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!
Check out this weeks’ additions! (OV-10 Bronco Build)
OV-10 Bronco
A clean install is something we always strive for. These carbon fiber servo fairings not only help us achieve a clean cut look, they also provide protection for the pushrods and support for optimal aerodynamics. Check it out!
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.
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.
Good Start to 2023 – Another Beautiful Build (OV-10 Bronco)
As we approached a new year, we decided that we were in need of a good project. To start, our eyes landed on this beautiful Bronco OV-10 scale warbird. This model has been equip with an Elite 40cc electric motors, Elite Falcon 130 ESC, and Hacker Ditex EL Serovs. Thanks to the EX5/SE6 bus system we were able to complete a clean set up of all our wires, and of course we are running it through a Jeti Central Box 320. (Do we need to mention that we are flying it on our Jeti DS-24… you’re right, I didn’t think so).
With a wingspan of 108″ this giant model is a representation of the original 1960’s North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco. The OV-10 Bronco is an American aircraft which was designed by the U.S. Marine Corps for close air support and ground operations (“North American Rockwell,” 2023). It has a central fuselage that houses the pilots and cargo and two additional booms which are connected with a horizontal stabilizer (“North American Rockwell,” 2023). Each boom supports its own prop engine (or motor in our case).
We love the model as is, but it just wouldn’t feel like ours without a few modifications. Follow along with us as we complete the customization of our beautiful OV-10 Bronco!
The first custom modification we made was adding a droppable fuel tank.
Check out this store display paramotor we have just put up for sale. Expertly built in our shop, this guy is just about ready to get up in the sky!
Condition of item: Store Demo, Test Flown, Like Brand NEW, Added Extra Features
What is included: (1) Paraglider Wing Power 2.7/3.67m $449.00 (1) Lucas Pilot w/Harness $299.00 (1) Opale Backpack L $235.00 (1) AXi 4120/18 Brushless Motor $185.00 (1) Jeti Mezon 90 Lite ESC w/Telemetry $285.00 (1) Hardware/Ballast Package $40.00 (1) Building Services $200.00
What we recommend: Jeti Pro Power Battery 4000-5000mAh 6S
Starting in price at only twenty-six dollars, these coreless digital servos are an economical solution with the quality we have come to love and trust from the Hacker name. This new line of servos from Hacker offer ultra-efficient coreless motors, soft start, steel gear trains, an aluminum case, low current consumption and constant output power. These features make it the perfect match for almost any high performance or racer pilot.
Daniel Hirscher, Tomahawk Aviation, and a DH-Colorworks Masterpiece
Daniel Hirscher with the Hirscher 400 Turbo
Behold the beauty of this Hirscher 400 Turbo from Tomahawk Aviation. Not only is the plane a masterpiece of its own, add in Daniel Hirscher’s amazing art and it becomes something entirely out of this world. Custom airbrushed by Mr. Hirscher, this plane combines his love of the hobby with his skill in the arts. According to his website (https://www.dh-colorworks.com/) Mr. Hirscher got started in airbrushing because he wanted to add a little something extra to one of his personal aircrafts. From there, his passion ignited and now he has painted anything from clothing, to cars, and even an oversized whiskey bottle (https://www.dh-colorworks.com/about-me.html)! Check out the Hirscher 400 Turbo below! This particular model runs some of the best equipment from Hacker, Jeti, Hitec, and Falcon Props.
Opale has dropped some hot new products and we have all the juicy details!
First up is the new pilot – Mike XL with Harness. Mike XL is available in both backpack and paraglider/auxiliary motor versions.
Mike XL is a user-friendly, high quality pilot, and is the result of a year-long development partnership with experienced pilots and valued customers. In an effort to provide a higher level of quality controlled manufacturing, 80% of the parts are now manufactured in-house by Opale Paramodel. Thanks to its long list of possibilities, you are free to configure your pilot according to your needs.
With the addition of Mike XL pilot, comes the XL2 Backpack.
Backpack XL2 is designed to fly extra large 3.5m – 4.5m wings. It features an hyper-realistically designed frame to protect your flying equipment, pilot, harness, cameras or anything else that you choose to carry. The risers attach to a separate arm that bolts to the main frame for extra rigidity and has multiple riser locations for setting up CG no matter what equipment is on board. The XL2 also features a robust steel prop ring sure to last through years of landings. Unique hold-down tabs are also incorporated into the backpack to secure your pilot and harness while in flight.
Next on the list of amazing new Opale Paramodels products is the Ultra 3.5/5.25m Aerobatic Ultra High Performance Wing.
The “Ultra” range of wings marks a new step in the development of high performance wings for remote controlled paragliders. Thanks to the success of the Ace and Split, we have decided to adapt this concept for “High Aspect Ratio” wings. A high ratio wing, or more commonly “Razor Blade”, provides much more performance than a classic low/moderate ratio wing. Generally, the disadvantages of an extended wing are the difficulty of inflating and low passive safety. With our technology, the Ultra is the only high ratio wing strategically equipped with “Split” type cells. This combination provides a smooth takeoff, even without wind, but also an unbeatable level of passive safety for this category. To summarize this type of technology, you have the benefits of a single surface profile at takeoff, without the drag, with the performance of a double surface wing in flight.
The Dual Input Servo Channel Expander EX5 is an intelligent bus manager compatible with several radio control systems. The device converts serial bus signal from up to two receivers to either standard PWM servo outputs, or configurable bus outputs. It offers up to five configurable and high-power servo ports with optional period and fail-safe setting.
The EX5 is a perfect choice for models with complex wing or tail mechanics where multiple servos may be connected to a primary receiver/receivers using just a single cable. In addition, if you are running out of receiver channels simply connect additional SE2/SE4/SE6 to the EX5 serial line/s and freely assign any channels.
The EX5 offers flight stabilization (Optional) using the integrated MEMS gyroscope/accelerometer. Up to three configurable flight modes can be used, each with different stabilization gains and settings. In connection with other devices from our production, such as SE4 or SE6, you can create a complex installation with just a few signal/power cables.
Specifications and Features – Supported Protocols: Jeti EX, Multiplex M-LINK, Graupner HoTT, Futaba S.Bus/S.Bus2 – Small dimensions and high current throughput via the integrated MR30 power connectors. – Telemetry (RC system dependent): Temperature, Voltage, G-Force (+/-30G), Attitude (Roll/Pitch/Yaw). – Gyro-stabilized servo outputs, EX Bus, SRXL16ch. or S.Bus. – Flight stabilization offering 3 configurable flight modes (Manual/Acro/Horizon). – Automatic detection of serial data/telemetry after startup. – Configuration through the transmitter or external terminal (JETIBOX/SMART-BOX). – Firmware updates via USB interface.
Advance Model Installation Attach the required servos or additional bus devices (SE2/SE4/SE6) to the EX5 (ports 1-5). Connect up to two receivers through their bus outputs. In case of a single receiver, always connect primary RX to the RX1 port of the EX5. Turn on the transmitter and apply the appropriate power source to the EX5. The status LED starts blinking as soon as the EX5 detects signal on the serial line. Please note that both receivers have to use the same data protocol (S.Bus, EX Bus, etc., ).