RCDON's Model Aircraft Collection

This is my model aircraft collection to date including “retired” and sold models. I currently have 23 aircraft that are in “ready to fly” condition :0)
Note: This is my personal collection and is not for sale...

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 the construction photos here: 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 Rebuilding

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 demo video: Super Smokers Part I Also 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 680mm MR1 Hexacopter which I custom built from carbon fiber, Delrin and fiberglass sheeting. The MR1 is a multi-rotor VTOL aircraft that uses six counter-rotating propellers for propulsion. The MR1 weighs about six pounds and can lift about five additional pounds. At full thrust the MR1 draws about 120 amps @ 11.1 volts!!! The MR1 has gone trough several updates including a DJI Naza V1 GPS flight controller and a brushless camera gimbal for cinema quality FPV aerial video.
See the MR1 Hexacopter Project Page
Status: Currently Flying

This is my DJI F450 quadcopter which uses a DJI Naza V1 GPS flight controller to fly. This model has four 1050 Kv motors linked to four 30 amp “Simon K” flashed ESC’s for power topped off with APC multi-rotor 10x4.5 props. I use two three-cell 2200 mAh packs in parallel that give me about 12 minutes of flight time.
Status: Currently Flying

This is my Align T-Rex 450 Sport heli. It is driven by the stock 450M motor and is powered by a three cell 2200 mAh Li-Po pack. It has a Futaba GY401 gyro, S9257 tail servo and three Hitec HS-65MG analog servos for the cyclic. This heli is a blast to fly and has more power than most fliers can handle!!!
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: Sold

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. Be sure to 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 my GS-1 scratch built FPV plane that is made from parts printed on my 3D Printer. The GS-1 Project is an ongoing research collaboration (started in 2015) between my good friend Rick Silz and myself in which we set out to explore using 3D printing in aeromodelling. Rick and I have spent hundreds of hours designing and printing the GS-1 which is intended to be a modular FPV platform that can be duplicated on a 3D printer. 98% of the plane’s structure is made from PLA (PolyLactic Acid) plastic which is a biodegradable thermoplastic making the GS-1 the “greenest” model I have in my collection. The GS-1 is powered by two 400 watt electric motors which can propel the plane at speeds exceeding 50 miles per hour. The plane also has a wingspan of 76.5 inches and a wing area of about 900 square inches which gives the GS1 an excellent overall weight capacity.
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 five Futaba radios including two 8U Supers, one 6x Super, one 4PLS car radio (not shown) and a 14MZ. My “old reliable” 8U radios have been my primary transmitters for years now and I still use them to this day. 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. My Futaba 14MZ has been my main radio since I bought it in 2006 and it has proven to be a really reliable radio system ever since. It has been over 10 years and I have yet to find a reason to replace my 14MZ !!!
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 (discontinued by the manufacturer in 2008). The red one is powered by the stock Super Tigre .27 CI nitro motor and the blue one has an Axial .32 racing engine which produces over three horsepower !!! These trucks are a lot of fun to race and jump.
Status: Currently Driving

This is my daughter Amelia’s Axial SCX10 (version #1) 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited JK (discontinued by Axial in 2016). This was my first RC crawler and the car that got me hooked on crawling ;0) It features a set of Axial 1.9 beadlock wheels, Axial 1.9 BF Goodrich Krawler T/A tires, Axail Icon shocks, Axial 55T Trail Breaker brushed motor, Castle Creations Sidewinder III ESC, Castle Creations 10A BEC, and a Savox SW 1210-SG waterproof coreless steel gear digital servo (for steering). My daughter takes her driving really seriously and this rig meets her demands quite well.
Status: Currently Driving

This is my son Vincent’s Axial SCX10 II (version #2) 2000 Jeep Cherokee XJ RC crawler. It features a set of Hot Racing steel beadlock wheels, Axial 1.9 BF Goodrich Krawler T/A tires, G-Made XD 93 piggy-back shocks, Axial 35T Trail Breaker brushed motor, Castle Creations Sidewinder III ESC, Castle Creations 10A BEC, and a Savox SW 1210-SG waterproof coreless steel gear digital servo (for steering). My son loves to drive it around the yard or at the local riverbed (I do too ;0)
Status: Currently Driving

This is my 1/10 scale custom-built Jeep Mighty FC concept vehicle RC crawler. It is based on an Axial SCX10 clone frame made by TFL (also by Integy). It features a carbon fiber frame loaded with alloy parts which are interchangeable with most of the stock Axial SCX10 parts. The FC polycarbonate body is made by Axial and I have personalized it with a set of 3D printed parts to make it more of my own creation. I added a custom roof rack, side mirrors, bed rails, scale front and rear bumpers, and a set of skid plates of which I designed using FreeCAD and printed on my MakerGear M2 printer. The FC also has a Sense Innovations ESS-One engine sound system that really brings the scale features to life!!! This Jeep is sooooo much fun to crawl around with ;0)
Status: Currently Driving

This is my 1/10 scale Land Rover Defender RC crawler. It is based on an Traxxas TRX-4 frame which has portal axles and locking differentials. This rig is super fun to crawl and looks great on the trail!!!
 
Status: Currently Driving

This is my 1/14 scale Top Race RC excavator. This 22 pound die-cast beast is almost completely made out of metal! It has realistic engine sounds and puffing exhaust smoke which is so cool ;0) The jackscrew style operated boom can really move some dirt and has proven to be quite durable so far.
Note: I modified my machine with Caterpillar decals I found on eBay to look like a 320D model. The stock Top Race model does not have the Caterpillar logos on the machine.
 
Status: Currently Driving

This is my O-Scale model train layout that I built in June of 2017. It features a four-piece modular track that can be folded up sideways (see photos) and then seperated and stacked for storage. It has over 300 feet of Lionel FasTrack mounted on it which includes 16 switches and 6 spur sidings!!! I built a custom track controller that can operate all 16 switches which all feature an anti-derail override function.
Status: Sold

This is my shop (A.K.A. Batcave) where I create most of my contraptions these days. It was originally a two car garage of which the previous owner had built a 375 square foot enclosed office space in one side and a second story loft on the other. The tool room portion of the shop is 640 square feet and the storage loft is about 260.

Inside the shop I have a Sieg (Central Machinery) 7 x 10 “C2” Mini Lathe, a Grizzly 10 x 22 “G0602” bench lathe, a Sieg 8 x 4 “X1” Micro Mill, a Grizzly 6 x 21 “G0619” vertical mill, a Smithy 622 CNC mill and a Central Machinery 4.5” horizontal band saw. I also have a Hobart Tigmate TIG welder, a Lincoln Electric Weld-Pack 100 MIG welder, a Firepower FP-18 plasma cutter and an assortment of hand/air/power tools that I have collected over the years. I really value having the right tools for the job and take very good care of the tools I have been blessed to own.
Status: Currently Occupying !!!

This is the other half of my shop building which is a 375 square foot office space. This is where I store my model aircraft and do my electronics and 3D printing projects.

The “office” is climate controlled and fully insulated which keeps my balsa models in top shape throughout the year. My central workbech features a one horsepower dust collection system which takes the dust out of the shed, keeping a cleaner work environment.
Status: Still Building !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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