Derek Bradley

Linds, Going back to the very beginning of the build you state that the outside forward fuselage doubler is glued square to the bottom of the side panel so that it leaves a 6mm offset at the top. I have now got the full kit from MyHobbyStore and I find that the doubler is cut so that it lines up top AND bottom. Is this a mistake and should I remove a strip 6mm wide from the top edge of the doubler or am I reading something incorrectly? Derek.

Okay, Lucas, many thanks. Derek.

Many thanks, Lucas. I just wondered if any of the errors had been corrected since publication and if they were still printed back to back on one sheet. Derek.

That looks like a nice purchase, Mark. I have asked this question previously and got no replies so will try again - are the copy of the plans which can be purchased from RCM&E any better than the freebie one (which I already have along with the copy of the magazine)? Many thanks to anyone who may care to reply. Derek.

Further to my previous posting. Has anyone bought the plans from RCM&E (as opposed to the freebies) and any comment on them, please?

I was considering building Skywriter when it first came out and started to collect various bits and pieces. However, I became somewhat disheartened when I found discrepancies on the drawings, some of which are mentioned above. I, also, could not believe that the tailplane and rudder were covered with 1mm ply but was reluctant to query it, but the drawings certainly show it as such. I did not particularly like the free plans that came with the October,2013, RCM&E and considered buying another set but was put off by the thought that I may well have been paying for something which contained all the same errors. Consequently, I have never progressed any further with my thoughts of building it.

I correct myself - there is only one programme, so far as I can see (unless I missed one earlier). Sky Channel 534, PBS America, 9pm tonight, the restoration of a de Havilland Beaver.

Don't know whether these are new programmes but there are a couple on PBS America tonight (Wednesday, 12/11/2014) that may be interesting. I can't, at the moment, find the channel numbers but they were shown in my TV listings in the paper and could be accessed via Sky or Virgin. Derek.

Has anyone, yet, had anything to do with, what appears to be, a new 2.4Ghz radio - the TacTic TTX650. From what I can find out about it it appears to be a good set-up and it looks easy to programme with its buttons, rather than a roller system and also good illustrations of what effects your programming is having. I have seen one comment that it is a good Chinese set which has been 'grabbed' by Hobbico and priced somewhat upwards. (See P.43 of latest RCM&E). Any comments, please? Derek.

Many thanks, Pete. The unit is still for sale but I will be super vigilant. Derek.

Many thanks, Alejandro. I must admit that there appear to be similarities. Derek.

I have managed to post a copy of my reply to this persons email but am unable to post his because of the warnings about its length. Derek. (Copy of my email below) Hello Piet,   I am concerned that this appears to be a rather complicated way of completing this transaction. I am not happy about dealing with a third party so far as payment, etc., is concerned and you seem to be offering more than the unit is worth. I am not happy about shipping to France and, unless you can find some means of verifying your identity and come up with a better way of completing, I regret to say that I will have to refuse your offer. Sorry about this but I am not prepared to lose the transmitter and it’s value of £250.   Regards,   Derek Bradley.

Thanks for your advice Martin. I have done what you suggest but still unable to post the additional info as I continue to get the warning that it is too long. Derek.

I have been unable to add the emails to my posting as, on each occasion, I am warned that they are too long. I will just have to leave it to your imagination as to what they contained. Derek.

This is getting complicated and I have not been able to add the emails but will keep trying. Derek.

I have an ad in the Classifieds Section for a new Aurora 9X for sale and in the early hours of this morning I had an email from a person stating that he was very interested and showing his email address as - [email protected]. After the initial exchange of emails he contacted me again as shown in the copy of his email at the bottom of this posting. I gave the matter some thought and then replied to 'Piet R Gerard' this afternoon, as per the copy of my email immediately below and I have had no further contact from him. I hope I am not doing this person an injustice but, I'm afraid that this looks to me like an attempted scam. Any observations/comments would be appreciated. Derek Bradley. Apparently this posting was too long with the emails attached so I will try sending them with a separate posting immediately after this.

Many thanks, Linds. Derek.

I am in the process of collecting the bits and pieces to start on the Skywriter but, having tried two local B&Q's, I am unable to find any aluminium strip of 1 x 12mm as mentioned in the original build notes in the magazine for the cabane struts. However, both shops had 10 x 2mm strip and measuring the struts on the original free plan they are 10mm wide. Can someone please confirm that the correct strip is 10 x 2mm. Many thanks. Derek.

I can only agree with the majority of posts on here but, having just attended Barkston, I would like to add - ignorant people who stand gossiping in groups at the entrance to traders' stands so that you have to struggle to get in and out and when you have to push your way through they look at you as though they have every right to carry on with their stupid behaviour. Just one more - drivers who sit nose to tail behind a heavy goods vehicle doing about 40mph on a single carriageway road and even when there are enormous gaps in oncoming traffic they haven't got the brains/driving skill to overtake or, at least, leave some gaps so that the more skilfull drivers have some chance of overtaking but, I suppose, we could rant until doomsday about this. Only one more - lack of signals and unnecessary signals, eg. signalling left after overtaking - where else can you go except regain the nearside lane - lorry drivers only do this as a 'thank you' when the lorry they have overtaken flashes to show that it is clear to pull in. Rant over - for now. D.

Earlier today the BBMF Spitfire and Hurricane flew over and about 5 - 10 minutes later the Vulcan in formation with 2 Lancasters, a Spitfire an unidentified 'tail-end charlie'. What a marvellous sight, even though they were some distance away. Derek (near King's Lynn).

Hi Martian, Definitely interested and it's looking good. Will be interested to see how it progresses as, in a moment of madness, some months ago I started to build a 'Farmhand 90'. Keep it coming. Derek.

Wot, no takers???????????????? I don't believe it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you go to the SLEC website you will find that they do 6mm x 6mm cyparis strip which, I think, would be perfect for your spars. Derek.

I wonder what you mean by DMSS receiver clones? Do you mean the OrangeRx receivers, which HobbyKing go to great lengths to say that they are not Spektrum receivers or copies of same, etc. I have had several OrangeRx receivers from the UK warehouse and some were perfectly alright but, over time, I have had to return 2 for exchange as they would not bind to my Spektrum DX6i Tx. Regret to say that there is still too much hassle when returning anything to HK and I have just posted one today in bubble wrap in a padded envelope (which is against HK instructions to use a large box and padding, which they do) and 1st Class postage to Elmsett cost me £3 - nearly as much as the Rx cost me (it was only a 3 channel unit). If I had followed HK's instructions it would have cost me more than the unit was worth and I might as well have binned it. Derek.

Has anyone built, or is building, the Skywriter? If so, let us know what stage you have reached, any photos, hints, tips, etc. It's a lovely looking biplane which, apparently, flies well, but none of the postings appear to have got beyond the 'like it', 'thinking about it' stage. Derek.