Mart61

These are what I've been using: Linky They suit me just fine and are not that much more than going to HK (and you get them in around 2 days)   Edited By Mart61 on 07/10/2010 21:00:33

I'm not sure if you'll know, having lost one model as a result of the cell dying. However, was it the same cell on each of the batteries?  if so this could point to  something as simple as a dodgy balance board or balance lead.  Forgive me asking dumb questions - being a newbie I'd guess you know far more about LiPos than I.  However;  - are you never taking out more than 80% of the batteries capacity? - are you charging them at 1C?  - are you monitoring what each cell is doing during the charging cycle (or at least looking at the results at the end?) It may just be bad luck.  It happens... Edited By Mart61 on 07/10/2010 10:02:59

Were it only one brand failing, I'd suspect the brand.  However, with several brands dropping off, including the Hackers that are rated highly by some, I think you shouldn't rule out a common denominator.

I've been using 3S Turnigys for some time now.  Granted I only have about 5 of them but, thus far, they are all behaving. What charger are you using, David?  What rating are the batteries and how much are you putting back into them?

Just thought I'd share something I experienced whilst doing the maiden on my Wildcat on Saturday. If you listen hard on the maiden video here you may just about hear Les saying to me at about 0:45 "You'd better come back off the runway, Mart." As I was concentrating so hard on my flying, I did not hear anything Les was telling me and, as such, I was stood right in the middle of the active "runway" with nitro models on approach. This phenomenon is known as selective inattention, a trait suffered by many blokes (or so our wives would have us believe.) I should have been aware of this as, whilst flying a full size 747 simulator at Cranfield University a couple of years back I failed to hear several aural warning that the aircraft was screaming at me. I was on final approach and all my senses were concentrating on landing the aircraft and I completely failed to hear the aircraft screaming at me numerous times. The tutor then advised me that, when under stress, the first of our senses to fail is is our hearing. Why am I telling you this? Well, I just thought I'd mention that if you're trying to warn your fellow fliers of a potentially dangerous situation you'd better shout loud and proud and, if time permits, get them to acknowledge the fact that they have heard you, cos if they don't there's a damned good chance they didn't hear a word. Here endeth the lesson.

Thanks David. Been doing a bit of gluing and painting today.  Bought some Tamiya piants that are, in fact, a little too dark.  Perhaps I can add some white into the mix.

You're too kind Chris  At this point I'm minded of the four stages of competence.  I'd like to think I'm midway between 2 and 3...  Unconscious Incompetence The individual neither understands nor knows how to do something, nor recognizes the deficit, nor has a desire to address it. Conscious Incompetence Though the individual does not understand or know how to do something, he or she does recognize the deficit, without yet addressing it. Conscious Competence The individual understands or knows how to do something. However, demonstrating the skill or knowledge requires a great deal of consciousness or concentration. Unconscious Competence The individual has had so much practice with a skill that it becomes "second nature" and can be performed easily (often without concentrating too deeply). He or she may or may not be able to teach it to others, depending upon how and when it was learned.  

Thanks Chris.  As much as I'd like to say my manoeuvres were all part of the plan, I'd be lying if I said they were.  Still, I managed to recover from them OK without losing orientation.  Yes, I mainly fly helis but, in truth, not that well.  I'm more of a sports flyer than 3D. Not sure if I have the FW bug back yet - tis too early to tell.  However I did enjoy the latter of my flights once I'd got the aircraft trimmed.  What I can say is that, with a couple of minor crashes under my belt, a few hard landing too, the aircraft still flies.  With helis that would never have happened. Edited By Mart61 on 03/10/2010 14:18:15 Edited By Mart61 on 03/10/2010 14:18:41

Took the plank to Chobham Clump Model Flying Club today for it's maiden (and my first flight of a fixed wing model since 1991). All in all the aircraft performed well. Needed a bit of trimming but, once trimmed, it flew nicely. I did about 6 flights in all, some better than others. My last flight and landing were pretty darned good. I had the model under control and did an absolutely greased-in landing. Alas it was not being filmed. As you'll see from the shots at the end, the Wildcat was not unscathed but still flies fine in spite of the damage!  

  Site's much faster now.  Musta been a glitch I reckon.

Ah!  If only UK airports would give us Mu factors eh? For a little light reading, take a peek at the Flight Safety Foundation's Approach & landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) Toolkit web page: http://flightsafety.org/current-safety-initiatives/approach-and-landing-accident-reduction-alar  Edited By Mart61 on 30/09/2010 08:13:07

Thanks guys - I'll take a peek at those kits.

Thanks - at least I know I'm not alone. I tried running Adblock Plus to kill the banner ads but this didn't help either.  Let's hope whatever issue there is gets sorted.

Hi Guys As a newbie here, I am finding the forum to be painfully slow, to the point where I am thinking twice before posting.  At home I am using 20mb broadband and in my office I am getting speeds nearer to 60mb. In spite of this each screen refresh is taking over 10-20 seconds.  Am I doing something wrong, or is it always like this? Martin  

Hi Guys Yes, I know I've not yet done the maiden flight on my Wildcat but, me being me, I am already considering what to get next. A little bit of background on me.  I spent many  a happy day at Duxford during my childhood and I ended up on the ground crew for an air display pilot by the name of Ormond Haydon-Baillie, serving alongside several other guys including John Romain, Billy Kelly etc.  It was at that time that I fell in love with the  Sea Fury that Ormond owned, WH589 (AKA G-OAHB).  I have long since wanted to recreate the aircraft.  So, can anybody recommend a good ARTF Sea Fury kit that I could paint up in WH589's colours? Many thanks, Martin  p.s. this is, (I think), me atop WH589 as a young lad:    Edited By Mart61 on 28/09/2010 12:32:13 Edited By Mart61 on 28/09/2010 12:32:47