Radio Control: Giants
John A. de Vries 4610 Moffat Ln., Colorado Springs, CO 80915
PVC ceiling hangers for Giant Scale models
All model builders should give thanks to the guy (or gal) who invented PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe and its attendant plastic fittings. The ubiquitous white tubing has been used for a host of nifty accessories, ranging from simple model "cradles" to full-blown assembly tables. Delmar Waterson of Dighton, Kansas, has come up with another useful use for PVC piping—to store/hang your fully assembled Giant Scale model from the ceiling of your workshop.
Let's face it: our big birds take up a lot of room, even when they're disassembled. It's important to get completed models out of the way when we aren't flying them. Workshop space is usually at a premium, particularly if you're building a second (or third) large RC model. The name of the game is preventing hangar rash on completed models while wrestling with new construction.
The photo that accompanies this column shows how Delmar does it. The hanger is attached to the ceiling. Delmar makes a couple of C's from the pipe and cushions the lower part of the C with soft pipe-insulation foam.
The size, of course, depends on the model to be suspended. The hanger's width depends on the width of the fuselage, and its depth depends on how "tall" your bird is. Once you've sized your custom-designed hanger, glue the components together. Both the clear PVC cement and the purple primer/solvent bond almost immediately when applied. I suggest using the clear PVC cement, because the purple primer can be unsightly.
The beauty of the Waterson ceiling hanger is that the complete model is held at its center of gravity. Del cautions that the loose ends of the hanger should be stabilized with flexible chain or wire. PVC tends to sag a tad when weighted down, and you won't want your model slipping out of your sporty hanger. The Waterson hangers shouldn't be exposed to much sunlight; PVC tends to become brittle with prolonged sun exposure. Many thanks to Delmar Waterson for a most useful way to suspend our models.
Hangar-rash anecdote
In the good old days of aviation before jetways were invented, all that was between you and the airplanes was a chain-link fence. At some airports, the fence was only waist high. Many spectators would show up with gravel in their ears. When you went to see someone off on an airliner, it was standard procedure to wait until the aircraft pulled away from the terminal. As the pilot revved the engines and turned out of his parking space, everybody turned back onto the slipstream—and expected to be pelted with dust, dirt, and gravel.
A similar situation exists today at Big Bird flight lines across the country. Most RC clubs rule that, when models are started, they should be oriented so the prop blast doesn't clobber adjacent models and modelers in the pits. Our 20+-inchers, urged on by powerful gas burners, kick up a lot of loose landscape when they roar into action. Many modelers don't realize, however, that they too are subject to a potential gravel storm when they crank up.
At full bore, any model will generate an invisible miniature tornado directly below the running propeller. At high rpm, it's potent enough to fling gravel and other debris into the faces of the unsuspecting. The size and intensity of the tornado is a function of how fast the prop is spinning; once the bird cranks, its effect can be lessened by coming back on the throttle.
With our larger-size props, the effect is enhanced, which suggests it's a darn good idea to wear eye protection when starting Giant Scale models. Many kinds of excellent protective goggles are available, and their use is highly recommended. If you start your bird over a puddle of water in the pits, you'll likely see a small waterspout under the front of the model!
Choosing a radio system for Giant Scale
When you plunk your hard-earned bucks down on the counter at the local hobby emporium to purchase a new RC radio system, you don't always fully consider what you're getting. Nine times out of 10, you'll acquire:
- a transmitter
- a receiver
- four servos
- an airborne battery and switch harness
- a battery charger
- a set of frequency flags
Most systems, nestled in their foam nooks and crannies, will provide a 450- or 550-mAh battery pack and a quartet of "standard" servos. These standard servos typically put out about 48 to 50 inch-ounces of torque—more than adequate to control .60-sized models.
But the standard servo isn't powerful enough to guide your Giant Scale model. At best, you'll have to buy at least another servo so you can double up on your aileron control. Depending on how heavy and fast your big bird will be, you might have to acquire a sixth servo so that you'll have two to operate your elevators. For safety's sake, you might have to double-serve the rudder as well. About this time, the standard 550-mAh battery pack will become sorely overstressed.
We have all heard about Giant Scale servos—large and powerful surface-movers. Most RC radio manufacturers make them, and they're a good investment for big bird applications.
However, many servos don't get the publicity they deserve. Some have direct-application needs; for example, 60-inch-ounce low-profile servos are available that are ideal for outboard wing-mount aileron control. Some manufacturers provide servos of lesser power—30 inch-ounces of torque—that are appropriate for operating retract valves and other light-duty applications. Also available are coreless servos in a variety of powers that provide accelerated control response over their cored counterparts.
I'm suggesting you take your time and do a bit of research before investing in a radio system for your Giant Scale model. Steps to consider:
- Examine the specs for servos available from your chosen radio manufacturer.
- Order a custom radio system that's appropriate for your model.
- Buy a 1,200-mAh battery pack to support the servo array you purchase.
- If needed, get any servo lead extensions that will fit your bird.
- For safety, purchase a redundant battery system—include a second 1,200-mAh Ni-Cd pack.
Model note: Wendell Hostetler's Lancair IV
I'll close this month with a plug for old friend Wendell Hostetler. Wendell's latest design is a stunner: the Lancair IV home-built/kit-built speedster. The prototype airplane has reached 300 mph (!) and qualified at the Reno National Air Races. Since the model spans 100 inches, it's legal for the current crop of miniature Reno races, if you're so inclined.
The prototype Lancair is molded from composite materials and is available in fixed-gear or retract versions. Wendell's drawings show both versions. Accessories for the model include fiberglass fuselage, cowl, retracts, foam flying surfaces, and air-driven flaps—a veritable kit of pieces. The prototype model weighs 23 pounds and is supported by 1,040 "squares."
Contact Wendell for details (include a big SASE) at: 1041 Heatherwood Lane, Orrville, OH 44667
The weather's warming up. See you at the club field!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
