Master Airscrew Archives - Model Airplane News

Make Laminated Formers

If you have been building RC warbirds for a while, you may notice that there is a terrible blight plaguing many of them… tail-heaviness! The scourge of tail-heaviness leaves the modeler with few good options. First, he can fly the model as-is with the CG at the limit of its aft location and stagger around […]

RC Airplane Engines: Break-in and Tuning

To get the most out of any RC airplane, you have to break in your engine, and pick the correct propeller for the plane’s intended use. For my fun fly Florio Flyer 60, I installed an O.S. 75AX for a little extra umphhh! To fine tune my propeller selection I used an accurate digital tachometer to […]

Workshop Build-Along – Part 6 – Alien Aircraft ArrowMaster – From nose to tail!

Now that most of the fuselage construction has been completed, it’s time to tackle the nose section of the ArrowMaster. This is accomplished by using several pieces of 1/4 inch thick balsa glued between the firewall and the model’s spinner backplate. This is a tried and true modeling technique that works very well and makes for […]

Workshop Build-Along 2: Alien Aircraft ArrowMaster Bipe — Wing Panels

Our next installment of the ArrowMaster Biplane Build-Along gets the wings in shape! So far, builder and reviewer Rick bell, gives the Alien Aircraft laser cut kit, two thumbs up! Let’s get to the workbench! 1. Here’s the major componets to build the lower right wing panel. To glue the parts together, I’m using Sig Sigment […]

SBD Dauntess Torpedo Bomber

A CLASSIC SOUTH PACIFIC WARBIRD•ELECTRIFIED! Often referred to as •Slow But Deadly,• the Douglas SBD Dauntless was the U.S. Navy’s frontline dive-bomber from 1939 through 1944. Considered obsolete at the time it entered regular service, the Dauntless nonetheless went on to sink more Japanese ships than any other U.S. aircraft. Heavily armed with up to […]

Workshop Tips — Wing Repairs for Built-up Airplanes

Note: This Hangar 9 Piper Pawnee ARF was purposely damaged so we could demonstrate this repair technique. LET’S FACE FACTS. If you fly RC airplanes, sooner or later, you’re going to damage your model. Knowing how to deal with common damage inflicted on our models saves you money and extends the life of your plane. […]

Editors’ Picks: Top 10 Under $20

No matter how experienced you are, everyone wants the most for their RC money, so the editors got together to compare notes about their favorite tools and gadgets. We limited our choices to $20 or less and came up with this collection of very useful products and tools that increase our hobby enjoyment. If value […]

VQ Models DHC-2 Beaver Review

When you think of the De Havilland Beaver you are immediately drawn to a true aviation workhorse. First offered in 1948 with production ceasing in 1967 there are still 100’s of these radial engine beauties out there in a variety of landing configurations and in multiple aviation roles. Very much like the full-scale version, the […]

Kondor Model Products L-4 Grasshopper–Exclusive Online Flight Test and Review

This Exclusive Sneak Peek will be published in the February 2012 issue of Model Airplane News. Reviewer and Test Pilot Aaron Ham, reports that: “makes a great trainer thatr just happens to be legal for warbird events–A J-3 Cub in military dress.” Built between 1937 and 1947 by Piper Aircraft. The Piper Cub was […]

1/3-scale Electric Pitts

Converting a 1/3-scale aerobat from glow to electric comes with a host of considerations: which motor and mount to use? What voltage and amperage battery packs? What size prop works best? And last but not least, does it need a safety arming switch? In this article, Joe Ziomek of Islamorada, Florida shares how he converted […]

Stepping Up the Speed with Props and Electrons

By John Reid The Kyosho Phantom EP on a fast flyby. Even the Slimline pilot figure in the cockpit is having a good time! I REALLY ENJOY just about every type of aircraft, but some of my favorites are Formula One pylon racers. I wanted a race plane that I could prop for speed, but […]

BH Models Corsair 120 ARF

The F4U-1D Corsair, characterized by its gull-wing-shaped wings, is one of the greatest fighter bombers of its time. It could outfight, out-climb and overtake any prop-driven enemy. BH Models has just introduced a fantastic Corsair 120 ARF. I have built and reviewed several BH Models in the past and have come to revere them as […]