Modeler's Mall
Included in this handsomely illustrated aviation history are photos and plans that originally accompanied the model kits and a never-before-published illustrated-plans index. Rare color photographs of Cleveland National Air Race aircraft and their daredevil pilots will be of interest to modelers, collectors, pilots, and aviation historians.
Author H.L. Schreiner's collection of "flying pulps" and aviation publications served as the primary impetus for his comprehensive research. He served three years in naval aviation in World War II, holds a commercial pilot's license, and has authored many articles for the American Aviation Historical Society Journal. He has been a director of the American Aviation Historical Society for more than 25 years.
Aviation’s Great Recruiter: Cleveland’s Ed Packard book @ $39.95 + S&H from Kent State University Press, c/o BookMasters, Inc., 30 Amberwood Pkwy., Ashland OH 44805; Tel.: (419) 281-1802; Web site: www.upress.kent.edu.
Son of Czechoslovakian immigrants, 13-year-old Edward T. Packard sold his first model airplane in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1919; it was a simple "Pushers Stick Model."
Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo flight conquering the Atlantic Ocean galvanized the aviation industry and jump-started Packard's business: Cleveland Model and Supply Company. At that time the company offered an extensive line of all-balsa model airplanes that authentically replicated the early prototypes.
During World War II Packard manufactured the most complete line of American, Allied, and foreign model airplanes, which led to a famous worldwide enterprise. Its growth required the involvement of his parents and his four brothers and ultimately employed nearly 100 people.
As aircraft designs became more complex, so did Cleveland models. The popularity of these realistic miniatures and the insight many hobbyists gained through their construction played a major role in the rapid World War II aviation mobilization because the US Army Air Corps was able to enlist recruits with skills in the principles of flight and aviation.
This is a scale model of a Piper Cub-type airplane, so unlimited aerobatics are not part of the flight plan. The Kitten exemplifies the low and slow flying that is so popular with ultralight pilots.
J-3 Kit @ $29.99 + S&H from Peck-Polymers, Box 710399, Santee CA 92072; Tel.: (619) 448-1818; Web site: www.peck-polymers.com.
Peck-Polymers has just released this model of an ultralight from the 1990s. It has the flavor of a J-3 Cub, with proportions that are ideal for today's small RC aircraft.
With a 24-inch wingspan, it is offered with instructions for a rubber-powered FF or small electric RC version. The kit comes with lasercut wood, tissue-paper covering, and the hardware needed for the rubber-powered model. It was designed by Thayer Syme.
The J-3 Kitten (stock number PP0121) has a wing area of 74.25 square inches and a length of 14 inches. The weight of the finished model without the motor is 36.8 grams.
The FF version can be rubber- or electric-powered with the N-20 drive system and 4.75-inch Peck-Polymers propeller. The recommended radio system is a Sky Hooks and Rigging Narrow Band Hybrid receiver with WES-Technik linear servos.
MIXPAC adhesive dispensing system from ConProTec Inc., 8 Willow St., Salem NH 03079; Tel.: (603) 893-2727; Web site: www.conprotec.com.
ConProTec introduces its new MIXPAC System S-50 for dispensing two-component adhesives. When distributing adhesives with DTIC Dispensing Technology's new and innovative EX-mix system and ConProTec's MIXPAC S-50 system, end users obtain a higher flow rate and more power overall. In addition, the versatile gun has the capacity to dispense thicker materials safely.
The new feature of the MIXPAC S-50 combined with DTIC's EX-mix light-touch trigger offers a drip-free design significantly reducing the chances of dripping from the mix tip after releasing the trigger of the cartridge.
Common applications of MIXPAC System S-50 include woodworking, drywall sealing, and construction. The system can also be used for hobby, craft, and general repair purposes. Varying functions make the MIXPAC systems appropriate for industrial and individual use.
All ConProTec products are sold in box quantities only. To purchase MIXPAC System S-50 in less than box quantity, customers can contact Conveniently Packaged Adhesives (C.P.A.) or visit the MIXPAC site for more information and price listings of the MIXPAC System S-50.
For more information about DTIC's EX-mix dispenser, contact DTIC Marketing Director Michael Fagan at 835 Sterling Rd., South Lancaster MA 01561; Tel.: (877) 367-3842; Web site: www.disptech.com.
Modeler's Mall
MX400 electric helicopter @ $149.99 + S&H from Helimax, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 398-8970; Web site: www.bestrc.com/helimax/.
The MX400 EP Helicopter ARF proves that you don't have to invest in a big, glow-powered helicopter to get all the benefits of one! High-end upgrades such as collective pitch, a belt-driven tail rotor, aluminum frame and tailboom, and full ball bearings are all present in a compact that is also 90% preassembled! That means you can enjoy a full-function, 3-D-capable machine in just a fraction of the building time, effort, and expense!
The lightweight composite main rotor head is supported by a solid main shaft and features a mechanical CCPM control system. The control arms are equipped with ball bearings.
Pressure tail pitch is provided by a direct servo linkage. The ball-bearing-equipped gearbox is made from lightweight composites, and the belt-drive system is strong, efficient, and quiet. The aluminum frame provides rigidity without excess weight and is designed for brushless motors. Autorotation-equipped, it has a driven tail for total control.
Submicroservos work best with this model. The direct linkage layout allows for strong, precise control. Servos are not included.
Basic dimensions include a length of 25 inches, a height of 9 inches, a main rotor diameter of 23 inches, and a flying weight between 20.5 and 23.0 ounces. Completion of the model requires a six-channel helicopter radio with four micros servos, a gyro, a brushless motor and ESC, and a three-cell Li-Poly battery pack.
Thunder Power Li-Poly-Smart Auto-Balancer @ $59.95 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 352-1913; Web site: www.horizonhobby.com.
For two- to five-cell Li-Poly packs, Thunder Power's new smart balancer can't be beaten. It automatically detects the number of cells and automatically balances packs with or without charging them.
Monitor balance status using the easy-to-read LED indicator, which also warns you (accompanied by an audible beep) if your cell is overcharging. The Smart Balancer also features advanced software and a data port that lets you interface with future Thunder Power chargers.
Features include auto cell detect, LED and audible indicators of battery balance status, and an audible overvoltage warning (which improves charging safety). The Auto-Balancer balances cells to within 0.005 volt when used while charging, and it will work with all Li-Poly chargers.
M5v2 microreceiver @ $54.95 + S&H from FMA Direct Inc., 5716A Industry Ln., Frederick MD 21704; Tel.: (800) 343-2934; Web site: www.fmadio.com.
The FMA Direct dual-conversion M5 receiver is now compatible with digital servos and other super-sensitive servos. It's the smallest five-channel dual-conversion receiver available today and is designed for airplanes in which size and weight make a difference, such as in park flyers, sailplanes, and electric airplanes. It is 1.30 x 0.80 x 0.58 inches and weighs 0.30 ounce.
Although designed for lighter models, the high reliability of the new M5 receiver makes it ideal for all airplanes, even up to quarter scale. The new dual-conversion M5v2 has increased resolution and built-in decoding technology which digitally filters the transmitter signal from noise, providing "fail-safe" type protection for any standard FM system.
The receiver will fly through temporary interference while the servos remain unchanged. After three seconds of signal loss, the receiver throttle channel signals the throttle to shut down the motor/engine, thus preventing fly-aways.
RAM2 recording altimeter @ $99 + S&H from Soaring Circuits, 6205 Domarray St., Coopersburg PA 18036; Web site: www.soaringcircuits.com.
The RAM2 is the second generation in the Soaring Circuits line of RAM altimeters. These instruments have been developed to allow the RC pilot to gather and analyze altitude data from model aircraft.
The RAM2 is a barometric altimeter, meaning that it accurately measures variations in air pressure and converts this into altitude data using a standard time-tested algorithm similar to those used by full-scale aircraft altimeters. The RAM2 can detect altitude changes of less than a foot.
The RAM2 is packed with enough memory to hold a whole day's worth of flying data, yet is light and tiny, 3/4 inch wide, 3/8 inch high, and weighing 7.5 grams. It's small enough to fit in the tightest models such as hand-launched gliders, high-performance electric gliders, and park flyers.
And the RAM2's memory is nonvolatile, which means it holds your flight data even when power is turned off. The sampling rate can be easily changed at the field to one, two, five, or 10 samples per second, allowing the RAM2 to capture all your flying, from a lazy afternoon thermal soar to high-speed hotliner flights.
The RAM2's wide power-supply range of 3.5-10.0 volts lets you power it from a single Li-Poly cell or a 9-volt battery. Simply plug it into your receiver like a servo and run it from its own battery.
For pilots who want PC connectivity, an optional interface cable, battery/backup pack, and FlightView software to upload, view, and save flight data on your PC. The RAM2 makes it easy to fine-tune glide and hand launches, optimize motor/battery/propeller combinations, perfect your camber and reflex settings, and analyze climb and sink rates.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
