GB1 GameBird – Aircraft of the Month

March 1, 2024February 28, 2024 / Spencer Gould

I recently found out that one of my favorite Acrobatic Aircraft the SBach 342 stopped production in the pandemic when researching aircraft for my new Kids Aviation Book, however I found a very interesting new acrobatic aircraft to carry the baton for state of the art composite acrobatic aircraft. This aircraft is the Game Composites GB1 Game Bird. This aircraft is produced in Arkansas and the designer Philipp Steinbach, He is from Germany and worked on the Extra acrobatic aircraft.

Thanks to YouTubes dialed in suggested content I found a new channel Cleetus McFarland where he had a full factory tour and flight of the GB 1. Turns out Cleetus is only a few hours away from me in Florida.

The GB1 has quite a few other YT videos as well.

The GB1 is a fairly new Aircraft so the RC options are starting to grow.

https://extremeflightrc.com/85-GB1-Gamebird-EXP-Green_p_7635.html

Thorp T-18 – Aircraft of the month

February 4, 2024 / Spencer Gould

The Thorp T-18 was designed in 1963 and is still a common home-built aircraft to see at airshows like Airventure & Sun-N-Fun. Over 400 examples have flown.

John Thorp the designer worked on many aircraft during his career i`ncluding the Piper PA-28 Cherokee series.

The T-18 was originally an open cockpit aircraft powered by a 0-290G ground power unit. But evolved into a closed cockpit with a O-360 for power.

It paved the way for the Van’s RV series of kitplanes. Used T-18 finished aircraft and projects come up from time to time. kits / plans are are difficult to see if they are still around. One resource is: https://www.homebuilt.org/kits/elkund/elkund2.html

A few other websites to check out:

http://www.t18.net

https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/kits-and-plans/t—z/thorp-t-18

A few YouTube videos on the aircraft:

Outerzone has 3 T-18 plan options for anyone looking to build a RC model.

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=9236

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=2403

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=10701

Arnold AR-5 – Aircraft of the Month

January 4, 2024 / Spencer Gould

Over the holidays I binged watched / read quite a bit of AR-5 content.

It’s claim to fame is going over 200 mph, carrying an adult on only 65 hp. It even has fixed gear.

In 1992 it set a FAI C1a world class speed record of 213.18 mph over a 3km course

Latest info is the aircraft is on display at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, CA

Mike Arnold the designer gained composite experience in the Mojave CA, and used basic Rutan methods to build the aircraft. Information is sparse but it did look like he passed away a few years ago.

https://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=125483

https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N105AR.html

Mike has a few long format videos he put out around the 2012 time frame:

RC options are limited, a company called Matney Models has the follow on aircraft to the AR-5 called the AR-6

http://www.matneymodels.com/vixen.html

North American A-5 – Aircraft of the Month

November 5, 2023 / Spencer Gould

The A-5 is a rather unique NAVY Bomber that at a quick glance almost looks like a F-15 but was put into service 15 years before. Designed and built by North American (same company that made the P-51). While it was designed in the late 50’s much of the layout and features would be seen on aircraft that are still in use today.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_A-5_Vigilante

Beyond its very large size for a NAVY Carrier aircraft was its original weapons and fuel layout that featured a center bay where both where stored in a center tube and jettisoned aft rather than simply dropped like most aircraft.

There are a few aircraft on display and I would like to see on one day, a full list of locations is on the Wiki page above.

The A-5 has some decent YouTube coverage from Dark Skies, Simon Whistler and others.

For RC model coverage outerzone has one plan

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=11693

Amazon has a few paperbacks and posters:

North American A/RA-5 Vigilante – MINI in action No

History Galore 24″x36″ Gallery Poster, North American A-5 Vigilante p1

Vigilante Illustrated Paperback

RA-5C Vigilante Units in Combat (Combat Aircraft)

#AM

Caproni Vizzola C22 – Aircraft of the Month

October 2, 2023 / Spencer Gould

The C22 was developed in Italy as a Military Trainer in 1980, The company had previous experience with gliders, in 1981 Agusta acquired a 50% stake in the program.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caproni_Vizzola_Ventura

MS Flight Sim 2020 has the C22

The C22 is a popular RC and free flight model as well

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=10731

I would like to thank Buzz’s Facebook old magazine scan in’s for this add from the 9/93 RCM issue for the C22 made by I.T.P.

F-1 Rocket – Aircraft of the Month

September 6, 2023 / Spencer Gould

The F-1 Rocket first flew in 2000 and is often seen at fly-in’s.

Construction methods are similar to an RV-8 but with much higher performance along with a much larger 540 or 550 engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Rocket_F1_Rocket

https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/kits-and-plans/d—g/f-1-rocket

Home

There are some RC options that may be able to be found as a used complete aircraft or kit

https://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=GPMA1030

https://www.modelaviation.com/greatplanesf1rocketevo

Dakota Hawk – Aircraft of the month

August 4, 2023 / Spencer Gould

The Dakota Hawk, was introduced in 1993 with 25+ flying. It can be powered by O-200, 912 & 3300’s. The Corvair would likely be another good candidate for power.

EAA Article: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/kits-and-plans/d—g/dakota-hawk

Fisher’s web site: https://ckd.aero/fisher-dakota-hawk/

YouTube has a few videos on the aircraft:

I was not able to find any common RC offerings for the Dakota but with some 3D modeling software and time it looks like an easy thing to take on.

Murphy Moose – Aircraft of the month

July 15, 2023 / Spencer Gould

Like the Radial rocket the Murphy Moose is also powered by the M14P radial engine as its prime option.

Other engine options include the Lycoming O-540, LS3 and even a PT-6

Our Models

I was not able to find any RC options for the Moose but looks like a simple thing to model up.

Altitude Radial Rocket – Aircraft of the Month

June 5, 2023 / Spencer Gould

Not too much information is available on the Radial Rockets history but its been out for a while now.

It’s powered by a M14P Radial engine and features an all composite airframe.

www.all-aero.com/index.php/contactus/53-planes-l-m-n-o/7260-new-century-aerosport-radial-rocket

There are quite a few YouTube Videos:

There are a few RC options for the Radial Rocket:

https://gator-rc.com/catalog/product/view/id/2276

https://www.modelaviation.com/seagullradialrocket

SA 103 Cavalier – Aircraft of the Month

May 8, 2023 / Spencer Gould

I always thought the Cavalier was a sharp looking homebuilt aircraft, tail # C-FGDC is likely one of the best I’ve seen. It’s based on the French GY-20 Minicab (one of these is on display at Sun-N-Fun). Latest design ownership is with MacFam. Common engine options are the Continental O-200 & the Lycoming O-235

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacFam_Cavalier

The wooden aviation web site has even more details on the aircraft

http://woodenaviation.com/103%20cavalier.html