Grabcad.com is one of the best open sources for cad models, I came across an impressive find for anyone looking for detailed electronic components for a circuit board.
https://grabcad.com/library/arduino-breadboard-400-parts-1
Credit goes to user Vin.X.Mod https://grabcad.com/vin.x.mod-2
Hobby king put out a great article on storing lipo batteries, there are some steps needed to reduce / eliminate fire risk as well as making a sable condition for the batteries to reside
Read more at the Hobby king article
Lipo storage bags are a must even for charging, check out these options
The Zeee Lipo Safe Bag offers storage for a full day’s worth of batteries with a zipper and caring strap.
Ive used small “brick bags” for years for my multi rotors and aircraft, DerBlue sells them in a 2 pack
The Aircam was developed in the mind 90’s by Phil Lockwood for the National Geographic Society for photography & research in the rain forest of the Congo
The twin engine’s mounted close together coupled with its slower flying speeds adds extra margin for getting into areas that may be considered too risky for more conventional manned photo aircraft. The view out the front is very UN-restricted and bubble canopies are available for flying in rain / snow.
The home page = https://www.aircam.com/
The aircraft has a good amount of coverage in EAA’s Sport Aviation: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/aircraft-building/kits-and-plans/00—c/air-cam
Factory is in Sebring FL, i’ve been by it a few time for the LSA shows they used to hold at SEF
3DAeroventures YouTube channel made a 3d printed Air Cam
Interested in getting epic aerial videos from your aircraft? check out the new GoPro Hero 9 Black edition with all kinds of mounting accessories
And for a good aerial photography alternate to the GoPro that has served me well is the EK7000 by Akaso, It has a remote control wrist strap & blue tooth connectivity that helps with remote mounting on an aircraft (wing tip, tail, under the fuselage)
The Brügger Colibri is a small low wing, tail dragger aircraft powered by Volkswagen 4 cylinder engines. Its a Home Built that was designed in Switzerland by Max Brügger in the 1960’s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%BCgger_Colibri
For those interested in a RC version outerzone has a free plan for a 46″ version
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=11707
Looking for a turn key cinematic drone that you can easily take with you anywhere? Look no further than the Mavic Mini that is built on years of refinements from DJI.
This bundle contains the DJI Mavic Mini Combo with a Samsung 128gb MicroSD Card Drone:
Weighing less than 0.55 lbs (250 grams), Mavic Mini is almost as light as the average smartphone in the United States and Canada.
you can fly this camera drone without the need to register your drone with the government Drone:
Mavic Mini supports 12MP aerial photos and 2 7K HD videos A 3-axis motorized gimbal provides superior camera stability and ensures clear Ultra-smooth footage Drone: What you get DJI Mavic Mini Remote Controller 3x Intelligent Flight Battery 3x Pairs of Spare Propellers 2x Micro USB Cable Gimbal Protector RC Cable (Micro USB connector) RC Cable (USB-C connector) RC Cable (Lightning connector) Pair of Spare Control Sticks 18x Spare Screw Screwdriver 360° Propeller Guard Two-Way Charging Hub DJI 18W USB Charger Carrying Bag.
DJI Fly App requires iOS v10 0 Android v6 0 or above Compatible devices include iPhone 11 Pro Max 11 Pro 11 XS Max XS XR X 8 Plus 8 7 Plus 7 6s Plus 6s 6 Plus 6 Samsung Galaxy S10+ S10 S9+ S9 S8+ S8 S7 edge S7 S6 Note9 Note8 Huawei P30 Pro P30 P20 P10 Mate 20 Pro Mate 10 nova 5 nova 4 nova 3e nova 2 Honor 8X 10 9 20 Pro Magic 2 Mi 8 MIX 2S MIX 2 Redmi Note 5 Oppo Find X R15 Vivo NEX X27 X21 X20A OnePlus 7 6T 5 Pixel 3 XL 2 XL 2 LG V20 LG G6
SD Card: DEAL FOR RECORDING 4K UHD VIDEO: Samsung microSD EVO Select is perfect for high res photos, gaming, music, tablets, laptops, action cameras, DSLR’s, drones, smartphones
Cinema Drones like the Mavic Mini can provide excellent for independent film makers and you tubers, however locations that may look like a great place to get footage may be in controlled airspace or near an airport. Here are some resources for safe operation, keeping out of the news and staying in the good graces of the FAA
https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/where_can_i_fly/b4ufly/
https://knowbeforeyoufly.org/where-can-i-fly
The Vulcan was a futuristic Delta Wing Bomber rolled out in 1956 Serving the Royal Air Force all the way to 1984.
Curious Droid did a very good 11 min documentary on the V Bombers
Its one of those Aircraft that I remember when I was a kid from the 007 movie Thunderball, compared to other aircraft you would see in movies or in person this one really made an impression.
While retired from active military duty the Vulcan shows up at air shows every now and then.
Interesting Cockpit view of the Vulcan on the Military Aviation History Channel
For the RC Community Outerzone has some options
60″ span from 1978 https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=12233
56″ span Glider version https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=7272
For those who don’t want to bust out the balsa wood or take up a lot of space in the house, there is a very accurate 1:144 scale diecast model
For the technical type Haynes has a “owners’ workshop manual”
There are also 2 history books both available in Kindle
The Avro Vulcan: A Hisotry by Peter G. Dancey
The Avro Type 698 Vulcan: The Secrets behind its Design and Development By David W. Fildes
Vulcan T-Shirt with the RAF logo
And lets not forget the shower in the Hangar man cave, a Vulcan Shower Curtain with a Union Jack Background
The moonbat is quite the interesting WW2 Prototype Aircraft from McDonnell, the only functional prototype was lost in a fire during testing in 1944 and the project was canceled later that year. The Aircraft was distinguished by its large blends from the wing to the Nacelles & Fuselage.
This aircraft was influential for my Sr Design project at ERAU that had a 2 seat general aviation aircraft with large fairing between the wing and fuselage.
Outerzone does have a 1/10 scale RC model for the scratch builders out there.
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6742
Grabcad also has a stl model that could be helpful for anyone wanting to 3D print one
https://grabcad.com/library/mcdonnell-xp-67-scale-model-1
I found a company on Amazon that sells High Quality Space photos called New Horizon Aviation.
They offer posters from 11×17 all the way up to 24×36.
The posters are quite affordable and a must for anyone into Rocketry, Astronomy or even a Pilot Man Cave.
Here is a selection of some I found interesting:
I came across this interesting plan a few days ago. The conditions were just right for the tips of the grass to put circular lines in the sand
The Reliant is one of my favorite vintage planes, its also one of the few vintage aircraft I got some decent flight hours in.
In the 90’s and early 2000’s the Tillamook Air Museum in Oregon had aircraft rides in a few aircraft, one of them N1942A was owned & flown by a very nice man named Larry who sadly passed away a few years ago. He Knew I was a pilot and once the aircraft was off the ground I got to fly it around Oregon’s scenic coast line on trips my family made to Oregon every 2 to 3 years.
Flight characteristics are quite easy going with well balanced controls.
One of the best attributes of the Reliant is its “realistic” cockpit, cabin and useful load. It’s a common sad joke in the US that many general aviation aircraft when you divide useful load by seat plus small cabin sizes you end up having to be 5′ tall and 100 lbs per person. Not with the Reliant there is plenty of room and capacity to spare.
Here are some mint condition Reliants I saw at Oshkosh 06
Here i am standing next to one for scale.
Some of the Reliant’s where powered by a Guiberson A-1020 Air Cooled Radial Diesel engine, I came across this interesting video of them running one on the Cars and Engines YouTube Channel
There are some good RC options as well.
125″ Span by Dick Barron on Outerzone
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=5680
57″ Span from Sterling on Outerzone
https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=2385https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=11765
Top Flite made a real nice 100.5″ version, its out of production but there are quite a few un-opened kits floating around.
One of my favorite Hobby Shops, Garves RC In Orlando has one you can order online, and they show up every now and then.
https://www.gravesrc.com/top-flite-stinson-reliant-sr-9-kit-1-08-1-99-100-5.html
Some Canada options for the same kit
https://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=TOPA0310
and a good write up on the build and details
https://www.rc-airplanes-simplified.com/rc-model-airplane-kits.html
Søren Steinicke Sørensen YouTube Channel has some good videos on the Top Flite version
Some Interesting Finds about the Stinson Reliant on Amazon:
I Think I have this one, my mom bought it for me years ago.
Plastic Model Kit
Gould Aero 