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Standard servo male connectors – to receiver


Multi connector


Standard servo female connectors – to receiver


PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THUNDERBOLT R/C


Available as connections for one, two, three and four servos, (above left) these TBolt (Ashlock style) connectors feature a positive lock for worry-free, secure connections. To make your own, a crimping tool is needed rather than soldering the connectors. TBolt connectors (above right) feature both a


longer in business. The good news is that Thunderbolt R/C (www.tboltrc.com) has sourced replacement parts to keep your Ashlock connectors going, but even better, manufactures the connectors with servo leads already attached.


I can hear the head scratching and ques-


tions from here asking … so what? The simple answer is that the Ashlock/Thunderbolt R/C connectors lock together, so they cannot be in- advertently pulled apart. Many feel that this is the best solution to the age old problem of securing electrical connections in our models. Should you choose to make your own, the con- nector pins must be crimped to the wire (not soldered), so a new skill is needed and a good quality crimper must be purchased. Just like radio brands, crimping vs. soldering is the classic “Ford vs. Chevy” debate, so selecting which way you do best is the correct way to go. I would think this is more important in a 3D type aerobatic airplane where there are lots of violent movements and g-forces, but it is still an advantage in our jets (I can think of a number of very good pilots/builders who


receiver side and a servo side portion that can be connected only one way. Both are fitted with universal “JR-style” connections and come in either 6-inch or 12- inch lengths. If that is not enough length, a simple servo connector can be used to customize your setup, all without soldering or crimping.


routinely add locks to their connections prior to shoving the wings into place). Additionally, for those who do not, or are not good solder(ers), or know how to crimp; Thunderbolt R/C’s ready-made versions mean plugging in a simple extension (if need- ed) to get the correct length that is needed–no muss, no fuss! Or as they say on their web- site: “With Thunderbolt R/C Multi-Servo Harnesses, We’ve done the hard work for you! No CRIMPING, No SOLDERING! One connector—Multiple Servos!” This is a prod- uct worth a look at in my book, and is avail- able not only directly from the company, but also from Altecare (www.altecarerc.com) and Dreamworks (www.dreamworksrc.com). Having been convinced that soldering was the way to go many years ago, I have only re- cently looked at and thought about crimping connectors, but didn’t have a clue as to how the process actually is done correctly. Subse- quently, while looking for something else, I stumbled across a link leading to a YouTube video with a tutorial. While you may never envision yourself crimping a connector, it is


an informative seven minutes and I highly recommend it. It can be found at: www. youtube.com/watch?v=MHLz1Mck_Kg. Modeling is modeling is modeling and, while I am in awe of those who are “CAD- literate”, I am more in awe of those who can envision an entire project with complex hinging, forming and built-up structures that closely resemble a full scale’s machined and formed pieces. Enter Luca Iaconi-Stew- art, who as a high school student in 2008 be- gan designing a 1:60-scale Boeing 777 out of manila folders. Having built in essence two airplanes (the failed parts add up!) Luca has created a phenomenal project that has to be seen to be believed—like functioning door locking mechanisms and thrust reversers on the engines! Several links to his work can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/meh3wh3, at: http://tinyurl.com/lgcpmzq, and also at: http://tinyurl.com/mohx5ua. I think that once you start looking at what he has accom- plished, you will want to see more and more. That’s it for this time around, so until next time: fly safe, and trust in thrust!


PHOTOS: COURTESY OF LUCA IACONI-STEWART


Luca Iaconi-Stewart began work on this 1:60 Boeing 777 (above left) in 2008 while still in high school. Made from manila folders with “parts” printed from his plans in Adobe Illustrator, all the moving parts move, the hinges “hinge” and the realism is phenomenal. The cargo door in construction (above right) showing the formers, hinges and locking mechanism. A video posted on-line shows them working. The nose gear (at right) from the 777 is tremendously realistic with all the bolts and hydraulic lines where they should be. All his videos and photos can now be found online at Flikr at: http://tinyurl.com/nx8voh5.


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