VIC RC CG’ER STAND
New Products That Are Worth a Closer Look
FITZ WALKER shared his review of the VIC RC CG’er Stand. Here is what he had to say:
Having the correct center of gravity (CG) on your model is crucial to having a successful flight. This can be especially difficult to set correctly on larger models where the “finger method” is not always practical because of the aircraft’s heavy weight. Enter the VIC RC CG’er Stand from Legend Hobby.
It is a heavy-duty CG tool that also doubles as a model utility stand. The company claims that it can handle 1/4-scale models up to 75 pounds. This all-wood stand can be adjusted to hold complete models or single parts such as wings and fuselages. It is great for assembly or simply working on parts, while protecting them from hangar rash.
The VIC RC CG’er Stand comes as a kit that will require some assembly. You receive roughly two-dozen laser-cut pieces of 1/4-inch (6mm) thick plywood and dowels, plus hardware. The parts are crisply cut and easy to build. Assembly goes quickly. All of the parts either slide into each other or are sandwiched and affixed with screws and wing nuts. Some parts probably should be glued, but I was able to assemble the whole unit without using any.
Strips of self-adhesive foam rubber are included to provide a soft cushion when holding the model. After it is completely assembled, the stand measures 16 x 19.5 x 13 inches (length x width x height) in CG mode. It is slightly taller in fuselage-holder mode, depending upon your chosen configuration.
There are “wings” on the top of the stand that can be flipped up or down depending on the part being held. Simply loosen a nut, move the wings into a keyed position, then retighten them. This forms a cradle to securely hold your model. No tools are needed to change the configuration.
When these wings are laid flat, the CG’er part of the stand comes into play. A second set of screws can be loosened to allow the top of the stand to pivot freely. By placing a completed model on top, it is free to tilt forward and aft while you balance the model. There are alignment marks to help center the pivot on the model’s CG.
I found the VIC RC CG’er Stand practical to use and quite handy for larger models. It is wide and deep enough to accommodate most of the large-scale models in my inventory. The current price is $145.95.
Sources:
Legend Hobby
www.legendhobby.com
New Products From the Modeler’s Mall
27% Gee Bee Model Y ARF @ $986.99 from Maxford USA
Tel.: (562) 529-3988; website: www.maxfordusa.com
The Gee Bee Model Y Sportster was one of the famous Golden Age racers created by Granville Brothers Aircraft in the early 1930s. It was a low-wing, strut-and-wire-braced monoplane with open cockpits. To a great extent, it was an enlarged, two-seat version of the single-seat Sportster. Only two were ever built and both were unfortunately destroyed in accidents.
The new and improved 27% Gee Bee Model Y RC ARF sport-scale model from Maxford USA is based on the full-scale Gee Bee Model Y Senior Sportster and comes preassembled. A prepainted, fiberglass cowling and wheel pants are included, as well as a spring-loaded tail wheel to aid in ground handling.
The 97-inch wingspan model weighs 17 pounds and requires a four-channel radio, a 50cc-class two-cycle gas engine or equivalent glow or electric power system, five to six servos, and a 20- to 22-inch propeller (or a size recommended by the maker of the power system). Other items that might be needed include a Max-cowling ring, dummy engine, two 1/5-scale pilot figures, and servo extension cables and safety clips.
FMS EDF Jet 64mm F/A-18 Hornet PNP @ $199.99 + S&H from FMS Model
Tel.: (844) 436-7727; website: www.fmshobby.com
FMS introduces the all-new 64mm F/A-18 PNP EDF jet, featuring a completely redesigned mold with larger dimensions, sleeker contours, and improved detailing!
The high-fidelity version includes CNC-machined front landing gear, realistic rear landing gear, and navigation lights for added realism, as well as realistic cockpit details, antennae, plus scale fuel tanks and missiles. A buckle-design latch prevents an unexpected canopy release in flight. A high-quality, 40-amp ESC; high-power 2840-KV3150 motor; high-efficiency 64mm, 12-blade ducted-fan unit; high-precision digital servos; and ball-link control horns are all preinstalled. A four-channel transmitter and receiver, 14.8-volt 2,200 mAh to 2,600 mAh 25C LiPo with XT60 connector, and a LiPo battery charger are needed for completion.
With durable EPO foam material and environmentally friendly water-based paint, the FMS 64mm F/A-18 Hornet PNP jet is licensed by Boeing and is the ideal introduction to Scale RC jets, offering excellent stability and precise control for EDF jet beginners.
Hardware Assortment Kits @ $54.99-$550 + S&H from Du-Bro Products, Inc.
Tel.: (847) 526-2136; website: www.dubro.com
All of your favorite and must-have hardware is wrapped up in eight different boxes with Du-Bro’s Hardware Assortment Kits! Perfect for the builder’s workbench and flying field repairs, these assortment kits are color-coded for optimal organization. SKUs are listed on the lid labels to make reordering and stocking your box easy, and all parts are bagged inside the box to prevent mixing up during shipping.
Eight different kit options are offered in standard, metric, and connection assortments: 2-56; 4-40; 6-32; 2mm/2.5mm; 3mm; Hinge and Control Horns; Connectors; and Attachments. Bundles are available for standard, metric, or attachments. Buy one, buy a bundle, or purchase the Master Builder Bundle that contains all eight options!
