Model Airplane News

One constant for all RC pilots is that radio in their hands. Modern transmitters are loaded with amazing features that make flying our airplanes easier than ever. In this issue we bring you eight sport radio systems the editors have deemed the best v

I like to recycle all my junk mail post cards and use them in the workshop. I place them in a box and when it comes time to mix up a batch of epoxy, I use the glossy cards as a mixing surface. When the epoxy has been mixed and used, I simply fold the

SHOWCASING WHAT YOU BUILD & FLY | EMAIL ENTRIES TO: MAN@AIRAGE.COM PILOT PROJECT OF THE MONTH Linda Welch, Vacaville, California Modeled after the full-size Hu-16 at McClellan Air Museum in Sacramento, this 85-inch electric version weighs 12 pounds r

Designed around a 90mm Midi fan, Evo EDF unit and 8- to 10-cell LiPo, this kit includes 238 CNC-cut balsa and ply parts with a tab-lock design for straightforward assembly. The model features a removeable wing and, although it’s easy to fly, it isn’t

This high-performance jet features a fully composite wing and tail, with flaps, aileron, elevator, and rudder on flexible hinges. Painted inside the mold, it comes with decals, an electric retract set with EM brakes and electronic control unit, a set

Made of durable EPO foam, this latest version of the FMS P-51D Red Tail has upgraded landing gear, and upgraded horizontal and vertical stabilizers with hard points for glue-less assembly. It also features shock-absorbing struts, an FMS sequencer tha

Manufactured from foam and covered with 1/4-inch neoprene, these cradles will gently hold your fuselage and prevent it from sliding during transport, while in storage, or during maintenance. They are available in several sizes for all your aircraft t

Chip and Berni Mull (former owners of F&M Enterprises) have been the sole manufacturers and proprietors of Scale-Model Pinked Tapes for 30 years. Now, their daughter, Tiffany, has taken the helm. “The processes have been sharpened and the place to pu

Where are all the RC combat fliers? Sport fliers are plentiful at flying fields, but when it comes time for aerial dueling, ranks are thin. Can all those sport fliers think they’re not good enough pilots to fly combat? Well, let’s consider… There may

Andy Davis of RC Jetwerx is no stranger to the world of LiPo batteries. He began designing batteries for select customers who needed a specific configuration. One customer that you might be familiar with is Bret Becker, who flew his amazing XB70 with

I have been a “wanna-be” RC’er for more than 40 years. I have dabbled in it on and off, and even earned my solo wings at my local flying field. My problem has always been confidence: takeoffs and landing for me were always white-knuckle experiences.

Quoted from the Pietenpol Hangar display, EAA Museum/Pioneer Airport. Oshkosh, WI: “Bernard H. Pietenpol pursued his dreams of flight from the ‘20s through his passing in 1984. His dreams were of planes powered by auto engines that nearly everyone co

Let’s begin by noting that using rudder in a rolling circle is a high-end refinement used mostly to keep the turn radius perfectly round and perfectly level. But because you need to be able to fly a rolling turn before you can refine it, we’ll initia

Featuring an impressive 250 internal model memory, the DX8e is an 8-channel transmitter with programming for airplane, helicopter, sailplane and multirotor aircraft. Included are a built-in telemetry and warning system, smooth quad-bearing gimbals wi

The T14x4 Black Pearl is a true non-shared, 14-channel 2.4GHz radio system. Using JR’s DMSS (dual modulation spectrum system), the T14x4 features a dual-stream telemetry communication system with Voltage telemetry is built in. Other add-on sensors (i

Featuring 14 channels, the 14SG transmitter features the FASSTest bidirectional communication system. With 30-model memory, the 14GS includes telemetry and S.Bus2 capability. Compatible with all Futaba Air 2.4GHz receivers, the radio includes six swa

The T14x4 Sport Black Pearl is a 14-channel 2.4GHz radio system, using JR’s DMSS (dual modulation spectrum system). The T14x4 Sport features 30 model memory and a dual-stream telemetry communication system with Voltage telemetry is built in. Other ad

The Spektrum iX12 radio is a 12-channel transmitter featuring powerful features and next-level connectivity. RC pilots of all types of RC aircraft will have no trouble using the iX12 12-channel radio system. The gimbals are supported by quad bearings

The 7-channel Flash 7 features 20 model memory and extremely fast response with a 7ms frame rate and 4096 step resolution. With its 2.4GHz triple protocol, the Flash 7 can transmit using three different 2.4GHz signals; the original AFHSS bi-direction

The Futaba 10J is a lightweight, easy to handle 10-channel, telemetry-capable, fully programmable transmitter. Featuring 30 model memory, the telemetry data can be viewed on the backlit LCD screen as well as audibly reported through headphones. Updat

Boasting 24 channels with fast baud rate and lower latency, the FrSky radio system offers a high-speed module digital interface using the ACCESS communication system. Both the X10 and X10S Express allows balancing charging (with a USB cable) for its

Conceived and designed by Jon Porter and longtime business partner and engineer Simon Barr, the Percee, like all Microaces aircraft, is a highly detailed foam kit. Closely patterned after the Percival Q6 Petrel of the mid 1930s, the Percee is availab

For classic open cockpit airplanes, there’s no getting around the need for windshields. Aircraft like the Waco and Stearman biplanes would just look wrong if we did include those simple panes of glass in front of our scale pilot’s nose. Those three-p

The model used in this how-to article came from our good friend and flying buddy Nick Ziroli Jr. (front seat) who owns and operates Ziroli Giant Scale Plans (ziroligiantscaleplans.com). When it comes to Stearman PT-17s, Nick is an expert and he owns

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Ok now, with a show of hands, how many of you remember the adventures of Sky King? Legendary flying rancher Schuyler King who, along with his niece Penny, fought crime, solved mysteries and, generally, did wonderful things to rid the country of bad g

It’s always interesting to see the diverse interests of those involved in building and flying giant-scale aircraft. Some RC’ers are involved completely in aerobatics, others focus on building exact replicas of full-size subjects, and some enjoy pushi

I prefer to build my models over a balsa building board, as each component can be pinned in place using T-pins. Performing a few online searches, you’ll find many different manufacturers that carry these boards, eBay is a good source. Your building s

One of Model Airplane News’ longtime contributors and giant-scale expert Sal Calvagna of Holbrook, Long Island, New York is a prolific builder and flier. Recently Sal test flew his latest project, a plans-built Gloster Gladiator. After Sal successful