Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
21-CELL AMMO BOX DIVIDER
Safely storing LiPo batteries can be challenging, especially when you have several packs. One common storage method involves the use of ammunition cans; however, fitting several batteries inside the can might require some thought and possibly making dividers.
Mark Freeland of Retro RC has simplified the process by providing a line of laser-cut dividers made from Baltic Birch plywood. The large ammo can insert is capable of holding 21 battery packs! In the photo, the size of the packs ranges from two cell to four cell, and 1,500 mAh to 4,000 mAh.
The ammo containers can be purchased from many stores. The one used in the review came from Harbor Freight at a cost of $15.99 before the discount that can be found on the Harbor Freight ad located in this magazine.
The insert was quickly assembled and glued using CA adhesive. To prepare the ammo can, holes should be drilled in the top to allow any gases to escape if a battery were to ignite. Because the ammo cans are waterproof, venting is a must.
Blue painter’s tape was used to cover all of the metal surfaces inside of the can as an added precaution to ensure that none of the battery connectors or balance leads would make contact with exposed metal and arc.
In addition to the 21-cell divider for larger .50 caliber ammo cans, Retro RC has a 24-cell divider that also fits large cans, and a 16-cell divider can be purchased to work with a narrower ammo can, providing a great option for those with smaller batteries.
The ammo can and divider has provided an easy way to transport and store batteries, while taking up much less space. Mark has developed a simple, innovative product that should be of interest to anyone who has multiple batteries. The dividers sell for $15.98, $25.98, and $29.98; pricing is based on size.
Retro RC: Box 193 Keego Harbor MI 48320; Tel.: (248) 212-9666; website: www.retrorc.us.com
BATTERY STATUS INDICATORS
If you use several batteries to fly your aircraft, it is likely that you have a system to easily identify which battery packs are fully charged and which ones have been discharged. This type of visual notification can be simple or complex.
A simple method now available is the green N go System. It provides 10 reversible indicators in a package. Stick the adhesive dot on the battery and then the indicator dot can be stuck on, displaying either the green or red side so you know the status of the battery.
The dot is held on with hook-and-loop material so it can be repositioned countless times. You can position it anywhere on your battery so that it doesn’t interfere with mounting a battery in or on your aircraft. A pack of 10 status indicators are $4.99 or 10 packs of 10 cost $30.
Turner Technical Services Inc.: 2481 Riverside Pkwy., Unit G., Grand Junction CO 81505; Tel.: (970) 216-6474; website: www.greenngo.com
CERAMIC CRAFT KNIFE
Slice has released a craft knife that provides modelers with a handy tool that utilizes ceramic blades versus the metal ones with which we are more familiar. The knife includes a textured, antislip grip for better control and a no-roll handle, which keeps the knife safely on your workbench. It also includes a safety cap and one straight blade with a rounded tip, making accidentally sticking yourself less likely.
Slice advertises that the blades last up to 10 times longer than steel blades. They are made from a much harder material than stainless steel. When it is time for a new blade, Slice offers two options: straight craft blades and curved blades. Each come in a package of four.
The Slice Craft Knife is comfortable to use and has no problem handling the typical jobs you would generally use a metal-bladed craft knife for. It did a great job of cutting iron-on covering and remained sharp after a few cuts. Given that the knife tips are rounded and it won’t roll off of the table, which provides additional safety, the knife would be a good option for younger modelers/hobbyists—with supervision, of course—as compared with a standard hobby knife.
The Slice Craft Knife is a useful tool and has proved to be popular in the office. It retails for $12.99; a pack of four replacement blades is $19.99.
Slice, Inc.: 8 N. Almaden Blvd., Unit 115, San Jose CA 95110; Tel.: (408) 645-7045; website: www.sliceproducts.com
Futaba 6L Sport T-FHSS Mono 2.4 GHz Transmitter @ $89.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel: (217) 398-8970; website: www.futaba-rc.com
The new Futaba 6L Sport transmitter is ideal for nearly any model aircraft. With six channels and 2.4 GHz control, it is everything you need and nothing you don’t.
The 6L features Futaba’s T-FHSS Mono Directional six-channel air system, a built-in, full-range antenna, V-tail, elevon and flaperon mixing, and servo reversing. With a two-position switch and rotary dial, as well as a low-battery alarm, it can also be used to fly with a buddy box and in Mode 1 or Mode 2.
An R3106GF receiver is included. Four AA batteries are required.
Van’s RV-4 30cc 85-Inch ARF @ $449.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.hangar-9.com
Master model designer Ali Machinchy has perfectly captured the full-scale aircraft experience with the new Van’s RV-4 30cc ARF. Designed to make every step as hassle-free as possible, it combines superb detail and thrilling flight performance to give pilots of nearly any skill level an experience unlike any other.
The two-piece plug-in wing and horizontal stabilizer slide together on aluminum tubes and bolt into place for fast assembly. The fuselage hatch makes electronics installation easy. Functional flaps and scale hinges add realism. A self-aligning drill guide is provided to speed powerplant installation. A detailed cockpit with a scale pilot, instrument panel, and clear canopy are provided to complement the military-style or civilian trim scheme on the UltraCote covering.
A 30cc two- or four-stroke gas engine or equivalent electric motor system is required, as well as eight standard servos, batteries for the receiver and engine ignition, a full-range, six-plus-channel transmitter and receiver, and compatible propeller. The provided hardware kit includes a matching spinner and painted fiberglass control horns.
FM-10 Timer and Timer Programming Box @ $10.98-$75.98 + S&H from Retro RC, Box 193, Keego Harbor MI 48320; Tel.: (248) 212-9666; website: www.retrorc.us.com
The FM-10 Timer from Retro RC is a versatile electronic timer that is simple to use, with one-button, foolproof operation.
The timer holds three programs. Each can be programmed to different values then quickly selected using the Retro RC Timer Programming Box. Pilots can check the climb power and duration, the first, second, and third servo positions and the time after the motor stops, the dethermalizer servo position and time after the motor stops, and the servo travel of direction.
The timer and programming box are for use with E-36, Electric A, Electric B, F1Q, and E Nos model aircraft.
Katana 52 ARF, iPAs Drive, and iPAs Xtreme @ $239.95-$529.90 + S&H from Precision Aerobatics, 125 S. Estes Dr., #3441, Chapel Hill NC 27515; Tel.: (770) 292-9122; website: www.precisionaerobatics.com
Precision Aerobatics is proud to present the Katana 52, an intricate design that was carefully developed throughout several years and designed by Precision Aerobatics chief engineer and co-owner, Shaun Vanunu.
Using FiberFusion, a sophisticated engineering and construction method that uses 100% carbon fiber with competition-grade balsa and plywood, the Katana 52’s flight envelope is like no other airplane from Precision Aerobatics. Preassembled by skilled staff, it combines the ability to perform new maneuvers, yet is capable of the slow-speed handling and precision that the company’s airplanes are known for.
The Katana is available in two color schemes as an ARF, or with an iPAs (integrated Performance Airframe-Drive system) that allows the pilot to experience the same aerodynamic performance as the test pilots. The drive package includes the Katana 25, PA Thrust 45 outrunner motor with RotorKool Technology, PA Quantum 45-amp Pro High performance programmable ESC with SBEC, and a German-made CNC-machined precision propeller adapter.
The Katana 52 iPAs Xtreme package also includes a PA V3 2,200 mAh 14.8-volt 30C-60C LiPo battery, four Nexatec NXT 80 DSM servos, a thin-gauge twisted light extension lead, a set of four carbon-fiber extended servo arms, low-resistance original Deans Ultra Plugs and gold-plated bullet connectors, and a Vox 13 x 6.5 wood propeller.
VQ P-39 Airacobra .46 EP/GP Retract Ready @ $239.95 + S&H from VQ Warbirds, Box 3512, Bryan TX 77805; email: info@vqwarbirds.com; tel.: (866) 692-4318; website: www.vqwarbirds.com
The full-scale P-39 Airacobra was unique because its engine was placed behind the pilot, allowing for greater maneuverability. It was the first single-engine fighter to have tricycle landing gear, and was equipped with more powerful armament than any other single-engine fighter. VQ Warbirds has recreated this aircraft as a 61.2-inch wingspan warbird featuring a lightweight, all-wood fuselage with a detailed, weathered appearance.
The kit features a professionally painted fiberglass cowl and dummy drop tanks, as well as a retract-ready fuselage and wing. Contents include the assembly instructions, fuselage, wing panels, tail and fin, cowl, fixed landing gear, wheels, canopy, engine mount, fuel tank, decals, pushrods, and a hardware pack.
A five- to six-channel radio, five to six standard servos, a two-stroke .40 to .46 engine or a four-stroke .60 to .70 engine or electric motor equivalent, glue, silicone fuel line, and retracts or oleos are needed to complete the Airacobra.
Packet Digital Smart Battery @ price TBD from Packet Digital, 201 5th St. N., Suite 1500, Fargo ND 58102; Tel.: (701) 232-0661; website: www.packetdigital.com
Packet Digital announced the launch of its smart battery for sUAS and drones at AUVSI Xponential 2017.
Designed for commercial drone users, it provides the end user real-time usage data during operation, as well as access to lifetime historical records of which the battery has been exposed. Pilots have access to data pertaining to the remaining capacity, state of the battery’s health, and fault conditions during use that can help prevent damage to and extend the life of the battery. Drone users can also know which batteries to keep and which to replace, reducing waste and expense.
The smart batteries are modular sub-packs for easier transportation and maintenance and are available in a 10 Ah 6S configuration with a true 5C continuous discharge rating. They have a proven 1,000-plus cycle life—a three to six times improvement over standard batteries.
Packet Digital Smart Batteries are currently available through Venom Power at www.venompower.com.
Blade Theory XL 5-inch BNF Basic Drone @ $379.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.bladehelis.com
The Blade Theory XL 5-inch BNF Basic is a stretched X-frame FPV racing drone that screams past the competition—with no building, tinkering, or tuning necessary.
Longer than it is wide, the stretched-X design offers impressive stability in fast-forward flight. Top plate cutouts allow for easy access to the video transmitter. The 700 TV lines (TVL) complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera is slightly recessed and flanked by 2mm carbon fiber. The motors are protected with carbon fiber as well.
New 2206-2450 Kv Thrust motors swing 5-inch propellers, while 30-amp ESCs keep every maneuver feeling smooth and locked in. The F3 flight controller is preflashed with Betaflight firmware, allowing full proportional integral derivative (PID) tuning via a micro USB. A 200-milliwatt transmitter provides reliable video and has pitmode. The Spektrum Telemetry Quad Race receiver sends valuable flight log data straight to the required six-plus-channel Spektrum transmitter.
Install a 4S LiPo battery, bind to the transmitter, and you’re off to race!
Tower Hobbies Ryan STA 53-inch EP ARF @ $139.99 + S&H from Tower Hobbies, Box 9078, Champaign IL 61826-9078; Tel.: (800) 637-6050; website: www.towerhobbies.com
Pull off scale aerobatics in style with the Tower Hobbies 53-inch wingspan Ryan STA EP ARF. This electric version of the Golden Age icon includes a scale, eye-catching, checkerboard design on the underside of the wing, hand-laid fiberglass cowl, and wheel pants and fairings. The lightweight, built-up wood airframe reduces assembly time, while the removable one-piece wing makes it easy to store and transport.
The perfect airplane for aerobatic maneuvers such as loops, rolls, and stall turns, the Ryan STA also features individual aileron servos with short, direct linkages. The ailerons are prehinged. The easy-to-attach magnetic cowl does not use screws, and the hatch is easy to remove for fast battery changes.
A complete hardware package is included. The Ryan STA delivers great performance with a 42-50-800 outrunner brushless motor, and also requires a four-channel radio, four slim or mini-size servos, a 75-amp ESC, 3S 11.1-volt 3,200 mAh LiPo battery, and a propeller to match the selected motor.
