Worth a Closer Look
Secure Servo Wires
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 provides a secure and fast way to ensure connectors will not come loose.
Available in two easy-to-see colors, the Safety Clip is simple and inexpensive insurance that protects an RC-model investment from the disaster of a servo connector being disconnected 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
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. Control-surface 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 angular-degree deflection measurements—the most reliable method of determining and setting control-surface specifications for an airplane.
It doesn't matter whether 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 control-surface 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, Laser Deflection Calculator software is included.
ControLaser System Robert Malesker 2004 Esquire Ln., Racine, WI 53406 Tel.: (262) 886-4328 E-mail: [email protected]
Extra Big and Bigger
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 is 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 same-size ARFs.
Both Extra 330S models 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 a 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
Same Stuff Liquid Plastic Welder
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-N-Flow applicator. Hold for 15 seconds. In that time, Same Stuff bonds and starts to cure.
This method is superior to thicker plastic cement, which is messier, 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 the 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
Worth a Closer Look
Mini-Titan E325 Pro
This fully aerobatic 450-class electric-powered helicopter was designed by a team of expert engineers and tested by top pilots. In addition to delivering a great 3-D experience, the Mini-Titan can provide flight stability for new pilots who are in training.
The 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. This E-CCPM unit also has a head-locking gyro built in.
For cyclic/collective control, three ACE 1016 microservos are provided. A micro high-speed 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
Mini Reno Racers
Reno racing that won't bust the budget! Hobby Lobby offers the Hacker Models Strega, Furius, and Rarebear (not shown). Each is constructed primarily from EPP foam, so if the model clips a pylon in a tight turn, dust it off and get back into the race—no harm done.
These mini Reno racer ARFs have a 20.5-inch wingspan, 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 backyard. Assembly is quick; all you need is regular medium cyanoacrylate and some kicker. Instructions are illustrated and easy to follow. 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
Lighter-Than-1-Ounce RTF
The new Ember is the first in ParkZone's 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 with 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 included, such as AA batteries.
Horizon Hobby Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822 Tel.: (800) 338-4639 Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Proof About Thrust Measurements
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 elsewhere.
It explains how the model propeller works and how to improve a model's performance by selecting the proper propeller. This book will help modelers interested in electric flight who want the most efficient system they 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]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
