Romeo Whisky

They all seem to manage to discount heavily at the summer shows and meets Simon - but perhaps that's why they're not doing it now

I avoided the temptation to buy stuff in the run-up to Christmas, partly because of the early scares about postal strikes, and partly because I thought there might be some bargains to be had in the post-Christmas "Sales" before the VAT goes up.  But despite the whole of the UK apparently going "Sales" crazy at this time of year, I am surprised that after trawling through dozens of model shop web-sites, I haven't found a single one who is advertising a "Sale"  to tempt us to part with our dosh and shift some old stock. 

Must say I don't like unsolicited email from ANY commercial source. But even though I specified No Emails in "My Details" as suggested above I still get them, so evidently my stated preferences in this regard are being ignored.

Must admit I bought a stepped reamer years ago, as it seemed a good idea at the time. Frankly I never use it.  The steps are nearly always the wrong gauge for the prop adaptor shank, and as you say, everybody has got drill bits.   For glass/plastic electric props (APC - the only kind I ever use) I usually use a drill bit by hand, holding it in a thick leather gardening glove.   I've got a pillar drill stand for my Black & Decker but I can have done it by hand quicker than setting the drill stand up.

Re one of the above comments  ....  The LAST thing we need is a new Ministry of anything!!!  I think the best way to keep sane in this crazy modern world is to keep reminding yourself that the world is run by mad people.  Politicians and Public Servants are so busy covering their bums that they've completely given up thinking because they feel it is highly dangerous.  The Rule Book has replaced the brain everywhere.  There is just precious little intelligent life in the corridors of power any more, even at lower levels.   But don't let it get to you - you can't fight it.   Let's just keep up our regular doses of aviation therapy and try to ignore the crass stupidity that now permeates all forms and levels of government from Brussels to the local Town Hall.

Just a suggestion David & Timbo:-    If folks want to compose posts offline and then cut and paste into the forum they can compose in Windows Notepad (NOT WordPad or other Word Processor). Another option is to paste from any other program FIRST into Windows Notepad from the Word Processor.  Notepad will ignore any font or formatting and you can then recut and paste from NotePad.   It is important to do the CUT from Notepad of course, before pasting to the forum or email.  NotePad is a plain text editor with no font or formatting data so is safe to cut and paste into any other program or emails, forums etc.

Some of the links in the original posting above will set you on the trail for some plans.  One has plans for a rubber-powered version which might be electrified.

If some are finding the link doesn't work you can find the article if you look around the home page at      http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ Edited By Romeo Whisky on 08/12/2009 18:12:49

Well actually it's only the second major build, the rest were really just tweaks and minor mods.  The main reason for the rebuild was just to make it lighter to reduce rolling resistance.  The first one was essentially similar but made from 22mm polypipe.

I've been experimenting with a launch dolly design all year and am now on about the Mk 12 which seems to work fine. However, it's made me interested to see how others have designed theirs.  How about posting some pictures of your favourite dolly!

I'm afraid I'm no builder, but I was scanning some old slides into the PC recently and came upon this which I photographed (probably at Sywell) in about 1962.  It is a Comper CLA7 Swift. Actually I never knew what it was until today when I looked it up on the CAA website, and then I thought what a wonderful scale build it might be for some of you clever balsa-bashers out there.  It was built in 1931 and was very fast for its day (140 knots).  I've done some homework for you too - here are some useful links:-   http://www.ffscale.co.uk/comper.htm    http://nickcomper.co.uk/aircraft/comper-swift/    http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=32479    http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/pdf/DataSheets/Swift.pdf    http://www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/id31.htm  It is worth Googling too as there even some plans out there!   Hope someone finds this interesting. Edited By Romeo Whisky on 08/12/2009 17:40:06

I wish Spektrum and the other 2.4Ghz mfrs had taken a close look at the Sanwa RD6000 before designing their kit. The screen at the top is FAR easier to read than at the bottom, and the Sanwa has a large screen uncluttered by stupid logos (do I really need the LCD screen to tell me I'm using a Spektrum???).  I committed to Spektrum before Sanwa brought out their 2.4Ghz kit but for anyone still undecided they've now caught up.  Ripmax still support the Sanwa brand in the UK and several model shops now stock them (and most can get them).    I have to admit though, the lower price of receivers still gives Spektrum the economy edge over any other brand if you've got several models to convert.

How about this then ?    www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1234111/Paper-battery-power-gadgets-future.html

Personally I think the plastic bag is the best invention since the wheel.  (Apart from the aeroplane of course).  Consider:- A container that weighs virtually nothing and can be kept in a pocket taking up virtually no room at all.  An amazing invention that our pathetic control-freak-led nanny-government, (no doubt in cahouts with non-elected bureaucrats in Brussels) wants to ban just in order to congratulate themselves on their "green credentials".

I've had a GWS Formosa for ages and it's always been a great little flyer, both in its original brushed form and later with various brushless upgrades.. I've been wondering about getting the larger Formosa 2, and would like some feedback about it but don't know anyone who's got or had one.  Anyone out there with experience of the Formosa 2?   Should I buy one? Edited By Romeo Whisky on 30/11/2009 10:47:09

Just a thought .... is this happening to ALL the servos or just the aileron servos? If it is just the ailerons, it  could be because AR500 second aileron "channel" is just Y-linked to 1st aileron channel, whereas on AR6200 with 2 aileron servos they are two separate channels and  you need to activate Flaperons in order for them to work properly.

I agree (I think) Erfolg - if (as I understand it) you are saying that there are too few new electric models around the 45"-50" span range. There seem to be loads of (too) small models, especially warbirds, and loads of too-big warbirds and others.  It is disappointing to see Seagull apparently failing to expand their highly successful EP range and suppling i/c or electric setups for their larger models.  Kyosho too seem to go for micro or massive.  My feeling is that they are trying to tempt the i/c fliers to convert to electric, rather than expand the number of those like me who have only ever flown electric and have no interest in the i/c world at all.  One of the fun aspects of the middle-size range is that the price and reasonable storage space mean it is possible to develop a small air-force of different types.  Model manufacturers might consider that higher costs and storage space requirements of bigger models impose a real restriction on modelling spend.  And sorry Peter, like many others I'm sure, I do get niggled by the stock answer that all model fliers should build their own.  When I trained for my PPL many years ago, no-one ever told me I should have to build a Chipmunk before I could fly it.  I am in this hobby for the flying - not for the building, which to me is just a necessary chore, although I am safety-conscious and often modify and strengthen ARTFs at any weak points, which is just good airmanship.  I also seriously dispute that building your own is cheaper when you consider that ARTFs come complete with all their hardware.