With the support of our customers and friends all over the world, 2007 was another exciting year for Thunder Power RC. Introductions of the High Grade series ESCs, along with the innovative, industry-first ‘Balance Discharge Monitoring and Protection’ equipped Smart Guide series ESCs, saw the TPRC product line grow beyond Li-Po batteries, balancers and chargers. The exciting acquisition of Insane Foamies, manufacturer of premium 3D foam airplane models from some of the world’s best pilots and designers, like Mark Leseberg Jr., further expands TPRCs product offerings in a continued commitment to bring high quality, high performance and high value products to RC modelers worldwide.

New Thunder Power Extreme V2 Series Lipo Batteries

Rounding out 2007 was the release of eXtreme V2 series LiPo batteries, the next evolution in the ever-popular 25/50C discharge capable eXtreme series of premium performance batteries. Offering higher voltage under load for added power, cooler operating temps and significantly improved cycle life, eXtreme V2 series batteries continue to be the battery of choice for the world’s top 3D airplane and helicopter pilots who demand nothing but the utmost in power and reliability, including TPRC team pilots Quique Somenzini, Alan Szabo, Jason Krause and many more. And now in 2008, hot on the heels of Align’s latest release, Alan and Jason are using the all-new eXtreme V2 series 2600mAh batteries to power their T-REX 500 helicopters, offering 6S performance that has to be seen to be believed. Available in configurations from 2S to 6S, the eXtreme V2 2600mAh series batteries round out the eXV2 line nicely while offering the perfect power solution for many larger park flyer to mid-size airplane and helicopter models.

In only a few short months, 2008 brought even more exciting product announcements and releases, including the overwhelmingly popular TP-610C ‘all-in-one’ charger, discharger and balancer. This innovative and unique charger not only offers the versatility of 1-6 cell LiIon, LiPo and LiFePo4/A123 charging and discharging capabilities, but also the convenience, added safety and increased battery performance offered by a built-in balancer that constantly communicates with the charger throughout the charging process. Best of all, the TP-610C also offers 1-14 cell Ni-Cd/Ni-MH and 6-24V Pb/lead acid battery charging (and discharging/cycling) capabilities, at rates from 0.25 to 10-amps, all at an incredibly affordable price that makes it the number one choice of demanding airplane, helicopter and surface modelers alike. Never before have so many features, so much versatility and so much convenience been available at such a great price.

The first weekend in April brought the 54th annual Toledo Weak Signals RC Expo, where the new Thunder Power RC 325mm carbon fiber main rotor blades for 400-450 class helicopters were released. These ‘true’ 325mm long (measured from center of mounting hole to tip) rotor blades offer increased disk area for reduced disk loading, while offering extra power and ‘pop’ for aggressive 3D maneuvers when compared to other similar class blades. Their unique carbon fiber and foam core construction results in incredible stiffness for unbelievable stopping power and response, while the high-quality resin and ‘painted in the mold’ finish offers great looks on the ground and in the air. A perfect fit for Align T-REX 450 and other 450-class helicopters, plus including shims for use and easy installation on E-flite® Blade® 400 helicopters, TPRC 325mm CF blades offer all the performance of top-brand blades, at a fraction of the price, making them the perfect blades of choice for almost everyone, including aggressive 3D helicopter pilots Danny Szabo, Marcus Kim and more.

We are also introducing the new 250mAh and 350mAh Pro Lite series batteries. Andrew Jesky flew the new 2S 250mAh battery to a first place finish at the 5th annual Electric Tournament of Champions, while fellow TPRC team members Jason Noll, Mark Leseberg, Ryan Archer and more took advantage of the low weight and 20C/30C discharge capabilities to finish in many of the other top spots. These 250mAh batteries, along with the new, smaller footprint 350mAh batteries, will continue to be the choice of top precision 3D aerobatic pilots worldwide for many of this year’s most demanding indoor contests. They’ll also be the perfect choice for micro flyer and slow flyer pilots looking for minimum weight, maximum performance and maximum reliability at a

Thunder Power Race Series Lipo Batteries

The Toledo show also brought a sneak peek at the all-new TPRC Race series LiPo batteries for RC cars and trucks. Factory-matched cells housed in application-specific designed, impact-resistant cases will offer a level of power, performance and reliability never before seen from Ni-MH and even other LiPo battery offerings in the surface market today. The first release of 2S 7.4V batteries, in capacities from 3300 to 5400mAh, will deliver maximum continuous discharge rates up to 30C, offering sport and serious racers alike the perfect, drop-in fit battery for almost any 1/10 scale application – from on-road oval and touring cars, to off-road buggies and trucks. Be sure to look for Race series LiPo batteries and accessories in stores this summer.

With these and many more new announcements and releases to come, we look forward to another year more exciting than the last!

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Introduction

RC jet engines represent some of the most impressive technology that the RC industry has ever created. RC jets are always an amazing sight at the flying field, because they look and sound just like the real jets you find at airports and military airfields. In this article, we will take a look at how model jet engines work, and show you the differences from full scale jet engines.

Before you go out an buy a jet, be warned that RC jets are some of the most complicated, expensive, and difficult RC model airplanes available. You will need both many hours of flying experience and a huge budget to successfully own and fly an RC jet.

This article is about real jet engines which burn kerosene (or jet A1), not the electric ducted fan models frequently found in hobby stores. EDF jets are great models to fly, and some are capable of advanced aerobatics, but they are not to be confused with real RC jets using real jet engines.

How Full Scale Jet Engines Work

In order to understand how model jet engines work, it is helpful to examine the full scale engines used by airliners and other jet aircraft. A jet engine is a device which operates inside a fluid (in most cases air), and expels it at high speed achieving a propulsive effect. The mechanics of jet engines are best represented by Newton’s laws of motion, specifically: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” This means that the reason jets go forward is because they expel air backwards, faster than it came in. This basic principle applies for all types of jet engines.

But how do we achieve the movement of air needed to propel an aircraft? We know from high school chemistry that the volume and the temperature of any gas are proportional. Because of this, when air is heated, the volume increases. If the air is held in a container (the combustion chamber of a jet engine), then the pressure will also increase. Releasing the heated gas will result in an exit speed greater than the speed at which the air entered, creating the backwards flow of air needed to travel forward.

Interestingly enough, rockets are considered to be a type of jet engine. The only difference between a rocket and a conventional jet engine is that the rocket operates in a vacuum, and thus needs to take both fuel and an oxidizing chemical with it. The discussion of rockets and other exotic jet engines is beyond the scope of this article, so we will limit our investigation to three of the most common designs. These jet engines are listed in order of complexity, and all were used in full scale aircraft at some point in time.

The Pulse Jet

The pulse jet is one of the simplest jet engines, consisting of little more than a pipe and a fuel source. Pulse jets were used by Germany during World War II to propel primitive cruise missiles (V1 flying bombs). A pulse jet works by igniting a fuel air mixture in high frequency bursts. A typical pulse jet cycle operates as follows:

1. Air is allowed to enter the combustion chamber, and fuel is simultaneously added.
2. The intake valve is closed.
3. Ignition is triggered, resulting in an outward flow of air and low pressure inside the combustion chamber.
4. The valve is opened, and new air rushes in due to the low pressure in the combustion chamber.

This cycle repeats during the entire operation of the engine.

Pulse jets are not very efficient, and are extremely loud. Because of this they are not often used in full scale aircraft, but hobbiests often build them due to their design simplicity and lack of moving parts. In some cases, pulse jets are built to small dimensions and used on RC model airplanes.

Turbojet Engines

More sophisticated jet engines use turbines to compress the air fuel mixture before igniting it. A turbine is a device which consists of sets of moving blades attached to an axle. If the turbine blades are spinning, they will move air through themselves and towards the back of the vehicle. This figure shows a moving turbine, spinning on an axle.

The operation of a turbojet is represented in this figure.

Unlike pulse jets, turbojets lack a repeating cycle (the engine operates continuously). There is a sequence of events that occurs during the engines operation though, so we list them here in chronological order.

1. Air enters the turbine and becomes compressed.
2. The compressed air is routed to the combustion chamber, where is is mixed with fuel.
3. Ignition occurs, and the resulting hot air is allowed to exit the jet engine.
4. Before leaving the engine, the hot air is forced through a gas turbine, which drives the compressor used in step 1.

Turbojets are far more efficient than pulse jets, because some of the energy produced by the combustion process is reused

Turbofan Engines

Even though turbojet engines are more efficient than pulse jets, they are not often used in subsonic aircraft because of the noise they produce. Turbojet engines are well suited to high speed operations, exceeding the speed of sound. They become less efficient at the subsonic speeds which airliners and other commercial jet aircraft operate at.

The turbofan design operates on exactly the same principle as the turbojet engine, but instead of routing all of the intake air through the combustion chamber a small amount is allowed to exit unburned. Instead of being mixed with fuel and burned, some of the cool air is mixed with the exhaust, reducing the exhaust speed and increasing fuel efficiency. This figure illustrates the operation of a turbofan jet engine:

How Model Jet Engines Work

RC Model airplane jet engines work in exactly the same way as the full scale ones discussed above, with the exception of the air compression. Instead of using an axial turbine compressor, RC jet engines use a centrifugal compressor. A centrifugal compressor propels air outwards after it enters the engine, causing it to hit the engine case and be compressed. Centrifugal compressors need fewer moving parts than axial turbine compressors, and are more efficient for small applications. Many small full scale jets use centrifugal compressors for the same reasons.

Here is a picture of a typical RC model airplane jet engine, mounted on top of an RC model airplane.

RC jet engines operate on kerosene, exactly the same fuel that full scale jet engines use. Ignition is achieved with a small glow plug, like those found on two and four stroke RC model airplane engines.

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Every RC model airplane has a center of gravity, or balance point, and it must be in the correct location for the RC model airplane to fly well. This article will show you how to correctly balance your model. Here is a general procedure that you can follow when balancing a new RC model airplane:

RC Model Airplane Fore and Aft Balance

1. Look at the plans or instructions that came with your RC model airplane. They will tell you where the correct balance point is. In most cases, the correct balance point lies on or near the main spar of the wing.
2. Depending on the size of the RC model airplane, you may need a friend to help you with this step. Install the RC model airplanes wing, and balance it on two finger tips, placed several inches away from the fuselage.
3. Move your fingertips so that they both lie on the recommended balance point.
4. Check to see if the RC model airplane balances. If it is correctly balanced, then neither the nose nor the tail will tip forward or backward.
5. Assuming that it is not correctly balanced, take off the wing and shift equipment inside the RC model airplane forwards or backwards. Correct a tail heavy balance by shifting equipment to the nose, and correct a nose heavy balance by shifting equipment to the tail. If you cannot get the RC model airplane to balance correctly by shifting the internal parts, then you will need to add ballast to the nose or the tail.
6. Find a suitable ballast material (like lead) and secure a small amount to the fuselage.
7. After making these adjustments, do step 4 again and see if the RC model airplane balances correctly. If it does not, add more weight to the nose or tail and try again.

Please note that it is far better for the RC model airplane to be slightly nose heavy than tail heavy. A tail heavy RC model airplane will fly in a chaotic, unpredictable manner, almost guaranteeing a crash.

RC Model Airplane Lateral Balance

After completing the above procedure, your RC model airplanes fore and aft balance should be correct. This procedure will show you how to balance the RC model airplanes roll, so that it doesn’t need much trim to fly straight.

1. Loop some string around both the motor shaft and the tail.
2. Suspend the RC model airplane by holding these string loops.
3. Does the RC model airplane rotate? If it does, add some ballast to either wingtip until it stays still while suspended.

Congratulations! You now have a correctly balanced RC model airplane!

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Thunder Power RC is proud to introduce their first series of LiPo batteries designed specifically for use in surface applications. The all-new Race Series batteries further expand Thunder Power RC’s product offerings in a continued commitment to bring high-quality, high-performance and high-value products to RC modelers worldwide­­­–including those in the surface market too!

Race series LiPo batteries feature premium, factory-matched cells housed in impact-resistant cases designed to protect the cells in a variety of conditions. They also offer a level of power, performance and reliability never before seen from NiMH and even other LiPo battery offerings in the market today. The first release of 2S 7.4V and 3S 11.1V batteries, in capacities from 3300mAh to 5400mAh, will deliver maximum continuous discharge rates up to 30C, offering sport and professional racers alike the perfect, drop-in fit battery for almost any 1/10 scale application–from on-road oval and touring cars, to off-road buggies, trucks and monster trucks.

Other Race Series battery features include:

• Choice of rounded, standard or large housings to fit almost any 1/10 scale vehicle
• Factory-installed main power leads (10- or 12-gauge) and connectors (Deans® Ultra Plug® or Traxxas® High-Current)
• Thunder Power balance connector and leads
• ROAR approval (except THP50002SPRD and THP54003SSRT)
• More margin (when sold at MAP) than most other brand LiPo batteries for surface applications

Sport Race Series Batteries

Sport Race Series batteries offer incredible value and performance beyond all other batteries in their class. 20C continuous discharge rate capable cells, 12-gauge wire leads and factory-installed Traxxas High-Current connectors make them the perfect drop-in upgrade for all Traxxas electric vehicles–brushed or brushless motor powered. THP54003SSRT can even propel the popular Rustler VXL to speeds of 70mph and beyond!

eXtreme Race Series Batteries

eXtreme Race Series batteries offer the same power and performance of their 25C eXtreme V2 aircraft battery counterparts, yet are optimized for use in surface applications. With the ability to maintain higher voltage under load and to offer more cycle life than other batteries in their class, they’re an excellent choice for 1/10 scale racing applications. Plus, all eXtreme Race series batteries are equipped with 10-gauge wire leads and a Deans Ultra Plug connector.

Pro Race Series Batteries

When you’re looking for LiPo batteries that feature the lowest resistance and deliver the most power available in the surface battery market today, look no further than Pro Race Series batteries. Their incredibly low resistance, 30C continuous discharge rate capable cells, direct-soldered 10-gauge wire leads and Deans Ultra Plug connectors offer the minimum resistance possible for maximum power and performance in even the most demanding race applications.

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Including one of the best batteries to date for Blade® 400, T-REX 450 and other mini-class helis

Thunder Power Pro Lite series LiPo batteries have been the standard by which all ‘lite’ weight, high-performance LiPo batteries have been measured since 2005. Often imitated but never duplicated, Pro Lite series batteries still offer the highest energy density (capacity and power per weight) in the RC LiPo battery market today. They’re also the industry’s best-selling and most reliable series of LiPo batteries ever.

The all-new 2600mAh Pro Lite V2 series batteries offer the same great benefits of current Pro Lite series batteries–including the most capacity, at the lowest weight and in the smallest size possible–but are the first to feature the new V2 chemistry. This chemistry offers increased discharge rate capability, as well as higher voltage under typical and heavy loads. The extremely low resistance of the V2 chemistry allows the 2600mAh batteries to deliver more power than most 2000-2200mAh 25C+ discharge capable batteries, but with 20-30% more useable capacity at nearly the same weight.

For example, the weight and dimensions of the new 2600mAh 3S 11.1V Pro Lite V2 battery (THP26003SPL2) are almost exactly the same as the ever-popular 2200mAh 3S 11.1V eXtreme V2 battery, yet the 2600mAh battery typically offers similar or more power and more flight duration in the same application. Flight tests by extreme 3D heli pilots have also proven that THP26003SPL2 is now one of the best batteries of choice for maximum power, performance and duration in E-flite® Blade 400, Align T-REX 450 and other mini-class helicopter models! The performance surpasses that of the most popular batteries used for these models today, and it’s available at a price that offers incredible value.

You can see the amazing performance of the 2600mAh Pro Lite V2 battery in the discharge curve below. The ability to deliver more than 95% of the rated capacity at discharge rates up to 18C is no ordinary feat, and makes it unlike any other battery ever available in its class before.
Available in configurations from 2S 7.4V to 6S 22.2V, 2600mAh Pro Lite V2 batteries are perfectly suited for small to mid-size, 450- to 15-size airplane models, and mini to mid-size helicopter models. They’re a great replacement for 1800-2200mAh batteries when added flight duration, with little to no expense of added weight, is desired. And with prices similar to or less than other products in their class, the new 2600mAh Pro Lite V2 batteries will further establish the Pro Lite series as not only the technology and performance leader, but also as the leader in value too!

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© Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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Thunder Power RC has allowed us to reduce prices by as much as $34.96 on Thunder Power RC Pro Lite Lithium Polymer batteries and Thunder Power Brushless Motor Speed Controllers.

New low prices on these Thunder Power RC Pro Lite LiPoly Batteries

New low price on this Thunder Power RC Brushless ESC

Get FREE Shipping at RCToys.com

Draganfly Innovations Inc. offers FREE SHIPPING on all Thunder Power RC products and discounts of $10 when 2 or more qualifying Thunder Power RC products are purchased together. Call 1-800-979-9794 to order by phone or order online at www.RCToys.com

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Now that you know how to perform basic and intermediate level RC model airplane aerobatics, you can progress to the most advanced maneuvers. This article lists some of the most interesting advanced aerobatic maneuvers in order of difficulty.

Immelmann Turn

The Immelmann turn is a type of aerobatic maneuver named for World War I fighter pilot Max Immelmann. When done precisely, the Immelmann turn is a very crowd pleasing maneuver, and can be used in combination with a wide variety of other aerobatics. Perform an Immelmann turn by using full throttle, turning the aircraft into the wind, and then pulling up into a vertical climb. When climbing, use the rudder and elevator controls to keep the aircraft climbing in a straight line. After gaining a significant amount of altitude pull back on the elevator to enter inverted flight. Keep the wings level, and execute a sharp 180 degree roll, bringing the aircraft back to straight and level flight. The net effect of this maneuver is that the RC model airplane is higher, and facing the opposite direction then it was during the start of the maneuver. Take a look at this picture, which shows the different parts of an Immelmann turn:

Split S

The Split S is basically the same as an Immelmann turn, but performed in the opposite direction. As always, begin by turning the aircraft into the wind. Then enter a vertical dive. Pull out of the dive by applying more down elevator, so that the aircraft levels off and enters inverted flight. As with the Immelmann turn, exit inverted flight by rolling 180 degrees in a left or right direction. This figure illustrates the different parts of a Split S:

Cuban Eight

A Cuban eight is one of the most challenging, and interesting, aerobatic maneuvers to perform. Performing a Cuban Eight involves making the airplane follow a vertical path resembling a horizontal eight in the sky. Make sure that you perform this maneuver at a high altitude, this is not to be attempted at twenty feet off the deck.

Start by facing into the wind, and applying full throttle, then pull up and perform a graceful half loop (1). Don’t level off after reaching the top of the loop (2). Instead, continue to use up elevator until the RC model airplane enters an inverted 45 degree descent (3). Wait until the RC model airplane reaches the midpoint of the eight – or about halfway up the first loop, and then perform a crisp 180 degree roll (4). Keep in mind that the RC model airplane will be inverted before you perform the roll.

After performing a roll, level off from the 45 degree descent and pull up again (5). Perform another half loop (6), and then begin another 45 degree descent (7). Wait until the midpoint of the eight (8), and perform a 180 degree roll like in step 3. After that, gradually level out and enter straight and level flight (8).

Ideally, the Cuban eight should be completely symmetrical along both the horizontal and vertical axis.

Congratulations! You can now perform advanced RC aerobatics!

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Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
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