gary davies-jones

Thanks Ken, The only thing is though that would put the engine at least 7 1/2" (without any clearence) above the deck, and thats a lot of weight with (getting on for 3.5kg) a correspondingly high moment of force trying to make it fall over.   Soooo! could I reduce diameter and increase the pitch? For example if I reduced the diameter to 12" what sort of pitch would be required to maintain a similar torque loading, and would that also maintain the same sort of thrust? OR doesn't it work like that? Obviously the smaller diameter I can get away with the better, just to lower the C of G.   Thanks Gary

Hi folks, any suggestions what size/pitch prop to hang on an ASP120?   Before someone says "what airframe?" it's actually destined for an airboat. Which means (probably I hope) lower "air" speeds.   If anyone has any experience of airboats then perhaps the following info might help answer the question. The hull is a very shallow vee, less than an inch over its entire width. It is about   2'6" long by 16" wide on the water line.   Mnay thanks Gary

Thanks for the warning Phil. I have had experience of spinning props though not on aircraft. I have built 6 airboats now, 2 with SC40's, 1 with an SC46, 1 with an XY52, and the last 2 I built for my boys each with a little thunder tiger .07. Now air boats are great fun but as you say spinning carving knives, AT SHIN LEVEL. So far we can all still count to 10. I put this down to using an electric starter at ALL times, even on the smallest of engines. I also always paint the ends of the blades bright yellow. Thanks again Gary

Hi Doug, Thanks for that, I've just had a good measure, and either someone has dropped my engineers square, or as with the ripmax 40 the side and down thrust are built in. Cheers Gary

Cheers David, I'll just whack it straight in then, and as you say let my instructor tell me where I went wrong. Thanks Gary

Hi Guys'n'Girls, (thats another thread I might start) I'm in the process of building (building?) an ARTF Ripmax 30 Trainer. I have ordered an engine due to be delivered tomorrow, so I'm about to fit it. This will be my first experience of model aircraft barring good old airfix plastic. Now to the question. I can find no mention in the instructions relating to side, or down thrust, and have read a lot about this in many years of reading RCM&E. Does anyone know what these should be, or should the engine be "square", or is it not of massive import on this model as long as the mill is pointing roughly in the right direction?   Many thanks for taking the time to read this. I will probably feel a pillock when the obvious answer is pointed out, but then, to quote my old maths teacher "Your late boy." No that wasn't it, oh yes "The only daft question was the one you didn't ask."   Seriously though thanks Gary

Sorry Timbo, a what? You       'll have to explian I'm suffering with C-Nile virus today.  

Actually I have just thought that last post might offend, not my intention. I have no objections whatsoever to helping anybody with a genuine need. It's the persons swinging the lead who get my goat.   There was a guy who I worked with a bit like that, he would hobble in on his cruches late as usual groaning and moanig, but when the bell rang to go signal the end of the days labours he would actually run to clock off. Hmmmmm!   Gary   

No sloping, I've seen the state of pilots after a "walk" up the Bwlch. Looks like a recipe for a heart attack to me. Thinks!  Could always fly from a wheel chair and get somebody else to collect models for me, sort of Lou & Andy. "No thats not mine, its the other one at the bottom of the hill."   Just a thought.   Gary

Cheers Timbo. Have just had a look and found Amman Valley. They seem to meet at GCG, sorry Gwaun Cae Gerwin, yeah GCG.   Nice to hear from you Brian, but I think Wellingborough is a bit too far for a Sunday afternoon. Sounds great though, mind you 120 yds walking, thats why I gave up archery. Once you've shot your six you have to go and collect 'em from the target, or the grass target stand legs trees stinging nettles, you get the picture. Just too much like excercise. Come to think of  it the pub was quite a walk as well.   Gary

 Hi again everybody, Just a quick question. I know of only one club in my area (Swansea), and whilst they are all very friendly, the flying field is just that. I was very upset to discover they have NO BAR. What is one to do? No swapping the modlers equivalent of "the one that got away tales," whilst aquiring the warm glow that can only be achieved after a session freezing ones whatsits off by downing a glass of foaming real ale. Only kidding guys, there really is nothing wrong with your club.   In all seriousness though, are there any other clubs within say half an hour, or are the Lew Valley lot the only local group?   The reason I ask is that I am sure some time in recent history I have seen model aircraft flying from Swansea's fairwood common airfield. Or am I just imagining it?   If anybody knows the answer I'd be quite interseted in meeting as many other modlers as possible to pick as many brains as possible.   Many thanks Gary

Hi thanks for the welcome guys.   I am fully intending to join a club (probably Llew Valley if they'll have me) I can't afford too many crashes.   Thanks for that link David, now things are much clearer, less like tar, just sort of muddy now. I'm sure with someone who knows looking over my shoulder it will all make sense.   Gaz, your right, the help offered so far is proving invaluable. I had been searching the web for three days and not got anywhere near a full manual. Now I'm using ink at a phenominal rate, but paper is a bit more convenient than carrying my laptop to the field.   Again many thanks for the welcome. GARY

Hi everyone, My name is Gary Davies-Jones, I'm 42 (soon to be 43 this is important) I live in Swansea and have never flown a model in my life. I am a teacher of product design and engineering. I have designed, built and run both ic and el****ic rc boats with some success. These include 5 different airboats, 2 of these for my boys powered by a pair of Thunder Tiger .07's.   I have been reading RCM&E for about eight years, and finally decided to take the plunge and have a go. To this end I have dropped heavey hints to my wife as my birthday approaches (1st March). I know there is an ARTF high wing trainer in brown paper in the corner, as yet I don't know for sure what it is but the hints have been towards Piper Cub type, 4 channel, ic, 55" to 60", and the box looks promising, but I'm not even allowed to squeeze it till my birthday.   I have managed to win a rather nice Field Force 7 Super on good old e-bay, but without the manual I'm a bit stuck as to what the abbreviations in the menus mean. Has anyone out there got a manual going spare, or a pdf copy they could e-mail me? Also I still need a suitable reeiver, and crystals.   I have been to meet my local club Llew Valley, and found them to be very welcoming and full of friendly advice. They have even offered to help with building and setting up my new trainer.   All in all I'm quite excited at the prospect of taking to the skies, it looks a real blast, and I look forward to gaining enough experience to have a go at designing, building and flying my own designs.   Cheers for now GARY