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 that 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 relative 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 lift 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 retracts have heat-treated, precision-ground steel inner struts, and 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' wheels and brakes are standard, with 3½-inch wheels on the mains and a 3¼-inch wheel on the nose.
Specifications
- Wingspan: 80 inches
- Wing area: 1,600 square inches
- Wing loading: approx. 37 oz/ft²
- Length: 94 inches
- Weight: about 26 pounds (varies by engine installation)
- Recommended power: turbines in the 19–35 lb thrust range
- Price: not set at press time
Contact Bob Violett Models, Inc. 3481 SR 419, Winter Springs, FL 32708 Tel.: (407) 327-6333; Fax: (407) 327-5020 Web: www.bvjmjets.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 for use out of the box and 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 by rudder input.
Hardware is included for trouble-free installation and for converting existing models to floats.
Specifications
- Length: 34½ inches
- Street price: $84.99
Contact Great Planes Model Distributors Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826 Tel.: (800) 682-8948 Web: 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 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.
Contact Madison Components, Inc. 1059 Valley Crest Dr., Birmingham, AL 35226 Tel.: (205) 985-4040; Fax: (205) 985-9466 Web: 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 mini-reviews 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. 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. After installation you obtain a serial number using the web site; 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. On the Aircraft screen 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 information as you like.
Maintenance screens allow you to keep records and schedules for future 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 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 locate the logged items in your shop!
System requirements
- Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, or XP
- Pentium 300 MHz or faster processor
- 64 MB RAM
- 25 MB hard-drive space
A trial version can be downloaded; a key code to unlock all features is available for $32.
Web j-holmes.com: www.j-holmes.com
Iwata Spray Guns
There are more ways than ever to apply a finish to a model airplane. Iron-on finishes are fast, simple, and look great, but there is something extra special about a painted model. As with applying film finishes, the secrets to an outstanding job are good materials, good technique, and great application equipment. We recently acquired a set of three Iwata spray devices from Iwata-Medea, Inc., and put them to use on a new model.
Iwata is world famous for its line of precision airbrushes, high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) spray guns, and low-volume, low-pressure (LVLP) spray guns. Most modeling spray guns of the past have operated at fairly high pressure to mix and spray the fluid onto the model. A good job can be achieved using such equipment, but it takes a special touch to prevent overspray problems on adjacent areas. The low-pressure Iwata guns require you to use a bit more thinner than with other types, but the payoff is a much smoother finish with little or no overspray. High-pressure guns tend to put too much material on the surface, which increases finish weight. The Iwata HVLP and LVLP guns spray a thin, opaque coat, yielding less weight and a more flexible paint film.
We used the Iwata LVLP LPH-100 gun with a 1.4 mm tip to apply our dope-based filler coat, then switched to the smaller, lighter Iwata HVLP LPH-50 miniature spray gun for the base color coats and large trim-color areas. Both guns feature adjustable-position gravity feed cups. We applied smaller trim areas with the Iwata Revolution BCR airbrush.
The two larger spray guns feature three knobs that allow precise adjustment of material flow, pattern, and pressure. We quickly found comfortable settings for the areas being painted. Each gun includes a comprehensive illustrated instruction sheet with an exploded view, operating instructions, tips for a great job, troubleshooting, and maintenance and cleaning guidance.
We painted two models using the Iwata guns and airbrush and are very pleased with the results and the professional-quality equipment. As with any spray painting, wear at least a charcoal-filter mask and always spray in a well-ventilated area.
Contact Iwata-Medea, Inc. Box 14397, Portland, OR 97293 Tel.: (503) 253-7308; Fax: (503) 253-0721 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.iwata-medea.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 unusual entries such as the VW engine–powered Volksplane home-built, 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 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 web site.
Contact Great Planes Model Distributors Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826 Tel.: (800) 682-8948 Web: 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, and 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.
Specifications
- Wingspan: 28.1 inches
- Length: 20.2 inches
- Weight (ready to fly): 4.5–5.5 ounces
- Retail price: $59.95 (includes MPS-2A twin-motor power system)
Contact DJ Aerotech 719 Fisk St., Piqua, OH 45356 Tel.: (937) 773-6772; Fax: (937) 773-9494 Web: www.djaerotech.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
