Geoff S

Posted by onetenor on 02/04/2016 03:25:37: Geoff Mr Bibendum as he is known is worth a lot .Get it appraised by an auction house. or Drew Pritchard in N.Wales . You know the guy on the telly Salvage Hunter. You could send the pics to them .If working even better Nice piece .Good luck Oh he works alright but makes a lot of noise doing so. It's been part of my life as long as I can remember and I'm 76, hence my guess as to his age. It's probably the original rubber mains lead because it's perished and certainly needs replacing. He's in absolutely original condition and never been restored (hence the psoriasis ). It was in regular use when we had the shop blowing up van and car tyres as well as my motor bike ones. Actually I put it on eBay a few years ago but had a non-paying bidder at around £500 IIRC and never got round to relisting it. That's why I had the photo on my PC. Geoff Edited By Geoff Sleath on 04/04/2016 20:39:22

Posted by Bravo Delta on 04/04/2016 18:39:56: Wow no flying for months and two days in a row ! Forecast rain in morning incorrect so had an hour to spare to get the Axiom Delta out which certainly blew any remaining cobwebs away . Followed by a test of the Alien frame multirotor Certainly no flying for me today. We had a torrential hail storm about lunch time complete with thunder and lightning then another smaller one later in the afternoon. Not worth the drive if I don't get a few hours at the field. At least my new heated fingerless gloves have extended the temperatures my hand works at and hence the days flying I can get in. Geoff

I was tempted to build myself a model land yacht for windy days. I had a set of 1 metre rigs and a spare sail winch but somehow never got round to it. I've still got a set of sail rigs (masts and sails) but the only winches I have are installed in either my 1 metre Rhythm or my sailing barge hull that's crying out to be completed so it probably won't happen. It could be fun if a few others built yachts and we raced on the tarmac. Much more appealing to me than cars and it's still aerodynamics - just horizontal rather than vertical. Fast, too. Geoff

You could look at the iCharger range, Pat. They're expensive but good. Unfortunately they only do dual chargers so that might rule them out for you. I'm very happy with the 308 duo I bought at Cosford. Geoff

My Eezee Peezy has an angled rudder though it slopes backwards rather than forwards. The main problem is the operating mechanism which needs to allow for the slope. Not insuperable but it needs a little thought. I once had a model racing yacht that had an angled rudder pivot which was a swine to steer downwind in a blow. Because there was so much area behind the pivot the Futaba 148 servo was unable to hold it straight. I changes it for one with a vertical pivot and with some area forward of it to help reduce the load. I suppose the same would apply in the air as it does in water. Geoff

Even worse. I've heard terrorists are planning to use car bombs So if you want a new car better get one soon before they're banned. Geoff

I like to use Ashlok multiple way connectors but I'm running out of the limited stock I acquired when Ash decided to close his part time business. Other than that my usual method is a simple label made from a small piece of paper masking tape and identified with a ball pen. They don't come off. In fact when you want to remove them it's quite a job. Geoff

Why top hinge the flaps when their movement is only going to be downwards? Wouldn't it be easier to bottom hinge them then they can go as far down as required (90 degrees maximum)? Your ply strip method could be used at the top to disguise the gap revealed as the flaps were deployed. Building is to a standard I can only dream of Geoff

Als Hobbies here Geoff

Yes, that's it, Percy. Anyway, I got the rigger (he's also the pilot ) out this afternoon to set up the controls mechanically and zero all the trims. I'll see how that works out. It could be the elevator halves aren't exactly aligned. Those closed loops look good but they all come from the same servo so need to be set up identically. So now I've reset to zero I'll retrim as necessary next flight. I'll try a bit of right thrust after I see how my rigging adjustments affect the handling. IIRC the drawing doesn't show any down or right thrust for an ic engine. Geoff

Posted by David Holland 2 on 01/04/2016 17:39:10: They are wire strippers but, assuming you still have your own teeth (!!), you will find they work better. David Not necessarily. I never mastered stripping wire with my teeth even as a teenager but the TV service man who worked for my dad was ace at stripping insulation with his. In fact he had a race in the shop with a guy who was trying to sell us a stripping tool and was twice as quick. I use a Radiospares (or RS Components as they like to be called these days) automatic stripping tool which works well on large gauge silicon insulated wire as well as smaller stuff. Actually I thought the tool in question was a heavy duty Bowden cable cutter; it looks very like one I have for bike gear and brake cable trimming. Geoff

I'm always slightly concerned when people start doing adjustments at the field before a maiden that should have been done in the workshop They certainly have fun at Bruce's (Xjet) model club - at least the spectators do Geoff

Yes, that right rudder trim is a bit of a pain. To get a decent loop I have to put in even more, not sure why. I didn't build the wings although I had to separate the top wing to get the sweep back and dihedral corrected and I think that's OK. So I guess it's the bottom wing but it flies hand off straight and level it's just loops and verticals before a stall turn that are wrong. Rolls are a bit iffy, too - I only do 'em two mistakes high. I think the main problem with Moth wings is that there's no L/E sheeting and that makes them prone to warps, particularly when covered with 'tex. I did strip and recover both wings so it could be my fault Love flying it even though I'm still getting used to it. Needs a fair bit of rudder in the turns even with lots of aileron differential to minimise adverse yaw. Geoff

It was a super day on Thursday up at Ashbourne and I managed 5 more flights with my recently completed (almost - a few more details to add) DB Tiger Moth. A club mate was at hand with his super camera and he took a few flying shots for me. So credit goes to Dave Probert, photographer extraordinary for these. And finally a retro shot on the ground. If it weren't for our resident wind turbine it could be 1935 Geoff

Well, I have a Michelin tyre inflater that's at least 90 years old Geoff

Posted by MattyB on 01/04/2016 22:55:41: Posted by Geoff Sleath on 01/04/2016 21:11:11: Matty my main problem with that thread is understanding the sub-set of English used. It really is a different language over there and US modellers seem to be happy spending large amounts on LiPos. Makes my modest trial seem somewhat insignificant. I wouldn't say £18 is that expensive for a high C rated 3S 2200. Sure it's a lot more than the cheapest equivalent packs at HK, but look at the IR and they are generally barely 10C rated in real terms. Go to a UK supplier like Overander or Optipower and you'll be paying a similar or higher price for a lower C rated pack that if the testing is borne out won't last as long. It's true we have no idea about the QC at this stage - consistency between packs not been a strength of HK traditionally - but for the majority of buyers these are likely to represent a significant step forward; increased weight due to the G10 between cells looks to be the only downside. Edited By MattyB on 01/04/2016 23:00:10 Yes but the IR and C rating isn't all that much better than the Zippy 40C 2200 3S pack I compared it with. Unless you have a model that really needs to draw very high currents (like ducted fans) then the performance advantage won't be worth it. As far as I can see, the only advantage (and certainly it's a worthwhile one) is the longevity for people like me who fly relatively docile models needing to draw 40 amps maximum from my 3S packs and that for very brief periods. And quite honestly, the lavish packing is ridiculous, particularly the velvet draw string bag. We recycle as much as we can but it's always better to avoid the need to recycle and that excessive packing puts me off buying more because it's wasteful. I'll see how it goes once the weather gets back to pleasantly flyable Geoff

Never say die, Colin At 76, it occurred to me as well Matty my main problem with that thread is understanding the sub-set of English used. It really is a different language over there and US modellers seem to be happy spending large amounts on LiPos. Makes my modest trial seem somewhat insignificant. Geoff

Thanks, gentlemen. Cymaz: Your link was the one I read and decided the differences between the 2 are slight and for me (definitely NOT a rivet counter ) insignificant. Danny: I suppose not exactly what I was asking but probably should have. so thanks anyway. Is the Stuart Mackay who wrote the book to which you refer the same SM who supplies petrol engines and very fancy large kits? At least if you model 'Jason' you can go along to the London Science museum and have a look at the original. It was hanging up there the last time I visited 5 or 6 years ago. Chichester's exploits in the air are not as well known as Amy Johnson's but they should be. They are, at least , the equal of his sailing feats. Pete: That's really well above and beyond efforts required of a board moderator! Excellent stuff. Most of what I know about Chichester, apart from contemporary reports is from his auto biography "The Lonely Sea and the Sky" which, by some miracle I managed find on one of our bookshelf amongst my collection of sailing books. It's a Pan paperback originally priced at 30p (6/-) new! So you can guess how long I've had it! btw I have no intention of building Chichester's Gypsy Moth with floats! It must have had wheels at some time in its life and my model, assuming it's more than a pipe dream, will too. Geoff

Having got my electric DB Tiger Moth flying (5 more flights yesterday) I have a little urge to build another DB Moth but from scratch this time - My Tiggie was given to me apparently as a completed airframe but in reality it needed more time to correct/modify than if I'd started from scratch. I was a very keen sailor before I started aeromodelling and Sir Francis Chichester is one of my heroes. However Chichester's great skill was as a navigator and he was the first to fly across the Tasman sea in a Gypsy Moth (ZK-AKK). So I fancy building a DB Cirrus Moth and I'm trying to find out what the differences are apart from the improved engine. I suspect little, though I think the wingspan was increased from 29 to 30 feet - not a big deal. Also, apart from the registration and a few poor monochrome photos in my copy of 'The Lonely Sea and the Sky' , I can't find out much about Chichester's Moth. It looks light coloured with possibly silver wings. Geoff

Posted by Stuart Z on 01/04/2016 10:18:58: Hats off to them! Fantastic and in the full knowledge of how many souls are on board. Yes but bear in mind that as far as the pilot's concerned the most important soul is the one sitting at the front waggling the controls Geoff

Well there was a piece on R4's Today programme this morning about Walkers (a Leicester company) changing Red Leicester cheese flavoured crisps blue in support of Leicester football club who (I'm told) play in blue shirts. Just about as believable as this Geoff

Being awash with cash and noticing that HK now have so-called Graphene batteries in stock at the UK warehouse I decided to get a 2200 3S 45C example to see how they shape up. It arrived yesterday but, unfortunately too late for me to try it in action up at the field. So here are are my initial impressions. First it has a very impressive presentation - almost like a piece of jewellery in a stout black box, closed with magnets (it'll be saved for other use) and even more amazing, in a velvet-like cloth bag! I intend to compare it with an almost new Zippy 2200 3S 40 C pack. The cost is the most obvious comparison. Zippy £9.39 Graphene £17.57 getting on for double! So it had better be good. Dimensions: G: 108 x 32 x 28 mm 212 gms Z: 104 x 32 x 26 mm 187 gms So the G is both slightly larger and heavier than the Z I checked both with my Wayne Giles LiPo ESR Meter. Like all HK LiPos the Graphene was half charged on arrival. So these readings are before I fully charged it. G: ESR = 15.3 mOhms  (13.2 after charge) Cell 1 = 3.64 (3.0 after charge) Cell 2 = 3.72 (3.04 after charge) Cell 3 = 3.68 (2.96 after charge) C rating before charge is indicated as 26 and after as 29 (ie around 60 amps continuous) Z: ESR = 15.9 mOhms Cell 1 = 3.88 Cell 2 = 3.92 Cell 3 = 3.84 C rating is 25 (ie around 55 amps continuous) On initial measurement it seems there is little to choose between the much more expensive Graphene battery over the Zippy. The Zippy has had about 2 charge cycles and performs well in both my Tundra and Riot foamies. It has always had about 30% charge after around 7 minutes flying time. From the figures, the Graphene will probably perform slightly better than the Zippy and may give slightly longer flights as more energy will be used powering the motor than heating the battery but I can't see it being very significant. The real proof will be if the Graphene really does live up to the claim of 600 charge cycles. So far, that will be its only advantage that could justify its much greater cost. Geoff       Edited By Geoff Sleath on 01/04/2016 12:11:48

Loved the opening sequence. It added a little anticipation for what came afterwards. The countryside is what makes France my most favourite foreign country We were there twice last year and I'm sure we'll make it again at least once this. Thanks. Geoff

Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 29/03/2016 22:05:56: Robin is right - its a well known psychological phenominia - the pilot fixates on the one obstruction in sight - so that's where he goes! You can prove this to yourself - ride a bicycle down a road, deliberately look at every bump/manhole cover - and you'll go over them! Look one foot to the side and you'll miss them! Its uncanny! BEB I must be odd, then, because when I'm cycling I look out for obstructions in the road all the time specifically to avoid them. In fact I get complains from the back when we're on the tandem if I don't provide a smooth passage. I once saw a beautiful Mick Reeves Hurricane totally destroyed when it flew through a small tree at a fly-in near Haverford West in S Wales. I don't think there was anything to be salvaged, including the OS four stroke engine. Geoff

Indeed, I've made up a lead specifically for the job and I keep it in my receiver drawer labelled appropriately. It's very quick and easy to do, though my Rx firmware changes are in the opposite direction as my Taranis is an early one and I prefer to keep the original RF system. Geoff