Du-Bro Products has long had a reputation for imaginative products featuring high quality and dependability. Du-Bro was producing products model pilots didn’t even know they needed until they saw them, and then couldn’t live without, even before I was infected by the Hobby Pox back in 1970. Just about every hobby shop has free Du-Bro accessory catalogs and I suggest you get one and see what you may have been missing.

One of Du-Bro’s cleverest ideas is their new Fillin’ Station pictured above next to my Balsa USA Swizzle Stik, ole` number 52. Built back in 1982 for my club’s Combat Contest, this aircraft, my 52^nd model at the time, now serves as a test airplane for new receivers, batteries and servos. It is better to spot potential airborne radio system problems flying an aircraft that, while not expendable, doesn’t hurt as much to lose as would an expensive new competition airplane. You might want to keep your old trainer around for this purpose after you have moved on to higher performance aircraft.

In fact, competition and fun-fly’s are one good reason to have a Fillin‘ Station. Flight line starting and fueling is the rule at most fun-fly’s. It is difficult to lug a big flight box out to the flightline every time you need to refuel for a quick turnaround. The Fillin’ Station has everything you need, except for the electric starter, in one light, easy to carry, package.

The 8-pound Fillin’ Station (full can) is also a welcome accessory when the parking area is located 40+ miles, (or so it seems when you are carrying a 50 pound flight box), away from the pits where you need to setup. With the Fillin’ Station, the only other items you carry those long miles to the pits are your airplane, transmitter and electric starter.

 
Photo 1     Photo 2

Everything you need for flightline service is here. Fuel of course, but also the fuel pump, glow plug ignitor, spare glow plugs and wrench plus some ball or screw drivers. Photo 1 shows what the assembled Fillin’ Station contains (fuel can not included). The complete kit also contains a wall charger for the glow plug ignitor.

In photo 2, two extra glow plugs, a screwdriver for attaching nylon wing bolts, a 4-40 ball driver and two smaller screwdrivers for tuning were added. The glow plugs and wrench are important as one of the most strictly enforced competition rules is that your glow plug will only fail on the flightline, just minutes before you are to start your engine. When the “clock” is running, it is nice to have a replacement plug and wrench handy. (Note: the handle is installed backwards in photo 2, see photo 15 for more information.)

The Fillin’ Station is also proving convenient for regular flying sessions. I can use it instead of loading and lugging a heavy flight box around everyday. In fact, when I intend to fly one airplane for a few flights and know I won’t need a lot of tools, the Fillin’ Station is making my life easier.