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Don’t let the Fokkers shoot you down

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29 Hangar 9 Mustang 37 A Model Business42 ParkZone SE5a51 Great Planes Viper

Retro Reviews

Contents Issue #149 September 2018

7 The Build20 The Fokkers 42 Aussie Bush Flying

5 The Leading Edge 6 Channel Chatter 33 Bricks n Mortar Shops n Services 47 About RCM News Subscription

17 Canberra Aerotow NAAS Mammoth Scale18 Twins & More27 Circle Work

Events / Articles Columns Editorial

Ace RC Models ...........................�Ace Hobby Distributors ............48Addie’s Hobbies ........................�2 AeroFlight Models Australia .......2Albury RC Models ..........11,24,28CASA ........................................45

Flyboys eBooks ....................... 4�FPV Australia .......................... 44Futaba Australia ...................... 52 Futaba Pro Shop ...................... 40Hearns Hobbies ....................... �2Hobbyrama .............................. ��

Perth R/C Models ................ ��,�4Power Grunt Hobbies ............... �2RC Depot ................................. 41RC World ................................. 12RCGF Engines ........................... 9RCHQ ................................. 27,�8

RCM News Disclaimer ............ 45RCM News Subscriptions ..... 19 SC Models .................................. 8Sonic Sales ............................... 10Wolf Models ........................ 19,2�

Advertisers Index

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Radio Control Model News print edition # 149 September 2018 5

one. A Balsa USA DV11 kit. We will pick up John’s progress next issue. Dangerous Dave splices some spruce and Brian Green plugs away at a laser cut kit. Which has a few problems. Biggest one? Designer suggested Dad doesn’t know what he is doing. Time will tell but this is looking like yet another RCM News review, written by someone qualified, sav-ing modellers from purchasing yet another hangar queen. Thanks to those who paid the cover price for the print magazine but retail sales of Issue #148 were as I feared. No longer enough advertising to prop it up. Radio systems are the heart and soul of RC flying and adverts for legacy publishers too. Lost Spektrum a few years back. I no longer give a toss about that agent nor his under manager but when Hitec, Jeti and Multiplex agencies went to them that was it. No more magazines in newsagents. The Digital title is Free and print subscriptions are filled in the usual manner. Subscribers have not been charged for this print edition whilst I worked out what I’m doing.

Next issue is our 150th. Futaba has just released a 70th Anniversary edition of the feature packed 18SZ. Seems a nice way to launch Plan B. Plan A was putting my faith in the local hobby trade, Sunday Jan 15th 2015. Blowing that engine right on V1 at gross weight on that windy day I’ve been climbing at VMCA ever since. It took time to work through the checklist to get the other engine going again. One does learn who you can rely on. And who not to bother with. Thank you to readers, advertisers, RC pilots and readers who continue to support this magazine. “Come on Dad’s let’s build a plane” is alive and well for Sandown 2019. Will the Fokkers conspire to shoot that down? Finally, after nineteen years I reckon I’ve exhausted their ammunition.

The Leading Edge

A model business

It’s now time to take off again with a new flight plan and this time a paper aeroplane. The success of any product in the market place is no different and a magazine is no different, will be determined by you our reader. If you perceive that value for money is offered then you will purchase our product. As editor the question I have to answer is what do you see as value in a magazine. There are many choices to be made when editing, all will reflect in the image of the final product. Advertising of products and prices, product reviews who is doing what and where, competition results the list goes on but the space is limited. It is my belief that valid and helpful information is the key and will be the major focus of radio Control Model News magazine. How to do things how other modellers do it, we can and do learn from one and other. If that information with well written text, drawings and pictures then I can do no more. When you read this magazine if there is just one more item that produces more success and enjoyment in your modelling then I would suggest that the price is right. The throttle is open, we are off the ground and climbing with the wings level. Why not come along for the ride, I am sure you will enjoy it. Brian Green. RCM News #1 September 1991.

Powered by Supertigre G15 1972

What has happened since the 91 World Champs when this magazine was launched? FAI Pylon is moving with the times and Extreme Zone will cover the build during the next year. The final team trial will be this weekend at the Ron de Chastel Memorial in Maryborough Qld. Congratulations to the Australian F4C Scale Team for taking out the Team Trophy. Not featuring the models has something to do with the nature of the event and they been done to death on socal media recently. The average Joe wouldn’t see the subtle changes made since they were featured in this magazine, as well as being pride of place at Sandown 2015-2016. I have one problem promoting competitve scale flying. Seem’s it’s a closed shop. Eligibility for an FAI discipline without a formal team trial judged by team members? That’s not right.

In 1972 I won a $15 dollar cheque racing my 2.5cc QM Cassutt. Sandown 2015 the chaps raced their ARF Cassutts for $1000 first place prize. Hopefully by next issue the someone else I have in mind can report that the Cassutts have finally done their bit. And that will be it. They can have a rest. My magazine has done its share trying to promote RC and I have sure had my fill of being shot down by old Fokkers. On that subject the previous dig-ital edition John Armarego embarked on building


Channel ChatterClArifiCAtion

RCM News (print) has always been available by subscription It was pulled from Newsagents a year ago because of falling circulation and losing money. At the request of a few advertisers I changed distributors and put it back on the shelves. It did not sell enough copies to justify the cost. It is still available by subscription.

Basically the majority of people wont pay for digital content and the digital title was pulled from the same distributor. I was not given the chance to let readers know. The new system is the digital is free. If I owe you for a back issue of the digital please let me know. Stephen Green

Hello, I have a subscription through pocket mags for RCM News, with � editions remaining. I note that there has not been any substantial updates/new magazines through this method for some time. Is RCM News no longer published via pocket mags. IF so, I have never received any warning/correspondence to that effect. Can you please confirm? By the way, I’m not relay worried about my remaining � subscriptions, just looking to understand what is going on. Thanks Mario(Unfortunately the email address supplied keeps bouncing back. ED)

Hello, is there a way to subscribe to your awesome magazine online? Regards Shawn.

Hi Stephen, I had a digital subscription to RCM News which stopped after the Jan 18 issue. Could you please tell me what I have to do to reinstate. Looking forward to some catch-up reading-please keep up your great work. Thank you Tim O’Connor.Hi Stephen,Thank you for the missed copies - much appreciated. I am still not sure how to pay for this subscription. Every thing suggests it is free however in this day and age nothing is free. I look forward reading your magazine and enjoy (lol) the different perspectives articulated, particularly in the editorials, and for that I expect to pay! Please confirm the payment situation for digital subscription.Thank you, Look forward to future editions. Thanks and regards, Tim O’Connor.

Stephen,Thanks, for sending this email/link out. I like your magazine, it takes me back to my building days and not just assembling days. Do I need to subscribe somewhere or will they just continue to show up in my email. I forward this to our membership and several have asked to get on the mailing list. Bobby.

I would like to subscribe to the digital thank you. Peter G.

Hi Steve, this looks very good, Thanks Werner S.

Stephen, After being a long term subscriber, I would love to download the new magazine, however when I went to do so, the phone came up with the notification as per the attached photo. As quite a lot of us modellers are “old farts” and don’t have technical internet knowledge, no doubt many will do what I did, and didn’t download. It was similar to your last message regarding the last issue, it was stated it was free to download, but I couldn’t find any way to do so. Hopefully you will get it sorted in due course. Regards Wayne Beale. (Sorted Ed)

Hi Steve, Sorry I couldn’t talk yesterday. Yes the preparation for the Mammoth is going well and we have had a good number of pre-entries so far. The feedback and support we are receiving from yourself and the flyers / clubs has been all positive which is a great thing. They want it back to where it was a few years ago the same as we do! The only thing that would stuff it would be the weather, fingers cross the weather gods are kind to us. Rob Popellier

Stephen, my Futaba 18sz has � position switches along the top for Dual Rates BUT how do I get � different Throws? It can be done on my 14MZ, but this has me foxed. Please can you advise, Thanking you in Anticipation Regards Rod Gordon in Hervey Bay.

No, I haven’t decided which model I’m going to get yet! Have been looking at various reviews of the Apprentice, FMS Super EZ and the Hobbyzone Carbon Cub S At this stage I’m leaning towards the Cub with it’s array of beginner safety measures. I have a mate who flies and he recommends anything with the SAFE tech. Thanks for taking the time to make contact. Cheers, Andrew.

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The Build

1/4 sCAle CessnA AirmAster pArt two by briAn Green

With the basic fuselage structure complete, mounting the engine was next. As the pic. shows the engine is mounted to the front of a plywood sided box. This box also houses the tank and throttle servo, plus ignition stuff and can be slid in and out of the fuselage front formers making setting the clearance between the rear of the prop and the front of the cowl easy. Once established the box distance can be marked, the cowl removed and the box glued in place. I’m often asked what glue do I use when building? Basically three, PVA white glue, balsa cement and occasionally cyano. PVA for high strength areas and balsa cement where final finish sanding is required as balsa cement sands much easier than PVA. The gluing of the engine box will have to wait as the fiberglass cowl is still somewhere over the Pacific.

The rudder and elevator servos are mounted upright on a ply plate glued to the cabin rear bulkhead. As shown on the plan, to carry out any maintenance one would have to open the cabin door, put your hand inside and fiddle with servo screws ect. Not something one would want to have to do at the flying field, even when a bench is available. As shown in part one, with the removable cabin floor, access if far better. And to make it even easier, I mounted the servos upside down.Next on the agenda is the back end. Tail-plane, elevators, fin and rudder are conventional construction. The tail-plane and fin use the typical top and bottom balsa sheeting from the leading edge to the spar, producing a box section to provide torsional rigidity. The plan shows balsa sheet as the centre of both fin and rudder with half ribs glued to either side. The laser cut kit came with light-ply in lieu

Elevator and rudder servos are mounted upside down to make their access easier

Greeny’s Meanies

of balsa. I didn’t like the idea of the work involved in sanding the TE of the lightply down to a sharp trailing edge so I used 1mm ply instead to easily provide the sharp trailing edge. This was notched to to take pin type hinges instead of the Robart type shown on the plan.

The other change was to use a 4mm wire elevator joiner and one servo instead of separate elevators each driven by its own servo. Using two servos does supply a measure of redundancy if one servo fails, however that failure would have to occur with the dead servo at or close to centre. Plus the last time I


had a servo failure was in 197�. Tip. (Use quality R/C gear.) The plan shows push pull steel cables operating the rudder, however the rudder bellcrank end is hidden inside the fuselage and the servo end is in a very difficult to get at its position inside the cabin area. I’ve always found cables need re-tensioning after a few flights, so opted for a single carbon fibre pushrod as I used on the elevators. The plan shows a non-steerable tail-wheel held centered by cables and small springs. In my experience, not very effective for taxying in a strong crosswind. So I opted for non scale simpler system. A 1/8” wire mounted and glued to the leading edge of the rudder.

With the elevator and rudder controls done, the landing gear was next. The plan shows two shapes of undercarriage

The Build

Rear of the engine mounting box showing fuel tank and throttle

servo

Support midway for the long elevator and rudder pushrods. This stops whipping of the rods when they are subjected to engine vibration. (Just

in case!)

The 4mm wire elevators joiner with the brass elevator tube horn silver soldered in place

https://www.scmodels.com.au/


legs, a straight leg for the earlier marks and a curved shape for the later ones. With two legs, one left and one right each screwed to a common piece of plywood glued between the fuselage sides. The problem I’ve found with this design is that a one wing low heavy landing will typically break the plywood in the centre and the damage is a REAL pain to repair. I opted for a one piece 6061 aluminium

The Build

The engine box fully extended to check fit the cowl distance. Thee laminations of 3/8” balsa making up the nose ring and glued to the plywood former make a substantial engine mounting. The 6mm ply added to the plan design also strengthen the front of the

engine mounting box

The box fully back to fit cowl distance. When the correct distance is determined the box is glued in

place. Just waiting for the fiberglass cowl

Fiberglass rudder horn and steerable tailwheel wire. The U shaped tailwheel mounting is

silver soldered to a 1/8” wheel col-lar that fits to the end of the wire.

(That bit is still to come.)

Rough shaping the nose block of the three glued together

balsa rings. Wearing a breathing mask is really required. ‘‘Cough, cough!” This wood thickness is

not laser cut, it’s marked out with a cutting line

undercarriage. Cutting and bending that 6.5mm aluminium is in the capable hands of Irwin Hirt. Just after I emailed part two off, the cowl after it’s journey around the Americas arrived, so now I can finish off the fuselage structure. With the basic fuselage structure complete, mounting the engine was next. As the pic. shows the engine is mounted to the front of a plywood

https://www.rcgfenginesaust.com/


The Buildsided box. This box also houses the tank and throttle servo, plus ignition stuff and can be slid in and out of the fuselage front formers making setting the clearance between the rear of the prop and the front of the cowl easy. Once established the box distance can be marked, the cowl removed and the box glued in place. I’m often asked what glue do I use when building? Basically three, PVA white glue, balsa cement and occasionally cyano. PVA for high strength areas and balsa cement where final finish sanding is required as balsa cement sands much easier than PVA.

The gluing of the engine box will have to wait as the fiberglass cowl is still somewhere over the Pacific. The build continues. (Thanks Dad. Ed)

lil mistyThe decision for a new model is often based around an unused engine in the drawer. Or an impeding purchase. Upsizing the engine may mean gruntier servos. Budget is a big factor of course. Over the years I have consistently maintained that one of the best long term investments is the best servos you can afford. Good quality leads go hand in hand with that. One consideration when deciding what to build is the size. I have a van and a model trailer so that isn’t a problem. Another is the size

4” Mini Table SawMini Table Saw

Third Handwww.sonicsales.com.au

A small selection from our extensive range of hobby tools

Reference is Goodyear and Formula One Air Racing

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PART OF OUR FULL RANGE OF BUILDING SUPPLIES

The Build

Reference The Air Racer by Charle A Middenhall

Testing Deluxe Products water based laminating resin on a foam

combat wing

Long sanding block is 80 grit paper, glued using contact cement to an aluminium extrusion. The I got

a Perrmagrit unit

of the workshop. Nice high ceilings reduce the risk of dinging the thing, not problem there either.

I have always wanted to scratch build a scale model. I am into the large scale air racing as well and for me that adds up to a Goodyear/F1 design with a 60cc engine. Up to 80’ span so I can consider flying at events that insist on the out of date minimum wingspan rule. Fixed gear with spats, preferably a two piece wing, removable stabs would be good too. The convenience of those two features reminds me of my first experience flying dual ball race servos with coreless motors. Hard to go back.

bellAnCA 28-92The last model I started to build along those lines was the anthesis of that description. Scratched off a three view, not a two piece wing, taildragger with retracts, three OS 120 AX engines.

Hard top on 2FG Falcon Ute made it next to useless for 60cc

powered models

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The Build

Race rules called for the mufflers to be enclosed within the cowl. Tatone manufactured the exhaust systems to my specs. Each nacelle had a small Sullivan 2 ounce header tank fed by muffler pressure.

That amount of complexity with the engine setup didn’t phase me at all. I endeavour to make all systems on model as easy to access as possible. Rectifying problems at the field is one of the key differences between competition and sport flying. Each nacelle could be quickly removed by undoing three bolts. Aileron servo at the rear of the nacelle driving a 1/4 inch K&S spring steel wire torque for a clean wing. Flaps not required. If slowing on the approach turned out to be a problem the idea was to shut down the outboard engines and fly it in on number two. The model was built right on the minimum specifications to race. Engineering the thing was a real buzz. It needed weight up the back so the big receiver battery pack was mounted aft.

Cutting out ply plates for hatches and engine cowlings

Razor plane hacks into the block to rough out the shape

Sanding block to smooth out the bumps and finish the contour

3mm balsa sheet added to create the slightly oval shape

When finished the cowls will be cut from the na-celles and hollowed out around the engines

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Radio Control Model News print edition # 149 September 2018 1�

The Build

Ditto for elevator and rudder servos. Tailplane was built using something I learnt as a kid. Just like a free flight HLG (also known as a Chuck Glider) the tailplane was hand shaped from half inch balsa laminated to get the chord width. Unlike my old chuckies three 1.5mm (1/16th”) thick full depth ply spars were slotted in. Seemed prudent given the estimated top speed of 250 kph.

Tickled pink with how the model was going together, the first day it was assembled to sit back and take a look was a bad day. I had misread the three view. Mounted the tailplane in the wrong position. It was too low. The rules called for the outline to as close as practicable. Seeing I have had something to say about the application of those rules in this publication it was best to be squeaky clean. Stab

Hollowing out the insideUsing the finer grit once the basic shape was es-tablished. Blue thumbnail is from overspray on the

combat wing

Adding shape to match the three view

Mount the tail or cover it with Polytex first?

Permagrit tungsten carbide flexible sanding strip

Flexible ooh yeah was moved higher. Structurally not as strong I worried if someone kicked it. By accident of course. The competitive scene isn’t like that! With hindsight I should have left it. As Stuart Clair would say, hardly anyone has ever seen one of these.

The project was not far off covering stage but there was no way around it. I had to redo the nacelles. Made them a tad too small. Getting the four inch wheel with the double oleo leg


Above right, linisher and disk sander make quick work of creat-ing curves and corners. Next job is to connect the dust extractor

Slowly taking shape and changing the design to balsa block was a big help in rectifying a very nose heavy condition

Razor plane is quick and creates much less mess that balsa dust from sanding

around the throttle servo linkage, aileron servo and toque rod was too hard. There was one more compelling reason that inspired me to choose that model. With three engines it would be almost impossible for the marshalls to mistake it for another competitors model flashing around the pylons.

Many competitors had already voted with their feet due to application of the rules and the way interstate competitors were treated. This magazine publicising that event quite a few years before that because I felt is was misleading to advertise to competitors it as a legitimate competition. Then I heard how Richard Mudge was treated. Tired of beating my head against the wall I made the decision never race there again and the triple engine Bellanca 28-92 project was binned. Should I ever change my mind Dad’s Golden Era In-line Mr Smoothie is now in my hangar and it qualifies.

buildinG The overwhelming sense of satisfaction of seeing what was created on a building board return safely after its test flight is the glue that keeps this hobby together in its original form. The basic trainer or easy to fly constant chord wing trike gear sport model from a commercially available

The Build


kit or semi kit is the most common experience. Building from scratch off a set of commercially available plans is the next level. Whether it be a glider, aerobatic, racing, fixed or rotary wing your own design built in balsa wood, fibreglass, plastic sheet and metal started by drawing your own plans and fabricating everything, that is another level again.

Competition flying has played a vital role in developing aircraft, radio equipment, engines-motors, rules batteries, and building techniques. A very small percentage of modellers get their kicks flying their own creations against their peers. There are truly

The Build

amazing builders all around the world but the Master Class for recreating a full size aircraft in miniature built off your own plans taken from a three view to fly a series of manoeuvres and have both facets subjectively judged is FAI F4c Scale Competition. At the top of the RC scale modelling pyramid is competing in an FAI F4c Scale World Championships. Some competitors invest up to 5000 hours into the build. Cost per flight is another interesting statistic. For an Australian competing in Europe it pans out around $5000 per flight.

T h e 2 0 1 8 FA I S c a l e Wo r l d Championships in Switzerland were

being conducted when digital copies of back issues of RCM News magazines were being uploaded to the magazine website. Regular columnists such as Frank Curzon’s “RC Scale Forum” and Jim Brennan’s “Just Plane Scale “ contain a wealth of credible information that is hard to find on the Internet. Both gentlemen no longer with us. Other scribes in their 80s have a wealth of information which will become even harder to find. Anyone interested in the pursuit of building and flying any scale model aircraft would do well to read those two dedicated scale modellers column’s which are available in the back catalogue library.

Jim Brennan competed at National and World level. The scale wing attachment and control systems in his Piper Pacer in the previous digital issue confirmed for me he was by far the most accomplished scratch builder I’ve ever met. My Father’s Grumman Panther project was started to compete in the 2006 event in Sweden. Based on Dad’s recent experience dealing with Jerry Bates Plan Service it seemed timely to publish a few pics of his build projects. Dad is a fierce competitor who can read a set of rules then set about coming up with an edge. Folding wings and his own turbine engine the F95 Panther was a chosen to add the WOW factor needed for an unknown scale competitor too stand in front of the judges and be taken seriously. Cramming that in and keeping under the weight limit was a challenge in

Jim’s magnificent Paper Pacer now in the capable hands of the Garle family in Qld

GT-2000 assembly and running instructions

This engine is state of the art as it currently applies and is designed to deliver high power withreliability. While using the same compressor and turbine wheels as in the KJ66 design, it issimpler to make and cheaper to maintain in the longer term. The KJ66 provided a quantum leapin the design of miniature gas turbines and we should all be grateful to the design team for plac-ing it in the public domain. Starting at the front of the GT-2000, the compressor wheel shroud is machined from CASTnylon 66. While not as dimensionally stable as aluminium, it has the advantage that if a frontbearing failure occurs, the wheel is not destroyed and the damaged area of the shroud can bebogged up with a micro balloon and epoxy paste and then re-contoured. A considerable saving when compared to the cost of a wheel and shroud.The diffuser requires a simple turning and milling operation as the 6 deg slope is on the front ofthe wedges with a mating slope on the diffuser cover. Therefore the diffuser can be milledwhile held flat on the table. Also the front bearing can be replaced by simply removing the com-pressor shroud and shaft. The diffuser cover is slotted for an O ring to provide a case sealand the assembly is held in place in the case by a ring of 12 machine screws. The front end isextremely rugged and should survive even the most severe crash. The shaft is made from 4140 (60 ton, 90 ton after heat treatment) steel and runs in ceramicball races with front preload provided by a wave washer bearing on the front ballrace outerring. The bearings also ride in O rings. This keeps them centralised when the shaft tunnel ex-pands with temperature and also results in quieter running. Lubrication is provided by mixing 5% Jet oil with the kerosene and a Tee in the external fuelline delivers this to the front bearing. Air under case pressure is fed to the front bearing viaslots in the rear of the diffuser and this carries the lubrication down the shaft tunnel throughthe rear bearing to provide its lubrication, then to atmosphere via the turbine exhaust. Thissystem has several advantages: As soon as the engine gets fuel, it gets lubrication. The kero/oil

500 sets of plans sold and the engine performed as advertised


itself. I was given the privilege of doing the test flight. Which was done in undercoat before the rivet detail was completed in case there was an error with the tailplane incidence. Painting the tip tanks to increase visibility was a lesson learned test flying his twin turbine Phantom. The unpainted fibreglass fuselage was very hard to see.

Scratch built Panther with folding wings and home built turbine engine

Static judging Dad’s Eindekker at 2006 F4C Worlds

The responsibility of that flight was enormous and it was the most nerve wracking test flight I have ever done done. Remaining within gliding distance of the runway was number one priority. After three flights we had the aileron and elevator rates, elevator flap trim mix set. Good to go back into the workshop to be completed.

The only thing we hadn’t done was unfold and lock the wings during taxi. How cool would that have been? Dad had numerous F�a-F5b -F5d World Championships under his belt and six weeks later the end of the �5MHz TX antenna was shaking a little just before he opened the throttle on that first flight, of his 1/5th scale Fokker

Most nerve racking test flight I’ve ever done

Static balancing F-100 all flying tailplanes. Setup was great yet was a dog in the twin turbine F4

The Build

Wing root mounts


The BuildE111 in Sweden. The square spar was one of the reasons the wing warping worked a treat. The way it half rolled out of an Immleman busted all those rumours that wing warping was hard. Way too touchy, aileron (warping) throw reduced 50%.

1/4 sCAle non Composite f-100 skinned with Aero fliGht bAlsA

In large model jet speak that is my turn of phrase to describe wood. Heard about these laser cut offerings by NS Modelers a little while ago. Three people I know have bought one each. Paul Golz chose the F-100 Super Sabre. Chris Finning the FA-18 and Damien Mould went for the F-104 Starfighter. Interesting in that this is Paul’s has done a number of complex models but this is his first attempt at a conventional balsa - ply structure. Published a few pics of his gorgeous composite Mig 15 some time back. I can’t see him having any trouble.

Initial reports are that the parts fit is amazing. What is very interesting is there is no full size plan supplied. Jigs designed into each former and wing rib are such that build goes together very easily. I checked out Damien’s tip tanks for the 104 and the concept

Front fuselage section. Each former has its own jig to be built flat on the bench

Aft section

Mig 15 on the right


The Build

Skins are 2.5 or 3mm x 100 x 915 Aero Flight Balsa

Trampoline provides perspective


looks to be extremely well executed. These are big models. Those tip tanks are over one metre long. Fuselage over four metres but it breaks in half. So to speak. One thing with this group is these models will be powered with a sensible amount of thrust. Check them out at www.mircemodels.net

simple fun buildsLast issue I mentioned looking through my collection of plans and came across the Das Ugly Stick. In the interests of publishing accurate information the model was powered by a .45 engine not a .60. The original was a trike not a taildragger. Tempted to build one but I have a few potential hangar queens that need to fly again Must complete those projects One the subject of plans did you know copyright last for seventy years after the death of the original owner?

Airborne plAns serviCePurchased as a going concern after RoPoMod (Airborne) closed down. Nothing to do with the defunct magazine, Bob from Wolf Models in Queenland offers a range of building products- services as well as plans. One thing on my to do list is a new canopy for the Dragon Fli. I have to make the mould and seal it then ship it to Bob. In this case I will knock the mould up from balaswood sheet. The thing to be mindful of is the clarity of the clear

Four bolts and a bit of engineering saves buying a truck or trailer

Fuselage airbrake

www.wolfmodels.netQld 07 5465 2382

With over 800 plans to choose from we’re sure to have a plan that suits you

AIRBORNE PLANS SERVICE

plastic will be directly proportional to how well sealed my mould is.

The Little Toni FAI pylon racer could do with a new canopy as well but that won’t be happening. The Dragon Fli was painted with enamel. Little Toni with K&B Super Poxy. At Fliteline

Models years ago we switched from K&B to Hobby Poxy. The difference was that you could rub back Hobby Poxy to repaint a small section. Not so with the K&B. A patch and some of that marvellous clear canopy glue will be the go for this 1980s 250 kph screamer.

New canopy for the Dragon Fli

The Build


Don’t let the Fokkers Shoot You Down

Active committees have a way of making it look easy to run a club. Enjoying freshly cut grass and being insured are number one priority but many members have or chooses to have little idea of what goes on behind the scenes. Following on the previous edition this column offers space to air idea about improving model clubs.

One big problem long term that RC aeromodelling now faces is less beginners coming through. One of the reasons I started Sandown was to try and excite people into flying planes. Generating leads is the first part of the sales process which often breaks down when a beginner presents at the flying field. Keeping the hobby small by doing what you did thirty years ago remains a problem. Even without knowing it. This is nothing new.

Talking to people outside your own industry can be enlightening. Most mornings I grab a coffee at Cafe Picante in St Georges Rd Fitzroy North. It opens at 5am which is one reason I go. The staff of casual, part time and full time baristas have all been taught not to murder the beans plus I’ve met an interesting bunch of blokes too. Most are self employed. Usual start the day having a chat outside with the smokers. Inside is an island beach where people are on laptop or doing crosswords. A bit like a sushi bar which is another place you meet interesting people. I got chatting to a lady, when she wasn’t typing furiously. Her family had an aviation background and I gave her a magazine and we had a discussion about dealing with the Internet. Some months later she asked how my business was going and I

made the mistake of saying the truth. “Terrible”. She promptly pulled ten dollars out of her purse to pay for the magazine. The offer was declined.

Another chap who takes up his regular spot on the bench has a ten year old boy who might become interested in flying. Currently doing they are RC car thing. I suggested 12-1� is the median age for planes but with gaming and sims that advice might be out of date now. Dad has rebuilt an old English motorcycle so mechanical aptitude skills would be helpful there. By the way it’s a 69 Triumph which he still can’t take for a morning ride. The spark plugs keep fouling after an hour of running. Mechanically it is all okay, now experimenting with electrics.

Parents or single parents expecting to be able to drop their kid off for half a day and have them minded is not new either. Whether I was busier than my parents who also raised four kids I don’t know but these days there are so many activities kids can do. Whether triplets made that busier I can’t say but I recall many parents much busier ferrying children around to various sporting activities than I was. Our children were allowed to try one thing at a time. If they didn’t like it they could move to something else. Club members not wanting that responsibility is fair enough. Government regulation such as Working with Children applies today. Excellent coffee at Cafe Picante

Put Robert Zyp’s Sopwith Triplane on the cover once but captioned it a Fokker. Got it right with these three Macca’s Vintage Aerodreme Museum Scale Fokkers on the front cover of Issue #107 April 2008


old fokkersCan present a problem for a club to deal effectively with youthful beginners. One answer to that problem is the Commercial Instructor. MAAA professional instructor insurance was set up years ago. MOP 02�. Permission from the club to operate professionally is a requirement. My experience operating as a Commercial Instructor


in 80s through 90s was that once most people were confident they would reach solo stage (usually in six weeks) they were happy to join the club and purchased their second model. Shows a commitment to participating in the hobby. New members are often keen to contribute to running of the club as well. I have made an initial application

to two Melbourne clubs that have built up excellent facilities over the years. It will be interesting to see what the response is Will the old guard not want “that sort of thing”

I was a member of DAC (Doncaster Aermodellers Clubs) for a number of years and I started teaching RC flying

Sure to be an older Fokker in earlier editions of Frank Curzon’s RC Scale Forum but this was the

first published after the magazine was produced us-ing desk top publishing. Issue #71

Alan Grimmer cranking up his 84” span, OS 300 powered, 22”X6” propped, Fokker DR-I

A few oldies from rC sCAle forum - issue 78 feb 2005

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commercially at that field. Members would often send beginners my way because it freed up their time. Offering the first flying session for free I used to pick up about half. The others opted for the club system. Six weeks later most of my students would be looking to go solo and purchase their second plane. I never sold models or gear and beginners were always referred back to their hobby shop. The President also owned a hobby shop which made

getting other businesses to accept my brochures nigh on impossible. There was the occasional dust up between members supporting another local shop but by and large the club prospered under his stewardship. Flying standards were good as was the relationship with the council. Together we conducted a

number of RC flying days for Camp Quality.

First order of business for the new committee when his presidency got knifed was to cancel the annual airshow. Which was shame because in conjunction with the local Rotary Club the best result was something like thirteen grand on the gate. Along with the obligatory photo in the local paper handing over the cheque. Not long after the President was nobbled they started getting in to my operations so I left the club and organised my own flying field. FFONP. (Fun Flying Only No Politics) Used to get up to eight beginners on the Saturday group sessions. Four in the morning four in the afternoon for a guaranteed minimum of five ten minute flights for $45. Later I opened my own hobbyshop. By the time I arrived at 2.00pm the Saturday arvo flying school was in full swing. At times there were three instructors on duty. A twenty five dollar gift voucher for a TIF every second week was advertised in the local paper. Cost was discounted off the purchase price if they bought. That ad used to pay for itself.

The chap with the Triumph and ten year old boy asked if Holiday Camps for model aircraft were conducted. A capital idea for any club wanting new members. Another bonus is the activity stands a very good chance being reported in the local paper. Particularly if the club spends a few

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Radio Control Model News print edition # 149 September 2018 2�

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bucks on advertising to promote it. Getting club members to participate will get even harder when membership numbers fall. The same few putting in the hard yards is not new either. Hip pocket nerve is a good incentive for someone motivated to take it on. The instructor can easily subsidise their own hobby in the process. A classic Win - Win situation.

the AnnuAl AirshowAnd so another tale of Mack the Knife turning up at the Annual General meeting and a few years later, to put it mildly, the club has not prospered. And so it joined that long list where good intentions spoiled a well run club. Issue was spending money re-aligning and re-surfacing the runways. Putting aside the methodology and aggro ultimately the club will benefit as the trend towards large model aviation continues. The approach path on the main strip clear of trees should pay dividends but in the meantime membership suffered as did the annual event. The annual fundraising event.

Attracting tourists helped forge an excellent relationship with the local Council, a big factor why the club has enjoyed various grants towards improvements. One beauty was sealing the main access road. Income from membership was down and to reduce costs the decision was made not to advertise the event on TV. Issues with public toilets, registration and treatment of pilots all the little things that ran like a well oiled machine had problems. Every year I take the time to sit in the bleechers to get a feel for what spectators see. The previous two years I passed on to the committee the observation noticed that a few seats in the bleechers were badly in need

Ducks were in a row

Bleechers repaired

Mack the Knife

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Clare approach path through the tree much better for Giant Models. Runway markers are good but

steel wire might be a bit hard on props

Problem fixed Happy campers

Taxiway could be wider to accomodate the biggies

Profitable airshows are important to maintain facilities and equipmentBe seen to be squeaky clean

Businesses could pay to display out of the weather (I would. Ed)

Mario Schembri staked his claim in the pits very earlyAll set for a weekend of flying




Mario Schembri happy to wheel out this gorgeous Henkel Bipe that caught local press photographer Catherine Grey’s eye. Glad I didn’t

take the bet it would make the front pageWelcoming address by Club

President Les Sawyer

Michael Timm’s landings caught the photographer’s eye too. Mario was pipped at the post by a jet. (Pic by Catherine Grey)

Gary Flanagan should have a spot to do an individual routine

of repair. That is an absolute public event no no. Under old management again how did it all work out? Keith Quigg will have a report next issue but here are a few behind the scenes observations. A general ring around and social media confirmed plenty of pilots were willing it to get going again. How did it go?

This event was advertised on TV for years. Saturday was a blow out and the aircraft restrictions (must be scale) were relaxed to get some model in the air. Sunday the weather cleared and plenty of fuel burnt. It’s on again next year. Great job by all concerned. From a sheer spectacle/ fund raising point of view some thought to grouping aircraft types and on the hour specific displays


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Learning to fly the Hangar 9P-51 Mustang

by Michael Haranis.

Flight School (Reviews Revisited Issue 97 August 2009)

Wingspan 1,480mm weight 2.9-3.2 kg, optional flaps. Ready to fly includes Spektrum DX 6i computer radio and Evolution .46 engine.

The engine and radio are not only included they are installed. I needed no help putting this model together.

Assembly is so easy. I just screwed the tail and the wheels in place and connect the elevator and rudder pushrods. Then bolt

on the prop and spinner.

To operate the optional flaps just add a Y lead and two servos to connect the

existing the linkages.

forwArd by stephen GreenWhen the chance to review a P-51 Mustang marketed as capable of being a training aircraft I thought “At last someone has done it.” Rather than review this Ready to Fly package in the traditional way I felt it would be beneficial to give the Mustang to someone who was starting out and follow his progress over a series of articles. This would also give me the chance to include an overview of the learning process. Two years ago I reviewed the first of the Hangar 9 models with the “PTS” (Progressive Trainer System). I found this to be an excellent concept and the beauty of this new model is not only does it fly great but a begin-ner can look great flying it.

There are five basic components that affect the time it takes to learn to fly a model aeroplane. Regardless of

how you actually go about it accru-ing flying time is the most important. The more often you fly the quicker you advance.

Obviously the type of model is an important factor. At the time of writing the P-51 has flown six times. Two flights one for trimming and checking out how it flew followed by a photographic sortie then four more with a beginner on the controls. For some this may not seem enough time but I have taught many beginners on a wide range of models and it is safe to say that the feeling you get when lifting the lid of the box the first time should remain long after your first solo and this P-51 really looks the part.

Then there is the aptitude of the student and the ability of the instruc-tor. Some people learn more quickly and some try harder than others. Conversely a hot shot flyer doesn’t automatically make a good instruc-tor because some people can impart knowledge better than others. It is this ability that has more impact on the time it takes for a student to un-derstand and progress through each stage.

The way the model is set up is an-other factor (but you could lump that

under the quality of the instructor) and from an instructors perspective the factory setup on the Mustang is great. You will spend hardly any time at all giving it the once over.

The features and benefits of the model will also be covered but right now I am handing control over to Michael.

new to rAdio Control“As a teenager I built and flew a couple of control line models. I had always wanted to build a radio model but back then radio control was way out of my league, just far too expen-sive.

In my twenties I started to build a Piper Cub from a Goldberg kit with a view to adding the motor and radio when I could afford it but any spare money seemed to vanish, along with any spare time. I was told that a scale model wasn’t the best thing to learn with but I have always looked at models of actual aircraft and really prefer a model of a real plane.

One mortgage, two daughters, lots of tennis and a marriage later that project was never completed. My daughters have since grown up and my circumstances have changed to the point where I now have a lot more free time. Then I was offered a chance to try my hand at flying radio control and the deal was that my friend would teach me to fly if would write about the learning proc-ess through the eyes of an absolute beginner and allow him print my observations in the magazine.

I was assured it would be suit-able for a beginner and one very appealing factor was the ready to fly

Radio Control Model News print edition #149 September 2018 �0

Flight School

Taxiing out, I can’t believe it’s a trainer!

Oh-uh soon I will have to attempt this.

concept meant not a huge amount of time would be spent getting into the air. When I was informed that the model was a Mustang my interest was immediately aroused.

The plane was delivered and when I read on the box that the P-51 Mk11 PTS is perfect for the entry level pilot I kept reading. PTS stand for progressive trainer system which means this aircraft will allow you to go from train-ing to advanced sport manoeuvres with out upgrading or purchasing a new plane. The photo of the wing shows something called NACA Droops which are attached to the outer section. It says they produce added lift and wing area and can be removed to transform the Mustang from a trainer into to a great performing sport plane.

When I opened the box I could not believe how good the model was. It’s a very realistic looking plane with a great colour scheme and as promised it appeared hardly any work would be required to complete it.

I now feel that this is probably the best deal I have ever done as the model far exceeded what was I expect-ing to receive. My how the hobby has changed.

out of the boxThe Mustang is constructed from balsawood and ply-wood and the colour scheme is really attractive. The cockpit is part of a large hatch and this is held in place by a spring loaded latch. Inside the radio gear, fuel tank and the engine are already installed and from a mechanical perspective access via the hatch for servicing the compo-nents would be excellent.

The stabiliser is simply bolted in place as is the pro-peller and spinner. The next step is to charge the receiver battery. The wings are in two halves and the landing gear just has to be screwed on. And that’s it!

Each wing slides onto an aluminium tube and they are held in place from underneath the fuselage by two Allen head cap screws. The instructions are quite com-prehensive and the only mistake I made was installing the landing gear on back to front. The wheels must be angled forward. It only took me approximately one hour to complete the model.

I was then shown how to fill the fuel tank and Stephen started the engine. The initial start was with an electric starter then almost every start since has been by hand. Before heading off to the field I was told that to avoid eye strain it is imperative to take sunglasses and a hat. The reason given was ”How many other activities can you think of that involve staring up into the sky for ten minutes at a time.” A good point.

test fliGhtThe program was to test fly the Mustang and take a few photographs then I would have a go. Because I am not a member of the national association my name was signed into the club visitors book. The Model Aeronautical Association of Australia’s (M.A.A.A.) third party liabil-ity insurance policy would then cover me. The website

shows if non members are accompanied by a member they are eligible for cover on four separate occasions. Then they are required to join via an affiliated club. This seemed very reasonable to me as by then I should have an idea if I liked the hobby. The club rules are different in that they only allow for two visits and I wondered if such a short space of time would be enough to know if I would take to the hobby.

Considering it costs $600 for a competitive tennis raquet the price of the aeroplane package is really very good value for money but the cost of joining a club gave me a few things to think about. Membership at the P.D.A.R.C.S. field in Melbourne requires a share to be purchased plus the ongoing annual fee. This club has excellent facilities and it owns one hundred acres of land and I can see the benefit for the larger more expensive and faster models. Clubs that lease the land have a much lower cost of membership which is about half the price of this model. This is quite a substantial outlay when com-pared to the price of the model and I am not yet sure what I will do. At many tennis clubs you can pay on a casual basis to use the facilities and I wonder why there isn’t a system like this.

While I assembled the model and filled the tank Stephen walked over to the main runway to inform the people practising aerobatics that we would be using the cross strip. The engine was started and the Mustang lifted off and after a few passes and a couple of landings the settings on the transmitter were changed. Another hop for the camera and we were all set to go after I refuelled the tank.

Then the engine was started and a club member came rushing over and demanded we not fly because this strip was only for helicopters. After a brief exchange (I kept out of it) we took the model over to the third strip and as we walked off I can still remember this guy yelling out “

Radio Control Model News print edition # 149 September 2018 �1

Flight School

After the completion of thirty minutes of flying time over three flights I flew the tank dry on the fourth. Boy was I tired mentally.

Ted’s 3,500 hours in GA showed through.

I’ll report you to the committee”. What a wonderful welcome to the club I thought.

pre fliGht briefinGThis started with a brief rundown on the controls, the way the wing actually works and how aeroplanes fly. I was told that if it seemed like the aeroplane was always climbing slightly that was not an illusion. The model was trimmed that way because beginners usually lose height in the turns and the trim will slowly regain the altitude without the instructor constantly having to take over.

The next part of the briefing concerned handing over control. I was told if I got into trouble not to hand the TX back, he would either take control of the right hand stick (mode 2) or if need be just snatch the whole thing out of my hand. I then had to hold the transmitter and look up into the sky and pretend I was flying. Then it was snatched out of my hand. He then recounted a couple of stories about a TX being dropped and another time he had to elbow the student in the chest in order to get him to release it.

The Spektrum transmitter does have a dual control or buddy box capability which we will be using for take off and landing but after hearing that last story I would have been happier if the controls were linked together.

My first concern was flying within the same airspace as other planes and I was told when the model passes our position that we must make a turn to avoid flying into the adjacent airspace. I was also told not to worry about

crashing, That is the instructors job. The last thing he said was that the concentration level will be very high so only expect to last three or four minutes.

Engine start and the model took off then after a short display to show me how it looked in turns at various parts of the sky. Then it was then “over to me”. instruCtorsWhen a beginner arrives at the field take a second look before suggesting they have bought the wrong type of model. Traditionally in model aviation trainers have always been high wing whereas with full sized aircraft you can choose either. So why not a model? It looks like a Mustang but in reality this model is a basic trainer.

The model has a lifting wing section and a low wing loading just like any trainer and so if it is hauled off the ground early it has a better chance of clawing its way into the air. Likewise on landing if it suffers a huge bounce the beginner gets more time to make a correc-tion. It makes no difference where the wing is placed these attributes apply to any trainer.

The Mustang cruises very nicely at half throttle and climbs or descends steadily when power is adjusted ac-cordingly. The three blade prop is designed to take the edge off the engine’s peak performance and in a dive prevents it unloading and excessive speed build up, a re-ally good feature. The prop also reduces the noise level.

The P-51 will come into its own for teaching take off and landing. With no nose gear steering to over-load when kept on the ground for too long the Mustang tracks nicely on take off. The undercarriage is well forward and only a real ham fisted attempt would tip the model over.

The only changes I made to the P-51 were to the con-trol throws. The elevator is a bit soft on landing and that was increased to 125% ATV and the rudder was reduce to 80% ATV. Oh and by the way we had to unscrew the undercarriage (main gear) and turn them around 180 degrees.

I used to teach model flying professionally and earn-ing a reliable income required convincing beginners that they could still learn when it was windy. Out of the four models I used the two low wing types made it

Don’t forget the wing joiner tube, agh! Also don’t forget to take sunglasses and a hat, equally important.


Flight Schooleasier for me to teach the basics (including take off and landing) in up to 20 knots. The neutral roll stability of this type of model means they don’t have to keep roll-ing the model into the turn. In most cases less overload for the student which made it easier for me to push them along. The so called advantage of strong inherent stability has its place but is not a pre-requisite if you have a qualified instructor. (It is refreshing to see the manufacturer also makes that point on the box)

I tend to push beginners to a high standard right from the start and insist they stand in one place and not follow the model with the antenna. The idea being they fly the model where they want rather than the model flying them all over the sky. This is slightly harder to start with but as soon as they have picked the basics of turning I load them up with figure eights which is where Michael is at now. He picked it up pretty quickly and if we can have a couple of hours of flying time in the next session I am confident he should be taking off and landing.

At the end of the month I will be attending an M.A.A.A. instructor seminar in Sydney and I will be taking the Mustang, an E-Flite Apprentice and a Hobby Zone SuperCub. These are ready to fly products that indicate how the industry keeps moving ahead by con-tinually reducing the cost and improving products that make it easier than it has ever been to get started. I feel that the Association would benefit by making changes as to how the value of club membership is pitched to beginners. The official side needs upgrading to take advantage of this potential new membership. (SG)

first fliGht“During the first few flights my concentration lasted about five minutes of flying time and the model spent a fair portion of the first heading towards the ground until the control was taken from me. Over rolling was one problem but even once I had learned what a forty five de-gree bank looks like from the ground, the model still lost height. But now not quite so quickly. After a few turns I was told to open the throttle fully and after the Mustang reached the required altitude I reduced it back to half. On the second flight we spent some time just circling. This was to teach me that I needed to keep holding elevator on in the turn. It became apparent to me I was letting go of the elevator before the turn was completed which was the reason I was losing altitude. After that things improved quickly. During the little rest I was given on each flight we gave another chap a fly and it was very beneficial to watch someone making similar mistakes to me.

I thought I picked it up fairly quickly but I attacked it

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Flyboys

ARES Gamma 370 V2 by Stephen Green

Radio Control Model News Magazine Special Issue

PILOT NOTES

Rudder, elevator and throttle offers the most affordable entry level into flying a radio controlled power model. It is also the recommended system for anyone intending to start out like the pioneers of model aviation teaching themselves to fly the traditional stick n rudder way.

The airframe is both sturdy and flexible, in particular the tailplane and fin. The standard propulsion system and overall design is suitable for its intended purpose. Three channels is also fun for the experienced too! The Gamma has many attributes that mirror my first RC model back in 1971.

Stephen Green

.com.au

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in aviation flight training is to have a pre-flight briefing. Knowing what to expect before the wheels leave the ground speeds up the learning process.

If you intend going it alone your first flight with the aeroplane will also be its first flight. To keep it real any video footage tagged to a page is simple and un-edited. Pilot Notes pick up from where the instructions finish with handy tips written to get you into the air and keep you there,

leArn to fly with these foAm trAiners

far too aggressively at the start. I needed to be more gen-tle on the controls and by the third flight I was able to fly for about six minutes without handing over. On the fourth I managed to fly unaided until the tank ran dry. I really enjoyed this last flight as I felt I had progressed quite a long way. I also learned that when the engine stops the plane will glide and I was surprised at how far it flew without the engine running. Comparing the noise to my recollection of un-muffled control line motors this new engine is very quiet.

The next session will include more of the same and after I can fly a figure eight pattern in both directions to a reason-able standard (maintaining altitude) we will move onto the landing approach. With the buddy box. We had planned to do the second session and I packed the model into the boot then we drove all the way to the field. Someone forgot to pack the wing joiner tube.

At this stage I have no understanding of the advantages of a computer radio other than you can save different model settings into the memory. Engine tuning is something that I have some understanding of and in the next issue hopefully I will be able to report that I have accomplished a landing. After looking at a few of the other ways of getting started into radio control modelling I am beginning to realise the value in this package”. Michael Haranis.

I don’t know how this model sold in the USA but at the time I was pretty certain it would not be well received in Australia. For some reason in full size flying you can learn in a low wing Piper Cherokee or a high wing Cessna but the overwhelming majority of RC flying instructors insist on a high wing trainer. Perhaps it was one of those concepts way too ahead of its time. I know what has more appeal for a young person. Stephen Green.

Hangar 9 P-51 way ahead of its time

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plAn bI start this article with the statement that in conjunction with publishing this magazine I am now a Futaba dealer. Taking the long term view to assist building events in this country, Yarra Valley Air Races, Sth Pacific Scale Masters, Cobram Air Races and Sandown F1 Air Races to generate leads for Melbourne clubs and retailers has proven time and time again that the hobby industry continues short changing itself. And this magazine. MAAA and AMAS included. Every model business that I am aware of in this country began operations from a garage. Selling Futaba is something I would not have dreamed of doing nor

even contemplated the idea, except for the Australian agent. Brian Simpson, who took over exclusive distribution eight years ago, operates on the same basis as my Father did when I started flying models. The other importer who distributed to wholesalers and retailers as well as running a retail shop back then was Ron deChastel. Chatting to Bruce de Chastel at Sandown 2016 I we couldn’t recall ever competing against each other with a discounted price for a product either of our father’s imported.

There looks to be more upheaval in the manufacturing market in the next years. Futaba has a few other things going for it. Company now celebrating 70 years (fifty five manufacturing RC) it does not release a constant new stream of products. This allows sales people time to gain product knowledge. A retailer can invest in the brand in the knowledge they are not competing with

the wholesaler. If I heard such a story with this brand I would ask to see the retail purchase receipt. People love to big note themselves about getting a deal. Futaba was not the market leader like it is now. Kraft Systems Inc was the big American name and my Dad started out servicing that gear then formed Kraft Systems Australia with Bangus. The company imported radio systems CKD. Completely Knocked Down to be assembled reduced the 40% import tariff because it employed local labour. Kraft Aust was the only RC company in this country to offer apprenticeships. Back then the importer’s landed cost of a Futaba set was significantly lower than a Kraft yet the retail price wasn’t much lower. Priced just below this left plenty of profit for marketing etc.

So, for me growing up it was Kraft versus the new kid on the block, Futaba.

A Model Business

Futaba 6L FHSS Futaba 6K T-FHSSFutaba 2HR FHSS

Caused a few grumbles because it had no plan but it still sold.

Radical. Go Dad!

Radio systems stocked at Fliteline Model were Sankyo Digital, Kraft, KO Digiace Futaba, OS Diamond, OS Cougar and Micro


Kraft was king. Nevertheless there’s no such thing as the perfect product. A customer bought a Northerner F�a model ready to fly. Built at Kraft in Geelong from the KSA kit it was fitted out with a Signature series radio, Multicon electric retracts and a Kraft .61. Top shelf gear this customer could also afford to run the �0% nitro that engine needed. Gear up selected on the climb the model rolled on its back and went in. On the test flight. Dad on the sticks. Customer was quality control director for Ford so he got it. That experience was indelibly stamped on my brain. Here’s another. When it was realised the Kraft .61 engine was not delivering what it was supposed to (bit of a dog) Dad stopped competing with it quick smart and s ecialled the lot out. There is always someone who will fall

in love with a bargain. There’s always someone who will still complain even when it’s half price but most don’t.

This one remains indelibly stamped too. Overheads increase as companies grow. Which always leaves room for a new entrant. They start by offering reduced prices. “We care for you by operating from a shed to save you money”. That sort of thing. Now known on as factory direct. Fast forward a few decades the new kid on the block came from the country that gave us the Global Financial

Crisis. During a speech by one of the American Vice Presidents who launched the Spektrum brand at the Toy and Hobby Fair in Melbourne I couldn’t help pondering if this was yet another heap of old good fashioned American marketing hooplah? Integrating the radio into a range of well designed and manufactured foamies and converting loyal JR owners in the process was a master stroke. Buying market share with low prices and cool brochures then jack prices up later remains alive and well. Horizon has done amazingly well with what is essentially a sport

A Model Business

Futaba 12K T-FHSSFutaba 10J T-FHSS Futaba 14SG Fasstest, T-FHSS


radio. A number of Japanese brands have either ceased to exist or remain commercially viable in Japan but not in Australia. Graupner is now owned by a Korean company SJ Propo. My experiences reviewing with SJ product have all been good. The Swallow chargers are still going, in-line servo reverser as on board glo igniter too. . Multiplex was the last of the traditional European brands. Now owned by Hitec and that company ceased producing Hitec radios in May this year.

Move forward to this decade and Chinese radios are now gaining market share. Parallel importing has made it viable for anyone to purchase radio systems from an overseas wholesaler or manufacturer and flog them from the garage and fund their hobby. Whether that form of competition actually benefits consumers in the long run I think is doubtful but that is the market now. The RC hobby market continues to shrink worldwide and last

A Model Business

Futaba 18SZ Fasstest, T-FHSSFutaba 16SZ Fasstest, T-FHSS Futaba 18MZ Fasstest, T-FHSS

man standing scuttlebutt continues to circulate throughout the hobby trade. One importer is hedging its bets by grabbing agencies left right and centre. Grabbing agencies in nothing new. Not carrying enough stock to satisfy the demand is not new either. Little wonder why people shop overseas. JETI prices increased significantly since the local agency changed. RC Depot/JR is available again here and Sanwa remains available a limited basis. Just as it always has been in this country. Swapping my Futaba cap for my magazine advertising sales hat, getting small importers who are not the authorised exclusive agent to promote themselves has made it impossible to sell advertising space. Someone else selling the same gear might benefit is the problem. I’ve learnt to live with that but whether or not a brand is advertised/promoted in this magazine is irrespective of this next point. If you

are looking for a new radio system, after weighing up price, spare parts and service back up my advice is to purchase from the factory authorised Australian agent. The one issue you really should consider very carefully is this.

FCC in USA has proposed a 2.8 million dollar fine to Hobby King for selling Orange brand radio systems that did not comply. ACMA and GST import policy continues to give many small importers operators a free kick but sooner or later, lack of Australian RCM (formerly Ctik) compliance is going to drop kick someone in this country right out of bounds. Authorised factory agents spend the dollars to certify compliance. At Sandown 2015 ACMA was fairly aggressive as it


inspected radio systems for Australian certification. Why doesn’t it police back yarders? Getting any reply from that Government Authority is impossible. Throwing cheap after market receivers using brand name transmitters into the mix is a common factor when a failure occurs. Throw cheap after market receivers into the mix and how the RC market will all pan out is anyone’s guess. This is mine.

printer. I have just opened the carton with Futaba’s 70th Anniversary 18SZs. Mode 1 and Mode 2.Flying Kraft sticks when my Dad was the Australian CKD manufacturer the wire wound pots on general Kraft late 70’s offerings were graunchy. Signature Series sticks were supplied by Proline.

I flew Sankyo Digital for Dad when he left Kraft and started Fliteline Models. Brian Green was the sole Australian agent for agent for Sankyo Digital, YS Engines, MK Kits. We sold all brands. Up until then OS Engines Diamond sticks were the benchmark but the RF was not as solid as Sankyo. Also flew and taught customers Saturday arvos

at MARCS on KO Digi Ace, Sanwa, JR, Hitec, Graupner JR, Mulitplex Spektrum JR, Spektrum. And Micro. (the Greens regret selling Micro. We didn’t sell many and we pissed most of them off at half price to farmers). Yes, these sticks are tops! Love the TX case.

If you are a looking for something special in the low two grand price range this set includes a snappy transmitter case and sports a very nice pair of aluminium gimbals. The standard 18SZ is fitted with the 18MZ gimbals There is a narrow or wide throttle-elevator stick travel limiter. Adjusting stick tension is easier, now on the front.

Special edition aluminium gimbals have exceptional feel

What’s it all about?

A Model Business

Unpacking and pricing my Futaba spare parts stock and hanging it on the wall confirmed in my mind the previous factory authorised Australian agent didn’t care all much for the Aussie flying market. Dad’s F3a connections in Japan confirmed the factory had been well aware of customer complaints about poor availability for some time. The brand had little if any representation in Melbourne for years. Checking out the range of parts and accessories it struck me what a pup people have been sold about it being expensive. For ordinary sport flying up to 60cc it really surprised me how affordable this gear is.

futAbA 70th AnniversAry 18sZA sneak peak of this limited edition set and my first impression was posted on Facebook. “It’s Friday. Bar is open. It’s okay. The magazine is already at the


Dealers will appreciate changing modes which can also be done without removing the back. A few software updates plus one for the new an airspeed telemetry module.

The 16SZ has the 18SZ software and my sixteen has accumulated 65 hours of total time. Really enjoying the set. The fact it isn’t heavy is a bonus. The only suggestion should really be placed in the nit picking department for the anal rententive department. One sometimes has to go to page 2 for the space bar when naming the model. Delivered some gear to a customer whose 16SZ logos were wearing off with only 25 hours on it. The only thing I could suggest is the foam in his TX case was suprisingly hard. Just another case of you get what you pay for.

bACk to plAn b The previous two years I tried to assist Brian Simpson finding a stocking dealer

My 1970s AKAI component system seemed fit-ting to show another quality Japanese product that

stood the test of time

Space button is on page 2

Foam in this aftermarket TX case is rather abrasivein Melbourne but no one was interested to sell Futaba. After Model Engines was split up and moved to Sydney I made space available in my hangar for RC Wholesale to supply Melbourne shops with its brands. Whether they do so has nothing to do with me. I’m merely helping out. Weighing up my experience dealing with the big players in the Australian hobby trade, dealing with petty politics after Sandown 2015 and future potential in publishing I decided to set up Futaba Pro Shop to generate alternative income.

futAbA pro shopI am the owner of registered business name Futaba Pro Shop and the domain name futabproshop.com. To fill a space in Issue #147, the trial FREE digital edition of the magazine, I placed a 1/4 page advert for futabaproshop.com.au. Uploaded the magazine file had a few scotches and went to bed. Next morning I went to register the domain

name. The name had been registered an hour before by James Nancarrow. Jamie is the under manager for OMP. (formerly known as O’Reilly Model Products). OMP is the factory approved Australian Agent for Hitec, Multiplex, Jeti and Spektrum radio systems. Usurping my efforts to make a living is a pretty shitty thing to do. I have been on the receiving end of a fair amount of bullshit from the principal and his underling for a number of years and have taken this personally.

One th ing tha t r ea l ly upse t s manufacturers is when an agent is not promoting their products. Mike Farnan supplied me contact details with the principals of his agencies who are now on my mailing list for the free digital magazine. While that sorts itself out does anyone know where I can get Multiplex LiPos? Model Engines always carried them.

A Model Business


Becoming involved in the model trade and later the publishing business and looking back over my RC flying career, for want of a better word, whether it be a business, a model aircraft club, special interest group or a state/national association, this is yet another unable to create an advertisment that meets the terms and conditions on my advertising rate card. All have one thing in common. Wasting good money on purchasing rudder servos. Stephen Green.

Whois response for futabaproshop.com.au:

Domain Name futabaproshop.com.au Last Modified 15-Mar-2018 00:20:48 UTC Status clientDeleteProhibited Status clientUpdateProhibited Registrar Name NetRegistry Registrant L. O"REILLY PTY. LTD. Registrant ID ABN 19007840208 Eligibility Type Company Registrant Contact ID NAJA1�1� Registrant Contact Name James Nancarrow Registrant Contact Email [email protected] Tech Contact ID C057�762-AR Tech Contact Name Dominic Main Tech Contact Email [email protected] Name Server ns�.netregistry.net Name Server ns1.netregistry.net Name Server ns2.netregistry.net DNSSEC unsigned

If you are using this service to check or change the contact details of your domain name you must contact your Registrar in order to do so. This can be done by simply clicking on the Registrar's link located next to 'Registrar Name'.

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1972 GeelonG nAtionAls proGrAm A Model Business

Stephen Gr

een’s

To drive, sail or fly like a pro, use the radio gear the pros use Melbourne’s largest range of the world’s leading brand of radio control. Stocking radio systems, receivers, servos, SBus, battery packs, gyros and telemetry The WALL of FUTABA carries genuine accessories and spare parts. Available online or visit our showroom by appointmentStephen Green 0418 662 557 futabaproshop.com

Seagull Cassutt is piece of piss to fly yet it was lost due to an uncontrolled swing on take off

https://www.futabaproshop.com/

“About Us”

The History of DFA and RC DepotRC Depot (Konishi Mokei Co., LTD), has work alongside and with JR PROPO for many years. RC Depot began the Dee Force Aviation (DFA) brand almost 10 years ago. Initially RC Depot began by providing support and repair for JR PROPO consumers in Japan. Soon after this RC Depot began to supply other products worldwide and in 2016 entered a licensed agreement with JR PROPO to manufacture JR PROPO products. This product line consisted of receivers, servos, transmitters and accessories for JR PROPO at the former JR PROPO Malaysian factory. In early 2017 RC Depot began to develop new receivers, and servos utilizing both former JR PROPO engineers as well as new engineers in Japan. In December of 2017, JR PROPO of Japan filed for bankruptcy, not long after, the Japanese courts from Osaka District informed RC Depot they could no longer use the JR PROPO Brand name. So, it was decided to start using the DFA label to comply with the court orders on the JR PROPO brand name in March 2018. In April 2018, RC Depot successfully purchased the JR PROPO trademarks and intellectual properties along with complete engineering drawings. RC Depot now refers to the DFA brand as “DFA by JR PROPO” The future is bright, and the legacy of JR PROPO endures thru DFA.

【RC DEPOT Austral ia】[email protected] 07 3879 6692Mobi le 0418 521 637

http://www.rcwholesale.com.au/dealers.htmlhttp://www.rcdepot.com.au/


Aussie Bush Flying

No gyro, no nosewheel, prepared runway is an optional extra, this regular column is intended for people interested in the art of stick n rudder flying a tail dragger from private acreage, a farm, the local park or a club field.

one hundred hourlyThe FunCub XL needed some work. Left hand flap servo burnt out setting up flap travel when changing the radio brand. Left hand aileron servo won’t stop oscillating from stop to stop. This has been the only problem encount

FREE AUSSIE DIGITAL MAGAZINE - RCM NewsRadio Control Model News print edition # 149 September 2018 5...

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Transcript of FREE AUSSIE DIGITAL MAGAZINE - RCM NewsRadio Control Model News print edition # 149 September 2018 5...