eflightray

Test for video addition -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKLDBgvr-8U Ray. It opened a new window, not what I wanted. 😒

At least foam board can let you get away from slab-sided boxes with wings on. Where's the scratch builders willing to move on ? Ray. 😉

I only used standard and reverse pitch props on my Sunderland as I wasn't sure what difference it would make being on water. All my largish other multi motors, twins and fours, ( Catalina - C160 Transall - B17 - Lancaster) used the standard rotation pitch props with no noticeable affect regarding trim or handling, so no need to change to counter rotating my opinion. Ray

I scratch built a Sunderland back in 2010, (still have it), some balsa framing but mostly using Depron foam. Flown it off water and of grass, (very short sports ground grass), sliding on its belly). No plans, just making it up as I went along. Span - 90" Detachable outer wing panels for transport, and/or complete wing Motors - Keda KD 2217/16 brushless, 1050kv Props - GWS 8 x 6 x 3 blade Lipos - 2 x 4500mAh 3s one for the inner pair, one for the outer pair Weight - 7Lbs-2oz flying. Uses differential throttle, Spektrum rc gear. Ray.

Long long lime since I looked on here, so apologies for possibly barging in. I have a scratch built Eagle built in Depron. It flies great. It does have a prop on the front though, and a V-tail. But it works. Sorry if stepping on toes, (I occasionally have a habit of doing so), but you seem to be trying to be trying perhaps too many changes all at once. Can't you just sort out the glide, stability and controls as a glider or prop power first, then develop the ducted power side. Sorry again. My simple brain just tries to come up with the simple method first. Ray - I'll get back to my cave.

I cheated, and built a profile Mosquito, loosely based on the RCM&E free plan June 2005 In the air it's not really noticeable it's profile, but if you turn it over it looks pretty messy with all its bits exposed. It's built using the original 6mm Depron foam. 50" span - two 2408-14 motors - 3s Lipo - various props tried - 1lb 4.25oz flying ( 20 1/4 oz ) Ray.

I have seen a few threads similar, - people looking for help etc, also many posts of people offering equipment free. The major problem seems to be, no one seems to know where they are relative to each other. Why isn't there an easy way, (or is there one already ?), a way of putting a location with a post or , a simple area location, city/county etc. not a full address, we all like our privacy), so that people can get in contact offering help. I would thing there are many modelers with redundant radio gear, models, etc, that they don't want to post, but would give away if it was collected. I'm giving up soon, probably this year, everything is to go, (I like the idea of a clean break). There are 20+ models all in basically flyable condition, plus all the bits-and -bobs, spares etc. accumulated over many many years. it would be nice to know they went to help others. BUT, I don't want to go to the trouble of listing/advertising everything etc. If someone want them, they have to go to the trouble of collecting them. I'm in South Wales not far from Swansea. Why can't posters, or the the forum software add some simple location for the uses profile. Ray

Getting bored, haven't built or flow anything for 2 years. Whether the 'magic' has gone, the changes in weather, old age, (just turned 79), some health problems really have finally got a grip on me, or just can't be bothered, who knows. Even the forums, (not just the UK ones), don't seem to have much in the way of interest. The dilemma now is what to do. I doubt I will get round to flying again, though may still occasionally build something Get rid of everything ?, I hate the thought of someone mistreating thing I couldn't. Watching some YT videos, there are still plenty of maniacs about with little respect for models. Leave them in my hangar, (shed), and occasionally clear the cobwebs (yet never see any spiders, strange). Anyone else just don't want to get rid of models they may have built, and have feelings for them, (no, I don't feel in love with them, just respect). Ray My 'home page showing some builds'

Looks a bit like a modified "Natter" https://modelingmadness.com/review/axis/luft/kusters349.htm .

"RC is too expensive" ? but ....... Some of the best fun we had flying models was back in my early days on a very limited budget, but then it was a long time ago. Chuck gliders, Jetex, rubber powered, tow line gliders etc. All free flight, no RC, but great comradery, and laughter . Control was my main interest, combat and stunt, until we came across single channel radio. It all went down hill from there. Unless the wind blew up the slope ? There are still alternatives to RC, but then ........ who wants a chuck glider when they see others with their ready made 'warbirds'. Ray. \a plane, a pushbike, and cycle clips ...... mid 50's

The BMFA, along with many other related 'hobby' groups need to put pressure where it could really benefit youngsters and their future. Get them added to the education system early on in schools. I don't know what youngsters are taught in schools these days, but it doesn't seem to include using their hands to actually make physical things. Now it seem the nearest thing to that is use a keyboard to get some remote device to make things. Our hobby, and I have also been in it for over 60 years too, taught me so many things from mechanical, electrical, and electronic, to thinking for my self, deigning and making things, (long time scratch builder), and even helped me get/change jobs on some occasions by putting it on my CV. Ray. The railway embankment ( disused L.N.E.R.)also became our slope soaring site, great fun back in the 50's, our school model group.

We PUT our soul into into a model by building it, and some of us even scratch build them. Most people prefer to put their wallet, and 'noise' into a model for everyone else to hear. Ray. ?

Now I have often wondered if it was the balsa basher purists who negotiated the end of the original Depron manufacture, because they feared it was as good or better than balsa in many builds ?

"Needs a set of wings. As yet undecided on foam vs built up." Why not built up foam wings. (if only we still could get genuine Depron ? )

There was Depron, and there is something that is also being called Depron. If you were an original Depron builder, you just know the difference as soon as you pick a sheet up. But, if you 'need' to build, you can just about use anything. I've mentioned it before, look for the 'grain effect' in Depron, similar to how the grain in balsa sheet will roll easier one way, but most likely break/snap the other way. I still have a small amount of the 6mm original for a 'special occasion', but not enough for another big build, (6mm for structural and 3mm for external skin), the remaining 3mm I have is the 'grey', (grey ?, as often the reference to 'aliens', not of this world) As I have implied, any material can be used. Ray.

Thank you Stu for the comment, I've decide that after 60+ years in modeling it might be worth seeing if there is anything else to try my hand at. ? . Ray.

I find it's a shame that forum users don't show where their location is, so that when we have stuff to give away that really needs to be collected, we don't waste peoples time that perhaps live just too far away to bother with the travelling. It doesn't have to be an address, just perhaps the nearest big town or city. Later this year I may be giving up completely, and that means a shed load of models, spares etc, everything. It would make me feel happier if it went all in one go, (big transit etc), perhaps a club that does help beginners, or run club sales to build up club funds to sponsor individuals, what ever. I'm not keen on individuals taking thing just to sell for themselves, so I wont use the classified and list everything. Am I missing something ?, and there is information about posters and club rough locations. My building and flying goes back many years, approx 60+ years, and can be found with a little effort and searches ). I think everything will be , 'no cost', but with the stipulation that it all goes in one go, no picking and choosing, hence the need for a big van. It's all electric powered, I haven't done IC for over 30 years. It's a bit early yet, but sometime this year. So don't chase me yet. It would be nice to know that they will go to good homes. Ray.

My Blackburn 1912 Monoplane (RM 140 plans (UK Radio Modeler or - Sarik Hobbies MAG1523 plans) Built and flown long long time ago, used just rudder, elevator and throttle, plus brushed motor, Olympus belt drive, 11" x 7" prop, and brushed motor and Nicad (probably 6 cells), flew great using rudder, looked very realistic. But, if you are looking for an aerobatic speed machine ......... Ray.

I don't have any 'sky-hooks' left to keep Vanessa happy, and as already said, keeping two fingers in good condition can be important. Then there are my other weird checks, rolling backward and forwards on a dowel or pencil, (I like to use a pencil with the hex flats). So I decided finally to build a simple balance rig with what I had to hand. But as always I use a CG Calculator to get a starting point (for my 103" Lancaster). Ray

I like to have something to read ? Ray

Hi Den, I also ran out of the original white 3mm on my current Lancaster and had to use some grey to finish the wing. I don't particularly like the grey Depron, it's too soft and flexible, but my fairly standard initial priming coat has been matt white ceiling emulsion paint with some talc powder to bulk it up a bit, (filler), it seems to work on the grey as well with a light sanding first. Though I doubt it will spray easy, (I only use paint brushes). The top colour coat is a water based paint, usually an artists acrylic paint or water based small sample pots ,silk finish. Then the clear polyurethane water proofing. My Sunderland - Ray.

Wing loading, 34 oz/sq.ft eeek! My B-25 Mitchell is scratch built in balsa. 93" span. 9lb 11oz including 6s battery. 20 oz/sq.ft Flies on 60 watts/pound Admittedly it's four woops, twin props, but I'm sure the Optica (92.5" span) could fly with a single prop on not much more power. Just keep the weight down. P.S. my B-25 first flew in June '93, and I still have her. Ray The picture was from quite few year ago, the plane looks the same though ?

Found this -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho5QhjOql6A Ray