Modeler's Mall
Xtrema Lithium Balancer @ $34.95 + S&H from Tejera Microsystems Engineering Inc, 11705 Boyette Rd. #418, Riverview FL 33569; Tel.: (813) 661-2649; Web site: www.thextrema.com.
The Xtrema is the first balancer to feature three modes of operation; Stand Alone, PC Controlled, and the long-awaited Integrated Xtrema Balance Charging System. When plugged directly into the battery’s balance connector, it will automatically balance up to 6S packs, has full reverse plug-in protection, and supports M1 cells (A123 Systems) via a jumper option.
An onboard status LED constantly displays how much the cells are imbalanced, letting the user know exactly how things are while an imbalance is going away.
With the optional Xtrema Data Cable (XTR-232 or XTR-USB), individual cell voltages can be monitored, run tests, and customize the balancer via a PC. Exactly which cell has a problem and exactly what it is doing will be easily known.
Free updates for life have been the hallmark of the Xtrema brand. Whenever features are added or improvements to the balancer are made, the user may either send it back to us or update at home; the download is free from the Internet. Many battery-test and program-discharge features are presently available, with more battery tests planned for the future.
The Xtrema balanced along with the new Xtrema Balancer Interface Module (XTR-BIM) brings fully integrated balancing to the Xtrema Lithium Charger. The optically isolated interface supports two balancers each and can be paired to provide up to four optically isolated balancing connections.
This means the user can simultaneously balance up to four series or four parallel packs connected to separate balancers, but charged as one giant pack. The isolation makes combining balancers worry free since there is no way to get dangerous shorts if the sequence or polarity is wrong.
27% Edge 540 @ $399.99 + S&H from Great Planes Model Distributors, Box 9021, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 398-3630; Web site: www.greatplanes.com.
A popular competitor on the Unlimited-class aerobatics circuit and at internationally televised air races, the Edge 540 excels at 3-D aerobatics and precision maneuvers.
Designed to be both lightweight and durable, it is also capable of extreme aerobatics as well as precision maneuvers. Large control surfaces and full deflection throws enable the Edge 540 to react quickly to 3-D control inputs, with independent servos for consistent yaw and pitch control.
The molded fiberglass cowl and wheel pants are painted to match the trim scheme. Great Planes has captured every detail of this spirited performer in this addition to the Performance Series of RC models.
The Edge 540’s specifications include a wingspan of 78 inches, 1,088 square inches of wing area, and a length of 74.5 inches. Flying weight is 13-15 pounds.
Kyosho F4 Phantom DF55 PIP @ $229.99 + S&H from Kyosho Corporation of America, 20322 Valencia Cir., Lake Forest CA 92630; Tel.: (949) 454-8854; Web site: www.kyoshoamerica.com.
Commissioned in 1958 as America’s main strike fighter, the F-4 populated Allied fighter squadrons around the globe for decades. Kyosho is reproducing the universally acclaimed performance of this famous fighter, with a DF55 electric ducted fan unit-and-brushless motor combination that generates realistic jet-flight performance.
The almost completely finished fuselage with camouflage coloring allows you to focus on the enjoyment of flying. This PIP (Plug in Play) kit is preinstalled with two microservos, brushless motor, and speed-control amp so you can use your choice of transmitter.
Stability and precision control replicate the true jet-fighter flight characteristics that are ideal for intermediate-level fliers in performing jet-fight maneuvers.
The F4 Phantom’s specifications include a wingspan of 21 inches, 147.25 square inches of wing area, and a length of 29.8 inches. Flying weight is approximately 1 pound.
Ascent 450 Brushless PNP @ $184.99 + S&H from E-flite, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; Web site: www.e-flite rc.com.
E-flite presents a Plug-N-Play version of its popular Ascent electric-powered ARF. The new Ascent BL 450 PNP comes out of the box 95% prebuilt with a matched 450 brushless outrunner motor already installed.
For experienced park or slow flyer pilots who want to test their skills with gliders, the fiberglass/balsa Ascent BL 450 PNP comes with almost everything needed for quick flying except a transmitter, receiver, battery, and charger.
The Ascent’s finish and construction include a prepainted fiberglass fuselage and built-up balsa tail and wings. The folding propeller eliminates the drag and improves aerodynamics. This model’s bright, easy-to-see UltraCote Lite covering ensures in-flight visibility. Install the tail surfaces and bolt-on wing, add your favorite receiver, battery, charger, and radio, and you’re ready to fly.
The Ascent 450’s specifications include a wingspan of 54 inches, 330 square inches of wing area, and a length of 32 inches. Flying weight is 18-19 ounces.
Modeler's Mall
Futaba S3157 Digital High-Speed/High-Torque Micro Servo @ $34.99 + S&H from Great Planes Model Distributors, Box 9021, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (217) 398-3630; Web site: www.futaba-rc.com.
The new Futaba S3157 packs a lot of punch in a tiny package. It provides 21 ounces of torque at 4.8 volts and 24 ounces at 6 volts, and it weighs a mere 0.3 ounce. The small size makes it great for use in small electric-powered models and helicopters and provides the digital precision and zero dead band that demanding pilots need.
The Futaba S3157 is available with either a universal connector or a micro plug for more versatility.
Calculator SE @ no cost from RCAdvisor.com, 2200 Elizabeth St. NE, Albuquerque NM 87112; Tel.: (505) 318-1885; Web site: www.rcadvisor.com.
The free Calculator SE is an advanced online tool for model-airplane building and design. It features an electric-power-system optimizer, a virtual wind tunnel, a scale-model sizing tool, and a real-time airfoil analyzer. Able to run on multiple platforms, it incorporates features distilled from the latest usability research.
Calculator SE uses ToolTips to provide help on highlighted entry fields when it has advice to give or to indicate an invalid entry. An online tutorial guides the user through common tasks. Twenty-five interactive graphs highlight trends at a glance. Graphs and results are recalculated automatically with every data edit, encouraging experimentation and speeding up the learning process.
The calculator and extensive component database reside on fast server networks in the US and Europe. The calculator is no larger than popular home pages, loads quickly, requires no installation, and runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Building & Flying Indoor Model Airplanes @ $24.95 + S&H from Aero Craft, 432 Hallett Ave., Riverhead NY 11901; Tel.: (631) 369-9319; Web site: www.aerocraftrc.com.
A longtime collector’s item, this book has been reprinted for the third time. First published in 1981 and reprinted in 1984, it has inspired future champions and model builders around the world. More than 200 drawings, including plans and numerous photographs, showing the hobby as it is practiced lure the reader into this fascinating and surprising pursuit.
Ron Williams wrote Building & Flying Indoor Model Airplanes based on notes and sketches he made as he worked his way up to the ultimate indoor models known as F1Ds. The letter-size paperback book contains 272 pages with more than 60 photos and many plans.
2600 mAh ProLite V2 Batteries @ $49.99-149.99 + S&H from Thunder Power RC, 4720 W. University Ave., Las Vegas NV 89103; Tel.: (702) 228-8883; Web site: www.thunderpowerrc.com.
The new 2600 mAh ProLite V2 series of batteries offers the same benefits of current ProLite-series batteries—including the most capacity at the lowest weight and in the smallest size possible—but is the first to feature the new V2 chemistry.
This chemistry offers increased discharge rate capability, as well as higher voltage under typical and heavy loads. The extremely low resistance of the V2 chemistry allows the 2600 mAh batteries to deliver more power than most 2000-2200 mAh 25C+ discharge-capable batteries, but with 20-30% more usable capacity at nearly the same weight.
For example, the weight and dimensions of the new 2600 mAh 3S 11.1-volt ProLite V2 batteries are almost the same as the ever-popular 2200 mAh 3S 11.1-volt extreme V2 battery, yet the 2600 mAh battery typically offers similar or more power and more flight duration in the same application.
Helicopter pilots have also found that the 3S 2600 pack is one of the best batteries of choice for maximum power, performance, and duration in mini class helicopter models. The performance surpasses that of the most popular batteries used for these models today, and it’s available at a price that offers incredible value.
Element 170 F3A @ $599.99 + S&H from Fliton USA, 4790 Irvine Blvd. Ste. 105-299, Irvine CA 92620; Tel.: (888) 473-0856; Web site: www.fliton.com.
The Element 170 utilizes solid wood construction designed for glow or electric setups. The covering is all preapplied based on the custom Fliton scheme. The large chin cowl helps make setup a breeze. Likewise, the one-piece wing and two-piece removable stabilizers make for a simple but solid build.
Fliton has conveniently added dual elevator control with servo trays directly onboard the stabilizers, making them removeable and hassle free. The stabilizers are firmly attached using two carbon wing tubes and also offer micro-adjusters to suit your delicate flying needs.
Included you will find a carbon landing-gear set, beam mounts for a YS (or similar engine), nice linkage accessories, tail wheel, clear canopy, and much more.
The Element’s specifications include a wingspan of 73.43 inches, 1,022 square inches of wing area, and a length of 78.5 inches. Flying weight is approximately 10 pounds.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
