David Ovenden

It has always been like that for me on my Samsung tablet. I reported it and was told the techies would look into it. But it never improved. As you say Peter, it's white text on an off-white background which renders it all but unreadable. I have to just guess where to tap on the screen.

A reminder of the uninspired scheme on the standard Seagull kit.

Paul, this will have my Saito 115 4 stroke in it so it's not electric. I was just making the point that it's an older kit made before Seagull adapted their designsl to be "electric friendly" Mine will be glow powered so don't worry. You will not be alone!

Well , not so much a make-over as a build with a modified paint scheme. I recently picked up an unstarted Seagull Sea Fury kit from a modeller who was giving up. Obviously these kits have been out of production for quite a while, and the kit is not quite up to current standards. For example, it has no electric provision (mounts / battery space etc) and no removable top hatch. Danny F and others have some time back detailed modifications for electric and demonstrated that the model can be redone in other paint schemes. So far I have fitted some HK electric retracts and oleos in place of the supplied mechanical units with wire legs. I have increased the wheel wells to take proper size wheels (3.5"). And repainted the model to disguise the pretty boring and unconvincing film finish it came with. I have decided on a Dutch naval scheme and am modelling 860which was part of the 1959 Dutch Naval aerobatic team that used Sea Furies. I feel its a much nicer scheme than the Canadian racing colours supplied as standard. Eagled eyed will see I have the cowl on upside down 098 instead of 860!

is it possible the tin needed more stirring/mixing.? The matting element in the paint can tend to stick to the bottom of the tin.

Thanks to everyone for their very helpful replies. I contemplating the Silhouette Cameo as it seems to come with useful software to give plenty of flexibility

Anyone got experience of using a "home" (rather than semi-professional) plotter cutter for making registration letters/numbers from self adhesive vinyl? If so, what are machine you using and what software to drive it? What are pitfalls? It may not be worthwhile getting one, but the theoretical ease of cutting letters and professional finish of items appeals. Thanks

Danny, I regularly fly four stroke powered models as well as electric ones. I am always more nervous test flying a new electric model than one powered by a four stroke engine. You will be fine I'm sure. Look forward to seeing the photos.

An update on the FW 190 retracts issue. I have managed to source a new, but well discounted, set of the now-discontinued E-Flite 60-120 retracts with 81degree retract angle. These were designed (I think) for the H9 ME109 kit. Good news is they fit easily into the Black Horse FW 190 model and the oleo struts that come with the kit are a perfect fit in the E Flite retracts. It gives nearly the correct angled look (81 degrees vs. 75 degrees) when extended and the wheels sit nicely on the ground when down. The info might help someone else wanting to replace the air units on the BH kit.

Danny the wing lettering was good too. I will get some better pics when the model is asembled properly outside. I may not have got the placement of lettering completely correct, but it gives the model a much more authentic look.

duplicated post

I was too preoccupied at the field to remember to take photos! Here is a quick snap taken in the workshop.

Successful test flight with the Chipmunk. I need to work on my 3- point landings though as this model seems quite prone to bounce on landing! Thanks to Danny for the "671 lettering" that looks great.

Personally I agree entirely with what has been said so far . I'll always mount my servos in-line with the pushrod axis for all the reasons previously stated. However, back in the day(1981) R.H.Warring no less was suggesting either method was OK. Photo from his book "Radio Control for Modellers".

Well it seems there is a current supply shortage of balsa in the grades needed for modelling. Fortunately I have a buffer stock that means personally I've not run out. I remember in the 80s visiting Balsa Cabin's premises with 3 friends in a big Volvo estate (theirs not mine) to buy a "stock" of frequently used sheet and strip wood. It was a bit if an investment at the time when money was tight. Since then I have tried to keep the supply stocked up as and when wood was easily available. (When a nice piece was seen in a shop or at shows.) Some may say it's hoarding. But as I only replace what I use when wood is easily available I don't see it that way , its just common sense so I have the wood to build when I need it. So during lockdown I could get a model built when trips out were not possible.

By the time you're finished Paul, it will be running better than it was new from the factory. What do you call it now - a ROSsEnya 120?

Indeed screen pics are deceptive. Denis who has some film describes it as "lime green". So I'll just paint the existing light grey film on the model with the correct colour. Can check then before/ as the paint goes on.

That's quite some interesting adaption Paul. I guess you will be modifying the NVA to be in a more convenient position once it is fitted in a model?

I have found what ED suggests above to work well if tve thread in the cab is a little worn you could try wrapping some PTFE pipe tape round the manifold pipe before you screw the can on. Then follow the steps as outlined by ED above. Has worked in the past for me

Thanks Brian. Yes, reliability and practicality trumps "exact scale" looks for most models. Especially everyday flying from grass and less than perfect runways.

Thanks for the info Denis, I was wondering how close it would be to the green on this Sea Fury scheme. (matted down a bit)

Thanks Paul. If he has any it would be interesting to see what colour it actually is.

Hi Paul, Which is why I'm asking. HK's colour descriptions are really very imaginative, almost fantastic sometimes!

Still flying a Hawker Tomtit built from a Veron kit in 1999. Done 300 flights but have replaced the servos and some new bearings in the super reliable Saito 45 fs engine. Its a good 'un.

As per title. Has anyone used Hobby King Tan Green covering film? Tan Green HK film If so, what colour is it? Beige? Light Kahki? Light grey/ green? It's hard to tell from the photoand I can't think of many ARTFs that use such a colour and there doesn't seem to be an Oracover equivalent.