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RCDON's Model Aircraft Collection

     This is my model aircraft collection to date, including “retired” models.

This is my first trainer, a Global Right Flyer ARF with a Magnum 46 2-Stroke.                           Status: Sold

This was my third plane, a Global Ugly Stick ARF with a Magnum 91 4-Stroke. This plane was also the first test bed for my in-flight video link.                                                                                                Status: Sold

This is a Hobbico Twin Star ARF that has two Magnum 30 4-Strokes on it.                         Status: Sold

This is a Modified Hobbico Twinstar ARF with Magnum 30 4-Strokes and Hobbico mechanical retracts. I took a new ARF and stripped off the covering,  modified the tail to a twin tail and added the radar dome. I re-covered in Monokote to a military scheme. This is a fun model with retracts.                                                                         Status: Currently Flying

My second model to fly was a Global ME-109 Messerschmitt ARF with a magnum 52 4-Stroke.                                   Status: Sold

This was my fourth plane and first kit, a Great Planes F4U-4 Corsair with a Magnum 91 4-Stroke. A very fun plane to build and fly. See construction: Corsair Project                                       Status: Sold

This is a Global AT-6 Texan ARF that was powered by a Magnum 36 2-Stroke. This model    is the House Of Balsa Kit and was faaaaast!                                         Status: Sold

This is a Global J-3 Cub 60 size with a Magnum 91 4-Stroke. This model I use for my in-flight video plane. I have a live audio-video link inside this plane and it can transmit up to 2 miles. The camera is under the left wing.                                                   See: Wireless Video For RC                               Also see video: The Video Cub                                         Status: Currently Flying

This aircraft was acquired from Giant Scale Planes.Com and is a C-160 Transall ARF. The plane was powered by 2-Magnum 30 4-Strokes and met an untimely end. On the fourth flight, I lost an engine on takeoff and fought to keep it airborne but to no avail-SMACK!!!!! Oh well, room for new planes. :0)                                    Status: Crashed & Retired

This model was my second kit to build, a Top Flite DC-3 kit that I had done up as a EC-47N electronic warfare aircraft used in the Viet Nam war. The kit features Robart retracts, Ram landing and running lights, and two Magnum 61 4-Stroke engines. It took me 150 + hours to learn how to build this bird but it was worth it. See the construction video: EC-47N Video           You can also see all of the construction photos of the Top Flite kit at: EC-47N Project                                                                   Status: Currently Flying

This is my Top Flite B-25J Mitchell ARF kit that I put together in early 2008. This warbird features Robart retracts, custom sequencing gear doors and landing lights. The B-25 uses two Saito FA-90T twin cylinder engines for power which add a realistic engine sound to the model. Be sure to check out the project article Top Flite B-25J Mitchell Project as well as the maiden flight video here!!!                                                                            Status: Currently Flying

This is a Kangke Cap-232 ARF that has a Moki 2.10 for power. I incorporated a smoke system that worked amazingly well. Unfortunately the Cap was destroyed when the engine quit on a low vertical climb ending it’s career. See the smoke system Video: Super Smokers Part I                                                               See the construction photos at: Cap 232 Project Photos                                                                                         Status: Crashed & Retired

This is a Lanier 40-size Shrike kit. I built in mechanical retracts and added dual rudders to the vertical stabilizers. The model has an O.S. 46 FX for power and has been clocked at 115 MPH!!!. It was fun to build and is a blast to fly.                                                             See the in flight video with on-board camera!                                                                                   Status: Currently Flying

This is my MR1 Hexacopter which I custom built from carbon fiber, Delrin and fiberglass sheeting. The Hexacopter is a multi-rotor VTOL aircraft that uses six counter-rotating propellers for propulsion. The MR1 weighs about six pounds and can lift about three additional pounds. At full thrust the MR1 draws about 100 amps @ 11.1 volts!!!
                                             See the MR1 Hexacopter Project Page                                                                                                             Status: Currently Flying

This is a Miniature Aircraft Excell 50 helicopter that has a Super Tigre 45 for power. I learned to fly helis with this machine.                                                               Status: Currently Flying

This is my Align T-Rex 450 heli. It is driven by a Astro Flight 803T brushless motor and is powered by a three cell 2100 mAh Li-Po pack. It has after market CNC head and and a few carbon fiber mods.                                                                               Status: Currently Flying

This is a Global Kwik Fly II 60 size ARF sport plane that I use to practice formation flying with my friends. I used a O.S. 91 FX Ring for power. The plane is a stable platform for practicing close maneuvers.                                                                          Status: Sold

This is my Phase 3 Ultimate Biplane 3D profile plane. It is driven by an Ultrafly brushless motor system and is powered by a three cell 1350 mAh Li-Po battery.                                                                                       Status: Crashed, mid-air

This is a SR Hobbies BD-5 EPP slope glider kit. It spans 48” and weighs 27 ounces. It took me about 9 hours to build.                                      Status: Currently Flying

This is my Thunder Tiger Raptor 50 helicopter. It has an O.S. 50 for power and features a GV-1 governor. The Raptor has to be one of the easiest helis to work on which makes it very popular with the beginning heli pilot..                                                        Status: Sold

This is a World Models 20-size Aircombat Series ARF. This is the model that we use in the M.A.R.K.S. Club pylon races. The plane has an OS 40-LA engine for power and flies at about 75 MPH.
   1 model lost to a mid-air & 1 to a pylon strike           Status: Currently Flying (New 3rd model)

This is a House Of Balsa kit that I built with a Magnum 30 4-Stroke for power. The kit built fast and is an absolute blast to fly. I use the plane when I want to “barnstorm” around.                                             Status: Currently Flying

This is my first electric plane, the E-Flight Tribute EP 3D profile. I have a 370 brushless motor with a Castle Creations Phoenix-10 speed control on board.  The model uses a three cell Lithium Polymer battery for power and is a blast to fly!          Status: Currently Flying

This is a Zagi 5C EPP slope glider kit. It spans 48” and weighs 18 ounces. It took me about 7 hours over a couple days to build.                                       Status: Currently Flying

This is a Multiplex Easy Glider that I modified into a pusher motor glider. I mounted a wireless video system in the nose to capture images from the air. Check out the  Sail-Cam Project which documents how I built the glider. You may also check out The Sail-Cam Project Video which features an airborne video from this plane !!!
                                                         Status: Currently Flying

This is a House of Balsa 1/2A Beechcraft Bonanza kit. I added mechanical retracts to the kit and used an AP .09 Hornet R/C engine for power. This 36” wingspan model has seven HS-81 servos onboard and uses real V-tail mixing. I had to modify a lot of parts to fit the retracts and engine but it was worth it. It took about 35 hours over a year and a half to complete!                                                     Status: Currently Flying

This is my Hanger 9 J-3 Piper Cub ARF that has an O.S. Gemini 120 twin cylinder glow engine for power. I installed some Great Planes fiberglass floats so I could have some fun on the water.                                                                                                                                                            Status: Currently Flying

This is my Hanger 9 100” Super Cub ARF that has a Saito Ti 200 V-Twin for power. I built custom smoke headers for the Saito and they produce good smoke for a 4-Stroke engine. See Video: Super Smokers Part I                                                                                         Also see: Flight Of The Super Cub                                                                                                               Status: Currently Flying

This is a Hot Bodies A-7 Corsair .18 Ducted Fan ARF. The jet uses a Toki .18 ducted fan power plant that barely gets it into the air but we had fun watching it lumber around. This jet met a untimely end when we ran out of fuel on landing approach and she nosed in.                              Oh well :0(                                                                                                                               Status: Crashed & Retired

This was my BVM Ducted Fan F-86 Sabre that I purchased as “Ready To Fly” and ended up  rebuilding  from the ground up. After a lot of work she turned out nice with rebuilt mechanics and a new paint job. The Sabre was clocked at about 150 MPH, which is modest for the BVM 91 powered jet. The jet featured BVM Smooth Stop brakes, in-flight mixture, flaps, Oleo struts and used a total of 13 servos. After a very rough “landing” I retired the bird and gave the airframe to a friend.                                                                   See article: The BVM F-86 Sabre and the Video: BVM F-86 Video                                                                                                         Status: Dearly Missed

This is my Nitro Models Bobcat 50 propjet ARF. This jet is powered by a Super Tigre G75 and features a custom “pusher” style muffler. The Bobcat has been clocked in excess of 116 MPH and can maintain 100 MPH in level flight. It is a real blast to fly and looks great in the sky!!!                                                               See The Bobcat-75 Construction Project Also  See The Bobcat Project video!!!                                                                                   Status: Currently Flying

This is my Hanger 9 E-Flight Super Airliner electric ducted fan ARF. This jet is powered by two brushless motors that spin two-three bladed ducted fans. The motors are powered by two 2100 mAh Li-Po packs and flies for about 8 minutes. This plane is a real pleasure to fly. See the Video !!!
   *** This model now has retractable landing gear, see the Airliner Retract Project article!!! ***                                                                             Status: Currently Flying

This is my Boomerang Elan turbine powered jet. This is my first turbine powered model and quite frankly it is a blast to fly. The Elan is powered by a Jetcat P-120 and features Robart retracts/struts and BVM wheels and brakes. This jet can reach speeds in excess of 190 MPH and is super easy to fly. I was able to get my AMA Turbine Waiver flying this jet and really look forward to attending future jet rallies. You can check out a few more detailed pictures of the Boomerang Elan here!!
                                                                         Status: Currently Flying

This is my Skymaster 1/8 scale turbine powered F-16. This is my second turbine model to own and she is a real beauty. This F-16 is powered by a Jetcat P-60 mounted in the tail. The smaller turbine and lack of jet pipe/bypass ducting work well to keep this model at around 18.5 pounds dry. The F-16 can cruise up to 175 MPH with the P-60 and is sooooo easy to maneuver. With a little practice you can get picture perfect nose high landings every time with this model.
                                                                         Status: Currently Flying

This is my Carl Goldberg Ultimate 10-300, 54” ARF. I used a Satio 180 for power and added a smoke system that works like magic! This plane is a refreshing alternative to my experience to the Cap 232 and flies like a monoplane to boot. This bird is a great addition to my fleet. See the construction article for the Ultimate: The Ultimate Project. See the Ultimate Fly: Super Smokers Part II                                                                               Status: Currently Flying

This is my plane van that I customized with items like a carpeted shelf, slide in table rack, 110v power inverter and air compressor.
                 Status: Still Driving                  

These are my radio transmitters. I currently have four Futaba radios including two 8U Supers, one 6x Super and a 14MZ. My “old reliable” 8U radios have been my primary transmitters for years now and I still use them on the majority of aircraft in my fleet. The 6X is one of my very first radios to own and despite it’s limitations is still very useful for “worry free” use up on the glider hill. The newest addition to the family is my 14MZ computer radio. It is the “crown jewel” of my collection and is quickly becoming my favorite radio to operate!!!                                                                                                                                                                           Status: Still Transmitting                    

Yes, Yes I know, these are hardly aircraft but they do fly :0) These are my DuraTrax Warhead EVO 1/8 scale Nitro 4WD Monster Trucks. The red one is powered by the stock Super Tigre .27 CI nitro motor and the blue one has an Axial .32 racing engine producing over three horsepower !!! These trucks are a lot of fun to race and jump.                                                                                                                                                                                          Status: Currently Driving

This is my hobby shed/hanger in the yard. I had to move my building table into a portable shed to make room for my son in my old hobby room in the house. The shed is climate controlled and fully insulated which keeps my balsa models in top shape throughout the year. The building table (center) features a one HP dust collection system which takes the balsa dust out of the shed, keeping a cleaner environment.                           Status: Still Building !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

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