CRANKY COCKPIT CLUB PILOTS
New Products That Are Worth a Closer Look
OLD SCHOOL MODEL Works noticed that the selection and availability of pilot figures was less than stellar, so the company decided to do something about it with its Cranky Cockpit Club Pilots. With a current selection of 31 pilots that ranges in size from 1/8 to 1/3 scale, there are many options for modelers who don’t like having an empty cockpit.
The pilot busts are 3D-printed in-house. Each one is made from flesh-toned, UV-resistant PETG plastic filament and is built to handle sun, wind, and wild aerial adventures. Ultra-thin-printed layers lock in those crisp details while keeping them lightweight, thanks to the use of minimal infill.
The samples that I received are prototypes, so they are not the exact size of what is on the website. The average individual weight is .2 ounces (5.6 grams) for 1/8 size up to an average of 4.9 ounces (138.9 grams) for 1/3 size.
I was excited to get Frankie with it being so close to Halloween. It is still yet to be determined whether he is actually cranky.
Old School Model Works currently has four categories of pilot figures: Realistic, Whimsical, Animal, and Wildcard. Prices range from $8.95 for 1/8 scale to $28.95 for 1/3 scale. Check out the company website to see all of the figures printed and painted.
SOURCES:
Old School Model Works
(513) 755-7494
oldschoolmodels.com/ccc-pilots.htm
New Products From the Modeler’s Mall
SF20 Pro 20-Channel Gyro Power Expander @ $369 + S&H from Advanced Radio/Booma RC
Email: support@boomarc.com;
website: us.boomarc.com
Advanced Radio’s SF20 Pro gyro power expander is the pinnacle of innovation in the RC world! Whether you’re a professional pilot or an enthusiastic hobbyist, the SF20 Pro brings a host of advanced features to elevate your flying experience.
Why choose the SF20 Pro? With 20 channels and expandable options, it adapts to your needs, offering unparalleled flexibility, control, and performance of your RC models. Features such as Auto Gain Control and Auto Protocol Discovery ensure that the SF20 Pro works effortlessly with various radio systems. FailSafe Switching and dual battery redundancy provide enhanced security during flight, giving you confidence and peace of mind, and Gyro Boost technology perfects hovering and heading-hold rolls, making every flight smoother and more enjoyable.
The SF20 Pro’s design is ultralightweight and compact, providing 20-plus high-power channels and ensuring that it’s easy to transport, set up, and use, without compromising performance. Working with multiprotocol support and single or dual battery configurations, it can be used with all battery chemistries and includes a vibrant color 24-inch diagonal touchscreen. Down Link Telemetry informs the user of real-time data and is compatible with all major radio brands.
1/10-Scale BF109E Kit @ $49.99 + S&H from 13th Squadron
Tel: (442) 515-0745;
website: 13thsquadron.com
Model Aviation’s “Electrics” columnist, Terry Dunn, introduced readers to 13th Squadron in the October 2025 issue. This new venture is the father/son team of Steve and Jack Niezgoda. Twenty-one-year-old Jack designs the models, while Steve, a career graphic artist, makes sure that all of the company’s models are flawless and historically accurate.
The 13th Squadron 1/10-scale, 39.5-inch wingspan BF109E kit is designed for builders and pilots who want scale looks with great flying characteristics to capture the thrill of piloting a full-scale warbird, while maintaining the forgiving traits needed for RC flying. The laser-cut foamboard and plywood model’s features were designed to increase the longevity of the build with reinforced areas to ensure that the airframe lasts through many flights and offers exceptional build flexibility. Options include adding functional flaps, bottom intakes, and even a landing gear bay, so you can tailor the project to match your needs.
A 3S 1,300 mAh battery, four-plus-channel transmitter, 2218 1,180 Kv brushless motor, 10 x 4.5 to 9 x 6 propeller, and four 9-gram servos (six if using flaps) are required. A link to 3D print files, as well as helpful overview and step-by-step building and painting videos, are available on the 13th Squadron website.
E-flite Airbus A320neo Twin 64mm EDF BNF Basic with AS3X+ and SAFE Select @ $549.99 - $619.99 from Horizon Hobby
website: horizonhobby.com/e-flite/
The E-flite Airbus A320neo Twin 64mm EDF BNF Basic with AS3X+ and SAFE Select is an officially licensed replica of one of the most popular airliners in the world today. Featuring a variety of scale details and functions, including LED landing and navigation lights, flaps, and retractable landing gear, the E-flite Airbus A320neo’s twin 64mm EDF power system delivers better-than-scale performance plus class-leading flight times with 6S 3,200 mAh to 7,000 mAh batteries.
No glue is required for assembly, and the two-piece wing plus separate stabilizers install quickly and easily without tools, so you are up and flying in almost no time. The lightweight, composite-reinforced EPO airframe is available factory-finished in the special Airbus neo livery that’s fully painted with decals already applied, or a painted “base white” version is available with separate decals to allow you to customize the scheme.
The neo livery and base white BNF Basic versions include a factory-installed receiver featuring AS3X+ technology, as well as SAFE Select technology, along with motor/thrust reversing to help shorten rollout after landing and provide other special ground-handling capabilities. Factory-installed Spektrum digital and metal-geared servos, a dual Smart Lite ESC, and outrunner motors are included. A full-range six- to eight-channel Spektrum DSMX/DSM2-compatible transmitter is required, depending on whether motor/thrust reversing is used.
