Author: J. Haught
Edition: Model Aviation - 1996/08
Page Numbers: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
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Toledo 1996: What's New

Jim Haught

The 42nd Annual Toledo R/C Expo was held April 12–14, 1996 at the SeaGate Centre, Toledo, Ohio. Host club, as usual, was the Toledo Weak Signals.

This report focuses on new products—those just released or expected to be released when this issue was printed. Space limitations permit only a sample of the total new products.

Notable new models and kits

  • Lanier R/C: 1/4-scale (72-inch span) Laser 200 (Bubba Spivey & Co.).
  • Midwest: G-202 designed for .120 power, with Lite Ply fuselage and D-tube wing construction.
  • House of Balsa: 1/5-scale Extra 300L (1/4-scale Extra also noted) — balsa and plywood construction; finished weight about five pounds; power .40–.46 two-stroke or 50–60 four-stroke; four-channel radio required. (Release anticipated July/August.)
  • Address: 10101 Yucca Rd., Adelanto, CA 92301
  • LDM Industries (Lucien Miller): F-15 Eagle from the RC Combat Fighter Series — foam-core wing, PVC fuselage, balsa tail. Series designed for .40–.46 two-stroke power; no landing gear by default (designed for Open R/C Combat Association), but the manual outlines gear installation to convert to a sport model.
  • Address: Box 292396, Tampa, FL 33687
  • Gator R/C Products (Ron Chidgey): Prebuilt parts for the 1995 Nats-winning Typhoon 2+2 FAI Pattern model — foam wing and tail cores, honeycomb fuselage and fin, built-up/glassed wing panels, honeycomb top/bottom/turtledeck. Fuselage has a porous inner skin to reduce moisture buildup.
  • Address: 3713 Pompano Dr., Pensacola, FL 32514
  • Top Gun Aircraft: High-volume tuned pipe for O.S. .91/Dynamax combination; semi-kit available for Ultra Eagle/Dynamax setup.
  • Address: 410 W. Jefferson, Ottawa, IL 61350

Radios and radio-related products

  • Futaba: Prototype T6XA — six-channel computer radio with three-model memory, dual rates, servo reversing, endpoint adjustments, and provisions for air brakes, flaperons, and other functions for sailplanes, helicopters, and other types. Slated for August 1996 release; estimated price $260–300.
  • Contact: Box 19767, Irvine, CA 92713
  • Airtronics: Radiant 6P/FM radio (scheduled May 1996) — aimed at advanced sport fliers; features three-model memory, endpoint adjustment, servo reversing on all channels, mixing, and selectable control setups (flaperon, elevon, V-tail, etc.).
  • Airtronics Specialty Division: two sailplanes scheduled for June release:
  • Sapphire — 118-inch-span Thermal Duration model (uses many Peregrine design features).
  • Whip — 60-inch-span slope racer designed by F3B World Champion Daryl Perkins.
  • Address: 15311 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92718
  • Cannon: Micro-Elite and Ultra-Micro radios — billed as the smallest and lightest fully proportional narrowband radios.

Engines, servos, and power accessories

  • Saito (prototype): 450R-3D radial engine — displacement 4.5 cu. in.; turned 7,800 rpm on a 22 x 10 Bolly prop. Suited to clean installations without cutting holes in the cowl. Available through Horizon Hobby Distributors.
  • Horizon Hobby Distributors: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61821
  • MVVS Corporation of America (Czech Mate Distributing): 1.20 simultaneous-firing twin — double-stage pump carburetor, remote fuel tank; reportedly turns 14 x 10 prop at 10,700 rpm on 5% nitro. Complete parts support available for MVVS engines.
  • P.O. Box 192-211, The Woodlands, TX 77380
  • JR: 2700G Super Servo (new) — metal gears and electronics providing full torque throughout range of motion; quick transit time (0.09 sec); ideal for R/C cars and helicopters.
  • Robart: 630 Series pneumatic retracts for 10–22 lb models — heat-treated alloy aluminum side frames, functional oleo struts, triple-sealed air cylinders. Two sizes: for wheels up to 4.25" diameter and for wheels up to 5" diameter. Nose gear retract also available.
  • Address: Box 1427, St. Charles, IL 60174
  • Top Gun Aircraft: high-volume tuned pipe for O.S. .91/Dynamax setups (see above).

Electronics, analyzers, and test equipment

  • Vencon Technologies (Canada): Ultimate Battery Analyzer — UBA III Plus. Uses an IBM PC-compatible serial port to cycle and check rechargeable batteries; after full charge cycle it switches to trickle charge.
  • Address: 6 Graymar Ave., Downsview, Ontario M3H 3B5, Canada
  • Micro Fasteners: Dynalock vibration-proof lock washers for 1/4-20 or 6mm bolts — Swedish-made, cam-faced on one side so they lock together when tightened.
  • Address: 110 Hillcrest Rd., Flemington, NJ 08822

Composites, materials, and fabrication

  • Composite Structures Technology (Gail and Matt Gewain / CST):
  • 1/8-inch-thick Kevlar honeycomb material.
  • Pushrod kits using carbon rods (.050 and .070 diameters).
  • Olfa shears.
  • "Feather edge" spars made from unidirectional carbon layers tapering in thickness along leading and trailing edges to avoid a step.
  • PRO-SET composites fabricating system (laminating epoxies, adhesives, and equipment).
  • Address: Box 642, Tehachapi, CA 93581

Coverings, adhesives, and fuel-handling accessories

  • Scale Stits Covering: Super Fil has undergone a color change; composition remains the same.
  • Bob Smith Industries (Charlee Smith): New gel-type cyanoacrylate — packaging difficulties being resolved; release hoped for later this year.
  • Address: 8060 Morro Rd., Atascadero, CA 93422
  • Atlantic R/C:
  • Remote Mixture Valve — 64-threads-per-inch device to keep fingers away from the prop arc.
  • Leak Catcher — plastic bag system that isolates the fuel tank and lines, protecting internal components from glow fuel leaks and crash damage; fits tanks up to 24 ounces.
  • Leak Catcher price noted in some reports as $1.95; Remote Mixture Valve advertising tagline: "Are Your Fingers Worth $8.95?"
  • Address: Box 523007, Springfield, VA 22152

Software and documentation

  • ViaGrafix (new name for two merged Pryor, OK–based software companies):
  • DesignCAD 95 (2D and 3D) for Windows 95 — 32-bit performance, MS Mail interface, customization options.
  • ModelCAD available for Windows 95.
  • Wingmaster (airfoil/wing-layout) program upgraded.
  • Technical support and training videos available.
  • Address: 1 American Way, Pryor, OK 74361
  • Scale Model Research (Bob Banka): Latest Scale Documentation and Resource Guide; release of 350 new Foto-Paaks in 1996 (approximately 3,000 new drawings) with additional releases planned for 1997.
  • Address: 3114 Yukon Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Miscellaneous products and accessories

  • Kevlar honeycomb material and pushrod kits (see Composite Structures Technology).
  • Robart nose-gear retract (see Robart).
  • Many exhibitors showed prototype items and incremental product improvements targeted at sport fliers, pattern fliers, combat fliers, and scale modelers.

(Addresses and contact details are included where provided in exhibitor notes.)

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