Modeler's Mall
Manufacturers who wish to have their products considered for inclusion in this department should send information and a photo, if possible, to the editorial office of Model Aviation. These reviews are composed from such information, and do not imply an endorsement of the products.
TorqMaster™ Mini Lead-Acid Battery — $18.99
Great Planes Model Distributors, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign IL 61826-9021; Tel.: (217) 398-6300; Fax: (217) 398-0008.
Hobbico®'s new TorqMaster™ Mini Lead-Acid Battery provides 12-volt power and 4.5mA of capacity for electric field equipment—including power panels, fuel pump, starters, and more—and boasts other important advantages.
- Smaller size and much lighter weight make it easier to carry and allow the battery to fit inside smaller field boxes.
- Battery comes completely sealed, eliminating handling and spilling risks associated with adding electrolyte.
- With its low price, the TorqMaster™ 12V Mini Battery is an exceptional value.
Dimensions: 3.5 in. wide x 2.75 in. deep x 4 in. high. Weight: 3.6 lb.
Reverse-machined, tapered, threaded control rods
Miniature Aircraft USA, 3743 Silver Star Rd., Orlando FL 32808; Tel.: (407) 292-4267; Fax: (407) 292-4296; Web site: www.x-cellrchelicopters.com.
Unique to Miniature Aircraft, these “Turnbuckle Style” control rods (0853 series) are CNC-machined. They feature high-strength, rigid construction and reverse threads for variable adjustments without removing them from the model.
Sold in sets or individual sizes; available at local hobby shops or direct order.
Easy Cutter — $19.99
Midwest Products Co. Inc., Box 564, Hobart IN 46342; Tel.: (219) 942-1134; Fax: (219) 942-5703.
The Easy Cutter is a fast, accurate tool for cutting small wood strips to length, eliminating the need for expensive power tools. It makes accurate angle cuts and beautifully mitered 45-degree bevels. Suitable for hobbies, crafts, and DIY projects.
- Cuts basswood strips up to 1/2-inch square and hardwood dowels up to 3/8 inch.
- Stock number 1126. Replacement blades stock number 1127.
Contact Midwest Products at (800) 348-3497 for more information.
1/2A Zeek plans and parts
Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino CA 92402; Tel.: (909) 885-3959; Fax: (909) 889-9307; E-mail: bhplans@aol.com.
CAD-drawn plans and laser-cut parts are available for the 1/2A version of the Zeek, a popular Free Flight model from the 1950s. The Zeek was built in many sizes, from 1/2A to McCoy .60. It has been scaled for the Bill Vanderbeek one-design event at the US Outdoor Championships at the 2000 Nats.
- To be eligible for the one-design event, the Zeek must be 33 in. wingspan (175 sq. in.) and flown to class rules.
- Plans CAD-drawn by Jim O’Reilly. Laser-cutting by Bob Holman Plans.
- Laser-cut parts include fuselage sides, top and bottom firewall, pylon, wing ribs, stabilizer ribs, and wing and stabilizer outlines. You add sheet and strip.
Prices: Plans $8; laser-cut parts $20; postage $4.
Beginner’s Guide to Model Helicopters
Traplet Distribution USA Ltd., 3103 Tartan Ct., Suite 105, Urbana IL 61802; Tel.: (217) 328-4444; Fax: (217) 328-2450; E-mail: info@traplet.com; Web site: www.traplet.com.
A comprehensive guide for aspiring model-helicopter pilots. Covers buying your first model, assembly, first flight, engines, radios, gyros, safety procedures, engine settings, and complete flying instructions. Written in an easy-to-follow, friendly manner.
Retail price: $15.50. Call (800) 695-0208 to order, or send check or money order with $4 S&H per book.
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Modeler's Mall
Nutritional supplements from Green Tree Vitamins Fit for Life Health Center, 86 Kingsland Cir., Monmouth Junction NJ 08852; Tel.: (732) 274-8945; Fax: (732) 274-9045.
A major manufacturer offers, at wholesale prices, high-quality, high-potency all-natural nutritional supplements for specific conditions. Conditions addressed include diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, lethargy, depression, immune dysfunction, obesity, circulatory dementia, and benign prostate hypertrophy. Bottled products are $4.95 each for a minimum one-month supply. No shipping charges for quantities of five bottles or more. Further information provided with first and subsequent orders.
T-38 Talon kit — $795 (introductory)
Bob Fiorenze, 3107 Ash Park Loop, Winter Park FL 32792; Tel.: (407) 673-9080; Web site: www.rcaviation.com/fiorenze.
Kit features an epoxy-primed (white) fiberglass fuselage, a 1 x 19-inch premolded flanged hatch, molded panel lines, rivets, and access panel details. Includes precut foam flying surfaces, fiberglass inlets, bifurcated exhaust duct, flying stab hardware, clear windshield, fiberglass canopy frame, three-views, plans, former templates, and photo assembly instruction book.
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 48 in.
- Length: 84 in.
- Weight: 15–17 lb.
- Engine: .91 or turbine.
Send $3 for an illustrated product catalog.
Demon-Clean™ engine cleaner
Dave Gierke Flying Models, Inc., Box 83, Bowmansville NY 14026; Tel.: (716) 681-4840.
Demon-Clean™ is a cleaner formulated to remove dirt and varnish build-up from interior and exterior surfaces of miniature engines without harming them. Varnish acts as a thermal insulator and degrades engine performance; Demon-Clean™ removes stubborn varnish and will not damage delicate metal surfaces even with prolonged contact. The product has no strong ammonia odor.
A postage-paid 8-ounce can, including application brush and detailed instructions, is available for $18.95 directly from Dave Gierke Flying Models Inc. Visa® and MasterCard™ accepted.
Tru-Turn 3¼-inch FAI spinner
Jerry Smith, 2416 Carina Terr., Acworth GA 30101; E-mail: jerryfwi@mindpsring.com.
Made from solid aluminum bar stock for high quality and perfect balance. Spinners come slotted for propellers used on four-stroke engines (91–180). Perfect for two-meter Pattern airplanes such as Hydeaway, Caprice, Fashion & Alliance, and Temptation.
Available spinners (part no., description, retail price):
- TT-3262-B-120 — 3¼ in., FAI two-blade, 120-slot: $46.95
- TT-3263-B-120 — 3¼ in., FAI three-blade, 120-slot: $47.95
- TT-3264-B-120 — 3¼ in., FAI four-blade, 120-slot: $47.95
Internet customers can provide engine make and size and Tru-Turn will determine necessary adapter and cut slots to match the propeller. See your local dealer or call Tru-Turn at (713) 943-1867. Web: www.tru-turn.com.
Scratch This! videotape series
Dave Platt Models, 1306 Havre N.W., Palm Bay FL 32907; Tel.: (321) 724-2144.
A Black Art series—an RC Scale design course showing kitbuyers how to design their own RC Scale models. Covers subject selection, sizing, research, aerodynamic and structural design. This three-tape set helps RC Scale fans design unique models beyond market offerings.
Aeropoxy Light
Brodak Manufacturing and Distributing Company Inc., 100 Park Ave., Carmichaels PA 15320; Tel.: (724) 966-2726; Fax: (724) 966-5670; E-mail: flyin@brodak.com; Web site: www.brodak.com.
Aeropoxy Light is a low-odor, easy-to-mix (2:1 ratio by weight) epoxy developed for Control Line builders. It is strong, light, easy to sand, and suitable for fairings, around canopies, internal reinforcements, and making exceptionally strong, light fillets. Available nationally through hobby shops and directly from Brodak Manufacturing.
A how-to video, How To Use Brodak Aeropoxy Light, featuring Windy Urtnowski, is available for $19.95 + $3.20 S&H from Brodak Manufacturing.
O.S.® FS-91 Surpass™ engine — $429.99
The FS-91 Surpass II features a quieter muffler, a redesigned carburetor that redistributes excess oil for increased lubrication, and plated critical engine parts for corrosion resistance. It retains realism and four-stroke performance.
Specifications:
- Displacement: 0.912 cu in. (1.95 cc)
- Bore: 1.09 in. (27.7 mm)
- Stroke: 0.98 in. (24.9 mm)
- Practical rpm: 2,000–12,000
- Output: 1.6 bhp @ 11,000 rpm
- Weight: 23 oz. (652 g)
See www.osengines.com.
11th Jets Over Deland (video) — $19.95 + $3.25 S&H
SKS Video Productions R.D.#1 Box 264, Pine Rd., Abbottstown PA 17301; Tel.: (800) 988-6488 (US) or (717) 259-7193 (elsewhere); Fax: (717) 259-6379; E-mail: scott@sksvideo; Web: www.sksvideo.com.
This international contest featured more than 75 pilots. Notable airplanes include Rene Alvarez's F-86, Linday Dickie's Hunter, Erich Himmler's Venum, John Bedd's Gnat, Red Gonzalez's Twin Turbo Rafale, Bob Bentley's F-8J Crusader, Tommy Woods' RAM 1000-powered F-4, Scott McGowin's Scout, Robert Conway's Turbo Cyclone, and Eddie Week's Huge Twin Turbo DC-10. Run time: 80 minutes.
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Modeler's Mall
Fw 190D-9 kit
Bob Holman Plans, Box 741, San Bernardino CA 92402; Tel.: (909) 885-3959; Fax: (909) 889-9307; E-mail: bhplans@aol.com; Web site: www.angelfire.com/ct/bhplans.
The 1/5-scale Fw 190D-9 has an 80-inch wingspan.
- Fuselage, cowl, gun cover, belly pan, canopy tail cone, and carburetor intake molded from epoxy/fiberglass.
- Vacuum-formed canopy and cockpit kit included.
- Laser-cut fuselage formers and foam cores for wing, fin, and stabilizer included.
- Plans redrawn in CAD.
Semikit price: $345 + $25 S&H (UPS US).
Engine-cleaning brushes
Dave Gierke Flying Models Inc., Box 83, Bowmansville NY 14026.
Heavy-duty nylon brushes designed for use with Demon-Clean™; excellent for removing burned-on varnish. Brass and stainless steel brushes intended for aggressive duties such as carbon (piston crown) and rust removal (crankshaft nose threads).
- Price: $1.95 each.
- First-class shipping (one to three brushes, any combination): $1.65.
- Available directly from Dave Gierke Flying Models, Inc. Visa® and MasterCard™ accepted.
- Contact: write the above address or call (716) 681-4840.
Aviastar 180 engine
The Aviastar 180 (1.8 cubic inches) is a large two-stroke glow engine designed for Giant Scale applications. Early tests show it to be powerful and reliable, able to handle large propeller loads at excellent rpm, runs cool at prolonged WOT, and is stable at idle and transition. Features an all-metal carburetor designed to never leak air or fuel. Compatible with custom Bisson Pitts-style mufflers for acceptable sound levels.
Write or call/fax (716) 681-4840 for more information. Visa® and MasterCard™ accepted.
Kyosho® AT-6 Texan — $349.99
A .40-size Kyosho® Super Quality Series ARF model with gel-coated fiberglass fuselage and balsa-sheeted, three-piece foam-core wing with factory-applied film covering. Includes most hardware, wheels, wheel covers, 270cc fuel tank, prepainted fiberglass parts, vacuum-formed plastic cowl, clear canopy, replica engine, and decals. Fixed landing gear included; optional retracts available.
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 61.5 in. (1,562 mm)
- Wing area: 574 sq. in. (37 sq. dm.)
- Weight: 5.7 lb. (2,600 g)
- Wing loading: 23 oz./sq. ft. (70 g/sq. dm.)
- Length: 44.5 in. (1,130 mm)
Requires .40–.46 cu. in. (6.5–7.5 cc) two-stroke or .48–.53 cu. in. (8.0–8.5 cc) four-stroke engine, four-channel radio with five servos, propeller, spinner, and muffler.
Sopwith Camel, Windsock Datafile No. 26
Wise Owl Worldwide Publications, 1926 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 204, Redondo Beach CA 90277; Tel.: (310) 944-5033; Fax: (310) 944-9663; E-mail: wiseowl@sprintmail.com.
Windsock Datafile No. 26 by JM Bruce. Cost: $21 postpaid ($22.73 for California residents). Windsock Datafiles cover a wide range of World War I airplanes; Wise Owl keeps all available Datafiles and Datafile Specials in stock.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
