Martin Fraser
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Posts posted by Martin Fraser
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Hi folks,
Since the demise of the glow driver on my field box panel, I've been using a single JP 2v Pb battery to start my Saito twin. It seems to cope lighting the two plugs for the day's flying. However, using it to start my new 3 pot radial on its test stand it struggles after one or two attempts and the voltage plummets from 2.05v to 1.8v. What's the best plan for this engine - an on board glow driver or a larger capacity 2v Pb battery or a couple of them in parallel?
TIA and best wishes for 2022.
Cheers, Marty
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44 minutes ago, Rich Griff said:
Multi discaplined club, a delight to watch. Too far from my local unfortunately.
May I ask was the Westland wasp/scout gas turbine powered ?
Unmistakable Cox sound.
Loved the radial engine sound.
Very realistic flapping wings ?
Lovely.
Hi Rich,
No my Wasp is scratch built and moulded in carbon fibre, electric power, 8s / 4000mHa. Although my first interest is in rotary, I can appreciate the skill, dedication and enthusiasm of the varied disciplines of my amazing club mates. You can certainly learn a lot about aerodynamics from the rubber fanciers and marvel at the engineering of that home built 5cyl radial.
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A bit of footage I took during 2021 at my fabulous Delyn MFC, North Wales. Cheers, Marty
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Hi KC,
Is this Mike Sun's moth? As you say, simple and safe I would think. Yeah, I am a bit out of touch with traditional building as my last two models were moulded GRP and carbon but I've got an account with Slec and have looked at Mick Reeves's site and the Pro skin - interesting material. Hold fire on the Moth article for now as I don't want to get ahead of myself.?
As far as AUW is concerned I'm still in heli mode, my Wessex is about the same size as this Swordfish (6'.0") long but it tips the scales at 12kg.
Many thanks for the info, Marty
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Hello all,
I’ve lost a bit of traction on the build of late due to various things but have done most of the stringers on the fuselage in bass wood (lime) thanks for the suggestion AlanP. They feel much stronger than balsa and will only add a few grams.
I’m at that stage where I need to plan and possibly install the hardware in the fuselage such as fuel tank, servos and control runs before I do any planking and sheeting. The plans on first inspection seemed pretty comprehensive but as well as omissions there are some inaccuracies i.e. 3mm out in the spar cut-outs in the wing ribs, they don’t correspond to the wing plan view!
The full size aircraft’s tail control cables exit the fuselage aft of the gunner’s position so I would like to emulate this detail if only for the rudder. Having never installed a closed loop control run before, are there any good examples I should look at? Also, the tail wheel shown is fixed, should I think about a castoring unit or connected to the rudder?
One great feature of the Swordfish is the amazing wing fold system whereby the mainplanes are unlocked from the flight position and folded back to be secured parallel with the fuselage. This was carried out by the deck crew – probably quicker than it’s taken me to type it. It would be great to embody this detail on the model for scale authenticity and transport but would need to be robust and fail-safe for obvious reasons.
I’m about to place an order for more material for the wings. Spruce is listed for the spars and balsa for the ribs, which are capped and I’ll cover with Oratex or similar but what grade do folks recommend?. All suggestion appreciated.
Cheers, Marty
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Hi all,
Not much of a flying weekend so pottering on with the ‘String-bag’ in the man cave. As you can see it’s not a flat truss type of construction and I’ve had to do a bit of jigging up to check my woodwork.
I’ve found a few typos on the plan such as the keel longeron 5/8”x7/8”! That should read 5/8”x1/8” and a missing frame section. However, it’s taking on a 3D shape now and I’m having to think ahead of where servos etc are going to fit, providing apertures in the bulkheads for control runs and wiring. There’s a white tail light in the trailing edge of the rudder!
I do like to build with total servicing in mind so that will require some thought with the fuel tank access. Saito state the engine at full throttle will burn 24cc of juice per minute so I’m planning on using a Slec 9oz/270cc tank.
All for now, Marty
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The PVA release agent doesn't always lie flat and smooth but being blue at least you can see where it is. There are chemical agents but I've not been very impressed with them so my favourite is Meguiar's mould release wax or similar Miracle Gloss Mould Release Wax - Easy Composites
Cheers, Marty
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7 hours ago, alan p said:
Depends if you are looking for strength or lightness, Bass wood strip is a combination of both so a comprimise.
Though if cost enters the equation ?.
Hi Alan,
The 3/32" sq balsa I have feels more suited to a little rubber powered model. Bass sounds like a good idea. It's a right pain to break a stringer and have to cut the covering to repair it. The Saito weighs 890g so I'm hoping a few extra grams on the tail shouldn't be a problem.
Cheers, Marty
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Hi Folks,
I’ve finally got going on the project and started with cutting out the fuz frames. I’ve located F1 20mm further back to accommodate the Saito R3 length so that the prop driver flange is in the correct place.
There’s not much detail on the plan regarding servo location so I’m thinking that the throttle will live under a removable observer / gunner’s floor, connected by a snake along with the other servos for the tail and RX etc.
The target weight is stated at 8.5 lbs / 3.8kg. I’m assuming this is without the engine etc? I don’t want to add any unnecessary weight and there’s no mentioned of balsa grades. So what should I use for the many 3/32” stringers aft of the cockpit area?
TIA, Marty
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Hi folks,
Following on from my last two scale Fleet Air Arm aircraft, Wessex MK1 and Westland Wasp, I’m now planning on a fixed wing subject. I’m using the Cliff McIlwee 72’’ plan that comes out at 7.5:1 so very near to the 1/8 helicopters. Suggested power is listed as 60 2st or 90 4st so I’m hoping my recently acquired Saito FA–120 R3 radial will be provide enough scale oomph.
This will be my first balsa and ply model since the mid seventies so I’ll be asking a load of newbie questions from you experienced builders.
Cheers, Marty
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I would have thought that you could tint / colour cellulose dope with cellulose paint. Here's a link to a google search - Great deals from 2K Technologies Limited Yorkshire | eBay Shops (ebaystores.co.uk)
Cheers, Marty
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I sent my two Saito FA60T heads to Peter Vidgeon for his copper coated steel inserts and he did a first class job on them. They returned a couple of days later all cleaned up and looking like new. Top job!
Cheers, Marty
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Same here - no August issue showing.?
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52 minutes ago, Jonathan W said:
It's a pity nobody from "the staff" have advised you on this.
Once you have "LOG IN" working, then you can go across left to the "SUBSCRIBE" button and choose "Digital Archive" from the drop down. Then you should see the digital magazines available for selection.
This is all very confusing. This home page "LOG IN" is separate from the forum log in. Also, I have yet a third log in for "RCME.secureorder.co.uk to supposedly "manage" my subscription. This is also confusing. Even though I thought I had this on continuous renewal, I find myself each year receiving a letter from RCME inviting me to renew with some deal or other. This year, I went and renewed according to this letter. Having done that and then become more confused by the contradictory information on RCME.secureorder.co.uk and various phone calls to them, it seemed that the price of the deal offered in the letter was actually more than if I had left it to renew automatically,.....maybe!!! Really I am not sure about this and its only because RCME is the only UK RC magazine still published that I put up with having 3 separate log ins for the same organisation that cannot give me a straight story on my subscription renewal year on year!!!
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks for your input. After some faffing about I've managed to get to the digital archive and view / read the editions. I can't see me reading it on my phone though as the lap top is small enough. When I hit the full screen button it just goes blank. However, I can zoom with the mouse. It strikes me as all very clunky but I'll persevere with it for now.
Thanks again for your help,
Martin
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In the email confirming my direct debit instructions.
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I wasn't really asking ' what devise do people use' but how do I get to read what I've paid for?
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I subscribed to the digital issue in April but still haven't a clue how to view an edition yet. Is ones subscriber number the same as the OIN number? I've emailed the office last week but no reply as yet!
TIA, Martin
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6 hours ago, Nigel R said:
Animals produce a whole other level of cleaning problems, at least the grass just wipes off...
Sheep's poo is the worst, I think they must eat some sort of super glue! I've thought of fitting spats or mudguards but they would probably clog up pretty quickly?
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On 18/11/2020 at 20:36, David Ovenden said:
Not sure if there is much interest in this project.
I'm another interested lurker following your build David and I'm a scale helicopter scratch builder working with composites! Your super work may just inspire me to build something in wood the old way. Keep up the great build.
Cheers, Martin
P.S. Are the props bother running in the same direction or is one R/H and one L/H?
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We don't have wind and rain in Flintshire! OK ok, I took this the last time I got out but missed the squadron of pigs that flew over on 6th Feb
Marty
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Control line, therefore exempt!
Happy landings in 2020,
Marty
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If you fail me, I'm going jump on your bobble hat!
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Nigel - I like the sound of your contra-rotating power plant, any details published?
Cheers, Marty
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Posted by fly-navy on 24/10/2019 22:58:13:
On the Aeromodellers forum martin there is a guy RalphR who is building a big AEW3 and would you believe he has stalled a Firefly build to do the Gannet.
John
Hi John,
I've just been reading Ralph's build blog from start to where he's up to now and feeling a bit daunted! However, I've sent off for the 81" plan and will mull it over during these dark nights.
Many thanks, Marty
Edited By Martin Fraser on 25/10/2019 14:42:17
Starting battery for multi glow motors?
in IC Engines
Posted
Hi gents,
Jon - it's going into the Swordfish (one day) so will be pretty inaccessible.
Frank - The voltages are off load so I think my JP battery is on the way out. Shame as it's only a couple of seasons old. However, this maybe down to me charging it at too high an amp. I now set the charger to Pb, 2v @ 0.2amps.
Many thanks for the suggestions,
Marty