Radio Control: Giants
BUILDING AND FLYING really big Giant Scale models isn't limited to us folks in the US. Thanks to good British friend Phillip Kent, who writes the scale column for R.C.M. & E., we've received photos of a truly large RC Avro Lancaster BIII Special-the Dambuster. We're talking about a 123-pound model with a span of 15 feet, seven inches. The engines are SuperTigre 3000 (inboards) and SuperTigre 2500 (outboards). The model took four-and-a-half years to build and is controlled by two transmitters, three receivers, two fail-safes, and 23 servos! More than $4,500 was invested in the bomber, and 28,500 individually-applied rivets, plus a number of true-scale features are included. The latter includes: custom-built retracts, animated turrets, a spin-up for the dam-busting spherical skip-bomb that may be dropped, illuminated navigation lights, and functional altitude-determining wingtip spotlights.
Radio Control: Giants
ALTHOUGH THERE never was any doubt, it's nice when the statistics show it: not only is Giant Scale here to stay, it's the dominant force in both sport and competition Scale RC flying. Forty-four contestants entered the 1993 Scale Masters Championship, conducted by the Scale Squadron of southern California and the Orange Coast Radio Control Club. Thirty-five of them (80%) flew Giants! Five of the nine non-Giant models in the contest were jets (ducted fans), which usually are relatively small. Eight of the top ten scorers, including Dennis Crooks, the ultimate winner, flew Giants. Any questions?
Radio Control: Giants
I'M GOING INTERNATIONAL with the column this month. One of the really neat things about Giant Scale RC models is that they're not restricted to the US. We have our IMAA, which is truly international, with members in Canada, France, and other countries. Our British friends have their LMA (Large Model Association) that carries on the hobby in "Blighty." The rules and regulations and frequencies may be different in the various countries, but one factor binds us together: fascination with big RC models.
Radio Control: Giants
THE LOCKHEED VEGA first flew in July 1927. At that time, it was powered by a 220hp J-5 engine, carried five passengers, cruised at 118 mph, and topped out at 138 mph. Later versions were equipped with more powerful engines (up to 450 hp) and cruised at 180 mph. In its day, it was the fastest transport aircraft available. The Vega was designed by Jack Northrop. Its fuselage was molded in a concrete tub in two halves. The monocoque structure was joined over spruce formers and longerons. The pilot sat up front in his own compartment, just forward of the wing's leading edge. Passengers were treated to leather seats in a pigskin-lined interior. Early versions didn't have engine cowlings; later versions did.
Radio Control: Giants
THE MAN WHO SAYS "I'll give you a dollar for every Giant Scale model that comes out nose heavy if you'll give me a nickel for every one that comes out tail heavy" would make a fortune. Despite the fact that the engines in our models are proportionately heavier than those in the little ones, there's much battery pack shifting and firewall tire weight bolting to get the CG in the desired range for our big RC models. Many solid brass prop spinners are sold for the express purpose of adding nose weight to Giant Scale models.
