Michael Ramsay-Fraser

Come on, guys. This thread should be prefaced with an 'Old Man Alert'. I, for one, appreciate the huge range of choice we get in almost every area these days and understand that 'up-selling' is a fact of life. Look at the range of products and services available in our hobby. More choice in batteries and servos and just about everything else than you could shake a very large stick at. Most of the stores we use offer similar deals and 'bundles' designed to get us to spend more. Should we start complaining that we have too much choice? Perhaps we should go back to life in black and white and single channel? Whilst I also find BEB's story amusing, I wouldn't want to use it as an excuse for reminiscing about 'the good old days' which, really, weren't that good. And for anyone else finding themselves in the same dilemma, can I suggest going for the 9" pizza and giving a couple of slices to the nearest homeless person. Just a thought. Edited By Michael Ramsay-Fraser on 19/10/2016 08:18:56 Edited By Michael Ramsay-Fraser on 19/10/2016 08:20:07

What if you shoot from the hip?? Something I often get accused of (although not literally).

Posted by Martyn Johnston on 24/08/2016 14:28:25: Still astonishes me that 'Anybody' believes in that stuff. In my opinion it should be illegal to have it in newspapers because there are actually people out there who are daft enough to base decisions on what the 'stars' say. Edited By Martyn Johnston on 24/08/2016 14:30:23 You need to be careful, Martyn. That's the kind of talk that got me into hot water for suggesting that people who think darts and snooker are sports were delusional.

I'm Pyrex. I was a test tube baby.

Jeez, BEB. You and me agreeing on something?? Exactly the point I made on the 'other' Olympic thread when someone compared Darts to Archery. Like all sports, the very best players make it look easy and the same applies to archery (and, I guess, Dressage). Anyone who thinks Archery is 'easy', can I suggest you try pulling a competition bow and see how you get on? You might find a new respect for Archers. With regard to aspects of our sports in the Olympics? I doubt anything employing a 'motor' to provide the performance would ever be included.

Posted by Rich2 on 16/08/2016 11:25:33: Posted by Michael Ramsay-Fraser on 16/08/2016 10:07:59: I I totally agree - but surely darts is very similar to archery? Edited By Rich2 on 16/08/2016 11:26:36 Try pulling a recurve bow with a 40lb draw weight for a few arrows and you'll soon see it's VERY different to darts. Anyway, hint taken. My last post on this thread.

Well said, Pete. The cycling in particular has been brilliant and being that it's so nice today, I might go out on my bike later.

I'm sorry, but where exactly did I say anyone was deluded? In what way am I being 'negative' when I say darts, snooker and chess all 'have a high degree of skill or mental capacity'? Having done a bit of Archery, I can tell you there is a great deal of physical activity involved and I would assume the same for diving and equestrian sports. There's not much point in having a forum where members can't express a personal opinion! Edited By Michael Ramsay-Fraser on 16/08/2016 10:18:33

Well. the BMFA would, wouldn't they? If you use the criteria above, does Sport England?

Irrespective of what Sport England thinks, my personal opinion is that a sport should involve a degree of physical exertion beyond the norm. I' am not for one second suggesting that darts, snooker or, indeed,chess, don't involve a high degree of skill or mental capacity when played at the top level because I feel they certainly do. I just don't think the physicality involved constitutes a sport as opposed to a pastime or activity. To a certain degree, I think that representing activities that involve little or no physical activity as 'sports' devalues what I would class as 'real' sport. We all know how unfit we are as a nation and it is perhaps a bit self-deluding to believe we partake in 'sports' that only involve chucking a dart or wandering around a table without actually breaking a sweat. I'm not trying to have a pop at anyone or any sport (in the wider sense), just debating what the term 'sport' should encompass.

Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 15/08/2016 18:16:03: Posted by Michael Ramsay-Fraser on 15/08/2016 17:33:56: More so that darts and snooker (not that either are in the Olympics but plenty of misguided people seem to consider them both sports). I always "admire" a man who wears his personal opinions with such certainty - it must be a great comfort in life. BEB Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 15/08/2016 18:17:11 It certainly is. That's the great thing about personal opinions.

Posted by Dave Hopkin on 15/08/2016 17:23:42: But is "horse dancing" a sport???? More so that darts and snooker (not that either are in the Olympics but plenty of misguided people seem to consider them both sports).

Those poor pilots are going to have one hell of a headache. They must be listening to a speeded up version of Ride of the Valkries. Lovely machine though and the cockpit view was so realistic (aside from the mental headbanging).

Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 03/08/2016 13:27:31: I think you make excellent points TWS and Ken. These things can fool us - because most times you will get a way with the risk and many will find it funny. Some will criticise those who object to such antics as being "fun police". But when it all goes "pear-shaped", everyone says "What a fool! Whatever made him do that - should be banned - terrible". But as you say - it could easily be the same person doing the same thing - only the outcome was different - laughter one time, tears the next! People sometimes have a serious "imagination deficit" to see what might easily happen. BEB Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 03/08/2016 13:29:16 And on that subject. I know cycling is a popular subject on here and it is with me too as I ride my road bike regularly. I took some time out to watch a bit of the Ride London broadcast on Sunday morning. Close to the end, the BBC devoted about 20 seconds airtime of a competitor cycling down the finish straight with what I presume was his daughter sitting on the crossbar. She looked to be about 6 or 7. The rider was holding her with one hand and steering with the other. He had a crash helmet, she didn't. Stupid? Careless or just celebrating the moment? Easy to say no harm done but it could have easily been a different story. The reporter had just mentioned that she hoped that none of the competitors rode over the finish line with their hands in the air as there was a fairly big timing strip they had to ride over. Should the BBC have chosen to broadcast that particular clip. I could see what might easily have happened but I guess the producer didn't. Does that make me a killjoy??

Perhaps we should throw the Geeks to the sharks??

And at which point did I suggest that there WAS interference with 'open and fair' debate? I actually said I thought there were better options on how to deal with the original problem so surely that is supporting the debate, not interfering with it? Nor did I suggest there was any connection between this thread and the Brexit one. I was only raising my personal concerns. Similarly, I don't think either Kim, John or myself suggested that this forum was at fault, if fault it was, in Electric Boogaloo emailing the local council. I think the comments were directed at that particular poster, not the forum. I rather think it is you, BEB that hasn't thought out your comment.

Personally, I have to agree with Kim Taylor & John Soper on this one. Phil 9 is, I think, confusing the quite correct concerns mentioned on this forum with the (apparent) email to Havant BC from Electric Boogaloo, which, I too, feel was a highly inappropriate action and could impact on the wider modeling community in that area. There have been plenty of other more appropriate suggestions on how to deal with what, I agree, is very bad practice and, of course, am uncertain on whether any were followed up. Like the recent 'ban' on political discussion under the 'Brexit' thread, this discussion has left me feeling a bit disillusioned with this forum. It's probably just my desire to see open and fair debate but I can't help feeling things are becoming a little bit censorious.

Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 13/07/2016 13:31:51: Posted by Michael Ramsay-Fraser on 13/07/2016 10:24:10:I would hate to see the thought police take over on this one. Rather a over-dramatic statement I'd say! 1. No one here is attempting to control your thoughts! Why would we want to? 2. No one here is attempting to control what you believe. Again, why would we wish to to? Nor did I suggest anyone was, BEB. I was only expressing a concern that certain subjects could become taboo. After all, why bother with a chit chat section if it's not open for any subject you'd be likely to discuss in the pub? I fully understand that political debate is exceptionally polarising and that sometimes things become heated but that, surely, is the nature of debate. I note that the previous two posts to my last one share my view so obviously there is another side to the coin and others are no doubt happy to engage in a little bit of political banter without the need to descend into a slanging match.

Agreed! Whilst I feel the OP was intended to be contentious, particularly on point 3, I don't believe political debate should be frowned upon by the forum or the moderators. Why not ban posts on rugby (widely posted on last year during the RWC) or the TdF, another popular post with some? Now I enjoy both of these subjects but appreciate that many may not but I don't feel a need to ban them from forums. Like many, I am a member of numerous forums and all of them, without exception, allow active debate on a diverse range of subjects and not just the topic of the forum. I would hate to see the thought police take over on this one.

Like Lorenz, I too would not choose a Mossie over a Whirlwind particularly if it came with veneered wings etc. As I stated earlier in this thread, I enjoy the build more than anything so if I was going for a Mossie, the TN design would probably be my kit of choice or perhaps the BT version for which I think I have the plan somewhere. However, my feeling is that if you launched a Mossie and then followed it up with a Whirlwind, I doubt many would buy both. Personally, I'd have one or the other, not both. I'd still prefer to see the Whirlwind as the twin offering and, yes, I'd probably buy one even if it did come with veneered parts. I just love the design.

Scotland from the UK?

He certainly must have good eyesight. I spent half the video thinking a spot on my screen was the plane! My brain could never keep up with that.

Chapter 1 can be built as a 3 ch I believe. Wood packs too. Either that or Jemima, a nice easy build.

I wasn't refering to yourself, Jon and I appolgise if I gave that impression. It was a reaction to other posters(of which there have been a few) who have suggested a design to suit a particular Laser engine. To my mind, the design process works the other way round. Design a kit and then see what engine or engines are most appropriate. Im not knocking Laser or any other brand of i/c engine, I'm just trying to make the point that electric seems to be the popular choice.

With all due respect to Jon, I don't think the decision on which model to kit should be made on a particular brand of i/c engine. As Richard admits, the majority of his kits are sold for electric power, not i/c so surely the decision should be made on commercial grounds, not on a particular engine. Warbird replicas, at least as far as I can see, have an ideal set-up with their motor for the Spit and it would make sense to capitalise on the existing technolgy plus it has a proven sales track record. I don't have an aversion to i/c power but it must make more sense to go where the sales are at least as far as the kit is concerned.