Get 'Em Started Young

Alec Johnson, age 9, gets in some stick time on the "buddy box", with flight instructor Jerry Wickline.  Father Mike Johnson looks on.  Mom and sister are in the background cheering Alec on. Alec, has his own trainer airplane, now has several flights under his belt and is well on the way to his first solo and "shirt cutting ceremony".  The TCRCAM welcomes all junior members by offering them free membership the first year and only $5.00 per year thereafter, providing they are members of the AMA.

A-26 Invader, Attack Bomber by Advanced Scale Models

A-26 Invader by ASM.  Wing Span 92", weight 16.5 pounds, two Magnum XL .70 RFS 4 strokes, air operated retractable landing gear.

Last September Hobby People announced their newest twin engine ARF, the A-26 Invader would be available for delivery in early 2008. So, I ordered one thinking that the release date was probably a little optimistic, and I jokingly said I would get it in May, but it didn't actually arrive until July.  While waiting for my new airplane to arrive, I bought two new Magnum .70 four strokes, the recommended engines, and broke them in on my Ugly Stick.  I took three weeks to assemble the model and flew the maiden flight on Thursday August 7, 2008, which went very well, with only very little trim adjustment required after take off.  ASM combines conventional balsa/plywood parts with blown ABS plastic fuselage and nacelles to make an exceptionally light airplane.  My A-26 weighs only 16.5 pounds which I consider excellent for a giant scale twin engine airplane with a 92" wing span.  The first flights prove the A-26  to be very stable, with no bad tendencies.  She tracks straight on takeoff, and lifts off with just a touch of up elevator.  There is not a lot of extra power coming from the two Magnum .70s, so the climb out is rather shallow, but when the landing gear is retracted, the flying speed picks up and performance increases.  I not expecting this to be a good acrobatic airplane, although I believe it will be capable of all normal acrobatic maneuvers.   Landing with 1/2 flaps are a snap.  I use a moderate descent on final and carry some power until the flare, and then with the engines at idle, she settles in on her main gear with the nose wheel still in the air.  It don't get much better that this.  Other that being somewhat power limited, I am VERY pleased with my new A-26 and believe that I will be able to improve the performance by trying out different prop/engines combinations after I get a few more flights under my belt.  Jerry Wickline

Park Zone T-28 Trojan Electric

Larry Honigman has joined the electric crowd with his new Park Zone T-28 Trojan from Horizon Hobby.  It comes in two versions.  An ARF  where you just add your receiver and battery ($169), and a RTF complete with transmitter, receiver and battery.($249) Both versions include an outrunner brushless motor, a 25 amp speed control and four servos.  Assembly time is less than 20 minutes.  This little "foamey" has a wing span of 44", a length of 36" and a flying weight of 30 oz.  An 1800 ma Lipo battery will give flight times of over 10 minutes.  The Park Zone T-28 Trojan is an excellent performer, very stable, easy to fly, and has full acrobatic capabilities.  Any beginner can fly this airplane, but shove up the throttle and it becomes a very nimble acrobat.