Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
E’FLIGHT BOX
Joe Hass reviewed the e’Flight Box for us. Here is what he had to say:
When you combine an experienced modeler with a talented mechanical engineer, great things are bound to happen. Once again, the creative mind of Mark Freeland, of Retro RC, gives back to the aeromodeling community with the e’Flight Box. This well-designed device is a must-have for any electric flier.
The e’Flight Box is assembled from precision laser-cut plywood using a variety of adhesives. A detailed, four-page instruction manual with pictures is complemented by six pages of drawings.
The finished product includes six drawers, a tip-out bin, screwdriver rack, hex wrench rack, adhesive rack for two bottles of CA glue, kicker, and epoxy, a knife holder, as well as a transmitter compartment that can be converted to a battery-storage rack. Rare earth magnets are included to hold the drawers shut during transport. The design includes steps for the drawers so that they can be opened and tilted down for easy access. The assembly is straightforward with interlocking parts. The fit is so exact that only a minimum amount of adhesive is necessary. In fact, the last two side pieces didn’t appear to align correctly, and it was only after cross-checking that I realized that the fit was so precise that everything snapped into place with merely a little push.
Although the e’Flight Box can be left in natural wood, it is best to add a couple of coats of finish. I used a quick-drying clear gloss spray that highlights the natural grain and the laser-cut end pieces. The e’Flight Box is available for $89.99 and will be a welcome addition for your electric flight gear.
Retro RC: Box 193, Keego Harbor MI 48320; Tel.: (248) 212-9666; website: www.retrorc.us.com
HIGHER: 100 YEARS OF BOEING
The Boeing Company is one of several names in the aviation community that stands out given its history of innovation and the notable aircraft the company has designed and continues to design and manufacture. In July 2016, Boeing will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To commemorate that milestone and chronicle its achievements, the hardcover book Higher: 100 Years of Boeing has been released.
Published by Chronicle Books, the deluxe edition of Higher: 100 Years of Boeing spans 224 pages and is filled with more than 200 fascinating photos as it recounts Boeing’s history. Written by Pulitzer Prize-nominated author, Russ Banham, who has chronicled the history of nearly 25 companies, the book gives us a glimpse of Boeing’s journey from a small business producing canvas-and-wood seaplanes to its contributions to aerospace.
Appropriately, the book begins by providing readers an introduction to lumberman Bill Boeing and how his love affair with aviation grew after attending the first International Air Meet in 1910, and after his first aircraft ride that came in 1914. After the flight, Boeing remarked, “There isn’t much to that machine of Maroney’s. I think we could build a much better one.”
Boeing and Navy Lieutenant George Conrad Westervelt built their first aircraft, a dual-pontoon seaplane known as the B & W, respective of their initials. It made its maiden flight on June 29, 1916, with Bill Boeing piloting the aircraft.
The company grew slowly until the need for aircraft during World War I catapulted Boeing Airplane Company into a much larger enterprise that would produce other companies’ aircraft, alongside its own designs—something that would become a common practice during wartime.
The book is broken down into 10 chapters. One of the longer chapters, “The Arsenal of Democracy,” covers Boeing’s involvement in World War II. This chapter showcases a photo of a model of the B-17 being tested in the Boeing war-era wind tunnel.
Also covered is Boeing’s rich history and innovation in passenger travel. The model Boeing 707, which would carry President Dwight D. Eisenhower, led Boeing jets to become the official transport of the U.S. president under the call sign Air Force One.
The final chapter, entitled “Boeing Today and Tomorrow,” provides an overview of where the company and technology are headed with projects such as the X-51 WaveRider, an experimental unmanned aircraft capable of traveling more than five times the speed of sound!
Throughout the book, Russ does an excellent job of providing the reader an engaging narrative that complements the abundance of interesting photos as we learn more about the people, technology, and aircraft that are Boeing.
As is often the case with aviation history, the treasure trove of photographs alone is worth the $35 price of admission.
Chronicle Books: 680 Second St., San Francisco CA 94107; Tel.: (800) 759-0190; website: www.chroniclebooks.com
XF UAS HVC Multi-Rotor 75-Amp ESC for Electric Multi-Rotor Series @ $148.95 + S&H from KDE Direct, email: sales@kdedirect.com; website: www.kdedirect.com
The next generation of technology comes to life with the new UAS HVC series of ESCs from KDE Direct. An all-aluminum 6061-T6 case for cool-running temperatures and rugged construction is included. The ESCs can be used in a range of harsh environments and commercial/industrial applications, and are preloaded with the latest firmware.
Compatible with 3S to 12S LiPo battery power systems, the UAS HVC series features regenerative braking, temperature-controlled synchronous rectification, dynamic timing and startup power, increased drive and throttle frequency resolution, and motor synchronization. Active anti-spark circuitry to protect the integrity and lifespan of the connectors upon each initial plug-in and system power-up is included.
The series is tuned and optimized for the KDE Direct XF Multi-Rotor Brushless Motor Series with simple plug-and-play operation. No throttle calibration is required for most applications and settings are factory programmed. Included with the ESCs are 200°C, 12 AWG silicone-wire power leads and 13 AWG silicone-wire motor leads with dual Φ6.5mm and Φ4.0mm 24K matching bullet connectors.
X2 AC Plus AC/DC Multi Charger @ $99.99 and optional WiFi Module @ $22.99 + S&H from Hitec RCD, 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website: www.hitecrcd.com
Hitec’s new X2 AC Plus charger offers expanded capacity and compatibility in a portable, compact package, while bringing the future of charging to your fingertips!
Dual inputs afford flexible battery charging—whether at home or at the flying field. The innovative power distribution mode allows you to efficiently assign output power based on individual battery requirements. Using either 11- to 18-volt DC or 100- to 240-volt AC power sources, the X2 AC Plus has a built-in 10-amp power supply, internal balancing circuits, and 10 programmable profile settings. Each port has an adjustable charge current rate of 0.1 to 10.0 amps.
Technology comes to the forefront by pairing the X2 AC Plus with an optional WiFi module. Use your smartphone to view, change, and customize your charger options.
The X2 AC Plus charges NiMH, Ni-Cd, LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, Li-Ion, and lead-acid batteries.
Shive Specialties Prophet Two-Meter Sailplane Kit @ $99.95 + S&H from Penn Valley Hobby Center, 837 W. Main St., Lansdale PA 19446; Tel.: (215) 855-6806; website: www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com
Foretell the future and how you fly a sailplane with the Prophet: a two-meter sailplane kit from Shive Specialties. Supplied in the kit is the material to build this competition sailplane and a second plans sheet with a number of options for the modeler’s consideration. Build an electric-powered version or any of the wing variations. The Prophet is enjoyable to build and a pleasure to fly. The original design was made with computer technology. The new kit was updated with laser-cut parts—making assembly faster, truer, and stronger.
The 78¾-inch wingspan Prophet has a flying weight of 28 ounces, a 613-square-inch wing area, and a 5½- to 8½-inch wing chord for 6.25 ounces per square foot wing loading.
Seagull Models T-34 Mentor ARF @ $331 + S&H from Sig Manufacturing Co. Inc., 401 S. Front St., Box 520, Montezuma IA 50171; Tel.: (641) 623-5154; website: www.sigmf g.com
Designed in 1948 as an economical replacement for the AT-6/SNJ military aircraft used to train pilots during World War II, the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor was derived from the Beechcraft Bonanza, with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and many foreign countries utilizing it in service. Seagull Models has captured its look and performance in a Sport Scale ARF.
Suitable for gas, glow, or electric power, the T-34 is of conventional-built balsa and plywood construction, yet its modern laser-cut design allows it to be lightweight and strong. All major components are factory built and finished.
Covered in genuine UltraCote and finished with a matte clear coat for a realistic warbird finish, the T-34 Mentor features operational flaps, a two-piece, plug-in wing for easy transport, a strong aluminum wing joiner tube, and dual elevator servos with pushrods. A complete hardware set is included, as well as a painted fiberglass cowling, removable top hatch, and two hand-painted pilots. A six-channel radio with 11 servos is required for the 74.8-inch wingspan model.
Power HD Storm 3, 4, and 5 High-Efficiency Brushless Servos @ $85.90-$95 + S&H from Redwing RC, Tel.: (636) 675-0047; website: www.redwingrc.com
Power HD Storm 3, 4, and 5 high-efficiency servos perform great in a variety of circumstances—running cooler and quieter with less vibration and no brush arcing. Radio frequency interference and electronic noise is also significantly reduced.
Brushless servos have many benefits, including only using the power necessary to get the job done. If the servo encounters resistance, more power is supplied. If it senses less resistance, power is reduced. This power-saving advantage will increase the life of your batteries.
In addition to the brushless motor, Power HD Storm 3, 4, and 5 servos feature double ball bearings, titanium and steel gears, water-resistant O-rings, and all-aluminum housings. See the Redwing RC website for servo specifications.
Jeti Voltage Regulator Inline Single BEC @ $20 + S&H from Esprit Model, 1240 Clearmont St. NE #12, Palm Bay FL 32905; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
Designed to regulate the voltage from a 5.5- to 8.4-volt power source, the new Jeti Voltage Regulator Inline Single BEC provides an output voltage of 5.5 volts up to 1 amp for your dedicated servo (heli gyro/tail servo). Working well with any servo, a dedicated voltage regulator is a great way to protect the rest of the servos and the receiver.
It can be used with both helicopters and airplanes. The maximum input is 24 volts with an output current of 1 amp continuous/15 amps peak. Weighing 2.5 grams, the Jeti Inline Single BEC connectors are universal JR/Hitec/Futaba.
A6M2 Zero Rx-R @ $219.19 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Ste. #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 637-7660; website: www.flyzoneplanes.com
The Japanese Zero was the ultimate aggressor during World War II, and was more maneuverable than any Allied aircraft of the time. The Flyzone Select Scale Zero elegantly represents that power and lethal beauty.
Authentic all the way from the trim scheme and brushless motor system down to the replica bomb drop and retractable electric landing gear, the Zero also features a pilot figure, LED lights, and a replica engine. The factory-finished and assembled airframe has servos for the fully functional flaps and bomb drop.
The Receiver-Ready (Rx-R) Zero requires a six-plus-channel SLT transmitter and seven-channel receiver or an AnyLink2 and compatible six-channel transmitter, and an 11.1-volt 2,200 mAh 3S LiPo battery and charger.
Absolute Accuracy Series, Volume 1 No. 1: Perfect Airframe Alignment by Bob Noll @ $19.95 + $6 S&H from Bob Noll, email: bobrc@aol.com
Straight, accurately built models fly better, but the steps required to achieve perfectly aligned airframes can sometimes be a mystery.
Master modeling craftsman Bob Noll shows how to perform many critical building tasks with his Absolute Accuracy Series, Volume 1, No. 1: Perfect Airframe Alignment.
Bob uses screen-filling close-ups to allow the viewer to watch the subtle hand motions required to perform tasks such as grinding the stabilizer opening in the fiberglass fuselage, aligning the stabilizer in relation to the fuselage, and cutting and fitting the wing tube and wing tube sleeve. He also shows wing alignment, overall airframe alignment, and final gluing.
Alignment techniques shown in this 67-minute DVD can easily be adapted for any type of model airplane to make it a more accurate and better flier.
