Attending a model show is like being in model heaven
Attending a model plane show is like letting a kid loose in a candy store – you drool a lot. I had the pleasure of attending a large local show sponsored by the Westchester Radio Aeromodelers – the WRAM show. Included in the show were radio control planes, boats, helicopters and cars.
There were two floors of exhibits – about 150 different booths of varying sizes:
Some of the models were very large and impressive in detail:
This one I loved – incredible detail:
Warbirds were well represented:
And smaller warbirds:
This floors me – a "Beginner's Dream" from Hobby Lobby with a fragile balsa wing:
Sorry – I don't think a beginner's plane should be so fragile. One model that caught my eye was this biplane from Estes-Cox:
I spoke with Rob Tomash who assured me that this can take some knocks – at least the wing is solid foam. I liked the low wing loading:
Looks like a fun biplane that can slow-fly and also get crazy – hope to review this soon. Another model that caught my eye was the RC Bug:
The model pictured is one of their flight demo planes – look closely and you can see some glue lines on the wing. It's built of low density, flexible EPP foam that is easily to repair. It weighs in at about 6 ounces ready to fly. This requires 4 channels – it has ailerons. There is liberal use of carbon fiber rods to strengthen and to protect the prop. The servos are located below the wing:
A view of the aileron setup – all carbon fiber rods:
This gives a good idea of its size:
And the Bug family:
The smaller one is due out in March; unfortunately the smallest one is on hold as the micro-servos used are no longer available – looks like something you could fly in the house. I thougth it would be hard to fly in any breeze, but was told just the opposite – it's a good flyer in moderate air. I'll be reviewing the large one shortly and see for myself.
"The stators are epoxy coated to prevent shorts, and are wound with wire that is rated at 180 degrees C (356 F). The magnets used in Scorpion Motors are N-50EH style, which are rated for operation at 200ºC (392ºF), making a motor that is virtually impossible to burn up in normal use… Scorpion Motors are built to last, and are backed with a 2-Year warranty…"
I decided to try one an bought the Scorpion 2215-22 – the Prop Data Chart gives a wide range of possibilities – nice to have! I'll review these products shortly.
I'm a big fan of using carbon fiber as a basic building block for wing spars and fuselage frames and also to reinforce a model's weak points. After my lhs ran out of carbon fiber stock, I searched the web and found DragonPlate. As luck would have it, they were at the show:
They have some interesting products – I bought some 48" Carbon Fiber Tubes from them to use as wing spars – the prices are good and the four foot length is a real plus.
Another great resource I found at the show was the "decal guy":
Unfortunately he's not on the web yet, but you can call 800 557 5617 and get a catalog. Many of the decals are scaled (eg, 1/8 scale, 1/6 scale etc) which is a big help for scale modelers.
Tools – I love precision tools and RJR CooL Tools has a very nice line:
At any of these shows there are always novelty booths – aside from the usual miniature flying models, helis, submarines and cars, this blimpy thing caught my eye:
Finally, a step back in time – this is what it used to be in RC's stone-age courtesy of the Vintage Radio Control Society:
The transmitters:
And rubber bands to actuate the control surfaces:
We've come a long way.
Shows such as this are a great way to get a feel for popularity (very crowded), talk to manufacturers directly, see new products and, of course, to indulge our fantasies – highly recommended if there's one in your area.
WRAM Model Show
Attending a model show is like being in model heaven
Attending a model plane show is like letting a kid loose in a candy store – you drool a lot. I had the pleasure of attending a large local show sponsored by the Westchester Radio Aeromodelers – the WRAM show. Included in the show were radio control planes, boats, helicopters and cars.
There were two floors of exhibits – about 150 different booths of varying sizes:
Some of the models were very large and impressive in detail:
This one I loved – incredible detail:
Warbirds were well represented:
And smaller warbirds:
This floors me – a "Beginner's Dream" from Hobby Lobby with a fragile balsa wing:
Sorry – I don't think a beginner's plane should be so fragile. One model that caught my eye was this biplane from Estes-Cox:
I spoke with Rob Tomash who assured me that this can take some knocks – at least the wing is solid foam. I liked the low wing loading:
Looks like a fun biplane that can slow-fly and also get crazy – hope to review this soon. Another model that caught my eye was the RC Bug:
The model pictured is one of their flight demo planes – look closely and you can see some glue lines on the wing. It's built of low density, flexible EPP foam that is easily to repair. It weighs in at about 6 ounces ready to fly. This requires 4 channels – it has ailerons. There is liberal use of carbon fiber rods to strengthen and to protect the prop. The servos are located below the wing:
A view of the aileron setup – all carbon fiber rods:
This gives a good idea of its size:
And the Bug family:
The smaller one is due out in March; unfortunately the smallest one is on hold as the micro-servos used are no longer available – looks like something you could fly in the house. I thougth it would be hard to fly in any breeze, but was told just the opposite – it's a good flyer in moderate air. I'll be reviewing the large one shortly and see for myself.
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I had a nice conversation with Lucien Miller who is importing Scorpion motors and speed controllers:
I found the following interesting:
"The stators are epoxy coated to prevent shorts, and are wound with wire that is rated at 180 degrees C (356 F). The magnets used in Scorpion Motors are N-50EH style, which are rated for operation at 200ºC (392ºF), making a motor that is virtually impossible to burn up in normal use… Scorpion Motors are built to last, and are backed with a 2-Year warranty…"
I decided to try one an bought the Scorpion 2215-22 – the Prop Data Chart gives a wide range of possibilities – nice to have! I'll review these products shortly.
I'm a big fan of using carbon fiber as a basic building block for wing spars and fuselage frames and also to reinforce a model's weak points. After my lhs ran out of carbon fiber stock, I searched the web and found DragonPlate. As luck would have it, they were at the show:
They have some interesting products – I bought some 48" Carbon Fiber Tubes from them to use as wing spars – the prices are good and the four foot length is a real plus.
Another great resource I found at the show was the "decal guy":
Unfortunately he's not on the web yet, but you can call 800 557 5617 and get a catalog. Many of the decals are scaled (eg, 1/8 scale, 1/6 scale etc) which is a big help for scale modelers.
Tools – I love precision tools and RJR CooL Tools has a very nice line:
At any of these shows there are always novelty booths – aside from the usual miniature flying models, helis, submarines and cars, this blimpy thing caught my eye:
Finally, a step back in time – this is what it used to be in RC's stone-age courtesy of the Vintage Radio Control Society:
The transmitters:
And rubber bands to actuate the control surfaces:
We've come a long way.
Shows such as this are a great way to get a feel for popularity (very crowded), talk to manufacturers directly, see new products and, of course, to indulge our fantasies – highly recommended if there's one in your area.