September/October 2023

Model Airplane News

RC Pilot Intel & Inspiration

Model Airplane News1 min read
Model Airplane News
Executive Editor Debra Cleghorn | debrac@airage.com Technical Editor Andrew Griffith | andrewg@airage.com Martin Alvarez, P.J. Ash, Sal Calvagna, Sean Curry, Mike Chilson, Budd Davisson, Michael Fetyko, John Glezellis, Peter Goldsmith, David Hart, Ca
Model Airplane News2 min read
Flight plan
In this issue, we celebrate the 35th annual Top Gun Scale Invitational, where top pilots and builders from around the world converged on Paradise Field in Lakeland, Florida to compete for cash prizes, bragging rights, and the sought-after title of “M
Model Airplane News1 min read
Pilot projects
This scratch-built creation was designed and constructed by father and son team Moti and Guy. The 61-inch-span Shahak has a fuselage made of fiberglass sheets and weighs in at just under 8 pounds. It is painted with Sikkens paint and its wings are co
Model Airplane News1 min read
Hobby Hacks
Often, vinyl graphics have a reflective shine that can take away from your model’s overall scale appearance. An easy fix is to spray on a matte clearcoat after you’ve applied them. Notice in the after photo that any reflections are gone, and they mat
Model Airplane News2 min read
Top Gun Scale Invitational
Aeropanda/Jet Central | CARF-Models | Dr. Jet | Du-Bro Fly Girls | Frank Tiano Enterprises | Horizon Hobby House of Balsa | John & Sydni Smith | JR Propo Kingtech | Model Airplane News | Motion R/C Pacer Technology/Zap Glue | PowerBox Americas R/C Je
Model Airplane News1 min read
Masters Class
This 36%-scale aircraft earned 95.417 static points and 192.834 total points. Powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-85 gas engine, the 156-inch-span model is covered in Scale Stits Polyfiber. It has stainless-steel-tube landing gear with internal coil spri
Model Airplane News1 min read
Team Class
The 139-inch-span model is powered by a DA 200cc four-cylinder engine swinging a Mejzlik 30-inch prop. The T-34 is flown using a Futaba 18MZ radio system and features pneumatic brakes and canopy, and full navigation and landing lights. The cowlings a
Model Airplane News1 min read
Expert Class
This CARF-Models 1/4-scale jet is 119 inches long and weighs in at 45 pounds. It’s powered by a Schübeler DS-215 electric ducted fan unit powered by four 7S 10,900mAh LiPo packs. It earned 96.917 points from the static judges and flew to earn a total
Model Airplane News1 min read
Unlimited Class
Built from the Fei Bao kit, this jet features the scheme of the 1970 Guatemalan Air Force show team, “the Quetzlitos.” After the model earned 94.85 static points, pilot Julio Quevedo flew the T-33 to earn a total 192.85 points and first place in Unli
Model Airplane News1 min read
Pro Jet Class
An outstanding pilot, Ali came out on top of the tightly contested Pro Jet class again with his 33% CARF MiG-17. It features custom scale landing gear based on the popular Electron retracts and is flown with a K210 Kingtech turbine and guided by a Sp
Model Airplane News1 min read
Pro Prop Class
Ali’s Hangar 9 Bronco is a 1/5-scale model with a 109-inch wingspan. The 43-pound plane is powered by a pair of E-flite 180 brushless motors turning 20 x 12 props and a pair of 12S batteries. The Bronco is guided by an IX-20 Spektrum radio system and
Model Airplane News1 min read
Edf Class
An American Airlines captain, Boli converted a Freewing AL-37 to a Max 8. The particular Bu.No. on the “Max” is that of the first one received and flown by American Airlines. Powered by a pair of stock 70mm fans, the Max is flown using a JR Propo rad
Model Airplane News1 min read
Sportsman Class
Making the trip from Canada, Elckar flew his Tomahawk Aviation L-39 in the Egyptian Airforce scheme, earning a total 124.042 points. The Albatros is powered by a Kingtech K235G4 turbine engine and uses a Jeti radio system. At 1/3 scale, the L-39 has
Model Airplane News7 min read
Demystifying Electric Power Systems
Within the past several years, battery technology has evolved due mostly to the whopping amount of energy density packed into modern lithium batteries. Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries in particular pack an amazing amount stored energy into a relativ
Model Airplane News2 min read
Young Guns
The future was alive, well, and on display at Top Gun with a number of youngsters participating in various aspects of this prestigious event. Three youngsters were flying and one, Cody Hauge, was flying in his sixth Top Gun! Cody competed in Pro-Prop
Model Airplane News9 min read
Course Corrections
Some time ago, I had to adopt a general policy of not accepting aerobatic students into my commercial RC flight training, 1st US R/C Flight School, who hadn’t previously attended the school’s primary solo course. The reason is that there is not enoug
Model Airplane News1 min read
Cardboard Drones
Australian based SYPAQ, a technology company that specializes in autonomous flight systems, is supplying cardboard drones to the Ukrainian military. Called Corvo "PPDS" (Precision Payload Delivery Systems) drones, they are relatively low cost aircraf
Model Airplane News16 min read
2023 gear Guide
It’s time for the annual Gear Guide! For more than 30 years (and counting!), Model Airplane News has compiled top planes and gear into this special section. From builders’ kits to plug-and-play ARFs, this year’s Gear Guide is packed with planes you’l
Model Airplane News1 min read
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Model Airplane News5 min read
Three-piece Wing Modification
When you build a 1/4-scale biplane, you may have trouble getting the large, one-piece wings in your vehicle. Two-piece wings are better, but three-piece wings seem to be the best option. However, many 1/4-scale biplane kits are not offered with three

Model Airplane News

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