Michael Kulagin

Excited or wot! My P51 kit arrived today. Many thanks Richard. I won't be starting it yet as I have just commenced the build of a Warbirds Spitfire. Just couldn't resist lifting the lid though to have a sniff of new balsa, LOVELY!!

Contact George at 4max, he'll answer all your questions.

I've had two today within 30 minutes of each other. One was a text, supposedly, from my bank informing me ' A new payee request from an unrecognised device had been made on my account. Authorise or cancel this request via ' and then gives a link' Of course I ignored it and reported it to my bank, in person. They advised that this happens all the time and banks would never contact customers via a mobile number. The second was a recorded message from 020 7365 8745 advising me that I had been reported for tax fraud and, before my arrest, invited me to 'press 1' to get the matter sorted. This got ignored as well. It may just be a co-incidence but, now we are in a second lockdown, the scammers are working very hard. Be extra careful folks.

Just picked up the thread as I have been slaving away over a Spitfire wing. Started the kit Richard as winter sun in Spain is off. If I'm not too late I'll have an (F). If I'm too late I'll just have to wait for the Mustang.

Have the boys been at the Haribo's again? A sugar surge can wreak havoc with ones body. If the Haribo ration has been at a normal level you could always try bribery and dangle the 'carrot' of a increase in rations and, if that doesn't work, stop rations all together. I realise such a drastic step risks mutiny but sometimes a crew needs a really good 'whipping' to get them to toe the line.

Great news. Just been to Andover Models and 'double' stocked up on glue for your Spitfire so, sat here, debit card ready, waiting for your message. Not too worried about lockdown, Spitfire and a P51 to build and the homebrew coming on nicely!

Hi Richard, hope that you're watching this thread. Put me down for one aswell. As I will not be wintering in warmer climes this year something to build will be good (along with the Spitfire and P51 that is).

Thanks for the news Barrie, UK flyers are good! I attended the Nats in 2017 and spent most of the event at the control line speed circles. The preparation that John Privett puts in before each flight is amazing, no wonder he's a world record holder. The scream of the F2A engines when they come 'on pipe' and the throaty roar of the pulse jets made my hair stand on end, well, what hair I have left!!

Didn't want to start a new thread but there is an interesting article, for once, in today's Mail Online. It's titled 'bravery in the eye of a Hurricane' and written by Jane Fryer. It's about the Hurricane in the Battle of Britain and she takes a flight in a two seater Hurricane operated by Flyaspitfire based at Biggin Hill. There is a short clip of the Hurricane in action.

First off I must confess that I have absolutely no experience of electric powered flight but I have been following this topic with a great deal of interest as electric power has been recommended for my latest model. I do, however, have over 35 years experience in aviation Quality Control, much of it in calibration. From the various posts I gather that we are talking about measuring volts to 0.01V and amps to 0.5A, and I feel you'll agree that we are talking about very small measurements. I have also gathered that, in the main, we are all cautious folks and would never knowingly do anything likely to place ourselves and others in a position of danger. Electricity, as it comes out of the socket, is variable. The volts and amps that is put through whatever is plugged in are always nominal values, good enough to run fridges, freezers and tv's etc. The electrical values involved in the charging operation indicates to me that the chargers must be able to control their output to the battery on charge irrespective of the incoming values. First question: are the battery chargers in use manufactured to a recognised standard that guarantees their performance? Second question: Are they calibrated? When they are manufactured it can be assumed that they are 'doing what it says on the box'. Assuming they don't go wrong, they can give good service for a number of years. How can we be sure that they are still performing as designed? Do they ever get checked (calibrated) to ensure that the volts to 0.01V and the 0.5A on the readout are actually what is going in to the battery? Safely charging batteries is reliant on accurate readings so without checking that the equipment in use is up to the job strikes me as being very risky especially as the end result can result in a fire.

Lock down combined with retirement last September has enabled me to move building to number 1 slot. Finished a Wot 4 Saito 82 powered, now working on a Galaxy Mystic that I started in 2012, Saito 125 for that. Then a choice of a Ben Buckle Falcon, Acro Wot or a recently purchased Warbirds Spitfire. Also on the list for a Warbirds Mustang when they become available.

Richard is quite correct, I ordered mine today. My building has, now, gone full circle as my very first balsa model was a rubber powered Spitfire way back in 1962. Although Richard's kit is of a Mk IX I hope to finish mine based on a Mk 5B flown by Sq. Ldr. Jan Zumbach of 303 Sq. This is my first venture in to building a scale (ish) model and, looking at what you guys have posted on this forum, there is no shortage of hints, tips and advice. My original plan was to use OS 52 power but I may have to have a chat with George and venture in to electricery if the cost is not to prohibitive. I'll have to wait and see.

Bits and bobs can be bought from 4-Max, just a couple of miles away. Wood and a browse can be had at Andover Models aroung 20 miles away. For some reason 4-Max don't stock Model Technics.

The first model shop I used was in Mill Rd, Cambridge back in the mid 60's, on the right just up from Parkside Pool, I think it was called Renbroes. It used to soak up all my pocket and paper round money. Ride there on a Saturday morning for a pint of Keil Kraft nitrated diesel fuel then back to Stourbridge common to fly control line, usually combat. Keil Kraft Tallon, remember them?

Barrie, If you could get in touch with your club details I would be very interested. New to this site so I don't know how to give you my contact details

Returning to the hobby after a 10 year layoff I was amazed at the 'red tape' thats involved these days in joining a club. Waiting lists, proposer, seconder, size limits etc. I'm sure that many clubs have taken the BMFA example and imposed it as RULES. I for one am tempted to move to gliders, no clubs to join, no rules apply to Beacon Hill. Just go fly and enjoy yourself, after all that's what we all want but some seem to have lost sight of.

Put about 3% nitro-benzene in the fuel mix and it will confuse everybody. Smells like boot polish (when we used to clean boots/shoes). Used to add it to the fuel mix used for class 'B' team race way back in the 70's.

Stuart C; If my memory serves me right, the deal from the publication of the time was, for a fee you got the engineering drawing of the engine, fully dimensioned with the materials listed. For 'extra' you also got a crankcase casting. It wasn't too complicated but I struggled to get the lugs cast fully until small vents were created in the sand moulds. Smelting the aluminium used to create a stink of burnt milk, I couldn't be bothered to wash the bottle tops to get rid of the milk remains.

Stuart C Ref your post at 15.54. You must be an old fogie like me. I made a Sudgen Special as a metalwork project way back in 1969/70. The hardest part was casting the crankcase. My Metalwork teacher (Mr. 'noddy' Norris) had the drawing and just one casting as a pattern. It took me ages to get a complete casting (without blow holes) but that may be something to do with using the milk tops from the free milk we were given in those days. Once completed it did work and I was looking forward to taking it home to add to my collection of other diesels, ED Racer, DC dart and Frog 0.9, but the teacher had other ideas. The last time I saw it it was in the display cabinet in the department entry. The school has since been 'redeveloped' I wonder what happened to 'my' engine.

I've been quite fortunate with shopping. George at 4-Max is only a short bike ride away so is my first port of call for bits & bobs, just don't know how the Acro-Wot kit slipped in! Collection system agreed with George. Steve Webb for covering film and Sussex Models for the bits I can't get from George. Tinternet shopping involved there. At long last Andover Models are open again and no need for social distancing. With all the stock Nev has upstairs there is only room for one at a time.

It's not just batteries. I have, recently, made a return to model flying and George has been a great source of a kit (Arco-Wot) bits and bobs and advice.