Edition: Model Aviation - 2001/04
Page Numbers: 134,135,136,137,138
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Modeler's Mall

Manufacturers who wish to have their products considered for inclusion in this department should send information and a photo, if possible, to the editorial office of Model Aviation. These reviews are composed from such information, and do not imply an endorsement of the products.

R/C Basics: Hover videotape — $19.99 (modelSPORT magazine)

modelSPORT magazine, Box 12557, Jacksonville NC 28546; Tel.: (910) 938-3371; Fax: (910) 989-1912; E-mail: jbeech@modelsport.com; Web site: www.modelsport.com. Item RCB002. Two-hour VHS tape.

  • Workbench and flying-field tips for Radio Control (RC) helicopters.
  • Checks helicopter assembly items a newcomer may miss: servo directions, subtrim, travel adjustment, linkages, ball-link sizing, main blade pitch range, gyroscope setups.
  • Flight modes covered: Normal, Stunt (Idle Up), and Hold (autorotations).
  • Reviews tools, fuel, and field equipment: starter, battery, field charger, and recommended spare parts.
  • Covers basic and advanced hovering techniques, preflight procedures, and training aids (training gear, flight simulator, buddy box setup).
  • Interspersed with full-scale footage of a Robinson R-22 demonstrating the same lessons.
  • Helicopters featured: Kyosho Nexus 30; Century Falcon 46; Thunder Tiger Raptor 30; JR Ergo 46 in a Robinson R-22 fuselage; Logo 20 (46-size electric).
  • Features six-channel computer transmitters from Futaba and JR, CSM heading-lock gyros, and break-in of the O.S. Max 50SX-H ringed engine.

Micro-Lite park flier (Marky's Hobbyshop, Inc.)

Marky's Hobbyshop, Inc., 208 Maplewood Ave., Oakhurst NJ 07755; Tel.: (732) 539-8002; Web site: www.parkflyers.com.

  • Small electric park flier made entirely from balsa and covered with UltraCote®.
  • Flies in breezes up to about 3 mph.
  • Almost Ready-to-Fly (requires some assembly—about one evening).
  • Powered by an RS-280 motor with an 8-inch GWS prop; capable of loops, rolls, and spins.
  • Transparent covering; 36-inch wingspan with washout in both tips.
  • Ready-to-fly weight: 9½ ounces.
  • Equipment included or available: A-15 Aveox Electronic Speed Control, Hitec Feather receiver, two Maxx Products MX-50 servos, six-cell 225 mAh battery pack.
  • Contact Marky's Hobbyshop for ordering and more information.

Proportional hydraulic brake system (Bob Fiorenze)

Bob Fiorenze, 401 Westchester Dr., Altamonte Springs FL 32701; Tel.: (407) 673-9080; Web site: www.rcaviation.com/fiorenze.

  • Complete system with master cylinder, drill guide, instructions, and all hardware.
  • Uses fluid instead of air—no reservoir bottle, fill valve, on-off air valve, or extra servo required.
  • Allows use of down-elevator or an optional AUX channel.
  • Universal hubs fit any 5/32-inch-diameter landing gear for highwing trainers, low-wing sport airplanes (up to 15 lb), or ducted-fan jets.
  • Universal drums fit any rims and tires. System weight: 29 grams.
  • Available at local hobby shops or direct order. Send $3 for an illustrated catalog.

Sukhoi Su-31 (Aeroworks)

Aeroworks, 401 Laredo Unit D, Aurora CO 80011; Tel.: (303) 366-4205; Fax: (303) 366-4203; Web site: www.aero-works.net.

  • 31% scale Sukhoi Su-31 with true scale outlines.
  • Construction: two-piece foam wing with aluminum tube, foam airfoiled tail surfaces, laser-cut plywood/lite-ply/balsa fuselage, epoxy/fiberglass cowl, aluminum landing gear, contest-grade balsa sheeting, foam hatch cover and turtledeck.
  • Includes full-size CAD-drawn plans and a detailed instruction manual.
  • Offered in three versions: Builder's kit, Pre-built, and Deluxe pre-built (direct order only).

Specifications:

  • Wingspan: 101 inches
  • Wing area: 1,800 sq in
  • Length: 86 inches
  • Recommended engines: 4.2–6.0 cu in
  • Ready-to-fly weight: 21–23 lb

The Cover Up — $12 + $3.20 S&H (PPD)

Tim Smith, 1457 Spencer Ave., Hudsonville MI 49426; E-mail: Goatboy1@aol.com.

  • Wood stand designed to organize covering rolls—stores up to 10 rolls vertically.
  • Six pegs for conventional rolls and four smaller pegs for fabric-style rolls.
  • All-wood construction provides weight to keep rolls upright and visible.
  • Small dimensions: 5 in (W) x 2 in (H) x 12 in (L).

JR Voyager E electric helicopter — $399.95 (Horizon Hobby, Inc.)

Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 355-9511; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com. Item JRP9041.

  • Electric helicopter designed for high-performance flight.
  • Single axle through the head with CCPM inputs for powerful cyclic and collective response.
  • Autorotation clutch and cogged toothed tail-rotor belt drive standard.
  • Prefinished and balanced main and tail rotor blades.
  • Main frame: fiber-filled nylon; canopy: blow-molded polypropylene.
  • Includes high-power, high-rpm 12-turn 540-size motor and JR NEA-300H speed controller.
  • Optional 7-cell 2000 mAh pack yields 3–4 minutes of aggressive flight plus ~30 seconds gentle flight.
  • Accepts standard, mini, and micro servos via nylon servo inserts.
  • Construction time: under six hours.
  • JR products distributed exclusively by Horizon Hobby.

Bob's Alignment Gadget and Height Gauges (Pro Built RC Products)

Bob Noll; Tel.: (607) 754-5279; Fax: (607) 785-1514; E-mail: BOBRPC@aol.com.

  • Alignment Gadget ensures squareness of wings and stabilizers to each other and the fuselage.
  • The tool set includes three tools:
  • Two tools to ensure equal distances between wingtips and stabilizer tips.
  • One tool used with a special extension to ensure stabilizer tips are equidistant from the nose centerline.
  • Adapts to most airplane types and sizes; maintains accurate dimensions during assembly.
  • Height Gauges ensure horizontal alignment of the stabilizer.

Pricing:

  • Bob's Alignment Gadget: list $39.95 (US)
  • Height Gauges: list $14.95
  • Discount when purchased with the Absolute-Accuracy video: Alignment Gadget $34.95; Height Gauges $44.95 (supply coupon from video box).

modelSPORT Video Magazine (MS0305)

modelSPORT magazine, Box 12557, Jacksonville NC 28546; Tel.: (910) 938-3371; Fax: (910) 989-1912; E-mail: jbeech@modelsport.com; Web site: www.modelsport.com.

  • Segments on RC flight, including Thunder Tiger Raptor 30 ARF designed by F3C World Champion Shigetada Taya.
  • hotSHOTS: pulse-jet-equipped model (V-1 style) and fishing with an RC helicopter.
  • workBENCH: B-17 with split-flaps, servo amplifier, and Robart retracts.
  • in aboutENGINES: Raytek MiniTemp MT-4, TNC SensiTach PT10S, Slimline 2102S Pitts-style G-23 smoke muffler, Sullivan Head Lite.
  • Engine mods: O.S. Max 46FX with Saturn plasma liner/piston and Performance Specialties' Ultra Thrust tuned pipe.
  • Brief workBENCH: instrument panel and pilots added to Hangar 9's J-3; look at K&S 400-class electric Silky Wind.

12th Superman Jet Rally videotape — $19.95 + $3.25 S&H

SKS Video Productions, 85 Pine Rd., Abbottstown PA 17301; Tel.: (800) 988-6488 or (717) 259-7193; Fax: (717) 259-6379; E-mail: scott@sksvideo.com; Web site: www.sksvideo.com.

  • Coverage of Metropolis, Illinois Superman Jet Rally with over 230 pilots.
  • Featured aircraft: Marc Froehn’s Su-27; Jerry Krause’s F-4D1 Skyray; Chuck Spoto’s Raptor; Lee DeMary’s MiG-15.
  • Premieres and new releases: BVM F-100, Jet Model Products Firebird, Century Jets F9F, FiberClassics Eurofighter, RA Microjets 500 turbine.
  • Includes Barron Guss’s turbine-powered helicopter and Pat McCurry’s L-1011.
  • Run time: 103 minutes.

Plans and parts for Rod Doyle's 1937 Folly (Bob Holman Plans)

Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino CA 92402; Tel.: (909) 885-3959; Fax: (909) 889-9307; E-mail: bhplans@aol.com; Web site: www.angelfire.com/ct/bhplans.

  • CAD-drawn plans and laser-cut parts for this old-time Free Flight model.
  • Wingspan: 72 inches. Originally powered by a Brown Jr. ignition engine.
  • Suitable for SAM Brown Jr. events, modern four-stroke engines, or electric power.
  • Laser-cut parts include wing ribs, fuselage formers, and outlines.

Pricing:

  • Plans: $12
  • Laser-cut parts: $35
  • Postage: $5

Hangar 9 Ni-Charge™ — $16.95

Horizon Hobby, Inc., 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 355-9511; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com.

  • Quick charger for Ni-Cd glow-drivers: 20-minute quick charge at 1 amp, then automatically switches to 50 mA trickle-charge.
  • Compact for field boxes; includes banana plugs for power panel connection.
  • Operation: green LED indicates power; attach Ni-Cd glow-driver to recessed dummy glow plug and press "start"; red LED indicates quick-charge cycle and goes out when complete.
  • Hangar 9 products distributed exclusively by Horizon Hobby.

Safety Lock Kwik-Link (Du-Bro Products, Inc.)

Du-Bro Products, Inc., Box 815, Wauconda IL 60084; Tel.: (800) 848-9411; Fax: (847) 526-1604; E-mail: rc@dubro.com; Web site: www.dubro.com.

  • Self-tapping clevis with no slop on threads and square shank for easy installation and adjustment.
  • Brass-plated stepped steel pin to prevent binding on control horns or servo arms.
  • Brass-plated steel safety lock slides into a groove on the pin for a secure lock.
  • Safety Lock mounted in a tray on the clevis to avoid losing it.
  • Three sizes available: 2mm, 2-56, and 4-40; sold in packs of two or 12.
  • Lighter than steel clevis and size stamped on the safety lock for identification.

Part numbers and pricing:

  • 815 — 2-56 (two): $1.95
  • 816 — 2-56 (12): $10.95
  • 817 — 4-40 (two): $1.95
  • 818 — 4-40 (12): $10.95
  • 819 — 2mm (two): $1.95
  • 820 — 2mm (12): $10.95

US Scale Masters 2000 videotape — $24.95 + $3.25 S&H

  • Coverage of the 2000 Scale Masters Championships in Dayton, Ohio.
  • Featured models: Dave Lovitt’s Hercules; David Wigley’s Tempest; Tim Schurick’s OV-10 Bronco; Greg Hahn’s SBD Dauntless; Mike Ingram’s Akro; Nick Ziroli Sr.’s Stearman; Shailesh Patel’s F-86; Ray LaBonne’s Harvard; Terry Nitsch’s Rafale; Team Scale: Dave Patrick and Graeme Mears’ D.H.82A Tiger Moth.
  • Run time: 108 minutes.

SFM Soarstar — $199.99 (Horizon Hobby, Inc.)

  • Park flier from Super Flying Model (SFM) with proportional speed controller, 9.6V 600 mAh Sanyo battery, and DC fast-charger.
  • 380 motor with 1.85:1 gear drive turning an 8-inch prop.
  • Flight times: 7–10 minutes depending on throttle use.
  • Constructed from high-impact injected foam—durable and easy to repair.

Specifications:

  • Overall length: 36 inches
  • Wingspan: 44 inches
  • Wing area: 403 sq in
  • Ready-to-fly weight: 20 oz
  • Required radio: three or more channels

SFM Soarstar distributed exclusively by Horizon Hobby.

Minima kit (Airplane Planet, Inc.)

Airplane Planet, Inc., 14551 Judicial Rd., Suite 140, Burnsville MN 55306; Tel.: (888) 660-4142.

  • Made from extruded polystyrene; wingspan 31 inches; weight 5.76 ounces.
  • Kit assembles in roughly two hours; designed for stable outdoor and maneuverable indoor flight.
  • Features a shock-absorbing motor mount and breakaway propeller for protection on hard landings.
  • Kit includes GWS-DXB motor, 9-inch propeller, and color graphics.
  • Technical contact: Rob Miller (952) 435-2770; E-mail: rmiller@airplaneplanet.com.
  • Business contact: Mike Peterson (952) 435-2770; E-mail: mpeterson@airplaneplanet.com.

Plans and parts for the Hawker Sea Fury (Bob Holman Plans)

  • Plans drawn to 1/5.6 scale with an 81½-inch wingspan.
  • Plans include flaps and retracts; mailed direct in a mailing tube.
  • More than 20 plans available; most span over 80 inches.
  • Laser-cut parts available for pieces that need shaping; accessories such as cowl and canopy available direct.

Pricing:

  • Plans: $45 including shipping
  • Laser-cut parts: $125 + $10 shipping

Snowbird Skis (Du-Bro Products, Inc.)

  • Make it possible to fly year-round; mount easily on airplanes with dual or wire landing gear in about an hour.
  • Manufactured from high-density polyethylene with molded runners for better tracking.
  • Ideal for aircraft up to .60-powered.
  • Torsion bar design flexes on takeoffs and landings but locks in flight.
  • All mounting hardware included.
  • Available in black and fluorescent pink.

Part numbers and pricing:

  • 825 — Snowbird Skis Main (Black): $22.95
  • 826 — Snowbird Skis Nose (Black): $11.95
  • 827 — Snowbird Skis Main (Fluorescent Pink): $22.95
  • 828 — Snowbird Skis Nose (Fluorescent Pink): $11.95

Skymasters Float Fly 2000 videotape — $19.95 + $3.25 S&H

  • Coverage of the 10th annual Skymasters Float Fly at Island Lake State Park, Brighton, Michigan.
  • Over 100 floatplanes in attendance: Maule Rocket, Eindecker, Citabria, Seamaster, Canadian Northstar, Electric Lazy Bee, Sikorsky S-39, and more.
  • Features extensive in-flight footage.
  • Run time: 92 minutes.

The Doghouse eXtreme kit — $108.50 (including S&H)

D&L Designs, 1145 E. Kleindale Rd., Tucson AZ 85719; Tel.: (520) 887-0771; E-mail: dldesigns@mindspring.com; Web site: www.dldesigns.net.

  • Modified version of the Doghouse designed by Dick Smith.
  • Modifications: larger ailerons and elevator, and recommended use of a .90 four-stroke engine for livelier performance and 3D capability.
  • Wing area: 725 sq in; wingspan: 54 inches.
  • Recommended engines: .51–.60 two-stroke or 70–91 four-stroke; lightweight 91 four-stroke recommended for maximum performance.
  • Predictable slow-speed handling with no tendency to tip-stall; slow, stable landings.
  • Good practice airplane for advanced and 3D maneuvers without risking expensive Pattern aircraft.

Power Ram (B&B Specialties)

B&B Specialties, 14234 Cleveland Rd., Granger IN 46530; Tel.: (219) 277-0499; Web site: www.bennettbuilt.com.

  • Velocity stack designed to increase RPM and reduce fuel residue in the carburetor.
  • Creates positive airflow in the carburetor intake, eliminating siphoning of raw gas and improving engine performance throughout maneuvers.
  • Fits gas carburetors with full radial adjustment.
  • Precision-machined from aluminum and supplied in two pieces: stack and retaining ring.
  • The stack enhances measurable engine performance.
  • Call or write B&B Specialties for more information.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.