Worth a Closer Look - 2004/12

Worth a Closer Look
14 MODEL AVIATION
Ultrafly Electric ARFs
These lightweight foam
models feature the easy
assembly of other park
flyers, but their performance
and scale looks set them apart. The
secret? Instead of designing the model
and then trying to find a motor to fit
it, Ultrafly develops a power system
first, and then matches the airplane
design that is best suited for it.
The result? Airplanes that fly
as great as they look, in a variety of
flying-skill levels that will appeal to
almost everyone! They will
even fly in winds of up to 10
mph!
The Cessna comes with two
wings; one offers docile,
trainerlike flight for building a
beginner’s confidence, and the other allows aerobatics to be
performed after experience is gained.
The low-wing PC9-400 is stable at low speeds but is capable of
thrilling aerial maneuvers. The BAe Hawk is a pusher-prop-design
jet for those with a need for all-out speed.
Each model features a Speed 400 motor with smaller-diameter
windings that enable it to handle higher voltages and amps. That
translates into more power and more capacity. The included gearbox
comes with four spur gears and brass pinions, providing modelers
with a much larger range of gear ratios than other airplanes do.
The Cessna 182 spans 43 inches, has a wing area of 323 square
inches, and weighs 27 ounces ready to fly. Its street price is $84.99.
The BAe Hawk spans 28.3 inches, has a wing area of 152 square
inches, and weighs 21 ounces ready to fly. Its street price is $79.99.
The PC9-400 spans 32 inches, has a wing area of 195 square
inches, and weighs 19 ounces ready to fly. Its street price is $79.99.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
Nemesis 3D-II
Models that are suitable for performing 3-D-type flying in
limited spaces are becoming more and more popular. For people
who are interested in the flying qualities of a built-up,
symmetrical-airfoil wing, Model Airplane Engineering (MAE)
offers the Nemesis 3D-II. This laser-cut balsa kit has performance,
lightness, and strength designed in.
Building this
model is a pleasure.
You quickly begin to
appreciate the
structural design as
each piece finds its
place in the
assembly. From
opening the bag to
having the airplane
ready to cover will
require
approximately two
hours.
With a wingspan
of 27 inches and an
area of 200 square
inches, the Nemesis 3D-II offers full 3-D-type flying on brushed or
brushless motors. Depending on power and equipment choices,
flying weight falls in the 4.5- to 6.5-ounce range.
With a two-cell Li-Poly battery pack (2S) and a brushed motor
mated to a GWS gear set, the Nemesis 3D-II will do all extreme
maneuvers including hovering. There are setups for indoor 3-D
flying as well.
To add even more zip to the
model’s performance, you can
install one of the small
external-rotor brushless
motors, such as the Nippy or
the PJS 300. MAE offers a
nice laser-cut plywood motor
mount for the external-rotor
motors that allows the same
GWS-style mount to be used.
This makes it easy to get into
3-D flying at a low cost and
then move up in performance
as your skill set advances.
MAE also offers a landing-gear option for the kit, which is
priced at $43.95.
Model Airplane Engineering: 5001 Bainbridge Ct., Lilburn GA
30047; Tel.: (770) 925-8326; Web site: www.m-a-e.com
Hobbico Circle Cutter
This new tool makes
cutting precision circles as
simple as using a compass!
Replaceable blades are held
in place by a locking
thumbscrew, and they rotate
around the stylus to cut
perfect circles every time.
The top scale measures
radius, and the bottom scale
indicates diameter and
adjusts from 10mm to
150mm.
The Circle Cutter is ideal
for a wide variety of craft
and hobby projects. It can be
used to cut paper, thin plastic, Lexan, card stock, film, photos,
masking material, and much more.
This tool has a street price of $6.29 and comes with six extra
blades and two pencil leads stored in a compartment on the cutter.
Six more blades and two pencil leads are available separately.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (800) 682-8948; Web site: www.hobbico.com
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