All About Electrics
THIS INSTALLMENT ON planes and flying will attempt to present something that has been missing up to now: how much power goes with what motor, prop, and battery, and how to combine all of this with a suitable model. This installment will be the one that brings the series all together as long promised. When taken with the previous parts, you should be assured of first-time and continuing Electric success-with understanding. That's what I call Electric Elation. At this time, let me repeat something I said in the beginning: It is often difficult or impossible to have first-hand familiarity with everything. This means that the best I
all about Electrics
"CONCLUSION" is a misnomer. While that word does describe this, the final part of this series, this series is hardly the last word on Electrics. This means that "All about Electrics" is not quite an accurate title, either, but I can blame that on the editor! However, I do hope that my purpose has been fulfilled-to share enough of my experiences to assure you first time and continuing success with Electrics (with understanding).
Radio Control: Electrics
THIS is the inaugural "RC Electrics," and I am honored to have been asked by Model Aviation to write regularly. "RC Electrics" is basically intended to be a "how-to" column. As such, I'll try to offer useful and informative information each month to help make your Electric-powered modeling more successful and more enjoyable-with understanding. While there are a sizeable number of potential topics already lined up, I'd welcome inputs of the "how-to" nature from anyone willing to share their experience and accomplishments. I cannot say if, or when, any such offerings could be included here, but I'll do my best to accommodate as many as possible. Also, I'll probably be referencing various subjects in MA's 10-month Electric Series (September 1983-June 1984), so you may want to hang onto your copies.
Radio Control: Electrics
FROM our good neighbors to the north comes a first-time Electric success story by Vic Walpole of Ajax, Ontario. Vic visited the 1983 KRC Electric Fly, took lots of pictures, and returned home to try it for himself. The results are seen here in the accompanying photos. The plane is a Mark's Models Wanderer "99." Vic bought the model at an auction for $12 and proceeded to do some rework. He first outfitted it with an Astro 05 Cobalt geared 2 1/2:1, and a Geist new small prop-about 15 1/2-in. diameter by 8-in. pitch, I think. Energy storage was seven, 1.2 Ah cells with a drain of 19 amps. All-up weight was 4 1/2 lb., and Electric Elation was immediate-it flew right then!
Radio Control: Electrics
BEFORE we get into some Electric technical goodies, let's take a look at some photos I've received. These inputs came to me in recent weeks, and each is significant in its own special way. First, from Brian Bailie (Robbinsville, NJ), is an original glider design with a big difference-it's solar-powered! Now, we've all heard of solar-powered accomplishments before, but those were probably the ones with high-tech and big-dollar backing. Brian is a 16-year-old high school student, and the plane got him a first in the Greater Trenton Science Fair. What I'm wondering is what the plane is gonna get him in the "All Up, Last Down" event at the 1984 Electric Fly!
