RICHARD WILLS

Useful stats Kim . The short coming of looking at just Watts is that you could for example put a large diameter ,low pitch prop on and measure a high wattage . Implying that the power would be enough to fly a model of a certain weight (based on Watts per pound ) . But here is the problem . The above mentioned prop will draw current (and therefore watts ) but not shift the air at sufficient speed to get the model to its comfortable cruise speed . If we look at your 500kv motor for example , hooking it up to 4s will give 500 x 16v = 8000 rpm with no prop . Knock off say 2000 rpm for the prop load and you are turning a prop at 6000 rpm . Nowhere near what a 6" pitch would require . A 6" pitch prop would need about 9-10K and an 8" pitch about 8000rpm . So when you put 600kv in the equation , you get 16 x 600= 9600 with no prop or perhaps 8500 with a prop in the air . That works with a 8" three blade rather well . 9" pitch would give a little "War emergency boost" . Two blade props will allow the motor to unload much better ,so you could use an 800kv motor on a 12 or 13 x6 and get longer runs on the same performance. Static testing is unreliable in my humble opinion as the air being shifted is "dead " . Once the model is moving its like riding your bike with a 50mph tailwind , hence you can back off the gas and still go as fast . So to summarise , two options for models of this size . 1) 580-650 kv with a three blade 13 or 14 dia x 8 or 9 pitch . (scale look , better climb 5mins from 3300 , more torque to manage on take off) 2)800kv with a two blade 12x6 or 13x6 ( sport look, worse climb 7mins from 3300, less take off swing ) Richard

Well done Leccy . That shows off the Mk9s lines beautifully . Even with the additional goldfish bowl .😬

No problem John . You made a brilliant come back on that model . She looks even better than before . Ive seen ARTF fliers chuck a good model with 10% of that damage . You have practically built it twice !

Absolutely fabulous David. That model would look amazing on the big screen . Thanks for sharing the build with us all . Very inspiring .

Sorry for the delay chaps , Ive been away for a few days . Jon , the Fw190 is £139 and the Tempest is £149 . Both require £10 post in the UK . You are correct in your assessment . All of those who watch and contribute on my threads are extremely keen to convert others to this practical way of building and flying . You will always get loads of support .

I think its a shame that people get put off by the Spitfires "reputation " . With light wing loading and good wing sections , the Spitfire can be a delight to fly . In many ways , it should fly a lot like the Tempest . The main disadvantage is the narrow track undercarriage . Firstly , since many of you have been flying off Dollys , this isnt a factor . Secondly , by using Foam veneer wings this time , the undercarriage (when fitted) can be installed in such a way to dissipate the energy . There are two other specific bonus features (and this comes from somebody who is not specifically a Spitfire fan ) , 1) when that shape comes together in front of you , particularly as you fit the wing fairings , which bring all of those elliptical shapes together , it really is like nothing else . The blending of curves and elegance of the long tail is without comparison elsewhere in the world of WW2 fighters . 2) Everyone at the field you visit reacts positively to the Spitfire in all of its variants! "Tally Ho" chaps! https://thescalemodelhangar.com/2017/03/27/first-light/

So , how would you all feel about a another Dogfight Double along the same lines as the Fw190 /Tempest ? I would choose this time . It would be the most famous pairing , the Battle of Britain 109E and the Mk1a Spitfire . Foam wings etc same as the previous pair . Dolly launch capability with retract option. My gut feeling is that the numbers would justify the Spit but perhaps not the 109 . The aim with both is to make them easy to fly and operate and still look as good as anything on the market .

Don't tell him your name Pike ! Stupid Boy .....

Outstanding modelling David . Great subject and showcases your skill and attention to detail . Very inspiring to us all . This model will look absolutely real in the air . My old 100" Lancaster is nowhere near this level , but it has real presence in the air and may give you a hint as to what yours may look like against a blue sky .

Yes Andrew, the 800kv equates to 12000 rpm with no prop on 4s , so that means that it would be fair to assume that a loaded but flying model might get close to 10000rpm which is the same as an OS52FS on a 12x6 . 6" pitch props are the most popular and dont produce much of a take off swing , which is easier . 3 and 4 blade gets trickier but can work well if you get the right combination . Luckily , the separate blades on the FMS 4 blade option allow for shimming to change pitch ,so can be fine tuned .

Gordon , we may be able to Pep yours up a bit depending on if you using a 2 blade or 4 blade prop . I am using a 14x8 , four blade prop from FMS which I can shim to get more or less power . If you are using a 16x8 two blade the output will be quite different . Let us know what you are using .

Ive got some 600kv motors for the four blade prop and 800Kv for the two blade . all £24 plus post .

I think that you have got the 600kv motors Chris , not 800 . My Ju88 has 50amp , the others have 60A . The 50s dont get warm with those props .

Nice needle work Chris . I've got some trousers that want turning up when you have a moment . 😬

I have often cut the holes out and kept the wood to weigh . Never seems to amount to much . I wouldnt bother . Just go easy on the covering at the back . The vertical battery has to be a good move. I also think you will have enough power .If not , just change the prop for more pitch . Electric motors simply burn more amps !

Cheap as Chips and great fun . I'm a big fan of this "have ago approach " . That landing shows how benign it is well done !

Lovely to see your "Big Boys" out on display Chris . (Thankfully that's the first time Iv'e used that phrase in my life )

All good ideas Geoff . The white foam rear deck doesnt weigh anything so dont mess with that . Everything else is fair game though . Our recent Fw190 has a vertical battery going down the back of the F1 Firewall . Seems efficient and easy .

I only built one and that was 22 years ago ! What I would say though is the Hurricane has a vary short nose . So I would be putting the battery as far into the nose as possible . If it will fit vertically up against the back of the motor , that would be good as all of the battery weight will be well forward of the C of g. If you havent done much more than the photos , I would also perhaps nibble away at the rear central crutch , not critical but it all helps . Eric Robson did an electric version recently so it would be worth sending him a pm . Ive never had time to build another Hurricane , which is a shame as I enjoyed flying the old one on a 70FS , not overpowered with a big 3 blade prop , but very real . Mine was about 8.75 lb with lead up front . Tail covering is critical . I used Solartex and that was a mistake . I guess laminating film might be a good option now .

pm sent Keith

Well done Murat . That was a gallant restoration and electric conversion . I admire your persistence having seen the starting point. It looks bang up to date now . Weirdly I remember the front cover of RCM&E featuring the prototype back the 70s . I think it was white and blue . Yours looks better 😉

Red Buzzkite ?😉

Hi Chris , you may be able to go back a little further , as like you, I find it quite hard to stall the Tempest. However , if it flies nicely now , do it very gradually . I would also advocate the use of a larger elevator horn . Mine is now 32mm from the hinge and has way more finesse in normal flight . I still have about 12mm up and 8mm down but the middle point is much nicer . Watch my landing here .

In 1998 (the last century !) I produced a new Zero design for the Sandown show . Paul Bardoe the British champion pylon racer was going to be flying it with all of the other Warbirds. I sprayed it up in a complicated faux Japanese colour scheme and at the same time noticed that many Zeros had some sort of Japanese scrypt message on the rudder . I knew the Zero might sell all over the place so in a moment of Devilry I asked my aunt , who worked for Kawasaki to translate something for me . The message on the rudder , in Japanese read " The Dogs Boll__kX" The same model featured on the box labels and several magazine adverts at the time , together with Paul proudly showing it off in front of thousands of people . Thankfully , google translate hadn't appeared at the time otherwise the Woke Police would have strung me up from the nearest tree.😧 Mind you , the tree huggers would have had something to say about that , I just hope they had an emergency service so they got to me in time . Last thought , would a balsa tree have been more appropriate ?

I visited the Druids club last week . The Chairman Bob asks for a little demo to all new flyers . I dont normally like having my picture taken or coming out from under the table 😬 But Bob is great ,is very relaxed and as it turns out , superb with a video camera . Thanks to all there for a warm welcome .