Worth a Closer Look
As seen at the 2007 WRAM Show held February 23–25, 2007, in White Plains, NY
Cermark Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX ARF is distributed exclusively by Cermark as a collaborative effort with Top Gun Models (a CML Distribution company in the United Kingdom).
For a model this size the Spitfire boasts a wide range of scale details without becoming a handful in the air. It has a fiberglass fuselage with a molded fin, detailed panel lines, rivets, and a detachable flush-fitting fiberglass cowl that is prefinished with simulated Merlin exhaust stacks.
The tailplane, rudder, and wings have built-up balsa construction. The 71-inch-span wings are fitted for the air retracts included in the kit. The wood surfaces are covered in UltraCote and custom-painted in a three-color camouflage scheme with a scale matte finish. Other scale details include molded air intakes and radiators, 20mm cannon, wheel-well inserts, and wheel doors. The wing area is 852 square inches. Expect the ready-to-fly weight to be 9–10 pounds with a .91 two-stroke, 1.20 four-stroke, or 26cc gas engine.
The introductory price is $399.95. Cermark is offering a combo package for $599.95 that includes the new SPE-26 gas engine, an excellent power selection for this model.
Cermark: 9830 Bell Ranch Dr., Santa Fe Springs CA 90670; Tel.: (800) 704-6229; Web site: www.cermark.net
Scale Instrument Kits
JTEC Radiowave is offering a new line of instrument kits that are scale in appearance. They combine color and black-and-white elements, per full-scale instrumentation. The new instruments are replicas of those found in most modern aircraft. Kits are available in 1/8, 1/6, 1/5, 1/4, and Giant Scale (30–42%). Each includes clear plastic Lexan lens material for realism and instructions for building a complete custom instrument panel.
Each kit retails for $13.99 from your local hobby dealer.
JTEC Radiowave: Box 1847, Mooresville NC 28115; Tel.: (704) 799-1658; Web site: www.jtecrc.com
Belt CP Carbon Edition
E-Sky's new Belt CP is the ultimate in its line of micro helicopters and is offered as an ARF. All upgrade parts are preinstalled, including the silver carbon-fiber frame, classic black tailboom, blades, paddles, and fins. The head mechanics include all-metal parts, including the swashplate and blade grips. This machine is designed to be as light as possible. It features an oversized fiberglass canopy for looks and durability, and it includes screened vents for increased motor cooling. It also has a belt-driven tail rotor for smooth, vibration-free tail control.
The ARF package includes the assembled airframe only. The builder must supply the servos, motor, and radio gear, all of which are available from BP Hobbies' Web site. Replacement parts are available and plentiful.
The Belt CP is available for $279.95 retail.
BP Hobbies LLC: 140 Ethel Rd., Suite J, Piscataway NJ 08854; Tel.: (732) 287-3933; Web site: www.bphobbies.com
Futaba FASST System
Futaba's Advanced Spread Spectrum Technology (FASST) is now available in a full-range aircraft system. The 6EX 2.4 GHz offers fail-safe programming through the transmitter, as on conventional systems. Its solid-state electronics feature a purpose-built integrated circuit (IC) chip—one that Futaba, with almost 15 years of experience and research and development in spread spectrum technology, provides.
The R606FS receiver is small and weighs just 7 grams without the case, making it ideal for park flyers while still being powerful enough for Giant Scale airplanes. Those who have used the 6EX radio will find it familiar; the FASST-equipped version has been upgraded to include helicopter programming.
The Futaba FASST system will have a street price of $219.99 and includes:
- 6EX transmitter
- 9.6-volt, 600 mAh transmitter battery
- Battery charger
- R606FS receiver
- Switch harness
- Neck strap
Future 6EX FASST systems will include various servo packages suitable for park flyers up to precision aerobatics enthusiasts.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826; Tel.: (217) 398-3630; Web site: www.futabarc.com
TufFlight Stingray
The Stingray is an agile park flyer that is durable yet lightweight. It combines high-speed maneuverability with great slow-speed handling to make it a perfect practice model for "no-fear" aerobatics. This electric-ducted-fan model can be flown in tight fields. It is designed around the Himax brushless RTR fan, the Castle Creations Thunderbird-18 controller, and the Thunder Power 3S 910 Li-Poly battery.
The Stingray spans 31.5 inches and features a convenient underwing battery compartment for cooling and quick changes between flights. All components are mounted for streamlined, high-performance flight. Assembly time should take about three hours. The EPP foam can be decorated using a variety of methods. The Stingray kit is available for $129, with combo deals available from the TufFlight Web site.
TufFlight Models: 5376 Amalfi Dr., Clay NY 13041; Tel.: (315) 698-8103; Web site: www.tufflight.com
Innov8tive Designs
Innov8tive Designs offers "the total package" to the electric-power modeler. The company carries the entire line of 22mm Scorpion motors and the 11-, 15-, 25-, and 35-amp Scorpion Commander ESCs.
The Scorpion outrunner motors and speed controls are neatly packaged, with the flexible wire leads finished with premium 3.5mm gold-plated connectors. Details such as scooped air intakes machined into the motor case and lightweight heat sinks on the speed controls indicate a focus on long life.
Many more motor and speed-control sizes are on the way from this company, as is a new line of Li-Poly batteries.
Innov8tive Designs: Box 2203, San Marcos CA 92079; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.innov8tivedesigns.com
KMP Sport Series
Kondor Model Products' (KMP's) new line of aircraft is dedicated to discriminating modelers who want great-looking scale aircraft simplified for everyday flying. The first aircraft in this series are the Shorts Tucano and the Christen Husky.
The limited-edition Tucano is in the livery of the Royal Air Force 2007 Squadron. This model features a fiberglass fuselage and cowl, with built-up balsa construction covered with genuine UltraCote. It has a 65-inch wingspan and requires a 1.20 four-stroke engine. The Tucano is retract-ready, but retracts are not included. Street price: $299.95.
The Husky resembles the Piper Super Cub. This KMP re-creation features a fiberglass cowl, built-up balsa construction, and genuine UltraCote covering. It spans 80 inches and requires a .91–1.20 four-stroke engine. Price: $199.95.
Kondor Model Products: 1224 Amber Dr., Thunder Bay ON P7B 6M5 Canada; Tel.: (888) 968-7251; Web site: www.kmp.ca
Pro-Line Aerobatic Aircraft
Precision Cut Kits (PCK) owner Larry Katona now holds the designs, copyrights, and manufacturing rights of Bob Ancke's Pro Craft Models. This addition to PCK will be marketed as "Pro-Line Aerobatic Aircraft" and will be the exclusive distributor of these high-quality build-it-yourself kits.
There will be 14 Scale Aerobatics aircraft kits in this line, including the Chipmunk, Ultimate, Extra, and CAP 232. Kit offerings include:
- Deluxe Kits: all the wood, plans, building instructions, cowl, canopy, wheel pants, and aluminum gear
- Wood Only Kits: all the wood, plans, and building instructions
- Short Kits: plans, building instructions, and all template parts
- Fuselage and wing replacement kits will also be available
All accessories for the new line will be available, as will support and accessories for the Pro-Craft and Ohio R/C Models line. PCK is accepting orders for all its kits and expected to have the full line in stock by the end of March.
Precision Cut Kits: 63 Carlton Ave., Ewing NJ 08618; Tel.: (609) 538-1388; Web site: www.precisioncutkits.com
Mirage 2000
The RICCS Mirage 2000 brushless RTF ducted-fan jet has a 25-inch wingspan, measures 38.25 inches in length, and has a 19-ounce flying weight. Its all-molded bead-foam construction is prepainted with accessories and electronics preinstalled.
Features and specs:
- Radio: four-channel, 72 MHz transmitter with a six-channel receiver
- Servos: three prewired 9-gram servos controlling elevons and steerable nose wheel
- Power: 20-amp ESC and ducted-fan unit with a powerful inrunner brushless motor
- Battery: supplied three-cell Li-Poly battery; dedicated wall-plug-in charger included
- Landing gear: tricycle arrangement for good ground handling; quick takeoffs from smooth surfaces
- Performance: smooth, capable of fast axial rolls; easy inverted flight; moderate top speed; delta wing slows well for landing and remains stable
- Flight times: exceed 10 minutes
Price: $219
Hobby Lobby: 5614 Franklin Pike Cir., Brentwood TN 37027; Tel.: (615) 373-1444; Web site: www.hobby-lobby.com
Berg 7 on the Side
The popular Berg line by Castle Creations now includes a seven-channel receiver with horizontal servo pins. The Berg 7P Horizontal Pin version offers the same digital signal processing and full range pilots expect, in a format well suited for tight spaces such as inside small fuselages or on the sides of foamies.
The receiver's radio-frequency (RF) front end is a high-quality, single-conversion design. It then digitally processes the output with a computer processor to guarantee rock-solid reception and thoroughly filter out unwanted RF noise.
The new receiver measures 1.50 x 0.82 x 0.50 inches and weighs just 0.33 ounce (9 grams). The Berg 7P offers automatic shift detection, making it compatible with all popular radio brands that transmit using 72 MHz PPM (Pulse Position Modulation) signals.
Castle Creations Inc.: 235 S. Kansas Ave., Olathe KS 66061; Tel.: (913) 390-6939; Web site: www.castlecreations.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
