The AirCore Mustangis offered in two versions, the "Miss Cathy II" (above left), and the "Miss America" in a patriotic color scheme. Like all planes in the series, the Mustanghas very few parts for easy assembly, including plug-in landing gear that can be omitted for hand launching and the appearance of being retracted. The aileron pushrods (above right) have magnetic ends that attach to corresponding magnets in the power module. Nylon control horns provide smooth, non-bindng aileron action. The Mustanghas a surprising amount of scale detail by way of panel lines (shown here) and pre-applied decals. The rudder and elevator pushrods exit the fuselage (below left) through molded slots, and then can be
adjusted by either opening or closing the U-shaped bends in the wire with small pliers. The inset and flush-mounted nylon-pinned elevator hinges are shown in this photo. The hinges are used throughout the plane, as is the case with all other models in the series. Unlike the Principlewhere the power module is inserted into the fuselage from the front, the Mustangallows the module to be laid into its cradle (below right) from the top and then slid and clicked into position. The open top bay also allows access to all four pushrods and their magnetic connections to make sure they are connected appropriately. The author found that some nudging and adjustment with needle-nose pliers was necessary, in most cases.
wingspan; 3.4 to 4.1 ounces), flight tests were delayed until winds here in Oklahoma decreased enough to allow them to represent themselves well. After waiting about a week to get a good weather window, both planes were taken to the field at the same time and flown in an acceptable breeze of 5–7 mph. Since the Principle is intended as a three- channel trainer, that seemed to be the place to start. Paul Phillips, my photo-shoot pilot, observed that the little plane had very little control surface range, and we both wondered
if it would be enough. It turned out to be plen- ty as the little plane took to the air willingly on its second launch attempt. On its first launch attempt we discovered two things—it required up elevator in the taxi/take-off mode, and the propeller came right off with no damage when the nose dug in! At full throttle, the plane is surprisingly quick, even with its thick, blunt edge airfoil. Between half and three-quarters throttle is plenty to get it to perform as a trainer for the uninitiated. Since maneuvers are limited
when just rudder and elevator are available, the Principle’s flights consisted of take-offs, cruising in a figure eight pattern, loops and landings. In all, it performed well and land- ed realistically with some power on into the wind. The Mustang, on the other hand, was a noticeable step up in flight performance. Al- though it, too, required up elevator to get it airborne initially, its performance with full ailerons was quite typical of a much larger plane. It is fully capable of any scale maneu- ver you care to throw at it, while at the same time it is a stable flyer at half throttle. About three-quarters throttle seemed to be about right for most of its flight envelope, and when it came time to land, reducing power gradually allowed it to land in a most realistic fashion.
In the air, the Mustanghas a much larger and much more scale presence than its 22-inch wingspan might suggest. The attention to and inclusion of details helps the effect. The plane is capable of any standard sport maneuver that an experienced pilot could ask of it, while at the same time it is stable enough to be a second or third airplane for anyone who has successfully flown a trainer.
FLYING MODELS
Since all of the test flights were outdoors, I would be reluctant to make a judgment about flying the planes indoors, although in the hands of an experienced pilot and a large enough venue, that should not be a problem. In all, Flyzone’s “AirCore Power Core” sys- tem offers an interesting technical advance in park flyer models, allowing the flyer a large selection of models and a very reason- ably priced method of adding to his or her stable. Once again, Flyzone has done a re- markable job of providing well-engineered, reliable, and readily adaptable flight per- formance right out of the box, and, for an added level of excitement, made most of the planes WWII fighters. All the more reason to watch your six—even at the park!
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