Product Review
Diels Craftsman-style kit (1/24 scale)
This fine craftsman-style kit features printed wood sheets for all parts, all necessary strip-wood, Japanese tissue for covering, molded plastic canopy, full-size printed plans, plastic prop, nose bearing, hardware, complete building instructions, and a complete decal sheet with markings for both U.S. Navy and Marine Corps versions. Wingspan is 19 in. (1/24 scale). The model is derived from the Model Builder book Flying Scale Models of WW II and is the first of a series of kits from that book to be released by Diels. (The Grumman F6F Hellcat and Vought F4U Corsair kits from the book were scheduled to be ready for delivery in June 1990.) Order direct. Send $1.50 for an illustrated catalog of other Diels model kits.
82 in. span deluxe kit (suitable for Zenoah G-38/G-62-size engines)
This is a big, 82 in. span deluxe kit suitable for Zenoah G-38/G-62-size engines. Flying weight will range from 17–20 lb. Construction entails joining the wing halves, installing the tail feathers, covering, and installing the radio gear and engine. A complete hardware package is included. Contact the manufacturer for price and delivery information.
Ace R/C — 'No Noise' Flex Throttle Cable
'No Noise' Flex Throttle cable — $2.49 Ace R/C, Inc., 116 W. 19th St., P.O. Box 511, Higginsville, MO 64037. Tel. 1-816-584-7121.
Worried that the metal rod may generate "noisy" radio interference? Ace R/C says your problems are over. Bend the outer nylon shell with a heat gun and secure it to the structure at each end. Then thread the solid nylon inner rod into the shell and cut it to length. Exceptionally smooth, friction-free operation is claimed. Ace supplies two EZ connectors with nylon bolts and instructions with each 24-in. unit. Local hobby dealers should have it in stock.
BATgraph onboard expanded-scale voltmeter
BATgraph onboard expanded-scale voltmeter — $23.95 (plus $2 S&H) James L. Wardrope, Astrodatal, 421 Blakley Ct., Bend, OR 97702. Tel. 1-503-389-2359.
This small, lightweight unit's colored LED readouts let you read voltage/load-capacity relationship, detect servos not centering, stalled servos or hard-to-move control surfaces, and evaluate Ni-Cd cell condition (ability to keep voltage up while delivering load current). It is reverse-polarity protected. Typical accuracy is ±0.02 VDC at 4.85 ±0.05 V; it operates above 4.85 VDC. Optional features are available. Write the manufacturer for more details. Other, simpler models are available at lower prices.
Knights of the Air — Jet Fighter Series of RC kits
Knights of the Air, Inc., Sky Manor Airport, P.O. Box 187, Pittstown, NJ 08867. Tel. 1-201-996-4414.
The F-20 Tigershark (wingspan 58 in.) in the photo is one of five scale, easy-flying ducted-fan RC planes available. All kits utilize a 6-in. fan unit except for the U-2, which uses a 5-in. fan unit. All are designed with model airplane airfoils for superior flying characteristics. Other planes are:
- F-11F-1 Grumman Tiger (wingspan 50 in.)
- MiG 25 Foxbat (twin-engine, wingspan 47 in.)
- U-2 Spyplane (wingspan 80 in.)
- F-106 Delta Dart (wingspan 45 in.)
For more information, contact the manufacturer.
Charlie's R/C Goodies
Charlie's R/C Goodies, 2828 Cochran St., Suite 281, Simi Valley, CA 93065. Tel. 1-805-581-5061.
- Glow head adapters — $2.95 / $3.95 / $4.15 each.
- Air-Flo iron-on hinges — $2.05 (1/4 in. wide) and $2.35 (1/2 in. wide) per 36-in. strip.
This is proclaimed to be the answer for modelers seeking the right power plant for a mid-sized ducted-fan RC plane. Features of the new engine include a drum-valve induction system, ABC piston/sleeve assembly, and a weight of 20.3 oz. An rpm range of 2,500 to 25,000 is claimed, with an output of 3.0 horsepower at 22,000 rpm. It is designed to fit the most popular ducted fan units available on the market. Buy it from a quality hobby dealer.
Mt. St. Helens Aircraft — Field Box
Field box — $30 ($38 with cradle) Mt. St. Helens Aircraft, 2545 123rd Ave. S.W., Olympia, WA 98502.
Hand-built from five-ply birch plywood and cemented with casein "wood glue." The unit measures 20 x 7-1/2 x 10 in. high in the regular version, and 16 in. high in the cradle-equipped version. The drawer measures 7 x 10 x 2-1/4 in. deep. Shipped in presswood crates within the continental U.S. Orders shipped the same day received. "Built by the maker for pleasure" is the maker's motto. Order direct.
Power Guard module
The Power Guard module is designed to accept a 9.6-volt Makita Ni-Cd battery (not included) to provide an outdoor, long-lived battery pack for RC fliers who expect to fly for extended periods (up to eight hours) without recharging the transmitter battery. The unit comes with a Velcro pouch which can be worn on the flier's belt. The connector supplied is compatible with pre-1990 Futaba eight-channel PCM transmitters. It is also offered without a connector for use with other brands of RC gear. It's great for gliders or anything else needing extended-service power from an inexpensive and readily available Ni-Cd battery source. For further information contact the manufacturer. Check availability at your local hobby dealer before ordering direct.
Kyosho Reflex electric-powered sport RC plane kit
Kyosho Reflex kit — $199.95 Great Planes Model Distributors Co., P.O. Box 4021, Champaign, IL 61824-4021. Tel. 1-217-398-6300.
Weight is saved and building time cut with the Reflex's blow-molded plastic fuselage and built-up, precision-made balsa wings and tail surfaces. Wingspan is 31-1/2 in., and the flying weight is 37 oz. A direct-drive LeMans 540 motor is supplied. It provides fliers with sufficient power to enjoy aerobatic flying without the mess of glow fuel. The specially designed folding propeller permits improved gliding performance after the motor is shut off. A three-channel radio, electronic speed control, and a 6- or 7-cell Ni-Cd battery pack are required. Available at leading hobby retailers nationwide.
Guardian Angel onboard safety accessory
Guardian Angel — $39.95 (without connectors) Tejera Microsystems Engineering, Inc., P.O. Box 340608, Tampa, FL 33694. Tel. 1-813-968-9510.
One small package combines up to six functions: audible expanded-scale voltmeter (ESV), audible power-on indicator, battery cycler, interference monitor, downed-aircraft finder, and range tester. The unit plugs into an unused servo channel on the receiver, or between a servo and the receiver.
Key features:
- ESV mode: operates in 0.1 V steps from 4.9 to 4.4 volts by emitting beeps; beeps spaced at 2-second intervals indicate a fully charged battery; the interval shortens as the battery runs down, reaching a constant buzz at 4.4 volts or less. The beeping continues while the receiver is on, reminding the modeler the power switch is on.
- Battery-cycling mode: provides a load and buzzes when batteries reach 4.4 volts.
- Interference monitor: if the receiver is switched on before the transmitter, a constant tone means the channel is clear; no tone indicates an interfering signal—this also helps locate a downed aircraft.
- Range tester: collapse the transmitter antenna, turn on transmitter and receiver, then walk the plane away; when the Guardian Angel emits a tone, the plane is out of range.
The unit is available with connectors for an additional $8. Features that depend on loss of transmitter energy are not compatible with PCM radios. The Guardian Angel should be available at leading hobby shops; if not, order direct from Tejera.
Reynolds Jewelry — Rubberband and clevis remover tools
Rubberband remover tool — $19.95 (including shipping) Clevis remover tool — $8.50 (including shipping) Reynolds Jewelry, 1707 Carter St., Vidalia, LA 71373. Tel. 1-318-336-5506.
These tools help in specific applications. The tool that looks like a screwdriver removes stubborn wing hold-down rubberbands; the price includes shipping and free engraving. The small pry tool carefully opens control rod clevises. Order direct.
Custom R/C Aircraft — Ducted-fan T-38 Talon
Custom R/C Aircraft, 1140 Civic Center Dr., Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Tel. 1-707-584-9446.
The manufacturer claims that when you install a Byron or Hurricane fan unit and a hot .77/.90 engine in one of these 11-lb. models, they are real sky movers. The model is offered as a kit and can be ordered with either of two fiberglass fuselages: the T-38 Talon trainer version (pictured) or an F-5F Aggressor (which includes some wing modifications). Wingspan is 48 in. and the plane is 80 in. long. Kits include a fiberglass fuselage, foam wing cores, dural tube, all sheeting and formers, canopy, full-size plans, and step-by-step instructions. Order direct.
Sporteé 40 RC sport plane
Sporteé 40 kit — contact Hobby Dynamics Distributors Hobby Dynamics Distributors, P.O. Box 3726, Champaign, IL 61821-3726. Tel. 1-800-458-0241.
This captivating low-wing sportster kit comes complete with all hardware, full-size illustrated instructions, and a photo-illustrated instruction book to aid the builder. A good builder can have it ready to fly in under 10 hours. Design emphasis yields stable flight characteristics at a wide variety of speeds. It can even fly backwards in 10-mph winds and will recover instantly from spins and snaps. See your local hobby dealer.
Master Airscrew folding propeller for electrics
Folding propellers — $8.95 (12 x 8) and $9.95 (15 x 12) Master Airscrew / Windsor Propeller Co., 3219 Monier Circle, Rancho Cordova, CA 95742. Tel. 1-916-631-8385.
Greater thrust, improved glide, and longer endurance are claimed with these updated folding propellers. Revisions include a lightweight stamped aluminum hub and built-in spinner along with wide, undercambered blades. The hub length is 2.75 in. with a 1/4-in. mounting hole to fit most popular gearboxes. Replacement blades are available. See these and other Master Airscrew propellers at your local hobby shop.
Genesis flying wing RC glider kit
Genesis flying wing kit — $34.95 Peck-Polymers, P.O. Box 710399, Santee, CA 92072. Tel. 1-619-448-1818.
The Genesis' 59-in. wingspan (346 sq. in. area) and light weight (10–12 oz.) make it ideal for hand-launch thermal flying, or slope and hi-start launching. Use any standard radio with micro- or miniservos. Instructions show three methods of controlling elevons: sliding tray system, transmitter control mixing, and mechanical mixing. The kit includes full-size plans, instructions, die-cut balsa, plywood, and all hardware except a Du-Bro mixer. Available from hobby retailers or direct.
Clemcraft — Jim Clem's 1/2A Witch Hawk plan
Plan for Jim Clem's 1/2A Witch Hawk FF competition plane — $6 Clemcraft, P.O. Box 524, Sand Springs, OK 74063.
The Witch Hawk was NFFS Small Gas Model of the Year and is a Nats winner. Wing area is 237 sq. in. Plans are available for the 1/2A Witch Hawk, 1/2A Okie Bird (three-time Nats winner), and 1/2A Country Boy at the same price.
Du-Bro — Fuel-line barb
Du-Bro Products, 480 Bonner, P.O. Box 815, Wauconda, IL 60084. Tel. 1-708-526-2136.
Du-Bro's tubular brass fuel-line barb can be soldered onto any 1/8-in.-diameter brass or copper fuel line. The double-barb end provides a good grip on flexible fuel line and reduces the danger of unexpected disconnects.
Software Associates — SoftMount vibration-isolating engine mounts
SoftMounts — $21.95 to $31.95 Software Associates, 10319 Pine Pass, Houston, TX 77070. Tel. 1-713-469-3124.
SoftMount isolates engine vibration using elastomeric vibration elements arranged to provide controlled, extremely soft mounting of the engine to the airframe. Elements are loaded in compression and shear (not tension), increasing elastomer life. The design prevents large engine excursions at idle and excessive thrust-line deflection during high-G maneuvers. A capture feature retains the engine if an elastomer fails. Sizes are offered to mount .40–.65, .70–1.00, and 1.20–1.80 cu. in. engines either radially or on beams. Order directly if your local hobby store does not stock them.
Thunder Tiger Super MOSFET Power Panel
Thunder Tiger Super MOSFET Power Panel — $39.95 Global Hobby Distributors, 18480 Bandalier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92728-8610. (Call Hobby Shack at 1-800-854-4847, or 1-800-472-8456 in California only.)
The MOSFET design prevents battery drain when none of the functions are in use. Features include a protective plastic cover over the rear of the unit to prevent short circuits or contamination, 6-volt fuel pump jacks (with plugs), fuel pump direction switch (In/Out), On/Off switch for fuel pump, glow plug output jacks (with plugs), an easy-to-use glow plug current-adjuster knob, and an analog ammeter. The unit is available at local Global Full Service Dealers.
Du-Bro — Threaded stud driver
This tool takes the hassle out of threading studs and rods into plastic pushrods (such as Du-Bro Lazer Rods). Thread the stud or rod into the 4-40 or 2-56 end of the driver until it bottoms out, then thread the rod into the plastic pushrod until the required insertion is attained. Back the driver off easily—no more damaging threads with pliers. Your hobby shop should carry this and many other Du-Bro products.
Ace R/C — 'EZ' Fuel Tubing
'EZ' Fuel Tubing — four 12-in. lengths for $1.25 Ace R/C, 116 W. 19th St., P.O. Box 511, Higginsville, MO 64037. Tel. 1-816-584-7121.
"EZ" Fuel Tubing is special nylon tubing with an outside diameter of 1/8 in. and an inside diameter of .096 in. It can be bent to almost any desired shape by heating with a heat gun. It resists melting and can be run close to the engine without causing RF interference like a metal line might. Use it from the inside of your plastic "klunk" tank to within a gnat's eyelash of the engine fuel or pressure nipple, then use a short length of regular fuel tubing to connect to the engine. Check your local hobby shop.
JR PCM 10 RC system
JR PCM 10 (Pattern and Helicopter versions) Hobby Dynamics Distributors, P.O. Box 3276, Champaign, IL 61821-3276. Tel. 1-800-458-0241.
This high-tech computer radio is programmed via a touch-screen LCD. Touch the display to call up functions; on-screen figures and graphs show exactly what is being programmed. The system features JR's narrow-band ABC&W receiver and a custom CPU claimed to resist "lockout." Features include many modes of control mixing, dual rate and exponential, servo control and reversing, servo test, servo travel adjust, fail-safe, timer mode, and more. See a full-service hobby dealer.
RK Electronics — Onboard Glow Switch
Onboard Glow Switch — $34.95 RK Electronics, 304 Fox Run, Hudson, NH 03051. Tel. 1-603-882-6022.
This unit makes engine starting more convenient and in-flight idling more reliable without an extra switch—the unit powers on with your RC receiver. Turn on receiver and transmitter, throttle back, flip the prop to start. The design works with servo reversing and will operate one or two glow plugs. Its voltage-tripler and MOSFET design deliver maximum plug heat. The throttle point where the glow plug comes on is adjustable via built-in trim pot and LED. A double-sided circuit board ensures high reliability in a high-vibration environment.
Century Jet Models — Sport Hawk MK II ducted-fan RC plane kit
Sport Hawk MK II basic kit — $189 (plus P&H) Century Jet Models, Inc., 8 Martha Court, Sumter, SC 29150.
The Sport Hawk MK II is an upgraded version featuring fully symmetrical vertical and horizontal stabilizers, a new intake design (no cheater hole), and built-in canopy and engine compartments. Power can be a .40-size engine and fan, but a .77/.91 with a Dynamax or Dyna-Jet gives enhanced performance. It performs all aerobatic maneuvers and can fly from grass fields. The basic kit includes an epoxy-glass fuselage, fiberglass engine and canopy components, intake and exhaust tube (for Dynamax only), foam wing and stab cores, plans, and brochure. The deluxe kit adds precut plywood formers and bulkheads, balsa wood, Nyrods, fuel tanks, fuel lines, hinges, Sullivan Skylite tires, screws, nuts and bolts, adhesives, and more. Kits carry a money-back guarantee. Order direct.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
