Projects from talented micro modelers
Joe Malinchak
joemal@echoes.net
In my November 2017 column, I mentioned that I was transitioning to flying a new full-scale aircraft with a different airline. As I write this, I have just completed my first trip flying an Embraer E-Jet E190 for American Airlines! The transition from the DH-8 turboprop aircraft that I flew for many years to the E190 jet was a challenging and rewarding experience.
With the mandatory retirement age for pilots at 65 years old, the pilot shortage is growing. This makes it the perfect time for those who are interested to start thinking about a career in aviation!
Tandem-Wing Indoor Model
John Krouse has constructed an unusual tandem-wing micro indoor model that uses four motors and two Plantraco butterfly receivers for guidance. The aircraft is built out of 1mm Depron foam and balsa.
John’s innovative design features two 4mm motors spinning 32mm propellers that are direct-drive wired to their own dedicated receivers. The two receivers each use a separate Bahoma LiPo battery, and will bind with the Plantraco transmitter on startup. John mentioned that the 11-gram model makes an interesting sound in the air!
Andy Clancy’s New Designs
Andy Clancy has long been known for the amazing line of model aircraft kits that he has designed. His Lazy Bee, Stagger Bee, and Turbo Bee are merely a few of his legendary designs.
Andy recently contacted me and mentioned that he is working on some new production designs that might be available in the near future. He also sent me some photos of a few of his personal projects that he has been working on.
The first one he calls the Pitt Bee. He wanted to design a biplane Bee-type model that has Lazy Bee styling and flight ability, with a conventional open cockpit. The second photo that he sent is of his Micro Liner. The Micro Liner is approximately Peanut Scale size and uses four motors from a small drone for power. Both models are great examples of Andy’s ability to design unique models with great flying characteristics.
Seven-Channel DC-3
Jürgen Schönle from Germany has perfected the art of foam molding and designed some incredible scale micro RC models. His seven-channel Douglas DC-3 is a miniature masterpiece. The model has a 24-inch wingspan and features working flaps, working lights, and retracts. He uses two 6mm motors from an E-flite UMX B-17 for power. A lightweight DT Rx37 receiver with two brushed ESCs provides guidance.
Jürgen designed a beautiful, lightweight set of realistic-
looking retracts for the DC-3. Scale features such as retracts, flaps, and lights add to an aircraft’s appearance on the ground and in flight. These features are often left off of models that are several times the size of his DC-3, so I give him a lot of credit for going the extra mile on this project!
The completed airplane weighs only 35.8 grams and flies beautifully for up to 7 minutes on a single 1S 205 mAh LiPo battery.
Jürgen also sent me some photos of his beautiful three-channel 1⁄48-scale Messerschmitt Me 262 and his 1⁄48-scale Horten Ho 229. The Me 262 is constructed of molded foam, uses differential thrust for lateral control, and has an actuator on the elevator for vertical. The completed model weighs only 6.5 grams and uses a 1S 35 mAh LiPo battery.
His amazing Ho 229 has a wingspan of slightly more than 13 inches. Jürgen designed 3D-printed 10mm ducted fans for the aircraft. He used 4mm motors from a multirotor for power. The completed Ho 229 weighs 7.58 grams.
These are just a few examples of outstanding work by some talented modelers. I hope that they can inspire everyone!
