Richard Marklew 1

Actually I did check him out. As I say, he had my parcel and ID. I went onto the carriers website, found the 'phone number and called them. It seems at that time this was standard practice. As I say, always check, double check and assume you are being lied to Cheers, Richard.

I have to agree with Allan B. ALWAYS ignore any link sent to you (unless you absolutely know it is genuine) and go to the carriers website. The same applies to any link from an untrusted/unknown source, not just carriers. I have had carriers turn up at my door asking for cash. This was genuine though as they not only had my parcel but ID as well. Had to go and get the cash before they would let me have the parcel. I think this has changed now, it is all on the websites. Cheers, Richard.

This thread does make me smile. I am not sure what people expected when we left the EU single market (which is in effect what happened at 11pm 31st December 2020 GMT). EU countries now have the same status as the USA, China and other non-EU countries. Anyone who has purchased anything from the USA has almost certainly had the same happen - UK VAT and a handling charge (and customs charges for more expensive purchases). Sometimes we get away with it, but not always. I do have sympathy with those who have to pay the VAT in both the source country and in the UK. However, it is a lesson to us all - make sure that VAT is not charged in the source country or (even better) buy in the UK, if you can. Richard.

David, That is disappointing. I was going to order some myself as I have used all the ones I had and have a load of mags. in a pile waiting for a home (:. Is there any reason they were discontinued and is there any hope they will be recontinued? Best regards, Richard.

Looking good FF! I will probably start mine after Xmas and learn from you Richard.

Brill, thanks.

Hi FlyinFinn, Looks great. Unfortunately the link to Stage1 does not work - any chance you could have a look? Thanks, Richard.

Hi FlyinFlynn A build log would be great. I want to build a Laser cutter and this sounds just the job! Thanks, Richard.

I must admit that not all of the magazine is to my taste, but I think that is a good thing, how else will one magazine cover all the tastes and views in our hobby? Good luck to Kevin, I hope he keeps the great breadth the magazine has and the good work from the Ashby's. I will say that this breadth has been interesting to me. I am not a fan of "Drones" and Quadcopters (I know, we all fly drones, but I am sure you know what I mean) but some recent articles about how to use flight controllers designed for these machines in "standard" 'planes was good and has started me thinking about how I could make use of these devices. Keep up the good work RCM&E, long may you continue. Richard.

Went Friday (cant be doing with crowds ) and enjoyed the short time I spent there (not the fault of the show, just not well). I do agree with the OP about the prop hanging and the smoke, which did seem to be in the ascendance over the flying I like, which is more of the scale stuff. However, each to their own and as I was there for only a short while (as the OP says he was) I assume that over the day the balance would have been OK. I also think that the flight discipline could have been better. I did not see any flights over the crowd, but I did see some directly at the crowd, quite low and quite close. Not impressed by that! I do try and go to WP as I live less than 10 minutes away, I like the Friday atmosphere and the flying has always been impressive. The modelling trade stands seemed to be down on two years ago, but still plenty there. All in all, very enjoyable despite feeling totally rubbish, glad I made the effort. Richard.

Good news? Well, I am alive, healthy and have a wonderful wife and daughter. I can't think of how better news can get. Oh, and I have a Man Cave full of balsa and model plans so it did just get better Richard.

I use an internet based printing service. Easy to use and cheap. Not only that, they can print larger than A0. The one I use is Net Printer (**LINK** ) and their Sewing Pattern service for my plans. They even Tile Print automatically if the plan is wider than A0. Saved me loads of time and Sellotape. Nothing to do with me and I am sure there are plenty of equally good ones around. Richard.

I have gone a bit over the top. I use the Wickes cork tiles and then a layer of soft vinyl flooring. It works very well, but not sure I needed the cork tiles. The vinyl flooring takes pins very easily (much more easily then the cork tiles - I tried it) and holds them firm. I also have a cutting mat as the vinyl flooring does not respond well to sharp knives Richard.

As soon as I get home from work I will find the two I like and post them. They are Neil Armstrong in the "flying bedstead" and the flying saucer that one of the US Air Force commissioned. Very interesting, especially given some of the comments the Moon landing thread.

Just managed to order three on-line as the web site said they were in stock. thanks Beth Richard.

Hi Beth, These are out of stock according to the link. Do you have any information on when they will be available again? Thanks, Richard.

Martyn, Ah, another old hand. Started in IT in 1977, and you are perfectly correct that there are not many of us left. In fact, I think the old RCS system I had raised my interest in electronics and that led to my interest in IT. I think I did make the point in my original post that this was not going to happen, just that I thought it would help. Really, I think we are all in (semi) violent agreement about common protocols being "A Good Thing" but not necessarily something that will happen in the RC world for at least a while. Ho Hum, on with the balsa bashing. Matty B. may have a good point as well. It may well be that market forces will drive the more expensive brands either into a niche in our niche (and hence out of business) or to pick up the Low cost Competition protocols. I believe, in the words of a misquoted Chinese proverb, we live in interesting times. Frank, Indeed, and before that again. There were all sorts of systems in "The Old Days" and I suppose we should be glad of the interoperability we have now. Cheers, Richard.

Martyn, I must disagree. Shared protocols rarely (if ever) stifle development. I work in IT and without common, shared protocols we would not have much of the connected world (like it or not) we have now. It also stops manufacturers locking users into their technology, which stops real competition between the manufacturers. Think what our market would be like if Futaba used the same protocols as JR and Spectrum. They would all have to compete for our cash (by providing more bells and whistles), and we would have the benefit. The IT market (as already mentioned) is a prime example of where common protocols have given manufacturers the impetus to get on with what really matters, and not inventing new ways of locking users into their technology. We can all exchange data (which includes what I am typing) because of this common set of protocols. It is interesting that you actually contradict your own argument with your example. I remember when every manufacturer pretty well had their own servo connectors. These days they do not so we can choose to use whatever servo we wish without converters or re-wiring. In addition, they all use, or can use, the same signals from the receivers (SBus et al proving my point I believe). Has this reduced the competition in the servo market or increased cost? I do not see that. Richard.

What an interesting spectrum of choice! I had an RCS single channel (as advertised in the Feb. 1969 RCME), along with a rubber powered pair of escarpments (one for the throttle as well) when I was 14 (1970). I then built a four channel set from kit parts to the design in "Theory and practice of model radio control" by Paul Newell. My next set was a Futaba 6 in the 1990s (there have been some very big gaps in my RC career!), followed by a Futaba MZ14 12 years ago, which I still have after adding a TM-14 module. I did live just a few miles from MacGregor when they were in Langley, but despite desperately wanting their 2 channel proportional set I never had the money. Futaba take a lot of knocks for their prices, but they are (in my experience - my father used them as well) quite reliable. However, reading these forums, magazines and the interweb I can see that alternatives such as Frsky, Spektrum and so on are just as reliable. It is a pity that there are so many different systems around, it would have been nice to have a single one that meant we could mix and match equipmet. However, I can understand the commercial side, and with no mass market where is the incentive for the manufacturers to get round the table?

Hi, Thanks to everyone who replied. I had looked at HK but not found anything relevant - but now I can, hmm... I think I have found a good couple of sources now. I just need to work out who to use - famine to feast Richard.

Hi, I wonder if anyone knows a good place to find small folding props? I need one that is around 5" to 6" but this size seems difficult to find. I have tried HK and Electric Wingman, as well as many other sites but none have what I need listed. It would be great if they also supply small 4 blades (6" or so) for another project I have in mind. Thanks Richard.