April 2021 Articles

• I first learned about the Shockwave in an Air Classics article that had a few photos and several artist concepts of the roughly half completed full-scale unlimited racer. The purpose of this strange airplane is an attempt to hit 600mph using a radial engine. Yes, 600mph! With Reno unlimited racers often bouncing off the 500mph […]

  

  Shockwave – The ultimate Unlimited Reno air racer

  I first learned about the Shockwave in an Air Classics article that had a few photos and several artist concepts of the roughly half completed full-scale unlimited racer. The purpose of this strange airplane is an attempt to hit 600mph using a radial engine. Yes, 600mph! With Reno unlimited racers often bouncing off the 500mph […]
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• Bret Becker’s 1/8-scale Lockheed U-2C Dragon Lady is a masterpiece, and in the air, spectators are hard-pressed to tell the difference between it and its bigger brother. At the annual Top Gun Scale Invitational this past October, Bret earned a perfect 100 static score with this model, first plane in Expert, and the coveted “Mr. […]

  

  Bret Becker’s U-2C Dragon Lady

  Bret Becker’s 1/8-scale Lockheed U-2C Dragon Lady is a masterpiece, and in the air, spectators are hard-pressed to tell the difference between it and its bigger brother. At the annual Top Gun Scale Invitational this past October, Bret earned a perfect 100 static score with this model, first plane in Expert, and the coveted “Mr. […]
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• The rolling harrier personifies the tremendous hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes required to fly 3D. While it’s true that the rolling harrier has a certain input rhythm to it once a pilot has mastered it, the reason it’s such a challenge to learn is that it requires a high level of hand-eye coordination from the […]

  

  Master the Rolling Harrier – A step-by-step guide to conquering this impressive 3D move

  The rolling harrier personifies the tremendous hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes required to fly 3D. While it’s true that the rolling harrier has a certain input rhythm to it once a pilot has mastered it, the reason it’s such a challenge to learn is that it requires a high level of hand-eye coordination from the […]
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• On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the world of uncrewed aircraft systems will change forever as the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules on remote identification come into effect. As a remote pilot, it’s not too soon to be asking, “What does this mean for me?” A little over a year ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managed […]

  

  The Future of RC: Understanding the new FAA rules for drones (and how they’ll affect our hobby)

  On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the world of uncrewed aircraft systems will change forever as the Federal Aviation Administration’s rules on remote identification come into effect. As a remote pilot, it’s not too soon to be asking, “What does this mean for me?” A little over a year ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managed […]
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• Mike first flew this Ace model when he was 12 years old, and his dad Jim says it quickly became his favorite. Now he’s flying it again, 23 years later, while teaching his 3-year-old daughter Emma how to fly on the simulator. We look forward to seeing a photo of Emma flying the Staudacher in […]

  

  Staudacher

  Mike first flew this Ace model when he was 12 years old, and his dad Jim says it quickly became his favorite. Now he’s flying it again, 23 years later, while teaching his 3-year-old daughter Emma how to fly on the simulator. We look forward to seeing a photo of Emma flying the Staudacher in […]
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• Recently, the youngest contestant at the 2020 Top Gun Scale Invitational, Cody Hague, competed with his Junkers Ju 87 Stuka and placed a respectable 5th place in the Pro-Am Sport Prop class. Twelve-year-old Cody did a great job piloting his Stuka and he earned a final score of 117.875. We caught up with Cody’s caller […]

  

  Cody Hague Stuka Pilot: The next generation of scale competitor

  Recently, the youngest contestant at the 2020 Top Gun Scale Invitational, Cody Hague, competed with his Junkers Ju 87 Stuka and placed a respectable 5th place in the Pro-Am Sport Prop class. Twelve-year-old Cody did a great job piloting his Stuka and he earned a final score of 117.875. We caught up with Cody’s caller […]
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• When it comes to threading screws into hardwood, it can be very difficult to install the screw—even with a pilot hole drilled. The wood may even split. I have found that by rubbing the screw threads on a bar of soap, the soap acts as an effective lubricant and makes the screw much easier to […]

  

  Soap Lube

  When it comes to threading screws into hardwood, it can be very difficult to install the screw—even with a pilot hole drilled. The wood may even split. I have found that by rubbing the screw threads on a bar of soap, the soap acts as an effective lubricant and makes the screw much easier to […]
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• I’ve always been drawn to multi-engine aircraft. I have built and flown several glow powered models, including a 4-engine C-130 Hercules and a few twins including a DC-3 and Cessna 310. I also flew gas-powered multi-engine warbirds, including the Grumman Tigercat and Cessna Skymaster. Since then, I have continued to enjoy electric powered multi-motor aircraft. […]

  

  Legend Hobby VQ Junkers Ju-52: Classic German WW II Trimotor

  I’ve always been drawn to multi-engine aircraft. I have built and flown several glow powered models, including a 4-engine C-130 Hercules and a few twins including a DC-3 and Cessna 310. I also flew gas-powered multi-engine warbirds, including the Grumman Tigercat and Cessna Skymaster. Since then, I have continued to enjoy electric powered multi-motor aircraft. […]
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• This may seem obvious, but the best way to pick up pins from your workbench and prevent hangar rash is to use a magnet. I recently threw away an old stereo speaker because it had a broken magnet. I salvaged the magnet pieces and even the smallest one is extremely strong and makes bench cleanup […]

  

  Pick up Pins

  This may seem obvious, but the best way to pick up pins from your workbench and prevent hangar rash is to use a magnet. I recently threw away an old stereo speaker because it had a broken magnet. I salvaged the magnet pieces and even the smallest one is extremely strong and makes bench cleanup […]
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• Today, during giant-scale aircraft set up, many pilots use only one receiver for their giant-scale aircraft. It is also common to use two receivers for a typical 40% aerobatic model, in most instances, one receiver would control the right side of the aircraft (the right aileron, the right elevator half, and either the rudder or […]

  

  Receiver installation and setup

  Today, during giant-scale aircraft set up, many pilots use only one receiver for their giant-scale aircraft. It is also common to use two receivers for a typical 40% aerobatic model, in most instances, one receiver would control the right side of the aircraft (the right aileron, the right elevator half, and either the rudder or […]
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• Living in Texas before he moved to Colorado inspired Thomas to create this double scheme on his Freewing 737. He prepped the jet with polycrylic, then painted with Rustoleum spray paint. He notes that the “paint was a little tricky with the base white coat wanting to peel when the masking tape was removed. Peeling […]

  

  Boeing 737

  Living in Texas before he moved to Colorado inspired Thomas to create this double scheme on his Freewing 737. He prepped the jet with polycrylic, then painted with Rustoleum spray paint. He notes that the “paint was a little tricky with the base white coat wanting to peel when the masking tape was removed. Peeling […]
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• Bruce converted his Top Flite kit to electric power with a 4250-800kv motor, 80-amp speed control and 4S LiPo. He notes that the kit design made it easy to cut in a hatch in the fuselage just forward of the wing for easy battery swaps. Bruce also moved the servos to the fuselage and uses […]

  

  Elder 40

  Bruce converted his Top Flite kit to electric power with a 4250-800kv motor, 80-amp speed control and 4S LiPo. He notes that the kit design made it easy to cut in a hatch in the fuselage just forward of the wing for easy battery swaps. Bruce also moved the servos to the fuselage and uses […]
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• Often while working on your model, your hobby knife can get coated with dried CA glue. Once dry it is extremely difficult to clean off. Instead of just replacing the blade, try using a torch to heat it up. The glue will soften and become very easy to remove. Don’t use a lot of heat […]

  

  Flame Cleaning

  Often while working on your model, your hobby knife can get coated with dried CA glue. Once dry it is extremely difficult to clean off. Instead of just replacing the blade, try using a torch to heat it up. The glue will soften and become very easy to remove. Don’t use a lot of heat […]
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