Cuban8

I'm not sure about fuel costs increasing for 'no obvious reason' - I guess that as with all products, our fuel manufacturers and retailers face exactly the same pressures as do those making a raft of other consumer goods or services. Business rates etc, other taxes, wages and their own profitability to remain in business must all play a part. The falling quantity of fuel sales must play a part as well, I'd have thought. Look at your local high street to see what happens when things don't work out. Even your supermarket bill hasn't been unaffected. The comments about how this affects the cost to us as modellers I do think is relevant, if only to show that while price rises are unwelcome, they're not exactly an existential threat to the hobby, given the mainly few pence per flight estimates given.

Yes, ditto with me in the mid 1970s except my powered glider was a Graupner Dandy and then on to a Bowman's Simple Simon, bungee launched......happy days. Have a photo somewhere of yours truly fettling the Dandy whilst dressed in flared high waisted trousers, tank top and with long hair - very 1970s

First thing is to find out where Domsalvator is based - and if not in the UK (light winds and mild??) then how well, or otherwise, his access to clubs to might be. I'm certain we can get him going successfully no matter what his circumstances are.

All depends doesn't it Brian? A pumped 120FS, or larger, in a model flown in a spirited fashion for out and out performance will obviously use much more fuel than a spot of gentle scale flying. The cost of fuel is really the least of our worries IMHO.

Exactly....and with a medium sized fourstroke, probably even cheaper than with your Irvine 53 based on the 91FS in my Chippy and the frugal rate at which that sips fuel. A non-issue really. I guess the real worry over the medium term will be the possible reduced availability of the wide range of fuels that we enjoy now. Either because of future commercial pressures or nanny-state legislation as pointed out by Pete C in his comment about Nitromethane.

I can only say that I sincerely wish you the very best for your future recovery. It's going to be a long journey but one that you'll get to the end of positively.

The Ripmax yearly catalogues that were around during the 70s and that I used to read avidly as a teen also had lots of building and general advice in them as well IIRC. Shame I don't have them any more. I get quite a kick out of going through mags of that era.

That's all good to hear, Tim - and most of us don't have a bricks and mortar model shop withing a practical driving distance any more. My 'local' model shops are now all over the country and accessed by mail order which I find suits me fine these days. I needed some Deans type connectors yesterday for a specific purpose - none in my stock so a few clicks on Amazon Prime and they are due for delivery today. I don't use anywhere near the quantity of fuel that I used to, so my stocks last for some time - last time I ordered a couple of gallons a few month back they were sent via 48 hour courier for a tenner, which I though was pretty good.

There is such lot that stabilisation has done in terms of making previously highly challenging models so much more of a proposition for the average modeller these days. My clubs are brimmed full of small, fast EDFs and warbirds etc that bat around at full chat in often not the most ideal of conditions, but are kept in check by a gyro system of some description. They still have to be flown though - and if your reactions or eyesight aren't up to it the gyro won't save you. I'm not a reactionary to new ideas, but I do wonder just how much of an advantage SAFE is over a trad, well sorted highwing trainer - maybe even with a gyro system to calm things down even more in for the first few rookie flights. I'm not keen on the multi rate settings that I hear some use. I think someone mentioned three levels of control rates on a model recently. Surely too much to work with? Older radios never had the option so no choice but to manage as is or maybe just rate 1 or rate 2. The attrition rate among new flyers models is still pretty high - are we actually that much further forward? Just some thoughts off the top of my head.

Mode 1 V Mode 2 is always good value even though everyone knows that Mode 1 is best. 😇

Yes, that's very handy indeed, providing the fuel costs of driving to the event make the postage savings worthwhile. If one lived in Cornwall but was going to OW anyway, then that's a bonus. Pleased that SM are attending, but I wonder just how worthwhile it is for them? Presumably, they are charged to have their stall, fuel costs for transport aren't chickenfeed and I guess the time and effort to arrange everything even without manning their stand for hours on end is not a five minute job. Most of us are old enough to recall the days when fuel sales at shows by SM, Model Technics, Weston and a few others was huge - not the case today, so I hope they have big sales.

If someone is doing something that's different to the way I do things, providing they're not breaking the law or wilfully not abiding by club rules etc then that's perfectly fine with me.

BMFA model advert?.........." classic (old) design with many original features (obsolete equipent) that has been well loved and flown (knackered). One or two repairs (regularly crashed) but looks in nice condition for its age (providing you don't stand too close). Flys quite well (needs full trim throws), no nasty traits (ideal for adrenalin junkies) but does need a well forward CG (access to copious amount of lead needed). Ideal trainer (providing you need an excuse to not take up the hobby). Offers considered.....contact Richard Turpin.......

I doubt it.....he looks to be far too honest a chap.😉

I really don't understand the complaints. How many flights would you get from a gallon of fuel? How much per flight? All depends of course on all sorts of factors but you're probably talking a few tens of pence for a small fourstroke maybe a quid or very much more for something much bigger and thirstier and with high nitro - especially a two stroke glow. Just guesswork, but I'm sure someone will do a proper calculation. What value do you put on your hobby? I probably did a couple of gallons of diesel to get to and from the field today, so model fuel costs are usually minimal in comparison for me (all electric today btw).......my choice and value judgement for a pastime that I love doing. BTW, I wonder what the overall markup on a gallon of fuel actually is when you take into account the costs of materials, manufacture, packaging, transport, advertising and good old VAT. A few quid, I should think. Don't forget that the manufacturer and the retailer has to have a worthwhile profit, otherwise they might as well not bother at all.