Cuban8

Wasn't there a newsletter published called 'Electric Flight UK' (EFUK) way back in the mid/late 80s? I remember having a short article published in it at the time. Long time ago so memory's a bit hazy. Pioneering days as has been said - I was the first to be successful with a non-glider type electric model in my club at the time. A Jack Headley plan design Piper Cub, suitably lightened and modified for electric. ROG just about possible with a big shove forward - eventually only became airborne from a hand launch as the nicads dropped in performance. Amazingly marginal tech, so different today.

It very much depends - I don't agree that eletric needs to be prohibitively expensive when converting an IC model. Maybe a large and heavy type but most sport types of around the usual 55" to 65" size or thereabouts are usually very viable. There's enough info around to prevent mishandling and there's really no need for any confusion regarding electric setups given the advice available from sources like 4Max. IC noise is not necessary as you say - the old Irvine Q series engines proved that years ago.

IC cars and IC model engines are totally different worlds witrh totally different issues. Whereas electric is a viable alternative for most models, electric is most certainly not the panacea for cars despite all the propaganda.

Regrettably, newcomers to our great hobby will be less likely to encounter IC engines when they buy their gear and will almost certainly start off with an electric power system in the future. This has been the case for quite some time now and is a reflection on how the hobby has been changing away from the old days of the 1950s/60s/70s etc. I say regrettably because I think the pleasure in running IC engines and becoming proficient in their operation was all part of the modelling right of passage. Just to be clear, I'm not stuck in the past missing the castor gunge over models, I simply regret that the choice will become more and more restricted. Even starting out with electric power (very sensible IMHO) and then subsequently looking to explore the fascinating world of IC will become more and more difficult. Electric power is mostly a means to an end for our models, whereas a nicely running IC engine (particularly a 4St) is very much more than a power source. I enjoy taking my leccy models out - no fiddling around - no cleaning etc etc when I have only an hour to spend flying, but there's a certain something about bringing an IC model to life with the starting process, the sound and vibration running through the airframe and the wisp of exhaust. Still plenty of opportunity to enjoy all that now, but not perhaps for newer generations given the way things are expected to go for us over the next decade.

Despite have a very serious word with myself a number of years ago about unfinished projects and only one at a time from now on, I've got half a dozen to choose from yet again. Not unique at all by all accounts.

There's a surprise.😉 No drone expert myself, but a quick Google turns up a Mini 3 as a DJI product worth a few hundred quid by the looks of it, not sure if that's what it is though. Must have been lost over the bank holiday if it was found early this morning. Spoiled somebody's fun.

What a depressing read Jon's posting is. I certainly was unaware of his actual feelings for his job and having had to endure a position that I loathed at one stage in my career, I sympathise. Laser has gone, nothing could have been done to avoid it so best to move on for everyone.

I know we're talking on a totally different scale and different circumstances but that's not too dissimilar to the fall and rise of Triumph Motorcycles. It just needs commitment and a love of the marque. I really don't think Laser ever really pushed and marketed their products properly. So many times I heard from friends that they'd go for a Laser but the carburettor position was terrible. Why was that never addressed? If it worked for OS and Saito etc what was the big problem. I know Jon had a point of view on this matter and I respect that, but it did have an effect on losing some sales to their competitors.

Don't forget Toto, after all the building, prep, training, bad weather, money spent, club rules, CAA regs etc etc and that eventual triumphal solo status, you can enjoy the hobby like these 'experienced experts' that I just came across. I've not laughed so much for ages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ewFL1PERA Puts things into perspective to some extent I think.

Yes, pretty much agree with that. Accurate circuit flying and keeping the model positioned where YOU want it is so important at the moment. Mix and match - half a dozen RH circuits and then the same the other way. A couple of lower passes now and again to keep things interesting. Why not throw in a loop? Figure 8s superimposed over each other as best as you can are a good challenge even for experienced pilots. Develops your peripheral vision while keeping your main attention on the model. Take it steady and don't rush things. Safe solo standard when your mates don't all land when you say you're going to have a flight .......😁

I agree with you 100% Ron and feel sorry for those who are either waiting for engines or warranty work. Seems a terrible waste to simply chuck away a business just because the owner himself doesn't wish to continue and there's an obvious potential to expand in the right hands - maybe they did consider passing it on but even with a peppercorn payment there were, apparently, no takers. Wouldn't surprise me.

In my note here to Jon wishing him the very best, I did also comment that I wasn't in the least bit surprised at what had happened. My own personal feeliings and opinions are that it appeared that AGC's production and R&D of Laser engines was very much always a bit of a 'hobby' venture hanging on the coat tails of the main business, that was indeed very successful in its own way when model flying was booming. However, they never really seemed to want to expand their products, production and customer reach beyond what might be described as a bit of a niche audience, rather than appeal to those modellers who didn't crave larger and complex engines. The smaller Lasers were very good, but the default was always to go for OS, Enya, Saito etc and eventually the Chinese clones that offered a very good and cheaper option for the average modeller and gave the Japanese manufacturers themselves a run for their money. Laser advertising was very minimal beyond a very small offering in the back of the mags as far as I know and recall, which always seemed odd to me. Anyway we are where we are.........Japanese fourstroke engines are crazily expensive now and the Chinese clones like ASP, SC and Thunder Tiger unavailable. An open goal for Laser Engines that they didn't appear to want to avail themselves of? Just a few thoughts that may or may not have merit, but the fact of the matter is that the bosses of Laser are perfectly entitled to do as they please with the business as they see fit and suits them best.

I know nothing about Vaping but I assume that what's been shown is a 'disposable Vape'? One shot and then mostly chucked on the floor with other smoking related detritus. Presumably there's no incentive to recycle properly such as a returnable deposit? The larger instruments that I see people sucking on and producing vast clouds of vapour over everyone around them......... are they run on rechargeable batteries and refilled with goodness knows what concoction of chemicals?

But I've seen it in one of my own batteries that was always stored indoors in a centrally heated spare bedroom used as my workshop, so I don't see how the cause can be pinned on damp conditions alone. What about countries that have naturally very humid climates for most part of the year albeit somewhat warmer than blighty? One would assume a plague of BWC in places like that, but I've never heard reports of problems. Just one observation and that's I'm fairly certain that I've only seen the issue on plain copper conductors - tinned copper wire I've not seen the problem. maybe it simply hidden by the tinning? My guess is that the issue is more to do with the quality of the copper used (contaminants?) rather than some outside environmental cause, but who knows?

Black wire certainly does exist - I've seen it on my own gear and found it in friends' models that have crashed due to power failure. One chaps tranny's 0V wiring was totally rotten from the battery to the main switch. I can only recall one of my RX packs showing initial signs of it at the connector, but this was many, many years ago on a Nicad that was never fast charged and only ever stored indoors. I remember having to scrap a full reel of new telephone cable at work because the copper conductors had turned black and crumbly. No batteries involved and stored in ideal conditions, so what was going on there? Anyway........unless someone can say otherwise, i've not seen a concrete, 100% explanation as to why it occurs, and then why it should only happen to some packs and not others. I don't know of any experiment that has been able to recreate the problem under test conditions either. I remember a lengthy article in one of the mags years ago by David Boddington who looked into the problem, but even the great man himself couldn't pin down the culprit beyond a few possible smoking guns e.g overcharging, poor storage conditions in sheds, bad quality copper, even the carbon pigment in the black wire insulation was questioned AFAIR. One thing's for sure, always check your battery packs for signs of trouble regularly - just flip out the wires from the battery plug and examine with a hand lens or similar for dulling of the connector plating or discolouration of the wiring at the crimp.

Obvious truths? I suggest that folks have the 'Daily Sceptic' sent to their inbox where many of those 'truths' are looked into and examined closely.

All the above can be challenged as either incorrect, misleading, or simply scaremongering by those with other political or social agendas to push.

The body has amazing powers of recuperation - I couldn't even dress myself for several weeks after they'd delved about inside me, but steadily and slowly, things get better as you'll find, Matty. Can't say I'd be much good at knocking up concrete by hand any more, but I can manage most tasks providing I take my time and don't rush about as before.

No access for around 30 mins this morning.

Good news Matty, the physio and support where you are sounds to be excellent - very much a post code lottery as to what's available and when, is usually the case. Lucky where I am in N.Essex, can't fault the treatment or aftercare when my old pump decided to play up a while back and needed a refurb. A big problem is getting one's head around what's happened, especially if like myself one rarely ever went down with even a cold for years on end or in your case being young for such an ailment.

Selecting the components for an electric setup is not difficult but does require a certain amount of electrical background know-how that some folks are either not interested in or find hard to grasp. Not suggesting that FB3 falls into that category of course. A good alternative is to take a look at the comprehensive list of recomended setups for various models on the 4-Max website https://www.4-max.co.uk/recommended-setups.htm and find a similar model (or if you're lucky the same one) to that you wish to build or convert and go from there. You'll be well within the ballpark as regards power etc and perhaps only a slight change in prop size might be needed to match things up perfectly.

Motorcycling and Aeromodelling share quite a lot in common IMHO and experience. Been into both continuously since my mid teens ( started with Yamaha 'Fizzy' and Graupner glider back in '73). Entrenched views about makes and 'how to do it' - those that ride or fly in the very worst weather and like to wear their discomfort as some odd badge of honour. Synthetic or Castor based fuels in our model engines and the opinions surrounding E10 and E5 petrols for our bikes etc etc I think you get my drift. HOWEVER.........both activities have some of the nicest people you'll find anywhere (always the odd misery here and there), eager to help a fellow flyer or rider in bother and eager to chew the fat. Welcome to the hobby Gravel, I think you'll enjoy it.

Still working fine for me.

Maybe, but the market will be the decider. I don't think 'replace' is the correct term, perhaps 'alternative' in certain circumstances. Modern helicopter technology and engineering are very well understood and reliable and have proved to be suitable in a wide variety of environments. If you've seen TV programmes about the Aussie ranchers that use helicopters for mustering huge herds of cattle or whatever, it's difficult to conceive where an electric version would have an advantage. Just one example, I'm sure they're many more. I'm all for research and if companies wish to investigate new technology and as a side line create new jobs and provide training for young engineers etc that can only be a good thing for the future - I'm even in favour of government help in the form of tax breaks and grants. It might not be the final product that is the success, but if on the way it encourages people into engineering and other skills, then surely that must be a positive thing.

Seems to be working fine now.