THE BEST PRODUCTS WE'VE TRIED AND TESTED THIS YEAR
Model Airplane News|June 2020
Each year, the Model Airplane News editors collaborate to select the products and models of the past year that deserve special recognition. We have the enviable job of trying out an amazing array of airplanes and drones and a plethora of related accessories and products from the RC hobby, and each year dozens of products are reviewed on the pages of our magazine. We evaluate design, construction, and—most of all—performance. So after much thought, consideration, and debate, here are this year’s winners.
THE BEST PRODUCTS WE'VE TRIED AND TESTED THIS YEAR

PLANE OF THE YEAR - VQ WARBIRDS B-24 LIBERATOR

There’s just something elegant in seeing a multi-engine heavy bomber perform a low camera pass. One of the unsung heroes of WW II, the B-24 Liberator, is not often seen in RC form. This impressive 1/12-scale almost-ready-to-fly (ARF) model from VQ Warbirds is really an eye-catcher, and it is as exciting to see parked on the flightline as it is in the traffic pattern.

The B-24 is certainly not a small airplane to put together, but assembly is straightforward and everything comes clearly packaged, with significant bundles of hardware and parts. Scale details include Fowler flaps, roll-up bomb bay doors, multiple gun turrets, and dummy radial engines for the nacelles. The nicely covered model has a great assortment of panel lines and rivets printed directly onto the covering material, and the parts fit is very precise.

A graceful and beautiful warbird, the B-24 Liberator is extremely stable and very forgiving in the air. Even with all those propellers spinning in the same direction, there is no problem with torque during flight. The airplane feels much like a big trainer in the air. It cruises around easily, without any discernible pitch changes caused by throttle changes. The airplane tracks extremely true. Takeoffs and landings are undemanding and stalls are not an issue.

RADIO OF THE YEAR - POWERBOX CORE RADIO SYSTEM

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Legend Hobby / Seagull Models - Cessna Grand Caravan 208

The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 is a legend in aviation circles. A single engine utility aircraft that punches up with capabilities that rival many twin engine aircraft in its class. Its seemingly simple configuration belies its near extreme utility.

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PROPER CG LOCATION FOR AEROBATICS

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Legend Hobby 13-Foot L-19 Bird Dog/ Cessna O-1
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Legend Hobby 13-Foot L-19 Bird Dog/ Cessna O-1

This famous multi-mission single engine observation aircraft served from 1950-1974. From calling out target locations to providing intel/recon information, the Bird Dog was a valued asset in both the Korean War and Vietnam.

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EARN YOUR WINGS
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EARN YOUR WINGS

10 Tips for First-Flight Success

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Old School Model Works Fifty Six
Model Airplane News

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.

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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.

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HOW TO BALANCE PROPELLERS
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HOW TO BALANCE PROPELLERS

Four easy steps to increase performance and reduce vibration

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PRODUCT REVIEW: RC PLANE STANDS BENCHTOP MODEL
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I’m a sucker for shop stuff. I buy tools I will probably never use just because they are cool, or I might need to use them someday. When Glen from RC Plane Stands reached out about a review, however, I knew as soon as I browsed their website that I would be receiving something I would use a lot, maybe even daily.

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SPIRIT OF RHINEBECK AWARD WINNER

A close up of Norman Malinowski’s 1/3-scale Albatros

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CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS
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CENTER OF GRAVITY BASICS

The secret to a plane that flies well

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