Worth a Closer Look - 2008/08

14 MODEL AVIATION
The 1/6-scale
Sopwith Pup and
Nieuport 17 fly great
with an O.S. fourstroke
engine or electric
power system.
These models have
flight characteristics
that resemble those of
the 1/4-scale versions of
the Balsa USA models. They exhibit smooth, straight takeoffs;
excellent maneuverability from slow-type flying to sport-type
maneuvers; and outstanding recovery characteristics. Three-point
landings are easy, and these airplanes can handle scale wheel
landings with ease.
These new models are faithful reproductions of the early aircraft.
The Pup has a 53-inch
wingspan, while the
Nieuport has a top
wingspan of 55 inches.
The kits feature fallout
die-cut balsa,
basswood, and
plywood parts. Basic
hardware is included,
as are two sheets of
rolled plans and an instruction manual.
These new, smaller renditions of Balsa USA’s 1/3- and 1/4-scale
models may be just what today’s modeler is looking for, because they
are fast to build and easy to fly.
Balsa USA: Box 164, Marinette WI 54143; Tel.: (800) 225-7287;
Web site: www.balsausa.com
Worth a Closer Look
Eneloop rechargeable batteries can be used like any other AA or
AAA battery. But unlike many consumer reusable batteries that have
been offered, these are ready to use right out of the package.
That means not only instant gratification such as alkaline cells
provide, but it also means that these NiMH batteries have a unique
chemistry that allows them to have a long storage life. Each 2,200
mAh AA cell retains 85% of its initial charge after one year. It has no
memory effect, and the Eneloop battery is good for 1,000 charges.
Eneloop batteries are available in a variety of packages, standalone
or with USB or AC chargers. Adapter sets are available to
convert these small cells into larger C- and D-size batteries. An
Eneloop charger is
recommended.
These batteries have
worked well in our
RTF and computer
transmitters that
require dry cells. How
these might work in
higher load
applications is
unknown, but they are
easy to find in larger
department stores,
home-improvement
centers, or dedicated battery dealers such as Batteries America.
Sanyo Energy Corp.: 2600 Network Blvd. 6th Floor, Frisco TX
75034; Tel.: (469) 362-5600; Web site: www.eneloopusa.com
After mastering a four-channel trainer, a
modeler is ready to move up to the next level;
the Cherokee
ARF offers the
ideal changeover.
Pilots will find it
to be perfectly
sized for great
performance and easy
transportation.
This model virtually excels with a two- or four-stroke glow
engine and offers a great transition to brushless electric power.
Separate standard servos control the prehinged ailerons and
flaps. Flap operation requires five channels; a four-channel radio
can be used to fly without working flaps. Hardware for both is
included.
The horizontal and vertical stabilizers install quickly with
screws, which align them automatically (no measuring or glue
required) and allow the surfaces to be removed easily for
transport if desired.
Just four to six hours of final assembly are required to get
this 60-inch-wingspan ARF flight-ready. Using a five-channel
radio, the Cherokee can be flown with optional flaps that add
realism and allow the airplane to come in super-slow for
landings. The entire top canopy attaches and is removed with
two screws for easy access to onboard gear and the Li-Poly
flight pack (if flying with brushless power).
Great Planes Model Distributors Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (217) 398-3630; Web site: www.greatplanes.com
As RC engines have evolved, they’ve become more powerful,
use more nitro fuel, and are forced to endure greater thrust loads
than in the past. The nitro can quickly dry a stock bearing retainer,
which makes the whole bearing susceptible to premature failure.
Now Boca Bearing has the
MX line for many engines
to solve those specific
issues.
MX bearings have a
unique, new internal
design to increase load
capabilities. This allows
them to work under harsher
operations in which shafts come
under excessive side and radial load.
These bearings are available in either a standard high-speed
version, with chrome steel balls or races, or as a ceramic hybrid,
with ceramic balls and chrome races. Chrome steel is used because
it is harder than stainless steel, but the races are also cryogenically
processed to attain an even harder surface.
A stronger, thicker retainer material has been used to allow the
MX bearings to hold up under high-nitro-content fuel, and Grade
10 balls are used to give a closer tolerance to enhance
performance.
Boca Bearing: 755 NW 17th Ave. #107, Delray Beach FL
33445; Tel.: (800) 332-3256; Web site: www.bocabearings.com
Cherokee .40-.56 EP ARF
Pup and Nieuport Kits in 1/6 Scale MX Bearings from Boca
Rechargeable Revolution
August 2008 15
The 550B by Chargery Power
is a new addition to the line of
Li-Poly chargers available
from BP Hobbies. It
combines the ability to charge
and balance Li-Poly battery
packs into a single, easy-to-use
device.
The microprocessor-controlled
unit is fully programmable, allowing
the user to set charging parameters
including time, current, end conditions, and
more. The backlit display monitors the voltage of each cell during the
charge process as it equalizes the peak voltage.
Smartly designed balancing conversion boards make matching a
pack’s balancing connector a breeze. Conversion board CCB-8QP
supports Hyperion and EnerLand/PolyQuest packs with 2.5mm pin
spacing. The CCB-8BC supports Thunder Power and FlightPower
packs with 2mm pin spacing. The 550B charges one to five Li-Poly
or Li-Ion cells at a 0.1- to 5.0-amp charge rate using a 12-volt input.
An A/C adapter is available
and sold separately.
The 550B is
competitively priced,
making it an excellent
choice for finally resolving
many charging and balancing needs
for Li-Poly packs. Also available are a
variety of adapters and charge leads. For
simply charging a two- to five-cell Li-Poly battery,
this unit is hard to beat.
BP Hobbies: 140 Ethel Rd. W. Suite J, Piscataway NJ 08854;
Tel.: (732) 287-3933; Web site: www.bphobbies.com
Worth a Closer Look
See page 199 for submission guidelines
These beautiful organic lines belong to the 52-inch-span
Marston Pterodactyl:
the fifth evolution of
the twin electric
Pterodactyl and the
most advanced,
benefiting from years
of design heritage. It
is the product of
countless hours of
research,
brainstorming, and lots of building and rebuilding.
This kit can be built in a few weeks and includes everything
except covering material, hardware, and electronics. All required
wood is included, as are two full-length carbon spars and full-size
rolled plans. The
one-piece wing
attaches to the body
with two nylon
screws.
Kit assembly
requires intermediate
building skills, two
small outrunner
brushless motors,
one 25-amp or two
10-amp controllers,
four miniservos, and
a 2,000 mAh 3S Li-Poly.
Marston PteroWorks: 1653 Westfield Ave., Reno NV 89509;
E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.pteroworks.com MA
Foam is a fact of modeling, and so are many other materials. In
fact, one modern RC model can be built with as many as three
different materials, and most fast-curing adhesives in some way or
another are hazardous to use.
X-1 Instant Adhesive (and X-1A Activator) is billed as an
odorless, water-based, flexible adhesive intended for a variety of
craft applications—particularly porous ones. It’s aimed at builders
of flying model aircraft, landscapes, dioramas, etc. It also works
well with ground coatings, rubble,
trees and shrubs, etc., and especially
cardboard, particleboard, and woods
such as balsa.
We tried X-1 on several
modeling materials, and the
instructions were right; porous
material joined extremely well. It
was especially nice that broken
painted parts could be pieced back
together without tape, which peels
the paint off afterward. Cleanup
was easy with just water.
The activator is essential for
quick fixes. Where more working
time is needed, avoid the activator
or use the X-1 as a contact cement.
Purimco Products: Box 371057, Reseda CA 91337; Tel.: (818)
609-9629; Web site: www.purimcoproducts.com
Pterodactyl RC
Instant and Safe
E-flite’s new sport-scale F-15 Eagle DF ARF is designed to
emulate the full-scale tactical fighter’s flight characteristics and
response. The versatile foam model shows off an attractive
Edwards Air Force Base Safety Chase trim
scheme in orange and white, with preapplied
custom decals.
The 36-inch-wingspan jet is
designed to use two E-flite
Park 400 DF motors to match
the included ducted-fan units.
Included mechanical retracts enhance
flight performance and make this compact
EDF (electric ducted fan) a full-tilt hot rod.
The fixed landing gear will keep it light, as will
leaving the gear and steering servo off entirely. Fullspan
carbon spars make the wings stiff as the model performs
high-performance aerobatics such as loops, rolls, and Split “S”s in
a manner fitting a fighter.
Made from lightweight injection-molded EPS foam that’s easy
to repair, all flight control surfaces are prehinged. Molded servo
pockets make radio installation a snap. Approximate flight
duration is eight-10 minutes.
Horizon Hobby, Inc.: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL
61822; Tel.: (217) 352-1913; Web site: www.e-fliterc.com
Adaptive Li-Poly Charger Full-Tilt DF Eagle