AIR WAVES

Model Airplane News, Feb 2005

Thanks for your continued commitment to RC fliers ...

THANKS FOR THE PLANS

I want to thank Nick Ziioli Sr., Mark Rittinger and the Model Airplane News staff for the two construction articles in the December 2004 issue: the T-6 Texan (with the pullout plan) and the B-26 Marauder articles are a real treat for electric modelers. For the past 30 years, I've waited for electric technology to advance to a point where flying RC planes would be fun-not experimentation. At last, that day has arrived!

It has been many years since I've seen a set of full-size pullout plans included in any model aviation magazine, and I'm grateful to people who share their "tested and flown" designs. I would like to see more of these in your magazine. Thanks for your continued commitment to RC fliers and dreamers.

GEORGE RICK [EMAIL]

George, thank you for your words of encouragement. Electric models are very popular, and we are always looking for new designers and construction articles. Nick's electric AT-6 Texan was originally published in our sister publication Backyard Flyer, and it was so popular that we wanted to offer it to all of our readers as a pullout plan. You can also download the Texan plan from the "Click Trips" link on our website, modelairplanenews.com. And don't forget our Texan contest! (See the December issue.) Build a Texan, send us a photo, and win a T-shirt!

GY

JR'S XP9303 ROCKS

I was pleased to see Gerry Yarrish's review of JR's new 9-channel radio in the January 2005 issue. I had heard that this new system was coming soon, and I was impressed that Model Airplane News covered it first. I really appreciated your 3-in-1 review that included information on its helicopter, glider and powered-aircraft applications because I fly all three! Now that you've used the system awhile, do you have any other comments about it?

RICHARD MCDOUGAL [EMAIL]

Richard, the XP9303 radio is indeed an impressive system. I was pleased to work with associate editor Rick Bell and contributor Dave Garwood to put the article together. In addition to its many scale-specific features such as switch assignment, servo speed and aileron differential, I love using the new rolling selector to input my adjustments. The XP9303 has raised the bar for ease of use and control flexibility!

GY

MINI FOKKER FACTS

I have been a subscriber to Model Airplane News for many years, and I've always enjoyed your construction articles. Recently, a group of my fellow fliers decided to build 12 of the Fokker D.VIIs designed by David Johnson and featured in the February 2004 issue. The plans call for Williams Bros, wheels, but they're out of business. Could you suggest a suitable alternative?

Mr. Johnson used a Tatone muffler for his O.S. .25, but the article didn't list its item number. It looks like a neat, clean installation, but which muffler is it? Thanks!

JAMES WAHNER

MILWAUKEE, WI

Dave's Fokkers are great little biplanes. I have bought vintage wheels from two suppliers: Proctor Enterprises, (503) 678-1300, proctor-enterprises.com; and Balsa USA at balsausa.com. As for the muffler, Dave says he used an EM-2 exhaust manifold muffler (no. TAT11033) to direct the exhaust straight down and out of the engine compartment.

GY

SUPER STEARMAN SOLUTION

I read Stan Kulesa's review of Great Planes' new Super Stearman ARF in the November 2004 issue, and I ordered a kit to fly in funscale competition. Stan indicated that he used an O.S. 1.20 4-stroke engine, but I would like to use my SuperTigre G-90 2-stroke. Do you think this will work out? Also, do you know a good source of scale 3-view drawings and other documentation? I want to spiff up my ARF to make it look better for competition.

ANTHONY GRISWOLD [EMAIL]

Anthony, any good .90 2-stroke (such as the SuperTigre or the O.S.) will power the Super Stearman nicely. The 1.20 provides extra oomph for sport flying, but if you intend to fly your model at a scale contest, a .90 2-stroke will work fine. It will also fit in the cowl better than a 1.20 4-stroke!

A great source of scale documentation and drawings is Bob Banka's company, Bob's Aircraft Documentation at (714) 979-8058; bobsairdoc.com. This company offers thousands of photo and documentation packs. Good luck with your Super Stearman; it's an excellent choice for fun-scale competition!

GY

"PILOT PROJECTS" CORRECTION

I'm writing to correct an error in the December 2004 "Pilot Projects" column. I wish I had built the good-looking Fokker Dr. I shown at the bottom of page 22, but I only photographed it! Rich Cassata was the builder, and Grant Bright expertly manned the transmitter. Please give credit where it is due; this terrific model was the result of Rich's hard work over the course of 4 ½ years.

JOHN DELEVORYAS

SAN JOSE, CA

We regret the error, John. Thanks for writing!

GY

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