RC Giant Scale

Author: Sal Calvagna

Legend Hobby electric-powered B-17 flying over a grass field

RC GIANT SCALE

FLYING BIG
THIS SEASON

By Sal Calvagna | rcgiants@optonline.net

WELCOME BACK. I wish all of our readers a happy and healthy holiday season. Featured in this month’s column are a few of the amazing models that were at the Warbirds and Classics Over Delaware event that was held at Lums Pond State Park in Newark, Delaware, and the Festival of Giants event that was held at the Chenango Bridge Airport in Binghamton, New York. I hope you enjoy them.

Warbirds and Classics Over Delaware

After approximately 35 years, the Delaware R/C Club made a change to its annual warbirds event, which is held during the second week of July, to include the classics from a bygone era. This year, close to 90 pilots and more than 175 models were present.

Larry Alles, of Chalfont, Pennsylvania, had a newly completed C-45 Expeditor finished in U.S. Navy colors that was built from Nick Ziroli Plans. Normally at a 114-inch wingspan, Larry enlarged the design to 144 inches.

The C-45 was the military version of the Beechcraft Model 18. It fulfilled many roles, such as those for transport, liaison, pilot training, and bombardier training. It was extremely reliable, with more than 9,000 aircraft built from 1937 to 1970.

For a special treat, we had a visit during the event from a full-scale Beechcraft Model 18 that is owned and flown by Jon Martin. Jon made a few amazing passes for everyone to enjoy.

The youngest pilot at the event was 13-year-old Beau Kuraas from North East, Maryland, with his Carbon-Z Cub powered by an O.S. GT22 gas engine.

Ziroli-designed C-45 flying with smoke trails — Larry Alles’ 144-inch wingspan, Ziroli-designed C-45 makes a pass with smoke spewing from both DLE gas engines. What a sight!

Young pilot Beau Kuraas with a Carbon-Z Cub — At 13 years old, Beau Kuraas was the youngest pilot at the event. Here he is with his Carbon-Z Cub.

Beau flew his Cub like a pro and said that he has been flying RC since he was 4 years old. Great job, Beau!

Joe Flood, of Franklinville, New Jersey, flew his 47% Pitts S-1S. Joe is no stranger to the Giant Scale modeling community, but few know that Joe and his sons all fly the full-scale Pitts. I refer to them as “The Flying Floods.” The Pitts model is powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-150 twin-cylinder gas engine, which provides plenty of aerobatic power.

The Delaware R/C Club volunteers had the management of this event down to a science. It was four days of flying, fun, and good times with old friends. Thank you for all of your hard work.

Festival of Giants

The Binghamton Aeros held its 40th Festival of Giants at the Chenango Bridge Airport on August 7-9. More than 50 pilots with well over 100 Giant Scale models were in attendance. The flying field is 2,000 feet of beautiful, flat grass with the center 1,000 feet groomed short for the models.

Phil and Karen Camp, of Queensbury, New York, brought their Legend Hobby B-17 that is powered by four Dualsky 4130C electric motors that turn four 14 x 10-inch three-blade propellers. Phil used all Hitec servos and a Futaba transmitter for control.

The model spans 125 inches and can be powered by wet or dry power systems. It features a two-piece wing and a removable stabilizer for ease of transportation.

Full-scale Beechcraft Model 18 flying overhead — The full-scale Beechcraft Model 18, owned and piloted by Jon Martin, gives the crowd a thrill as he does a flyby at the Warbirds and Classics Over Delaware event.

Joe Flood with a red Pitts S-1S model — Joe Flood is pictured here with his 47% Pitts S-1S, which is powered by a DA-150 twin-cylinder gas engine.

Walt Wosko with a CARF-Models Spitfire — Walt Wosko with his CARF-Models Spitfire, which is powered by a DA-85 engine.

Charlie Brown with an ESM Tigercat model — Charlie Brown, a Navy veteran from Owego NY, with his electric-powered ESM Tigercat.

The chin, dorsal, and ball turrets can be servo-operated right out of the box. In addition, the bomb bay doors can also operate to drop bombs. The B-17 can be purchased in three versions: olive drab with a gray underside, silver aluminum, or as an almost-ready-to-cover model.

Phil and Karen are wonderful people. Karen is always up and down the tent line passing out frozen ices, lollipops, or delicious snacks. Thank you so much, Karen!

Charlie Brown, of Owego, New York, flew his Ever Soaring Models (ESM) electric-powered Tigercat. ESM is no longer in business; however, its models are still found at events everywhere. The Tigercat spans a respectable 83 inches and is powered by two 320 Kv electric motors. Each motor is powered by a 9S LiPo battery created by wiring a 6S and 3S pack in series. Charlie uses a Spektrum iX14 transmitter for control.

The Grumman F7F Tigercat was the very first U.S. Navy twin-engine fighter. It was delivered too late to see combat during World War II, but it did serve in some reconnaissance roles in the closing stages of it. The Tigercat primarily saw action during the Korean War, especially in a night fighter role.

Walt Wosko, of West Suffield, Connecticut, brought a beautiful CARF-Models Spitfire powered by a DA-85 engine, which turned a Mejzlik 25 x 12S three-blade propeller. Walt installed Sierra Giant Scale retracts and used a Spektrum transmitter for control.

In closing, the Binghamton Aero Club volunteers worked hard to provide the participants with four days of great flying and friendship. Thank you all!

That’s all for now. Please have a safe and happy holiday season.