Don Fry

David, on the crosswind leg before the final turn, put a fixed ammount of up elevator in. How much is worked out in advance at a safe height. It's not too far from the stall, but comfortable above it. Tip stallers a bit faster. This gives you a base speed, a bit nose up, and a bit more drag. Keep that up input nailed. You move your thumb side to side, not up and down from now on. And then all you do is steer it, and alter height with the throttle. You only alter the up input to flare out on touchdown. And remove it entirely at touchdown, to minimise bouncing. Some do a transmitter mix to input the up elevator. But not wise if the landing has to be aborted in a hurry. Mind, I only know how to do it. Doing it ain't so easy, but this way gives a structure to the job. Edited By Donald Fry on 28/04/2017 07:46:13

Sorry Jon, I can't help. I am from the tight end of the hobby. But you didn't mention petrol twins. They are aeronautical jewellery. You see how these things get even cynical old me going. Your motors are good for a thousand hours? 5000 flights. Most sales are stored in boxes. They don't get worn out. Some will pay for a different motor from the rest. But how many? You will have to suck it and see, or not. Edited By Donald Fry on 27/04/2017 19:43:36

Geoff, I am also looking at trousers. A thought I have is using proskin ( Mick Reeves Models), over a lite ply frame. See his advice regarding supergluing edges together. Light, strong.

Yes

I reckon that this forum will not answer your question. I can see that your 180 and bigger is the potential to flourish in a changing world. You exude quality, and quality is a good ploy in marketing at that end of the market. But the 100 size is a bit more Ford end of the market. And that price represents a load of glow fuel. You will sell some. Like you sell some diesels. But I don't really know what proportion of your market is split between users and collectors (dreamers).

Posted by Donald Fry on 26/04/2017 20:22:48: David, you are being provocative. And so to bed. I told you it would start them off.

I find with multiwings is not to overpower them. The likes of Panics I have no experience of, but often tempted, but I imagine you plant them in. But put a triplane down, a DR VII, and excess power is your enemy. Tickle the throttle as much as you like, but there is little margins between draggy brick and too fast for the spindly undercarriage. I am a petrol head. Lecci users read sort the prop to suit the plane.

David, you are being provocative. And so to bed.

Marty, as you say, they say they will change brands. But some folk are never happy. It is still a surprise to me why we get that exited about radios. They all work, one seems to have sticks you are a bit happier with, the switches suit one rather than another. But they all work. Mind, I have just donated a six channel Futaba system to a beginner, 2000 vintage. And having checked it through, was twiddling the sticks, and reaching effortlessly to the switches. And I thought, this is better laid out than my DX 9.

I have for many years carefully been putting the brass ferrules in, using a Khama reinforcing use of a steady hand, a good eye, and faith. And a large stomach to seal the bench from the floor. It is shattering to learn there are easier ways.

OK, I will try a turned version first. I have access to a proper toolmaker/engineer, so I think I will be tapping his brains to get me right. List of jobs in my life does not get shorter.

Thank you for the comments. Martin I am encouraged to have a go. Mannish, I would guess that the weight will make procession worse when the tail is down at the start of the take off run. But once the tail comes up, and for flight I can't see it making too much difference. It's not a big weight in relation to the mass of the aircraft.

I have done a ball park guesstimate, and I think the turned unit would weigh IRO 300 grams

Bit off topic, but I am assembling a Miles Hawk Speed Six, Phillip Kent plan, with a Laser 180 up front. Now this machine has a distinct spinner, a 82mm flat cone shape, and I am thinking of making it, either turned on a lathe, or in glassfibre. I like the idea of turning it, and making it heavy, because this plane has a reputation for tail heavy, and weight so far forward is appealing. I will be using a commercial backplate, as I have one already. Anyone have any experience of this idea?

In all fairness to old fashioned systems, I will use technology every time if I can. Do I fancy starting the steam engine before I get the lathe going, no thanks. Or even a boy turning the lead screw to make a bit of threaded rod. And a cnc cutter takes to my mind just as much skill to maintain and operate. Just a different set of skills.

Posted by D for Donald on 29/03/2013 21:15:18: Does anyone know where I can get hold of the manual/pamphlet for an Irvine 53 Mark 1? I've had no luck so far. Paul I have all the paperwork for one. It was made in about 1999, is this a Mk 1, the engine was red, black carb barrel Don Fry, Donalds of the world unite, except one in the good ole US of A.

I like to think I maintain my fleet. My workshop is small, one build bench, so a maintenance sessions get done at convenient stages in the current build process. Anyway, a year old hack, well used, had an incident with an hedge, and broke a wing. I repaired it with some care, and it flew without trim change. Except (it's a trike) the ground handling was wild. Has a look, and the nose leg was loose. Tightened, and was better, but still sloppy. Cause, the Futaba 148 had worn bushing. The servo also drives the rudder, and I have had I back of head thought that the rudder was "vague" for a while. Fine checking on that one. And before you say, I didn't put it together, and I know nylon bushed servos and nose legs are not good together.

Jon suspect you are right. But the 80 will disappear.

I will wait until I get the kit to measure. I agree about the Laser 80, but I have a 100 unemployed, and if it fits within the filter, would make a good power plant turning a three blade prop. Cheap too.

Andrew, thank you for that. I want the head hidden, and that will do the job. Easier than learning the electric route.

Colin, just totally weary of spellcheckers, did not spot that the thing , not wishing to fall foul of site rules, made sense, to civilised folk. Don

Do yer 50 quid if yer that daft mate. You know it makes sense. Defunct stuff. Bottom line, it's not a big market, even as a Europe wide market, and Horizon had made a fair mess of their retrenchment. But don't make a big thing of a small US company going to Europe as their base. In Europe the post services do cheap international charges. Why would they dance to the UK market, learn your place lads.

Posted by Andrew Ray on 16/04/2017 20:17:17: The Hurricane Mk.II had an extra 4" added to the fuselage somewhere in front of the windscreen due to the longer engine fitted. I've been thinking a tropical filter would hide the protruding engine. Edited By Andrew Ray on 16/04/2017 20:18:17 Being totally lazy, and also with lots of learning jobs on, explane more, a hidden head is a lot less trouble that messing about with electric meters. I know the spelling sucks. Edited By Donald Fry on 16/04/2017 20:37:34

Posted by ken anderson. on 27/03/2010 10:16:24: them were the day's - when we used to dye the egg's......the youngin's dont know what they are missing.................   ken anderson.................ne 1.. .'ss. Yuursss, funny coloured fingers.

Crude but effective is a small size dremel sanding drum, used at about 12000 rpm, and keep the drum moving so you don't wear a band on the sanding paper. Mark the spinner so you keep it all symmetrical.