC flight simulators for personal computers—Reflex—is now available in the U.S.
Its selection of 12 helicopters and 15 airplanes includes such unusual entries as the VW engine–powered Volksplane homebuilt, the high-performance Hotliner EP glider, and many popular Kyosho models such as the Flip 3D aerobat, the F-86 Sabre GP jet, and the Caliber 30 helicopter.
Numerous detailed parameters make this simulator a good tool for training. Photo-realistic graphics add to the feeling that you're out at the field. Ground and weather conditions are also reproduced.
The camera view can be adjusted to zoom in or follow the action, and you can evaluate your piloting performance using flight recording and playback functions.
The Reflex simulator has a street price of $199.99. For details about computer requirements, refer to Hobbico's website.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
Ryan ST/PT-16
The Ryan ST/PT-16 is DJ Aerotech's latest addition to its Roadkill series of kits. It is a profile RC model for indoor/backyard/park sport flying. It can be built as a three-channel (coupled aileron and rudder) or four-channel full-house system for more elaborate aerobatics.
The model handles and feels similar to a .40-size sport aircraft. It has been flown successfully on an indoor basketball court, but it is more of a backyard and park flyer.
As with the other Roadkill-series models, construction is of laser-cut balsa and thin plywood, and assembly goes fast. A fairly experienced builder should be capable of finishing the PT-16 in a weekend.
The kit instructions for covering the wing's underside provide better top speed, improved inverted performance, more advanced aerobatics, and allow for park flying in more wind.
The Ryan spans 28.1 inches, is 20.2 inches long, and weighs 4.5–5.5 ounces ready to fly. It retails for $59.95, which includes the new MPS-2A twin-motor power system.
DJ Aerotech: 719 Fisk St., Piqua, OH 45356; Tel.: (937) 773-6772; Fax: (937) 773-9494; Web site: www.djaerotech.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
