Nigel Hawes

To be honest, although it is significantly more responsive, with the ailerons on rates and / or exponential the model is still extremely docile with the aileron wing fitted so the transition is relatively stress-free!

Hi Jim, Thanks for your E-mail bringing my attention to your thread. I'm afraid the rumours are correct, truth is the new editor doesn't consider Fly Electric necessary anymore as electric flight is now mainstream. I can only apologise for the abrupt cessation. I do have one last column to be published in November issue where I'll try to feature as much pipeline material as I can - sadly some will be disappointed but this is beyond my control. However I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to convey my findings in the column for so long, and I'm very proud of the record 16 and a half year unbroken run of columns! To have seen electric flight grow from an unlikely side-issue to an everyday activity has been both fascinating and extremely fulfilling, and I've made hundreds of new friends and acquaintances along the way. By the way I was at this year's NATS but in a completely different capacity! Best wishes, Nige.     Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 10/09/2015 14:21:57

Hi Chris, David Ashby is the best person to ask about this, I submitted the article and plan some time ago so I can only assume it's in the process of coming up for publishing. You can E-mail him at the editorial address in the front of the magazine. Hope this helps! Nige.

This hobby has lost so many prominent and prolific characters recently and this is the latest tragedy. Another modelling legend gone, nice that his life's work has been immortalised in print, though. Condolences to all.

Hi Simon, An SC.25 is very much at the top of the power tree for this model so you would need a very small 4-stroke. I'm not familiar with i.c. engines as I've only operated electric models for the last 20 years, but back then an OS FS.20 or HP VT.25 may have done the job, but you won't be able to use anything heavier than the SC.25 (300 grams) or you'll never achieve the C of G without having to add lead weights to the rear of the fuselage, which isn't ideal. Hope this helps! Nige.

I think THIS shot shows it the best, you can see the semi-symmetrical wing section, reduced dihedral and simple strip ailerons; otherwise the wing design is almost identical to the original.

Bizarrely enough, I finally managed to get the flying shots of Chapter One today with the aileron wing upgrade, first major photoshoot I've managed this year! The aileron wing plan is on its way to the RCME draughtsman and should appear as a feature in a summer issue. It transforms the model into quite a capable aerobat in the right hands (not mine, I hasten to add!) but retains the docile characteristics of the original design, so I'm very pleased with it. I'll post some pictures tomorrow when I get a chance to shrink them to the required size for this site. Nige.

I believe the term is "subbing"

To answer some of your questions, I'm working on the aileron wing now; it will have the same chord as the standard wing, a semi-symmetrical wing section and 1" strip ailerons in addition to the chord driven by a pair of 9-gram servos. But the way it locates with the fuselage is very specific so the incidence is correct. There is also only 1/2 an inch dihedral under each tip. I hope to create a parts list as soon as the CNC pack is available and we know exactly what goes in to each model! Nige.

Hi Tomas, Great to see you are also building a Black Diamond with a view to electric power. Please keep me informed of your progress, as it will probably be quicker than mine - I have a huge backlog to get through! Nige.

I think the draughtsman in Greece must be pretty used to that song as for 15 years he's been changing my CAD (Child Ability Drawing) to his version of CAD (Computer Aided Design) Oddly enough, when I showed the models to Graham Ashby at Greenacres, he said that when flying it in front of a large crowd, I should do as many loops as possible! I'm not sure why...

There have been hundreds of name suggestions, with several dozen coming from one chap with help from his other half! The response has been fantastic and we're very grateful for all the interest. Having fully tested the i.c. version, the plan(s) have now been drawn up and will be presented in November issue of RCM&E (the one after the 2014 Special Edition) all being well. We're also hoping the CNC cut pack and undercarriage parts will be available then too. I had no idea there was so much work in a project like this, with so many other parties involved, but the end product will be very accessible to beginner builders / fliers, and hopefully will encourage some newcomers to take the plunge. The winning name will also be announced in November issue and will receive one of the first CNC packs, along with the 4-Max electric powerset that George Worley has generously donated as an incentive! It's excellent that so many high profile people in the hobby have backed this project (RCM&E themselves, Tim Calvert at Model Markings, Ian Hull at SLEC, George Worley at 4-Max, Allan Stead at J. Perkins, Steve Webb amongst others) and even a good few experienced fliers have vowed to build one for a bit of nostalgia! I have to say there's something very pure and non-stressful about flying a rudder / elevator only trainer again after 35 years of small, fast aileron-equipped models, and I'm looking forward to following Project X up with an aileron wing for those who have become proficient fliers on ARTFs, but want to build something for the first time. Who knows, if the demand exists I may follow it up in a year or two with a first low winger project, but this one has been a huge commitment and I have some of my own ongoing builds to complete first! Nige.

Now now, chaps - this is getting competitive!