Getting back into RC aircraft

[Jim H]

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Brother D, apologies in advance for jumping onto your thread.

I sincerely do hope you don’t mind.

I thought I’d update as the Acro Wot is coming along a treat.

Fuselage is 99.9 % complete. Wings are glued together, just need final sanding and covering.

Then it’s a case of firing up the OS.

Ha not at all keep us updated! You know I think I may have to copy you - I see they can run batteries as well now

[Jim H]

Hello Brother D.

I hope all is well with you? I’ve had it fired up over the weekend. Took a bit at first as it’s a brand new engine. I got there in the end. Bloody hell it’s got some poke, I could hardly hang on to it!

Just got the ailerons to fit, and a bit of final tweaking.

[Jim H]

[Brother D]

Jim H said:

Hello Brother D.

I hope all is well with you? I’ve had it fired up over the weekend. Took a bit at first as it’s a brand new engine. I got there in the end. Bloody hell it’s got some poke, I could hardly hang on to it!

Just got the ailerons to fit, and a bit of final tweaking.

Hi Jim,

Hope all is well with you too - that looks fantastic!

I've just started on a 1/4 scale cub build, but I think I'll order an acro-wot when I'm next in the UK and bring it back after seeing yours : )



Actually a question - The models I've built before have been on smaller scale and I think I just used a pine board, and for this build I got a cheap flat solid core door laid flat on a frame I built (the plans still don't fully fit on it)...

Any recommendations out there on a rubber-mat style surface I can use? Fingers are killing me with how hard the door surface is to put pins in

[tr7v8]

I'll update my builds in a week or two. What I am using is a piece of kitchen worksurface with self adhesive cork tiles on it. These take pins pretty well & the surface will never warp or twist. If the tiles get to ragged then I'll put another layer on it. The 10mm cork tiles came from Amazon.
Typically you don't need a big enough surface for the whole plan as you'll build say wings, then fuselage & then tail feathers. So the plan will get moved around the building board as required.

[Brother D]

tr7v8 said:

I'll update my builds in a week or two. What I am using is a piece of kitchen worksurface with self adhesive cork tiles on it. These take pins pretty well & the surface will never warp or twist. If the tiles get to ragged then I'll put another layer on it. The 10mm cork tiles came from Amazon.
Typically you don't need a big enough surface for the whole plan as you'll build say wings, then fuselage & then tail feathers. So the plan will get moved around the building board as required.

Ok cheers I'll give the tile thing a go

[Jim H]

I had all the toys out over the weekend getting prepared for the new season - if we are ever going to get some decent weather!

There maybe a new addition to the Squadron later this week. Watch this space!

Edited by Jim H on Monday 15th April 07:31

[Jim H]

Barn Find Spitfire - Rebuild. Or on a smaller scale, miniature Warbird Workshop.

I first built this back in 1995. It’s been stored by a very good mate since 2007, it was last flown in about 1998?

I landed it on a piece of rock hard sheep poo and it damaged the underside of the port wing if you look closely. It was fairly well finished back then, I was furious and gave up the hobby soon after.

Roll on a few years, and it’s strange how this hobby sucks you back in!

It needs a new engine and full suit of radio gear etc.

I’ll be ordering all up this afternoon.

[Jim H]

It’s got a lovely aged patina finish to it now, it is after all getting on a bit! It’s getting on for 30 years old.

It’s a bit of a hoot seeing my old handy work from decades ago.

Most RC model aircraft don’t live this long!

[Skeptisk]

Jim H said:

It’s got a lovely aged patina finish to it now, it is after all getting on a bit! It’s getting on for 30 years old.

It’s a bit of a hoot seeing my old handy work from decades ago.

Most RC model aircraft don’t live this long!

That is fabulous!

I am thinking about taking up RC. When I was a child I used to build models: started with airfix, then to gliders and finally onto control line (RC was too expensive). Gave it up when I was around 13/14 and haven’t build anything in the following 40 odd years. However it looks like I will have more time going forward and thinking about building something again.

Does anyone fly control line anymore? I liked the physical connection to the plane and you didn’t need too much space.

I might switch to RC. I suppose first step will be to join a club and get some advice.

[Brother D]

Skeptisk said:

That is fabulous!

I am thinking about taking up RC. When I was a child I used to build models: started with airfix, then to gliders and finally onto control line (RC was too expensive). Gave it up when I was around 13/14 and haven’t build anything in the following 40 odd years. However it looks like I will have more time going forward and thinking about building something again.

Does anyone fly control line anymore? I liked the physical connection to the plane and you didn’t need too much space.

I might switch to RC. I suppose first step will be to join a club and get some advice.

I haven't seen control line in years! I had a little plastic cessa 152 powered by a little cox motor and remember that being quite fun. Actually from memory there was control-line park not far from the main football ground in barcelona. I was always interested in the pulsejet control line models seen in books : )

[kimducati]

Skeptisk said:

Does anyone fly control line anymore? I liked the physical connection to the plane and you didn’t need too much space.

I might switch to RC. I suppose first step will be to join a club and get some advice.

There's a control line circle at the BMFA National Centre, and I know it is still a 'thing', but tbh it's pretty niche nowadays, what with the availability of relatively cheap, reliable radio gear.
If you're interested, the best thing is to find a local club and contact them for advice, you don't need to join immediately.
Most clubs will do a taster day, where you can go along and have a go on a buddy box, to see how you get on.
If you don't know where your local club is, the BMFA website has a 'club finder' where you can input your location and you'll get any or all local clubs contact details. https://bmfa.justgo.com/clubFinder.html
Good luck
Kim

[archie456]

Skeptisk said:

Does anyone fly control line anymore? I liked the physical connection to the plane and you didn’t need too much space.

Whereabouts are you located, your profile says Denmark?

If you're in the UK I can probably put you in touch with some control line fliers nearby.

A lot of control line groups aren't affiliated to the BMFA so won't appear on the BMFA map on their website.

Edited by archie456 on Monday 22 April 14:31

[Skeptisk]

archie456 said:

Skeptisk said:

Does anyone fly control line anymore? I liked the physical connection to the plane and you didn’t need too much space.

Whereabouts are you located, your profile says Denmark?

If you're in the UK I can probably put you in touch with some control line fliers nearby.

A lot of control line groups aren't affiliated to the BMFA so won't appear on the BMFA map on their website.

Edited by archie456 on Monday 22 April 14:31

Currently Denmark but moving back to Cambridgeshire. I did a search and found a club in Impington that says they cater for all types so will give that a go.

[archie456]

Skeptisk said:

Currently Denmark but moving back to Cambridgeshire. I did a search and found a club in Impington that says they cater for all types so will give that a go.

IVCMAC, I have a friend who is a member there.

It's a very good club, with an emphasis on proper aeromodelling rather that RC toys. I fly there when I go and visit him.

[Skeptisk]

archie456 said:

Skeptisk said:

Currently Denmark but moving back to Cambridgeshire. I did a search and found a club in Impington that says they cater for all types so will give that a go.

IVCMAC, I have a friend who is a member there.

It's a very good club, with an emphasis on proper aeromodelling rather that RC toys. I fly there when I go and visit him.

That is very good to hear!

[tim0409]

Jim H said:

Barn Find Spitfire - Rebuild. Or on a smaller scale, miniature Warbird Workshop.

I first built this back in 1995. It’s been stored by a very good mate since 2007, it was last flown in about 1998?

I landed it on a piece of rock hard sheep poo and it damaged the underside of the port wing if you look closely. It was fairly well finished back then, I was furious and gave up the hobby soon after.

Roll on a few years, and it’s strange how this hobby sucks you back in!

It needs a new engine and full suit of radio gear etc.

I’ll be ordering all up this afternoon.

Is that a Cambria Funfighter? My dad was an aircraft engineer and he used to take a kit away with him when he worked abroad and bring it back fully built but uncovered. I was pretty young at the time but remember covering it and then painting it. I never flew it though. When I was a bit older I used to walk down to a nearby flying club, and that’s when I got into the hobby. I worked part time in a large RC model shop (when I was young) for years and absolutely loved it.

I gave up around 30 years ago, apart from a Carl Goldberg Cub I built and flew around 15 years ago. I’m about to start on a model that has a lot of sentimental value to me; it’s called the Maricardo and was designed by the owner of the aforementioned model shop (see pic below). It used to be sold from the shop in kit form with foam wings, but the plan is available (with built up wings) and was featured in the RCME magazine. It was popular in its day and flies really well. When the old model shop was moving to a new location, the owner gave me the keys to the old building and told me take any of the old models that were in storage if I wanted them. I found this old orange Maricardo and took it home, stripped it ready for recovering. When I told the owner (and the designer) he nearly had a heart attack as it was the prototype, which he had forgotten was there, and was a prized possession (model in picture) below. My plan is to build the new model from the plan, and cover it exactly as per the picture and fit an old OS 48 FS Surpass. Not sure whether to speed things up by buying the plan/pack (a company will laser cut the parts), or cut them all out myself. Can’t wait to start!

When I was young I never used to understand the old customers coming in and buying Ben Buckle vintage kits as I always wanted the latest and greatest. Now I total get it; electric models just don’t do it for me and I love what was current when I was 16-20, and would now be considered “vintage”!

Edited by tim0409 on Thursday 25th April 07:48

[Jim H]

Hi Tim and Good Morning.

Yes, it is a Cambria Funfighter, constructed back in 1995 - covered it tissue and dope ( old school) by myself. Humbrol paints - you can still get them..

I’m hoping to have an update to this thread later today if the post finally arrives!

What a lovely story you have shared, and the pictures of that old design look fantastic, I bet you can’t wait to start.

I feel the same about the electric stuff after flying one for the last two years. Don’t get me wrong, they are fantastic in some ways, however they lack a lot of soul. I truly enjoy building models from a kit / plan, I also enjoy flying a lot more these days. I consider modern radio equipment is a lot more advanced and reliable than when I was last flying 30 years ago. It eliminates a certain degree of nervousness.

Plus, I’ve got deeper pockets now than when I was a teenager - I don’t have to nag dad for a bail out.

Get cracking on the build, I’m sure you will enjoy.

[Jim H]

Morning Folks,

The new Merlin arrived for the Spitfire yesterday!

Cough, well it’s actually an OS 25 FX 11. I’d been casting around on eBay looking for an OS 25 FSR which was its original power plant. Some very nice NOS items on sale but crazy money.

I figured that a brand new OS would be best, I have them in my other models and I swear by the brand.
I’ve got all the other stuff also, radio gear, fixings, tank etc. It looks like a busy weekend.