RCMW Oct 2009 - Flying Toys Ltd

Author: John Stennard/Photos: John Stennard
The Hawker Nimrod was not as affected by the low cloud base, it
could almost be a big model!
The Royal Jordanian Falcons at Yeovilton getting ‘up close’
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Light Flight
A mix of full size and model shows, and new mini models
At the time of writing in July I’m well into my ‘show’ season
programme that takes in both model and full size
events. The full size Kemble Air Day and Yeovilton
International Air Day shows are now history and I
enjoyed both in spite of very poor flying conditions at Yeovilton.
Kemble always features a static model aircraft display by the
members of the Cirencester MFC plus a short model flying slot
before the full size display begins.
Many spectators are obviously unaware of the performance
capabilities of R/C models and the turbine Hawk, huge and very
acrobatic Aerokot and chute dropping Hercules were really well
received. At Yeovilton the vicious cross wind experienced last
year was absent but a very low cloud base meant that many aircraft
were unable to fly.
Adverse weather messing things up is definitely not confined to
our model shows! However there was a superb selection of aircraft
in the static displays and lots to see in the hangar exhibitions.
Interestingly while the Red Arrows had to abandon their flat
rolling display after a couple of passes the Royal Jordanian
Falcons with their Extra 300Ls were able to perform a restricted,
but still exciting display in the poor conditions.
Earlier in the day a Hawker Nimrod biplane was able to give a
very good display as it could fly low and slow while easily keeping
inside the airfield boundaries. The RAF Typhoon did not fly but the
French Rafale and Belgian F-16 did! Both these aircraft flew very
low using their afterburner-assisted agility to good effect.
Unique Displays
On the model front the Wings ‘N’ Wheels show at North Weald
had good weather and as usual plenty of traders and lots of
action. This show always has some unique displays and this year
was no exception. It was difficult to choose a highlight from
between Ali Machinchy’s heart-stopping displays with his

Micro scale delight, the Kyosho Minium
Cherokee
Eurosport 3D vectored thrust turbine model or, as a complete
contrast, his equally heart-stopping flying with his 14 ft wingspan
Cub! Anyway let’s start this month with a scale model that is a
touch smaller at 16.1" span and is the Kyosho Minium 4-channel
Cherokee.
A Miniature Beauty
The Cherokee is different from previous Minima aircraft as it is a
4-channel model and requires the new 4-channel Tx, it cannot be
used on the original 3-channel Minium Tx. Although this model
may appear a touch pricy it really is a work of art and flies well.
Looking at the specifications the Cherokee’s wingspan is 410
mm (16.1") and the length 335 mm (13.2"). The AUW weight is 24
g (0.85 oz) and a 95 x 75 mm prop is used. The wing area is
shown as 2.9 dm2, which equals 0.3 sq/ft, so the loading is
around 2.83 oz/sq ft. This is not particularly low for an indoor
model when compared to Minium models like the Flybaby and
Citabria and is on a par with the lively Edge 540. The Cherokee
comes with a standard 70 mAh LiPo although higher capacity 110
and 130 mAh versions are now available. The low cost twin output
mains charger for these cells from Robotbirds is definitely
worth buying if you intend doing lots of flying.
In a big hall I found that the Cherokee taxied and took-off very
Micro scale at its best
My Antoinette 10 uses the Vapor module and flies well
The Edge 540 and the Cherokee provide a lively
flying experience
INDOOR FLYING
smoothly. The controls, and particularly the ailerons, are smooth
and very effective. This makes the model very nice to fly and easy
to land on its trike U/C. The Cherokee is quite a fast model and
there is not really a noticeably slow flight option. In some ways it
is similar to flying the aileron equipped Edge 540. With all four
controls operating it is very much more like flying a miniature ‘full
house’ large model and some aileron experience is required as
these models are not intended to be ‘trainers’.
The Edge and the Cherokee move the Minium models into a different
category as they are higher performance models requiring
more piloting skills and a larger indoor space, or of course outdoors.
Calm outdoor flying is very satisfying but the radio range is
quite short. However as their physical size tends to make you
keep the models fairly close 50 metres is far enough away. Using
their experience in moulding foam coupled with the reliable performance
of the Minium system Kyosho have the opportunity to
move on to more appealing designs of the ‘warbird’ type. Some
of these flying around together would be a great sight.
Superb Indoor Aircraft
Kyosho Minium aircraft have done a lot to encourage indoor flying
in our club and they appear in veritable flocks at several venues
where I fly. Often the pilots are not committed R/C types but
Richard’s Minium equipped Cub is a great flyer
The Cherokee looks great in the air indoor
or outdoors
Richard’s rubber powered prototype and Minium equipped model
WWW.RCMODELWORLD.COM OCTOBER 2009 43

Silverlit’s
Sopwith
Camel is a
little beauty
have a great time with them. The next Minium model I will be
looking at is the lovely 3-channel Christen Eagle. This particular
biplane always seems to fly well and the Minium version is definitely
no exception!
Richard Preston builds superb indoor aircraft in a variety of
materials and recently has been using Depron to good effect. He
built his own design Piper Super Cruiser for Minium gear but first
built a rubber-powered version to check out his calculations. I test
flew his R/C version and initially the controls were too sensitive.
Richard has now lengthened the control horns to reduce the surface
movements and it is now delightful to fly. Richard’s model
has an AUW of 23 g.
Of course the Vapor module can also be used for own-design
aircraft and these models are available from Robotbirds and are
extremely good value. The big advantage is that they can be
‘bound’ to any Spektrum DSM2 Tx. This then means that servo
reverse, expo etc. can be incorporated in the set-up. I decided
that my latest ‘module’ micro would use a Vapor system and it is
an Antoinette 10. It has already flown and handles really well and
I’ll write more about this model in a future Light Flight. It uses a
motor unit from a Silverlit Sopwith Camel so this moves us nicely
onto this cute little aircraft.
Silverlit Sopwith Camel
When I saw this model in the Flying Toys Ltd 2009 booklet I was
immediately fascinated but a touch doubtful. The Camel is not the
easiest of aircraft to model, trim and fly successfully so could a
‘mass produced’ version really fly well? My experiences with two
have confirmed that Silverlit have produced a little star of a model
with the Camel!
It looks the part straight from the box and has an AUW of just
22.2 g (0.7 8 oz) and a 280 mm (11") wingspan. This model really
is a totally capable indoor flyer, although I’ve also flown mine
equally well outdoors in calm conditions. The Camel has a
44 OCTOBER 2009 WWW.RCMODELWORLD.COM
Up close the scale
appearance is really
effective
ABOVE: Each of the three frequencies is
indicated by different aircraft colours, also
useful when flying together!
LEFT: The simple but effective magnetic
actuator rudder
2-channel 27 MHz system, which gives proportional motor and
magnetic actuator control for the rudder. A geared coreless motor
provides the power and a particularly nice ‘scale-like’ prop is fitted
held in place with a ‘prop-saver’ type fitting.
Our school hall provided ample room to fly the Camel comfortably
and it was a delight to fly in circuits and even figure eights.
The motor has plenty of power to give a lively performance and
the ROG is very short. The Camel is available on three different
frequencies so a trio could be flown together and would provide
some great flying fun.
Interestingly we have more laughs at our indoor sessions than at
any time outdoors!
The Camel is a super little model and I hope other WWI model
will be produced to join it. Hopefully any opposition (who mentioned
Fokkers!) will be produced on different frequencies so that
a melee (Dict. Def. ‘noisy riotous fight or brawl’!) can occur!
Seriously, when a model Sopwith Camel like this can be produced
it just highlights the potential within Silverlit. Thanks Flying Toys
Ltd for making this model available to micro model enthusiasts
everywhere, it’s such a gem of a plane.
Just to show you Silverlit are also well into the present as far as
aircraft are concerned take a look at the photos of the little F-18.
The detail on this aircraft is just amazing. So far I have only flown
it outside but I’m sure it will also be great in a large hall.
Tail End
Coming soon will be information on the fantastic Goolie from
Paul and Gordon at Flightline Plans and plenty of other information
about electric light flight.
I’m always interested to hear about your small electric projects
and am available for talk/demos on indoor R/C within my 50-mile
range. I can be contacted via john@stennard.orangehome.co.uk
or via the Editor. RCMW
The Camel has plenty of power to climb with ease The Goolie is a fantastic fun machine for any size of
flying space