Oh My Multiplex!

On By kasi

Multiplex Connectors w/Solder Couplers are great for any project!

Our solder coupler sets provide a larger area for solder contact than soldering directly to the connector pins. They also provide strain relief for your power leads (or servo leads) at the connector. With the servo leads, you can easily connect up to four independent signal servo wires. If space is an issue, consider using the vertical solder couplers! Vertical solder couplers are a great addition to the straight power solder couplers for multiple connection.

Best part – they are easy to install! Check them out here!

Multiplex Solder Connectors
Wing Harness made w/Multiplex Solder Connectors

Limited In The State of Iowa

On By kasi

Brian “Chappy” V.’s Turbine Helicopters

Chappy’s Collection5

In a search for Emcotec’s DPSI Ampere and magnetic switches, (since battery redundancy was a must for these helicopters) I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to chat with “Chappy” of Chappy’s Hobbies, and he was kind enough to share with us this photo of his beautiful Helicopters, including two giant turbine helicopters. According to Chappy, “These… are the only turbine helicopters in state of Iowa,” which is quite a neat fact to know – let alone be the one to have them!

The large blue helicopter on top is a Vario EC120, modeled after the Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) EC120 Colibri. The EC120 is a multi-purpose helicopter that runs a single engine and can seat up to five.1 The EC120 by Vario Helicopters is a 1:4 scale model designed to run either electric mechanics or turbine.2 Chappy’s runs a Jakadofsky Pro5000 Turbine Engine. With massive rotor blades (1050mm according to the manufacture), the EC120 has an eight foot rotor diameter, and weighs in at about forty-two pounds.

On the bottom and to the left, we see a XLV Benzin by Vario Helicopters. Another large helicopter, the XLV Benzin also has an eight foot rotor diameter. Its cabin is constructed of GRP (fiberglass) with a carbon glaze3, and the entire helicopter weighs about thirty-six pounds. For this helicopter, Chappy has chosen to run a Jakadofsky Pro5000 turbine engine as well.

The smaller orange and white helicopter (on the bottom to the right) is an Agusta A-109 running Align mechanics. It is modeled after the Agusta Westland AW109 – another multi-use helicopter developed in the late 1960’s as a commercial helicopter.4

EC120 Vario Helicopters
XLV Benzin Vario Helicopters
Agusta A-109 Align

Sources:

1“Eurocopter EC120 Colibri.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 02 February 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Statistical_hypothesis_testing&oldid=1090223185.

2“H120 (EC120) 1:4 – Fuselage Kit”. Vario Helicopters, 02 February 2023, https://www.vario-helicopter.biz/be/Fuselage-Kit/H120-EC120-1-4-Fuselage-kit::200477.html#horizontalTab1

3“XLV Benzin Pod & Boom Kit”. Vario Helicopters, 02 February 2023, https://www.vario-helicopter.biz/us1/Pod-and-Boom/Pod-Boom-for-Hobby-Use/XLV-Benzin-pod-boom-kit::35466.html#:~:text=The%20XLV%20Trainer%20is%20a,with%20a%20special%20silencer%20system.

4“AgustaWestland AW109”. Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 02 February 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AgustaWestland_AW109

5Photo from Brian “Chappy” V.

Top Notch Construction from TM

On By kasi

Inside the Top Model Wing

Ventus 2CX

Ever wonder what makes up those high quality parts? Well, wonder no-more. We can show you!

Top Model designs their scale wings to be sturdy, light weight, and easy to transport. The wings have a foam core surrounded by obechi sheeting with carbon fiber reinforcement. The wing is then covered in Ultracote. Both the wing and fuselage have pre-installed wiring harnesses that also include multi-pin connectors for fast, trouble-free setup at the field. Due to Topmodel’s ingenious retention system, the wings are easy to remove and transport, yet kept secure when in flight.

Foam Core, CF Reinforced
Multi-Pin Connector

Check out all of our TopModel Sailpanes here:

Calling All Angels!

On By kasi

Charlie and Her Angels (Albatros & Super Sport)

This pup loves to chase after our Albatros Classic Sport 3E and Super Sport 2.35E, and these angelic aircraft are definitely worthy of chasing.

Classic in design, but not lacking in technological advancement, the Albatros Classic Sport is one of our favorite choices for a trip to the flying field. It sports a gel-coated fiberglass fuselage, balsa/ply D-tube wing, and a carbon/balsa built up tail. The three meter wing is in three pieces wing for easy travel and storage. Complete with the ailerons, elevator, rudder, and flaps, you are in full control as you fly. As a final touch, the wing and tail are beautifully covered in transparent Ultracote.

Check out the specs here.

The Super Sport 2.35 is another beautifully designed aircraft. This airframe also has a gel-covered fuselage, carbon and balsa built up tail, and a two piece wing that has a carbon fiber main spar/leading edge. Like the Albatros Classic Sport you also have ultimate control while flying with ailerons, elevator, rudder, and flaps.

Read more about the Super Sport 2.35 here.

Upgraded Hinges on Our OV-10 Bronco

On By kasi

In It For The Long Hall (OV-10 Bronco Build)

OV-10 Bronco

Another one of our goals when building our aircraft is to keep the quality up for as long as possible. For this reason, we chose to upgrade the hinges to aluminum hinges. Being made out of a metal, such as aluminum, verses Kevlar fabric (CA Hinges) or nylon, will increase the longevity of the hinges when under repeated stress. The added bonus is how nice they look!

Explore Hinges

With a Simple Flip of a Switch!

On By kasi

Now, you can effortlessly turn on and off your RC model with a flip of a switch!

Introducing the Elite Falcon line of ESCs. These new Opto and SBEC speed controllers bring to the table revolutionary design, system upgradability, state of the art telemetry capabilities, and the ability to use a magnetic, touch, or wireless switch to turn on and off your model.

The Falcon product line represents advanced speed controllers for exclusive use in airplanes, drones, sailplanes or any kind of radio control application. With integrated telemetry and various possibilities of optional user configuration, the controllers offer high efficiency, low weight and precise motor control. The telemetry system in the Elite Falcon ESC lets you monitor in real time the Amperage (Amp), Voltage (V), and Capacity (mAh) consumed from the battery, ESC even calculates Power (W) output of the system. You can also measure the ESC Temperature and add external Motor Temperature and Propeller Positioning sensors. The Elite Falcon line of Brushless ESCs adds another revolutionary feature utilizing Backup Battery Integration. We have created a more robust hardware platform including increased cooling capability, smaller overall packaging, and selectable sensitivity to allow you to use any brushless motor that you choose. No matter which size you choose, the Elite Falcon series brushless speed controllers are right for your next project.

Learn more here.

We’ve Got It From Here!

On By kasi

James gets down and dirty with the Opale Paramotor Trike XL – so you don’t have to!

No time? Lack of tools? Or just don’t want to do it? No problem – we have got you covered with our store building services! Check out this most recent build of the Opale Paramotor Trike XL James completed for a customer.

Learn more about the Trike XL here.

Building Services may be applied as a stand alone option or selected while purchasing a combo package.