Scottrik

Posted by Beth Ashby Moderator on 18/01/2021 14:53:49: Steven - I've been told by our distributors last week that flights between Canada and the UK were suspended in December which has been causing all manner of delays and the magazines just don't seem to be getting through because of the backlog and them being sent under standard priority mail. If you'd like to email me with your subs number or address, I can look into your account and get some replacements out to you. [email protected] Nigel - I've just replied to your email. Beth, I just received a message from your customer service folks at My Time that pretty clearly stated I was out of luck re: my missing September issue, that there are none on hand to satisfy requests. I found my dealing with them MOST unsatisfactory...the clear message was they really can't be bothered. Mind you I sent my message that I'd not received my September issue until my October issue arrived mid-December. It took them one day short of a month to respond. My November issue, which I'd been concerned about, did just arrive over this past weekend so HOPEFULLY things are easing up. Our issues have always been slow to arrive in the US, but that's fine...as long as they arrive. Scott

Check your inbox re: Roto-Duo and Springfield Bulldog

Posted by Fun Flyer on 19/09/2016 22:29:17: Posted by Beth Ashby Moderator on 19/09/2016 11:06:31: FunFlyer, As your subscription is to ROI, it can take a few extra days in the post to get to you. Subscriptions department have advised that in the worst case it can take up to 14 days. If after then it hasn't arrived, we can arrange for another one to be sent out. Beth Thank you for the reply Beth. However its not terribly satisfactory because as I said this seems to be a problem unique to RCM&E and it makes me wonder why I should bother with a subscription at all.   Dude...really? Do you "hear" yourself? It's a magazine subscription, not the cure for cancer. If it takes a couple days it takes a couple days. Honestly, what is the difference if it arrives this week or next? "Perspective"...look it up. Edited By Scottrik on 20/09/2016 01:11:46

Follow-up. I received a very nice phone call (actually a message...I do not have phone access during the day) and an e-mail from Debbie Plummer apologizing for my inconvenience and confirming that if I wish to proceed that the promotion I had tried to take advantage of would be honored. Not entirely out of the woods yet, I received another message seven minutes later from another person that said my payment had been processed, but for only a single year. That said, with Ms. Plummer's assistance I'm sure we'll be set right. Thank you for your input/assistance Beth! Scott Smith

Thanks for your effort Beth...hopefully something can be arranged. Around the time your message was posted here I received a reply to my last e-mail to the subscriptions people which said pretty much what I said here, that if they couldn't do better than what they've represented that the subscription would be allowed to lapse. The note is headed "subscription cancellation" and that a cancellation "per my request" had been entered and my last issue would be the September 2016 issue. Not at all the action I'd requested, and interestingly enough this was the only e-mail response I've received from them that was not signed with someone's name. Seems someone may be going rogue. I'm guessing (hoping...) that subscription matters are farmed to an outside agency, but you need to know that agency does not seem to be acting in your best interest. I'll be interested what your request may bring. Thanks again, Scott Smith

Time for a rant. I received a letter in the mail a couple weeks ago offering a special rate if I extend my subscription early. The next day I started attempting to take advantage of this offer. It may just be me, but extending an existing subscription SHOULD be about the easiest thing on the planet to accomplish. Not so. The letter offered a one year and two year rate, I was keen to take advantage of the two year rate...as much as anything to avoid the yearly hassle this has become. One of my options given was to go to a web site, the address for which was given. This re-directed me to another web page that indicated the offer had expired. The letter clearly said I had something like 18 days from receipt. I sent an e-mail query which was answered in due time by Grace Hawes who apologized for the bother and suggested I call. Well, turns out that since I don't do long distance from home I don't have a long distance carrier, so am unable to call from home. I could not figure out how to make an international call from my cellular phone (that's, of course, on me). She had been insistent that I shouldn't send my CC number via e-mail, but at this point I asked if I couldn't just send it and get the matter taken care of. This process probably consisted of four or so notes back and forth, all answered by Ms. Hawes. She agreed that if I sent the CC number she could get the extension processed. All along there was never a hint of doubt that she would be able to get me taken care of on the special offer. When I sent the CC number i received a note back, this time from Nicola Reigate, informing me that I would NOT be able to take advantage of the offer, offering instead to extend my subscription at the full (and not insubstantial to the US) rate. Since the e-mails were all "together" as they went back and forth I asked that she refer to Ms. Hawe's messages attached or to, by all means, forward this to Ms. Hawes for attention. She messaged back stating flatly that the offer would not be honored. Not only is this FAR more effort than one should have to go through to extend a subscription, it smacks of "bait and switch", where I'm lured in with a nice offer but at the last minute am told I'll be paying substantially more. If someone in your organization can make this work for me I would be happy to provide my CC number content in the knowledge it will be two years before I have to go through this again. Otherwise, this has become far more hassle than it is worth. I like the magazine very much, please don't misunderstand, but it's marginal utility to me has been overshadowed by the run-around and frustration. Much as I don't want to, I'll let the subscription lapse. There are other magazines available that are much more easy to deal with. Scott Smith Edited By Scottrik on 26/05/2016 02:27:24

Many thanks, Peter, for explaining. Guess I wasn't daft after all. You are right re: SO many threads. I'm thinking I may give this a go with the mass build (albeit from afar in Frosty E. Montana). The Ballerina is SO similar to my beloved Space Walker but will be infinitely better 'cause I built it! (positive affirmations...building myself up for the challenge).

I'm sure this is just inexperience on my part, but in examining the plan I've come up with a question. The 3/32" side plus the 1/32" ply doubler gives me (nominally) a 1/8" thickness overall. This matches up very nicely with the 1/8" stringers aft of the cockpit. What I am finding problematic is the three formers F7 through F9 where there is no doubler...I can see how the former width could be designed 1/16" wider to take up the slack from the missing doubler and keep the fuselage taper neat, but nothing I can imagine makes this match up with the stringers? It seems there would need to be a step in the former, or adding a 1/32" cap strip to each side of the mentioned former from base up to the bottom edge of the first stringer to shim the sides out but this is not shown in the plan. This mis-match also appears to extend to the front. Again, our nominal built-up thickness of the sides is 1/8" but the plan shows the turtledeck being formed from 3/32" sheet. Again, this seems to "miss". Here I can imagine sanding things flush since it extends the entire length of the turtledeck, but at the rear such sanding would make a quite noticeably concave appearance. I'm sure there are quite simple explanations, but I'm coming up stumped. Edited By Scottrik on 26/12/2015 17:37:38

Holiday spirit/hope had me go to the web store to see about purchasing a wood pack and, perhaps, an accessory pack for the Ballerina. What the heck, man, a discount, the fun of building along, etc. Let's see, woodpack...54.99GBP...check. Accessory kit...24.99GBP...check. Shipping to the USA...104.99GBP...WHAT???!!! I'd be ok with the kit riding in the cargo section of the plane on it's way over, no need to purchase a seat for it to sit in. Has anyone considered working with an established kit-cutter here in the US to make these kits MUCH more reasonably priced to ship? Manzano, for example, has a long history of working with design owners to do exactly this. As it is, while I'm happy to pay the price for the wood parts kit (and probably even the accessory kit...I HATE bending gear) there's no way I'm going to enrich the postal services to the tune of $150+ to have it brought over. Absent such a sop to your overseas readers I am left having to decide whether to cut my own parts or not if I wish to participate. I have the equipment to do so, I just don't get the charge out of doing so that others do. To me it is re-inventing the wheel if I'm cutting out parts that I could easily purchase. Hoping there's some sort of arrangement that can be made...the Ballerina is by NO means the only parts pack I'd be purchasing (I'd sure like a go at that Panther, among others) were they to be made more accessible to we colonists. Scott

Hi Rob--I believed you, I just hadn't been able to tell from your initial pictures, hence the query. These new pictures sure show off what an excellent job you've done! Another great build Chris--that Cliffwhacker looks the business! Didn't change much

When I said "flat" I was meaning "without dihedral" rather than "without under-camber", Chris said both could be done, no dihedral and/or no under-camber. Chris, I'd very much like to see the front of your Cliffwhacker with the power system, etc., in-situ. My Cliffwhacker will be powered as well. Did you do flaps or no? Scott

Understood Chris, just hadn't seen anyone (yet) take the bait to do so. Couldn't tell from Rob's pictures, it almost looked flat. Might be tempted to try both "side-by-side", we'll see. Alex Whitaker's Cliffwhacker has slid ahead in the queue, but the Whizkid is a great size to leave rigged up in the car for grabbing quick flight opportunities as they present themselves. Scott

Rob, looks like you left the wing "flat", is that the case? Had this plan out again and started cutting the patterns out the other day. Scott

What's more than a little sad is that this thread, intended to celebrate a wonderful model and encourage others to "have a a go" has become an Economics Whinging Log. I have found out that Mr. Caso is from the US and that he is a successful (even prolific) designer/kitter of model airplanes. He is able to provide the kit to folks on this side of the pond, and guess what. Taking into account the current exchange rate, dollars to pounds, it is almost exactly the same price other than I am able to save a hundred-ish dollars on shipping. Where MHS, perhaps, falls short is that they really don't provide a good description of what is included in the kit. From Mr. Caso's kit description it becomes quite clear why the kit costs what it does. Firstly, "approximately 300 laser-cut parts". That's a BUNCH. Secondly, it describes slotted longerons (to truly "eggcrate" the structure together it would seem) and many fixtures, etc., that don't become part of the permanent structure but DO enhance the building experience. I am placing my order this week and expect to have this box of wonderful in my hands within a couple weeks. I'm only saddened that I won't get to it right away or even particularly soon, too many "priority" projects right now. I've learned through sad experience that if you see a kit you want it's best to "jump" while they are available, so "jump" I shall. As far as structure optimization, cut time optimization, etc...it is what it is. I only offer that to pay someone to feed wood to a laser cutter for three hours, and to tie up the equipment on ONE piece of merchandise for that amount of time costs money. And the minute YOUR place of employment charges exactly what you are paid for your time and the tied-up equipment (and the power, and insurance, and facility...) that they will be out of business and you looking for a job. It just doesn't seem to me that the kit price is THAT out of line, if at all, given what is included. If it's too rich for your blood or you just choose to prioritize spending otherwise, so be it. Move on. The opportunity exists to "roll your own" via the wonderful (and FREE) plans set you have been provided in the magazine. Have at it. Scott

The people I know who do laser cutting definitely charge by the minute of laser time. That's why you see numbers left off parts from most suppliers...it measurably adds to the time and, hence, cost of the kit. The notable exception to this WAS the Aerodrome kits, and they were generally more expensive (though I'm sure there are more than just this to explain). Now that the Aerodrome kits are cut by Manzano I'm not sure if the part numbers are still on or not. Then if you have intricate formers with lots of cutouts for longerons, it all adds time. The laser can only work across a piece so fast, and my understanding is that the thicker the part the slower it has to pass, though it can't dally or it chars more. Slower = more time = yet more cost. And so on. Would pay the asking price in a minute if it were available at shops here thus reasonable shipping.

Many thanks Ton. Haven't built yet, sourcing the bits to make it...I like to have everything in a box when I start a build, that way I'm not frustrated waiting for stuff. As a school teacher, my building season ends up coinciding with flying season (mostly). This time of year, though it would be great to "escape" to the basement in the evenings, I'm usually dead on my feet when evening comes. I REALLY want to get a Red Eagle built first thing this summer so I can use it the second half of our season. My poor Spirit is really starting to look tatty. Not her fault, it's on the pilot. Dare not strip her down, though, until I have a replacement in the quiver.   Edited By Scottrik on 10/03/2015 21:59:56

Awesome pics Ton--thanks! Question about power setup. I am not one to "overpower" models (as a rule) but I would be using my Red Eagle for ALES competition here (one of your F3J classes or some such) where I need to be at 200 meters in under 30 seconds. My e-converted Spirit glider (VERY similar to your Red Eagle) could not consistently make altitude within time on a power system similar to what you've described...on three cells anyway. With four cells (which is too much for the motor, finally fried one late last season) it will LEAP to altitude in less than 20 seconds. Have you timed yours to altitude? The video early in this thread made it look like it will climb pretty well, but enquiring minds want to know (as the magazine header once said). Thanks! Scott

Posted by Tomtom39 on 10/03/2015 10:58:20: Hello Scottrik, There is me being envious about the availability of some excellent American kits and wishing I was the other side of the pond. I have in the past ordered ones from Proctor and gliders from Aerosente. Price to buy is great but shipping, Customs Tax etc makes it rather eye watering. Last one was nearly 40% of the kit. (Price of kit and bits was close on $1000 !!!!!). The grass is always greener etc etc. Many thanks for the Youtube link which has offered me a solution to another problem.   I hear you TomTom...grass indeed. That said, none of the magazines here do awesome plans that I desperately want wood packs (what we call a "short kit" ) and cowl/canopies for. We don't even have customs tax on these items here, it's just the shipping that's crazy. I just want the box chucked in freight on a flight that's already coming over...I didn't want them to charter a plane . Something I'd suggested to Tony Nijhuis was to set up a royalty arrangement with a kit cutter over here, like Manzano or the like. He cuts and sells kits for a number of other designers like Peter Rake, now the Aerodrome line, etc. That would, I should think, eliminate the shipping costs. He seemed interested, and I got him the contact info for Manzano, but I'm guessing they could not come to an agreement. Ah well! I've got saws and sanders, may as well ruin my lungs with balsa dust...   Danny--you will LOVE Jim's kits. He, like you, strives to improve his game with every project. Speaking of projects...I would pay the shipping over for a kit of your Apache were that to ever happen!! Your pieces in the magazine are ALWAYS clipped and stored in a binder! Scottrik Edited By Scottrik on 10/03/2015 19:49:52

March issue just arrived here today. I was STOKED to see that the included plan was: 1) The Bulldog!! Saw this plane in a book some time back and couldn't locate a plan for it in a quick look at the time. 2) That the plan is 1/6 scale...this seems to be a popular (and convenient) scale for these Golden Era Racers. Good job on that guys!! 3) Unlike my Brit cousins (who seem a bit spoiled, perhaps, by ready access to the parts packs there...you only THINK they're expensive to you. Add a $100-ish postage charge and see what you REALLY think!!) I'll have a go from plans. It likely won't happen this coming winter (already things ahead in the queue) but I LOVE these planes! As far as the battery access, etc., I thought the same thing David Pearce, regarding making the complete power system removable like a drawer a la the T&J kits. I have the T&J Waco and their Wedell-Williams (which I can't recall if it has the slide out power pod or not). It is a neat system, MUCH more convenient for battery changes than little hatches for my big sausages to try and fiddle batteries and connections in and out of. Invariably hatches are on the bottom, too, and it isn't nice on the finishes to keep laying the plane(s) over on their back after every flight. Worst-case scenario, charging the batter in-situ isn't a deal-breaker. I rarely go to the field with just one arrow. Here's a link to a short video that demonstrates Jim Young's (T&J) pull-out power system on the WACO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPOCcpfGtM4 Many many thanks for this plan!! Worth this year's sub price ($100 here in the US) for this alone. This year you've (perhaps) done too many great plans! Have the bits together to do an Atom gyro, looking forward to the Red Eagle to replace my aging Spirit 2m, etc., now a Bulldog to build. Life is good, just wish I could justify retiring!! Scott Smith Montana, USA Edited By Scottrik on 10/03/2015 05:33:38

Thanks very much for the reply Chris! I'll have to check in on your Vickers build. As far as your tube is concerned, is the caption correct that the id is 5mm? If so, the tube I sourced here would actually be thicker walled (at .75mm wall thickness vs. yours at .5mm) yet two-thirds the weight for length. Of course there are different qualities of carbon fiber as there are most things, a higher resin-to-cloth ratio will create more weight, or if it is a "carbon tube" (powdered carbon rather than carbon cloth) I believe that can weigh more as well. Boy do I ever hate to "add weight" to flying models. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. **EDIT** I just referred to my carbon tube source, they do not show 6mm tubes but do have a couple choices in 5.8mm tubes which are DARN close. Interestingly enough, they show two id's in this diameter, 4.5mm (.65mm wall thickness) and 4.2mm (thickest yet at .8mm). I'll request a quote on tube weight. I'll not worry about "fully aerobatic" with my Whiz Kid--that's what I keep the Super Chipmunk in my hangar for The motor matter is really one of safety--if you were to inadvertently find yourself in the path of the prop when it decided to chuck that blade it could prove to be a bad day all around, and as you've found it is doing no favors for airframe integrity. I'll have to experiment around a bit with motors, batteries and props. I don't need vertical performance but I would definitely like to see ALES-worthy climbs where it needs to attain 200 meters within 30 seconds. I think this glider, at the "budget" it can be easily built on, could serve as a "one-make" class in our local ALES competition in addition to being a fellowship-building club build. Our ALES is a one-class-fits-all competition now, regardless what you bring to the field you are up against $2000+ full-house birds that truly displace more air than they weigh which makes it tough for we punters to compete. Quick, to the building board. Snow is already in the forecast the next couple nights! Scott Edited By Scottrik on 09/09/2014 13:58:53

Hopefully Chris is still checking in here from time to time... I am setting off, albeit about a year late, to build a Whiz Kid. My hope is I can prove it easy and cheap enough to encourage several club members here to build them as well with an eye to an event next spring featuring these. After reading here I have a couple questions/observations. Firstly, the boom seems to be an area of question, and how much is needed to balance things out. For what it's worth, I would source my 6.5mm (1/4" in English-speak) / 5mm pretty much as spec'd in the plan. The full 1000mm piece (39-ish inches) is 20 grams which would make a 16-inch long piece just a nick over 8 grams. On the first page of this thread you describe a 16" piece of your tube as weighing 12 grams. This 50% difference in weight (and similar discrepancies described by other builders) makes me wonder if you somehow ended up with a length of black fiberglass tube. Secondly, sounds like the 2200kv motor is spinning much too fast on three cells for the prop(s) as you've had two of them shed blades now with grim results for the airframe. It seems the outside RPM for 6" prop is in the neighborhood of 16000rpm. A 2200kv motor at 12 volts (keep in mind a fully charged 3s is 12.6 volts) is potentially spinning that prop at 26,400 rpm, FAR beyond any rated value I can find. I'm curious if this wouldn't work much better (more safely, anyway) using a 2s pack at (call it) 8 volts which gets things down to 17,600 rpm (with any luck below any "margin" built-in). This would have the added benefit of lightening up the nose which folks seem to be finding too heavy. Alternatively, a 1200-1400 kv 2826 motor would be either side of 16000rpm. i am interested in your thoughts, and am most anxious to get started! Many thanks, Scott

Sorry, not sure if this is where this should be posted or not but could not find "Subscriber Queries" or the like. I am trying to access past issues but am shunted to a page that declares this to be subscriber access only. As it turns out I AM a subscriber but figured I may have gotten lost in the recent reorganization of overseas (North America) distribution. The page had a link to enter my subscriber number in my profile so I selected that. Once there I note that I HAVE a subscriber number entered there and it says my subscription is good through 30/09/2014...not yet upon us. Further, I re-upped over a month ago (perhaps 6 weeks?) with a different subscriber number so I entered that. Did not change the date, did not gain me access to the subscriber content.  My new subscription should not lapse for another full year yet. Many thanks for assistance. Scott ps. What I'm trying to access online is the June, 2012 issue....what was the free plan that month? I seem to be missing that issue for some unknown reason and (of course) the May, 2012 plan has some parts carried over onto that plan. SS Edited By Pete B - Moderator on 04/09/2014 08:49:52

Posted by Greybeard on 31/07/2013 09:26:09: Given you locationit may be worth your while to ask the question on **LINK** Given Willie's location (Germany) I figured it more likely to find someone here who'd had dealings. Plus since I read RCM&E monthly I know Graeham, Pete, et al enjoy building larger scale WWI planes. I'll post to RC Scale as well (not a bad idea), but am interested in hearing reports on quality and dealing with Willie's Wheels. Many thanks!

Thanks very much Greybeard, unfortunately the listing states "does not post to the United States" which leaves me out (not that you knew that!). Anyone having any dealing with Willie's Wheels feedback would be appreciated here or off-line. Many thanks, Scott

OOPS...NOW I can access the order form. Isn't it always the way? Does anyone have any feedback pro / con regarding the Herbie wheels? I'd still look at alternatives as well. Many thanks! Scott