Model Airplane News February 2023

THE HEAVYWEIGHTS Everybody loves big, scale warbirds: they look and sound like their full-scale brothers and always wow the crowd. In most every RC pilot’s journey, there comes a time when you want one of your very own—it’s inevitable. You can get started fairly quickly with an Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) model, and there a ton of terrific ARF options out there. You may also choose to build a big bird from plans, a kit, or assemble a composite ARF. But before you start on your giant-scale journey, there are a few things to know. These larger aircraft typically weigh significantly more and have much higher wing loadings than typical RC planes, and these factors require honed piloting skills. In this issue, longtime Model Airplane News contributor Rich Uravitch takes…

A 15th anniversary gift from Matt’s wife, this 800mm size Huey is built from a Roban kit from Motion RC. Matt built a test rig to fly the mechanics and get the bugs out prior to installing in the fuselage. After reading the Robert Mason novel “Chicken Hawk,” Matt knew he had to finish the Huey in First Air Calvary livery. PILOT PROJECT OF THE MONTH SPEEDY PETE E-4 Mark Sirianni, Kane, Pennsylvania Another in the line of “Pete” models designed by Mark is the “Speedy Pete,” a 42-inch-span model that is 43 inches long and weighs in at 42-ouces. The Speedy Pete uses an electric power system with a Hacker motor and reportedly flies very well. The Pete series of designs are named after Mark’s son. GICOLOR Francisco Reifschneider, Brasília, Brazil Built from the Classic Trainer…

TAPERED SCREWS No matter how precisely you think you’ve drilled your holes in your model airplane, when it’s time to screw in bolts and other threaded fasteners that center up with the internal threads it is best to use a Dremel tool or bench grinder to taper the front end of the screw. This allows the fastener to self-center so that the threads don’t bind. I use this on cowl and other screws that are hard to get perfectly lined up. Tony Lively, Jacksonville, Florida INDEXING MARKS Even though you make a habit of using thread-locker on bolts, use a Sharpee marker to put index marks on critical bolts like engine mounts. Bolts in high-vibration areas should be checked regularly, and this is a great way to get a quick visual confirmation that nothing…

NEW PRODUCTS RBC KITS P-80 SHOOTING STAR This wood kit comes with CNC-cut ribs and formers featuring a tab-lock design for easier assembly. Full-size rolled plans, downloadable instructions and photos, tip tank ducting, paper inlet and outlet ducting, and sheeting are all included. The P-80 is designed for a 90mm Midi Fan EVO electric-ducted fan unit on 8 cells. This kit costs $280. fanjetsusa.com SPEKTRUM IX14 This intelligent transmitter is intended for intermediate to advanced level pilots who fly mid-to high-end performance RC aircraft, including electric- and turbine-powered jets. It offers 14 channels and includes many of the latest Spektrum advances in connectivity, programmability, and ergonomics. Features include a fast Android interface, Smart Technology compatibility, precise Hall-effect gimbals and more. The iX14 costs $900. horizonhobby.com SEAGULL MODELS CESSNA L-19A BIRD DOG Intended for a 35 to 40cc gas…

Similar to how many small businesses start, Glen Hackler was making aircraft stands for his personal use in his home wood shop. When his friends at his local field saw the stands, they asked him to make stands for them and when word got out and demand started snowballing, Glen decided to make it a business. In the January 2022 issue I reviewed the RC Plane Stands benchtop model airplane stand and at the time I mentioned that this was something I would use often, maybe daily. That has turned out to be 100% true. To accommodate my larger models, I ordered the Classic II model with laser engraving as well as an optional tool tray. All of the stands are made from Baltic birch plywood. This plywood is several thin layers…

Our friends at Du-Bro keep bringing out useful products that I love having in the shop. Having the right tool makes the project at hand go so much easier! I recently received their new Kwik-Sand hand sanders in both 5.5- and 11-inch lengths. Each comes with a starter kit of adhesive backed sandpaper pieces in 80-, 150-, and 220-grit. The sandpaper is cut to the shape of the sander and uses peel-and-stick adhesive to attach to the bar. You can order sandpaper refills from Du-Bro, or if you need a different grit paper than they have available you can use 3M 77 Contact cement and apply your own custom-cut sandpaper. Sanding blocks are nothing new of course. When I was a wee modeler, I remember showing up to the field with…