Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/11
Page Numbers: 14,15
,

Worth a Closer Look

Bag the Heli

The Heli-Tote carrying case from Foster Awning and Canvas Inc. is designed for micro-class helicopters such as the E-flite Blade CP and CX and similar models from ESky such as the Honey Bee.

The tote is made from a polyester material with a handle for carrying. The case dimensions are 21.75 x 9.25 x 7.00 inches, which fits exactly the Styrofoam shipping container that comes with many micro electric-powered helicopters.

The Heli-Tote is available direct from the manufacturer and costs $20 with shipping included within the continental US.

  • Foster Awning and Canvas Inc.: 528 Loomis St., La Crosse WI 54603
  • Tel.: (608) 784-2045
  • Web site: http://heli-tote.com

G3 Expansion Pack 3

The new RealFlight G3 Expansion Pack 3 comes on a CD-ROM and expands a G3 library with additional models and new flying sites. Installation is simple and requires just a couple minutes.

Two new PhotoField sites are included: Nimabry Airport and Stone Creek. Both are outdoor venues with wide-open flying spaces.

City Park and Obstacle Course 4-3D fields are also included. It is extremely challenging to fly in the "chase" or "cockpit" views; trying to fly the course (or any part of it) from the ground is hard, but fun.

Expansion Pack 3 features 15 new aircraft that range from indoor electric foamies to scale. Most are Great Planes products, with flying characteristics that are a good starting point and can be modified to suit a user's taste.

Five new helicopter models are included, one of which is a Vertical Take Off and Landing aircraft called the Griffin Combat VTOL. It is unique to fly.

The RealFlight G3 Expansion Pack 3 is available now and has a street price of $29.95 plus shipping and handling.

  • Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL 61826
  • Tel.: (800) 682-8948
  • Web site: www.realflight.com

Multiplex Li-Poly Packs

Multiplex announces a new lineup of high-capacity Li-Poly battery packs that feature a balancing connector and have been assembled and matched to strict quality standards. The Li-Batt BX batteries are offered in today's most popular sizes and configurations, including those appropriate for many Multiplex airplanes.

For added value and convenience every battery is sold with a foam-padded, hard-plastic protective case. The currently offered batteries are built in two- or three-cell configurations and include 1600, 2100, 2500, 3200, and 4800 mAh capacities. Except for the 16C-rated 1600 mAh cell, all other cells have 20C discharge rates.

Li-Batt BX batteries are built with heavy-gauge, silicone-shielded wire leads and a balance connector that is compatible with Thunder Power systems. Every pack is padded at each end for durability and wrapped in heavy-duty clear shrink wrap. You can find these batteries at your favorite hobby retailer.

  • Multiplex ModelSport USA: 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064
  • Tel.: (858) 748-6948
  • Web site: www.multiplexusa.com

Electric Soaring Omega II 2.5ME

The new 100-inch Omega II 2.5ME is the largest Omega to date. Based on the 2-meter original, this version features exceptional workmanship, a carbon/Kevlar fuselage, and one-piece, bolt-on composite tail surfaces. The high-aspect-ratio composite wings are covered with Solarfilm and show a marked decrease in sink rate, so the Omega II 2.5ME will turn and climb faster in lighter lift and range farther to the next thermal.

All the control surfaces have prebuilt integral Kevlar hinges. Full flap and aileron deflections allow easy, accurate landings and vertical descents without overstressing the airframe. The wings and tail are factory-fit to the fuselage with drilled and tapped bolt holes.

The Omega II requires a geared, brushless 400–480 motor with a 3S 2000–3000 mAh Li-Poly pack. Several colors are available direct for $359.99 plus shipping and handling.

  • Northeast Sailplane Products: 948 Hercules Dr. Suite 12, Colchester VT 05446
  • Tel.: (802) 655-7700
  • Web site: www.nesail.com

Rafale B

The WJM Models Rafale is an RC ARF designed for a single turbine with an output of 22–36 pounds of thrust. It has a 62-inch wingspan and an empty weight of 34 pounds.

Included with the kit is a pair of Kevlar fuel tanks that hold a total of 3.2 liters, custom aluminum landing gear, bifurcated tailpipe, two-seat cockpit, and landing lights.

The model is available in several sport color schemes and features an all-composite airframe. Custom color schemes are available, as are all accessories required to complete this or any of the many jets that TBM has available. The Rafale ARF is an outstanding sport aircraft that can also be built rich in detail as a scale version.

Never Buy Sandpaper Again!

Midwest Products' Super Sanders feature a tungsten-carbide sanding surface that does not tear or wear out like sandpaper. The improved design is easier to hold and sands into corners.

Super Sanders can be used on almost anything, including wood, foam, tile, glass, metal, plastic, and even brick. If the tungsten-carbide sanding surface fills up with dust, clean it with the included brass wire brush and continue working. Material that sticks to the surface more aggressively can be removed with paint remover.

Super Sanders are available in three grits: fine, medium, and coarse. Each sander is a different color: red is similar to 60-grit sandpaper, yellow is approximately 80 grit, and blue is 150 grit. Each model is available for the retail price of $11.99 from your local hobby retailer.

The Wings Maker Airplanes

Revisit some old Airborne Models favorites and check out some surprising new aircraft available from The Wings Maker. The World Models Manufacturing Company is building a number of previously discontinued but extremely popular models that Airborne Models is distributing in the U.S.

Favorites such as the 60-size Extra 300 and the Midget Mustang 60 are back, along with many other scale models including the Cub, Spitfire, and Ultimate. A total of 17 aircraft are being released initially, including several new glow- and electric-powered sport models.

The International Miniature Aircraft Association-legal Sport Wings 90 spans 81 inches and is priced at $189.99. Every model from The Wings Maker is competitively priced.

All designs are built with top-quality balsa and plywood, are covered with heat-shrink covering, and have fiberglass parts that are painted to match. Each aircraft is complete with hardware, a pilot bust, and a clear, fully illustrated instruction manual.

The Web site lists all the currently available models. There you can examine each product closely by downloading its complete instruction manual. You can order direct or from your local hobby retailer.

YTV Servo Cycler & Driver

The York Electronics YTV Servo Cycler & Driver measures only 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 x 1/2 inches and can drive all modern servos—even digital models. It can accept as many as three RC servos and a standard RC receiver battery pack. A fourth servo can be added with a Y harness.

The Servo Cycler & Driver can run on 3.7- to 7.4-volt battery packs, but most servos might not like the higher voltages (check the manufacturer specifications). Three switches allow the user to set the neutral position or any discrete servo-output position from one extreme end of rotation to the other. The servo can also be cycled from full clockwise to full counterclockwise at various speeds from extremely slow to extremely fast.

The beauty of the YTV unit is that the user can quickly test a servo without powering up an entire RC system, and will be informed whether or not a servo operates properly.

York Electronics plans to offer a current-reading/display module as a plug-in add-on product. This will allow the user to measure servo current (while in motion) to ensure a control is not overloaded.

The York Electronics Web site features the entire instruction manual, which is exceptionally thorough. The YTV Servo Cycler & Driver is available for $24.95 including shipping and handling.

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