Friday, March 29, 2024

Recent Posts

Maxford USA Gee Bee Model Y

Built in 1931, the Model Y is widely regarded as the finest flying Gee Bee to come out of the Granville brothers’ Springfield, MA, shop. Though it doesn’t have the familiar Gee Bee silhouette, the Model Y exemplifies the grace and elegance that make Golden Age aircraft so appealing. Originally conceived as a two-place sport flyer, the Model Y’s smooth handling and high performance also made it a natural for racing and aerobatic displays.

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Convair F2Y Sea Dart

The Sea Dart builds very quickly using traditional sheet foam construction techniques. Begin by cutting a set of parts from 3mm Great Planes ProFormance Foam. Next install the 1mm x 3mm carbon reinforcements in the wing and fin leading edges. Now install the 3mm carbon tube main wing reinforcement. Next, cut a 45-degree bevel on the leading edge of the elevons and install them with Du-Bro #916 electric flyer hinge tape. Now we are ready to start final assembly!

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Expand The Versatility of a Dremel Tool

Most modelers consider the Dremel tool to be a must-have accessory for the workshop. They use them for any number of routine tasks, from trimming music wire to sanding, drilling, grinding and shaping. Many modelers I have talked to don’t ask their Dremels for much more than that though, and this is a shame.

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Flying The Harrier

As 3D flying becomes more common, I see pilots from every conceivable realm of RC flight expressing a guarded interest in learning how to fly some of the more basic 3D maneuvers. Damping this enthusiasm is a misconception that only the best of the best RC pilots can fly 3D. That isn’t the case at all. With a little understanding and the right airplane, I find that even the most hesitant 3D pilots can be successful and have a lot of fun exploring 3D flight.

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E-Flite T-34 Mentor 25E ARF

For nearly 60 years, the T-34 Mentor has been used as a primary militarytrainer for both the US Military and several air forces and navies throughoutthe world. The Mentor was a private venture designed by the infamousWalter Beech (Beechcraft Aircraft) and presented and marketed as aneconomical replacement to the North American T-6 Texan in the late1940’s. Once accepted, production of the first “A” models began in1953 with a Continental 6-cylinder 185-horsepower engine.

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Stevens Aeromodel Helium MG

Readers of my Primary Training column will already know of my love for unpowered flight. I started in RC with sailplanes and love the pure feel of soaring. That said, powered sailplanes likely offer a more user-friendly alternative by eliminating the traditional hi-start or winch.

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Force RC Combat Helicopters

Sunset is fast approaching and the night air is still. I am behind the controls of a military helicopter patrolling the air around our satellite base station. An uneasy feeling comes over me, putting me on high alert. As I hover past my base station again, “BAM!” I am suddenly hit out of nowhere and my heli spins out of control.

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Build an Engine Test Stand

This engine test stand was featured in the December 2010 issue of Fly RC magazine. It was designed for glow and gas engines of all sizes and can be quickly made out of 3/4 plywood cut to shape on a table saw. It is designed with replaceable mounting plates that double up the firewall to ensure maximum stability and long term flexibility.

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