Worth a Closer Look - 2008/06

14 MODEL AVIATION
Aeroworks has designed the Safety Clip: an easy and
effective way to secure servo wire connectors. The simple on
and off design makes for hassle-free safety clips that are easy to
remove. Resulting in no more struggling, this new design
eliminates
binding or
crimping of
the servo wire
and allows for
a secure and
fast way to
ensure that
connectors will
not come loose.
Available
in two easy-tosee
colors, the Safety Clip is simple and inexpensive insurance
that protects an RC-model investment from the disaster of a
servo connector being disconnecting by accident. The light,
strong clips are perfect for any size model and fit inside most
wire-guide tubes.
Aeroworks: 401 Laredo St. Unit D, Aurora CO 80011; Tel.:
(303) 366-4205; Web site: www.aero-works.net
Worth a Closer Look
Secure Servo Wires
Deflection Meter With Laser Accuracy
The amount of primary control surfaces’ (elevator, rudder
and ailerons) available movement is as critical as setting the CG.
If there is too much or too little throw, the aircraft is difficult, if
not nearly impossible, to control. The amount of these surfaces’
movement must be appropriate for the airplane design, the
pilot’s skill level, and the desired in-flight characteristics.
Stop guessing what the control throws are, and check out the
ControLaser System. Laser-guided for accuracy, this tool is
designed to provide the user with the angular degree of
deflection measurement method: the most reliable method of
determining and setting the control-surface specifications for an
airplane.
It doesn’t matter whether the control-surface movement is
given to the builder in
degrees or distance;
the ControLaser
System can provide a
measurement of up to
5 inches or 40°. The
included
measurement scales
offer standard and
metric graduations,
with increments of
1/16, 1/10, and 1°.
This system
contains a controlsurface
magnet
mount, laser module, scale positioning stand, and two scale
targets: one for the rudder (side-to-side movement) and another
for the elevator and ailerons (up-and-down movement). Along
with a step-by-step instruction manual, the Laser Deflection
Calculator software is included.
ControLaser System: Robert Malesker, 2004 Esquire Ln.,
Racine WI 53406; Tel.: (262) 886-4328; E-mail: controlaser
@wi.rr.com
Solvent-type cement works best for a true plastic bond
because it uses capillary action to weld styrene, acrylic,
butyrate, and ABS plastic. To apply, position the parts together
and then place a drop on the seam with the included Touch-NFlow
applicator. Hold for 15
seconds. In that amount of
time, Same Stuff bonds and
starts to cure.
This method is superior to
thicker plastic cement, which
is messy, harder to control,
and can damage expensive
model parts.
A Same Stuff glue set
includes a 4-ounce bottle of
solvent and the Touch-N-Flow
applicator, which provides
precise control and positioning
of plastic welder on parts to be
joined. Try Same Stuff to
bond fiberglass to styrene and
similar plastic materials.
Micro-Mark: 340 Snyder Ave., Berkeley Heights NJ 07922;
Tel.: (800) 225-1066; Web site: www.micromark.com
As seen at air shows around the world, the Extra 330S is a big
performer in every way. Great Planes now has two ARF replicas
of the Extra 330S: one at 27% scale and another at 38%
scale.
The
Performance
Series 27% Extra
330S has a 79.5-
inch wing that is
joined with an
aluminum tube for easy
attachment and detachment. The
model combines low weight with exceptional strength. Suitable
power plants range from a 40cc gas to a 1.60 cu. in. glow engine.
The 38% Extra 330S has been in development for more than
two years, and it’s the largest RC model airplane Great Planes has
offered. Its wingspan exceeds 110 inches, and its length extends
beyond 100 inches. Remarkably, its weight is expected to be just
36-38 pounds—much less than that of many of the same-size
ARFs.
Both Extra 330Ss are covered in genuine Top Flite MonoKote.
In addition to their good looks, what’s extraordinary and
considerate about these
models is the complete
high-quality hardware
package that is
included.
Giant Scale
aircraft require that
special higher level of attention, and
Great Planes did its homework. These Extras even include the
spinners. The only choice for the builder to make is which radio
and engine to use.
Great Planes Model Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (217) 398-8970; Web site: www.greatplanes.com
Extra Big and Bigger
Same Stuff Liquid Plastic Welder
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This fully aerobatic 450-class electric-powered helicopter was
designed by a team of expert engineers and tested by the world’s
best pilots. In addition to delivering a great 3-D experience, the
mini Titan can provide great flight stability for new pilots who are
in training.
This model’s design features a rigid, one-piece frame; molded
one-piece landing skid; high-mounted battery tray for optimal
cyclic control; constant-drive belt-driven tail rotor; and simple
disassembly for easy packing. Its ready-to-fly weight is just 26.5
ounces.
The mini Titan E325 Pro ARF Plus package includes an
electronic cyclic collective pitch mixing (CCPM) unit that can be
used with almost any four-channel radio. In addition, this E-CCPM
unit has a head-locking gyro built in.
For cyclic/collective control, three ACE 1016 microservos are
provided. A
micro highspeed
0915 Ace
servo is supplied
for rudder
control. To
complete the
package, an
ACE Power Li-
Poly 11.1-volt,
3S1P, 2200
mAh pack is
included, as are
a brushless
29/35-10H motor and a 40-amp speed control with BEC.
Ace Hobby Distributors: 26021 Commercentre, Lake Forest CA
92630; Tel.: (866) 322-7121; Web site: www.acehobby.com
June 2008 15
Worth a Closer Look
Prop Talk represents the results
of three years of the author’s work
in researching and measuring the
performance of model-aircraft
propellers. The 98-page book
contains information about
model-propeller performance
that is not available anywhere
else.
It explains how the
model propeller works and
how to improve a model’s
performance by selecting
the proper propeller. This
book would help the modeler
who is interested in electric flight and
wants the most efficient system he/she can develop or
any modeler who wants to fly vertical maneuvers with authority.
In its second edition, Prop Talk includes a chart calculator for
determining the thrust of commonly used 7- to 14-inch propellers.
Larger propeller calculations can be made using the formula
contained in the book.
ARPI Books: 900 Bower Dr., Idaho Falls ID 83404; E-mail:
[email protected] MA
See page 207 for submission guidelines
Reno racing that
won’t bust the budget!
Hobby Lobby has the
Hacker Models Strega,
Furius, and Rarebear
(not shown). Each is
constructed primarily
from EPP foam, so if the
model clocks a pylon in
a tight turn, dust it off
and get back into the
race—no harm done.
These mini Reno racer ARFs span 20.5 inches, are 17.5 inches
long, and have a flying weight of only 3.8 ounces. They’re ideal
for three-channel pylon racing in a gym or in a back yard.
Assembly is quick; all
you need is regular
medium cyanoacrylate
and some kicker.
Instructions are easy-tofollow
illustrated
drawings. Potensky’s 20-
watt motor is the perfect
choice for these racers,
providing the right
combination of speed and
a lightweight package.
Hobby Lobby
International: 5614 Franklin Pike Cir., Brentwood TN 37027;
Tel.: (615) 373-1444; Web site: www.hobby-lobby.com
The new Ember is the first in ParkZone’s new Etomic line of
RTF ultramicro aircraft.
The previously released Micro Cessna and Citabria belong to
the Minium
line, which
is meant
for flying
indoors and
outdoors in
low wind. The
Etomic is for
indoors only,
where tight
flying quarters
are all that is
available.
Weighing less than an ounce, the Ember will entertain both
seasoned pilots and newcomers in small indoor spaces.
As do other models in this ParkZone class, the Ember
features 2.4 GHz radio technology that eliminates interference,
so multiple airplanes can fly together. The Ember is ready to fly
right from the box, with everything necessary including AA
batteries.
Horizon Hobby Inc.: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL
61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Lighter-Than-1-Ounce RTF
Mini-Titan E325 Pro Mini Reno Racers
Proof About Thrust Measurements
06sig1.QXD 4/24/08 12:28 PM Page 15