Tactic Radios
I am looking for a back up radio for my small stuff. Does anyone have any experience with the Tactic brand? The prices are right but I have no experience with them. Any suggestions?
Posted on: 5/22/2013 9:53 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11519897

RE: Retracts For HOB's
The ME109 is about finished but I will try to do a build thread on the FW190 and the P-47. The Messerschmitt was a good build. Quality kit with very good fits throughout the process. We are leaving the landing gear of as our field won't accommodate any wheels smaller than 3 or 4 inches. If I hit the lottery I promised the club that I would pave a strip for them!!! Anyway, if anyone has any comments or suggestions on building the FW190 or the P-47 I would appreciate it.
Posted on: 5/21/2013 6:19 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11518753

Retracts For HOB's
Am finishing up a HOB ME109 and it is a great kit. When finished I will move on to an HOB P-47 then a Focke Wulff 190...all by HOB. I bought these kits years ago on ebey and I think I paid 30 or 35 bucks for them. I wish I could find them now for that ptice!!!!!!!!! I would like to put retracts in the P47 and the FW190. I have read some posts concerning this but I can't remember what retracts they used. Can someone recommend a good retract that will fit in these 2 models? I have read some good reviews on the HOB kits. I can't wait to fly these birds. I guess I need their P 51 to balance out the hangar........2 Allied planes and 2 Axis planes. Thanks.
Posted on: 5/20/2013 6:47 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11517713

Finding JaspurX
This is my weelky log trying to find JaspurX. He was a prolific contributor to this column until I sent him $140.00 for some Cox .020 engines and parts and then he disappeared. I am more discouraged about not getting the engines than losing 140 bucks. If anyone is in contact with him please tell him to contact me. Thanks sw
Posted on: 5/20/2013 12:24 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11517360

HOB ME109.....Plastic Fuse Top Painting
We are getting ready to put color on our House of Balsa ME 109 and need a little advice. First: will Sig Supercote attack the plastic canopy and fuse top? Second: we are doing a sky blue bottom and a grey top with green camo spots. We did it on a big Spitfire and it came out nice. Does the cotton ball technique work on small scale? How are these spots applied? Any precautions I should take? I have some Parma(maybe Pactra)slot car paint that is water based. Is it fuel proof? I am sorry that I didn't do a build thread on this plane. My brother does nice work. Our system, for over 50 years, consisted of me building the aircraft and him flying it(at least the big ones). I have a stack of HOB WWll warbirds and he wanted to do the ME109 himself. I didn't know that he was that good. I have an Enya .09 that we thought we would use on this plane but after flying our Ace Whizard with our Cox .051 R/C we decided to use it on the ME109. It screams to the point that your ears begin to hurt. We fly out in the country so noise is not a problem although the muffler is quiet when we use it. We will be doing the HOB FW190 next. Eventually we will have a hangar full of Allied planes and Axis aircraft. Should be fun. I will try to post a pic of the Messerschmitt when complete.
Posted on: 5/18/2013 4:42 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11515458

RE: ALUMINUM Fabrication need help
Does aluminum interfere with a radio signal?
Posted on: 9/11/2012 7:02 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Composites Fabrication And Repair"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11225632

THE FIRST LANIER
40 YEARS AGO MY fATHER WON A LANIER AIRCRAFT AT AN OMAHA FUNFLY. IT HAS NEVER BEEN FLOWN AND IS OF THE PATTERN STYLE. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT BE WORTH?
Posted on: 9/6/2012 8:28 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220274

FIRST LANIER R/C AIRCRAFT
About 40 years ago, my Father won this plane at an Omahawks club fun fly. I believe it is their first model. It is a pattern ship along the lines of a "Kwik Fly." Does anyone have an idea of what it's worth? It is in perfect shape. Never had a motor mounted on it. I think I will put it up on ebay. I need the money for a new, programmable radio. Probably a Futuba.
Posted on: 9/5/2012 7:10 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11218936

R/C CARB FOR A COX .09
I used to come across .09 r/c carbs all the time but can't find them anymore. Does anyone know of a source for these throttled carbs? We have a screamin' Cox .09 and we want to throttle it if possible. Thanks guys!!!!
Posted on: 9/5/2012 6:31 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11218899

Lipo Recommendations
I have a ducted fan XB-70 that uses a 14.8 volt, 2200mah lipo. I need an extra battery and as I look at the different choices the 14.8 volt ones are rather expensive. Does anyone have a recommendation for a battery that is a bit more economical? Most are 79 to 99 dollars. Can one use a nickel hydride battery where a Lipo is called for? My brother and I have been flying for over 50 years but are new to electrics. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Posted on: 8/20/2012 5:10 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "E-Flight Power Sources"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11200167

What Kind of Foam to Carve
I am planning to carve an XB-70 from foam. Years ago all we had to use was foam from the lumber yard. Now I see several kinds(EPP,EPS etc)of foam for modeling. What type is the best for shaping? I can't find any modeling foam in blocks but I did find some foam in thick sheets. I suppose I could glue several sheets together and go from there. Any recommendations as to foam type and supplier? Thanks.
Posted on: 8/6/2012 8:31 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Foamies! - RC Electric Foam Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11183705

House of Balsa WWll 1/2 A Warbirds
My brother and I are going to build several HOB warbirds. We will do a ME 109 first then the FW 190 next. We want to do the P-47 as a third bird then the P 51. I have had the 109 and 190 sitting in their boxes for many years. I will buy the other two this winter. I haven't built any HOB kits before but have read several reviews and they were very flattering. The kits call for .049 to .10 glow engines. I even have the engines!! I have one of the old Cox .051 throttled motors that screams. Also an Enya .09 and an O.S. 10.....BUT....have decided to go electric with these planes. My brother and I have started with electric this year and what a change. WOW!!!!!....no more coming home from the field covered with castor oil and fuel. I wish we had switched to electric when we built our Heathkit 6 ch. 45 years ago!!!! I have a couple of small radios but would like a recommdation on what size and brand of brushless motor and esc to use that would work in all of the birds. There is more to this electric lifestyle than I thought. I also would like a suggestion on batteries. Thanks fellas!!
Posted on: 8/5/2012 8:00 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Glow to Electric Conversions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11182362

XB-70 Plans in German!!!
Eight or ten years ago I purchased plans for a very big XB-70. It is all balsa and a beautiful aircraft, BUT, the instructions are in German!! The label on the plans say: Speziell fur Modellbauer(with the 2 dots over the word fur.) I know a few German words but not near enough to attempt it. Has anyone out there built one of these with the translation in english. I would sure appreciate the translation if some one has it. Thanks.
Posted on: 6/18/2012 6:59 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11123094

XB-70 Instructions In German.
Eight or ten years ago I purchased plans for a very big XB-70. It is all balsa and a beautiful aircraft, BUT, the instructions are in German!! The label on the plans say: Speziell fur Modellbauer(with the 2 dots over the word fur.) I know a few German words but not near enough to attempt it. Has anyone out there built one of these with the translation in english. I would sure appreciate the translation if some one has it. Thanks
Posted on: 6/18/2012 6:54 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11123081

Giant XB-70 Plans In German!!!
Eight or ten years ago I purchased plans for a very big XB-70. It is all balsa and a beautiful aircraft, BUT, the instructions are in German!! The label on the plans say: Speziell fur Modellbauer(with the 2 dots over the word fur.) I know a few German words but not near enough to attempt it. Has anyone out there built one of these with the translation in english. I would sure appreciate the translation if some one has it. Thanks.
Posted on: 6/18/2012 6:50 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - General"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11123072

Lipo Charger Recommendations
I have a couple of chargers but am in need of an economical 1 to 4 cell Lipo charger. There are so many different ones that it is a bit confusing. It seems everything I buy these days comes with a Lipo, or, at least recommends one I have a small park flyer that has a 2 cell stick in it hence....one more charger! Does anyone have a recommendation for an economical one? Thanks.
Posted on: 5/1/2012 6:17 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11064682

RE: Electric Jets
; If anyone who flies one please drop me a line with any recommendations, etc. Thanks gang. Steve ps
Posted on: 5/1/2012 4:22 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11064536

RE: XB-70 EDF
I will remember that advice. 45 years ago my brother and I flew the dickens out of the Competition Models F/F profile with the .049. What a blast. We flew the wings off of it literally. At least 100 flights. It would climb in a wide circle and when the fuel was gone it would float down in a huge circle. Beautiful if I must say. We ended up putting a "super hopped up" nitro burning Cox Black Widow" on it and we needed field glasses to follow it to it's apex!!!!! What a blast. Am in the process of building a tiny EDF job for the gym. 3 channels and no landing gear. Then I will start on the German fellows monster. It is about 9 or 10 feet long with a span of about 6 1/2 feet. Bombs and all. It is designed for a .91 pusher glow engine. Would love to stick 3 or 4 turbines in it but can't spare 7 or 8 car payments!!!!! Maybe I will go with EDF. I have always loved this plane and consider it to be America's finest piece of aeronautical engineering!!
Posted on: 4/19/2012 8:41 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11049350

RE: XB-70 EDF
I have mine ready to go, finally. Tx wouldn't mix. Bought a cheap radio with mix so we will try it this week. Pray for me.
Posted on: 4/19/2012 6:41 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11049209

Micro Gear From Hobbico Foamies!
I am working on a tiny indoor flyer and need some radio advice. I have a Hobbico Fokker Dr VII with very light radio gear. Where can I find some of this tiny flight pak gear? It has 2 servos, a Rx, an ESC and a small battery. The whole plane only weighs less that 2 ounces. I don't want to tear apart a perfectly good plane just for the gear if it can be bought seperately. Any advice?
Posted on: 4/10/2012 6:35 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11036903

Foam XB-70 Scratch Built...best foam!!
I am going to hand sand and carve an XB-70 fuse and wing out of as light a foam as I can get. I did this a long time ago, especially with a Lear Jet and It came out beautifully. I was using the popular insulation foam at the time. Now there are several types of foam such as EPP, ESS, Aero-Foam and WTF!!!!!!!! What do you knoweledgeable foamie pros suggest? I will be doing the wing that way also...with a bit of carbon fiber rods strenghtening it. I might run some 1/16 carbon across the fuse for stiffness. I have a giant(9 foot long 6 foot w.s. plane.) I have a 28 in long 21 in w.s. also have 51 inch long 31 inch w.s. This time I want to do an indoor job with a length of 21 inches and a span of 16." I will be using several 30mm EDF and will try to put the elevators on the front canard. Making the entire canard a control surface. I have located a 24mm fan unit which would give me lots of oomph! I need to know exaclty what type of foam to use. Any help would be appreciated. I have been doing some drawing on a B-70 with a fuse lenghth of 12 feet and a w.s. of around 7&1/2 feet but the 21 incher will look good in the church.(which will be a divine place to try it!!!!!!) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!!
Posted on: 4/10/2012 5:23 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11036795

Rubber Powered Sikorsky XR-5 Heli
anything about it. Thanks. Steve
Posted on: 4/9/2012 3:46 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Off Topic Forum - Planes/Helis"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11035020

Sikorsky XR-5 Stick and Tissue Helicopter
anything about it. Thanks. Steve
Posted on: 4/9/2012 3:43 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "The Clubhouse"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11035011

Electric Advice
I have a small fan unit with a 9000kv motor. It says use a 2s lipoly. Motor current is 4.2 Any suggestions for good esc and battery? Needs to be light. Thanks
Posted on: 4/2/2012 8:52 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Brushed/Brushless motors, speed controls, gear drives"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11026038

DUCTED FANS
Does anyone have any experience with the really small fan units? Hobbyking has some very small fan units such as several around 2 inches. Am planing a small, indoor XB-70, with a single fan. Sure doesn't seem like something that small would put out much thrust. I guess if I keep it 3 or 4 ounces it might work. Any suggestions?
Posted on: 3/6/2012 1:44 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10988978

RE: XB-70 EDF
Yes I got it from Toysonics and it is the last thing I ever get from them. Service is terrible. Treated me like a 5 year old. Tx was funky and it won't mix the elevons. Am putting a different radio in it that will mix right. The plane is beautiful but pray you get one that works. Plan on a different radio more than likely.
Posted on: 3/6/2012 1:38 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Electric RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10988970

Toysonics XB-70
I have a Toysonics XB-70 ducted fan and the radio is the cheapest thing I have ever seen. I can't seem to get the elevator and ailerons to mix. Anyone with any experience with this plane? It is a beautiful model but the radio scares me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Steve
Posted on: 2/27/2012 5:13 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10978996

Ytf Radio Mixing
I bought an XB-70 with an extremely cheap radio. It's a 6 ch. Ytf. It has mixing capabilities but I can't seem to get it to mix. Anyone with experience in this area, especially with this brand of Tx? The elevator ch. works and the aileron ch. works but they do not mix. Am I missing something? Thanks. Steve Westphal
Posted on: 2/27/2012 2:30 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10978759

Ytf Radio Mixing
I bought an XB-70 with an extremely cheap radio. It's a 6 ch. Ytf. It has mixing capabilities but I can't seem to get it to mix. Anyone with experience in this area, especially with this brand of Tx? The elevator ch. works and the aileron ch. works but they do not mix. Am I missing something? Thanks. Steve Westphal
Posted on: 2/27/2012 2:29 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10978755

RECEIVER COMPATABILITY
Are all servos and receivers compatible with each other these days? Do the new servo plugs fit in all new receivers? Steve
Posted on: 2/15/2012 4:28 PM by Author "Steve Westphal" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10960768