Worth a Closer Look - 2009/09

14 MODEL AVIATION
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. Once you have
flown the model, its 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 them to be.
Eagle Tree Systems: 4957 Lakemont Blvd. SE Suite C-4 PMB
235, Bellevue WA 98006; Tel.: (425) 614-0450; Web site:
www.eagletreesystems.com
Tightening bolts on
engines requires the correct
amount of torque. And if
the heads wear because of
frequent maintenance with a
poorly sized tool, a priceless
mounting point turns into 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
where Moore’s Ideal Products (MIP) hex tools and any 1/4-inch hex
drive tool bits are to be used.
MIP Speed Tip hex drivers have a Thorp Driver with a 1/4-inchdrive
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 make the hardware last
longer.
Prices vary depending on the customer’s choices. Combination
packages are available.
RJR Cool Tools: Box 98, Dimondale MI 48821; Tel.: (248) 640-
6887; Web site: www.rjrcooltools.com
Worth a Closer Look
3D Hobby Shop has
released its new 35%-
scale Extra 330SC,
which Scott Stoops
developed.
The super-smooth
tracking and zero knifeedge
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, two-piece cowl, carbon-fiber
landing gear, prehinged and presealed ailerons and elevator, and
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
Extra 330SC
The Walkera 4#3Q Fixed Pitch Palm Helicopter RTF is the first
four-channel RC
helicopter that doubles
as an interior homeprotection
system. All
you need for the
beginning helicopter
pilot after the order is
placed are eight AA
batteries, to power the
2.4 GHz radio system
that the package
includes.
This micromachine’s
inherent stability will have the RC flier looking like a pro in no
time and ward off would-be intruders, but friends and family will
want their stick time.
The good-looking all-metal head offers durability and controlinput
stability. The
1220 motor is an
upgrade from earlier
fixed-pitch versions,
but it doesn’t overtax
the 400 mAh, singlecell
Li-Poly battery.
Eight- to 10-minute
flights are typical.
The 4#3Q’s box
even makes a great carrying case for when it’s time to show off
this model at the club meeting or school lunchroom indoor meet. A
spare set of main and tail blades are included.
We thought this helicopter was a delight to fly as it comes out
of the box. Hovering and forward flight indoors is a mission that is
well worth accepting. This helicopter is $159.95 plus shipping and
handling.
BP Hobbies: 140 Ethel Rd. W. Suite J, Piscataway NJ 08854;
Tel.: (732) 287-3933; Web site: www.bphobbies.com
Palm-Size Gunship
Verify Your Flying Speed
Choose Your Cool Tool
09sig1.QXD 7/24/09 12:20 PM Page 14
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 fullscale
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 to have 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 4000-5000 mAh.
Empire Hobby LLC: 950 E. Baseline Ave. Unit 210, Apache
Junction AZ 85219; Tel.: (480) 982-0909; Web site: www.empire
rc.com
Worth a Closer Look
Looking to
upgrade the
Multiplex Twister’s
performance, we
retrofitted ours with
a Wemotec fan and
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 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.
Hoffman Magnetics Inc.: 9305 Eton Ave., Chatsworth CA
91311; Tel.: (818) 717-5095; Web site: www.hoffmanmagnetics.com
Made for Easytiger Models by Golden Eagle, the new Super
Scale F-16CJ represents a new standard in RTF, foam, electricducted-
fan (EDF)-powered jets.
Just because this model is made from foam doesn’t mean it has
to lack 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,
instructions that
are clear and
complete, 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
precise, balanced controls. This jet spans 28 inches and weighs 34
ounces.
Easytiger Models: Box 869, New York NY 10116; Tel.: (917)
971-3322; Web site www.easytigermodels.com MA
As electric-powered models get larger, so do the batteries
required to power them. When taking on a recent giant-scale
conversion project that required two 6S 5000 mAh batteries to be
charged together at 1C, we realized that we needed a bigger power
supply.
We saw Jetstream’s Switching Power Supply (item JTPS45) at
the Toledo R/C Expo in April 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. The majority 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 of 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
keep from 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.
If you need a power supply for your amp-hungry charger that
won’t take up a lot of space on the bench, the Switching Power
Supply is worth a closer look.
Jetstream: 100 Hancock Ave., Hamilton OH 45011; Tel.: (513)
868-1353; Web site: www.jetstream-usa.com
Beautiful Biplane
The Beast
See page 175 for submission guidelines
Super Scale F-16
Power to Your Charger
September 2009 15
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