Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/09
Page Numbers: 14,15
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Worth a Closer Look

Verify Your Flying Speed

Do you ever wonder how fast a model is flying during those high-speed passes? One option is to try to measure the speed using a radar gun; the other is to use an onboard device. We picked up Eagle Tree Systems' new Airspeed MicroSensor V3 at the Toledo Show and decided to test it with our upgraded Twister.

The V3 weighs only 4 grams and plugs into a spare receiver channel. It measures airspeeds from 2 mph to an amazing 350 mph. The system is precalibrated and can display speed in both metric and English units.

To get the readings, you must mount a pitot tube to the outside of the aircraft; tubes run to the sensor unit to get accurate measurements. After you have flown the model, the highest speed is displayed on the sensor one digit at a time.

In our tests, we obtained readings at or close to 100 mph. We typically estimated the Twister's speeds to be slightly faster than the Airspeed MicroSensor indicated.

  • Eagle Tree Systems: 4957 Lakemont Blvd. SE Suite C-4 PMB 235, Bellevue WA 98006
  • Tel.: (425) 614-0450
  • Web site: www.eagletreesystems.com

Choose Your Cool Tool

Tightening bolts on engines requires the correct amount of torque. If the heads wear because of frequent maintenance with a poorly sized tool, a priceless mounting point can become a permanent headache.

Wiha has a complete line of variable and set-torque handles and bits. The soft-finish stubby handle was our favorite, but two adjustable torque-control handles are suitable for almost any job in the RC hobby arena.

These handles reduce hand fatigue when you are ferociously fixing a model in time for the next round. They are a definite plus when used with Moore's Ideal Products (MIP) hex tools and any 1/4-inch hex-drive tool bits.

MIP Speed Tip hex drivers include a Thorp Driver with a 1/4-inch-drive back end. They can be used by themselves for small detail and test-fit work and then quickly connected to the drive handle for full-strength tightening. The bit tips are accurate to within a micromillimeter, so they fit snugly into the user's choice of standard or metric hardware. They help make the hardware last longer.

Prices vary depending on the customer's choices. Combination packages are available.

Extra 330SC

3D Hobby Shop has released its new 35%-scale Extra 330SC, developed by Scott Stoops.

The super-smooth tracking and zero knife-edge coupling make the 103-inch-span model an excellent choice for pilots who want an aircraft for precision aerobatics. Its large, powerful control surfaces allow it to fly unlimited 3-D aerobatics with ease.

The model comes with carbon-fiber wing/stabilizer tubes, a two-piece cowl, carbon-fiber landing gear, prehinged and presealed ailerons and elevator, and a complete hardware package. It will accept a wide range of engines, from 85cc–100cc, and is canister-ready.

The Extra 330SC is available in two highly visible UltraCote color schemes.

  • 3D Hobby Shop: 603 FM 2093 Ste. 1601, Fredericksburg TX 78624
  • Tel.: (830) 990-6978
  • Web site: www.3dhobbyshop.com

Palm-Size Gunship

The Walkera 4#3Q Fixed Pitch Palm Helicopter RTF is the first four-channel RC helicopter that doubles as an interior home-protection system. All a beginning helicopter pilot needs after placing the order are eight AA batteries to power the included 2.4 GHz radio system.

This micromachine's inherent stability will have the RC flier looking like a pro in no time — and it may even ward off would-be intruders. Friends and family will also want their stick time.

The good-looking all-metal head offers durability and control-input stability. The 1220 motor is an upgrade from earlier fixed-pitch versions, but it doesn't overtax the 400 mAh single-cell Li-Poly battery. Eight- to 10-minute flights are typical.

The 4#3Q's box even makes a great carrying case for club meetings or indoor school meets. A spare set of main and tail blades are included.

  • BP Hobbies: 140 Ethel Rd. W. Suite J, Piscataway NJ 08854
  • Tel.: (732) 287-3933
  • Web site: www.bphobbies.com

Power to Your Charger

As electric-powered models get larger, so do the batteries required to power them. When taking on a recent giant-scale conversion that required two 6S 5000 mAh batteries to be charged together at 1C, we realized we needed a bigger power supply.

We saw Jetstream's Switching Power Supply (item JTPS45) at the Toledo R/C Expo and were impressed not only by its 45-amp power output but also by the dual lighted meters, which allowed us to monitor both amps and volts under load. Most of our use is through the quick connectors on the unit's front panel; however, the cigarette-lighter socket has been handy for charging AA transmitter batteries.

The Switching Power Supply has all the safety features one would expect, including overvoltage protection, overcurrent protection, and automatic shutdown on a fault load. It also has an internal fan to prevent overheating.

Testing the system while charging our two 6S 5000 mAh batteries at 1C, the draw was approximately 25 amps. With its 45-amp capacity, we have connected as many as four chargers at once and successfully charged smaller battery packs. The power-supply voltage is adjustable from 9–15 VDC, but we left it at the factory setting of 13.8 V.

If you need a compact power supply for an amp-hungry charger, the Switching Power Supply is worth a closer look.

The Beast

Looking to upgrade the Multiplex Twister's performance, we retrofitted ours with a Wemotec fan and a Hoffman Magnetics 70mm Beast EDF outrunner motor. The conversion was simple and allowed us to increase this popular jet's speed envelope.

Using a Thunder Power Pro Power 4S 3850 battery, we can pull 94 amps and about 1,400 watts static. The Beast propelled our model to a flat, level speed of roughly 100 mph, as tested with an Eagle Tree Systems Airspeed MicroSensor V3. Vertical performance was unlimited and enjoyable.

The Beast weighs 4.59 ounces and has a Kv of 4130. It is capable of up to 1,700 watts and is suited for use with both 4S and 5S batteries.

Beautiful Biplane

The Hyperion Wolf Samson II is modeled after the full-scale version that Wolf Aircraft built in 2005. Designed to be an aerobatic biplane for air shows, Hyperion's offering is targeted at both sport and 3-D pilots.

Comparing pictures of the full-scale and model Samson II, you can see Hyperion's attention to detail down to the N number on the tail and matching painted cowl and wheel pants. Designed from the ground up for electric power, the canopy is latched for easy access to flight batteries.

The Samson II has a wingspan of 57.6 inches, a wing area of 1,190 square inches, and a flying weight of 8.2–8.6 pounds, depending on equipment used. The recommended power system is a Hyperion ZS4025-14 motor and a 5S or 6S battery with a capacity of 4,000–5,000 mAh.

  • Empire Hobby LLC: 950 E. Baseline Ave. Unit 210, Apache Junction AZ 85219
  • Tel.: (480) 982-0909
  • Web site: www.empirerc.com

Super Scale F-16

Made for Easytiger Models by Golden Eagle, the new Super Scale F-16CJ represents a new standard in RTF, foam, electric-ducted-fan (EDF)-powered jets.

Just because this model is made from foam doesn't mean it lacks detail. It's scale, made with precision and quality. It comes accurately painted with superb water-transfer decals, a complete weapons suite, scale landing gear and tires, clear and complete instructions, all hardware, servo extensions, and a new 80mm EDF unit that comes preassembled and balanced with a powerful outrunner motor included.

The Super Scale F-16 requires only minor assembly and five miniservos, a 40-amp ESC, and a 4S 2200 Li-Poly battery. It flies quickly, looks stunning in the air, and lands beautifully with smooth, precise, balanced controls. This jet spans 28 inches and weighs 34 ounces.

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