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.

HEAVY-DUTY SCALE FLAPS

FUNCTIONAL CONTROL SURFACES WITH ADDED DETAIL

GETTING STARTED IN FPV

BetaFPV makes getting a bird’s-eye-view easier than ever!

THE NEXT GENERATION OF RC'ERS

Why our hobby isn’t dying out

SPICE UP A LOOP WITH A SNAP ROLL!

Mastering the Avalanche

BUILDING A COMPETITION WORTHY SCALE COCKPIT

Scale competition is a segment in this hobby that I really enjoy.

HATCH IT!

Don’tcha almost hate it when you come across a good looking scale model in the pit area with a bunch of exposed switches, fuel fillers and charging jacks bolted, glued or otherwise taped or fastened to the exterior of its beautiful finish? I know, right? Well after very careful investigation I have come to the conclusion that the “reason” may be the result of a simple explanation.

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK II

PLANES WORTH MODELING

PILOT PROJECTS

SHOWCASING WHAT YOU BUILD & FLY

Never Stop Flying!

A longtime Model Airplane News contributor, Nick Ziroli Sr. has influenced our hobby for decades.

HIDING YOUR RC GEAR

After spending hundreds of hours building a giant-scale airplane, modelers can easily invest in many more hours adding scale details.

Bavarian Demon - Cortex 3-Axis Flight Stabilization System with USB

A not-so-well-kept secret of many competitive scale and jet RC pilots, the Bavarian Demon Cortex is like an electronic way to turn off the wind! Distributed by Chief Aircraft, the Demon Cortex 3-axis Stabilization System with USB costs $289.

RADIO RUNDUP: Our favorite programmable transmitters

For many years as new and innovative radio systems have become available, Model Airplane News has been here to review them all and have shared our findings with our readers. From 27 and 72MHz to the first 2.4GHz rigs, our editors and contributors have taken these RC radio systems and put them through real-world field and bench testing. The level of sophistication we have today is truly impressive and the radio programming features have reached levels that we couldn’t even dream of back in the day. So here, in no particular order, are our eight favorite editors’ picks for quality, price, and performance.

REVERSE SHARK'S TOOTH WITH A HALF ROLL

For something out of the ordinary, let’s discuss a common International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) maneuver. While the Reverse Shark’s Tooth can be performed with many different variations, let’s go over it in its most basic form, while adding a half roll during the upline. If you’re interested in learning more about aerobatic maneuvers or competition, then visit the mini-iac.com website. Even if you do not intend to become a competition pilot, this maneuver is a great turn-around maneuver (a fancy way to change flight direction). Also, it will build on your skills as it incorporates the fundamentals of a roll and loop (and performing various radius corners throughout the maneuver), all while maintaining certain flight attitudes in upright and inverted flight. Let’s begin!

Bob Curry's SE5 Scout

A craftsman shows off his work

A FOAMIE FIXATION

To say that Bill Yirka of Enid, Oklahoma likes foam-board RC airplanes would be an understatement, as evidenced by this photo of Bill surrounded by 274 of his own designs. Bill tells us he started flying about six years ago, noting, “Unaware of the local club, I learned on my own, which resulted in a depleted checking account and a lot of crumpled parts that once resembled store-bought wings, tails, and fuselages.”

Du-Bro Products

Tru-Spin Prop Balancer

WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN!

In 1973, a product was introduced to the radio control market that would forever contribute to the design of every scale model and pattern model on the planet.

PRO PILOT TURNING TIPS

The keys to flying smooth, consistent moves every time

SEAN CURRY'S HAWKER TEMPEST

The backstory of a Top Gun Contender

STEM EDUCATION & RC AIRPLANES

As more of our daily lives become dependent on computer programmers and engineers, schools are turning to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and mathematics) curriculum to teach students the skills that they need to someday work in these fields.