John Howitt 1

Dylan Forgive me for asking, but where do I find your invoice? I have checked my paypal account and can't find any outstanding invoice. John Howitt

Danny I am enjoying your blog which is highlighting problems that I never foresaw. Your method for fixing shrouds was most illuminating. However would it not be possible to use a strip of ply of the same thickness as the sheeting and thus avoid the sanding down? I can't imagine that the extra weight would be much of an issue. What am I missing? Keep up the good work. John

Hello Martyn I have no idea about the actual beast but was merely using logic to make my assertion. But does logic apply to aircraft designers who I'm sure have to follow engineering principles? What the hell, I'm still trying to work out how the trim tab is inserted/appended to the RH elevator. Will keep an eye on Danny's blog. John

Colin Invoice not yet received. Will send a pm with details. Many thanks John Edited By Chris Bott - Moderator on 04/10/2014 17:13:04

Day three and not a word from me so far. Work has proceeded both in the kitchen rebuild and the workshop. I did not want to write anything until I had mastered the business of adding pictures. I would prefer to upload from my home computer but realise that one must first create an album from which to upload pictures of ones efforts. So here goes. Started with the tail plane and immediately found that there was an error on the plan. A simple fault, rib 2 on the right has been drawn one rib width to the left of its correct position. The wing spar is symmetrical supporting the need to reposition rib 2.

Glad to hear it Terry My log piles are neatly stored for the coming cold weather. I have found that the kids next door need pocket money more than I need a tenner. Idle I know, but its all in a good cause. John

Hi Terry I have not yet started writing up my blog but have made a start on the tailplane as you have done. I found the discrepancy in the hinge holes but the fault lies with the plan. Number two rib on the right side is incorrectly positioned. I checked the distance between ribs 1 and 2 on both sides and found a discrepancy of a rib thickness so I moved the rib on right side to match that on the left. this produced symmetry and allowed the spar to fit either way. Will add this to my blog when I start to write it, but I am still unsure about the simplest/best way to add pictures. Bye for now John

Hi John I rather like the Army Air Corps ??? scheme as illustrated by Danny Fenton on the 27/03/2013. Long way to go however before I contemplate painting. John

I am getting quite excited about starting the build. I have not yet succumbed to doing anything more than touching the laser cut sheets and gazing briefly at the plan. The Bryant Storch has been put aside for the minute in preparation for October1. I must say that the construction of the Chipmunk seems a piece of cake compared with the Fiesler Storch. Perhaps once started I will change my mind. I have also a large rebuild kitchen project to do and unlike most of my models this one must be finished. I started aeromodelling in the 50's building a multitude of Keil Kraft models. None of them flew but I enjoyed the build and the thought that the latest one would exceed my expectations and actually fly for a few hundred metres. These pleasures were no longer possible when work and marriage interfered. It was not until much much later in life that cash was available to support a hobby adequately. I did manage to build an E-type replica (~10years) and a house in the extreme Scottish Bush before taking up model engineering and equipping my workshop as and when retirement provided more funds. It was when the current project was proving tedious I , and don't ask me how, decided to return to aeromodelling. As I have not yet learned to fly my enjoyment comes from the basic construction. This project will be finished and the result will be flown – not by me – unless I get down to some serious training. Why put aside my Storch in favour of a Chipmunk? Part of my reason is that my best friend from early childhood, when at Aberdeen University ATC (I was too blind so had to join the OTC) was killed when his plane crashed as he was practising his aerobatic routine. He was a gifted flier, having achieved membership of the Scottish Universities Aerobatic team in his first year. The accident was written off as pilot error which seems to be par for the course if you read Ray Blyth's book. Hence my interest in the Chipmunk. I am hoping to see this blog through to its termination with some photographic evidence once I determine how to do the latter. Wish me luck and pray that I will manage to say something of interest.

Hi Colin Been reading about the dashboard cutouts when on hols driving around SW USA. May I ask that I am included on the wish list for two of these. Second question how does one pay? Tonight is the big night for us in the North, but I'll still speak/listen to all you guys whatever happens. I am about to start my own building blog which will of course be a great read for all those who have nothing better to do. Yours aye John Howitt Edited By Chris Bott - Moderator on 04/10/2014 17:55:09

Wow David, 16miles there and back. I enjoy a drink very much but preferably within zimmer distance. Perhaps I saw you performing in the Commonwealth Games arena?? Cheers John

David I have looked long and hard at your article with admiration and have purchased some of the HobbyKing oleos which you used in producing your scaled up versions. I intend trying something similar and would love to have a copy of your CAD plan which would help to make my life a lot easier. I wonder if the oleo shaft needs to be increased in diameter or whether you could merely lengthen the lower piston element. If the lower shaft was noticeably non scale it might be possible to disguise this fact with a suitable gaiter. Maybe I am just being idle but the time I will have to allocate to rivets and rib tapes etc means that I can't spend too much time enjoying myself with the metalwork. I find the oleos that the boys are rushing out to buy look a bit clumpy around the scissors and feel that I could design and make a rather more delicate version. Perhaps a bit of sheet metalwork and some silver soldering would be suitable. Jings I have just re-read this and hope I don't come across as full of conceit. I took up model engineering on retirement and feel comfortable in that environment - on the other hand I have returned to aeromodelling only recently and am still finding my feet in the scale arena. I would love to hear your comments on my suggestions and if possible a larger copy of your CAD plan. Yours John

Great News. Thanks Danny. I'll now place my order with SLEC. The relief at not having to cut and grind them out is tremendous, John

Danny Sorry about my last. I did order my parts from Traplet and enquired about the hinges from SLEC. Let us see if the numbers rise to 15 or so and I will certainly be prepared to give as much help as you need. October is a long way ahead and I am optimistic that the present requirement of 4? will increase to meet the target of 15 (or whatever SLEC set as their minimum order). Yours John

Good morning Danny When I ordered my bits from SLEC I asked about the hinge packs and was finally put on to someone who knew what I was talking about-Chris?- and he said that these were a special order for Danny Fenton and that he ie you, was the person I should contact. I appreciate that you may not want to be involved with the business of re-ordering but if you want someone to help with this task I am more than welcome to help out. Whatever I am a definite. best regards John

Hello Chris Thanks for your response. I have made similar hinges for my Storch and it was a pain in the nethers. I will gladly wait until the build starts in the hope that numbers increase sufficiently to make a further order from SLEC worthwhile. I have ordered the motor from Hobbyking but promised myself that I will not give in to temptation until October - perhaps a peek at the plans is allowed? John

Danny I have just finished reading your latest piece in RCME and found mention of the Chipmunk joint build. I don't know how I missed any previous mention. Accordingly I started reading this thread and immediately ordered the kit from Traplet. I tried to obtain the hinge pieces from SLEC who said that I would have to deal directly with you. May I purchase a set from you if you have any left unsold or put my name down for when/if ?? you order some more sets. This will give added impetus to completing the build of my David Bryant Storch which is about 2/3 completed and challenging me every time I go into my workshop. Regards John