Adrian Smith 1

Hi John,   Sounds as though it's not only people coming into the UK that aren't checked then !! Seriously though what you say, along with others, is interesting and I shouldn't be too worried about ordering from Tower Hobbies. Presumably it's best to pay via PayPal?

Not thought of that Steve, I'll see what I can turn up. Alan4 as further above, I tried Motorvation and I did'nt find him that helpful. It was though even if he had spares they were not for sale usually.

Thanks chaps for the input. I will try Ripmax and see. Failing that what are the pitfalls of ordering from the US (Tower Hobbies) as I have never tried that before? Thanks

Thank Seamus. I am a bit wary of ordering from abroad though that's I was looking for a UK source. I guess they are reputable? If all else fails ........

Since the passing of the late, great John Haytree I have found it difficult to find a reliable source of spares for my OS engines. John used to stock all manner of bits & pieces and if he didn't have them he seem get his hands on items quickly. Now the company Motorvation wants us to believe it has taken over the mantle of Mr Haytree, but my recent experience suggests it is not interested in selling spares but rather only in engine repair & maintainence. In the past I have tried Just Engines but when I have ordered geniune OS spares here I usually have wait as they are put on a back order (presumably from Ripmax). Indeed I have waited a month already for a simple gasket set for an OS 61FX. I am after a cylinder head and rocker cover for an OS 120 FS surpass Mark III either new or used (my ad is in the "Wanted Section" on this site. I would be grateful for any ideas. Thanks, Adrian

I have built a few Cmpro kits in my time which have not performed too badly apart from universal U/C weaknesses. However, I did build Cmpro's twin engined Mossie ( I don't think they do it now) and it was an absolute dog to build & fly. I put two OS 52FS in which was a higher spec than recommended, but with the weight required in the nose (over 1 1/4 pounds lead!) to balance it was amost unflyable. Furthermore, to fit the engines out with tanks was unbelievably fiddly and it took so long to do that I nearly lost the will to live. The plane lasted three flights before it tip stalled on finals (my fault I guess) . Nevertheless these things are usually cheap for a reason so I would suggest beware and check out a few build forum on the web.. Best of luck, Adrian

Thanks David you are a gent.

I vaguely remember seeing on the forum a while ago the contact details for the gent who took over the great John Haytree's business. However, I can't find the reference to it. Any ideas and if there is still an engine spares business? Thanks, Adrian

I have to report a truly great service from ParcelsPlease logistics company. I had to send a build from scratch kit to S. Ireland from the UK mainland and in my ignorance took it to my local PO for pricing and sending via ParcelForce and GLS (GlobalValue) in Ireland. They wanted to charge me £71!! for track and trace service or almost as bad £32 for non-signed for delivery, which I chose. Needless to say after 11 days my buyer reported non-delivery and I refunded the kit money. The kit found it's way back to me some week later.   The buyer still wanted the kit so I tried ParcelsPlease website who mainly use UPS. For £15.80 + VAT UPS picked up the parcel from my home on Monday midday and it was delivered in Ireland to the same address at 2pm on Wednesday!! Great service! Moral is don't even think about using ParcelForce they are expensive rubbish.

Ian, I had similar problems with my SMS Services servo reverser. The system was driven from a 6volt Nimh using a Futaba 6EX 2.4g (6ch) set. The elevator halves where slightly out of sync and one deliberately fluttered. Not good. I wasn't prepared to take the risk as is was my topline Slipstream Sbach 342 powered by an OS 120AX. So I used a separate channel. However, whilst the sync was right the elevator trim on this entry set didn't adjust the slave servo so it was a tedious process of a few flights to get the trim correct as all adjustments had to be carried out on the ground. I still haven't worked out if it's possible to link the trim to the slave as well as the elev servo. My servos were HS 645MG s and not digital. This may not help you but it does show that servo reversers are not necessarily the answer and it may mean you doing a solder job on one of the servos to reverse it.

I am advertising some radio gear on this web site and I recently got an e-mail from somebody called Michele Denti enquiring if said goods were still for sale. I thought it strange, and I am not being sexist, as it is unusual to hear from a lady flier. Furthermore, there seemed to be what purported to be a link back to the ModelFlying web site which seemed rather unnecessary for the message. I didn't click on the link but only sent a reply saying goods were still for sale. However, I have not heard a peep since. Am I being too cautious?

Steve,   I have a Slipstream Sbach342 50cc and I must say it's a fantastic kit with the quality amongst the best I have seen. The flight qualities are more than adequate for my standard of aeros and I am sure it will do the 3D book with bigger throws if that's your thing. The wing loading is quite low which I guess speaks volumes for the super flight performance. So go buy the Slipstream Yak I would say! Adrian

I know the ones you mean they are quite usless. I have had the same problem. I have adapted the Cent-r-lock glow plug adapters and aero leads that South Herts Models supplies on their on board glow systems. You can buy the parts separately and it's a simple wiring job. Have a look on www.southhertsmodels.com. I have not had one fail so give it a try. Adrian

The quality of engineering as a rule is very good of that I agree with you. That's why I continue to buy OS, but I just think the 200FS is a bit of a rogue design which sometimes happens. I do wonder if some of the parts have been sourced from China and may be inferior to the usual OS standard.   I know when I had this problem with my 200 I exchanged e-mails with Brian Winch (wizard of Oz) and he said he had seen the odd example of failure in that motor. I suspect that OS will quietly upgrade the 200FS at some point and rebrand it.   That said there are a lot of 200s doing well, but if you have a problem with oil flow then a mod to the crankcase nipple may be required according to BW. Anyway best of luck Peter.

Hi Peter, I hope you have better experience than me because I got through three of them from new and each time Ripmax had to replace them after barely 3-4 hours flying time. There is an oil loading and not dispelling problem in a lot of them that leads them to destroy the bearings very quickly and the third one I had the connecting rod broke through the engine casing in mid-flight after an hour and a half use. The fact Ripmax kept replacing them suggests they know there might be a problem.   The last new one I had replaced I didn't use it but instead sold to a dealer on E-Bay because I couldn't be bothered with it. All my other OS engines I have had (only buy OS) have been absolutely fine, but I think it's telling that OS guaranties 2STs for 2 years but none of the 4STs are warrantied that long. I have gone back to 2STs and am using OS 160FX, 120AX and the BGX-1 which run just great.   I know this doesn't help you but I just urge you to be cautious and not do anything to invalidate the warranty otherwise if it has to go back it may not be replaced.

Thanks for looking Alan, good try. Interesting BB to hear your success with wooden props on bigger engines it certainly seems worth a try and do some experimenting. Certainly from the point of view of saving the engine it's good idea.

Well Alan I am looking for 20 x10 or 20 x 8 ideally if thats of any use. You can private message me if you like with prices. Also I have PayPal account if that's any help. As you say above 11" and the price rockets exponentially.

Ok thanks guys for the info. I think it has encouraged me to give them a try and do a bit of experimenting.

Sounds like very intelligent cobblers to me Martin! The ease with which they might break is a concern for me i must say.

Mmmmm... never thought of that Olly.   Unless there is good reason(other that cost) I'll probably stay with APC props on that basis. At some point I may test a wooden prop out but that sounds like a winter project.    

Interesting Martin thanks. Will have a look at those and test one or two out. I must admit I have my doubts about wooden props but I thought it would be interesting to hear what people thought of them.

I have always used APC props on my IC engines but I am now using some of the bigger glow engines such OS 120 AX and the OS BGX - 1 and wondered what the pros and cons are in changing to wooden props for aerobatic use given that wooden ones seem cheaper at some outlets.

Tim, I must admit I don't tension the wire too tight but I am trying to find that happy medium. Also I find it a bit disconcerting when running up the engine at full chat on the ground that both the rudder and elevator flap about a bit. However, thus far it doesn't seem to affect the flight performance.

Yes Doug I might research that. I must admit my question was more of a whim as it's not essential, I just thought there may be an easy way of measuring the tension.

I am getting fussy in my old age but on my bigger models (35cc and above) where I use a pull-pull arrangement on the elevator as well as the rudder, I want be sure of the tension is the wires is uniform. Is there anything on the market at a reasonable price that would perform the function of industrial wire tension meters but on thin wire for models?   I know I may be asking the impossible as I don't want anything that acts like a "sledgehammer on a nut."   Failing that I will use my usual method of pinging the wires like a dodgy guitarist!