RC combat!

Ever wonder what it would be like to engage an adversary above the clouds? RC dog-- fighting is as close as you'll get to air-to-air combat while staying safely on the ground, and it's a great way to get your adrenaline pumping. The model reinforcement techniques and fighter strategies provided by John Reid in this month's feature article will help you score your first kill and come back for more. See page 94 for more, and don't forget to check your six!

In the workshop this month, Charlee Smith shares how to build functional RC gun turrets for scale models, and Gerry Yarrish tells how to properly splice wood and add reinforcing gussets to end up with a strong, yet light, airframe. Both of these interesting methods are easier than you may think; check out the articles on pages 118 and 124, respectively.

The original free-- flight Berryloid Trophy Winner from 1938 is suspended from the ceiling in the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) museum, and Don Carkhuff breathes new life into this design with his RC-assist version featured in this issue. With a .30-size engine and 3 channels, this model is straightforward to build and easy to fly.

In his "Air Power" column, Chris Chianelli reports on the new Saito FA-72, an engine that represents a real break-- through in 4-stroke power-to-weight-- ratio technology. Did this powerhouse perform as promised? See page 150.

In another engine review, Gerry Yarrish puts a ZDZ 40cc gas engine through its paces. Not only is this powerplant specifically designed for giant-scale model airplane use, but it also has a rotary disc rear intake, which gives it excellent throttle response at high rpm. For the rest of the story, see page 104.

Our "Final Approach" features a true team effort: the X-Sounder. This electric-powered model was designed and built specifically to cross Long Island Sound (16 miles!) without stopping. Co-author Tom Hunt was one of the key players in the success of this design; he shares an overview of the process and tells of the trip across the Sound. We look forward to publishing a more detailed description of how this incredible design evolved.

It's that time of year again, and we've made it even easier to help you find a gift you really want under your tree. Check out our five-page special, "Holiday Wish List"; it's filled with RC goodies-everything from tools to weekend getaways-- then circle or photocopy pages showing the gifts you want and leave them on the coffee table. Trust us; your friends and family will appreciate knowing exactly what you want for the holidays.

The best to you and yours for 2002.

Copyright Air Age Publishing Dec 2001
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved