Matt Carlton

Hello all, Although the NCSL wire bender comes up on a Google search, the link to the website appears to be broken. I seem to remember it being the best available for a number of years. Does anyone know if NCSL are still trading? Wire bending tools seem a little thin on the ground! Cheers Matt

Alan; Good catch, I really hadn't looked at the thickness, my mistake. 1/32" might be heavy. Apologies for the misguidance. Matt

Certainly it's possible. I run a strip of tape along the join, fold it back and run a bead of PVA along it then flatten it again. If you glue the skins down with the tape on the outside face, you can leave the tape on. That'll stop whatever you glue the skins down with squeezing out through the joins. One benefit from doing it that way is that you can lay out the skins according to the grain. On sharply tapered wings, I have used two skins with a traingular "dart" between them so the grain ends up parallel to both the leading and trailing edges. Hope that helps,

Nigel; SLEC obechi veneer sheets One word of caution if I may. There seem to be a few different timbers which get called "Obechi", particularly from suppliers outside of the modelling hobby! Cheers Matt

Steve, Whilst I don't really want to get too involved in the argument you are having with Doc, I think you are missing a couple of salient points. Perhaps wilfully, perhaps not, it's not for me to judge. Point one. You are being incredibly defensive about this subject. I can see that you have some language difficulty and, being the parent of a child with Autism and another with Dyslexia, believe me, I completely understand. However, most of the thread has been a discussion about the apparent disregard of spelling and grammar in the public sphere. You do not disregard it, you said yourself that it is a problem. The focus of the thread is the idea that it DOESN'T matter. Point two. You feel, as is your right, that having this discussion will put people off using the forum. Had the discussion been entitled "I hate people who can't spell" or "If you can't use grammar, you shouldn't use this forum" then I would agree. It isn't. If I started a thread with the title "ARTF models are ruining the hobby", would that stop ARTF owners from using the forum? As you rightly point out, your opinion is your own, but you can't make other people share it. I think your opinion is wrong. You think it is right. Thank goodness for a world where we can have difference of opinion! Point Three If you feel a thread is inappropriate, report it. If you don't like it, then in all honesty, you don't need to engage with it. If you have an issue with people expressing their opinion about spelling and grammar, then maybe a thread about that subject is bound to bother you. Remember, those people have as much right to express their opinion as you do. Whether you like that or not, providing it doesn't breach forum rules, is a rather moot point. Nobody is here to bang a drum or cause offence. But, you can't just shut down a discussion because people don't agree with you. Discussion, by its nature, involves differences of opinion. That's just how it is. Shrug it off, move on. Edited By Matt Carlton on 12/10/2020 14:52:46

I don't mind the endless repeats or rehashed snippets of archive film. What I really dislike are factual errors and glaring mistakes. I expect a documentary to have had at least a basic level of research. "This wartime footage shows a flight of Japanese torpedo bombers on their way to their target" Cut to a flight of Dauntless dive bombers. Better uninformed than misinformed. Even that though, is better than those incredibly US centric CGI "reinactment" programmes. "This week, go back in time and watch as brave American heroes defeat the cowardly enemy and save the world" "Flying against the war's best fighter aircraft, the unbeatable P-51 Mustang, the unskilled German pilots in their much inferior Focke Wulf fighters are literally blown out of the sky by the invincible Americans" I expect that in a 1940's propaganda movie. Less so in a 2007 "in depth look at war in the air" Pfft.

I appreciate that Steve, but I am not being critical of people who have difficulty with writing for whatever reason. I am critical of the fact that there was a time when spelling and grammar were considered important enough to be taught very early in a child's education. I am also critical of the incorrect use of language in public announcements, signage and information, where clarity and accuracy are important. There is no intent to offend in my post, nor to be condescending. However, I don't necessarily agree that it is wrong to criticise. Otherwise, we end up in a society which has no rules. We have standards of language in order to communicate effectively, just as we impose standards of behaviour in order to live together cohesively. The notion that we must tread on eggshells in order not to offend is a difficult one. Where do you draw the line? Saying that spelling and grammar are important does not mean a personal criticism of a person who has difficulty. If you were teaching someone to drive, you would need to correct their mistakes. You wouldn't just let them do it however they chose because you didn't want to offend them. Have you ever criticised someone for their driving or parking? Of course you have, whether publicly or not. Should you not be more understanding of people who find driving and parking difficult?

My personal list of pet 'peeves' in terms of language is rather long I'm afraid. I appreciate that everyone uses the language in their own way, but some things just irritate. Starting sentences with "So" Using "Like" as a punctuation Ending sentences with "Yeah?" Or "D'ya get meh?" Using "Literally" for things which are not. "I literally died" The Pacific is an ocean. Specifically, the largest on Earth. The use of "gate" as a participle for every scandal since Watergate. We was going. I were going. They was there. I weren't there. "Least worst" Meaningless management speech e.g. "Horizon gazing" "I'm going shops" Baby speech e.g. "Doggy Woggy", "Gee Gee", "Broom Broom" and so on. Why teach children to speak twice? I try not to be a pedant about these things. I understand that language continually changes. But there is a tendancy towards the belief that providing that one is understood, that is sufficient. I personally disagree, especially in the written word. However, I do accept that it isn't always easy when using a phone (as I am now) with a rather tiny touch screen keyboard. My podgy digits are not a helpful attribute.     Edited By Matt Carlton on 10/10/2020 23:18:02

Iirc, PJ models used to make a couple of PSS models which had hollowed foam fuselages veneered on the inside and outside faces. That would be quite easy to do with a fuselage made split top and bottom and joined like an Airfix kit.

There used to be a method used in a few kits around the 1990's with a Veneered foam "D-Box" with ribs for the rear section, either balsa or foam board with balsa cap strips. I like foam wings for robustness, wing section fidelity (Vs open structure anyway) but I think a balsa wing, whether open, D-Box or fully sheeted, has the advantage in terms of appearance and weight. I think sometimes balsa wings get over engineered, so the weight advantage can be lost.

It's probably more likely that international supply chains have been disrupted due to various Covid related issues. A few suppliers are indicating mid-November for new stock.

I thought that may be the case, it IS a rather small motor. I had a look at 4maxx and they suggest this motor so I'll probably just go with that and leave the Lightning as it is. I think that if I use a decent size Lipo, maybe a 3S 3350, that could fit close up behind the firewall. That might help the weight issue. Thanks for your input 👍

Hello all, I'm contemplating removing the power system from my Max Thrust Lightning to use in a Junior 60, but having checked the specs of the motor, there is no mention of wattage etc. Does anyone know what the wattage on 3S might be (roughly speaking)? My guess is that it's about 300W based on similar size motors. The MT lightning prop is 10 X 6, which might mean that an APC 10 X 5E might work. Shouldn't need more than 60W/lb should be ample if that's the case. Cheers Matt

I would send a formal complaint by post (recorded delivery) requesting clarification. Request proof of postage of the package be sent to you or a refund and suggest that you are taking legal advice on the matter. You can also ask for the name of the courier company and that order reference. That way, if the seller is legitimate then they will have no reason not to give you that information so that you can chase it up. Obviously, if they don't give you that information, then that is fairly clear evidence that there is something suspicious happening. If that is the case, or you have no response, then your only recourse may be to get a little more public. I don't see any harm in doing so if you have had no response from the seller. You need not make an outright accusation. If you simply state the facts without suggesting any deliberate wrongdoing, I can't see any legal objection.

I assumed that also, but that may not be common knowledge. There may also be an issue if the 'permission to fly' wasn't written down. Not sure what the situation is if a person doesn't have any evidence of permission. Similarly, if a person flies over public land, property, a highway or anywhere else without authorisation. Not sure where the BMFA stand on that. It's probably likely that in the cited case, the model flyer wasn't covered by BMFA insurance.   Edited By Matt Carlton on 07/10/2020 18:50:13

At the risk of resurrecting a dead thread, I thought I might chime in here as I work as an Agricultural Consultant. There are a few factors which can make some farmers reluctant to give permission for flying. 1) Current CAP rules and transition rules require land for which subsidies are paid to be in production, in order for it to be taken out of production if that makes sense. Grants under various initiatives can be particularly lucrative on the sort of marginal areas that are likely candidates for flying. On smaller farms especially, the total area of eligible land affects the amount and type of subsidy available. Therefore, as well as a potential loss of crop income, there can be a substantial hit on grant funding. 2) Planning permission can be a real problem, as agricultural land is designated as such within rural development plans etc. Therefore, giving permission for model flying, whether free or paid, could constitute a breach of that designation. 3) Some recent "events" have made liability and insurance a potential issue. A farmer allowed a person to fly a model on his land. That model hit a person walking across the land. In the ensuing legal exchanges, the farmer was held jointly liable for compensation payments (no criminal charges were brought) as he had permitted the activity to occur without ensuring sufficient safeguards. Ultimately, it becomes a liability that a farmer may not be willing to take on without a reasonably significant chunk of change. That is likely to happen only if a decent size club is involved. This might all be subject to change in a post CAP environment, so hold onto your hats. As well as Covid, Farmers are likely to be reluctant to agree to anything until the current Farm Payment system winds down to nothing over the next few years. Cheers Matt

Not just Firefox, BMFA website was throwing up a security flag this morning, but seems to be ok now, at least via Chrome.

No problem, as I say, just an idea. Whether it's practical or not is, as with most of my ideas, up for debate! 😊 Edited By Matt Carlton on 07/10/2020 13:57:41

I wasn't so much thinking of a forum in which traders would be involved as such. More along the lines of a 'directory of links' The idea being that if I am looking for a 1:3 scale instrument panel, I can quickly open the 'scale accessories' thread and find links to companies which make such a thing. So, a post would look like this; Aerocockpit - Scale instrument panels, instruments and cockpit details Unlike the existing section which is a good/bad trader alert, I'm thinking of this as just a list of links. Somewhat like the old BMFA links directory. Obviously there would have to be a caveat that inclusion in the list did not constitute approval or recommendation by Modelflying.co.uk and that the website was not responsible for broken links or customer experience. On a certain other forum, they have done this for Balsa Kit Manufacturers in a specific thread within a general modelling forum.

Hello all, I wonder if it would be sensible, or possible, to create a set of sub forums with links to various suppliers. We have a lot of smaller companies making great products, which we could give a bit of exposure to. When users come across a company or supplier that they have used or come across, they simply drop a reply to the relevant thread with the URL and a brief description. Particularly for those manufacturers who are smaller and perhaps more niche, supplying only one or two 'types' of product, rather than bigger generalist suppliers like SMC. I'm thinking that the sub-fora could be divided up into Threads thus; Balsa Kit manufacturers RTF manufacturers EDF models Building Aids Engine manufacturers Accessories manufacturers Scale Accessories (Pilot figures, instrument panels, Insignia etc) Electronics Model graphics Or something similar. A sort of 'directory' where users can find items without necessarily being 'limited' to the bigger players which tend to be the first port of call. Or would that be unimaginably clunky and difficult to manage? Just a thought Cheers

My apologies to everyone for any inappropriate use of asterisked words and epithets. I was unaware of the rule, I should have checked first, and I apologise. Duly noted and taken on board henceforth. Cheers

"The personal morals of the crystal clear present are no different from the personal morals of the rose tinted past" Would you assert that modern society has exactly the same morals and ethics as every time period which precedes it? We used to be taught that lying and dishonesty are wrong. What I see around me now is that the only crime is getting caught. We can agree to disagree however. It's not personal.

  I don't understand it either, it gnaws away at me if I get something I haven't paid for by accident or too much change, let alone go out and play with a model I haven't paid for. Sadly, like you, it spoils the whole thing for all the honest people out there. Maybe I'm just an old stick in the mud, but I was brought up believing that honesty and integrity are two of the most important qualities. Let's hope that AF respond, in my opinion, it's theft. Either he should pay up, or return the model to you at his expense. Simple. **edited for language infringement** Edited By David Ashby - Moderator on 06/10/2020 09:11:14

Not sure on sizing, but I found a kit for Cub U/C for the 15cc Carbon Cub; 15cc Carbon Cub U/C

Are they not in breach of the law by being in possession of a model which they have not paid for? Surely that is tantamount to theft? Therefore a police issue? Sadly, I think that 'buyer collects' is the only safe way to go. A buyer can still use PayPal if they want, or can pay a small holding deposit ahead of a cash payment on the doorstep. That avoids issues of damage claims etc, which can also get a bit acrimonious. I sold a model once, which apparently arrived in a damaged state. Courier stated that they were not responsible, the buyer wanted a full refund. In the end, I suggested that I would drive up to collect the model in person and refund the money. Not surprisingly, this was refused. It's a shame, because we're buying and selling all round the country, but for a bigger purchase like a complete model, a courier isn't THAT much cheaper than the petrol cost. The more difficult things are small but expensive items like Receivers. Cheap to post and very easy for a buyer to claim that it doesn't work, or an unscrupulous seller to sell a duff Rx and claim 'It worked when I tested it". However. The most effective thing possibly would be a "Bad Trader Alert" sub forum, where these things can be highlighted. It might not help the initial fraud, but if the rogue is "named and shamed" then they're going to struggle to repeat it. Cheers