Brian Young

I must have had half a dozen or more mid airs over the years, without exception they have all involved just 2 models flying at the time.

How about either a DH Mossie or a Wellington?

Hi, A very interesting survey, with not entirely unexpected results. One question, - is Birmingham classed as north or south? I and most of the local flyers are mode 1, which we have long felt to be an isolated pocket in this area. Interestingly, I know of a few machocistic flyers who fly fixed wing on mode 1, but use mode 2 for helecopters! It takes all sorts . . . .

As you will see from the editorial in the Ferbuary eddition, RCM&E will be 50 this year. As David says, when it first started, the 'E' was very relevant as most radio was home made back then so articles on DIY electronics were the norm. Moving forward, when was the last time you saw an electronic construction article in the magazine? What I am getting at is - Is the 'E' still relevant in this day and age when all our 'elctronics' are off the shelf items? I note that RCM&E has been rebranded as "RC Model Aeroplane"  for America (nice to see that it's not RC Model Airplane!), maybe it should be changed to that for all of us - it would save confusion, (and printing costs!). What do you think?

A simplified Wellington   ME 109 -(to same scale as Hurricane)   A6M Zero   All to be suitable for either electric or 4 stroke power

Hi all, I'm building a 1/12 scale Lancaster and Catalina, anyone know where I can get 1/12 scale aircrew? I'd like at least 2 full length figures, but the rest could be head and shoulders. I've been on the lookout for 5-6" doll figures (using grand daughter as an excuse!) but they are too toy like to modify. The usual outlets, Pete's Pilots etc only seem to do larger scale figures.

Just because a model is expensive doesn't mean it's good. I bought a Mick Reeves 1/6 scale Hurricane kit, which together with his retracts and oleo legs came to over £300. As the kit has been around for 15 years or so, you would have thought it was tried and tested, particularly considering Mick's reputation on the modelling scene. In fact it was more like a pre production kit, there were so many faults it's unbelievable. I had to replace most of the plastic parts, and those I did use were faulty. It is advertised as being suitable for a .60 2 stroke, but even with the power and weight of a 1.20 4 stroke up front, I had to add 2 lb of lead to balance it and it just about flies. I believe Mick has it made by someone else, but you'd think that as it bears his name he would at least check that all was well - apparently not. I have written to Mick and told him of the problems, but no reply. I would have been better off building from a plan, it would probably have been quicker and certainly cheaper.

Hi I'm part way through building a Catalina PBY-5 (the water only version), and would be interested in hearing of any suitable "wet bits" in the Midlands area - anyone out there fly waterplanes in the Midlands?

Hi, try a bit of lateral thinking, if 3.5mm bolts are a problem - try good old 4BA! -

Have you tried chip pan cleaner/carbon remover from Betterware? I've used it sucessfully for years, 1 good thick coat left overnight then washed off under the tap with an old toothbrush to get in between the cooling fins usually does the trick. Really stuborn patches may require a 2nd coat but it usually does it in 1 go. Don't forget to either run the engine after or give it a good oiling to get rid of all traces of water from inside. It is designed to shift burnt on cooking oil from aluminium pans, so shifting burnt on castor oil from aluminium engines is basically the same. P.S. works just as well on glow or diesel engines.

If anyone is interested, if you look on the google map site, and go to Haweswater in Huntingdon and zoom in to the satelite photo at the junction with Lake Way, lo and behold there is the BBMF Lancaster flying North. - Perhaps I should get out more....

When I am teaching, especially in the early stages, I tell my pupil to fly "2 mistakes high". That gives him (her?) room to get into trouble, and me room to sort it out! After all the most useless thing to have is height above you . . . .

Thanks for that Alistair, I'm looking to cover 2.1/2" thick foam/veneer wings with full depth ply spars so don't antisipate any distortion problems, but I'll bear that in mind if I use the same method on the tail sections, which at the moment I am thinking more of traditional tissue & dope.

Thanks Malcolm, your comments about compound curves confirms what I was thinking, I can now proceed with confidence!

Thanks Shaun, that answers my problem, all except the compound curves, but I presume a few cuts round the profile will sort that - much the same as tissue/dope.