Air Waves

Model Airplane News, Jan 2006

"I am looking for a slow-flying fun-fly plane that excels in knife-edge flight and can perform torque rolls easily..."

TRICKY FLAPS

I always enjoy reading Model Airplane News, and I was pleased to see a review of the Giant U-Can-Do 3D in your December issue. I know this plane has flaps, but in studying one of the photos, it looks to me as if the flaps are acting as ailerons. Should I wipe the sleep out of my eyes or was this intentional?

TERRY KAISER, CAMBRIA, CA

Good eye there, Terry! You are correct; the flaps are functioning as an extension of the ailerons in that shot. I programmed in a mix that, with a flip of a switch, allows the flaps to move in win with the ailerons and effectively create large strip ailerons that provide more control authority. These strip ailerons are especially useful when you perform high-alpha maneuvers in which the plane relies on the prop air blast to maintain control. When it is time to land, I flip the switch back, and the flaps resume standard function to slow the plane down for a soft and gentle touch down. But even in normal mode, the flaps still respond to aileron input and contribute to aileron control all the way down to the ground. - JR

FUN-FLY FANATIC

Loved the fun-fly article in the November '05 issue. I am looking for a slow-flying fun-fly plane that excels in knife-edge flight and can perform torque rolls easily. I need something that will excel with a glow .46 motor. I have a ModelTech Magic Extra 300L, but I am not impressed with its knife-edge flight. Would you please make a suggestion? I would prefer a glow-powered ARF.

JOHN [EMAIL]

Glad you liked the article; I enjoyed writing it, and I revel in participating in funfly events. The ModelTech Magic Extra 300L is a good fun-fly airplane; sorry to hear that you don't like its knife-edge performance. The U-Can-Do 3D .46 ARF has good, solid knife-edge flight performance and falls within the engine range you want. It has an excellent flight envelope that is great for fun-fly events.

I suggest that before you go out and purchase a new model, you try a few things on the Magic Extra 300L that could improve its performance. Adjust the balance so that the plane is a little more tail-heavy; that should help improve its performance during torque rolls and some slow-flight maneuvers. To improve knife-edge flight, use some rudder-to-aileron and rudder-to-elevator mixing to eliminate unwanted coupling. This occurs during knife-edge flight of almost every plane, and you will always need this type of mixing to allow the plane to fly a clean knife-edge. -GY

CHEMICAL INK TRANSFER

First, let me say that I really enjoy your publication and appreciate all the fine work and effort you put into each magazine. The November issue was most enjoyable! I noticed that in the A6M2 Zero article, Jim Ryan refers to the "acetone transfer method." What is this method? Is there a back issue that has instructions on how to do this?

ERIC SCHROWANG [EMAIL]

I don't think there was ever an article written on the subject, Eric, but I can tell you how it's done. First, make copies of all the parts for the model from the plans using standard copy paper. I find it easiest to cut out each copied part template individually so that I can tape them all down and maximize my part placement on the wood. With the copied side of the paper against the surface of the wood, tape two sides down using masking or Scotch tape, so that you are able to lift the paper, and check on the progress of the transfer without allowing the template to move. Pour a small amount of acetone on a sponge or rag, and wipe it across the back side of the copy paper until it's sufficiently wet. Lift the paper to see how well your pattern transferred onto the balsa. If your pattern lines on the balsa are still light, apply more acetone until you have a good copy of your pattern on the balsa wood. Once you have a good copy of the pattern, peel off the paper and throw it away. Now you have nice pattern lines for you to cut your parts out of the balsa. -JR

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