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Model Airplane News, Jul 2003

AEROBATIC ARFS

I liked the "Editors' Top 10 Picks" in the June 2003 issue but was surprised not to see my favorite model, the 80-inch-span Sig Sukhoi! I put a Saito 1.70 radial engine in its nose, and this plane performs! It also looks and sounds great. I really enjoy the aerobatic articles (reviews and how to's) and would like to see more in future issues. I enjoy the magazine; it's my favorite! [email]

PHIL HIZA

Phil, it was really hard to narrow down all those great aerobatic ARFs to only 10! We agree that the Sig Sukhoi is awesome; our West Coast, associate editor John Reid reviewed it for the February 2003 issue and stated: "Flying the Sukhoi is the best part of owning it!" DC

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LOOKING FOR A B-36

Thanks for producing the best model airplane magazine on the market. Each issue is packed with everything that a beginner or old-timer like me needs to know, from tips and tricks to new products. In the April issue, you covered the 2002 NEAT Fly-In. I noticed that a flier had an electric version of the B-36

Peacemaker built from Gus Morfis plans. I have searched all of my magazines (I don't throw them away; I just keep re-reading them until the covers fall off; thank goodness for plastic tubs!) but I can't find any listing for Gus Morfis plans in any magazine or on the Internet. I would like to purchase those plans, if they are available. Thought you might have a source for them. [email]

RONNIE BARBER

Thanks for the encouragement, Ronnie. You can reach Gus Morfis at (310) 378-5679, or by email at morfisg@turnkeyrc.com. After you've built the B-36, please send us photos for "Pilot Projects," and check out the RCStore (rcstore.com) for more plans from Gus. DC

TWO-PLUG HEAD?

Some engines are equipped with a twin-plug head for RC pattern and helicopters. I have been told that you need different glow plugs, such as O.S. "F" and "AS," for best engine operation. What advantages are gained by using twin plugs, and why must they be different?

K.T. SO

HONG KONG

K.T.; twin glow plugs were first used in controlline speed and racing events in the late '40s. The idea was basic: if the plug burned out during the start period, it didn't need to be replaced: simply switch the glow-plug clip to the second plug.

Over the years, some experts have claimed improved idle and throttle-up performance by using two glow plugs in the head. When the throttle is snapped open, a rush of incoming air flushes a load of liquid fuel (which often accumulates in the crankcase of an idling engine) into the combustion chamber, extinguishing the glow plug. Statistically, asecond glow plug improves the likelihood that combustion will continue during such circumstances. This is another example of treating the effect rather than the cause; use of the idle-bar glow plug is another. Dynamometer testing of twin-plug 2-stroke engines has never shown torque or brake horsepower improvement. I'll leave the explanation for using two different plugs to the smoke-and-mirror specialists. Dave Gierte

ENGINE SHOOTOUT

Kudos to Dave Gierke for his "We test 10 .60 Engines" article in the May 2003 issue! That's the kind of information modelers like me really want and need. And who would have guessed that the inexpensive Tower .61 would have so much horsepower? Goes to show that you can't judge a product by its price tag.

BILL SHARPE

KANSAS CITY, KS

Daring to compare different .60 engines against one another ... damn, that's something I haven't seen in an RC magazine before. Model Airplane News has more [nerve] than [other RC magazines] any day. Keep it up! [email]

MICHAEL MANESS

We're glad you liked Dave's .60 engine comparison and hope you had a chance to check out the additional engine Information at the Click Trip (modelairplanenews.com). ft wax a lot of work to break in, disassemble and test 10 engines, but I have a feeling that Dave "Mr. Dyno" Gierke enjoyed every minute of it! DC

LIKES THE MIX

Just wanted to drop ya'll a note and tell you how much I enjoy the magazine. I fly IMAC and also some electric and general for-fun-type RC. I really have enjoyed and been helped by your series on basic IMAC maneuvers (hope you'll publish a separate book with all the articles), and now the series on 3D is really interesting.

I don't do much electric (one airplane) but enjoy reading about other aspects of the sport; keep it up. The magazine has become head and shoulders above any other RC magazine available. You still have construction articles, ARF reports, some aerodynamic reviews and lots of good advertising. I enjoy reviewing the ads and seeing what's new and available. Thanks for a great magazine. Wish you could publish bi-weekly. [email]

RODNEY WREN

Sounds as though you enjoy the magazine as much as we enjoy producing it, Rodney! We are fortunate to have some of the best modelers and pilots in the country writing for us. But twice a month?! You're killing me! Between producing Model Airplane News, Backyard Flyer and RC MicroFlight, our department eats, sleeps and breathes model airplanes (not a bad way to make a living, I'll admit!)

Airwaves

Model Airplane News, Jul 2003

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