RC GIANT SCALE
MAKE YOUR
OWN WING
BAGS
By Sal Calvagna | rcgiants@optonline.net
WELCOME BACK. I hope all of you are enjoying the summer so far. When loading your RC Giant Scale model to head to the field or to travel to an event, it’s always beneficial to protect your wing from hangar rash with wing bags. Read the following to see how one reader made his own.
You might also find it necessary to charge your model while at the field. Read on to learn about a simple, easy-to-use system to charge your models. Enjoy.
Homemade Wing Bags
Dan Basovitch, of Staten Island, New York, recently completed a 1/3-scale Balsa USA Sopwith Pup. This large model features four large, removable, and surprisingly lightweight wing panels that are best protected from hangar rash or transportation damage with nicely cushioned wing bags. You can order these from a specialty company or, as Dan did, try your hand at making your own. He wrote:
Our hobby is not an inexpensive one, especially in the Giant Scale world that we love so much, so whenever I can, I try to save money.
I recently completed an airplane with a large, rectangular wing that is 22 x 52 inches for each panel. There are four panels in all. When I started to look for wing bags for this monster, I couldn’t find a size that would properly fit the wing panels. I sent an email to a custom wing bag company for an estimate and received one that blew my mind! For two bags with center dividers, they wanted $349 plus shipping (that’s roughly a third of the price of the airplane kit).
Because they resemble a sleeping bag, I went online, using my favorite search engine, to look for small sleeping bags. I found many child-size sleeping bags offered. Target had Coleman 60 x 30-inch sleeping bags at $29.99 each in green, red, or blue. However, the pink bags were on sale for $14.69 each with free shipping. It was a deal I couldn’t pass up and I promptly ordered two.
At Harbor Freight, I found nice, cushioned shipping blankets for only $5.99 each. These would make nice bags too, but I decided to use them for center dividers in the wing bags.
Dan measured the wing panels then took the bags and blankets to a friend, who cut and sewed them into the proper size for wing bags. Dan stated that they do a great job of protecting the wing panels.
Fast-Charging Giant Scale Models
Charging Giant Scale models that use battery technology with any connector that is available is simple to accomplish these days, and can be done without draining the bank account, so to speak.
Let’s start with the charger. There are many types available to modelers—some
can charge four battery packs at the same time. I found a simple unit, the SkyRC iMAX B6 Mini Charger, which can charge one pack at a time. It costs approximately $30 to $50, depending on where it is purchased.
The SkyRC iMAX B6 Mini Charger is a great little charger. It uses a DC-current source but comes with an AC adapter. As an upgraded version of the well-known iMAX B6 Charger, the Mini Charger is
smaller but with bigger power, new features, and integrated functions. What’s more, users can connect it to a computer for PC control and firmware upgrades and use it as a lithium battery meter and battery internal-resistance meter.
The SkyRC iMAX B6 Mini Charger is a high-performance, micro-processor-controlled charge/discharge station with battery management that is suitable for use with all current battery types, including NiCd, NiMh, LiPo (with an integral equalizer for up to six cells), LiHV, LiFe, and Li-Ion batteries. It has a maximum 6-amp charge current and 60 watts of charge power.
You can use a 12-volt power source, such as your vehicle’s battery, or a separate 12-volt or AC source, such as a generator. All you would need to complete your charging system is an appropriate connector. These are readily available in multiplug charge cords and can easily be found on eBay, Amazon, or through your favorite hobby provider.
With any 12-volt DC or 120-volt AC source, the SkyRC iMAX B6 Mini Charger, and a multiplug charge cord, you can easily top off your receiver pack anywhere.
That’s all for this month. Take care and fly safely.
