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So I have now flown for the first time post stroke..! had my first flightat my Dad’s club flying field in Whissendine, Rutland all of it on the buddy box with the gyro on 2D mode to keep me and. My stoopid left hand on the straight and narrow! Other than realising half way through that I now need the elevator and rudder stick ( mode 1 ) much longer now I have to pinch the sticks it went quite well - no unscheduled Aeros or arrivals. Thanks to the gyro. In the main! The hardest thing was walking into the field over some very uneven ground! As I couldn’t roll in in the chair

As with the Fw190 , I will probably send a return envelope out to those that showed interest in the Tempest . I realise that some may have changed their mind , and anyway we are not quite ready to press go on the production line , but I need to know rough numbers . I dont want to send letters to those no longer interested so here is a list of those that expressed interest so far . Rather than PM me at this stage , perhaps if you just click like if you still want one , it will come up at the bottom . Dave B1 Ron Gray Martin Collins Leccy Flyer Andrew Exton Jonathan S Grumpy Gnome Glen Philbrick Peter Atkins Ace Chris Walby John Timmis Graham Bowers Murat Alan Hilton Roger Bird Dave Naylor Goose is the Hero Nigel Whitgar Piers Bowlan Nick Cribbs David Holland 2 David Davies Don Fry Bucks Boy Chris meek Concept 2 Flyer Rotten Row Chris Clementson John Britton .

I couldn't agree more, it is great fun and is very safe, the statistics back this up. However it is very safe because we have developed procedures and 'best practice' to ensure it is so.

Just maidened my Tony Nijhuis 78" EDF Vulcan. Built during 2020 and finally plucked up the courage. I do not know why I put it off so long, it is very stable and slows right down for landing. Sounds brilliant on full power.

Yes, it's a video. And there is a reluctance to watch videos but this one is a gem. If you have two minutes to spare, enjoy the fun. VID-20230222-WA0005.mp4

My f86 is finally airworthy so all being well it will be maidened at Elvington at the end of the month. If all goes well, i will add stenciling, rivets and weathering! Home made twist and retract nose gear, Futaba 16sz and Xicoy x95 (a tiny little engine for its thrust!!). The part finished kit was bought at the nationals swap meet about 7 years ago. Dont know what kit it is but the latest theory is its a 1/7th BVM clone by Peter Leibertraill (not sure of spelling), the Graupner hotspot designer. Windy

Right, she's ready* 1/6 scale spitfire Mk1; P9374. This is a replica (let's not be too eager and call it 'scale'!) of the aircraft that crashed on it's second operation onto the beach at Calais and remained there until the 1980s before being removed and eventually renovated to flying condition. This is detailed in a wonderful book kindly given to me by Peter Miller. As happens with me, reading the book (and particularly John Romaine's pilot notes of the maiden flight) inspired me, and I was 'locked on'. This is the latest evolution of my learnings of how to make use of Depron. Particularly laminate flooring under floor insulation. This is sold by B&Q under the Diall brand in white in 3 and 6mm and their own brand in black at 6mm. The construction uses some ply and balsa to put strength where it's needed (a hard structure between wing root and motor mount), and B&Q 6mm square strip wood for the wing spars. It has flaps, retracts and Oleos and is set up with a 5065 320kv motor on 6S and currently spinning a 17x8 prop. I'm yet to do the full power checks, so not sure what the output is, but expect around 900-1000W. The battery (3300maH) sits vertically behind the motor, and it looks to balance without ballast. AUW is 8lb. As this model is 74", this is very light. It's the same size as Mick Reeves' Mk9, which apparently fly very well, and usually come in at around 12lb plus. Jon from Laser reckons this is the correct weight, so I may have to stake it down to stop it floating off! In any case, I should get a nice scale speed. It's covered in 25gsm glass cloth applied with B&Q water based varnish. Paint is good old valspar (again, B&Q) matchpot emulsion matched to the book. It's a tiny bit light, but the effect is good. This is sprayed with my little HVLP gun, and then sprayed over with a light coat of gloss varnish to give a slight sheen for the vinyl to adhere to. Vinyl, canopy, decals and the wonderful dash are all from Mick Reeves. The exhausts are 3D printed. *Some detailing to do, electrical checks, a lot of worrying, and purchase of bike clips notwithstanding... Graham

You are not subsidising them. Not one penny of the £42 you paid for your 2023 membership was used to subsidise them. However as I mentioned previously you have still benefitted indirectly, the BMFA didn't have to spend some of the pennies you paid to hire venues that we would have had to previously because we were able to use Buckminster. Buckminster has also proved very useful in promoting model aircraft flying and helping to put our sport in to the public eye. Something all model aircraft flyers benefit from. In years when the BMFA makes a surplus of over £10k £10k will be transferred to the National Centre reserve. But only if there is a healthy surplus, the BMFA does have some other income streams apart from membership subscriptions though and £10k is probably a lot less then would have to be paid to hire venues annually that now no longer need to be hired. Your subs are not used to fund Buckminster. Clubs are not forced to have 100% BMFA membership, it is a choice they make to affiliate because they consider the benefits of affiliation are worth it. It's actually a bit of a no-brainer when you consider all the benefits that otherwise the club would have to pay for.

A clubmate gave me two rolls of Proficover - it's a bit like Oratex or Solartex, a very good material to work with. So I had to build something with it. The result was a control line stunter (Jamison Special) and the rc plane you see in the pictures. It's my own design and it had its maiden flight yesterday. To my surprise it flew very well despite the not too powerful old open-rockers Saito 30. Karl

Leccy's Home For Distressed Aeroplanes opened it's hangar doors again this week to accept a few airframes being retired to free up workshop space by my prolific plan builder pal Jim, so that he can create yet more masterpieces. Dropped in on him yesterday to pick up a spinner for last week's donation and the Flair SE5a that he was moving on, to receive another surprise gift, a lovely 1m span twin pusher Vulcan. I can't wait to get these pre-loved aeroplanes back in the air again and to see what will come out of the new found space in Jim's workshop in the coming months. Here's some piccies that I grabbed of these new to me aeroplanes when Jim was flying them. Avro York, built from blue foam from the Tony Nijhuis free plan and handed on to me last week after here final flights under Jim's care. Avro Vulcan - 39" span ,two wee Turnigy 2212 motors turning twin pusher props. Might try this one on the slope. Flair SE5a , Turnigy D3542 motor, 3s1p 4000mah lipo, 12x6" wood prop - lovely model.

Quick update, I am now out of hospital in an amazing rehab centre , and am now doing loads more physio and they have lots of incredible specialist equipment including an exercise bike that has electrodes that you attach to your weaker limb that fire in time with the rotation of the pedddles to encourage your less good limb to relearn it’s role! I am so lucky to get a place here, as sometimes people wait weeks, but I got in last week only about 2 and a bit weeks after my stroke. That is ke, as apparently the early days after a stroke are when you have the best opportunity to improve.

The closure of Laser engines was inevitable. It is sad for me as I formed the company in 1983 with Reg Gross, Geoff’s father. I have not been involved for over 10 years. Geoff is now 70 and there is no one to take over the Company. The good news for Laser owners is that they were manufactured from very high quality materials, will run for many hours and will survive quite serious crashes. With modern fuels there is very little maintenance or wear. Spares or repairs are rarely required. Bearings are standard, easily and cheaply bought from suppliers. Engines made from 1996 are the best made and I am sure will be powering models for many years. Aeromodelling has declined, we have lost most model shops, magazines and the membership of the BMFA has dropped from36,000 in 2004 to 2,6000 now. Skills have been lost, it is far easier to buy a ready made foamie complete to fly. CAA legislation does not help. Thank you to everyone who has made Laser Engines a British success. Best wishes to Jon for a bright future and being part of the Laser legacy.

My latest fun scale build. A il-16 polikarpov captured by the Finnish Air Force during ww2. Cheers Anders

Funscale Raf Fe-8 ,maiden flight yesterday. Mainly scratchbuilt,started with polish Combat kit in epp foam. Foam , floorlaquer,tissue,carbon and balsa . The control surfaces are done like the original with pulleys and kevlar thread. Anders

An un usual sun set here on the west Wales coast. Sun was going down behind a cloud bank but projecting a river of gold across the sea. My Tiger Moth weather vane in the stream.

Finally managed to maiden my Sea Stormer, a David Boddington plan from Aviation Modeller International circa 1993. Here it is at the picturesque Loch Earn where I'm spending the weekend enjoying a waterplane event. 69" wingspan, OS91FS, lovely flyer, as you'd expect from a DB design.

Maiden flight today. The big foam spitfire flew! Off the ground in 30ft, gentle climb out and flew like a big trainer. Once my vice grip is relieved on the sticks, I'll be getting to know this big beutiful lump of underfloor insulation! Graham

Given the current weather and long range forecast i thought i would invest in something suitable.

The reason I put this photo of Pauls up again is because my favourite aeroplane is .............. the 109. Sorry everyone , Ive learn't over the years I'm in a minority . Paul is bringing the 109 to Buck at the weekend . Now this is interesting because it exemplifies how the whole Warbirds thing works . I and my Puppet friends are effectively a one man (and two pets) business . I am also probably the least known British designer and manufacturer of long standing 30+ years. I met Paul , like a lot of my now close friends , through him buying a Spitfire . What better filter for genuine like minded people? Over the last few years he has become even more valuable by teaching himself 3D design . I have supplied him with the equipment and he does the studying that I dont have time for . His model above , does me a great honour . It looks like the best static display 1:24 Airfix kit anyone could make and yet it flies ! I now have a close friend on my side who listens to my latest crazy idea and assists by chipping in now and again but more importantly , creating 3d models of what I am thinking . Together we are now in a stronger position to carry on creating more new products , when most others are giving up . Look at the number of new designs Warbirds have released in the last few years . The reason behind our "success" is complicated . I am mostly retired and although I need Warbirds to at least make a little money to justify all of the time I put in , it runs very efficiently . Mostly because it's my passion . I do have to lay out considerable amounts in advance of a project before the money (hopefully) comes back in . Do the sums on 80 kits at trade price plus all the accessories needed to keep my gang happy ! I'm not loaded as you will probably know . You all may know that a couple of years ago I was going to stop as the market seemed dead as a doornail . But this is where you all come in . Its all about contact and information that this wonderful forum makes possible . My growing band of followers provides excellent feedback , enthusiasm and in many cases experimentation . I have made some very good friends on here and hope to make more . In turn , many have helped me keep the new projects coming , Ron Gray , Eric "the Professor ", Graham Davies , Graham R and in fact pretty much everyone Ive spoken to on the phone has given me something . Views , thoughts , wishes . These are all to be listened to . Ignore at your peril , designer! As a company Warbirds may not be successful , since it makes little money , but that isnt the only measure on both side of the counter . I'd like to think that a whole community has been built around the Warbirds Designs , I look forward to meeting a few more faces next weekend . I will be there on an informal basis . Apparently Manny has allocated some hanger space for me , but I am not interested in a trade stand . I am much more interested in chatting to the gang and listening to your views . One thing you can be sure . I will never let you have anything that I dont fly myself on a regular basis (and I am no hotshot pilot !) . I will bring the 190 ,Tempest , Yak and Mossie, plus some kits of the first two in case anyone has a friend that missed the boat . My Website is pretty much defunct , but my intention is to make a new website this Autumn based around a more limited but continually stocked inventory . The 190/Tempest will be available as starter kits and perhaps a couple of other designs . The Mosquito will join in the new year with a very polished kit with a full gloss manual like the Spitfire . Thanks for listening to my ramble . Richard

50 inch span Depron JU87. All covered in 50gram grp cloth and west system epoxy. Scratch build from scaled up 3 view on Wikipedia, and lots of photos. Started out in white winter camo, didn't like it, so changed to two-tone green camo. Didn't like that so added desert camo which I quite like. 1300 grams flying weight. 35/36 900 kv motor.2200 3cell lipo.

My last project from how she looked when I picked her up to now all completed and looking resplendent with her new cowling, fitted and painted. This was a complete back to bare airframe restoration and E conversion. She is a Bowman’s Model, Miles Magister 1 designed in 1979 with an 85 inch span and an AUW of 13 1/2lbs (recommended 10lbs), running a 6S system turning a 16x8 wooden prop. She fly’s really nice even with the extra weight.

Fw 190 A-8 in the Black 13 scheme of ace Pips Priller. Built over last 15 months from Vailly Aviation plans. Span is 92” AUW 16kg power Valach 85cc twin boxer with self starter. Klasskote paints, Sierra retracts. Just guns, aerials and pitot to add once trimming flights are over. First flew last weekend.

A old mate of mine needed to clear some of his models as he is still building at 84 and has help in flying the aircraft so they are lasting longer. I got his Flair Magnatilla that had not flown for nearly 20 years as the float flying club lost the use of the dam. I replaced the Irvine 53 with an electric set up as I fly from a dam close to the house and do not take a recovery boat with. I fly when the conditions are good.

1/5 p51 enlarged 25% from the bt plan powered by kolmn 50 4 stroke all balsa and ply as per bt design but with some mods to structure ,ive been waiting to maiden it for the last few months,it has modified robart retracts converted to electric and home made oleos.

From an original by Roger Bale, circa 1998, to this:- # I wonder what happened?? To this 121 " span, zenoah 80 power and 38lbs! Strictly non aerobatic, it 'preambulates with purpose' The flag can be raised in flight and the Nav raises his hand to the onlooker In terms of storage and transport, its a bit of a monster!

Well its the end of another year and despite the poor weather a lot has happened on the Warbirds Replicas Front . The D Day anniversary pair of Dogfighters went very well . In fact better than expected in some ways . I did want to eliminate the hurdle of retracts in order to build confidence in those that fancied having a go a WWII practical scale stuff . Thanks to the innovation (and variation) of a number of trail blazers within our group others were able to follow with similar Dolly Launchers made from odds and ends from the scrap box . The excellent and confidence inspiring videos of models leaving the Dollies has opened up the Warbird scene significantly and we have gained a few new followers who are already proving to be valuable contributors to our threads . (Lipo man and Mighty Peash being good examples ) The B &Q paint and paint brush finishing has also broken down barriers , together with our tried and tested brown paper covering . Ron Gray's excellent organisation of the Buckminster Best of British show has really set the scene for 2025 and by bringing it forward in the year , when hopefully weather and warmth plus plenty of prior advertising will make the next show bigger and better . It was a wonderful opportunity to meet some of you at the event and chat about the models you liked and hear your views on the possible models for the future . I think this year I have dealt with around 65 of the gang ,maybe 70 . Some of whom have bought more than one model total probably around 100 . Considering that involved two new designs and a rehash of the 110 and its modified undercarriage , that is pretty busy for me . Its not really a job , more of a hobby so I have other stuff I like doing so it all has to fit in . However , there isnt a member of our group I havent spoken to and I have to say we are all cut from the same cloth . Its like being in the best flying club where everyone has similar interests , not just telling me where they got their latest Wot Ever ARTF from and how it was discounted (sorry Chris F) . I am grateful to the RCMF forum too , without which , where would we meet ? Not too interested in selling my kits outside of our group , which might sound mad , but its striking the right balance really in terms of being busy but not overwhelmed . You see , the thing is . You chaps have known me long enough to get it . You understand that the kits will not be perfect because we never sell enough to re visit a design generally and hence correct small errors . The instructions are minimal and the plans , just a guide . But that is irrelevant given the nature of the group and group assisted build . Look at the process . I sniff around listening and reading between the lines of what you might like ,but with the advantage of 30 years of designing ,can work round or avoid any associated issue like poor handling or delicate undercarriages . The prototype is made and flown by me till I am happy that it can be enjoyed every week at the local grass field . Then it gets redone as a kit with all the associated moulds and hardware . In the mean time I will also search out and stock up on motors, spinners ,retracts decals etc in order that you dont hit a wall at some point . Then what happens is that one or two experienced modellers will do an on line build or video . They are not paid by me so they are free to point out bits that dont quite fit or make small mods , all of which can be expected on what is actually a first production run . I dont mind at all . Some people helpfully suggest that I produce a new website (probably will ) and perhaps have more sophisticated manuals but there would be a knock on effect to you my friends . The manual for my massive train model was like a book and cost a fortune .It took nearly as long to produce as the model . Given that WR consists of me , Paul on 3D design Phill the kit cutter and two part time Muppets , it would be fair to say that for a traditional approach , you would get half the designs if we adopt a normal approach . Consequently , having Ron and Eric charging through the build while answering questions as they go is a far more efficient and targeted way of getting the gang to build quicker . So please feel free to put up your hand and ask "a stupid question " because it never is . It highlights a detail in the shadows . We must all be patient with those questions as to swell our ranks slightly and justify the input we need new blood . The new lads will and have rewarded us with a fresh look at things . On that note , I'd like to talk about future designs . Where possible I like to stay practical . I need to enjoy taking any of my models to the field and if I dont, then its scrap as far as I'm concerned . I do like to try and take a sideways look at designs and not follow what has been done before . It's too easy to look at a fabulous Brian Taylor design and produce my own version ( Sorry Brian , bless him ) . But where is the challenge ? Or sense ? Brian was trying to win competitions at the highest level , not fly off a grass strip with hoof dents and a wire fence . No , we need short cuts . We need easy assembly , cheap and reliable components and a rugged structure capable of 300 flights . (Sounds a lot but I can assure you all of mine have that kind of mileage on the clock or more ) . Why would I design for 5 or 6s batteries that would cost you £60 each when I can achieve the same for £25 on 4s ?Three batteries for a decent morning would be £180 instead of £75 . The difference is pretty much my Fw190 kit ! The Mossie is a massive challenge because of all of the above . I want it to be different . I want it to be be robust , reliable , friendly and easy to store . Cheap to run and practical on a rough patch , but look as good as any Mosquito yet produced . So looking forward to 2025 , and at the same time thanking you all for of your patience for a cottage industry producer who is bucking the trend . It really is a team effort because you all help, even though you may not realise it . Sometimes a chat on the phone or a picture of your finished model gives me a little boost when I'm losing my Mojo . So thanks Chaps.

Also posted this on my build notes in the scale section. Jerry Bates Plan F6F 96’”, Saito Fg 90 R3 radial for power. First impressions are of a well behaved warbird. Trainerr’esque wing area and huge tailplane combined with a modest weight (16.4kg).

Fantastic day today. Set off in thick mist and an hour and a half later climbed out of the mist and crossing the Highland Boundary Fault saw the first hints of a blue sky. Arriving at the field it was still cloudy, but calm and during the morning the clouds moved away, the wind settle to a comfortable 5mp breeze, initially not in a brilliant direction, but then swinging round to a nice SW wind. Not too many of us at the field, which was now bathed in sunlight and with big bright blue skies. The warmer weather recently has caused some late growth in the grass, but not enough to cause problems with reasonably sized wheels. I like to start the flying off with one of the wee Volantex 400mm warbirds and then after a bunch of bottle building flights with my Flightline Spitfire, HK Hellcat, SEMFF Zero and Warbirds FW190 it was time for the main business of the day - my Flair Beaufighter, I'd made a new dolly, which sits between the nacelles and supports the Beaufighter fuselage and wing. I'd also swapped out the 3 bladed Graupner nylon props for 12x6" APC-E props for the maiden flight. The dolly tracked Beautifully and the Beaufighter leapt into the air and climbed out a little steeply, but perfectly in control and with no drama. The model flies perfectly and feels like a much bigger aeroplane. After a series of low and high passes for Derek to capture some images, I threw in a no-drama loop and roll, before setting up for an approach and gentle belly landing. The model behaved impeccably from start to finish and I'm delighted. Thanks so much to Derek for these excellent pictures that he's rushed through to me this evening. Enjoyed several more flights before setting off back into the mist for a memorable day. At home it seems that the mist didn't lift at all and it had been drizzling the whole day.

Here's an extra flying shot from yesterday provided by my pal Derek - featuring the two Warbirds FW190s pictured above - my Black 13 and Murat's White 4 desert version.

A lovely wee Spitfire - 610 Squadron put of Biggin Hill methinks. Maiden flight of my latest Spitfire yesterday - the 1.2m Flightline Spitfire IXc, which I was very pleased with. Photos courtesy of my pal Derek Robertson, including a nice City of Glasgow 602 Squadron composite with Pierre Clostermann in the lead.

Mother in law was reading the Omen and said it was the most frightening book she had ever read. In fact she never finished it. She took it to a local lake and threw it in. I went straight to a book shop and bought another copy, ran in under the tap and left it on her bedside table. Think I’m going to hell for that one.

Jaydeez an genulmen, I give you... ...Dusty Crophopper. My 2 year old Grandson has taken a huge liking to the Planes movie. If you haven't seen it, it's really rather good and the aircraft are well represented. To stoke his interest, I've built a flying version that if we ever get some decent weather, he'll be able to see in the air. My usual B&Q laminate flooring insulation depron construction. Glass cloth/ B&Q water based varnish covered and painted with sprayed emulsion. The orange in Valspar matchpot, and a story in itself. I had a picture on my phone, but of course you can't match to a phone image, so I grabbed a B&Q bucket. This was too translucnt, so the match was dark, so we scanned the B&Q apron of the young lady operating the machine! Span is 47", 3536 1200 motor and will use 3S 1500 packs. Weight is just a touch over 2 pounds ready to go. I think it might qualify as a scale model... Graham

I spent 30years as a copper in London. When I joined we went out of our way to leave a clean list for the next shift, zero outstanding calls. We dealt with all the calls we could and went out and did our own stops and generated our own arrests; demand was different then. There were no Mobile phones in the 1980's and 999 calls were rare. People did not get offended on social media and cry "Hate Crime!" When I left 6-7 years ago, the lists of outstanding calls for help, each day, for each division, stood at 50-100 calls each and every day. The calls would be priorotised on an emergency basis, which meant I would spend each and every shift racing to the next most urgent emergency. No time any more for motorists doing red lights, shoplifters, petty thefts, minor punch ups etc etc etc.........I am ashamed to say Policing in this country is smashed to bits and there is now so much demand and so few coppers actually answering calls, that as long as you dont kill anybody, nobody is coming to enforce stupid, complicated laws about our "toy planes". Are witnesses and suspects going to hang around for the 6-7 days it will take for coppers to arrive? All of this legislation is not only flawed it's unenforceable. It wont stop a single bad actor, or catch a single criminal who wasn't already breaking the existing criminal law. I hate it! I want to fly my toy planes freely and safely without government interference. KB

Paul, I really don't know why you have started this thread yet in the one above take a swipe at people you call "committee" jobsworths who probably don't actually fly but sit on their folding chairs etc..... Most of those who have pointed out safety issues are experienced RC model pilots. Some might even have full size aviation experience. I'm sure there are quite a few like me who have been flying model aircraft (free flight, control line and radio control) from our teenage years (or younger) and, in my case, am comfortably into my 70s but still flying regularly and in competition. We try and pass on our hard won experience and yet you, with little or no experience, think you can criticise us for our words of wisdom. The issue of flight safety is paramount. This includes preparation for flight, which might cover a wide range of topics, actually conducting yourself in a manner that shows that you do take all the required safety precautions that hard won experience has shown are essential, and learning from the experience of others to make sure you don't unnecessarily do the wrong thing.

Hi all Ive been unable to fly my little carbon cub in the field over the way over summer. Hopefully they will turn it over soon and leave a flattish bit for me to operate from 🙂 Ive been busy since early this year scratch building this model ejection seat. I know its not an aircraft, but it could fit in one !!😜 So, who of you have a scale F-35 Lightning almost ready to go but needs an ejection seat 🤣 I dont know the scale, I just started making it and it came out at around 19 inches tall, its HUGE ! I made it with the help of Martin Baker who provided some images and other details. I built 2 and they have the other one, though its not as detailed as my one as I wanted to go to town on mine. Seat is completely scratch built from aluminium, brass and SS fittings, webbings and other materials. Hope you like it ( even if it isn't an RC aircraft ) Thanks for looking in. Carl

My latest scratch build from three view found online and couple of old pics. AVRO 539. Originally designed as a float plane for the 1919 Schneider Trophy. After float damage returned to Avro factory and floats replaced with wheels and vertical stabilizer redesigned for Airiel Derby. As I will eventually add floats I kept the original Stab on my wheeled version. Builders perogative! 40 inch span, built from 6mm white depron (Yes I still have 10 shets left) and some blue fom. All covered with 40gram glass cloth using west system epoxy painted with own mix of ivory acrylic. 35.36 910kv motor. 3cell 2200 lipo. 12x7 woodprop. 1350 grams flying weight..

Yesterday saw the passing of my flying buddy of over 20 years, from when he taught me to fly R/C on a patch of common land in Newport Pagnell, we both had Twinstars and had jobs that meant we were finished by 11am in the mornings (the good old days!), i was single at the time and we would fly till the sun went down. This was in the days before brushless motors and lipos, we both joined the Old Warden club and stood out like sore thumbs, look out, here come those electric guys as they all flew glow models and looked at ours with suspicion. Gradually our models got larger as motors and batteries improved and soon our models were out performing the glow ones at the strip, we ended up flying at a few of the Warbirds fly ins at Coltishall, Scampton and Barkston Heath, me with a 10ft span Electric B17 and John with his beloved similar sized petrol powered Westland Lysander. Over the last 10 years John had suffered numerous health issues which meant the assembly and managing of large models like that were not practical but he continued to enjoy his model building and flying back at Newport Pagnell close to where he lived. About a month ago he was diagnosed with an untreatable form of cancer and given a few months to live, unfortunately the end came sooner than we had all hoped and he passed away at home yesterday evening ?. He was a real character and i will miss him greatly, we had some memorable times over the years and i will be a bit choked when i go to Wings & Wheels in just over a week as we would without fail spend the whole day together looking out for bargains at the bring and buy and wandering in and out of the trade tents. He would always stop for his favourite bite to eat, a pulled pork bun and we would grab a couple of 99 ice creams to wash them down. I will miss you John, hopefully you are somewhere now where you can fly all day and the sun always shines with light winds. Sorry for my ramblings, i just had to put my feelings down..............

This is my Mark Rittinger 'Super Sportwin. Wings by 'Bill', the rest from stock. 3542/1000 motors, 40A Hobbywing ESCs and Banggood retracts. I found out the hard way that when you build a twin, you effectively commit yourself to building 3 fuselages! I maidened it a month or so ago and it flew superbly. The second flight - not so much... The wing survived, as did the tail feathers and all the hatches. So when I've summoned up the willpower, I'll build 3 more ^%^*&% fuselages (and 'character' as well, apparently...)

Maiden flight day

Because some of you have been concerned about the on-going situation after my daughter was sent to jail, here is a little update: She has taken it pretty hard and she is refusing all food, she has become moody and is screaming at everyone, has removed her clothes, and is repeatedly banging her mug on the table. Plus, she is threatening violence towards anyone who comes near to her. As a family, we are pretty worried and, as a result, we have taken the difficult decision to not play Monopoly with her anymore.

SWIMBO was having a sneaky look in my workshop. "well she said, thats a nice wing, it'll fit fine onto the car" How can I ever tell her, it was the tail for my Keil Kraft falcon ernie

I made a few more detail items and once again old biros have proved to be a most useful source for such things I made the small air scoop on the right hand side over the wing from an old pen top, a little bit of filler and a piece of thin ply and then the wing tip pitot probe from a biro inner, which still had some red ink in so that might prove messy should I ever damage it! I also made the two little aerials on top of the fuselage using pieces of snake inners which I made a push fit into some soft close cupboard door buffer pads so like the pitot probe I’ll be able to remove these for transportation. I finally decided where to fit my receiver switch, it’s snug but there’s just room for it behind the ejector seat. It’ll be out of sight but just about accessible with the canopy removed. With everything in primer it was now time to start with some colour. As per Phil Cooke’s recommendation I decided to use Lifecolor paints from airbrushes.com. After some research and from their ‘Mimetic’ range I used UA095 – Sky for the underside and UA516 – Dark Sea Grey for on top, along with the Lifecolor thinner. Six of each colour and a 250ml bottle of thinner proved about right for the task. I used the airbrush and compressor I bought last year for my little Alpha jet build I’ve not had much experience of airbrush spraying, all my previous Correx builds have been finished with rattle cans and/or vinyl so once again I’m on something of a learning curve here. That said it all went reasonably well and before long I had everything painted up in the sky colour. It took 4 or 5 coats to get a consistent even finish. Initially I had been using a 0.2mm spray nozzle but soon found the larger 0.4mm provided much better coverage. At times I was suffering with a gradual build-up of liquid paint in the nozzle which if left unaddressed would then splatter onto the surface I was spraying so found that soaking this away with paper towel every so often would help. I was mixing the paint like for like with thinner so maybe a different ratio would have helped or different pressures, I was spraying at around 20psi. With the sky done I couldn’t resist finishing off the arrester hook and applying some gloss. After some careful masking it was then onto the grey. The grey seemed to cover so much better than the sky had done. The blob on the tail fin was a nightmare to mask. I first masked off the plane and sprayed the whole blob in Tamiya flat yellow after which I then masked off the yellow and sprayed the black. I had a bit of seepage in places so there was quite a bit of touching up required afterwards but it didn’t turn out too badly. And then I masked and sprayed the concave exhaust surfaces in silver too. I finished my pilot and ejector seat off, making his harness straps by folding masking tape back on itself and cutting the required width and then painting. Perhaps he could really do with an oxygen mask and maybe a visor too so maybe I'll have a go at that sometime. I added my instrument photos to the unit I had made previously, after which I was then able to spray and fit the canopy. The Callie graphics vinyls were a delight to apply. I had to cut some of them where they overlapped the servo covers and ailerons. I was a little fearful when applying the fuselage roundel that the opacity of the vinyl might not have been sufficient when bridging between the grey and sky colours but my fears were totally unfounded. The ridge from my masking between grey and sky can be seen but the colours of the roundel are completely unaffected by the fuselage’s colour change. I wanted to add some further detail over and above the Callie graphic vinyls so with some assistance from my daughter in the graphics department we made some additional waterslide decals. I printed them onto clear waterslide paper so their colours got dulled down a bit once applied to the fuselage but they look ok nonetheless. I decided I wanted to add one or two panel lines, something else I've never attempted. I’m not sure quite how far I’ll go with them yet but for now have added a few around the exhaust, the trim tabs on the rudder and elevators and the flaps on the wings. There’s more still to do on the fuselage. Initially I planned on using some water based ink art pens I had since there was a good range of colours to be had but found they didn't mark that well and smudged all too easily so ended up using a black ultrafine Sharpie instead. Before finishing the fuselage and whilst the weather was good and warm I chose to spray a gloss finish over everything else instead. I am using Plastikote clear gloss and will probably break into a third can by the time I’m done. So here we now have a little SHINY kit of parts, all now ready for assembly All that remains for me now is to finish detailing and then glossing the fuselage and I’ll then be able to put it all together, if all goes to plan I reckon I should have a finished plane by the end of the month.

My latest maiden, or that should be remaiden as this one had a few. The second MB5 in my fleet, brought from a chap in west London late 90’s, he was part of a club who made a their own fuselage moulds & foam wings for the MB5. This was one of a few models they produced in the 80’s ish, and had been stored in his loft for a good number of years after he’d finished flying it. I converted it from the OS40 to electric soon after, but that maiden didn’t go well (very aft CG!), and the remains lived in my loft until this winter. This time I had to first repair all the damage I’d done before making a better job of the electric conversion. After recalculating, measuring and checking the CG several times, I can report the last maiden went a lot smoother. Overall very pleased with how it flys even if it’s taken me over 20 years!

Shorts Sperrin from the Chris Golds plan, 74" wingspan. 4 x 55mm Vasa fans, running on 6S, 53,000rpm producing over 800g of thrust each and using 450W. Successfully maidened today. Will take off from grass runway (not bowling green smooth) but would be better of tarmac. Will happily cruise around on 150W per fan so 9 minutes flights are possible. The Sperrin was designed late 40s early 50s as a fallback in case the Vulcan, Valiant & Victor, all revolutionary designs failed to live up to expectations. The Sperrin was very much a conventional design, rounded rectangular fuselage, basic wing with the unusual (in hindsight) stacked engines rather than side by side. 2 prototypes were built and ended up being used as test beds for other engines and for flight research.

Plan built with Belair laser cut parts Jerry Bates Sea Fury 1/5th scale, British made Laser 360 v twin four stroke. Spinner canopy and cowl from Phil at Fighter Aces. Retracts from Giant Sierra. Just completed and now awaiting first engine run ups in the garden. Will await early spring after our patch has had a few cuts for the maiden flights.

This has been about 15 years in the making. David Boddington 1/5 scale. about 70". Myself and modelling friends built it, despite being not quite finished, it had one flight on a 914st. Ended up in storage and recently a burst of enthusiasm came on to get it finished. Reworked a few things, including a recover and repaint in a different scheme, and a conversion to electric due to the infrequency at which it might fly, and avoiding fuelproofing. Flies brilliant on 5s, and is acutally quite easy to fly. Plan now on Outerzone, because I put it there. https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=13406

Couple of successful maiden flights for me this week of models that were waiting to fly since the lockdown. First off a 60" span Vickers Wellington, traditional stick and tissue build from an RCMW plan by my clubmate Bob. I picked this lovely model up at a swapmeet a couple of weeks before the lockdown and finally had the conditions for a maiden on Monday. She flies beautifully, but our concerns on the original GWS EPS geared brushed motors on 3s1p 2250mah were well founded -they don't like that high voltage and were dead after 3 flights. Those three flights were perfect though ? I've now replaced the motors and will be more gentle with 2s2p 1800mah instead. Plenty of Wimpeys did their training flights over these hills and she sits perfectly in these surroundings.