Affordable airshow performance in a fantastic color scheme.
“Showcasing the pride and precision of today’s Air Force”—that’s the motto of the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, better known as the “Thunderbirds.” Based at Nellis Force Base near Las Vegas, Nevada, the name is derived from local Native American legend of a mythical bird that creates thunder by clapping its wings and shoots lightning from its eyes.
The first time I saw the Thunderbirds in person, they were flying F-4 Phantom II fighters. I was just a wide-eyed kid at the time, but when the four planes of the diamond formation lit the afterburners to take off, there was no doubt that they lived up to their namesake. Even today, the sight of the Thunderbirds’ six-plane formation doing a flyover with smoke on gives me chills and makes me proud to be an American.
The aircraft of choice for the Thunderbirds since 1982 is the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and E-flite recently introduced the 70mm EDF F-16 in both Plug-N-Play (PNP) and Bind-N-Fly (BNF) Basic with AS3X versions. The F-16 is constructed out of injection-molded EPO foam, which is both light and easy to repair. The model includes retractable landing gear, a 12-blade 70mm electric ducted-fan unit with 70-amp speed control, and six 9g servos. The BNF Basic version also comes with a Spektrum AR636 AS3X stabilized receiver and requires only a 6S battery; the PNP version requires both a battery and a 5+-channel receiver.
The F-16 is easy to assemble, and while it’s easy to fly for a jet, it’s still a jet and requires intermediate airmanship skills.
UNIQUE FEATURES
This story is from the September 2019 edition of Model Airplane News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2019 edition of Model Airplane News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Old School Model Works Fifty Six
The Fifty Six takes its design cues from the original .09- to .15-size Carl Goldberg Falcon 56 of the 1960s. Reworked to incorporate modern, lasercut techniques to make kit building better than ever.
FLYING TWINS Multi-engine warbirds made easy
Let’s face it, there’s just something extra special about twin-engine RC aircraft. Most modelers stop what they’re doing when a twin fires up on the flightline.
SPIRIT OF RHINEBECK AWARD WINNER
A close up of Norman Malinowski’s 1/3-scale Albatros
CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS
The secret to a plane that flies well
DON'T TRASH THAT CRASH!
Pro tips for light, strong aircraft repairs
TAKEOFF WITH A 1 1/2 POSITIVE SNAP ROLL
If you’re aspiring to become a better aerobatic pilot, you are, no doubt, constantly searching to add exciting maneuvers to your flight routine.
THE 'RAIDER REPAINT
Painting and weathering the Legend Hobby A-1 Skyraider
THE COMPETITION CONTINUES
Every spring, Frank Tiano’s Top Gun Scale Invitational has heralded the beginning of the flying season, offering builders an opportunity to show off their projects in Lakeland, Florida after a winter spent finishing them in their workshops.
BUILDING BENCH & WORKSHOP TIPS
I have built countless RC models, from kits, plans and even my own scratch designs.
TOP GUN FAVORITE MARK CHAPMAN'S 1/3-SCALE ALBATROS D.VA
When I told Model Airplane News executive editor Debra Cleghorn that I was attending the Top Gun Scale Invitational for the first time, she asked me if I would interview the pilot of one of my favorite planes at the event. As a WW I fan (and a Balsa USA builder), I chose Mark Chapman’s beautifully detailed 1/3-scale Balsa USA Albatros D.Va, flown by Marvin Alvarez in Team Scale.
