May 2021 Articles

• Several years ago, I designed and built a sport scale Sopwith Camel and had intended it to be a good flyer with minimal field setup required. I used a large flat bottom airfoil similar to a Piper Cub and did not think it would require any wing rigging wires. The first few times I flew […]

  

  Functional Rigging Wires: Strengthen your wings and improve scale appearance

  Several years ago, I designed and built a sport scale Sopwith Camel and had intended it to be a good flyer with minimal field setup required. I used a large flat bottom airfoil similar to a Piper Cub and did not think it would require any wing rigging wires. The first few times I flew […]
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• [Editor’s note: As part of the Model Airplane News archives, this classic article contains a great deal of interesting information. However, since it was first published, some of the pricing may have changed.] In today’s hobby industry, commercial fuel-blending companies are hard-pressed to make a profit, and stay in business. Nitromethane is no longer made […]

  

  Fuel Facts: What’s best for your engine?

  [Editor’s note: As part of the Model Airplane News archives, this classic article contains a great deal of interesting information. However, since it was first published, some of the pricing may have changed.] In today’s hobby industry, commercial fuel-blending companies are hard-pressed to make a profit, and stay in business. Nitromethane is no longer made […]
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• I really like rare-earth magnets; they have excellent attractive force and can be used for all sorts of applications. Usually when I apply balsa sheeting to a model structure, I use clothespins as clamps along the edges. But to get additional clamping force, I double or even triple up the magnets and let them do […]

  

  Magnetic Clamps

  I really like rare-earth magnets; they have excellent attractive force and can be used for all sorts of applications. Usually when I apply balsa sheeting to a model structure, I use clothespins as clamps along the edges. But to get additional clamping force, I double or even triple up the magnets and let them do […]
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• As you become more proficient in your aerobatic ability, you will naturally begin to combine elements of different maneuvers within a single figure. One such maneuver is called the Cobra Roll with a Half-Roll Up and a Positive Snap Down. For both new and experienced aerobatic pilots, this figure is demanding. It not only combines […]

  

  Cobra Roll with a roll and snap

  As you become more proficient in your aerobatic ability, you will naturally begin to combine elements of different maneuvers within a single figure. One such maneuver is called the Cobra Roll with a Half-Roll Up and a Positive Snap Down. For both new and experienced aerobatic pilots, this figure is demanding. It not only combines […]
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• Across the globe, conservationists, researchers, and entrepreneurs are using drones to help the planet. From increasing crop production to rescuing people in dangerous situations, uncrewed aerial systems are proving their worth. But have you heard about the bubble-blowing pollination drone, or the one that detects landmines? Here, we look at 12 innovative ways drones are […]

  

  A Higher Purpose – 12 ways drones are making our world a better place

  Across the globe, conservationists, researchers, and entrepreneurs are using drones to help the planet. From increasing crop production to rescuing people in dangerous situations, uncrewed aerial systems are proving their worth. But have you heard about the bubble-blowing pollination drone, or the one that detects landmines? Here, we look at 12 innovative ways drones are […]
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• The Fly Baby Bipe is made of all-wood construction with typical stick-frame style. The wings incorporate the egg-crate rib and spar assembly. The tail section has bowed outlines for a strong light structure. It isn’t necessary to remove the Fly Baby’s wings for transport. Its one-piece design further simplifies the looks of the plane and […]

  

  Fly Baby Bipe – Experimental homebuilt classic

  The Fly Baby Bipe is made of all-wood construction with typical stick-frame style. The wings incorporate the egg-crate rib and spar assembly. The tail section has bowed outlines for a strong light structure. It isn’t necessary to remove the Fly Baby’s wings for transport. Its one-piece design further simplifies the looks of the plane and […]
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• Robart Manufacturing has been designing and manufacturing innovative RC accessories for more than 45 years and is best known for its extensive line of retractable landing gear. Robart retracts are available for many aircraft including kit- and plans-built designs. Many ARFs including those from Top Flite, Hangar 9, and other distributors, also are designed for […]

  

  Robart Mfg. #815 Retractable Landing Gear

  Robart Manufacturing has been designing and manufacturing innovative RC accessories for more than 45 years and is best known for its extensive line of retractable landing gear. Robart retracts are available for many aircraft including kit- and plans-built designs. Many ARFs including those from Top Flite, Hangar 9, and other distributors, also are designed for […]
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• Joe converted his 1965 model, built from the Goldberg kit, from .46 glow power to electric. He says that with a Firepower 80 outrunner, 100-amp speed control, 4S 3300mAh LiPo, and 15×8 APC prop, the plane can fly for six minutes. Joe writes, “It still flies great even after 50 years! The silk dope was […]

  

  Skyhawk

  Joe converted his 1965 model, built from the Goldberg kit, from .46 glow power to electric. He says that with a Firepower 80 outrunner, 100-amp speed control, 4S 3300mAh LiPo, and 15×8 APC prop, the plane can fly for six minutes. Joe writes, “It still flies great even after 50 years! The silk dope was […]
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• When I fully charge a pack, I use a colored clothespin to indicate it is ready to fly. I use red for this. Then, after I fly with it, I use a different colored clothes pin. This way I do not inadvertently replace one used pack with another. Michael Rogers, Nashville, Tennessee

  

  Charge Indicator

  When I fully charge a pack, I use a colored clothespin to indicate it is ready to fly. I use red for this. Then, after I fly with it, I use a different colored clothes pin. This way I do not inadvertently replace one used pack with another. Michael Rogers, Nashville, Tennessee
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• Pilot RC Extra 300 NG A brand-new design, the Extra NG is available in 78-, 90-, and 103-inch wingspans and in three color schemes. This aerobat’s hybrid construction features wood and composite materials and a reinforced fuselage and wings. Priced from $469 to $1,199, the Extra NG models feature a carbon-fiber main undercarriage, tail-gear assembly […]

  

  On the Flightline – New Releases

  Pilot RC Extra 300 NG A brand-new design, the Extra NG is available in 78-, 90-, and 103-inch wingspans and in three color schemes. This aerobat’s hybrid construction features wood and composite materials and a reinforced fuselage and wings. Priced from $469 to $1,199, the Extra NG models feature a carbon-fiber main undercarriage, tail-gear assembly […]
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• I have found that it is difficult to make a straight and neat cut in iron-on covering film with a hobby knife as the blade width is relatively short. A letter/envelope opener does a much better job. The plastic handle with its pointed tip provides guidance by sliding it along an edge as you make […]

  

  Safety Cutter

  I have found that it is difficult to make a straight and neat cut in iron-on covering film with a hobby knife as the blade width is relatively short. A letter/envelope opener does a much better job. The plastic handle with its pointed tip provides guidance by sliding it along an edge as you make […]
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• Few will realize that the fixed wing UAV drones we know so well today have a very interesting connection to our RC hobby. We had an interesting chat with our longtime contributor and close friend Nick Ziroli Sr., and here’s what we learned. Model Airplane News: Nick, you’ve been involved with the development of Unmanned […]

  

  UAV Connections to RC

  Few will realize that the fixed wing UAV drones we know so well today have a very interesting connection to our RC hobby. We had an interesting chat with our longtime contributor and close friend Nick Ziroli Sr., and here’s what we learned. Model Airplane News: Nick, you’ve been involved with the development of Unmanned […]
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• Despite some smaller models being available of Messerschmitt Me 262s, they are dwarfed by the size of this 90mm electric ducted fan model. The HME-262 is constructed of high-density foam and is available in either a factory gloss finish or a more sedate flat finish. I reviewed the flat-finish version. Nearly everything you need to […]

  

  HSD Jets HME-262: Scale twin EDF jet with impressive performance

  Despite some smaller models being available of Messerschmitt Me 262s, they are dwarfed by the size of this 90mm electric ducted fan model. The HME-262 is constructed of high-density foam and is available in either a factory gloss finish or a more sedate flat finish. I reviewed the flat-finish version. Nearly everything you need to […]
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• Michael writes, “This is a circa 1980 Sig Kadet Mark II balsa kit customized/kit-bashed as a twin electric winter-flying sport plane. With E-flite power components and Du-Bro skis, it’s a pleasure flying off the snow. The bright colors help against a white/grey sky.” Michael Rogozinsky, Toronto, Ontario

  

  Winter Flier

  Michael writes, “This is a circa 1980 Sig Kadet Mark II balsa kit customized/kit-bashed as a twin electric winter-flying sport plane. With E-flite power components and Du-Bro skis, it’s a pleasure flying off the snow. The bright colors help against a white/grey sky.” Michael Rogozinsky, Toronto, Ontario
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• It doesn’t take long to learn that bottles of epoxy have to be inverted so the epoxy flows to the applicator tip before use. This can take a lot of time. To make a stand that holds the bottles upside down, I attached two 35mm film containers to a block of wood with screws. The […]

  

  Epoxy Stand

  It doesn’t take long to learn that bottles of epoxy have to be inverted so the epoxy flows to the applicator tip before use. This can take a lot of time. To make a stand that holds the bottles upside down, I attached two 35mm film containers to a block of wood with screws. The […]
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• It’s not every day you come across a stunning early warbird like the Peashooter and in ARF form, the Seagull Models P-26A from Legend Hobby will turn heads wherever it goes. There are only two original full-scale Peashooters left today, a handful of reproductions, and only one that is still flying with the Planes of […]

  

  Seagull Models/Legend Hobby P-26A Peashooter

  It’s not every day you come across a stunning early warbird like the Peashooter and in ARF form, the Seagull Models P-26A from Legend Hobby will turn heads wherever it goes. There are only two original full-scale Peashooters left today, a handful of reproductions, and only one that is still flying with the Planes of […]
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• A single-engine, two-seat advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force, and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II, and variants of the North American Aviation AT-6 Texan were used into the early 1970s. Known by various designations, the Air […]

  

  Planes Worth Modeling: North American AT-6 Texan

  A single-engine, two-seat advanced trainer aircraft used to train pilots of the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force, and other air forces of the British Commonwealth during World War II, and variants of the North American Aviation AT-6 Texan were used into the early 1970s. Known by various designations, the Air […]
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