Giant-Scale Hinging Video How To
Here’s some great techniques for properly installing giant scale hinges. Editor Gerry Yarrish shows the process from his workshop when he was building his 1/3-scale Balsa USA Fokker Triplane. Photos by Tim Haggerty
RC Airplane Fiberglass Parts – Plugs, Molds, and Layups
Fiberglass cloth, resin, and molds are commonly used to make multiple copies of model-airplane parts. Ideal for duplicating parts with a complex shape, molded fiberglass parts are also much lighter and stronger, and can be produced more quickly than parts made out of solid-wood blocks. For this article, we are going to make a simple […]
RC Airplane Modeler’s Tips
Everyone appreciates a good building tip or trick — especially when it makes our hobby easier and more enjoyable! Here are a few of our favorites. Send your tips to MAN@airage.com! Propeller Balancer (Clear Spray Paint) While balancing plastic propellers instead of removing material from the heavier blade, use clear spray paint to add weight to the lighter […]
RC Aerobatics: Fly the Elevator
The first 3D maneuver many pilots learn is the “elevator.” During an elevator, the airplane remains fully stalled and drops almost vertically in a flat attitude. Start by pointing the airplane directly into the wind. Cut the throttle and increase upelevator to enter a stall. At the moment the plane stalls, hold in full up-elevator […]
RC Airplane First Flight Success
For the first-time RC modeler, today is a great time for getting started in the hobby. The newest generation of easy-to-assemble, almost-ready-to-fly planes come in a wide variety of types and sizes. From electric- powered park fliers and micro scale designs to your basic engine-powered, nitro-burning sport and trainer planes, the amount of work on […]
Model Airplane News RC Model Reader Tips
These field and bench tips are all courtesy of MAN readers (the best aircraft modelers around!). Here are a few of our favorites; bet you’ll use at least one! (Have a tip you’d like to share? Send it to MAN@airage.com!) GARAGE STORAGE SPACE When you need more storage space for wings, the garage door can […]
UNDERSTANDING RC GIANT-SCALE GASOLINE ENGINES
It’s easier than you think. Many RC modelers today start out with small, electric-powered ARFs, and work up from there. As they get more involved in the hobby, the next logical step up the power scale is operating nitro-burning glow engines (2-stroke or 4-stroke), and learning how to keep internal combustion engines happy. When you […]
Vintage RC goes giant-scale
Originally a 35-inch-span, free-flight model, the Worcraft Products’ Scarab was designed in the late ’40s and had elliptical planform flying surfaces, a centerline-mounted mono wheel for ground takeoffs, and two sub rudders along with a conventional top-mounted vertical stabilizer. This enlarged, 82-inch-span version pays tribute to the original design and is powered by an O.S. […]
Model Airplane Covering Tips: 3-color fuselage
The fuselage adds some complexity to our covering procedures because of the compound curves and the overall shape of the fuselage. Plus we have three different colors that have to be added on to different parts of the fuselage. The placement of the color seams will have to match up from one side of the […]
RC Model Flush Fitting Aileron Servo Hatches — Strong and Neat for Better Performance
When I built my 1/5-scale Sopwith Triplane, it had rather thin wings. Yes, a low-profile servo, such as Airtronics 94921 or Hitec 77BB, would fit with the shaft vertical, but I had only standard ones on hand, so I went with them. I made an 1/8-inch-thick and 2 7/8-inch-wide plywood plate to fit between the […]
RC Models, Mastering the Lomcevak– Perfecting the classic aerobatic maneuver
As aerobatic RC pilots develop their skills, it’s natural to try different control inputs while flying. And, quite often new aerobatic maneuvers are discovered by pushing the envelope. The classic Lomcevak is a tumbling maneuver where the aircraft’s tail rotates in front of the engine throughout the maneuver. The maneuver has Eastern European roots and […]
RC Motors Understanding Gas-powered Engines – Big Block Power
Whether your ultimate goal is to fly big 3D aerobatic planes or to pilot giant-scale warbirds, understanding how gasoline engines operate and how to properly set them up is extremely important. Besides their great fuel efficiency, gas engines are reliable, easy to start and overall are very user-friendly. Like all power systems, however, they need […]
