Big ARFs & new products

Model Airplane News, Nov 2003 by Yarrish, Gerry

Big ARFs & new products I am amazed by the continued development of impressive almost-ready-to-fly (ARF) kits. Far removed from their simple box-like trainer beginnings, ARFs are available today for models of all types and sizes. From small electric park flyers to IMAA-legal, gas-burning acrobatic planes (and everything in between), a very large portion of today's kit sales are of the prebuilt variety. When you consider the cost and time involved to build a comparable model from a wood kit or from scratch, the ARFs' prices are hard to beat. In our high-speed, computer-driven world, ARFs are a blessing to those who have little time for the workshop.

Earlier this year, I attended a local IMAA meet; I estimate that about 15 percent of the planes there were ARFs. Several years ago, prebuilts would have accounted for less than five percent of the models registered at such an event. The quality and workmanship of these quick-to-build models are at an all-time high. Recently, I helped my flying buddy Sal Manganaro review the new Hangar 9 46-percent TOC Ultimate 10-300 ARF biplane for the October 2003 issue of Model Airplane News. Being able to help build this model and having a chance to fly Sal's new giant aerobat showed me a great example of the current state of the art. If you think back to the first few giant-scale models that you built and flew, you'll see that today we are enjoying the Golden Age of ARFs.

CURRENT PROJECT

And talking about IMAA-legal ARFs, my current project is a 1/4-scale Fokker D-VII from Arizona Model Aircrafters. With a wingspan of 88 inches, the Fokker is about 70 inches long, and it should weigh about 20 pounds when completed. The kit is based on Gary Alien's plans (FSP02981) that were featured in the February 1998 issue of Model Airplane News. Gary's design uses traditional balsa and plywood construction, and he incorporated a very scale airfoil cross-section in the wings; the outline is very accurate. As it's a true, stick-built scale design, the kit is not your typical ARF. I would describe it as a "partially built" kit, and there is enough workbench time needed to keep even an "anti-ARF" modeler happy. There's plenty of soldering required to assemble that shock-absorbing landing gear. The beautifully molded fiberglass side panels and engine cowl save time and add to the aircraft's accurate scale outline. Available as an ARF and an almost-ready-to-cover (ARC), these kits offer plenty of opportunities for you to change or modify things to your liking. The kit cuts overall building time by 75 percent, and Arizona Model Aircrafters offers many scale accessories-such as dummy engine cylinders and spoked wheels-to dress up your finished model. When you have finished with your project, no one will ever know you built it from an ARF kit.

As you can see, my model is just about ready for painting, and I have only 30 to 40 hours invested in the project. My kit came covered in white Solartex, but you can also buy it covered in Arizona Model Aircrafters' four-color, lozenge-camo printed fabric. I plan to fly the model at the upcoming RC Jamboree at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Rhinebeck, NY, so do me a favor and don't tell anyone it's an ARF!

NEW PRODUCTS

Many of today's giant-scale aerobatic models require two or more servos to move each of their control surfaces. You must install multiple servos and control linkages and connect them to a mutual surface. That seems simple enough; just add a Y-harness and plug everything in; but what if your servos don't have the same centering or endpoints? Mismatches in servo performance can cause them to fight each other, and this increases current drain on your flight pack. Futaba now offers the MSA-10 Multi Servo Adjuster, and it takes care of any arguments your ganged servos may have. just plug the unit into the receiver, and then plug up to four servos into it. The MSA-IO allows you to select each servo individually and adjust its travel direction (servo-reversing), neutral point and endpoint settings to synchronize their functions. You can also plug an auxiliary battery pack (4.8 to 6 volts) into the unit to power the servos directly to reduce the load on your main airborne pack.

The MSA-IO is also great for nonaerobatic models, and it can be used anywhere you'd install a Y-harness to operate two servos (dual ailerons and dual elevator halves come to mind). If one of the servos moves in the wrong direction (a common problem in dual-elevator-servo setups), simply use the rotary switch and the two push switches, and you have two perfectly matched servos that work in "mirror image"! Do you want dual aileron servos with differential throw (more up than down)? There's nothing to it-even if you don't have a computer radio. Priced at $59.99, the MSA-IO is a great radio accessory. After you've used it, you'll wonder how you ever got along without one. Give it a try; I know you will like it.

BIG-CUT SPINNERS

The 3D aerobatic craze is taking our hobby by storm, and many excellent models-large and small-are being specially designed to perform these outrageous maneuvers. Hovering, torque rolls-you name it! There's a model out there to do it. One of the requirements for 3D flight is low-pitched wide props. Available for several engine sizes, Tru-Turn's Wide-Blade spinners are designed specifically for the popular APC "W" propellers. The 2-inch Ultimate Bipe-style spinner shown is intended for .91, 2-stroke and 1.0, 4-stroke engines, and it will accommodate 13x4, 13x6, 14x4, 15x4 and 15x6 wide-blade props. The Wide-Blade spinner is longer than the standard Ultimate Bipe spinner to allow for engines with longer prop shafts and the necessary double-locknut arrangement for big, 4-stroke engines. You can go to the Tru-Turn website at tru-turn.com and see the differences between the standard 1.20-size spinners and the new Wide-Blade versions. Tru-Turn has an enormous selection of prop-shaft adapters and jam nuts as well, so call for prices. When it comes to precise balance and durability, Tru-Turn is the place to go.