Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
VENOM PRO QUAD MICRO 1S 4 CHANNEL AC/DC LIPO & LIHV BATTERY CHARGER
That’s quite a long name for such a small charger. This new charger from the people at Venom is perfect for everyone who flies smaller electrics that are powered by a single LiPo battery. Despite its small footprint, this charger is capable of charging up to four batteries at the same time. It has an internal power supply and can be powered with either AC or DC power.
It is 4¾ inches square by 2.1 inches high. This charger’s rugged plastic case is coated with a smooth, rubberized coating. To aid in cooling, Venom has included front and rear venting. The front vents are cut in the shape of the Venom logo and set off by red LED backlighting.
The top panel is where all of the magic happens. Four separate sets of connectors, an LED indicator, and a battery selector switch are located above the large LCD screen. Below the screen are four push buttons: Channel to select between the four outputs; Dec - and Inc + to adjust the charge rate; and Start/Stop, which does exactly as described.
Each of the inputs or channels is independently controlled and can charge either standard LiPo (3.7 volt) or LiHV (4.35 volt) batteries. These batteries can be plugged into one of four popular brands/styles of connectors, including the mCX
After it is powered up, the LCD indicator comes to life. As soon as you plug a battery into one of the connectors, the readout for that channel instantly displays the battery’s current voltage. If you want to charge, use the Channel button to move between the four channels, and the LED indicators will show the selected battery.
If you hold that same Channel button for a couple of seconds, charging mode begins. The charging rate can be adjusted with the Dec - and Inc + buttons. Each channel can charge at a rate between 0.1 amp and 1.0 amp, in increments of 0.1 amp. When ready to charge, push the Start/Stop button, and the readout will continually update with the battery’s voltage.
With this tiny size, a price of $59.99, and its four-port charging capability, Venom’s new Pro Quad Micro Charger is worth a closer look to keep your air force of microfliers charged and ready to fly.
Venom Group International, Tel.: (800) 705-0620; website: www.venompower.com
BUILDING THE DAWN PATROL VOLUME 1: SPAD XIII
Mark Wilkins might be familiar to readers because he has authored several articles that have appeared in the pages of Model Aviation. The most recent covered the subject of repairing a World War I model and was in the March 2017 issue.
As long as I have known Mark, his interest in World War I aviation was obvious, and his contributions to the magazine have all centered on this subject. In his book, which will likely be the first in a series, he briefly covers the dawn of aerial warfare before settling in on the subject of building a Spad XIII RC model.
Mark touches on plans versus kits, setting up your shop, and tools and equipment that are required to take on the project. In this case, Mark settles on a Peter Rake short kit as the basis for his model. He outlines the modifications he plans to make, including a working scale bellcrank assembly for actuating the ailerons, and a scale cockpit.
The book provides several color photos, and modifications are covered during the construction process. It’s clear that having a finished model that closely represents its full-scale counterpart is the goal. Mark offers several examples of how to take the kit to the next level.
Tips are also provided along the way. One that stood out involved mixing paints. In the case of the Spad, which has a camouflage color scheme, Mark smartly reminds readers to mix enough to paint the aircraft and have some left over to store and be used as touch-up paint. Trying to locate the right colors and get the perfect mix could later be challenging.
Building the Dawn Patrol Volume 1: Spad XIII spans 66 pages, which include 172 photos (all but 12 are in color). It also has color profiles of 16 individual aircraft and factory color schemes from four manufacturers, as well as drawings of the original aircraft from the National Air and Space Museum, stencils to letter the aircraft built by the author, and a list of sources.
Although it is not a step-by-step guide on constructing a Spad or WW I model, it does a nice job of giving the reader insight into what is required, and imparts tips and ideas along the way.
The book is published by Jack Herris and Aeronaut Books and can be purchased directly from Amazon for $19.99.
Aeronaut Books: website: www.aeronautbooks.com
Aircraft Documentation Services, 3915 Jean Ln., Norton OH 44203; email: contact@airdoc.biz; website: www.airdoc.biz
Aircraft Documentation Services is proud to announce its new website at www.airdoc.biz, featuring a News tab and detailed order form instructions, as well as auto-calculation based on customer input.
FotoPaaks have been digitally remastered to remove scratches and mold that has accumulated throughout the years. This manual process is accomplished on an order-by-order basis. The FotoPaaks now print at 4 x 6 inches. Each one is designed to give the modeler, restorer, or enthusiast photo documentation of the full-scale aircraft, with views from various angles and many with interior shots.
Dave and Janet Houk purchased Bob Banka’s Aircraft Documentation in 2014 and now operate it as a part-time endeavor, changing the name to Aircraft Documentation Services in 2016. The company is the world’s largest commercial collection of aircraft photo documentation, with approximately 8,500 FotoPaaks and 60,000 pages of three-view drawings that have been researched since 1983.
AXi Universal Motor Mount @ $23-$25 + S&H from Esprit Tech/Model, Box 360815, Melbourne FL 32936; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
Esprit Tech introduces a new two-part-design universal motor mount for the AXi 83xx series of motors. The front plate and back plate can be purchased separately, as well as the rods (AXi 53xx-series rods will work). More information about the AXi universal motor mounts can be found on the Esprit Tech website.
Falcon 12 Six-Channel Airplane-Helicopter-Multirotor Flight Controller HoTT Receiver @ $89.90 + S&H from Graupner USA, 3941 Park Dr., Ste. 20-571, El Dorado Hills CA 95762; Tel.: (855) 572-4746; website: www.graupnerusa.com
The Graupner Falcon 12 Six-Channel HoTT Receiver for airplanes, helicopters, and multirotors is setting a new standard in flight controllers. This all-in-one airplane stabilizer, flybarless helicopter controller, and multirotor controller comes in a compact package that includes real-time telemetry and a long-range receiver.
By using a wireless HoTT radio connection, the features and settings can be accessed without the need for cables or computers. Controller settings can be adjusted during flight or changed using flight modes. It can also adapt itself to your needs or flying style, making it the most versatile flight controller on the market.
Supporting V-tail, dual elevators, butterfly, and flaperon mixing, with built-in telemetry for signal strength, temperatures, and receiver voltage, the Falcon 12 can be expanded with additional telemetry modules such as GPS, altimeter, ESC telemetry, and more. Free firmware updates are available using the Graupner Firmware Update Studio. Multirotor pilots should note that the multirotor software must be loaded separately.
E-flite AT-6 1.5m BNF Basic/PNP @ $249.99-$269.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.e-fliterc.com
Before World War II student pilots became fighters, the tough AT-6 gave them the ability to handle the bad habits of a fighter airplane and become well-disciplined with a high level of respect for their aircraft. Thousands of AT-6s still fly today. The E-flite AT-6 1.5m BNF Basic or PNP airplane is a tribute to this unsung warbird.
The E-flite AT-6 is finished in durable EPO foam, with lightweight components that feature composite reinforcement throughout for strength and flight performance. The one-piece wing harnesses the ailerons, electric retracts, and three-panel split flaps without a web of wires, and the servo leads are all concealed in a hands-free connection system.
AS3X works behind the scenes to smooth out the effects of wind and turbulence, while the power system features a strong 15-size brushless outrunner motor, 40-amp ESC, and scale two-blade propeller. Combined with a 2,200 mAh to 3,200 mAh 3S 30C LiPo battery, it delivers outstanding thrust.
The BNF Basic and PNP versions require a full-range, six-plus-channel DSMX/DSM2 transmitter, LiPo flight battery, and a 3S-compatible battery charger. The PNP AT-6 requires a full-range, six-plus-channel receiver.
F-105 Thunderchief 64mm EDF PNP Jet @ $98 + S&H from Motion RC, 320 Gary Point Dr., Unit B, Gary IL 60013; Tel.: (224) 633-9090; website: www.motionrc.com
Following the popular F-8 Crusader, Freewing and Motion RC announce the latest addition to the Park Jet Series, the F-105D Thunderchief! The F-105D has never before been available in PNP format, and is perfect for pilots who are seeking the scale appearance of a rarely modeled aircraft in an affordable package.
Designed to be an ideal first hand-launch electric ducted-fan (EDF) airplane for novice pilots, the F-105D is stable, yet nimble, with axial rolls and predictable behavior. A shoulder-mounted wing and embedded plastic skid plate protect the aircraft during belly landings. The use of only two servos minimizes weight, complexity, and cost. The jet is configured to be flown using elevon mixing, with each side’s aileron and elevator surface connected.
Power is from an efficient 64mm five-blade EDF fan unit, a 30-amp ESC, a 2627-4,500 Kv brushless outrunner motor, and a 3S 1,000 mAh LiPo battery with an XT60 connector. The F-105D’s battery bay also accepts a small gyro for stabilization. A four-channel radio and receiver are required in addition to the battery. An optional landing gear set is sold separately.
Drone Motor Mount @ $5-$10 + S&H from Texas Timers, 3317 Pine Timbers Dr., Johnson City TN 37604; Tel.: (423) 282-6423; website: www.texastimers.com
Texas Timers is pleased to announce a new mounting system for small, drone-type motors that works well for Free Flight and smaller RC models. A typical drone-type motor has four mounting screws in the back in a 16mm x 19mm pattern; 16mm x 16mm is available upon request. Although most mounts require large firewall areas, this new mount only needs a ⅞-inch circle and allows for easy thrustline adjustments.
The new motor mount provides for rapid and easy center of gravity changes by moving the motor’s distance from the firewall through the use of a long stud on the mount. Users can either drill a hole in the firewall to allow the stem to fit through for the motor to be moved forward or backward, or simply cut off the stud to the desired length.
Supplied as a stud length of 1⅜ inches and a typical diameter of 8.3mm-8.4mm, the mount is 3D printed in nylon or polycarbonate plastic. The stud fits into a machined aluminum ring that is mounted to the firewall with a choice of machine or conventional screws. Superior to anything else available, the mounting system is sold as a complete set. The plastic motor component and Al ring are sold individually.
mc-28 4D 16-Channel 2.4GHz HoTT Radio System @ $594.91 + S&H from Graupner USA, 3941 Park Dr., Ste. 20-571, El Dorado Hills CA 95762; Tel.: (855) 572-4746; website: www.graupnerusa.com
The new Graupner mc-28 4D HoTT radio is designed for those who are looking for a versatile and expandable system with a range of new options. The 4D gimbals provide four functions that make control of advanced drones, cameras, and other models, such as excavators and ships, easier and more precise. With 16 proportional channels, a 120-model memory, a long-range patch antenna, and more advanced software features, the mc-28 will not disappoint.
Designed with the future in mind, the mc-28 has two large, high-contrast LCD displays that provide the user with valuable system and telemetry visuals. A built-in Bluetooth module enables communication with headsets and tablets, and the attached hand rests can be detached to transform it into a handheld radio instead of a tray radio.
Switches, sliders, and knobs can be freely assigned to each channel and adapted to the user’s needs. Real-time voice telemetry is integrated into all HoTT radio systems, without the need for additional hardware, to use functions such as temperature or altitude. The mc-28 4D radio can be expanded with many options to suit the user’s specific needs. Graupner USA offers a wide range of switches, channel expanders, light modules, and accessories to add value to the radio.
