Worth a Closer Look
This is the first of a two-part "Worth a Closer Look" devoted to some of the new items at this year’s Weak Signals show in Toledo, Ohio. We can’t show everything in this limited space, but the following is a cross section of a few models that stood out. Next month we’ll bring you some of the new engines, radios, and hardware from the show.
Electric ZAP Machine
House of Balsa introduced a lightweight, fully sheeted aircraft design. Fully sheeted means all of the surfaces are sheeted with balsa. Because this model is electric powered, no covering is needed. All parts are laser cut to make construction fast and accurate. Full-size CAD plans and an illustrated, color instruction manual are included.
The Electric ZAP Machine has a 29.75-inch wingspan, a 230-square-inch wing area, and weighs 22 ounces ready to fly. It requires a Speed 400 can motor and a three-channel micro-RC radio with three servos. An eight-cell 950 mAh NiMH battery pack is recommended.
The model’s suggested retail price is $69.95.
House of Balsa 10101 Yucca Rd., Adelanto, CA 92301 Tel.: (760) 246-6462 Web site: www.houseofbalsa.com
Tribute 3-D ARF
Horizon Hobby’s E-flite brand introduced a 3-D electric-powered foamie made for indoor/backyard flight. (See Bob Hunt’s "Modeling Spoken Here" column on page 7 for more information about this new segment of model flying.) It is designed to be a torque-roll trainer and is capable of flat turns, high-alpha rolls, flips, and even tight loops within the length of the fuselage.
This model is sized for today’s micro-RC equipment and is constructed from thin, flat foam with embedded composite stiffeners.
The Tribute spans 37 inches, has a wing area of 374.6 square inches, and weighs 9 ounces without the battery. Included is a specially designed 370 motor, gearbox, and propeller. The street price is $44.99.
Horizon Hobby Distributors 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822 Tel.: (800) 338-4639 Web site: www.horizonhobby.com
Cuda
One of the newest aerobatic designs at the show was Carden Aircraft’s Cuda. It is designed to fill a gap while you are working your way up from 3-D ARFs to larger, high-end aerobats.
The Cuda features all the usual items found in other Carden kits: removable wing panels; anodized aluminum tube and wing-socket system; precision foam-core flying surfaces; a built-up fuselage; and a clear epoxy fiberglass cowl and wheel pants.
This model spans 80 inches, has a 1,600-square-inch wing area, and is built to be powered by a 55cc engine.
The Cuda sells for $499 and should be available by the time you read this.
Carden Aircraft Box 998, Tellico Plains, TN 37385 Tel.: (423) 295-2295 Web site: www.carden-aircraft.com
Ercoupe
This classic aircraft was designed in 1937, and its life span was estimated to be only 10 years. However, 2,600 "Coupes" are still flying today. Now Balsa USA is offering a new true-to-scale kit of the aircraft that is as easy to build as it is to fly!
This kit features balsa, basswood, and plywood construction using Balsa USA’s "Fall-Out" die-cutting. The wing panels are a two-piece, plug-in design with aluminum tubes. This model has a true scale outline, with scale rib placement and scale sliding side windows.
A complete cockpit interior kit—including cargo compartment, cockpit interior sides and floor, instrument panel, and more—is included. The cast scale landing gear features functional oleo struts and scissor links. The cowl is fiberglass, and a formed windshield is included.
The Ercoupe spans 120 inches, has a wing area of 2,400 square inches, and weighs 28–32 pounds. A 45- to 50cc gasoline engine or a 3- to 3.5-cu.-in. glow engine is recommended. A four-channel radio system with six servos (60- to 70 in.-oz. of torque minimum) is required.
The kit includes full-size rolled plans and a photo-illustrated instruction manual. Its retail price is $899.95.
Balsa USA Box 164, Marinette, WI 54143 Tel.: (800) BALSAUS Web site: www.balsausa.com
F-15C Eagle
One of the introductions for the jet set was this F-15C Eagle from Yellow Aircraft. This precision model is for the scale-jet enthusiast, and it comes complete with a fiberglass fuselage with all panel, hatch, and vent detail molded in.
With the optional retractable landing gear and door cylinders, the F-15C operates as its full-scale counterpart does and is extremely fast. Thanks to the body-wing blending style, the fuselage produces considerable lift at slow speed, which allows this jet to land like a pussycat.
This model spans 56.5 inches and weighs 18–20 pounds dry. Recommended power is a 15- to 22-pound-thrust turbine. (A ducted-fan version is also available.)
Contact the company for pricing and availability.
Yellow Aircraft 203 Mass Ave., Lexington, MA 02420 Tel.: (781) 674-9898 Web site: www.yellowaircraft.com
Eindecker E.I
SR Batteries' new Eindecker E.I is its first kit for Giant Scalers and is available for gas, glow, or electric power. It is designed for low-and-slow flight—just like a big Cub.
The wing utilizes a unique airfoil and locked-in washout to assure leisurely, relaxed flying. The huge 100-inch wingspan, 1,700-square-inch wing area, and light 14-pound weight make the Eindecker a floater.
Some unique design features include interlocking parts for precise alignment; shock-absorbing main gear and tail skid; an all-flying hingeless rudder; ding-proof, no-snag composite tube leading edges for the wing and stabilizer; laminated balsa components for strength without extra weight; and a heavy-gauge spun-aluminum cowl that is precut to shape.
The E.I is designed for a pull-pull or pushrod system for rudder and elevators. It is also designed to minimize unnecessary additional costs by using an inexpensive Zenoah G-26 gas power system, including the stock muffler and engine mount provided with the engine.
The Eindecker E.I's introductory price is $299.95.
SR Batteries Box 287, Bellport, NY 11713 Tel.: (631) 286-0079 Web site: www.srbatteries.com
F-27 Stryker
The F-27 Stryker combines a .480 motor, aerobatic agility, and X-Port functionality to provide a park-flying experience unlike any other. Its advanced Mode Change Flight Control system lets pilots choose between two flight modes with the flip of a transmitter switch.
Fliers can also plug the optional Sonic Combat Module into the Stryker's X-Port and take on similarly equipped airplanes in air-to-air combat.
The Stryker comes complete with factory-applied paint and decals; tough EPP foam construction; the motor; a seven-cell 8.4-volt, 900 mAh NiMH battery pack; and a three-channel radio system with charger for the flight pack.
It spans 37 inches and weighs 21 ounces ready to fly. This model was scheduled to be released in June with a $169.99 retail price.
Horizon Hobby Distributors 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign, IL 61822 Tel.: (800) 338-4639 Web site: www.parkzone.com
Super Stearman ARF
Long considered the classic biplane, the Stearman has assumed many roles and has never failed to impress. Great Planes' International Miniature Aircraft Association–legal Scale Super Stearman was introduced at the show, with attention to detail and flight characteristics that should parallel those of the full-scale aircraft.
The wheel pants are made from fiberglass and are painted to match the airplane's trim scheme. The interplane struts and cabanes are preformed and prepainted.
A dummy radial engine and polished aluminum spinner add realistic touches to the Super Stearman's appearance. A plywood ring glued inside the fiberglass cowl adds strength and allows for cowl attachment without visible screw heads.
The model spans 71.5 inches and has a wing area of 1,466 square inches. It requires a two- or four-stroke .91–1.20 cu. in. (15–19.5 cc) engine and a four-channel radio with five to seven servos.
The Super Stearman 1.20 ARF has a street price of $399.99.
Great Planes Model Distributors Box 9021, Champaign, IL 61826 Tel.: (800) 682-8948 Web site: www.electricfly.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
