Matt Carlton

Just keeping this rolling along for the sake of posterity. Heating oil currently £1.02/l via boilerjuice. Still very very high, but slightly less terrifying.

It's interesting, so thankyou for all the comments. In thinking about this, I think I struggle more with rtf or artf models from the perspective of personality. Possibly because there is nothing of me in them, whereas with an o/d, plan or even a kit, I have invested time into the creation. I recently bought a WOT4 Foam E and whilst it is a very nice model, it flies nicely, does everything it should, it just doesn't inspire me in the way that some other, and possibly less capable, models have. On of my favourite models, ever, was an "LS Special" built from a free plan by Peter Miller. Small, simple, but flew wonderfully well and had a very definite character that just begged me to fly it.

For me personally, it's not so much about the capability of the model. A J60 is pretty restricted in its performance, but that doesn't rob it of character. That slow, relaxing flight IS its character. Take a calm, sunny summer evening and a J60 oozes charm as it potters about. Some models do everything. They fly well, do decent aerobatics and everything you want in a sport model but do it in a rather uninteresting way.

Because they have probably answered the same question umpteen times recently so I thought I'd ask here in case someone had recently asked. That seemed reasonably sensible.

Have you ever flown or owned a model that, for whatever reason, just felt a bit "meh"? I'm not talking about models that fly badly or are difficult, but those that just don't connect, that you never feel engaged with. It's odd to talk about a model having personality, but they do. Don't they?

Does anyone know what the current situation is at SLEC et al? The last info I had was a container expected at the end of May, but I'm still only seeing hard grade balsa available from SLEC (except 36x3") so I just wondered if anyone had any further info?

If the behaviour of one or more members is, or is likely to cause disharmony, or maybe make other members less inclined to attend etc, then I think the chairman can realistically propose termination as being contrary to the interests of the club. Membership of any club or organisation isn't a right and is always subject to acting within an agreed or tacitly accepted code of behaviour. I agree that this is an issue between individuals but one that seems likely to extend beyond that hence the OP posting here). I have left clubs before because of the internal politics, arguing and side taking that sometimes seem to happen. Nobody wants to go flying on tenterhooks in case "person x" turns up.

Continued Rx availability at a reasonable price is probably more of a concern than flexibility in my case. My main issue as things stand is that my Tx is not compatible with some of the newer Hitec receivers, therefore I am more or less stuck with the Optima series, of which there isn't a very small/light option. I'll do some research and see. Futaba does a thing called the T6K v3 which would, on the face of it, do everything I need it to at a not much higher price than the RM or RL. All in all, there's no immediate urgency, but it's interesting, if not bewildering, to see so many (to me) unknown brands. I just wish they were not all so ugly....

It doesn't really sound like this is anything to do with the club. This sounds like two rather immature individuals who are too egotistical to come to terms. The club's main interest should be ensuring that this private issue doesn't sour the atmosphere for others. If that can't happen and their continued membership is likely to be detrimental to the club, then they have to leave. Would be a lot easier if they just estimate costs for repair and split the bill 50/50 as both were probably at fault. But perhaps that's too much like common sense for these boys.

Interesting info chaps, thankyou. Work commitments, bank balance, family and weather usually restrict my flying sessions to an hour or so of an evening or weekend, so ultimately, simplicity and reliability are pre-requisite. I do sometimes wonder whether we're guilty of being "tackle tarts" to coin a phrase. It's fairly common to see upwards of £500+ worth of 10+ channel tx being used to guide a WOT4 around the sky. Or rather, it's fairly common to see said WOT4 sitting on the floor whilst many furrowed brows point attempt to navigate a full colour touchscreen to unravel the mysteries of why the control throws are all wrong. Anyway, I'll get off the soapbox before I get knocked off. Cheers

That's a point, but I'm a little (wrongly?) wary of faffing about with OpenTx as I don't have PC access. I could be off base here, so bear with me...

Probably old hat but I was looking at updating my Hitec tx but obviously HT isn't an option for new tx, so I came across this: https://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/radio-equipment/radio-systems-transmitters/at1011-2-4ghz-12-channel-transmitter-with-receiver-orange Which looks like a steal. New to me, so no idea on quality etc, but the price is ridiculous for a 12ch set, so am I missing something? Rx choice looks reasonable and assuming that there are no reasons that other brand servos etc won't work (I cant see why they wouldn't) there seems absolutely no reason to buy anything else, certainly for the sort of club flying I do. Does anyone have any experience of them? Cheers

I am a very political person, and I love nothing more than a debate, but I suspect that this isn't the best place for it and in my experience, ends up becoming contentious, acrimonious and ultimately shut down. Chuck it in one of the Off Topic forums by all means, but possibly not "All things model flying"?

I think David Boddington stands out for me if only because his "Radio Control Primer" was the only modelling book in my school library and was so inspirational. I'd add Peter Miller to the list as well, not least because of all the free plans which I gazed lovingly at as a youth. Not necessarily in the same vein, but Dave Bishop did a great deal to make the Nats what it was back in the day. A few other names I'd add in. George Stringwell Bill Dean Nic Wright Martin Simons Oh, and of course, the eternal Roland Graunchet...

I was reading some old magazines and thinking about some of the people who I think have made a big impact on the hobby. So, who are your personal "heroes" or people you think have positively influenced the hobby or your involvement in it?

I wonder if a suitably enterprising kind of person could make a sort of sideline out of a "wire bending service". Sometimes, for some people, the answer isn't as simple as "just go and buy the tool".

I resisted going electric for quite some time but eventually I had to admit that the complete lack of fuss, bother and faff was too compelling. I would like to see a few scale models and a multi or two in my future and not having to worry about tuning, cleaning, starting, cutting out, idle issues just takes away so many areas of anxiety for me. In other news, your build here continues to inspire me. That inspiration may take a long time to bear fruit, but nonetheless, reading through this has been an education.

Some rather dismissive replies on this one it seems. I thought that the purpose of the forum was to offer guidance and advice rather than try to belittle people for asking for it.

Hi Chaps, So a bit of back pay arrived so I treated myself to a WOT4 Foam E Mk2 as a club hack. So far unflown but put together, I am.... a little underwhelmed thus far I must say. Perhaps I am just a bit out of touch, but the quality and design seems a bit lacking for something carrying Mr Foss' esteemed name. Hopefully the flying experience will be a better one and will justify selecting this instead of a Riot as a chuck about model.

In a similar vein, I seem to remember that one or more of Terry Westrop's "Loaded Dice" were kitted in the same format, or did I imagine that? I'm sure someone was selling them at the 'Nats, probably early to mid 1990s at a guess?

Hello all. Being sadly bereft of anything to fly, I'm looking for a cheapish "hack" to keep my thumbs twiddling while I finish a build. Ideally somewhere near my neck of the woods (North Norfolk). Something akin to a Wot 4 Foam E, a Funjet, one of the PZ type warbirds, anything really. Ideally 3S lipo as that's what I have lying around (2250 and 1600) but pretty local given the cost of fuel. Not looking to spend a lot, so maybe £150 tops. DM me if you have anything ? Kind regards Matt

Did the DSM range come with a pre built fuselage? That might have to fall by the wayside to make the sums add up perhaps? Short kits would make a lot of sense. Main airframe components but leave out the hardware as most modellers wanting to build one would likely have their own preferences for hinges, linkages, glow vs electric, fixed vs retracts etc. Judicious use of liteply for fuselage sides etc, obechi veneered foam wings, stabiliser, fin, rudder etc could cut balsa content? Would be nice to see them back though, I always wanted a Saphir or an Excelsior. The little 25 size Joker (?) looked a cute thing too.

I haven't used a bungee for a long time. I have one but it has doubtless perished. The last thing I launched was, I believe, a Balsa Cabin Sonata or possibly a Flair Albatross. A lovely peaceful way to spend a summer evening.

Foam wings are usually quite resistant to warps, so if there is no obvious or large misalignment, as someone else said, perhaps the ailerons themselves are warped/mis-shaped? That would at least be a reasonably easy fix. Also look at fin/rudder alignment. A yaw trim issue could be showing up a roll couple, so it might not necessarily be wing that is the cause.

Due to various issues and calamities, I find myself with nothing to fly for the first time in a long time. It is a rather uncomfortable position to be in. Oh for those heady summer days of yore.