SIMON CRAGG

I am not a great believer in these light strips either, as I have found they differ wildly and what does each light reflect exactly?. The only way to check Life rx cells is with a multimeter IMHO. You get a decent 2 decimal point readout, and they can easily be calibrated if you know an electrician!. They drop like stone from 7.2v to 6.6v and then hold 5.5 for hours. Good bit of kit.

Agreed. Best bet is to rig up a multimeter and suitable plug / socket on the side of the fuz. Check voltage regularly ( stir the sticks at the same time), and monitor the voltage. 6.4V = about 40% left in the pack. As with most things battery...........hundreds of different opinions!

We have been carrying out a lot of testing on Lifepo4 rx packs over the last few weeks. A five servo (not digital) servo model is using about 55mah per 10 min flight + a couple of minutes added on to get to the flight line etc. Timer started from TX switch on. More trials on models with retracts / flaps etc in the pipeline. Only using a max. of 60% / 6.4v of total cell capacity prior to charge.

We are starting to explore the benefits of LiFepo4 2 cell rx packs, and use a modified multimeter to check pack voltage which coloured lights do not reflect enough detail on the state of the pack. We would never go back to NIMH!

After countless years just using the good old neckstrap, I have decided that I might have a try with a TX tray. Apart from looking good!, how many people use them? I fly thumbs on the sticks....would a tray be of any use? Are they worth the money? Apart from the HK version, they seem MEGA expensive!. Your thoughts / comments please.+

Interesting topic. On smaller (60" or so) models, it does not seem to make a huge amount of difference in my experience. However, on larger wingspan models eg: Cub, PT19, (with a shorter moment arm), I have found that 20% more "up" than down, plus coupled rudder transforms the model into a much more benign, smooth flyer. Worth experimenting, as with modern gear it is straightforward to "dial in" the offsets etc,

Judging by the amount of bad press these things are getting, I think its only a matter of time before they are banned in one form or another.I hope it does not put the spotlight on model flying in general, and land owners start over reacting!   Edited By SIMON CRAGG on 23/10/2014 01:26:30

Some years ago, I had the "Flying Car" that was produced by the same company that make the flying lawnmower / snoopy / witch etc. It went together very well, and on a calm day was a doddle to fly. Any wind made it a real handful....and as we don't get many "calm" days it had to go!.

I am in the process of writing to Santa. To make sure that the elves bring me the best model all the way from Lapland, I have narrowed my Xmas list down to either a model from FMS or Dynam. Apart from price (and probably quality), I cannot not make my mind up which Sbach is the better of the two available. Can anybody shine any light on the subject, or am I going to have to wait for an answer from the man in the red suit?.

Have any of you engine collectors any idea what make the attached is please? Many thx. Simon. OK...How do I attach an image........it all seems to be in Latin! Edited By SIMON CRAGG on 10/08/2013 08:31:08

Thanks Geoff. I have had a good look through all my old magazines and found an excellent article on flaps in the Nov '02 edition of RCMW. I think on balance I will use the same method as you to start with and take it from there. The "Phoenix" flight sim. has got a smashing P51 with flaps...I was very suprised at how slowly the model would come in at...hope my Chipmunk is similar!.

I have now finished the model, but am still not 100% sure of a couple of things! I am going to have 10 degrees flap for take off and 30 degrees for landing. Which is the best way to operate the flaps.... by switch, slider or mixed with a on / off switch and the throttle with some offset?  Any help / comments much appreciated.  Simon.

Brilliant!. Thx for taking the time to do this for me. I have yet to find a picture of a full size Chipmunk with these markings....any idea where I can find it? Thx again. Simon.

I have read this thread several times as I am in the process of building the Chipmunk at present. I have seen a photograph of one recently with an "AIR CADETS" logo on the side of the fuz. Despite searching the internet I cannot find it to download and reproduce for my model. Can anybody help please?. Safe flying. Simon.