Worth a Closer Look - 2010/11

14 MODEL AVIATION
The original
Vapor
introduced
countless pilots
to micro-flying,
with its
simplicity and
slow-speed
performance
characteristics.
The new
ParkZone
Night Vapor is
an improved
design and it
features LEDs, allowing the model to be flown in any light
conditions.
The Night Vapor uses a modular design, providing for easier
parts replacement in case of a mishap.
We received the BNF (Bind-N-Fly) version, which works with
any DSM2-compatible transmitter. An RTF (Ready-to-Fly)
version is also available.
The Night Vapor LEDs are plenty bright and aid in
orientation, with three white lights on the wing LE. The TE has
one green light and one red light, and there is a white light at the
tail skid.
Night-flying in the front or back yard is comfortable with this
airplane, and it can be flown in a nose-high attitude for
amazingly slow flight. We found the model easy to track and had
no problems with orientation, thanks to the bright LEDs. It can
also be flown comfortably in a large indoor space, such as a onecar
garage, or outdoors in calm conditions.
The Night Vapor makes for an easy way to try night-flying;
just be sure to look out for obstacles lurking in the dark!
ParkZone: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.:
(800) 338-4639; Web site: www.parkzone.com
AeroCinema is an online documentary channel that is dedicated
to honoring the legacy of flight with feature-length films and short
stories that provide a detailed look at the most exciting aircraft of
years gone by. Launched in October 2009, the site currently
features 182 exclusive films that are available to view. An average
of 10 are added every month.
Each movie is put together by a dedicated team of professional
filmmakers who are also aviation enthusiasts. They handle every
aspect of production, including video and sound editing, animation,
historical research, script writing, creative design, Internet
technology, and all operational tasks.
The “Features” section contains documentary-style movies that
cover a wide range of topics. Each combines actual footage with
animation and specially filmed segments to keep viewers interested.
The “Reflections” portion of the site offers interviews with a
variety of aviators in which they share their stories. These firsthand
accounts are moving, and they provide further insight into
memorable moments that might otherwise go undocumented.
Although this piece merely scratches the surface of what
AeroCinema has available, we have enjoyed seeing the creative
assembly of archive footage,
interviews, and digital
animation that are presented
in an easily digestible format.
The Web site allows
visitors to preview some of
the films and provides the
option to join, for as little as
$9.95 per month, to receive
full access to the content.
AeroCinema: 1218
Lakeshore Road W.,
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
L6L5J3; Tel.: (905) 842-
1905; Web site: www.aero
cinema.com
Worth a Closer Look
Electric-powered models are more popular than ever, and
aeromodelers have a great number of options when it comes to
such components as motors and ESCs.
Pulso is a company based in Shanghai, China, that produces
motors for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, RC, and electric tools. Its
current line of RC motors will power aircraft weighing 5 ounces to
15 pounds, and the company manufactures a line of ESCs.
Each motor comes with all hardware required to mount it on
either side of the model firewall. Also included is a detailed
instruction sheet that provides color photographs showing how to
mount the motor and features complete motor specifications and
recommendations for battery and propeller selection. Bullet
connectors are preinstalled, so no soldering is required.
Pulso backs each motor with a two-year warranty that offers a
free replacement if the design or assembly is at fault.
We received ESCs and the 2212/20 motor shown from Monto
RC Hobby (a US distributor of Pulso motors). This unit weighs 57
grams. It is capable of handling up to 16 amps and flying an
aircraft that weighs as much as 23 ounces.
Monto RC Hobby: 72 Industrial Park Pl., Powell OH 43065;
Tel.: (614) 312-2390; Web site: www.montorc.com
Pulso Motors AeroCinema
Night Vapor
November 2010 15
Sometimes we RC pilots are unable to fly the airplane or helicopter
that appeals to us most. It often takes time to build our skills and work
up to that model. But you can fly the new Heli-Max Novus UH-1D
Huey now!
Its coaxial design ensures that it will be a stable flier, and those
who like scale aircraft will appreciate the level of detail built in.
Features such as panel lines, rivets, functioning navigational lights,
and even a tail rotor have been added for extra realism.
Look inside and you’ll find a detailed cockpit and opening side
doors to allow access for adjustments or repairs. The UH-1D Huey
is even an officially licensed product.
Inside the box, which doubles as a carrying case, is the assembled
helicopter, a 2.4 GHz four-channel computer radio with dual rates and
a backlit LCD, two 600 mAh batteries, a .3-amp wall charger, an extra
set of rotor blades, and a 31-page instruction manual.
As mentioned, the Huey is stable in flight. The heading-hold
gyro locks in the tail nicely, especially for a micro-size helicopter.
This model was at home flying missions inside the office and
outdoors during calm conditions.
If you ever dreamed about flying a semiscale military helicopter
in the comfort of your living room, the Heli-Max Novus UH-1D
Huey is cleared for takeoff.
Great Planes Hobby Distributors: Box 9021, Champaign IL
61826; Tel.: (217) 398-3630; Web site: www.helimax-rc.com MA
When Castle Creations released the Castle Link USB
programmer, we gladly left beep codes behind for our ESC
programming. Still, on rare occasions, we found ourselves at the
field and away from our computer when we wanted to change
settings on our ESCs.
The new Field Link bridges that gap, allowing any of the
company’s ESCs released after 2007 to be updated. It also allows
for voltage changes on the Castle Creations BEC. So you’re
covered whether you have a Thunderbird, a Phoenix, a Phoenix
Ice, or a BEC.
Simply connect the Field Link to the throttle lead of the
controller
and add
power. Then
you can click
the button to
scroll through and
adjust the indicated
settings.
A bonus is that
the Field Link is also
USB compatible,
allowing it to be
used as a Castle
Link. A Windows PC with USB 2.0 and the Castle Link software
are required; you can download the free software from the
company’s Web Site.
Castle Creations: 540 N. Rogers Rd., Olathe KS 66062; Tel.:
(913) 390-6164; Web site: www.castlecreations.com
Worth a Closer Look
Hobby Lobby has
released two new servos
under the eRC name: the 8
gram (item ERCS800) and
the 9 gram (ERCS900).
They are value priced at
$7.99 and $9.99
respectively.
The 8 gram has nylon
gears and provides 15.25
ounces of torque and a
speed of .12 second at 6
volts. The 9 gram has
metal gears and provides
18 ounces of torque and a
speed of .10 second at 6
volts.
We received three 8-gram units to test in a foam model and were
immediately impressed with the generous amount of servo arms
provided: a total of six! This includes three different single arms, two
double arms, and a wheel. Another nice touch is that a second servo
horn mounting screw was provided in the package.
The servo wires measure 7.25 inches from the unit to the tip of the
universal plug. This allowed us to install them without using servo
extensions.
Through initial bench-testing, these units are centering well and
we look forward to testing their durability after several flights.
Hobby Lobby International: 5614 Franklin Pike Cir., Brentwood
TN 37027; Tel.: (866) 512-1444; Web site: www.hobby-lobby.com
Low-Cost Servos
See page 191 for submission guidelines
Castle Field Link
Heli-Max Novus UH-1D Huey
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