Indholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2024 i Model Airplane News

TWIN ENGINES—THE COOL FACTOR Even for the experienced RC pilot, a twin-engine airplane can seem intimidating to either build or fly. Back in the day, you would run the fuel lines, constantly calibrate the power to ensure it was balanced, then start two engines by hand. Today’s electric power systems and built-in flight software make flying twins easier than ever, so anyone with a little experience can fly a twin-engine aircraft. And then of course, there’s the cool factor. Whenever a twin-engine RC plane shows up on the flightline, it turns heads. They look and sound great, are usually (but not always) scale models, and there are significantly fewer of them at the field. So if you’ve been thinking about piloting your own twin-engine RC aircraft and want to stand…

Now that you’ve discovered that you enjoy flying RC model airplanes and have joined an RC club, you’ve probably learned there is another aspect to this hobby: wood kit building! Like thousands of other RC pilots, you most likely entered the sport with a ready-to-fly foam model. These types of planes are fun to fly, but spending time building can be just as enjoyable. So, “let’s build something!” Before you take on a model build, you should have: successfully soloed; be willing to dedicate the time needed; and have space to build an RC airplane. CHOOSING A KIT I would like to share some criteria that will make your choice something you will not regret later. These include: 1. The quality of the instructional materials. This alone can result in…

Since Old School Model Works is a relatively new wood kit supplier, their instructions tend to recommend electric powerplants in addition to glow power. For those pilots transitioning from ready-to-fly electric planes, this makes them more user-friendly. This is a typical high-wing trainer design and is loaded with features like premium USA hardware, Web-Lock wing construction, and a front top hatch for easy battery access. Flaps can be installed during the initial build or added after you’ve flown for a while—your choice. I don’t believe a pilot would regret choosing the Ghost as a first wood model RC airplane kit. It checks all the boxes in my opinion! QUICK SPECS Wingspan: 62 in. Power req’d: .30 to .46 glow or 450+ watt electric power system Radio req’d: 4- to 6-channel…

Some of the most iconic and exciting aircraft in aviation history have more than one engine. Here, we showcase some of our favorite scale models that offer performance and value for a wide range of RC pilots and builders. Because two engines are more complicated than one, flying most multi-engine aircraft requires a bit more skill and experience, but don’t let that deter you from experiencing the fun and excitement of a twin-engine aircraft—there’s something here for everyone. E-flite Beechcraft D18 PNP The design of the “Twin Beech” D18 proved so adaptable that Beechcraft Aircraft Corporation eventually produced 32 versions—and more than 9,000 total aircraft—from 1937 to 1969. The E-flite Beechcraft D18 1.5m is one of the most well-equipped, and easiest-to-fly twin-engine scale models. Its fully molded EPO airframe is…

In a groundbreaking demonstration, the Scitor-D, an RC model aircraft, recently took to the skies propelled by the revolutionary Wave Engine Corp.’s J-1 jet engine. What sets this achievement apart is the J-1’s remarkable feature: it operates without any moving parts. The successful flight of the Scitor-D showcased the capabilities of the J-1 engine, which powered the 100-pound model through takeoff and while it executed several mid-air engine stops and starts before smoothly landing. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in the realm of aviation, demonstrating the viability of pulsejet technology in modern aircraft propulsion. At the heart of the J-1 engine lies a modern iteration of the pulsejet, a technology with a history dating back over a century, famously used during World War II in German buzz bombs. Unlike…

EMAIL ENTRIES TO: MAN@AIRAGE.COM PILOT PROJECT OF THE MONTH F-106 DELTA DART Jeff Fassbinder Chino Hills, California Jeff built this rarely modeled Convair F-106 using Dan Savage’s enlarged and modified plans (AirAgeStore.com no. K1110A). It’s constructed of glassed balsa wood and features a JetFan 80mm EDF unit driven by a Neu motor and Castle Creations speed control with a Futaba radio system. T-28 MENTOR Steven Meyer, Tuscon, Arizona Steven took a yellow E-flite 2m T-28 Mentor and converted it to a Vietnam era scheme. He used a small airbrush for the makeover as well as to add weathering details. He also installed model era-correct 2,000-lb. bombs to the wings. He says it’s an awesome flier! GEE BEE R3-M Mark Ward, Australia Another scratch-built beauty, this Gee Bee R-3M racer is…

I’ve used wing bags for years but one of the best investments I made for my first full-composite jet, the Rebel Hot, was a full fuselage and tail bag set. I’ll admit that I’m a klutz and sometimes I can’t walk through the house or simply put a jet into my truck without bumping into something. That set of protective bags has probably saved me more chips and dings than I can count. With this in mind, when I recently acquired a new Hangar 9 Aermacchi MB-339, I knew that to properly protect it from the inevitable dings accumulated by transportation and handling, so a set of fuselage and wing bags were an absolute must. That’s when I ran into Bruce Pennington at an event. Along with his sons Tanner…

On the market since 1977, this all-wood RC kit has been upgraded with laser-cut parts and can be built as a tail-dragger or with tricycle landing gear. It is advertised as tough; the fuselage is all plywood and basswood, and the wing is rubber banded on so it will “pop” off in a crash. While it may not be the best-looking model airplane kit available, it is an ideal choice due to its simplicity and durability. Its recommended .40-size engine and fuel system (or electric equivalent) are exposed for simplicity. Balsa USA says repair parts are always available and expert help is a phone call away if needed. It is a utilitarian design and can provide you with a basic wood model building and covering experience. QUICK SPECS Wingspan: 58…

This large model features tricycle landing gear for easy takeoffs and uses the ever popular .40 size glow engine or electric equivalent. The instructions for this wood kit are comprised of four separate manuals! So you are getting a complete course on building this model covered in detail within these 188 pages! The airplane is not a quick build, but rather a traditionally built model that will prepare the you for more challenging builds in the future. I heartily suggest you give this model airplane kit serious consideration based on the thoroughness of its instruction manual alone! QUICK SPECS Wingspan: 72 in. Power req’d: .40 to 46 2-stroke, .50 to .60 4-stroke, or electric equivalent Radio req’d: 4-channel with 5 servos (4 for electric) $291 | BalsaUSA.com…

As the summer heats up, let’s talk about density altitude. When we fly in high-temperature, high-humidity conditions, we effectively increase the altitude of runway elevations, and with that our stall speeds increase. All of a sudden that ever so difficult to land warbird is now a real handful off the end of the runway or that heavily loaded model that flew great last winter now flies like a lead brick. Density altitude is a combination of altitude, barometric pressure, air temperature, and dew point. Most pilots of full-scale aircraft will check this before departing the airport as they calculate their weight and balance. Density altitude also affects RC pilots. As an example, you could have a situation where you fly from a 1,000-foot runway elevation in normal conditions, but on…

CLASSIC MAN There’s just something special about twin-engine airplanes. Whenever a twin shows up at the flying field, most modelers stop what they’re doing and go over to check it out. Maybe it’s the sound of the engines as they sync into and out of phase while the model is in the air; or perhaps it’s the overall size and proportions of the model with its two or more engines slung under its wings. Whatever the reason, twins have been very popular choices for scale modelers, and they continue to draw attention wherever and whenever they fly. Over the years, I have designed and flown several giant-scale twins and very rarely have I had any engine-out problems. My first big twin was my 140-inchspan Douglas DC-3/C-47. At the time, Quadra…

Over fifty years ago, both the One Eighth Air Force and the Scale Squadron of Southern California began a tradition of hosting a spring Warbirds & Classics event for scale aircraft. Although these original fun scale fly-ins ushered in the era of scale competition with the vision of Harris Lee, who founded the U.S. Scale Masters in 1980 and Frank Tiano, who founded the Top Gun Scale Invitational 10 years later, they continued to be a place where builders and pilots who didn’t want to compete could share their love of scale aviation. Two years ago, Brian O’Meara and I decided to revitalize the spring Warbirds & Classics event, as we are members of the One Eighth Air Force and have 20 years of experience hosting Warbirds Over The Rockies…

This kit is a modern-day interpretation of a classic RC trainer of the Carl Goldberg Models Falcon 56. Thousands of RCers learned to fly using this shoulder wing trainer in the ’70s. Some notable features of this kit include Interlocking Construction with a fuselage that is built around a self-aligning, light-weight box for added strength. It also has a front hatch held in place with magnets. The wing is held in place with rubber bands to help avoid damage during not-so-gentle landings. QUICK SPECS Wingspan: 56 in. Power req’d: .19 to .35 glow engine or electric equivalent Radio req’d: 4-channel with 4 servos (5 for glow engine) $215 | OldSchoolModels.com…

MODEL Airplane NEWS MEMBERSHIP SAVE $30 Model Airplane News covers the whole spectrum of RC and gives you the inspiration to advance your RC flying and building skills. We want to make sure you aren’t missing out on all the ways you can enjoy the content you are passionate about. Become a member of the brand-new Model Airplane News All-Access Membership and get exclusive stories and late-breaking product reviews, unlimited access to all our online content, the archives, and the print magazine. All from the best editors and photographers in RC. Join now for just $49.95 ($79.95 retail price) and enjoy all the benefits! Current Subscribers Can Easily Upgrade Go to https://membership.modelairplanenews.com and join today!…

This aircraft, an XFly Model and Banana Hobby collaboration, is one we can all get excited about! It is the Rockwell B1-B Lancer nicknamed “The Bone.” The model is intended for intermediate to advanced builders and pilots. UNIQUE FEATURES When you open the box the B-1B comes packaged in, you are greeted with XFly’s attention to detail in packaging. Everything is well placed with a snug fit to minimize or eliminate shipping damage. After removing some of the packaging, you realize the size of this aircraft. It’s a big, beautiful jet with scale details like panel lines, a pitot tube, scale gear, and lights. The aircraft comes with a few large decal sheets so you can decide which air wing or squadron you would like to replicate. The aircraft is…

Flying an aircraft upside down can be challenging. Typically, this is because you need to push on the elevator stick and apply down-elevator to maintain altitude, which may seem odd at first. Depending on the bank angle that is established at the start of the maneuver, rudder input is needed to maintain altitude as higher bank angles require larger amounts of rudder. Like all things in life, though, these control inputs will become second nature with proper practice techniques. BEFORE WE BEGIN For a maneuver like the inverted circle, the “low-rate” settings recommended by the factory will generally prove to have enough control throw. During the inverted circle, you may feel that you are only briefly touching the elevator input to initiate the maneuver and the airplane responds more quickly…