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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 .

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

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.

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

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

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

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...)

Finally managed to get the maiden done on my Beaufighter today. Went really well, flies really nice and a peach of a landing!

Years of reading model mags and huge amounts of balsa dust, Glue fumes and paint fumes have had a negative impact on my resistance levels and ability to think clearly at times. I have just paid for a new airframe that I will only get in a months time when My son is on holiday in Durban. It was built by a very well known and respected South African modeller so I could not help myself as it has been on my must build list for 20 years!

Maiden flight day

Thanks Chris - the maiden went very well indeed. The new dolly worked perfectly and the Beaufighter flies like a dream. Have already shared some of Derek's pictures on the daily flying thread, but as the Beau is my latest I'll pop a few in here as well.

Seaplanes Scotland choice selects from the weekend. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧👌😎 Best flying ever and wonderful company.

More successful flying with Dad on Friday evening at my location this time, anwe are off for another go later today and the modified longer stx sticks seem a big improvement though long term I still think moving to mode 2 may be easier for me, but at the moment I want to continue with mode 1 as practicing the fine dexterity needed to controll the elevator with my left hand is probably good for me!!!

With almost all of the surface detailing completed on the fuselage I have sprayed a final light coat of primer. All the preparation work to create the overlapping panel lines have worked out well. The rivets are a little inconsistent in some areas as a result of a glue change part way though, but hopefully once the final gloss blue is sprayed there will be a some softening of the details. Wings are next in line for detailing.

A duck walks into a pub and orders a pint of beer and a ham sandwich. The barman looks at him and says, "Hang on! You're a duck." "I see your eyes are working," replies the duck. "And you can talk" !! Exclaims the barman. "I see your ears are working, too," Says the duck. "Now if you don't mind, can I have my beer and my sandwich please?" "Certainly, sorry about that," Says the barman as he pulls the duck's pint. "It's just we don't get many ducks in this pub. What are you doing around this way?" "I'm working on the building site across the road," Explains the duck. "I'm a plasterer." The flabbergasted barman cannot believe the duck and wants to learn more, but takes the hint when the duck pulls out a newspaper from his bag and proceeds to read it. So, the duck reads his paper, drinks his beer, eats his sandwich, bids the barman good day and leaves. The same thing happens for two weeks. Then one day the circus comes to town. The ringmaster comes into the pub for a pint and the barman says to him "You're with the circus, aren't you? Well, I know this duck that could be just brilliant in your circus. He talks, drinks beer, eats sandwiches, reads the newspaper and everything!" "Sounds marvellous," says the ringmaster, handing over his business card. "Get him to give me a call." So the next day when the duck comes into the pub the barman says, "Hey Mr Duck, I reckon I can line you up with a top job, paying really good money." "I'm always looking for the next job," Says the duck. "Where is it?" "At the circus," Says the barman. "The circus?" Repeats the duck. "That's right," Replies the barman. "The circus?" The duck asks again. with the big tent?" "Yeah," the barman replies. "With all the animals who live in cages, and performers who live in caravans?" says the duck. "Of course," the barman replies. "And the tent has canvas sides and a big canvas roof with a hole in the middle?" persists the duck. "That's right!" says the barman. The duck shakes his head in amazement, and says "What the hell would they want with a plasterer" ???

My rehab continues, and I can now walk pretty well with a 4-pointed quad stick, and I caa an even climb stairs - I climbed to the top of our stairs in a home visit yesterday to help prepare me for going home on June 5th. Scary, but good I think. My legs are basically recovering pretty well, but my left arm is much more frustrating - because upper limbs are just more complex eithmore muscles and ligaments to command, so they do come back much sliower apoarebtlyI can raise my hand up detovshoulderheight now either with a bend if the elbow with my arm on the table, or straight out in. Front of me. Flying is not going t happen eanytime soon though and I will probably have to convert to mode 2 from mode 1 when inff do I have a go

"Spin" The BMFA says quite openly these are difficult times, the numbers re membership are there, the various changes we are fighting against are there. Updates on the NFC and how it's being used and who pays for it is there, the proposed increase of £3 pound is there and the fact that the floor voted it up to £5 is there, and here's where I suspect the "Spin" comment comes from, the BMFA are actively saying collectively that the changes to come we can deal with and survive as an entity, what other position or comments would any sane person expect them to be saying ? We are doomed ? Also there's comment on the various social media containing a constant negative attitude from some, which they feel is damaging to our own wellbeing, I agree with that view. Only thing these people will achieve, is a reduction in our numbers. Article on the Drone photography, I like, here's a positive article someone took the trouble to set in motion and produce, exactly the kind of thing we need. Moaning is easy, dealing with difficult issues takes work.

I managed to get the fuselage covered and undercoated, I am trying a single lipo in the nose, the version I am making has 1 cannon sticking out further than the other 3.I have epoxied this one in to use for pulling the nose off for battery access, the nacelles will be retained by screws leaving the option for fitting 2 batteries if the single doesn't work out.. It is covered with Tesco birthday paper which goes on very well. Still a fair way to go.

I’m in my late 70’s. Surviving and all the bits left inside me are working well. I’m more of a builder than a flyer but it still gives me a thrill to fly one of my own models whether it has been built from a plan or one of my own designs. The aches and pains are being magnified by the cold weather. So I thought to make life a little more easy it was time to take a hard look at my fleet. Apart from a little Park flyer and one electric glider I’ve always loved I.C. engines: · The smell · The noise · The successes of tuning, etc. However the downsides are: · The cleaning · The heavy flight box · The bending, etc. · They are starting to take the edge off things. So blasphemy took hold and I have gone electric: · Easy to start · No mid air engine cuts · Cleanliness · No heavy flight box · And I can load batteries sitting down. To increase flight hours I have also modified my fleet. To cope with the weather and field conditions I now have a fleet that can cope with: · Blustery winds · Damp heavy fields · And those few, long forgotten, halcyon days. Some of the modifications include: · New cowls to accommodate motor, esc, balance weight and necessary cooling Larger wheels with beefed up u/c · Conversion of some trikes to tundra type tail draggers Building lighter. Not being at all comfortable with electrickery, phone calls to George at 4max sorted out my requirements. To get accustomed to and give me some confidence in the dark side, I took part in a consortium build of a 60” version of Andy Blackburn’s Vans RV4. One club member donated wood. I built, covered and added some servos. The last member supplied the motive power and the necessary flying ability. This was completed in the early part of this year and is a beautiful beast in the air. It has taken me until now to very enjoyably convert the fleet. The models are slowly being maidened. I hope the grim reaper will turn a blind eye! Keith

The other point that always occurs to me when I see posts from the usual suspects knocking the BMFA is..... why? Surely, if for whatever reason you don't like or support the BMFA then simply don't be a member. Don’t endlessly pick on every negative point you can and start another debate - it gets rather tedious.

Cold and murky at the patch but a nice breeze in a good direction. Well mannered on the ground and in the air after a short run and still at only half throttle. Four or five clicks of down trim needed and a couple of left aileron and all was good. I probably need to reduce the elevator throw by a fair bit but otherwise I got the sense of a lovely flying warbird. Cloud base was so low I didn’t fancy a loop and was content to do some circuits a roll and a couple of slow 1/2 flap down fly pasts to feel out the approach and landing. The slow speed handling with the huge wing area and tailplane is a new warbird experience for me and she came in like a dream using very little of the patch. Happy days. Credit to our club Chairman Chris for the photography. F6f Hellcat 1/5.3 scale 96” span AUW dry 16.4 kg Engine - Saito Fg 90R3 Jerry Bates plans Slec/Belair laser cut parts Stencils - Flightline Graphics. Cowl & canopy- Fighteraces

More milestones coming thick and fast at the moment…! Two days ago I carried my toast upstairs in my weak left hand on a relatively heavy chin plate., Then today via the amazing powers of the functional electrical stimulato device that is retraining my brain to prevent foot drop from happening , I walked without my stick at all from the kitchen to the lounge whilst carrying a cup of coffee in my stronger right hand! Yeeeesssss! That is an enormous milestone that hugely extends how independent I can be at home.

been a long time but managed a test flight last week ,no undue surprises everything worked fine even the much anticipated landing was a non event came in steady for a smooth touchdown,ive only done the bare minimum of finishing to get it flying and now starts the long process of detailing not a lot of rivets and thats a bonus the cockpit and canopy is a diffrent matter lots of work with that. it didnt need any balast in the front for the cg which is surprising for a mossi the batteries probably made up for it.

Slightly off topic, but I am becoming more and more disenchanted with this forum due to the large number of whinging threads. When are people going to accept that everything gets more expensive all the time ? That's how western economies work (and always have done). The question is are prices relative ? I ask this question. If you compare your quality of life with that of your grandparents at your age are you better, or worse off than they were ? Was your grandfather able to afford to go out and buy 5 litres of fuel for his weekends model flying (ok a gallon then) ? Life is too short to spend what little we have left complaining.

Just a quick one as i popped in to laser today to sort out one or two bits. First, some have got the wrong idea about the fix needed for the inline engines and a pair of flat twins have appeared for 'fixing'. There is no fix for the FT's as they do not need one. The return/fix is only for the inline engines. Secondly, spares...again, and in particular, valve springs. Stop getting in a flap about valve springs. There is no problem with them, and there will be no problem with availability. MSL just need to phone Stirling Springs (the manufacturer) and say 'oi, we need another bag'. £2000 and a few weeks later 500 springs will arrive. I have been informed that someone on the laser facebook page is saying 'i can get you some springs' and offering to fit them to engines.... Unless he raids the factory, no, he cant get you springs. You cannot just use any random spring. If you do it will either fail, or the engine will not run correctly due to the spring not being strong enough, too strong etc. Do not use anything other than the correct springs or your engine will very likely be damaged and if it is, not all spares are going to be readily available to fix it. So if you use bobs random spring and it fails, the valve will drop into the cylinder destroying itself, the piston, and the head. If that happens the engine is finished as heads are not something there will be many spares of and are not something it is easy to just knock up. Equally if bobs spring is too firm it will overload the timing gear and cause premature wear on rockers, pushrods and adjustors, tappets, cams, backplates and crankcase bushings. Things like rockers, crankcases, backplates and cams are very unlikely to be available in quantity as spares. In fact if the spring is really firm it could even cause fatigue failure of the valve at either end, cause fatigue failure of the collet retainer....the list is endless, just use the right parts and dont trust people on the internet who promise the world. Finally, stop being so impatient. Closing down a business that has run since the 60's takes time. The machines are not yet all sold, some are still working, some have moved out, and this has been the focus. With my departure there is no day in day out attention on laser so its taking a while to tie up the loose ends. It might be another year before the final laser engine is actually assembled and efforts are currently being made to actually make the stuff as an engine can be assembled later on the coffee table assuming all the parts are there. It might be annoying that your favourite model is out of action while waiting on a part, but accept that, park the model for a season and fly the wings off it next year. Whinging and bodging will not make things happen any faster and, ultimately, may destroy both the engine and the model its bolted to. Attached are a few photos showing some of the slowly growing spares stock. This will last a good long while as long as people dont totally loose their minds and buy up stuff they dont need.

ken anderson....ne....1..geography dept.

amazing to think that until about three weeks ago I had not even climbed a single stair, andI am now going home to live in our house in pretty much the same way we always have, just with a few minor adaptions to toilets etc. All good in will always remember to end as y my oysuo first took me to the stairs, only about 25 mins after I had climbed my first single step in the parallel bars! It felt like science fiction, and within 25 mins he told me, Sid the stairlift, you’ll be able to do this safely by the time you leave us, and 3 more days later I was on a home visit, climbing my own stairs and sitting on the edge of my own bed again whilst the cat stayed downstairs laying on my jacket and sniffing it thinking, oh, he’s back after alll! Incredible really. I have worked s hard though to get here. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done by miles…

And it’s nearly the big day… all my kit arrived from the health authority today and our new second banister rail also got installed to allow me to climb the stairs too! Home day is Wednesday after nearly 3 months in various hospitals and rehab facilities. It’s a bit daunting but I don’t think you’d ever feel completely ready after an experience like this - my walking and stair climbing are hugely improved over the last two weeks, and I can nice use a single pointed stick! Onwards and upwards - my arm will still need many hours of focussed exercise in the coming months and years, but that is ok - I always knew that would be the slowest part. Here e we go!!! Matt

I live in Australia but am considering returning to the UK. We have been through all this nonsense here. I was the guy who was mapping the registration exempt model flying fields for the Australian Miniature Aerosports Society. Commercial drone registration happened. And then recreational drone registration was cancelled. No reason given. We aren't getting it. Reading between the lines of discussions with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, they realised it would be a huge workload for zero return and would be unpoliceable with much unregistered use expected. Also all commercial drone licenses were for piloted flights for surveying, photography etc. All the autonomous drone delivery trials which were operating in some towns for years, have been scrapped. There were loads of noise complaints. Privacy complaints. Drones and payloads going missing. Drones found smashed up and stripped for parts. It turned out drone delivery is a way to deliver something tiny with zero security. So it has to be tiny in weight and value. The dream has died. Also rather pleasingly CASA now understand there is a difference between drones and model aircraft and have become very easy to work with. I hope things go so well for my British friends.

Great day ....... mission accomplished. 4 flights today. Quite strong crosswinds across the runway so not taking off in the usual manner. Slow start to get the steering straight allowing for the wind. Gradual increase in speed, rear end lifts then apply more throttle and elevator .....up and away. Learning to compensate the ailerons in order to keep the plane flying straight ( circuit wise ) albeit with the model at a 45 degree attitude due to the wind. Two windy but decent flights ..... then the wind all but disappeared. ..... then the fun began..... flight 3 ..... good take off, some decent circuits then my 5 minute alarm sounded ....... let's try lining up the approach ... all going well ...... let's just go for my first landing ....... no problem... a little hard as I had not flared out well enough but no dramas, no damage ..... and we are down. Flight 4 .... more of the same ... successful take off ...... some decent circuits ..... and a better softer landing. Much better. A little jolt of over steer when I landed but corrected with no issues. Definite progress. I would have appeared to have completed the whole loop today twice from start to finish ......... over the moon and finished today on a huge high. I'll sleep well tonight. Toto

And today I stood up under my own power and can now transfer between bed and chair without the hoist on a natty trolley-like contraption they call the re-turn https://www.directhealthcaregroup.com/app/uploads/return_product_brochure_uk_12pages_1505_low-10.pdf