Worth a Closer Look - 2004/04
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 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].
Nitro Rascal ARF
The Nitro Rascal is another addition to Sig Manufacturing's popular Rascal line of Almost Ready-to-Flys (ARFs). As with its electric-powered cousin, the Nitro Rascal is hand-assembled from balsa and plywood and then covered with Oracover polyester film in a classic two-color trim scheme.
The Nitro Rascal is 90% prebuilt, so assembly time is minimal; a detailed, illustrated manual guides you from box to field. All major hardware is included—add your favorite .061-size engine, and you're off to the field.
This model is small enough to fly almost anywhere, yet large enough to provide enjoyable flights. It will sit in a thermal for long, leisurely flights, yet with more throttle will loop, roll, and perform well inverted.
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 49 inches
- Wing area: 324 square inches
- Weight: 19–20 ounces
- Power: .061–.074 glow engine required
- Radio: three-channel radio with three microservos
Sig Manufacturing Company, Box 520, Montezuma, IA 50171; Tel.: (641) 623-5154; Web site: www.sigmfg.com
Extra-Long Ultrasonic Cleaner
Micro-Mark's Extra-Long Ultrasonic Cleaner produces millions of microscopic bubbles that expand and collapse 46,000 times per second, creating a mechanical scrubbing action that thoroughly but gently removes dirt, grease, and debris—even in hard-to-reach areas and hidden cavities.
The extra-large 12-inch-long by 4-inch-wide by 6-inch-deep tank holds a half gallon of cleaning solution and delivers 80 watts of cleaning power for items ranging from RC engines and model-train components to airbrushes and eyeglasses.
Features:
- Tank: 12" x 4" x 6" (holds 0.5 gallon)
- Power: 80 watts, 46,000 cycles per second
- Includes: stainless-steel cleaning basket (10.625" x 3" x 2"), plastic cover, automatic shutoff
- Price: $279.95
Micro-Mark, 340 Snyder Ave., Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922; Tel.: (800) 225-1066; Web site: www.micromark.com
Blue Block Rust Inhibitor
Specifically formulated to protect glow engines from rust and corrosion, Evolution's Blue Block after-run oil prevents potentially harmful deposits from forming. Adding a few drops after every flight can significantly extend engine life.
Blue Block has a street price of $4.99 and comes in a completely filled applicator bottle packaged with a full refill bottle, giving modelers the most after-run oil for their money.
Horizon Hobby Distributors, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Thin Lube
Thin Lube for O-rings is a handy flight-box item for models with pneumatically operated retracts or other pneumatic systems.
Pneumatic retractable landing gear and door systems can develop problems, especially if left unused for long periods or exposed to climate changes. Thin Lube can rejuvenate the piston O-ring-to-cylinder-wall seal. Inject 1–2 cc of Thin Lube into a problem cylinder and cycle it multiple times. Use a short piece of 1/16-inch inside-diameter pneumatic tubing to connect the syringe to the brass nipple on the cylinder.
Each package includes:
- 1 ounce of Thin Lube
- 1 syringe
- 6 inches of 1/16-inch tubing
Price: $8.95
Bob Violett Models, Inc., 3481 SR 419, Winter Springs, FL 32708; Tel.: (407) 327-6333; Fax: (407) 327-5020; Web site: www.bvmjets.com
Proxxon FKS/E Super Table Saw
Building model airplanes can be stress-relieving—right up to the point where you need a piece of equipment you don't have. Improvising with the wrong tools can be less enjoyable and even unsafe. For serious cutting chores, the Proxxon FKS/E Super Table Saw is a capable and precise tool.
The saw features an electronically controllable cutting speed from 4,400 to 6,800 rpm, an adjustable cutting depth, and a tilting saw blade for bevel cuts up to 45°. The machined work surface (11.6 x 9.45 inches) is fitted with a longitudinal guide bar and a miter guide; these guides lock rigidly in position to ensure accurate cuts. A pull-out table extension with a built-in support leg handles wider work.
Proxxon emphasizes safety: the illustrated instruction manual details safe assembly, setup, and operation. The carbide-tipped cutting blade has a robust safety guard, and the cutting depth is adjustable from 0.04 to 0.875 inch. The manufacturer strongly recommends mounting the saw on a board that can be clamped securely to your bench; a diagram and mounting screws are provided.
The blade shaft runs in precision ball bearings, and the saw operates smoothly and stably. It cuts all normal model-building materials, including plastics, and includes a blade-speed guide to help select the proper speed for each material.
Features:
- Cutting speed: 4,400–6,800 rpm (electronically controllable)
- Work surface: 11.6 x 9.45 inches
- Cutting depth: 0.04–0.875 inch
- Bevel capability: up to 45°
- Includes: longitudinal guide, miter guide, pull-out extension with support leg
- Price: $349.80
Proxxon, 2555 Tate Blvd. SE, Hickory, NC 28603; Tel.: (828) 326-0326; Fax: (828) 326-0325; Web site: www.proxxon.com/us
RealFlight Add-Ons 5
Add-Ons 5 expands your RealFlight G2 or G2 Lite simulator with 11 new airplanes, two new helicopters, and three new flying fields. Each model uses a higher polygon count to more accurately capture shapes, from subtle curves to complex contours, and surface textures taken from life give more 3-D depth and authenticity.
Higher-resolution flying sites benefit visually, and models such as the Jayhawk and the MD500E feature crisp, down-to-the-rivets detail from fine photography. Fly indoors in the cavernous Blimp Hangar, take the action to the Baseball Diamond, or return to a favorite flying field. Sites are enjoyable solo and even more fun with two or more pilots.
A notable addition is the V-22 Osprey: using your InterLink controller, you can control the tilt of the twin rotors, allowing hover and tight-space maneuvering similar to the full-scale aircraft.
Notes:
- Compatible only with RealFlight G2 and G2 Lite (not compatible with RealFlight Classic, Deluxe, or RealFlight G3 NextSTAR Edition)
- Price: $29.99
Great Planes Model Distributors, Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.realflight.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
