simon burch

Not sure if these count as a bargain, but I bought 4 of the large wing tote bags. The shipping is high, so I'd planned to sell a couple on. They are great quality and huge. Big padded divider so you could easily fit 2 sets of smaller wings in one bag. Has a nice big pocket on the outside plus a pocket for the wing tube. I'm really impressed. Not cheap (because of the postage), but considering a set of wing covers for my Boomerang cost over 100 quid and they only really fit that plane, I've got 4 planes now safely protected for about the same price which would fit anything up to 50cc plane easily. Regards, Simon

Had one of these for over 4 years, would fly a treat on 52 four strokes. Mine has twin 46 two strokes and it's got an excess of power. The only mod I did to mine was to double up the firewall with 1/8 ply and some hard triangular balsa (all on the inside). There isn't much holding that on (well not in my kit) and I think a good hard landing would have the nose wheel out. You will love the way it flies. Always popular when I take it down the field. Got some aluminium spinners and three bladed props to try. Hoping to get a bit more drag as she is quite slippery with no flaps. With the 46's on high idle she will not lose a lot of height. A very underrated model. Cheers, Simon

Never been a fan of foam models, but that does look amazing. I thought you had to be a bit careful with the dust off that insulating foam?

Has anyone used one of these **LINK** looking to get my 50cc up and running this winter. It has a dual toggle switch fitted but the soldering has been messed with and I don't trust it. Using the powerbox Gemini in my jet, but these are quite expensive and I don't need any regulation on my Gasser. Just wondered if this would make a good set up, but never used Jeti electronics before. Cheers, Simon

Makes sure the mating surface of the horn is roughed up with some sand paper first. Gives the epoxy something to key into. Cheers, Simon

That is just amazing..............any ideas when it will be available?

It does look good, but not sure if my Supersport would have enough grunt at 8kg thrust? There was a newly built one up for sale on the BMFA. Nice looking machine, but what ever I get next it has to suit the turbine I already have. No more funds for anymore turbines in the foreseeable future!!

Quite like the Tony N Vampire but I know he has the Vulcan in the works, and I think that would make an amazing model to own. I really want to build my next jet, and then maybe have a go at designing my own. I have a Zirolli Turbinator plan, which I quite like even though everyone today who I mentioned it to said it was ugly. We shall see !! Simon

It's a Wren 54 mk3 gas start. I think the problems were caused by no one else having any experience of Wren turbines (they fly Merlins and Jet Cats I think). The chap I bought it off went through the starting procedure, but I didn't pay enough attention to the amount of gas. There is a solenoid, but there is no restriction, so that is set by how much you open the valve on the propane bottle. I'd started it twice before with no booms or tail plane on, and managed to make a fairly good fireball (melted all the covering of the lower rear face of the fuz), so with it all bolted together I think we were just being a bit too cautious with the gas. Added to this, I think the Wren's ramp up in the start sequence a bit different to the turbines the other guys fly with. The chap from Wren was really patient on the phone, waiting whilst I keep running back to the car for tools etc. Once we had an idea of the amount of gas it needed, she fired up both times with no problems and no flames. Absolutely faultless in flight. I originally bought a new Supersport Jubilee, with the intention of building a jet over the winter, but when this model popped up at the right price, one of the heli's got sold on and I bought it. I had planned to sell the motor on and replace it with my kero start Jubilee, but now I'm thinking about keeping the boomer as it is and thinking about what I can build to put the other turbine in. Very impressed with the service I got today from Wren. The Boomer does fly really well. Got a couple of loops and 4 point rolls on my second flight and it was super smooth. I really can't wait to fly again with a few less nerves. Loops were also fantastic, especially when you put the power back on. On my first flight I asked for my spotter to call out when I'd had 3 mins so I could have a few practice landing approaches. That must have been the fastest 3 minutes ever. On the second flight I had my full 5 minutes blasting around, and then put her down on the first attempt, but it still went too quickly. Could have flown again, but I was so chuffed I thought it was better to leave it there and come back another day. Cheers, Simon

Thought about taking the video, but I was warned off it. I'm glad I didn't as I was nervous about making a silly mistake, and the idea of someone videoing would have added to that. Not sure when the next opportunity to fly will arise, but will definitely have the video out for that. It's going to be a few days till the smile will drop off my face. Never thought I'd get to fly a jet. I think I've had it about 3 or 4 weeks whilst I've got all the little bits together ready to fly. Lost count of the number of videos I've watched or threads I've read. After all the build up it was an amazing experience. Cheers, Simon

After a bit of hassle getting her started the flights were uneventful. She was in the air in less than 20 feet after hitting a bump, so just left the throttle wide open and climbed away. Had a few goes a bringing her down the middle of the strip and all seemed good so dropped the flaps, which were like throwing an anchor out and brought her in. With the flaps down you need a fair amount of power to keep the airspeed so I don't think I actually shut the throttle until I was 100% sure she was going to land. The lag didn't seem to bad to me, but I never got in the position where I needle instant power, just tried to keep stuff smooth. The highlight had to be coming low at half power, sitting her on the tail just as you power up and then watch the power kick in and send her vertical....the howl is addictive. The model was really predictable on the approach, even with my hands shaking (my mate kept telling me to breath). The second landing was much easier as I'd calmed down a bit and put her down on my first go. Been flying 32 years, flown some amazing models, but nothing compares to what I did today. Cheers, Simon

Well, I'm now a novice jet pilot. The camera doesn't pick up how much I was still shaking (this was taken 30 secs after I landed). Had another flight just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. The sound it makes as you go vertical is just beyond words. Cheers, Simon

We are having the garden done and the chap came round to mark things out. The design is all down to the other half, my only input is mowing it. Conditions look spot on for tomorrow. Everything charged and triple checked so will post back tomorrow afternoon. Cheers, Simon

Taken by a friend as I always wanted an inverted shot with the smoke. Didn't realise how low I was getting! Cheers, Simon

There is a set amount of down thrust on the turbine, so most of the jet gas is not aimed directly at the horizontal stab. Plus all that air pushing past has a cooling effect. Wet starts are the danger as the flames can damage the airframe. That's what the fire extinguisher is for!! Simon

Weather is looking good for Wednesday, and I'm getting both excited and a bit nervous about my maiden jet flight. Everything ready, including the fire extinguisher. I think the landing and throttle lag is what I'm most concerned about, but hopefully my spotter will have some good advice. Cheers, Simon

I'd have concerns about charging in the model. My PL8 which i consider a very smart charger went bang last week for no reason. It managed to weld one of the lipo connectors together and blow 3 of the 80amp FETs (so I'm told by the chap who is trying to repair it). The lipo is not always the weak point in the chain, and it's made me far more aware over my charging. This is the first incident I've had since flying electric models, I always thought it would be a bad lipo which would cause the issues !! Cheers, Simon

As far as I'm aware, all Morley helicopters had anti clockwise rotation on the blades looking from above, similar to the Vario machines. They look a bit strange when hovering as the opposite skid sits down a little. I would set it up with th blades running anti clockwise. Are you new to the hobby? If so, please find someone to help or check it over. Morley's are vintage helicopters but the do fly well. Spares might be an issue if you break anything though.

So, I've got my jet but not really given much thought to where I'm going to fly it. Anyone know of any clubs within a reasonable distance from West Sussex with a vacancy for a new jet pilot? Cheers, Simon

Great photos and great to see one of my models. Bill will be chuffed with that photo. Sold all my autogyro's, but its great to see so many being built and finally having some decent weather. cheers, Simon

Thanks for the info on the Vampire. It's a shame Tony didn;t go for a more sport orientated jet, I think they would have sold really well. I don't like the look of the RetroJet, but I can see how it would make a good trainer. My first jet is going to be a Boomerang intro, just need to go and pick her up at some point. The Turbinator is planned for my second build, as I just want something a bit different.

I think its a Wren Super Sport Jubilee. Not really taken it out of the box yet, as I have other projects which I have not looked at for months, and I know the temptation to bolt it to something and fire it up will take over !! I don't really want to go down the composite route. I'm thinking about the Ziroli Panther once I've got my head around the whole jet thing, and then I would like a Phantom, but I've not seen a plan for anything like that. I'm still undecided about whether to go for a laser cut short kit to take some of the pain out of the build? I was tempted by Tony's Vampire, but there seemed to be mixed reviews on it. Been watching you videos on you homebuild, be good to see her in the air. Regards, Simon

Just got the plan for a Ziroli Turbinator. Will not be starting till winter, but I'm really looking forward to building it.

David, I know what you mean about the cost. I wouldn't dare add up what my fleet would cost to replace. WIth most modern machines, there is not really anything worth upgrading, they tend to come ready to rock. I wouldn't worry too much about getting parts for your Raptor. One of the benefits of moulded parts is that they tend to break rather than bend so second hand parts normally do the job. I've seen complete unflown Raptor 50's go complete for less than 250 quid, the price of being in a fashionable hobby I guess. I hope you stick at the heli's and your crash doesn't put you off. Regards, Simon

I'm sorry but I don't agree. Model helicopters have evolved into the latest machines you see today. The only parts in some machines which are carbon are the fins and side frames, which can be replaced with cheaper G10 if desired. Why produce a model which is only good for a beginner, when most of today's machines can be set up perfectly for a new flyer or an expert. Raptors are great machines, but they can self destruct in a crash and cost you just as much as a modern machine to repair. If you want a plastic moulded model, then go for a secondhand Raptor or the Hirobo models, the choice is yours. I don't see the argument of manufacturers forcing 3D machines onto flyers, things have just moved on. To be put off flying helis because they have carbon bits is a bit strange, but there are still plenty of plastic options. I own a Logo which is predominantly plastic, but I'd rather stick one of my carbon framed models in than that one! Edited By simon burch on 16/06/2013 18:54:21