Micro Warbird Twin
The de Havilland Mosquito Mk VI, or "Mossie" as it was called, was constructed almost entirely from plywood and powered by twin Merlin V12s. It was incredibly fast and maneuverable for an airplane of its size. Its speed and maneuverability, combined with relatively long range, earned it a variety of combat roles during World War II, including low-level reconnaissance, anti-shipping, and night-fighter missions.
The Mosquito Mk VI is ParkZone’s first-ever four-channel, twin-engine ultramicro. It looks great and sounds even better with the hum of its twin 8.5 mm brushed motors and three-blade counter-rotating propellers. Like all of ParkZone’s Ultra Micro line, this release is well thought out—from the removable landing gear to the easy-to-access battery in the nose. This little gem is no work and all fun.
The included charger requires either a 6V or 12V battery or a 12V AC/DC power source. The supplied 1s 250 mAh battery is charged at 0.7 A. When charging is complete, the charger’s LEDs illuminate from side to side. Bind the receiver to any DSM2 or DSMX transmitter, check your CG and control surfaces, and you’re ready to fly.
Flight impressions:
- The Mossie tracks well on a smooth surface and, thanks to the counter-rotating props, required no rudder input for takeoff.
- It handles well and even braved a 6–10 mph wind, although calmer conditions are recommended.
- Capable of loops from level flight and has a decent roll rate likely close to the full-scale aircraft.
- Stall behavior is benign with no tendency to drop a wing; it simply drops the nose slightly and recovers.
- Touch-and-go passes and landings are easily achieved; line up into the wind and control descent by lowering power. Power-off landings are possible, though maintaining a small amount of power reduces drag from the twin props.
- Flight time with the included battery is approximately 10 minutes.
Recommended pilot level: intermediate. Make some low passes so others can appreciate the out-of-the-box scale detailing.
Contact:
- ParkZone: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822
- Tel: (800) 338-4639
- Web: www.parkzone.com
Continental A-65-8 Scale Dummy Engine
Need an accurate simulation of a flat-four aircraft engine for your scale model? Top Notch Products offers an easy-to-assemble, scale replication of the famous Continental A-65-8 engine—the engine used on thousands of aircraft from the J-3 Cub to many homebuilts.
The kit is 100% laser-cut and includes everything needed to assemble a complete four-cylinder engine. Building each cylinder is as simple as stacking the numbered, laser-cut pieces on the pair of included registration pins. When the cylinder banks are completed, each bank slips onto the included installation jig, which holds the banks at the proper spacing and left/right offset.
The kit includes parts and templates to make the exhaust manifolds, spark plugs, and cowl-opening templates to simplify making accurate cutouts. Although not shown on the completed engine pictured, the kit also includes heat-shrink tubing that works well as ignition wires.
Available scales: 1/3, 1/4, and 1/5—Top Notch should have a dummy engine to fit most models and add an extra scale touch to your airplane.
Kit details:
- 100% laser-cut parts
- Numbered pieces and registration pins for easy assembly
- Installation jig for correct spacing and offset
- Templates for exhaust manifolds and cowl openings
- Heat-shrink tubing for ignition wires
Contact:
- Top Notch Products: PO Box 1051, Goodlettsville, TN 37070
- Tel: (615) 866-4327
- Web: www.topnotchkits.com
War in the Pacific Skies
We were no strangers to Jack Fellows' incredible aviation art when we received War in the Pacific Skies. The book combines his riveting paintings with actual wartime photographs, totaling 122 color and 100 black-and-white photos and illustrations.
Authors Charlie and Ann Cooper organize the material with historic details and personal accounts of the Pacific Theater’s most famous air engagements. Battles chronicled include Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea, Midway, Guam, Tinian, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and more.
Walter J. Boyne, retired USAF Colonel and National Aviation Hall of Fame member, provides the Foreword and notes that, in addition to major operations and engagements, the book covers some "lesser-known incidents that give a tactile feel to the drama."
The Jack Fellows paintings include informative captions that give readers a deeper understanding of the subjects. The images and the historical facts complement one another nicely throughout the book.
Recommendation: Anyone who appreciates aviation art, World War II history, or the Pacific Theater should find War in the Pacific Skies a worthy addition to their collection.
Publisher contact:
- Quayside Publishing Group: 400 First Ave. North, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55401
- Tel: (800) 328-0590
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
