Jon Hill

Diversifying from slope soaring I too am trying electric flight but with minimal knowledge. Part way through Nigel Hawes 45" Tocano build and having read Nigels comments regarding using NiMh batteries in the August 2007 RCM & E decided to purchase two 8 cell 3700 mAh packs from Model Power (very nice man) and source the other components from BRC Hobbies (who were very hard to get through to but equally nice)  I note that normal flight gear runs off 4 1.2v NiCd providing (depending on load I guess) 4 - 4.8v. However 8 X 1 - 1.2 is 8 - 9.6v, is it OK to run the flight gear on this higher voltage, is there some kind of voltage regulator device needed or does the ESC do this job? I'm sue there are many of us in this 'boat', is there a simple leaflet / publication covering Adrian's, mine and I'm sure others, basic though I'm sure to the knowledgable, repetitive questions. The articles in RCM & E are a real help but much information is spread over many articles/issues and referencing them becomes very time consuming. Ed, seems like this needs addressing....... ... in anticipation... Jon Hill.      

David, on page 29 of Junes issue Multiplex advertise 'Cularis' - I can't find it on Multiplexs webb site - do we know when, where, how much, what it comes with etc etc - It looks like what I need as building time is short to waft around this summer...

I rember this light weight low winger back in the '70's as a rudder elevator model with loads of dihederal which spoilt its otherwise rather pleasing lines and then fairly recently recall reading something about an aileron version being available ... but I can't tack it down. Can anyone assist with who supplies it? has anyone out there electrified it...if so what did you fit it out with?

In 2002 I returned to slope soaring after a gap of some twenty five years. My local slope is Colley Hill overlooking Reigate Surrey, flyable in a SW - SE, excellent lift and challenging landing! I left off flying a Middle Phase in the late eighties and have returned with a PMP Ban She - highly recommended. In northerlies I'll fly at Devils Dyke behind Brighton or Ditchling Beacon, all suitable for 'ordinary peoples models up to 2M span (of course the South Downs sites are fine for large models too), I'm waiting for the weather to improve to fly again my recently built Phase Five ... yes I do like to build traditional models, which is why I'm disappointed in 'ON THE EDGE'.Andy Ellison seems to focus purely on expensive mouldies, write disparigingly of any one who gets in his way whilst he wrings the last knot from his £1000 ship at which ever flyin he turned up to. Secondly, I have never seen an article about all the soaring activity that occurs all round the North and South Downs, we do not all have the luxury of north Welsh mountains. So I'll make two requests. First, can we have proportional representaion of this arm of our hobby with worthy articles on models most of us can afford and fly. Secondly, when is this columnist going to get out and about and speak to other soarers AT OTHER SITES around the UK. This last point raises the issue of a colated detailed list of UK wide soaring sites, this forum surely should take the lead on this ...