From the Flightline Archives - Page 26 of 28

RC Raptors Take Flight!

Although these RC ornithopters are intended to scare away nuisance birds, we just want to know how we can get our hands on one! Designed by Dutchman Nico Nijenhuis of Clear Flight Solutions, the 47-inch-span Robird peregrine falcon and 86-inch-span eagle look and fly just like the real thing and can fly at speeds of up to 50mph! The manufacturer even […]

Half-Scale Bristol Bulldog Takes Flight

Would you believe this giant model has been flying for over 10 years? Ian Turney-White’s 177-pound, 161-inch-span Bristol Bulldog is powered by a 425cc JPX flat twin. This video was filmed by the father and son team of Dean and Pete Coxon at a Large Model Association aircraft show at the Yorkshire Air Museum in the UK earlier this month. Wow!

World’s Largest RC PBY Catalina

Stephen Thomas shared this video of his third test flight and notes it was an “Awesome day with 8 knots down the strip.” Powered by two Desert Aircraft 150cc engines, the 248-pound aircraft has a wingspan of over 20 feet and features built-up wood construction and fiberglass covering. Wow!

Magnificent “Mossie” Takes Flight

Here’s another treat from our British friends Pete and Dean Coxford: an enormous de Havilland DH-98 Mosquito! This video is a compilation from two flights by RC airshow pilot Steve Holland during a weekend event at RAF Cosford, hosted by the Large Model Association. Besides the fact that this is a new build, we don’t have any […]

Giant Avro Vulcan wows the crowd!

Powered by four (4!) 160 Wren turbines, this massive 20-foot span Avro Vulcan wowed the crowds at the recent RAF Cosford Air Show put on by Britain’s Large Model Association. Piloted by Dave Johnson, this giant jet looks and sounds like its big brother and in the video flies at speeds of up to 120mph. […]

Monster 40% RC scale DHC-2 Beaver

When it comes to big bush planes, the classic grand daddy of them all is the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. This amazing outback workhorse is one of the very important “Air Trucks” used to bring supplies into the furthest reaches of the rugged wildness that is Alaska. Check out this video showing the biggest RC […]

Fantastic Fokker

Watching this video, it’s easy to understand why Manfred von Richthofen himself was such a proponent of the Fokker D-VII, even though the “Red Baron” died before the first D-VIIs reached service. Built from the Balsa USA kit by Knut Huk and piloted by Andy Nusser at the Flugtage MFC in Oberhausen this summer, the 1/3-scale model fighter has a 10-foot wingspan and […]

First Flight! DC-3 Masterpiece

This stunning DC-3 done up in Flugfélag Íslands (Air Iceland) colors is the handiwork of Icelandic modeler Sturla Snorrason. A completely scratch-built project, the model features traditional wood construction and true aluminum parts, like the wing fairings made from aluminum plate. Two RCG 26cc gas engines power the 36-pound DC-3, while Best Pilots figures occupy the cockpit. […]

Turbine-powered EC135

You have to see this helicopter next to its pilot to believe that it isn’t the real deal! YouTube’s Flynlyons notes, “Most people who see the EC135 are stuck by her beautiful lines and that fenestron tail, however once you see this amazing aircraft in the air you’ll understand why so many RC helicopter pilots […]

Super Constellation Flies Again!

You don’t see large prop-powered commercial aircraft anymore, so this model of the 1950s Super Constellation L-1049C is a special treat. Max Ulrich built the all-wood plane from enlarged Don Smith plans and in this video is flying it at the Oldtimer Meeting in Switzerland. It’s powered by four 4-strokes. Thanks to RCHeliJet for posting this to YouTube.

Eagle Defeats Drone

In a scene reminiscent of “Wild Kingdom,” an Australian wedge-tailed eagle decided it had enough of the pesky Kestrel drone that was being tested in the eagle’s airspace. It didn’t take long for the eagle to dispatch the interloper and fly off with it. Prior to the incident, the small Kestrel drone was testing a […]

Super-Scale “Super Puma”

If you like military birds, you’ll love Roger Nieto’s great scale EC 725 Caracal, filmed in Coëtquidan, France. Equipped with Vario mechanics and a Baumann fuselage, the helicopter is powered by a gas engine turning a five-blade main rotor and four-blade tail. Robart retracts add to its scale appeal. Great helicopter, excellent flying … just wish we could hear those […]