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Construction Articles
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Bell
P-63 Kingcobra
The subject of this construction
article is the Bell P- 63A Kingcobra, development
of the P-39 Airacobra. The unusual design of the
Aircobra was based around a 37mm mounted in the
nose and firing through the propeller hub. This
arrangement meant the engine had to be mounted
behind the cockpit, driving the propeller by an
eight foot (2.4m) long drive shaft into a gear
case just behind the propeller hub.
......read full article>>>
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Pushy
Cat
Don't most people these days buy
ARF models? And that is fine if you only want the
standard type models, but if you would like something
a little different then the only way to get that
is either to build it yourself or pay to have it
built.
......read full article>>>
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| MosQuito
The de Havilland DH98 Mosquito was
the fastest, most versatile aircraft of WWII. It
was used in roles of fighter, night raider, long
range bomber, pathfinder and photo reconnaissance.
With it's roots in racing aircraft, the de Havilland
design team, lead by Geoffrey de Havilland constructed
the Mosquito from wood, making it light yet strong.
......read full article>>>
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| Wingbat
After building the Coars-Air what
would the next challenge from the design guys at
Airborne be? Open the plan, lo and behold the back
half of the plane is missing! What a novel looking
piece of gear, it reminds me of control line flying
wing days.
Ah well better get into it, and as
usual to get something happening quickly, I’ll
start on the wing. In fact if you don’t, you
won’t get far as the fuselage is built onto
the completed wing.
......read full article>>>
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| Coars
Air Fun Fly
Let me say at the outset, building
a gull wing aircraft is an interesting experience
and some thought needs to be put into planning the
stages of construction, this article should help
you through the process.
......read full article>>>
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| felix
It can be a Sunday flyer or an all
out 'ring it's neck' sportster.
A look at the plan shows this plane
to have a deep, wide and rounded fuselage, slightly
tapered wings with plenty of area. I do not believe
this is a plane for you if this is your first scratch
built project because of some of the building techniques
needed, but it could be your second or third model.
Now that your interest is aroused,
read on about the construction and flight performance.
......read full article>>>
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| interavia
sl-90
If you are after a sport scale model
that is different from the run-of-the-mill aircraft
and flies well then this may be the model for you.
Experienced modellers will have no trouble building
this aircraft from the plans and will no doubt have
their own favourite methods. For those with little
experience this is the way I went about it.
......read full article>>>
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| BAC
Strikemater
A 40 to 46 powered Sports Scale Prop-driven
Jet.
The Strikemaster was one of the most
successful light attack jets of its day and was
still being produced into the 1970’s. They
are still flying with some Air forces today.
......read full article>>> |
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Aerobrat
The "AEROBRAT", a very attractive
realistic looking model, easy to construct &
very easy to fly, is aerobatic and also very forgiving,
so let's get started.
......read full article>>> |
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Dream Bipe
Whether you call it a 'Dream Bipe'
or 'Shear Magic' both describe it to a 'T'.
If you're a bi-plane freak, I think
you will be pleasantly surprised at the lines
of this new bipe.
A tiny plane with big performance.
......read full article>>> |
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bo-fighter
A twin engined aircraft is something
that a lot of modellers would like to try, but
the expense and misery if something goes wrong
holds many people back.
Airborne's plan service offers
a cheap way to overcome this problem. There is
no lump sum output for parts and it sure works
out cheaper than comparable sized kits. The simple
building techniques used in the Bo-Fighter means
that this plane goes together with ease. Flying
is simple and with two reliable motors, the Bo-Fighter
is a dream to fly.
......read full article>>> |
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PSS Vampire
De Havilland's Vampire was one of
the first jet fighters to enter service after
WW II. The diminutive jet aircraft was built in
single and double seat versions for the RAF and
was also built under license in several other
countries including Australia.
Airborne's semi-scale PSS (Powered
Slope Soarer) Vampire is
based on the T Mk II, two seat variant. The model
requires 2 channel radio for ailerons and elevator.
Wing span is 1.24 metres: (49")."
......read full article>>> |
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Bandicoot
The Bandicoot is a mid wing sport,
aerobatic model with a fully symmetrical wing
and is designed around a .35 to .40 size engine,
it requires a four channel radio and has a fixed
undercarriage. It was a breeze to build with a
balsa/ply construction and a foam core wing. The
motor is fully enclosed in a removable cowl which
makes the model look very streamline.
......read full article>>> |
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Vee-Bee
The Vee-Bee is a model with different
lines to conventional models and being reasonably
small is easy to transport. It's easy to construct
and is an ideal aircraft for someone who wants
something different at the field and in their
hanger.
......read full article>>> |
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P51 mustang
A 1/6th Semi-Scale War-Bird
The Mustang stands as one of the
pinnacle fighters of this era, being loved by
all who have flown in them or had anything to
do with this wonderful piece of history. When
the Airborne team told me they had drawn up a
new plan for the Mustang, I jumped at the opportunity
to build it and do an evaluation and flight test
on this "Cadillac of the skies".
......read full article>>> |
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Scriber
Scriber is a nice graceful looking
aerobatic slope soarer of 1.83m span, with a "T"
tail and shoulder mounted wing. Large control
surfaces make for a very manoeuverable craft and
the "T" tail and smooth lines makes
for a real eye catcher.
......read full article>>> |
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Canadair
CL-215
The Canadair Water Bomber is a twin
engined stand-off scale model. The full size version
is used throughout North America and various other
countries world wide. This fire bomber fills it's
payload of water by skimming along the surface
of the water while the inlet scoop is lowered
forcing water up into it's tanks.
......read full article>>> |
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F/A-18
Hornet Part I
F/A-18 Hornet Part II
Get ready to read about one of the
most exciting models, scratch built from a set
of plans, that I've ever flown!
Well it's been a while since I've done a complete
scratch built review for the Airborne Plan Service,
and I can only say that the ARF's that have been
coming my way for review have been great. But
it's time to do some really serious building. |
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Delstar
The Delstar is a cranked arrow delta
wing that is striking, both in flight and on the
ground. It represents an intermediate stop between
traditional prop planes and ducted-fan or jet-turbine
aircraft. |
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Super-Drake
The Super Drake is a large, improved
version of the original mini-Drake, first published
in Airbourne magazine May-June 1984.
This prototype incorporated performance changes
including an increased the wing size to seven feet |
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Roaring
40
Model design with a hint of nostalgia
when racing monoplanes were the rage in the 1930's |
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Voyager
The Voyager is a futuristic canard
delta, it could quite well be the replacement for
the FA-18 when the powers to be see this article.
Having heard a lot about the flying attributes of
canards I have been interested in having a go at
flying one. |
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De
Havilland DH-88
The De Havilland DH88 Comet is a classic
1930's racing aircraft designed to carry two people.
It had a maximum speed of 237 mph and even in model
form is easily recognised. The prototype I have
built is modelled on the winner of the McRobertson
England to Australia air race of 1934 in its famous
fire red and white colour scheme with the Grosvenor
House lettering. |
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Rollason
Beta
The Rollason Beta is a single
seat sporting monoplane of all wood construction.
It was the winning entry in a competition conducted
by Rollason Aircraft and Engines in UK in 1964 which
specified a design for a small racing aircraft.
The original version which flew in
1966 was powered by a 65hp continental engine giving
the Beta a maximum speed of 265 km/h (165mph). Later
versions used 90hp or 100hp engines. |
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Alien
Saucer
Alien Saucer dispels any doubts about
the existence of UFOs... this one's for real!
Scramble - - Alert. "Williamtown
RAAF fighters go on alert! Strange sightings have
been reported over Ash Island, Newcastle".
But wait, it's only a new design from
Airborne being test flown. It's their Alien Saucer!
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The Tornado is a twin-engined, two-seat,
supersonic aircraft, capable of fulfilling six major
requirements. These are (a) close air support, (b)
counter air strike, (c) air superiority, (d) air
defence, (e) maritime strike, (f) reconnaissance.
The versions in this model are the GR1 strike version
(b), which was the first version to enter service
with the RAF, Luftwaffe and Marinetlieger in 1979
and the GR1A reconnaissance version (t).
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Ninja
Star
I thought up the Flying Star idea
after learning about the "Most Unusual Model"
event at the VMAA Trophy an interclub competition
held annually in Victoria. The event usually attracts
Flying Witches, Stop Signs, Flying Saucers, Porsches
& even Flying Lawnmowers as well as a plethora
of other non aeronautical devices. I reasoned that
if any one of these objects could defy laws of gravity
and the laws of Aerodynamics then a Flying 5 pointed
star would be a definite possibility. After all,
is not a Star a heavenly object ?
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The Chapparel is the latest in a line
of thoroughbred designs which now conforms with
the new 2 x 2 Pattern Aerobatic rules. Apart from
the clean aerodynamic and well balanced lines, the
aim of this design is to achieve the lightest weight
structure to achieve the highest power to weight
ratio possible.
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It is 62 years since the first prototype
flight in March 1936 of the world famous Spitfire.
This remarkable aeroplane is almost immediately
associated with the Battle of Britain, making the
Spitfire one of the most modelled aeroplanes ever
built.
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Water
Rat
The Water Rat is a very distinctive
aircraft combining the looks of a pylon racer, sports
aircraft and float plane all-in-one. We believe
it is one of the most attractive planes available
today. The long nose (if you can imagine it with
exhaust stacks) even has an almost Spitfire-ish
look. Even the floats have that "full size"
look about them, giving the aircraft that more "realistic"
look.
The Water Rat can easily be adapted
to fly off terra firma as well (details shown on
the plans).
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Sonic
Boom
Is it a jet? Is it a flying wing?
Is it the US Navy's latest secret weapon? What is
this dashingly different model that's emerged out
of Airborne's design department?
It's SONIC BOOM and it's sure to create
a "BIG BANG" at the model flying field.
Don't be fooled by its complex looks. Sonic Boom
is simple to build, can be powered by any .40 -.60
engine, requires 4 channel radio and is very easy
to fly ... ... Sounds like the basic requirements
for a sports trainer. There's nothing to fear.
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YAK-52
The Yak 52 is a two seat aerobatic
aircraft derived from the single seat, tail wheel
Yak 50.. The Yak 50 was developed in the USSR during
the mid 1970's and was a winner at the World Aerobatic
Championships in Kiev in 1976.
Its strong, robust airframe powered
by a huge radial engine made it possible to perform
all manoeuvres with smooth precision.
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P-47
Thunderbolt
The Thunderbolt, commonly known as
the "Jug", was one of the toughest and
most successful single seat fighters of WWII.
It was designed as a rugged, heavily
armed, long range fighter with a top speed of over
400mph.
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Hot
Dog
It's the hottest thing since sliced
bread burning in the toaster! It's name says it
all!
If flying conventional aircraft that
perform in a conventional way it is not for you,
try hot dogging your way around the sky with our
latest Airborne plan. Easy to build ... a blast
to fly!
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ME163
KOMET
In May 1944 the Luftwaffe released
its secret rocket propelled fighter for experimental
operations against the allied airforces over Europe.
One of the first combat engagements
was by a fiery red Komet from test unit 16, the
pilot attacking a flight of P47 Thunderbolts. During
the engagement the Komet approached speeds close
to 600mph. This brief sortie was a significant moment
in WWII history. Despite its short flight endurance
of 7.5 minutes powered flight, (extended by gliding)
and its short range cannon armament, the Komet gave
it's opponents good reason to panic.
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Profile
Funfly Warbirds
For anyone who thought that profile
planes were for someone else - try our Profile Funfly
Warbirds. You will be converted from the first fly.
They are simple to build and just
magic in the sky. Also there are four to choose
from. P-47, Spitfire, ME-190 and a Hellcat.
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Ghost
Singer
Ghost Singer was originally designed
in 1986 for the proposed 2 metre rules which were
to include a speed task. The model was influenced
a great deal by Sean Bannister's Algebra which was
kitted by Ripmax in UK. It not only makes a fine
competition model but can simply be flown for sporting
fun. It flies like an arrow with an excellent glide
angle and is great on the slope. This model has
2 channel functions: - rudder and elevator.
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GA-8
AirVan
The straight lines of this all Australian
utility aircraft makes AIRVAN an excellent sport-scale
model for that spare .25 engine.
Just when you thought all Australian
General Aviation manufacturers had gone to the same
place as the Tasmanian Tiger, along comes Gippsland
Aeronautics with their Airvan. As the name suggests
this is a utility machine designed for no nonsense
hard work in the less developed parts of the world
where a payload may include all manner of hardware,
from 200 litre drums to a fridge and, it's all made
in Australia.
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Jet
Ray
The Jet Ray is a sport model delta
which is loosely based on the Douglass Skyray, an
American interceptor fighter of the 1950's.
The style is categorised as "stand
off scale" as the similarity to the Skyray
is remote. Nevertheless the Jet Ray is a strikingly
different model in its own right. This tail-less
aircraft with swept back wings and and extremely
low aspect ratio will certainly draw attention from
all modellers from Old Timers to the ducted fan
fraternity.
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Razor
RAZOR:- this word brings many different
ideas to mind, e.g. sharp, cutting, dangerous, etc.
Is this plane called Razor because of a play on
words so that it sounds like Laser, or because it
is designed to be a super sharp performer?
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Slipstream
A good model for novice slope soaring
pilots who wish to advance from a simple rudder/elevator
type aircraft to an aileron type. It provides enjoyable
slope soaring without being too stressful. Its scale
like appearance looks good on the slope especially
when silhouetted against the sun!
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CA-15
The CA-15 is a real showpiece model
which will attract a crowd wherever it flies. The
model flies quite fast, very quick in fact. Take
off runs will be long, allow plenty of speed to
build up first before pealing away to the delight
of the crowd that has now developed around you.
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Piccolo
A high wing sports/trainer that floats
around the sky on low power but on full throttle
becomes a very fast aerobatic hot rod. The 'PICCOLO'
- a model that is easy to construct, looks like
the real thing, and flies like a trainer on low
power. But when you put the pedal to the metal so
to speak, it becomes very lively and aerobatic.
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Extra
300s
Highly aerobatic sportster incorporating
sleek looks and spectacular performance. You won't
find a better .60 to .70 size aerobatic model! If
performance is what you want then the Extra 300s
is your next aircraft.
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F-111
Dominating the sky with our semi
scale F-111This prop driven 'Jet' is set
to impress add this to your squadron and go supersonic!
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Red
Arrow Hawk
The Red Arrow Hawk is a semi
scale jet look alike for prop drive. A .46 will
really set this little beauty up for some really
quick flying. All built up construction, excellent
flying characteristics & great looks make the
Red Arrow Hawk a fantastic model to build and fly.
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Chandelle
The Chandelle a 40/46 size
low wing sporster with beautiful lines and great
flying characteristics. The Chandelle has impeccable
manners when landing yet can be thrown around the
sky for all your favourite manoeuvres. If slow and
gentle is what you want then throttle back and take
it easy. Either way the Chandelle is happy.
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CA-25
Winjeel
The Winjeel is not a beginners model
but it is an ideal project for a first scale model
for builders with a bit of experience.
A product of Airborne's in house plans department
the model Winjeel retains true to scale outlines
but simplified structure including use of strip
ailerons makes it a sport/scale type.
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Wallaby
Gently puttering around in the sky,
coming to grips with primary control functions is
what the Wallaby is all about.
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Sky
Fox
If the full size aircraft is an ultra-light
then the model is an ultra featherweight. In a light
head wind you can fly the model Skyfox along at
walking pace!
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Mach
2
The hottest delta in the sky featuring
a unique mid-wing engine with pusher prop.
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Wombat
Slow flying, safe stable, 3 channel
sport trainer that's ideal for beginners to R/C
modelling.
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F14
Tomcat
A superb sport scale aircraft that
lets you do all you would expect from a high performance
jet style aircraft, yet is docile enough to land
like a trainer.
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Blue
Wren
A very stable & predictable 2
metre hand launched thermal glider that thrives
on very light air. Wingspan: 2m, Radio: 2 channel
radio control.
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3 function powered model that is a
totally new concept in model flight training - in
three stages the Transformer evolves from a simple
two function glider into a four function aerobatic
sports model! The perfect introductory aircraft.
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A near to scale 1/5 size PIEL
CP90 Homebuilt sports aerobatic model with flight
characteristics which can only be described as a
"Dream Machine". Type: Low wing sport/scale
aerobatic, Wingspan: 1.4m, Engines: .45-.60, 4 channel
radio control.
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....Ever seen a Jumbo Jet take
off, stop in mid air, then climb away BACKWARDS?
If the answer is NO you¼d better take a good look
at this one!
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Ultimate
Biplane
Super hot, super scale model of one
of the world's finest aerobatic biplanes ever. It
"flies on rails" but is very responsive
and predictable in all controls. Wingspan: 1.15m,
Engines: .46-.60, 4 channel radio control.
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