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JETI model / duplex DC-24 II

Since the 30th anniversary of JETI in Benesov, CZ in September 2023, I have been the proud owner of the new JETI DC-24 Generation II. I have flown the transmitter for over half a year now and played with it a lot. I would now like to share my experience here and justify it accordingly.

What I particularly like is that it´s not a completely reinvented new transmitter, it is mainly based on the proved and successful JETI DC-24 with the addendum of a few new cool features. The design has remained simple and has only changed slightly due to the larger screen. To make the switch from “old to new DC-24” as easy as possible, JETI has chosen the dimensions of the new transmitter similar to DC-24 I so the transmitter fits in the old tray of DC-24/16/14.

The most noticeable innovation is the larger and, above all, super bright display, which can still be read perfectly even in direct sunlight. However, the transmitter’s battery life also suffers from the super bright display, which is noticeably shorter than that of the DC-24 Gen. I. Club colleagues and friends who have also switched to the DC-24II have one point to complain which is the shortened battery running time before need to recharge. Now you must charge again after roughly half of the battery running time of the old DC-24.

The icons and the design of the menu navigation have also changed slightly, making everything a little more logical and clearer. The individual receivers are shown at the top left corner of the screen, and it is shown whether and which receivers are connected.

Some software news are in progress and currently not available. The transmitter can already do this and will be available with a subsequent software update.

A helpful new feature is the ability to connect the transmitter to a smartphone. Another person has the real-time telemetry data from the flight on their cell phone and can check and monitor all values ​​directly.

Modern wireless headphones can now also be paired with the transmitter. A great solution to give the pilot and the caller each one headphone when practicing aero musical sequences. Or simply listen to the Vario comfortably on the slope.

In addition to all the technical news, the new, red anodized aluminum transmitter case is a real eye-catcher. Although it is only a transport case for the transmitter, it is still a proof that style and design play an important role at JETI model. As beautiful as the case is, the inscription (JETI, duplex…) will probably not last forever and it remains to be seen how quickly the beautiful suitcase will “wear out” during airport and transport use. As an option there is a transmitter case foam insert that neatly centers the transmitter in the transport case.

In my club there are now a few DC-24 IIs, all working great and the trend is towards more DC-24IIs or the soon coming DS-24II.

Summary of what has changed compared to the DC-24 Generation I:

  • USB-C charging port like all common tablets and smartphones
  • 900 mHz NG installed
  • Larger and brighter display therefore suitable for airfields even in bright sunlight
  • Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for future updates and pairing with smartphone or wireless headphones
  • iOS/Android APP for visualizing telemetry data on smartphone/tablet
  • Visually redesigned symbols for even clearer menu navigation
  • Battery runtime has become significantly shorter compared to the DC-24 Gen. 1
  • Beautiful red aluminum transport case

INFO: JETI recommends only using the included USB-C charger to charge the transmitter. And, for example, not to use an inexpensive USB-C charger from the set of a cheap electric toy.

Segelflugmesse + Bücker 2024

After the crash at the 2023 Segelflugmesse due to the engine overheating, I promised to try again this year and ideally do it better.

The incident last year motivated me to find an optimized engine system that works more reliably, especially in hot temperatures.
One year later we were ready…
The engine is still the same, a Fiala / Valach 250cc 5-cylinder radial engine, but no longer with the classic Walbro carburettor, but from now on with a fully electronic fuel injection.

We are currently in the testing phase with this system and as soon as we have completed this, I will report in detail here. It absolutely convinced me!

I also adjusted my flight program a bit and equipped my Bücker with smoke on the wingtips… check the video below 😉

Thanks Pawel for making the video!

The Segelflugmesse 2024 was again an absolute highlight for me this year. It’s just a shame that the weather didn’t cooperate on friday for the airshow. Saturday was great for that.
A big thank you to Lukas and the hard-working helpers in Schwabmünchen!

After the crash at the 2023 Segelflugmesse due to the engine overheating, I promised to try again this year and ideally do it better.

The incident last year motivated me to find an optimized engine system that works more reliably, especially in hot temperatures.
The engine is still the same, a Fiala / Valach 250cc 5-cylinder radial engine, but no longer with the classic Walbro carburettor, but from now on with a fully electronic fuel injection.

We are currently in the testing phase with this system and as soon as we have completed this, I will report in detail here. It absolutely convinced me!

I also adjusted my flight program a bit and equipped my Bücker with smoke on the wingtips… check the video below 😉

Thanks, Pawel, for making the video!

The Segelflugmesse 2024 was again an absolute highlight for me this year. It’s just a shame that the weather didn’t cooperate on friday for the airshow. Saturday was great for that.
A big thank you to Lukas and the hard-working helpers in Schwabmünchen!

GP-14 VELO by Multiplex double carbon

I thought about writing a short construction report about this MULTIPLEX plane for a long time and finally decided to do so. Because the new GP-14 VELO by MULTIPLEX is significantly better than its reputation. In a german forum the aircraft and the construction are being trashed, which I personally cannot understand. I built the plane and I`m absolutely convinced by the quality and the flight performance. I think the development team at MPX did a great job with this model, and that’s why I’m sharing a few pictures of the building and nice flights in the mountains.

First of all, it is very commendable that there is a detailed, illustrated instruction manual available for the GP-14, which is a rarity these days. Various installation options are described, whether landing gear, FES or retract EDF, all information can be found in the instructions. The cockpit tub including panel is available as an option from Multiplex. Also a special carbon spinner and a white painted carbon prop is available. For this prop, the hacker service recommended a suitable engine for 6S setup, the A50-16S.

For the linkages in the wing, I didn’t use the standard linkages with Z-wire and fork head, but rather the extremely high-quality installation frames including rudder horns and pushrods from heizkoffer.de. It couldn’t be more playful, rigid and elegant!I still had a pilot in 1:3.5 from Tailored Pilots which fits perfectly into the GP-14 VELO. I drew the rudder pedals in CAD and simply printed them out of PLA and painted them. Thae same I did with the linkage and control horn covers on the wings, they are also printed from white PLA.The 5000 battery is located directly in front of the wing joiner and with the pilot in the cockpit, not a gram of ballast is necessary in the nose for the correct CG!The finish is entirely realized with plotted vinyl stickers.

The power unit by Hacker allows very easy hand launchs and in headwinds, two steps for takeoff were enough. The A50 offers enough power to climb a good 45° with a current consumption of approx. 70A. So with the 5000mAh battery allows 6-7 climbs per flight.

The GP-14 performs fantastically both in thermals and in aerobatics and the pulling power is also very good for a model of this weight and size. With the help of the ACL glider lights on the bottom of the wing, the model can be perfectly recognized or found even at high altitudes or when flying on a slope with a changing background.

All I can say about the GP-14 is: Well done MPX!

GeeBee R2 Restauration!

My passion for the GeeBee started at the age of 12 and has not changed since then. For a few years I flew an electric powered GeeBee equipped with a Hacker A200 and 2x 12S 5000mAh but sold it in 2019. Last year I had the chance to get another damaged R2 and decided to restore it and install a Fiala 250ccm 5-cylinder radial engine, the same engine I’ve been using in my Bücker for the past 2 years.

 The fuselage was damaged in different areas and it turned out to be much more work than expected. My procedure was as follows:

  • Opened the compressed areas with a cutter until the inner side of the sandwich. Removed the compressed and crumbled support foam.
  • Filled up the opened areas with thick epoxy and sanded it down
  • Put a layer of glass fabric above and sanded again
  • Puttied and sanded all
  • Fillered all fixed areas, sanded and reworked the panel lines with a fine rasp
  • Made rivets out of white glue
  • Repainted red
  • Slightly weathered with black oil color

 The effort was well worth and I am super happy with the result. I hope the model lasts long.

 When I bought the GeeBee I contacted FALCON to produce a scale prop in the correct size for the radial engine. And the result is a stunning 34×18 prop which fits and looks excellent. Even the measurements are almost correct compared to the full size.

 The equipment of the GeeBee is proven in my other models:  Hacker DITEX EL-3214 servos, JETI CB-220 with 2x RSat and RCSW. 2S Hacker ECO-X batteries, ClickConnect for the motor unit, EMCOTEC smokepump and 2 kevlar tanks by CM-Jets.

 In this model I used a gyro for the first time. The Cortex Pro by Bavarian Demon was my choice as it is the best system working with JETI model and can be set up directly from the transmitter, no computer needed. And it is connected straight between the 2x RSat and the Central Box. So easy!

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RT DESIGN Acrostar mk2 INFO!!!

The Acrostar 60E and XL is a very famous and well-flying aerobatic model. The produced batches of both version are sold out and no more available. Due to persistent requests for both models I checked together with Hacker Motor the possibility for a new batch of both models. But the price for the plane plus shipping and the high MOQ make it not possible to bring back these models.

So If you are a proud owner of a RT DESIGN Acrostar, take care of it 😉

Robin Trumpp, February 2023

1:12 Minimoa by Tony Ray / Pichler

After my stressful 5th semester at studies I had the desire to build something out of Balsa again. At the exhibition in Friedrichshafen I saw the kits of mini vintage gliders from Tony Ray at the Pichler booth. Right after the event I ordered a kit of Minimoa.
With the support of my 3D printer and covered with japanese paper and Graupner Spannfix  a really nice little vintage glider was born.
Check the pictures and see the progress of my little Minimoa.
Spannweite: 1422 mm
Länge: 625 mm
Gewicht: 330g
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Faszination Modellbau and airshow “Stars des Jahres”

After the fair had to be canceled last year due to COVID-19, it was great that they opened the doors from 5th-7th November again. Friedrichshafen is known as THE fair for rc-enthusiasts in Germany!

Unfortunately there were not that much exhibitors than in the past years, but all those who took part were rewarded with numerous of visitors and good conversations.

I had the chance to present my new 50% Bucker Jungmeister at the airshow “Stars des Jahres” at the airport next to the fair.
I was invited a few times in the past years but for me this was one of the best, maybe the best fair in Friedrichshafen ever.
Great atmosphere for visitors and exhibitors, excellent airshow with many great pilots and a perfect organization.  Truly one of the best weekends this year!

I´d like to thank the VTH-Team at the flightline, especially chief editor Uwe PuchtingerFrank Joosten for great commenting on the show, Jörg for trouble-free communication with the tower and all others who were involved to make this fair a big success!

A special thank you goes to Andreas Maier and Markus Nussbaumer  for providing their excellent footage and video for this report.

Thanks also to all who have helped and supported me during the weekend!

50% Bücker 133 Jungmeister

SPECIFICATION:
wingspan: 3,30 m
length: 3,00 m
height: ca. 1,2 m
weight: 24,6 kg

EQUIPMENT:
Fiala / Valach VM-250 R5
FALON beechwood vintage style 32×18
Hacker / Ditex EL-3214S
JETI duplex CB-220
2x JETI duplex RSat 2
1x JETI duplex RSat 900mHz
Hacker / TopFuel 3x 2400 2S
EMCOTEC premium wires

VIDEO (J. Benz):

PICTURES (J. Benz):

KARAT biplane build report

I am very happy to see one of the best builders we have in F3A building on of my planes and giving aeromodellers around the world the chance to follow each step he makes.
Isaac Najary from Israel writing in famous american RC-UNIVERSE forum a detailed report of his KARAT biplane building.

CLICK HERE FOR RC-UNIVERSE build report RT DESIGN KARAT biplane

Thank you very much, Izzic! I am very excited to see the result 😉

Acrostar mk2 XL repair

Unfortunately a clubmember crashed my Acrostar and damaged the gear, the gear frame, the wing support, the landing gear covers wheelpants and cowling.
I thought about building a completely new Acrostar or just fix the fuselage.
I decided to do the second option and took some pictures during this process…

 

My message with this post: You don´t have to throw it away immediately 😉

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