Edition: Model Aviation - 2004/12
Page Numbers: 14,15
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Worth a Closer Look

Nemesis 3D-II

Models suitable for performing 3-D-type flying in limited spaces are becoming more popular. For those who prefer the flying qualities of a built-up, symmetrical-airfoil wing, Model Airplane Engineering (MAE) offers the Nemesis 3D-II. This laser-cut balsa kit is designed for performance, lightness, and strength.

Building the model is a pleasure: as each piece finds its place the structural design becomes obvious. From opening the bag to having the airplane ready to cover takes approximately two hours.

Key specifications and performance

  • Wingspan: 27 inches
  • Wing area: 200 square inches
  • Flying weight: 4.5 to 6.5 ounces (depending on power and equipment)
  • Capable of full 3-D flying on brushed or brushless motors; with a 2-cell Li-Poly pack (2S) and a brushed motor mated to a GWS gear set it will do extreme maneuvers including hovering
  • Indoor 3-D setups are possible

Options and notes

  • External-rotor brushless motors such as the Nippy or the PJS 300 can add performance
  • MAE offers a laser-cut plywood motor mount for external-rotor motors that accepts a GWS-style mount, allowing easy upgrades
  • Landing-gear option available; kit priced at $43.95

Model Airplane Engineering

  • Address: 5001 Bainbridge Ct., Lilburn, GA 30047
  • Tel.: (770) 925-8326
  • Web: www.m-a-e.com

Ultrafly Electric ARFs

Ultrafly’s lightweight foam models combine easy assembly with strong performance and attractive scale looks. Instead of designing an airframe and then finding a motor to fit it, Ultrafly develops the power system first and then matches an airplane design to that system. The result is airplanes that fly as well as they look across a range of skill levels; they will fly in winds up to about 10 mph.

Model highlights

  • Cessna 182: comes with two wings — one for docile, trainer-like flight and another for aerobatics once experience is gained
  • PC9-400: a low-wing design that is stable at low speeds yet capable of thrilling maneuvers
  • BAe Hawk: a pusher-prop-style jet aimed at pilots seeking speed

Power and drivetrain

  • Each model features a Speed 400 motor with smaller-diameter windings that handle higher voltages and amps, giving more power and capacity
  • Included gearbox has four spur gears and brass pinions, offering a larger range of gear ratios than many other park flyers

Specifications and street prices

  • Cessna 182: span 43 inches; wing area 323 sq in; ready-to-fly weight 27 oz; street price $84.99
  • BAe Hawk: span 28.3 inches; wing area 152 sq in; ready-to-fly weight 21 oz; street price $79.99
  • PC9-400: span 32 inches; wing area 195 sq in; ready-to-fly weight 19 oz; street price $79.99

Great Planes Model Distributors

  • Address: Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826
  • Tel.: (800) 682-8948
  • Web: www.hobbico.com

Hobbico Circle Cutter

This new tool makes cutting precision circles as simple as using a compass. Replaceable blades are held by a locking thumbscrew and rotate around the stylus to cut perfect circles. The top scale measures radius; the bottom scale indicates diameter and adjusts from 10 mm to 150 mm.

Features

  • Cuts paper, thin plastic, Lexan, card stock, film, photos, masking material, and more
  • Includes six extra blades and two pencil leads stored in a compartment on the cutter
  • Street price: $6.29
  • Additional blade/pencil lead packs available separately

Great Planes Model Distributors

  • Address: Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826
  • Tel.: (800) 682-8948
  • Web: www.hobbico.com

Multiplex All-Purpose Charger and Li-Poly Batteries

Hitec and Multiplex Modelsport USA have announced the Model LN-2010, an all-purpose Ni-Cd, NiMH, and Li-Poly battery charger. Multiplex is also selling a line of Li-Poly batteries ranging from 145 to 4000 mAh in single cells and in two- or three-cell assembled packs.

Charger overview

  • Model: LN-2010 (item M92523)
  • Street price: $79.99
  • Indicator LEDs show charge status
  • Input: 11.0–15.0 V; recommended minimum supply: 12.0 V at 3.0 A (can be operated from an automobile battery or an AC power supply meeting this requirement)
  • Charge current: continuously adjustable from 0.1 to 2.0 A
  • Capabilities:
  • Peak-detect charging for 1 to 10 Ni-Cd or NiMH cells
  • Constant-current, voltage-limiting charging for 1 to 4 Li-Poly cells
  • Custom cell-voltage selection for Li-Poly packs
  • Internal timer that limits operation to six hours
  • Physical size: 5.0 in long x 4.0 in wide x 1.75 in high
  • Input cables: ~30 in long, terminated in two large alligator clips
  • Output: three banana plugs (two black, one red). The red jack is the common positive connection; the user must select the two negative jacks appropriate for the pack being charged
  • Safety: selecting the wrong set of jacks triggers a loud alarm and flashes all three LEDs

Basic charging procedure

  1. Select battery type by pressing the "BATT TYPE" switch. While pressing, the red LED lights for Li-Poly and the orange LED lights for Ni-Cd/NiMH. The selection alternates each time the switch is pressed.
  2. Set the charge current with the rotary dial (0.1–2.0 A). Suggested charge rates: 2C for NiMH, 3C for Ni-Cd, and 1C for Li-Poly.
  3. Press "START" to begin charging. During charging the green "FULL/VOLTS" LED will flash. When charging completes you will hear a series of beeps and the green LED will glow steadily.

Notes and safety

  • Do not charge Li-Poly batteries that have been discharged below 3.0 volts per cell.
  • The LN-2010 uses a low charge rate for the first minute to "condition" the pack and determine cell count automatically.
  • A small trickle (~50 mA) continues after fast charge cutoff; acceptable for Ni-Cd/NiMH, but neither required nor desired for Li-Poly packs.

Batteries and accessories

  • Multiplex promotional literature lists 19 pack configurations (1–3 cells) with capacities from 145 mAh to 4000 mAh; prices range from $12.98 to $299.95.
  • Sample packs provided: a 2S1P 350 mAh pack (0.8 oz) with a red JST connector, and a 3S1P 750 mAh pack (2.0 oz) with a Deans Ultra connector (easy to solder).

Multiplex USA

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.