Build a Centigram Balance Scale
Roger Carignan describes building a sensitive centigram balance scale for aircraft modeling, using affordable materials, achieving high accuracy for weighing components.
Add-on Surface Flaps
Roger Carignan discusses adding underwing surface flaps to improve landing performance of models like the Super Sportster 90/120, which struggle on short runways. This approach simplifies installation without altering strip ailerons, enhancing lift and drag for better control during landing.
Make Lightweight Foam Wheels
WhEn I WaS building a kit of the Little
Tiny—a 24-inch-wingspan electric
indoor/outdoor Radio Control model—one
objective was to achieve as low an airframe
weight as I could to compensate for use of
heavier servos and receiver than those
specified in the plans. One of the several
weight-saving methods I used was to
replace the kit-supplied wheels with my
homemade foam wheels.
The 11⁄2-inch-diameter wheels supplied
with the kit were nicely made from
laminated 1⁄32 balsa with a plastic hub and
an O-ring tire approximately 0.080 inch
wide; these weighed 840 milligrams (mg)
each.
Build a Servo Chatter Buster
With the myriad electronic devices available to the modeling community, I thought I could purchase anything I might need from one of the many companies that supplies these items. However, a requirement for a new device arose when I was completing installation of spoilers on an original-design glider. Each spoiler was controlled with its own servo, and both connected to a single channel with a Y connector. Mechanical adjustments, in addition to transmitter servo-travel programming.resulted in
The Case for 180-Degree Servos
TODAY'S RADIO CONTROL servos have reached a remarkable degree of function, versatility, and reliability at low cost. They are available in a variety of sizes and output torque levels to satisfy requirements of just about any RC application. Except for special and fairly expensive servos used for sailboat applications, these devices have rotary outputs that turn ±45º covering a 90º arc. This article describes how, with a modification that increases servo arm rotation from ±45º to ±90º (180º total), more actuating force can be obtained from servos at the expense of reduced transit time. This modification can either be a change of the servo electronics or an interface device between the receiver and the servo.
