Richard Harris

Piers, As long as you can physically fit your battery within the confines of the bay I think the original size is fine, the fuselage has been widened to accommodate larger packs than what I'm using. Each beta built canard has had to have some form of nose ballast added in the shown area to achieve the CG. I think the others are using 1100mah packs, I'm sure they will confirm when they see this.

Excellent, I've not seen the article in all its glory as yet. Which one do you fancy Thomas? Be sure to post your progress as you get going please. Rich

Sorry to hear this Matty, hoping you make a speedy full recovery.

Hi Steve, It would wrong for me not to share it as it flies so well, it's on the 'to do' list to write up for the mag when I get chance. I'm missing decent build shots so would have knock another up, I must get on with its intended 2 blade set up also. Rich

I just re read the materials list, the birch ply is for the bulkhead only. On another note the yellow Shifty built by Rich E has had its maiden, only required a few clicks of right trim. He's really pleased with it and sent me a couple of photos from the field.

Tim, Go with whatever suits you, I think mine is held in place with magnets at front and rear.

Here we go, a materials list. All balsa is 915mm (36") lengths, sheet is 100mm (4") wide, straight grained and warp free. 4 off - 6.5mm (1/4") medium grade balsa sheet (flying surfaces, nose block and fuselage spines). 4 off - 3.2mm (1/8") medium grade balsa sheet (fuselage and vertical stabilisers). 2 off - 4.5mm (3/16") square medium grade balsa (fuselage lower longerons) 1 off - 3.2mm (1/8") 300mm x 300mm lite ply 1 off - 3.2mm (1/8") birch ply ( motor mount, front lower fuselage floor and hatch). It only needs to be 50mm square and could be made up of thinner laminations. The canopy is an optional extra as you can leave the fuselage side 'full' and simply paint or trim an outline. If you are going to go with a bottle type canopy you will need oddments of balsa sheet/ block to make a plug. Alternatively just pm me and I'm happy to make one using my plug, all I would want is the cost to cover P&P, this would be subject to empty bottles I can get my hands on. Any questions just ask. Looking forward to your creations. Rich

Toto, I use my mobile phones video, this simply slides into a bracket that is attached to the back of my transmitter. I can video and fly at the same time by pointing my tramsmitter/ phone at the model. It takes a little practice but works for me, obviously the phone is set into flight mode. Rich

4max have now listed a power package for the upcoming Shifty here: Electric Setup For the Shifty by Richard Harris as featured in the April 2024 Edition of RCM&E Magazine (4-max.co.uk) Although I used a 3s 850mah pack in mine the second two beta models have a slightly wider fuselage to except larger packs, as all models have needed ballast it makes sense to benefit from the extra flight times. The 4max Lipos are the best I have used and come highly recommended. I also recommend the drone type motors for their durability and light weight, there are many to choose from out there similar to the 4max offering. They come with no mount but its easy to make one, I am quite happy to draw one and add the files somewhere for a 3d printed version if anyone is interested? I'm just finalising a materials list which I will post in the next few days, there is a little more wood in the delta than the canard. Rich

I remember the old 10p and 5ps, think they must have been the decimal crossover coins as they were shilling and two shillings on them. I've got a few pre metric coins a chap at work gave me, don't think there's a Farthing though, will have a look later. Ian S maidened his 3d printed Gyroo II today and he's pretty pleased with it. Blades are a new design and are (I think) printed in two halves as his printers Z axis is quite high. The main components not printed are the UC legs, mast and boom. Here's a video of its second flight.

Simon, Brave project. Could you not increase the wing size, get it flying then slowly reduce the area down to its true scale?

Another is ready to maiden, this one is 90% 3D printed (including the blades) by Ian S who is a bit of master with the plastic autogyros. It's turned out a little heavier than the traditionally built versions but should still have a lightish rotor loading. The weather is looking favourable but a little chilly over the weekend, fingers crossed.

Chris, Looking good, I must try that sanding jig. I've got a final sanding block that I 3d printed which works well but it's in PLA so you have to be careful not to create too much heat. Hang on to that spare set of blades, I will soon be back on track with my 118. The ED is ultra keen on it as you can imagine. Let us know how it goes, don't forget your camera. You lost me with Farthing...............

SIG Rascal for me Ron, a beautiful aeroplane. Why not a double build?

Hi David, Yes, it's a common fuselage with optional wing plans shown for both on the plan. Each are covered in the article. On another note I've been looking at drone motors, some are 6s capable! You can also purchase small 6s packs that would fit in the fuselage. From the thrust figures and the weight of Shifty you would be able to accelerate vertically! My maths maybe incorrect though. Not sure the airframe could take that sort of stress without significant strengthening. But it would be fun......

I sent the Shifty plan to Rich E as he showed interest in it after flying mine the other week. He's sent me a couple of photos today of his cracking example, not bad for 8 days work. Hoping to get the 3 pre publication models together when the balmy spring weather arrives 🙏

Yes, lipo up the front followed by the esc and the receiver just below head servos on mine.

I've had a quick look and I built a Sarik version, though only had the formers. It looks like mine is a 3/8" mast and its been fine. If you do want to go 1/2" you could always stick some sandpaper to a piece of 1/4 x 3/8 " spruce and lengthen the rectangular hole by sanding it? should be pretty effortless I would think.

Tim, Its been I while since I built one, let me double check the mast size. You will probably be OK with a mast that size so I wouldn't worry to much.

Not sure but the finished slot should be for the 1/4 x 1/2" mast to slide into tightly. I double checked mine before committing to afixing the 2nd 3mm light ply outer.

Louis, Generally SARIK hobbies include the magazine article with a purchased plan. The link that Tim added includes alot of information. The tail boom on the Revolver II is removable via two screws through a fibre glass plate mounted to the boom. These are shown on the plan. Here are a few photos that may better explain, hope they help.

I've gone through the Shifty footage from last Saturday and made a short video of the pair flying. Despite them throttling back I found it quite hard to track them against the strange low light sky. No launch footage as that was the camera man's job. Great fun though....

No problem, Will let folk know when I've got a stash of empties ready to shrink. 🙂

Luck more than judgement Chris......😅

Sorry to hear this, I met him a few times at Cocklebarrow Farm, nice chap, RIP I've got one of his aircraft and have a 3/4 built super sized Coquette that is built from one of his plans (I think).