What's new for giant-scale

Every February, like clockwork, thousands of RC modelers from the New England area head to White Plains, NY. As predictable as the changing of the seasons, the Westchester Radio Aero Modelers (WRAM) Show signals to many snowbound modelers that the end of winter is close at hand. What better way to enter spring than by checking out all the new products and models on display? For giant-scale lovers like me, it's a breath of fresh air, and it starts me thinking about the new flying season that's only a few weeks away. Let's look at some of the neat giant-scale stuff I discovered at the 36th annual WRAM Show.

FOKKER EINDECKER

Designed by SR Batteries owner Larry Sribnick and giant-scale warbird aficionado Sal Calvagna, the new ¼-scale Fokker E-I Eindecker kit from SR Batteries, priced at $299.95, was a show favorite! Using balsa and ply construction, the kit has carbon-fiber parts for strength and weight savings, and it can be adapted for electric or gas power. Also included are highly detailed, full-size CAD plans, laser-cut wood parts, a spun-aluminum engine cowl, prebent music-wire landing-gear parts and carbon-fiber-tube wing spars and leading edges. A laser-cut assembly jig is included to help you properly space the ribs. The Eindecker has ailerons and a full flying rudder that pivots on a composite tube assembly-no hinging required! The tailskid and main landing gear are shock absorbing, and the firewall comes with engine-mounting bolts, fuel line and throttle pushrod holes that are laser cut for the popular Zenoah G-26 gas engine. The due date for this beauty is April, so keep an eye open; it's sure to be very popular with the dawn-patrol set!

35-PERCENT PITTS MODEL 12

Designed by Bob Trueworthy, the new 35-percent Pitts Model 12 is sure to be another popular choice for the aerobatic biplane crowd. It has a 93-inch top wingspan and an 88-inch bottom span and weighs 35 to 40 pounds. Designed to use up to a big, 150cc twin-cylinder engine, the 35-percent model is an attractive and slightly reduced version of Bob's popular 41-percent-scale version (108-inch span). Full-size CAD plans, a fiberglass cowl and pants, molded canopy, aluminum landing gear, cabanes and a laser-cut short kit are available for $590. If you are into really big biplanes, Bob has you covered! Check out his website at bigairplanes.com.

ZDZ 160 B2 CHAMPION

Mike Dooley from RC Showcase clued me in on the new ZDZ 160 B2 Champion. A hopped-up version of the popular 160 B2 RV engine, the Champion is a real powerhouse! Upgrades include: a new, lighter hub and prop pressure plate; a new Tillotson carburetor for better fuel delivery; a lighter titanium central prop-bolt assembly; a new rotary-induction design; black cylinders (which look great and help dissipate heat); and factory-installed, adjustable ball links for choke and throttle linkage. Priced at $1,375, the ZDZ 160 B2 features factory break-in and weighs only 6.6 pounds (7.8 pounds with mufflers, ignition, battery, etc.). Efficient canister mufflers are available for $150 a pair.

FOKKER D.VI

Glenn Torrance Models (GTM) produces museum-quality, ¼-scale, WW I RC models and offers impressive kits and related accessories. Glenn offers a Fokker Dr.1 triplane, a Fokker D.VIII and now-almost ready for delivery-the new Fokker D.VI. Sorta like a Fokker triplane with a pair of D.VII wings, the D.VI is a unique and seldom-modeled subject. The scale fidelity in all GTM products is amazing, and the D.VI that I saw at the WRAM Show is no exception. The kit includes laser-cut wood parts, formed metal struts and fittings, an aluminum cowl and great CAD plans. The V64-inch-thick scalloped plywood leading edge wraps around the wing ribs to add strength, stiffness and scale outline. Priced at $375, the D.VI kit is a great value for anyone interested in WW I scale. Glenn also offers 4- and 5-color lozenge-pattern fabric covering and several mini-kits that add internal scale details to his models. Check out his website at gtmodels.com.

¼-SCALE SUPER CUB ARF

The WRAM Show was my first opportunity to see Dave Patrick's new ¼-scale PA-18 Piper Super Cub, and I was very impressed. Beautifully covered in UltraCote film, the all-yellow Super Cub has scale articulating and shock-absorbing landing gear (steel springs are concealed in fiberglass boot fairings), nicely detailed, aluminum wing struts and jury struts and a painted fiberglass, fully enclosed engine cowl. Exactly ¼ scale, the Super Cub's wingspan is 106 inches, so it easily qualifies for any IMAA event.

The scale guys will appreciate the scale offset hinges for ailerons and the tailcovering treatment. Dave has properly duplicated the troublesome fin-to-fuselage transition radius. Other features include: premium-grade fittings; plug-in wing panels with hidden attachment bolts; an aluminum wing tube; scale enclosed flap horns and a scale airfoil aileron cross-section; and well-illustrated instructions that include hints and flying tips. Priced at $599.99, this ARF also comes with Dave's new Ultra Tailwheel assembly. Look for this Super Cub online at davepatrickmodels.com.