The Hiliner
THE ADVENT of practical electric power for sport RC flying has made designing and building multi-motor models a much simpler chore. Compared to the difficult problems created by glow-powered models, the average sport their has a much better chance for success when using electric power. There are two basic reasons for this-the easy, almost automatic synchronization of multiple electric motors, and the virtually perfect throttle response provided by the modern Mosfet electric motor speed controllers. Now with the recent introduction of small and inexpensive electric motors, such as the HiLine IMP-30, sport fliers have an entirely new ball game to enjoy-compact, economical and good-flying multi-engine sport models, including scale.
Handley Page W8b
THIS AIRCRAFT of 1922 was one of the first relatively successful British post-WW I transports which was not simply a converted bomber. Seven of the W8b planes were built and used during the period of 1922 to 1932. Power was provided by two 350-hp Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII V-12 engines. Span was 75 ft. and gross weight 12,000 lb. It carried 12 to 14 passengers at a speed of about 104 mph between major cities throughout Britain and the European continent. The model design presented here was inspired by Dave Stott's beautiful little rubber-powered W8f (a three-engine version of the W8) which he flew in 1982.
Radio Control: Scale
PROGRESS has been made in the state of the art of Scale modelling at an almost unbelievable pace during the last 10 to 15 years. Walking down the flight line at any large Scale RC fun-fly or major Scale contest these days can be a real experience. It's enjoyable for the spectators and intimidating to the contestants! The craftsmanship, precision, and daring of today's Scale modelers are truly amazing. Any Scale subject seems to be within easy reach, no matter how difficult or complex; and the scalelike finishes, level of detail, and overall scale appearance achieved by so many modelers would have been difficult to imagine only a short time ago.
Curtiss OC-2 Falcon
Many Scale model subjects, while ideal for the new small electric motor systems, are not suitable for rubber power. They're limited-application airplanes. The Curtiss OC-2 gives the modeler more options - it's a very good rubber-powered subject and an outstanding electric-powered flier. It also happens to be one of my all-time favorite airplanes! The inspiration for the model described here came from a beautiful Peanut design by Pres Bruning. It was flown successfully for over two years on rubber power before being converted to mini-electric power. After literally hundreds of flights and countless hours of flying, it was lost, to every one's surprise, in a late afternoon thermal at our local flying field. If built according to the plans and kept reasonably light, the OC-2 can be flown with either mini-electric or rubber power. The Scale Free Flight fan will find this model a rewarding and realistic flier. If you haven't yet tried mini-electric Scale flying and you have some Scale Free Flight experience, give the little Curtiss OC-2 Falcon a go.
Radio Control: Scale
SOONER or later every Scale RC builder will build a model that has to have some real metal external parts. Painted balsa, vacuum-formed, or fiberglass pieces will just not do. That Ryan ST, Hawker Hart, Spirit of St. Louis, or Fokker Eindecker needs some real metal on it to pass muster. If you're like me and many other balsa cutters, sheet metal can be a little intimidating. Here are a few ideas that may help you get started. You'll find that with very little practice, sheet metal work will be another one of your basic RC Scale modeling tasks.
