Worth a Closer Look
Propellers
Modellbau-USA has begun importing several new lines of propellers manufactured by Graupner of Germany.
Shown are five of the 11 prop lines available. Sizes range from five to 15 inches in diameter and three to 11 in pitch.
The wood, nylon, and Profi props are for the everyday sport flier, with three-blade nylon versions available.
The CAM (glass-fiber construction) and CFK (carbon-fiber construction) props have advanced airfoil features Pattern fliers will want to take advantage of.
There are four varieties of folding props to fill the needs of powered gliders and Electric models. Many of these props come complete with special spinners and feature replaceable blades.
The Speed and Slim (both of glass-fiber construction) will appeal to Pylon racers.
All prop lines include the latest in airfoil design to give you maximum performance from your engine.
Modellbau-USA: Tel.: (954) 476-3572. Web site: www.graupner-modellbau.com
RCFS2001 Library 1 (Aerobatics)
Hidden inside this CD-ROM are some of the most modeled aerobatic aircraft flown today. This CD is the Library 1 (Aerobatics) — an add-on package for Dave Brown Products’ RCFS2001 Flight Simulation Software.
The CD-ROM includes the CAP 232, the Decathlon, the Edge 540, the Giles G-202, the Laser 200, the One Design DR-109, the Pitts S-2B, the Sukhoi Su-26, the Ultimate, and the Zlin Z 50 M.
Installing the software was simple and took just a few seconds. Once installed, the additional models automatically appeared in the simulator.
All models look very realistic and have good, quality color schemes. Although the flying characteristics of each model are a good starting point, you may want to increase some throws to perform more radical 3-D maneuvers.
Dave Brown Products: 4560 Lavington Rd., Hamilton OH 45013; Tel.: (513) 738-1576; Fax: (513) 738-0152; Web site: www.dbproducts.com
Radio Control Hobbies
Just when you thought there was nothing good on television, the Do It Yourself (DIY) network has started airing a new series devoted exclusively to Radio Control (RC) hobbies of all types, appropriately named “Radio-Control Hobbies.”
This show is a half-hour format hosted by Chris Gianelli, senior editor for Air Age Publishing. The series is aimed at the beginner and utilizes Almost Ready-to-Fly kits as examples.
In the episode featured here, Chris literally builds the Merlin: a park flyer available from Megatech. Starting with describing all the various parts and what they are for, he does a good job of explaining how a kit such as this is built.
In a few instances, he also gives tips not included in the instruction manual, such as where to put a drop or two of cyanoacrylate glue to help hold things in position.
The lighting and videography is well done and clearly shows small details, such as pushrod connectors, radio installation, and more. All construction shots were taken in a studio made to look like a typical workshop.
Although not fast-paced, the show is done at a speed to keep the viewer’s interest.
Once finished, the crew ventures out to the field to give the model a test flight. Chris goes through a complete preflight check and gives a quick explanation of how the controls work.
On the day they shot this video, the wind was very close to the upper end of what the Merlin could handle. Although the takeoff and flying was successful, it was obvious that the pilot was having to keep on top of the Merlin.
The flight ended with the model curiously positioned in a tree. Not to worry, though; this was given as a reason not to fly in confined spaces with trees, buildings, and power lines nearby.
The last part of this program featured a trip to a local RC field and highlighted several turbine-powered jets going through their paces, to give the viewer a sense of what the high end of RC is like.
Other episodes of “Radio-Control Hobbies” feature RC trainers, RC cars, and RC boats, all utilizing the same formula.
The DIY Network is available on the DirecTV satellite system (channel 230) or through other cable and satellite-subscribe services. DIY, the Do It Yourself Network; 9721 Sherrill Blvd., Knoxville TN 37932; Tel.: (865) 694-2700; Web site: www.diynetwork.com
Molded Pilots
No airplane is really complete without a pilot in the cockpit. However, for builders of large Scale models, the choices of a good-quality pilot that isn’t too heavy are limited.
Horizon Hobby’s Hangar 9 division is now importing a unique line of highly detailed pilots from the UK, which could be what you’re looking for.
These pilot figures are available in a wide range of sizes (from 1/10 to 1/3 scale), many types (Civilian, Sportsman, Jet, World War I, and World War II), and several nationalities (British, German, Japanese, and US).
These pilots’ most surprising feature is how little they weigh. The Sportsman pilot shown is 6½ inches tall, yet weighs only four ounces.
Each figure is molded from a thin skin of latex rubber, approximately 1/16-inch thick. Because the inside of the figures are hollow, they are stuffed with fiberfill to hold their shape.
Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Front Row Center
Every once in awhile we run across something that is perfect for modelers, even though it was not intended for us. An example is the book Front Row Center from Erik Hildebrandt.
Between the covers are 178 pages of outstanding photos covering many major air-show acts.
At first glance you might ask, “What benefit is this to modelers?” Because the high-quality photos are as large as 11½ inches wide, the detail on the aircraft really shows up. This means that rivets, screws, panel lines, decals, hatches, and other small details lost in many photos can be easily seen.
Among the wide variety of air-show acts covered are Sean D. Tucker’s Challenger, the Red Barons’ Stearmans, Wayne Handley’s Turbo Raven, Patty Wagstaff’s Extra, Mike Goulian’s CAP, the Blue Angels’ F-18s, and many more.
Not only is this book a good reference piece, but it is also a great read, featuring a look into the pilots’ personalities and a forward by Sean D. Tucker.
Signed copies are available directly from the author for $35, which includes Priority Mail postage in the U.S.
Vulture’s Row: Tel.: (651) 430-3344; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.vulturesrow.com
Micro Control Hardware
With the popularity of backyard flyers, park flyers, and micro flyers, there has been an explosion of kits, motors, propellers, batteries, and other accessories that address these models’ unique needs. One part that has been lacking is an off-the-shelf micro pushrod system and micro control horns.
Du-Bro has introduced some new micro control hardware items that are made especially for these smaller Electric flyers.
The first of these is the Micro Pushrod System. It comes complete with two 20-inch-long .032 pushrods, two 18-inch pushrod housings, two micro EZ Links with a 90° bend pusher on pushrods, and two mini EZ Connectors.
Du-Bro’s new Micro Control Horns measure 1/2-inch high and come with a mounting pin molded on the bottom flat for easy installation. Drill a 1/16-inch hole into the control surface, and glue in the control horn with a drop or two of cyanoacrylate. Any excess length can be trimmed off if not needed.
Micro EZ Links will snap-fit on .032 wire to keep the pushrod attached to the servo output arm. Simply bend a 90° angle on the pushrod where needed, and snap an EZ Link onto the pushrod—no Z-bend required.
Last are Du-Bro’s new Micro Lite Wheels. They are available in three sizes: 1½-inch (38mm), 2-inch (51mm), and 2½-inch (64mm). They feature a one-piece design, with polished spokes and flat black wheels. This means no O-rings to come off rims!
These wheels come complete with two sets of wheel retainers and a wide axle hub for a true-running wheel.
Du-Bro: Box 815, Wauconda IL 60084; Tel.: (800) 848-9411; Fax: (847) 526-1604; Web site: www.dubro.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
