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Nightflyer

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Everything posted by Nightflyer

  1. Yes got mine through and wondered about the change. Oh well let's hope they stick with these operator numbers going forward.
  2. Jon, I have not done this in ages but a technique I have used involved gummed label sheets, and spraying several light coats of varnish or using Letracote spray, such that you don't wet the gum adhesive. Then inkjet print onto the sheet or paint by hand your design followed by a couple more coats of varnish or Letracote spray to seal it. If inkjet printing make sure coats of spray on ink are very light so ink does not run. You can get a suitable spray like Letracote from a number of art shops.
  3. I would not say that the hobby is dead or even dying, it is evolving like it has always done over time, and is a reflection of how life, technologies, and innovation makes an impact. Yes there are far fewer model shops today and fewer flyers, but then the world is different and there are far more distractions today. When I started out most newbies of my age either started building free flight models, rubber, jetex or gliders to start and either moved on to control line or some started with control line. RC was still relatively new but was growing with increasingly reliable gear. Then we saw more people start to come into the hobby as newbies starting off with rc models. At the time originally it was more of a case that people built models, but as the ARTF options started to grow it did open up the hobby to others with less inclination or time to build their aircraft. As far as learning to fly is concerned I have taught a number of people but possibly advances in rc gear in some respects make it easier in installation and set up on the one hand can also be misleading and confusing to less technically minded people. Maybe for newcomers the transmitter set ups might be too complicated for some (although the typical techy teenager will still find it easy enough). The hobby will survive and will still attract newcomers but there is no denying there are more hurdles for the newcomer to negotiate before becoming a competent pilot these days. The model industry does have its challenges and there may be fewer model shops than 10 or 20 years ago but there will still be shops, but most of those will likely offer online shopping to survive. At the same time new legislation does seem to make it harder to give potential newcomers experience, but the true model pilot will persist and of course if supported by model flying clubs will become competent.
  4. Key ones for me was the first flight of a Keil Kraft rubber powered Sportster my dad built with me got me hooked on model aircraft, then my first control line flight with a Cox PT19, and my first solo rc flight and great three pointer landing with a Tim Ruck designed Cavalier trainer. All three stand out even after some 40 years.
  5. Mine dropped through the letterbox today.
  6. Following your build with great interest and seeing the pics and review, reminded me that as a lad just getting into rc flying with my dad in the Hastings clubthat I think I only ever saw one kit in the local model shop and one down the field. That particular model was tissued painted in Epoxycote and looked good in the air with Enya 40 power. I think the era was synonymous with kit manufacturers trying different ways in presenting kits managing costs and instruction quality. Ripmax had some great products and the Moonshiner still,is one of my all time favourites and mine is still hanging in my workshop today. I think the Hustler was a follow on model to a high wing trainer kit that was released before or at the same time as the Hustler. Really interested to see how it goes together and flies.
  7. I have to admit I have a 2.5kW convection heater and a 3 kW oil filled radiator. The first is good for getting some instant heat but the other is great once warmed up and is of course far safer should any noxious or flammable substances be in use.
  8. Ooh yes please. Merry Christmas everyone stay safe and let's hope 2021 will allow us to get back to life and flying in a more normal manner.
  9. Well having received my August issue it was great to read the article on Tim's second MB5 and the words and photos did not disappoint. It makes you wonder what might have been if there had not been the advent of jet powered aircraft.
  10. There were a number of designs about either on paper or prototype or mock up by the various aircraft companies both allied and axis. There was a fairly good book about back in the 80's which detailed a sizeable number that I had from my local library back about 10 years ago. From memory North American had two interesting designs one utilising P51 wings and tailplane and a new fuselage for jet power. An MB5 plan would be good for sure.
  11. Definitely looking good and v much like an ME109. It looks like your salvage job is going to look superb. I do miss the Rojair kits they were rather beautiful models in their day and would today if still available.
  12. True enough what both Ray and Nigel say. MB would be ok for post war production but when you look at the production rate for the likes of fighters such as the P51 or P47 or even the Spitfire MB would struggle. As for Supermarine using Spiteful parts for the Attacker a number of British, US and Russian early aircraft used parts of piston aircraft as it was easy to keep time and costs down. Getting back to the MB5 it has never been modelled much although Tim's rc examples and a few free flight rubber control line or electric RTP examples have existed over the years.
  13. Posted by Ray Wood 4 on 07/07/2020 07:07:49: Yes I remember Tim's original MB5 at an early flying show in 1982 at Graveney Kent, run by the Canterbury club, Chris Foss was flying a Dalotel, and me flying my MR Hurricane badly 😲 Looks very Mustang like with that radiator, did it have a contra rotating prop on the full-size ?? Regards Ray Yes Ray, the full size had contra prop. Tim's original model was a lovely plane on the ground and in the air. Tim went on to build the FW Ta152 as the successor model for competitions and that looked excellent on the ground and in the air. I remember Chris' Dalotel, I think I liked that more than his Loving Wayne Love. Regards Paul
  14. Having finally got round to completing my read of the July issue and looking at the Next Issue teaser at the back of the mag there was a picture and snippet about Tim Ruck's Martin Baker MB5 model and I have to admit that I cannot wait to get the August issue now to read more. The picture reminded me of Tim's original Class 2 scale model from the 70's that won the Nationals flown by some guy called 'Tom Puck' - as reported by a certain magazine at the time . At the time I was a teenager learning to fly in the Hastings club and Tim not only designed the trainer that myself and my father both learnt to fly on but what impressed me was the MB5 and seeing this model flown and to have it at my parents home (pride of place and maximum security) in the lounge because of a model display the club was putting on. I look forward to reading the article next month - but an equally interesting article could be written about Tim's interest in model flying.
  15. Posted by Graham Stanley 3 on 09/03/2020 15:51:44: Thanks both. I'm concerned about the weight and (lack) of thrust. I'm measuring about 440g of thrust, 3S set up. I was hoping for more installed thrust, and potentially even more in the air. Time to go an get a fresh battery and retest.. HI Graham, I ran a static test on my 3S FMS unit and while kitchen scales are variable in the level of trust, I did unsurprisingly find that the battery pack type made a difference; the lower the C rating, the lower the power. Using two different manufacturer packs (both 35C saw about 27g variance), but using the better pack to repeat the test when the room temperature was 8degC cooler saw a drop in thrust of 24g.
  16. Posted by Paul Marsh on 09/03/2020 19:01:37: It's nice to see SMC and Slough having their ads back in the magazine. Going on line is ok, but not as good as seeing it in print. Remember when Slough's ad were 8 pages long! Edited By David Ashby - Moderator on 09/03/2020 20:11:18 I totally agree with Paul's comments about the SMC and Slough ads. Somehow looking over all the goodies is more enjoyable than an online search, and often gets you thinking about other goodies too that you might not have.
  17. Love the build myself and my son are both building TN Mini Jets. I have recently found time to start the Gnat while my son has started the Hunter. We are both using the FMS 3S unit and while I am finishing the Gnat as a Red Arrows one, the Hunter is going for camo finish, but have considered it being finished in silver. Both aircraft types lend themselves to many options on colour scheme. Both should be finished in time for some decent flying weather - I hope.
  18. Posted by Ian Dewar 2 on 19/02/2020 12:39:14: Hello. I've had a Rhapsody since around 1994...originally flew with its Graupner Speedgear 600 and 7 cell nimh which was ok for its day but a slow climb. Some years ago I upgraded it to a brushless inrunner and 2200 3 cell lipo....what a difference! More recently I have added some of the Hobby King servoless airbrakes as it didn't always want to come down... Whilst I believe the Rhapsody is based on the Fantasia, it looks to me that the fuselage on the Rhapsody is almost twice the width of the Fantasia, as mentioned above, probably to accommodate the nimh pack, which you don't need. I believe I still have the plan if you are desperate, but I think to make your Fantasia into a Rhapsody, then you would need a complete new fuselage.....not worth it, I guess. I suggest a good dose of downthrust as even with the Rhapsody designed for electric, I find I need to mix in elevator with throttle. My Rhapsody has been a great glider and hopefully has many more years left in it! Ian Edited By Ian Dewar 2 on 19/02/2020 12:40:09 I would concur with the increased downthrust recommendation. I have on three gliders increased it when moving from brushed to brushless/LiPo set ups. My Bixto had nearly half as much again to the plan (the motor performance difference was quite significant and I also on that beefed up the wingspar). My Sonata E had a small increase, as did a scratch built.
  19. Posted by Piers Bowlan on 18/02/2020 12:43:26: David, the Fantasia would have used a heavy Speed 600 ferrite motor and even heavier pack of 7 or 8 sub-c cells which probably accounts for the shorter nose of the Fantasia and wider fuselage to accommodate the large battery pack. i suspect if you fit a modern brushless motor and 3s 2200 mAh LiPo in your Fantasia all will be well. I would concur with Piers' comments in regard to the use of a modern brushless/LiPo and rc set up. The fact that there is not much difference in weight of the standard glider WITH a then standard 4.8V Rx pack and standard servos and Rx. Weight can be saved or utilised effectively with servo size used too.
  20. Really interested in the comments about the Elan during the build and 100S competition. I like a number of others on here am disappointed how competitions are now spoilt bi the hi-tech approaches. I have a Balsa Cabin Ravello that I built some years a go now that I still enjoy flying, and while some of the more modern designs and materials used make for good performing gliders they are not as much fun. Perhaps that discourages others from having a go? Or maybe I am getting old lol.
  21. It is a shame and hopefully it will not suffer next year when the event is held next. Always very hard especially when circumstances are beyond the organisers control. As to the debate about gate and stallholder fees, it is extremely rare that any event does not cost to organise, even if the landowner waives any fees, organisers still have to cover things such as insurance, toilets, emergency service support etc. The effort and pressures deter many, which tends to leave the position of a few clubs etc who want to help boost their club coffers and interest etc being likely organisers. Personally, having been involved in organising model shows or events it is often the case that many fail to understand the depth of time, effort, etc required and we should be thankful there are people and clubs etc who do, as otherwise there would be hardly any shows or events. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO DO ORGANISE OR PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SUCH EVENTS.
  22. Posted by Alan Gorham_ on 07/01/2020 14:11:41: If educational bodies are aware of registration, then why is registration a blocker to a project? If the Educational Lead (teacher/lecturer) is not prepared to register as an operator then that is down to them, not the registration system. It could be argued that there is some real-world educational value is taking students through registration to demonstrate compliance? The BMFA offer STEM projects, the biggest being the Flight Test Challenge (or whatever it's called now) but each BMFA area should have an Education Co-Ordinator. They are frequently contacted by educational establishments to help support projects such as this. Educational bodies such as schools do not appear to be aware in this instance, and nor potentially are STEM bodies supporting the schools. I agree with your comments on the Educational Lead and about the educational value in taking students through the registration process. I suspect that as far as the 'Educational Lead's' are concerned that they are mainly rank and file teachers who don't have an outside work interest in model flying which does not help matters, but equally is possibly why we such limited promotion of after school hours activities for students these days in a number of activity areas. However, as far as industry STEM bodies possibly now refusing to support projects. It is as much about the almighty mess made in the reporting, visibility and guidance of registration that has led to the adoption of a negative position. It might help be offset if there is increased visibility or liaison by BMFA Education Co-Ordinators. I know that in many instances opportunities only exist for activities in part by school/college/education staff being prepared to go the extra mile and the support of industry and sporting bodies that anything much happens these days.
  23. I know! We are all fed up with all the chat about registration etc. However, despite myself and I am sure others who raised their concerns about impacting STEM activities, I wonder how many are seeing the fallout now registration is live? So I am a STEM Ambassador within my organisation, and talking to a fellow colleague they advised me of a project they are supporting for a local school. Said project is to design and build a model aircraft that can carry a camera. The team have been working on it since just before the announcement of the requirements, and are building their model. A lot of good work had been done by them to date. When I mentioned the need for Operator registration etc they were surprised. This prompted communications within my organisation (which is multi-national) and there had been a general awareness and guidelines to avoid undertaking any such projects that involve model aircraft when registration requirements became more public. I will not go in depth on this as there are some ongoing discussions but wondered how many others are involved in STEM and have already come across problems? From what has come to light from within our own STEM people and liaisons with other organisations there are some issues and concerns for the future of STEM activities involving model aircraft. Key observations: Not all STEM individuals or organising bodies are aware of the registration. Not all schools or colleges are aware of the need for registration. Organisations supporting STEM activities are already blocking any such model aircraft based projects. Responsibility for registration of operators? Should it be the project team/teacher and/or STEM support from industry, etc? Apparently a few projects have already been blocked and sadly the team's enthusiasm lost as a consequence. This is not good for encouraging the next generation of engineers be it in model flying, aerospace, or engineering in general. It would be good to know whether others have already encountered such issues and how they have overcome them. Equally I wonder if bodies such as the BMFA are already aware of the impact that is emerging?
  24. Definitely the Gnat for me and Hunter for my son. I suspect that the Lightning and Hawk will follow although want to also do the Provost.
  25. Glad its the TN Mini Jets. I am about to start the Gnat for myself, and my son has the Hunter.
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