Model Airplane News January 2023

SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS In this issue we take a close look at a detailed scale model of the plane made famous by Charles Lindbergh. The full-size, high-wing monoplane hangs from the Smithsonian’s ceiling in Washington, D.C. The builder, Chris Beehler, was allowed to view the original full-size plane up close when it was lowered from the ceiling for cleaning. Talk about “Lucky Lindy,” we think Chris is pretty lucky, too! Built from famed designer Nick Ziroli plans, this beauty is powered by a nine-cylinder radial engine and has details all the way down to its scale inclinometer! BUILDERS’ SPECIAL ISSUE For almost a century (94 years and counting!), Model Airplane News has supplied builders and pilots with top-quality construction plans. Interested in building a sport aerobat or a scale warbird? How about…

P-38 LIGHTNING Randy Johnston, Timnath, Colorado Randy scratch-built this gorgeous P-38 using Ziroli plans. He finished it in the “Scat III” scheme that was flown by Lt. Robin Olds during WW II in the European theater and included the appropriate invasion stripes. Lt. Olds was a triple ace, achieving 17 aerial victories. Randy finished his model using Warbird Colors paints and Callie Graphics markings. The 114-inch-span Lightning weighs in at 40 pounds. A pair of Desert Aircraft 60cc engines provides power and the landing gear and brakes are from Sierra Giant Scale. Randy says he spent three years building the model that became his “COVID project.” CESSNA 337 SKYMASTER HYBRID Bob Shadroui, Pinellas Park, Florida Bob’s Skymaster is an ARF from Seagull Models. The Skymaster is one of a few aircraft that is flown with…

MANAGE BATTERY STRAPS The Velcro straps that hold batteries in place in foam models often get twisted and tangled together. To fix this, cut small pieces of Velcro and attach it the sides of the fuselage aligned with the battery straps. When you unstrap the battery, simply attach each battery strap to the Velcro you attached to the fuselage. This will keep the straps open and ready to install the next battery without the aggravation of the straps getting tied together before the battery is inserted. Mark Radcliff, St. Mary’s, West Virginia KEEP IT STILL Dive weight bags are available at dive shops and online sources in several sizes. I find that the 1, 2, and 5-pound bags sizes are the most useful. They conform to any surface, so they work great for holding…

EXTREME RC PEREGRINE A perfect first biplane, this rock-solid 3D performer can do upright harriers, easily fly inverted, and perform extreme tumbles maneuvers. Quick latches on all wing panels make field assembly quick and straightforward. The 53-inch-span aerobat is intended to fly with a 500 kv motor. Also available in a red/white scheme, the Peregrine costs $500. extremeflightrc.com SPEKTRUM S2200 G2 With up to 200 watts power per channel or 380 on one channel for fast charging, plus the ability to charge batteries on IC3 or IC5 integrated output ports, this AC smart charger delivers! This $280 unit works with virtually any RC battery and is backwards compatible with EC3 and EC5 connectors. Use it with Smart G1 or G2 batteries to fully take advantage of its capabilities! horizonhobby.com LEGEND HOBBY B-17 FLYING FORTRESS This impressive, 125.5-inch-span…

Finding a LiPo battery for your RC plane or heli can be daunting. Everyone wants a battery that not only lasts but has great performance. I recently tested Liperior batteries from a relatively new company, RCBattery.com, that I believe use the latest technology at a reasonable price. I tested a 4S 2200mAh 60C, 4S 2200mAh Pro 75C, 5S 4000mAh 40C, 6S 2200mAh 45C, and 6S 5000mAh 65C packs. These batteries included either an XT60 or and XT90 connector and cost from $24 to $75. I used a variety of planes and helicopters to test them out. I am pretty hard on LiPo packs, and I expect quite a bit out of them regardless of the cost. When you first pull out the Liperior LiPos from the packaging, they look fantastic. The shrink…

I designed the Midget Mustang because I heard one of the local clubs was racing .25-powered models and I dropped in to check out the activity. Interestingly enough, the two models that seemed to dominate the pits were two of my old designs kitted by House of Balsa: the T-6 Texan and P-51 Mustang. Flattered by the popularity of the designs, I started thinking, ”How about a .25 powered model of an actual Goodyear/Midget class racer? Maybe a Minnow, Shoestring, Rivets, or Midget Mustang? That’s it, a Midget Mustang!” I fondly remembered building a Monogram kit as a kid, converting it to control-line, and stuffing a Cox .020 in the nose. Never flew it though; too pretty, too much time invested, too few flying skills! My files yielded a fairly good…