stu knowles

Here's another one ready to go. I have gone slightly off piste with this one. Ufortunately we are away for a few days so the first flights will have to wait

Join the wings and build a box. Stick box to wing. Don't overthink the build, its very simple. Post up specifically where you are having a problem

I arrived at a similar conclusion about foamies a long time ago. I cannot deny their flyability and ease of operation and I always have one available, often carried as a back up model to the main flyer of the day. I find that they are completely without 'soul' and find no pleasure in ownership or flying beyond just keeping the eye / thumb co-ordination sharp. Look along a flightline and they often dominate, all the same as each other. Yuk! When they were as cheap as chips, under £100, you'd be mad not to have one but paying ££££££'s ? Nope. Some of the WR models shown on this forum are amazing. Reasonably priced kit. Kept simple, BP/PVA covering. Household emulsion paint and weathered with a bit of chalk and ingenuity, they look fantastic and there isn't another one just like that anywhere. I normlly fly bigger stuff that takes ages to finish. I broke off the main project to pull together Richard's Tempest. It been really refreshing to build something that moves along so fast. Beats a foamy hands down!

If you were going for a painted finish, BP/PVA gives a very paintable finish which is as cheap as chips. The methods have most recently explained by Ron on this forum in his build of the Warbird Replicas FW190 and Tempest. Its also pretty good as a veneer substitute over a foam core, with or without additional spars. It provides a smooth surface which can then be either painted or film covered

I have both the 1 m and 1.5 m Thing with a 25FP glow and an 32 glow, great models both for haring around or slow flight. A cut down cap from a large bottle of fabric conditioner makes a really good 'jetpipe' to finish off the back of the fus. The larger one has an added foan cockpit / deck. Both are covered with brown paper / pva and then painted

I always flew Thumbs on Top until trying helicopters when I moved to a tray. Initially I found flying fixed wing with a tray very awkward but grew to prefer it. About this time I also morphed to using very long control sticks which had buttons on the left stick (Multiplex) which I also liked for the precision control it seemed to promote. The only down side was the bulk of the tray in transportation and then some TX damage when something fell on the TX/Tray combo. Now I've gone full circle back to Thumbs on Top just because it keeps the TX in its case duting transport and storage. My take on the situation having done all that is that 'pinch' flying is more precise, even better with long sticks, but for general flying Thimbs on Top is good enough. Like the mode 1 / mode 2 debate, its whatever floats your boat.

Just to round this topic off, Here is a photo of the former owner of these engines, Jim Bridgewood from Doncaster in 1956, after winning the Eddie Riding Trophy at RAF Woodvale with his model of the Heston Phoenix, complete with retracting u/c. No radio in those days

Now moved on to a new Custodian. Thanks to all those who responded. regards stu k

Pete Russell, Ian Peacock, Chris Golds, Boddo, latterly Alex Whittaker. all good writers with something to say. I do find that the mags in recent years are not so good, Last month was particularly thin

Yes a sad loss. I never met him but his skills and ability made him a legend in this hobby. He left a lasting legacy with his designs and a space that will be hard to fill. My condolences to his family and friends stu k

CNC Foam wing cutting machines If anyone is interested both in computers and foam wing cutting, I have a CNC foam cutting rig which was assembled by the late Mel Drohan from the Doncaster area. After Mel passed, it came to me to save it from being disassembled. I have no real interest in the computer side so its never going to be used here. I know that it works because the Tyro Major wing core file last used by Mel is still in the machine and it still goes through all the motions to cut cores. Its a home built unit using 3D printed parts and (off the top of my head will cut up to around 30" cores. There is also all of the computer and electronics for a second machine to cut (off the top of my head) 60" cores which was mounted on an 8 x 4 board. This did not survive the relocation process and several of the 3D printed parts broke. I had to take it apart but all the components are there to build a second machine. I don't know where Mel got the 3D files from to assemble to cutter but they will be out there somewhere for anyone else to find. Both machines come with its own Desktop computer, all the stepper motors and transformers etc to heat up the wire. The computers on each cutter have the programme to turn the G code files into that required to move the cutter but the programme to create the G code files was on his laptop and I don't have it. Google Foam Wing CNC programme and there are a few options out there. Located in Haxey, North Lincs (DN9 2**), the smaller machineis intact and was transported on the floor a medium sized van although no doubt it could be carefully disassembled. The larger machine is a box full of components and aluminium extrusions only. Available to anyone who could make use of it. Don't ask if your workshop is an 6 x 4 shed and you cut a foam core once every two years, be practical. But I would be pleased to see it go to someone who could make good use of it. Perhaps if someone is going to take it on, a modest donation to Mel's depandants would be a nice gesture. Pm or post here for more info. Don't ask anything too technical ! regards Stu K

If anyone is interested both in computers and foam wing cutting, I have a CNC foam cutting rig which was assembled by the late Mel Drohan from the Doncaster area. After Mel passed, it came to me to save it from being disassembled. I have no real interest in the computer side so its never going to be used here. I know that it works because the Tyro Major wing core file last used by Mel is still in the machine and it still goes through all the motions to cut cores. Its a home built unit using 3D printed parts and (off the top of my head will cut up to around 30" cores. There is also all of the computer and electronics for a second machine to cut (off the top of my head) 60" cores which was mounted on an 8 x 4 board. This did not survive the relocation process and several of the 3D printed parts broke. I had to take it apart but all the components are there to build a second machine. I don't know where Mel got the 3D files from to assemble to cutter but they will be out there somewhere for anyone else to find. Both machine come with its own Desktop computer, all the stepper motors and transformers etc to heat up the wire. The computers on each cutter have the programme to turn the G code files into that required to move the cutter but the programme to create the G code files was on his laptop and I don't have it. Google Foam Wing CNC programme and there are a few options out there. Located in Haxey, North Lincs (DN9 2**), the smaller machineis intact and was transported on the floor a medium sized van although no doubt it could be carefully disassembled. The larger machine is a box full of components and aluminium extrusions only. Available to anyone who could make use of it. Don't ask if your workshop is an 6 x 4 shed and you cut a foam core once every two years, be practical. But I would be pleased to see it go to someone who could make good use of it. Perhaps if someone is going to take it on, a modest donation to Mel's depandants would be a nice gesture. Pm or post here for more info. Don't ask anything too technical ! regards Stu K

All of these engines now sold. Thank you all.

This engine now sold.. Thanks to all for your interest.

Nice. Gets my vote.

Hi All, I have PM ed the winning bidders just now. If you would please confirm your interest and bids we can consider them sold. I hope that you have all received a decent bargain. regards and my thanks to all who have shown an interest. Stu K

No, No decisionmade on anything. As has been pointed out, the individual bids amount to more than the job lot offer so I am morally bound to follow those. I have to pop out now for an hour but the plan is to close this down and finalise things tonight.

Yes you may have a point there. To be honest, I hadn't added it up

Gents, Thank you to all who have been in touch regarding these and please accept my apologies for such a slow response, some unexpected family issues have kept me busy this weekend. The state of play thus far is as follows:- The small Cox has received bids of £12 and £20 and to the person who asked I hope these pics will give you more info. The green twin exhaust engine - £16 The rear exhaust glow motor (Taipan?) - £18 plus an unspecified offer for just the silencer. The Enya 45 - £18 The Frog 80 - £25 plus a job lot offer of £70 for all of the misc engine group and £70 for the HP 21VT All are plus postage and sold as seen. On that basis the job lot offer probably comes out tops. The shutter will come down tomorrow evening and I will contact those making the best offers. I apologies if I have made this difficult. I really do know nothing about these engines, collectable or junk I have no idea, The aim is to get the best deal for the family of the owner while still making them a good buy for those interested. My thanks again to those who have responded. regards Stu K North Lincs

In my ignorance I realise that I have set myself up to fail here. One or two people have been kind enough to make offers on some of these. Are they good offers? I have no idea! Trying to be fair to all, I will post here the best offer and not accept any until monday evening. Then the book will close and the best offer will take it. Hope that seem fair to everyone. More to follow

I'll be honest here and say that I know nothing about these engines. They could be collectable or they could be scrap and on that basis I will up them up as 'Open to offers' If you have any interest, do post here or send a PM All from the estate of a modeller who was competeing in Free flight competition in the 50's and 60's Interesting compression screw! No idea what this is No silencer with this. Below any engine collectors want a box? I appreciate that these are in poor condition. If they don't sell they are destined for the scrap bin so if they are have use to you do get in touch. Regards, Thanks for looking in Stu Knowles

Thanks for the replies so far Gents. I had taken a look on ebay and seen that they do go for more, However the object of the exercise is to sell within a reasonable timescale. If someone gets a bargain, the family will be happy and it gets the job done.

Hi All, I am helping to realise some of the collection of a long gone modeller. One of the special nuggets in the collection is this HP 21 VT glow engine which I guess dates from sometime in the 80's Just the engine and box, no other papers. It looks as though is has never been run, Turns over freely, Looks mint. As I remember there were a series if HP ** VT engines. The 21 one around 49 and a 60 or 61. I think that the VT relates to a rotary valve rather than the usual poppet valves Sold as seen Offers around £75? Some small diesels to follow

80% finished, just 60% left to do !

I have also made a start Andy. The race is on!