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This one started out as a bit of fun during one of the lockdowns, I wanted a simple/ robust model that has replaceable parts that can be quickly swapped at the field. As balsa was almost none existent at the time but hardwoods, lite ply were plentiful it was designed using a lot of these and with todays inflated prices the basic build materials for this model (balsa, ply, hardwood and lite ply) totals under £25, in fact, you can almost make two airframes from this! Moving on 6 months I asked a few gyronuts if they wanted to join me to beta test the Gyroo! this started a few weeks ago and 3 fine looking examples were ready to test at our annual Autogyro fly-in last weekend with another being built in South Africa. Two of the models had already flown with differing blade lengths and battery options. The results from the weekend went really well and there was a lot of interest, so much so I think I will try and twist Mr Coziers arm a bit and see if he's interested in it for publication ? Coolwind have all the info on head plates and will be able to cut a small part kit for this hopefully (though it doesn't take much to do it by hand). My prototype uses a 4max set up which gives more than enough power (loops are a doddle) and I'm sure George will make a power set up available if it all goes to plan. I haven't got any build photos as it went together really quickly, so will probably add some as I build another and snap away. Basically it has a main pod to which the mast/ boom slots into with the tail also being removable, there is a sedate version for first timers and can be adapted as a hot dogger version. For now a few flying shots and a couple of videos. More to come.... Rich

I see that Which will not in future report on appliances which are not repairable , about time too, the throw away game has to end!

That did the trick Kim. There wasn't much strength at the back so it came out with a gentle tug. Looks like an alarmed face in the photo below! Looking forward to seeing how it balances now.

Both of my clubs require an 'A' cert to fly solo/alone. I don't think it's unreasonable given that an errant model could finish up on a nearby busy main road at one site, and the other site has a few nearby neighbours that we have good relations with and don't want to upset by having a 'plane come down on their property. Nothing to absolutely guarantee that even an experienced flyer might get it wrong or have a failure, but the likelyhood of a beginner getting disorientated and 'losing it' is far greater and hence having an experienced pair of eyes and hands close by will usually be able to stop a model getting too far away or whatever with a gentle reminder.

We have a reccomendation but not a rule that no one can fly solo - beginner or experienced from a safety point of view. But then we are flying models on one of the busiest live full size airfield's in the country - Sleap in Shropshire. It has its compensations though - aerobatic Pitts Specials and Slingsby Firefly, Bucker Jungmann and Jungmeister, Avro Anson and two WW2 Yak fighters, a taxi rated Jet Provost and all manner of light general aviation aircraft. Always something to watch while you have a coffee between flights. No beginner can fly without supervision till they pass the A cert.

Hi all ! So let's make some parts !! To get colored parts out of a mould , the paint has to get on first , but not after the usual wax (5times!)and a layer of pva (release agent).I did all that yesterday so tonight i painted the moulds for the hatches and nose cone , on the inside, with IMC (in mould coating )from HP textiles , Germany. NO , i don't get a discount for typing this !!?. I've seen others use spray can paint for this , and i tryed it , but it's such a pain to sand it after ! I've chosen neutral white as i have no idea what color sceme i will follow in the end...Or do i ?? Tomorrow i can start making the hatches and nose cone ! I decided to make the nose hatch and nose cone , the normal way , and not vacuum bagging them. I think it's no use on such small parts , they will be strong enough due to their curved form. Time will tell !!

This is how BBC Look North were reporting the Olympics on Twitter last Monday ? Local news for local folk.

Jonathan, tesco brown paper...