Model Airplane News March 2023

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL When a pilot masters the basics of RC flight, he or she inevitably pulls back on the stick to perform their first loop. And that’s where it all starts for RC aerobatic pilots. These high-power, agile aircraft can test the limits of bo Tha pilot’s skills and the aircraft’s performance capabilities. Which is of course what makes flying aerobats so fun and exciting, and frankly addicting. Have you ever spent time with an aerobat RC pilot? That’s all they want to talk about and for good reason! So in this issue of Model Airplane News, we cover a lot of aerobatic airspace. First, you need a plane. Check out “Top 10 Aerobats,” where our editors pick fliers from lightweight electrics to giant-powered gassers. We’ll help you get…

T-45 GOSHAWK Patrick Skahill, Amelia Island, Florida This T-45 started out as an ARF from Banana Hobby. The Goshawk military trainer is an EDF model with a 110-mm electric power system and features operational speed brakes, leading-edge slats and other features normally found on turbine jets. A set of 12S LiPo batteries power the Hawk, and it’s flown on a JR XG-8 radio system. Patrick completely refinished the Hawk with a custom Lone Star of Texas scheme that he painted, then completed the finish with Callie Graphics. He says that it flies well and has an amazing “whoosh” sound in flight due to the big fan. BABY BIRDIE Eduardo Roesch, Antigua, Guatemala Eduardo built this Baby Birdie from Outerzone Plans and converted the .049 glow design to electric. The 2200Kv motor spins an APC 6…

BUBBLE-FREE TRIMMING There are several ways to trim a finished heat shrunk covered aircraft. However, sometimes bubbles of air can become trapped under the trim covering. Cut your trim material to the desired shape/size and switch on your covering iron to a low temperature. The temperature of the iron must be low enough so that it does not activate the heat sensitive adhesive on one side of the covering. Using an off cut of the same trim material for test purposes, slowly increase the iron temperature until the adhesive just starts to melt/stick. Now lay your trim design on your aircraft in the desired location and tack the trim in several locations using the tip of the iron, just sufficient to retain the trim. Then, again with the tip of your iron,…

FMS TWIN 700 MM EDF J-11/SU-27 Available in both Chinese J-11 and Russian Su-27 schemes, this jet comes with twin inrunner motors, 12-blade fan units, and 80-amp speed controls that provide excellent vertical performance and turbine-engine sound. It also has metal gear servos and ball link style control horns, a large airbrake, full-motion tail, and retracts. Scale features include LED nav and landing lights, sequenced landing gear door, cockpit details, panel lines, detachable ordnance, and pilot figure. It costs $650. fmshobby.com SEAGULL MAXI LIFT Intended for a 20 to 35cc gas engine or electric equivalent, this 87.6-inch-span, model flies like an oversize trainer! Features like large flaps, servo-operated bomb-bay doors, and a glider tow hook make it an infinitely useful flier. Built up from CAD-designed, laser-cut balsa and ply parts, it’s strong and light,…

My all-time favorite model—and no offense to many others because I own or have owned a lot of models in my modeling career that I really enjoy—is my Hangar 9 60cc Corsair with a Saito 90cc radial engine. Not only do I take it to fly-ins and warbird events, but I have it out at the field a lot because I just love to fly it. The sound and the iconic looks of the “bent wing bird” have spectators and even club members who see it all the time asking, “When are you going to fly that?” Living in Florida, I’m blessed to fly a lot. With that in mind it’s natural that my favorite model accumulates a lot of flights during the course of a year. An integral part of…

This annual warbird event started in memory of Dino DiGiorgio Sr., the man who in 1997 started the World Miniature Warbird Association. He wanted to preserve military aviation history with fun-fly style events that included all sizes of RC models. Dino Sr. passed away in 2003, and his son Dino Jr. has been the motivational driver for this special memorial event. This was my second time attending the Rally, and it did not disappoint. It was again held at Mac Hodges Field in Andersonville, Georgia. The grass runway is like a golf course fairway that includes a pond for float flying. Not only does Mac have a beautiful airfield, but the rest of the topnotch facility includes a huge covered staging area, restrooms with showers, a lot of RV parking, and…