Martin Fraser
-
Posts
151 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Blogs
Gallery
Calendar
Downloads
Everything posted by Martin Fraser
-
Hi folks, What is the perceived wisdom for programming the esc on electric power? I'm tweaking some settings on a recent purchase of TT Yak 54 and wondering if a wind milling prop creates more drag than a braked prop. T.I.A. Marty
-
Old glow fuel - how to dispose of?
Martin Fraser replied to Martin Fraser's topic in All Things Model Flying
Posted by brokenenglish on 24/02/2018 19:57:39: As "sometimes" happens, IMO this discussion is way too technical and OT. Going back to the original post, my answer would be that I personally have used 20-year old glow fuel, from a plastic container, that was perfectly OK. So it doesn't "go off" (and others seem to agree). This seems to indicate that, if there is a problem, then it's due to some factor other than simply the age of the fuel. Are you sure the fuel hasn't been polluted or messed with in some way? We all know that methanol is hygroscopic but, within reasonable limits, that shouldn't have a disastrous effect on your engine running. Are you sure your engine is OK (properly set up and running well). If the engine isn't running well, a first check would be to determine whether you're getting better results on a different fuel. I've been running the Saito on Opti 4 stroke MV15 and she's been lovely. Nice steady idle and smooth power all the way to full throttle, without any hic-ups in flight! So I don't think there's anything amiss there. The fuel has come to me as part of a shed clear-out so I don't know how old it is or whether it's be mixed with anything else. I'll pop along to Steve Webb's soon and get some more MV15. In the meantime, I'll offer the above to anyone who needs some engine cleaner. Cheers, Marty -
Old glow fuel - how to dispose of?
Martin Fraser replied to Martin Fraser's topic in All Things Model Flying
Thanks for the suggestions folks. I've just noticed it's got a price label on the cap - £5.45. Anyone like to guess its vintage? I don't have any gummy engines to clean so I might ask fellow club members if they can use it in a R/C car or something. The last take-off was a bit touch and go and nearly ended in a dead stick landing into a fence - not nice. One thing's for sure, it's not going in the tank of my car! Cheers, Marty -
Hi folks, I've got a 1/2 gallon of fuel that seems to be beyond its best before date. I've tried it in my Fly Baby but the idle is all to pot and she misfires in the air. What is the best way of disposing of it? Cheers, Marty
-
Christmas Caption Competition!
Martin Fraser replied to Beth Ashby Moderator's topic in All Things Model Flying
Who can smell a leaking TX lipo? -
Hi Eric, Not wishing to divert you away from this great forum but you could take a look at ScaleRCHelis.com and see what folk are up to. They're not all high end models - in fact Glen (seaharrierman) is building a fab 500 class Black Hawk - see current projects. Hope you find some inspiration. Cheers, Marty
-
Not actually done this but plenty of cock-ups, most recently CA'd finger to thumb. Doh!
-
-
Why not post the finding on the BMFA 'lost, found and stolen' section - wait a few weeks, contact local clubs, cop shop and after some months raffle at your club fun-fly? Marty
-
Hi Andy, I'm assuming this repair is to be external? I've had this problem of a tired GRP fuse with a 2.2m Sagitta - the repairs to the repairs were needing repairs. As you point out the glass seam joining tape is quite a heavy gauge (200g) and would not conform well to your balsa profile. If I were to tackle it I would cut strips from 50g twill and use epoxy resin onto a well prepared surface, leaving the first layer to tack off before applying further laminations. I'm not sure what this will do for your c of g or cosmetics but may give you a few more years flying. Good luck, Marty P.S. What did I do with the Sagitta? I've made some new moulds from the old fuse but haven't got round to laying up a new fuse yet. GRP suppliers - https://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/category/fibreglass-tape http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/ Edited By Martin Fraser on 13/06/2017 09:13:20 Edited By Martin Fraser on 13/06/2017 09:15:09 Edited By Martin Fraser on 13/06/2017 09:29:46
-
Well I checked the tappet gaps yesterday and they allowed the Saito feeler gauge to slide in without any pressure - just a wee bit of drag. So off to the club field and got another four flights in, landing several times during each flight to check on temps. No discernible difference in temperature! I'll take your advice Jon and just fly. Cheers, Marty
-
Posted by Martin Harris on 18/05/2017 21:14:01: Is one too hot or the other not getting to normal temperature? Valve clearances, piston ring not sealing, poor cooling airflow? Edited By Martin Harris on 18/05/2017 21:17:06 Hi Martin, Although it's quite an old engine and not run since 2000, it has been well stored and like new inside - very clean and no play in anything. The air flow over the pots is symmetrical so I'll recheck the tappets and get back to you all. Many thanks for your input, Marty
-
Hi Denis, Just gripping them with my little pinkies right after landing. Not scientific I know but my club mate thought the same. The right pot seems normal i.e. you can hold it for about 5 seconds before it gets uncomfortable but the left is more like 2 seconds, sort of ouch! I took care setting the valve gaps but will re-check. Cheers, Marty Edited By Martin Fraser on 18/05/2017 21:23:45
-
Hi folks, As per title - the left pot on my Saito FA60T seems to be running a bit hotter than the right. The rubber boot on the induction tube seems good so what else could cause this on a single carb engine? Both plugs are OS Fs and running on Opti 4 stroke 15%. Cheers, Marty
-
I too can vouch for Peter Vidgeon's expertise and service. I sent him both heads of my Saito FA60T on a Tuesday and received them on Thursday with lovely copper plated steel inserts and looking like new a due to his ultra-sound cleaning process. Top marks. Marty
-
-
Many thanks for the welcome and kind words gents. The Wessex is based on one of the old birds I used to help maintain (airframes and engines) in the mid seventies on 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose. Although I have a wealth of detail knowledge of these aircraft, this can be a bit of a curse, especially when you look at the amount of exterior gubbins that old military machines seem to sprout. Also,the passage of forty years can play tricks on ones memory, therefore much of the last 4 years has been spent on research. Aero modelling is quite a small niche hobby these days but scratch building large scale helicopters I guess is even more so! Cheers, Marty (North Wales) P.S. To be mentioned in the same breath as Pete Wales is praise indeed. Edited By Martin Fraser on 28/04/2017 17:00:51
-
Hi Folks, I’m new here as I’ve been mainly concentrating on helis since I began RC flying in 2008. Those of you that have been to some of last years scale heli meets or visited Scale RC Helis - http://scalerchelis.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14762 may have seen ‘Igror’ before now. This is my first scratch built model, started in 2012 and now nearing some sort of completion – are they ever finished? 6 foot OAL and 12Kg AUW In between sticky sessions with epoxy and glass fibre I’ve done a bit of slope soaring and now power fixed wing. I’ve recently acquired a delightful Fly Baby with a Saito FA60T up front. It’s not been flown for 17 years but after some TLC, I think it’s now ready for some air. Cheers, Marty
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
