Product Reviews

One of the most significant advances in RC over the last 10 years or so has been the remarkable melding of RC and computer technology to create the flight simulators we enjoy today. Many components of the dazzling performances we see from top aerobatic pilots flying both airplanes and helicopters are first worked out on a flight sim, for the same reasons why flight simulators are great for rank beginners.

For pilots and dreamers around the world, nothing speaks to the glamour of flying like a classic open cockpit biplane from Aviation's Golden Age. And when it comes to classic open cockpit biplanes, those known by "Waco" sit proudly at the front of the line. The choice of most any pilot who could figure a way into the cockpit back in the 1930's, surviving Waco aircraft are still highly sought after and command a premium price whenever they come up for sale. So desirable are the originals, a handful of enthusiasts founded Waco Classic Aircraft and reintroduced the Waco YMF-5 in the mid 1980s as a new production aircraft based on the original 1935 FAA Type Certificate. It is their latest edition, the YMF-5D that Great Planes has faithfully replicated.

This past February, my dad, grandfather and I went to the WRAM Show in White Plains, New York. This was my first time at a show that featured so many airplanes on display and I was quite taken with all the models. One in particular really caught my eye, and I grabbed dad to show him. In the Horizon Hobby booth was the new Quique Somenzini-designed Carbon-Z Yak 54. It just looked cool sitting up there! I said to him, “That’s my favorite out of all the planes here!” And, he said, “Well, maybe we can get one and you can try it out.” That put a smile on my face! Sure enough, we got one; and with his help, I’m going to tell you all about it.

I dont know about you, but when I get out to an event and see all those giant aerobatic gassers-25, 30 and even 40-percent size-I get a serious case of the wants, until I snap back to my senses and think about the cost and hassles of transportation and storage of such a beast.

Looking for some great scale wheels for that 1/5-scale Mustang? Perhaps an AT-6? Look no further than DaVinci Machining, as they have the most incredible scale-looking Mustang wheels on the planet.

Multiplex is well known for their line of precision molded foam airplanes, including easy-flying trainers and gliders, twin-engine transports, seaplanes, nimble aerobats and high-performance sport flyers. The new DogFighter brings the excitement of WWII style aerial combat and post-war air-racing to the Multiplex lineup. While not a scale model of any one particular historic aircraft, with a little personalization it can easily it resemble your favorite prototype, real or imagined.

On a Sunday afternoon with the Daytona 500 on the television and the surround sound up nice and loud, I chose to get started on the new Escapade .61. As you would expect from Great Planes, all pieces are individually wrapped in plastic and well packed. As I removed everything from the box, I was surprised and admittedly happy that there were so few parts and pieces. Could I actually get this done in one day?

Top Gun is the event of events when it comes to building and flying scale RC aircraft. This invitation- only contest is designed to find the best RC scale builder/flier in the world. For the first time, the event was held at the new Paradise Field located at the Lakeland Airport in Lakeland, Florida. In October 2010, Paradise Field opened for Monster Planes, and it appears the runway keeps getting better and better. Top Gun started on Wednesday, April 27, and ended Sunday, May 1. Other than some crosswind conditions the first two days, the weather cooperated for the entire event. Top Gun pilots did a fantastic job handling the conditions, but then, you might expect they would!

Since its debut in 1983, the full-scale MiG-29 has turned heads at air shows, world-wide. Maneuvers such as the famous “Cobra” instantly became textbook terms for a new generation of flight. With thrust vectoring and fly-by-wire technology, the Russians took an early role in demonstrating the amazing potential of coupling vectored thrust with modern-jet technology for the future. For our modeling, this level of performance was at first, just a dream. Look at how far we have come! Modern ducted fan designs now exceed 1:1 thrust-to-weight ratios, and most importantly, these are jets that a sport flyer can afford.

HABU is a tribal word that loosely translates to “Holy crap, Batman, did you see this?” And that is what I said to the guys in the shop when I first opened the box. But, I digress. If you seek a great looking, hot performing and fun to put together electric ducted fan jet, with unheard of performance, this Habu 32 is the bird for you. It came from the design team at Horizon Hobby/EFlite, headed by none other than David Payne, you know, Kim’s significant other. If you’ve been chomping at the bit for a step up from their original “foamy” version, it is here. Yes, it is more expensive; yes, it takes about 30 hours to assemble, and yes, it will definitely help prepare you for hotter EDFs, such as the BVM Electra, EDF Bandit or perhaps any turbine sport jet you may see in your modeling future.

Hangar 9's Twin Otter is a scale replica of the USAF's UV-18B's, the military version of the DeHavilland DHC-6. The US Air Force Academy uses three of these twins for their cadet parachuting program.

HABU is a tribal word that loosely translates to “Holy crap, Batman, did you see this?” And that is what I said to the guys in the shop when I first opened the box. But, I digress. If you seek a great looking, hot performing and fun to put together electric ducted fan jet, with unheard of performance, this Habu 32 is the bird for you. It came from the design team at Horizon Hobby/EFlite, headed by none other than David Payne, you know, Kim’s significant other. If you’ve been chomping at the bit for a step up from their original “foamy” version, it is here. Yes, it is more expensive; yes, it takes about 30 hours to assemble, and yes, it will definitely help prepare you for hotter EDFs, such as the BVM Electra, EDF Bandit or perhaps any turbine sport jet you may see in your modeling future.

One of the great advantages offered by all the new micro models coming out is the ability to fly just about anywhere at any time. Whether your preference is for a classic WWI or WWII fighter, a civilian runabout or a homebuilt scale or freelance sport model designed to use the equipment from a worn out RTF airframe, these little models are just the ticket for a romp around the cul-de-sac on a calm evening while the grill is warming up, or any other time you need a quick fix of RC.