Airwaves

Model Airplane News, Jun 2000

Congratulations to the Horizon Hobby Distributors and Model Airplane News Grand Brands Sweepstakes winners:

1st prize--Saito FA-180 ($599.95 value) Robert E. Zelensky, North Wilkesboro, NC

2nd prize-Hangar 9 CAP 232 ARF ($499.95 value) Richard G. Lipford, Dawson Springs, KY

3rd prize-Hangar 9 PT 19 ARF ($499.95 value) Alex Fuller, Claremore, OK

4th prize--JR/Hangar 9 Skypack ($449.95 value) John West, Glenhaven, CA

5th prize--JR XP652 radio ($399.95 value) Roger Armontrout, Mason, OH

6th prize-Zenoah G-23 ($399.95 value) Don Moyer, Center City, MN

7th prize-Hangar 9 Easy 2 VRTF ($209.95 value) Vernon Crews, French Lick, IN

8th prize-MDS 48 PRO ($119.95 value) Phil Rentz, Santa Barbara, CA

RC MICROFLIGHT PHOTOS

The photos used to illustrate your RC MicroFlight newsletter and website articles are excellent! A question or two on how they were taken: camera--digital or film? Lighting? Pixels?

Thanks; I'm enjoying every educational issue! [email]

JOHN MUDROCK

Hi, John; thanks for the kind words.

The cameras used to produce our newsletter may be film-based or digital, and our contributors and staff photographers use any of the major brand names. We have published scanned color prints/slides, images scanned directly on flatbed scanners, e.g., tiny motors, and images taken with digital cameras.

The more pixels in your digital camera's charged couple device (CCD), the sharper the image at an acceptably large size. On the Web, the standard is 72 dots per inch (dpi) JPEG images-easy to produce with today's digital cameras and scanners. With regard to printed material, the trick is to start out with images that are at least 300dpi resolution at an image size that is acceptably large.

Our graphic artists and Web staff digitally enhance photos, whatever their source, using software tools such as Adobe Photoshop. The intricacies of digital imaging go beyond the space available here, and it is true that new, ever more powerful and less expensive digital cameras are coming onto the market all the time.

Thanks for your interest in RC MicroFlight! TA

PT-19 CONTINUED

I enjoyed Chris Chianelli's review of the Hangar 9 PT-19. No two ways about it, I had to buy one. OK; so I have it, and at first, I was going to put a Zenoah G-23 in it. Now, I'm set on a 4-stroke-- ideally, a pumped one; either the O.S. 120111 or the YS 120FZ. Are these engines powerful enough? I noticed everyone seems to be using the Saito 1.50, but Saito doesn't offer a pumped version, and I really prefer a pump for inverted engines. Do you find that the Saito runs well inverted, even without a pump? I guess the bottom line is: does a 1.20 have enough power to comfortably pull this plane around?

Also, could you give me some information on the Robart scale struts for this airplane? I found the Robart struts for the 25-percent PT-19 (Dynaflite), but these are too big. A part number-or a website that sells them-- or any information would be great. (Robart doesn't list them on its website.) I thank you for a very well-put-together article (although the plane really sells itself!) and for any help you can provide.

DAVE DIXON

San Luis Obispo, CA

Any good 1.20 4-stroke has plenty of power for the PT 19. Horizon happens to market the model with a 1.50, and although it makes a nice combo, the plane doesn't really need this much power, especially for scale flight performance. When is the last time you saw a PT 19 with Sukhoi-like vertical performance?

Dave, 4-strokes really don't suffer from being inverted the way 2-strokes sometimes do. The 1.50 truly never missed a beat being inverted in the PT 19; it idled endlessly. I don't have a pump on this engine, nor does it seem to need one. I have, however, used Perry's oscillating pump on 4-strokes in aerobatic models where the high Gs can affect fuel draw on some engines. I've had very good results with this pump on 4-strokes. Remember: no matter which 4-stroke you decide on, always use an O.S. "F" plug; it's by far the best.

Robart's part number for the struts is PT19HA9. Have fun! CC

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

We're looking for an enthusiastic, creative and organized individual to join the Model Airplane News and Radio Control Boat Modeler team. This full-time, in-house position requires writing and editing experience, knowledge of the RC hobby and dedication to quality. The ideal candidate will be able to work under deadline pressure and in a team environment.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including a 401K package. Send cover letter, resume and salary requirements to:

Human Resources Manager, Air Age Publishing, 100 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877-- 4606; fax (203) 431-3000; email resumes@airage.com.

[EOE/MFDV]