GRAHAM HEALD 1

Hi I am currently nearing finishing a 1/12th Scale Lockheed Neptune (or thereabouts which I made the plans for myself and which has turned out to be bigger that I envisaged . The plane when finished will be in the region of 24lbs and will be powered by 2 Glow Engines if it can fly I have glassed the fuselage and now need to start priming and painting it. I have modelled the plane on a VP11 USN version with a Midnight Blue/ White colour scheme and really need expert advice on the best paint to use on the plane . I have kind of figured that Spectra Paint may be the way to go and need to know if anyone has used this and recommend it. Appreciate any help you pros out there may be able to give. Regards

Thanks to all who gave advice. Really appreciate your expert views.

Hi all looking for some expert advice. I am nearing completion of a 1/12th scale Lockheed Neptune which is about 7ft in length with an approx 7.5 wingspan. weight I reckon will be in region of 15lbs. As I am about to do the expensive bit and fit it out with servos,fowler flap mad Robart retracts, I would appreciate any advice of which servos to buy. i am keen on Hi-tec ones but do I need to spend a fortune on servos or would hi torque ones costing about £20 each do? and I thought the difficult bit would be building it!! any advice would be gratefully considered. Graham

Merry Christmas. Due to the recent cold weather which makes building in my shed difficult plus very cold, I am starting my next project so that I can stay indoors in the cosy warmth due to being a complete and utter sap. I am currently drawing up my own plans for the Lockheed P2H Neptune which will be to 1/12th scale making it a big model which will require to be transported in sections for storage and transporting. I have the main fuselage body drawn up and am now concentrating on the wings. It is my intention to have the wing constructed from starboard engine nacelle to the port nacelle with both outer wings being able to be broken down for transporting. Similarly the wing would have to attach to the main fuselage (The fuselage section from just aft the cockpit to a point near the wing trailing edge.) The fuselage section are as follows Nose to rear of Cockpit Bulkhead Cockpit Bulkhead to bulk just a trailing edge bulkhead Trailing edge bulkhead to end of fuselage. I have my own thoughts about how I am going to design this but as I am not an authority of Twin Engine designs ( or any other aspect of model aircraft for that matter) I thought I would ask you experts out there for your thoughts and any advice would be helpful. As stated this will be a fairly big aircraft and if money and the boss allows I intend to install multi cylinder engines so mounts and stress factors will be important. Even if you could point me to suitable twin engine plans of a similar aircraft so I could adapt the wing mount I would be forever greatful. Forgive me if this does not make a whole lot of sense (hopefully it does) but alas I have been necking some of my Christmas Presents ... just to make room in my shed of course Thks in anticipation. Have a great New Year when it comes Graham

Hi Thanks to those who have so far responded. I may not have too clear in my post but what I am particularly interested in is the wing fold motor/servo set up and associated images for straight up wing fold for my model. Thks again for all your assistance. Regards

Hi everyone Am in the process of getting drawings and info together for a winter build of a 1/8th scale skyraider. As with all naval planes , they are not authentic if the wings do not fold and my shed is like a carrier it has limited space so wing folds are a must plus it looks neat. I am looking for plans, drawings or any info on powered wing fold mechanism be the pneumatic or otherwise suitable for a plane this size or even a skiffy with a where to get suitable ino Have scoured this forum but cannot locate anything Prepared to pay for detailed plans if anyone has them. regards

HI I am relatively new to radio control aircraft being mainly a RC Marine man but have to admit that driving a boat about a pond is no real fun. I enjoy the building and not the sailing. But is radio aircraft this is different. You scratch build the models and you hope it flies well and doesn't end up trashed in a head 3 seconds after starting. I like a challenge so have got into RCCAircraft. I have a lot to learn from you guys out there and one question I need answered is which RC equipment to Purchase, after all this what makes a plane operate and I would obviously want a reasonable priced set capable of at least 6 channels and in 2.4 GHz. I have Futuba and Planet systems for my boats but want a dedicated radio for my aircraft. I was looking at the Spektrum 7s system which looks like it is as good as it gets for the money I want to spent but if I have to push it dearer I will. Can some of you experienced guys out there give me your recommendations as to what make and type you would recommend for simply club flying and to get started. I am nearing finishing my Fairey Swordfish and need the radio gear as engines etc are bought. Any assistance would be gratefully recieved. Regards

Forgot to say. I love this forum for getting help. It is a god send.

Thks to you Cymaz,Ken Anderson and BEB who responded with their experienced opinions and advice. Looks like balsa is the way to go. Cheers all

Greetings and salutations I am scratch building a 1/7th scale Fairey swordfish from plans bought from Traplet. The build is going good apart from the rear end of the fuselage which suggests using 3/16 balsa stringers and balso ribs. Problem is I am ham fisted and already scrapped two end fuslage due to breaking the stringers which are flimsy. I am starting again but am of a thought to use spruce stringers instead and lite ply ribs to make it more sturdy. Appreciate there is going to be a trade off in weight and the rear will weight more but am I right in thinking this way or should I stick to balsa and be more delicate with it. I will cover with doped nylon if I ever get the thing finished without breaking it. Thoughts from some you experienced airplane builders out there would be gratefully received Cheers

Hi All I am new to this forum and building a Fairey Swordfish to 1:7 scale. The easy bit is building it but the hard part is what to put where and the best system to use in respect of fuel systems. I am using a SC 91FS engine inverted as per the plans which places the carb low down. Reading on the net and this forum about placement of the fuel tank and what system ie uniflow is stressing me out , so much so that I have reverted to the wine sooner than I hoped tonight. I would like some advice from you experts about which fuel system to use ie uniflow etc and if a fuel pump would be necessary. I get the idea of installing a on board glow for the glow plug so I am okay with that. Am I going to incur problems with tank height being about 1 inch above carb??? Please help me. I am slowly losing the will to live and that second bottle of wine in the cupboard is going to get it tonight if I don't get answers. I don't care what the wife thinks!!!! Thks in anticipation Gra

Hi Cymaz Lovely photo. Think I have thought it out .Now to get some custom parts made Thanks Regards

Thks Keith Appreciated Regards

Hi all Just joined you forum as a rookie Airplane Builder.Been a Rc boat builder for many years but got bored with that. I am now building a 72 inch Swordfish from plans but need help with a few probs. 1. Have tried to get a diagram of a closed loop system for an airplane and which is the best set up but so far been unable to locate one. 2.Any one have any ideas for a wing fold system on a swordfish which is realistic and to scale. May seem pretty mundane questions but I am at the stage of planking the fuselage sooner than I expected and need to finish the internals first. Have scoured internet with no avail Any help would be appreciated. Cheers