Cermark: New timer

Model Airplane News, Feb 2002 by Van Tassel, Bob

Classic old-time charm with modern convenience

SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL: New Timer MANUFACTURER: Cermark TYPE: old-timer ARF WINGSPAN: 56 in. WING AREA: 338 sq. in. WING LOADING: 17 oz./sq. ft. LENGTH: 34 in. MOTOR: Cermark 480 motor w/Cermark SC-20 speed control (included) PROP: Master Airscrew 7x3 (included) RADIO REQ'D: 3-channel w/2 servos RADIO USED: Futaba T6XA transmitter and Hitec Micro 555 receiver w/2 Cermark servos BATTERY USED: Cermark 7-cell, 800mAh NiMH DURATION: 14 min. PRICE: $159.95 (basic); $189.95 (bronze); $219.95 (silver); $324.95 (gold) FEATURES: gelcoated, fiberglass fuselage; built-up balsa wings and tail feathers; Ultracote covering; Speed 480 motor, servos and pushrods installed: included aluminum spinner and prop.

COMMENTS: the New Timer is a great new entry into the electric oldtimer category. It's a forgiving plane that's perfect for relaxed flying. The compact size means that it's easy to transport and leaves no mess to clean up. Leave it in your car for a lunchtime excursion at any medium size field.

HITS

* Good craftsmanship and easy assembly.

Cooling slots molded into fuselage. - Easy radio and equipment access.

- Good flight capabilities.

MISSES

- Decals curled at edges after several flights.

The Cermark New Timer is Jesse Chaos new and improved version of his own 50-yearold, award-winning design. It incorporates materials that were not available when the plane was originally flown; these include a high-quality fiberglass fuselage and balsa wing and tail construction, as well as electric power. The use of see-through Ultracote covering is reminiscent of the beautiful silk and dope free-flight airplanes of the '40s and '50s.

The plane is available in a variety of colors and kit combinations, so you're virtually guaranteed to find the perfect New Timer for you. The basic package includes the model with the motor and pushrods already installed. It also includes a Windsor prop and an aluminum spinner. In the bronze package, the rudder and elevator servos are also installed. The silver package, which is the one I reviewed, includes all of the above plus an SC20 electronic speed control and a complete hardware package. The gold package includes everything in the three aforementioned packages plus a Hitec Focus 3 radio, an 800mAh NiMH battery and a charger.

As I looked over the kit-and I use the word "kit" loosely-I realized that there was virtually no assembly left to be completed. I looked for wrinkles in the covering to use my heat gun on, but I could not find any. Per the instructions, I checked to make sure the hinges on the elevator were secure, and they were. Next, I carefully inspected the fuselage for sharp edges that could cut through the rubber bands needed to hold the wing in place; there were none. I also found the motor screws and servo compartment to be secure,

ASSEMBLY

Following the instructions, I inspected the wheel collars and then secured the landing gear to the fuselage with the three provided screws. The remainder of the assembly process is extremely basic.

* Wings. Join the two wing panels with a wooden dihedral brace. I used 5-minute epoxy on the dihedral brace and the two root ribs. The dihedral is set automatically.

* Tail feathers. After sanding the stab platform to remove the gloss finish, epoxy the stab to it. Be sure to attach the wings to the fuselage with the supplied rubber bands, and check to make sure that the assembly is square before the epoxy dries. Last, insert the fin tab into the slot on the stab and epoxy it into place.

* Radio equipment. In the silver version, most of the radio equipment comes already installed. It is accessed through a panel on the side of the fuselage, and the cover is attached to the fuselage via a tab on its front. The rear is held in place with hookand-loop fastener. Cermark supplies a selection of quick connectors for those who do not like to solder. A small switch that arms the motor and flight controls is mounted just in front of the pylon. I used a Hitec micro receiver, which I mounted on the inside top of the fuselage with hook-andloop fastener. The antenna wire exits the fuselage through one of the cooling slots.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Last, I applied the pressure-sensitive graphics supplied by Cermark and prepared to balance the plane. (The graphics supplied with my plane had curled after a few flights.) Set the control throws as indicated. With the batteries on board, the plane should be balanced at 17 inches back from the wing's leading edge.

All told, it took me only a little more than 2 hours to complete the New Timer, but I probably could have done it faster. It's extremely easy to assemble and looks great when finished. In fact, it would make a great trainer.

The New Timer covers a lot of ground looking for a thermal, and when you catch one, it will rise to the occasion. You could even pull up a chair while your New Timer flies. Enjoy a relaxing day at the field while you reminisce about a bygone era. If it sounds as if I liked the plane, I did! I think you'll like it, too. 4.