Matt Watts

Well, I'm going to be all heroic and say that I LIKE IT! After seeing mum paint the spare room like a hippie's living room, bright colours don't seem so shocking anymore. That Bird Dog is just... well, I can't really find the word. That has to be the most realistic model I've ever seen. Character in bucketfuls! By the way, how many people actually fly model jets (with proper engines)? It just seems so expensive it would put the queen off!

I am definitely not drooling over those Mossie pics...

wooooooooah... don't get me started!

Acutally, that's really encouraging to me. I never thought that someone was actually building warbirds to this level! But the costs... Meh. It's worth it hands down if you're devoted. I could spend a whole day just sitting and looking at a Spitfire, let alone even flying in one!

Thanks, I've got the mag and the plan. But the thought of cutting into such a beatiful bird... all my hyperactive hopping around in celebration was apparently... what am I talking about, I can do it, I CAN!! And I will. If I can bring myself to it.

OK, now I'br got it and I hve to say it is the most gorgeous, well built plane EVER! Anyways, the top decking is glued straight on, and there's no visible access hatch on it. Please tell me I don't have hack into the thing to install radio stuff?

I just thought that it would be great if someone started making proper, original Merlins once again. Imagine, a dainty little 182 pootling on by roaring like an angry... well since I can't think of anything similar... Spitfire! Seriously though, I just don't see the appeal of mini replicas with rubbishy engines (OK, bit of a generalisation there, some might be good). Surely a proper Spit would be better? Come to think of it, has anyone ever tried making replica Spitfires with replica Merlins, and if not, why? mmmmmm.... imagine that model Merlin flying in something...

I've been wondering recently about replica Spitfires. I saw an advert for one in an aged copy of Today's Pilot, but instead of having those legendary roaring Merlin engines, it had a Jaribu. Surely half the point of having a Spitfire is the noise? So, are replica Merlin's produced, and if not, why? Random thought over.

Ooooooh. I'm not worthy.

Stuka (not modelled anywhere near enough) Hawker Hurricane Westland Lysander (gorgeous plane) Seriously, why has almost no-one modelled the Stuka?

oooooooh yeah!

Pardon?

And yes, thanks! Every post counts towards this. When I say site, I mean lake, pond, sea (for the lucky ones among us). The sponsons are the bits sticking out the side, and the bars are the things connecting them to the hull - whew, I came so close to saying fuselage then!

Thanks Timbo, much appreciated! I posted this on RC Universe, but it's such a big forum that there's almost no chance of it getting through to anyone!

Well, I did say quirky. Oh yeah, and this is the SOAPBOX! This bit is supposed to feature everything that isn't applicable for any of the other forum section.

Hey everyone, GCSEs are annoying, but they've given me this... unusual idea of a depron-based EDF hydroplane. I figured that the light weight should lift the hull higher off the water, whilst getting that high-pitched whine of a ducted fan. I'm not aware of any other similar models on the market. Doomed or not, this should be fun! Right, well I've got a questionnaire here that I'd be really greatful for you to participate in. Please answer all or none.  Anyways, here goes: 1. Do you prefer building kits or going RTR? 2. Would you generally tear the Hydrofan around or just cruise (stupid question, sorry!) 3. If the hull was to become badly damaged (ie, no longer buoyant), would you buy another (pretend spares are availible) or simply repair it? 4. Would you prefer to spend a lot and get ballistic performance, or would you go cheap and cheerful? 5. How much space is availible at your site? 6. Which size range (length) would you prefer: 1m-75cm, 75-50cm, or smaller? 7. Do you have particularly stringent noise controls at your site 8. If ANY major part (including radio & drive train, above £40) were to break, would you just cannibilise the craft and bin the shell, or buy a replacement? 9. Would you use the low weight to beef up the hull, buy more powerful and heavy equipment, or leave it as it is? 10. Would you prefer to see the sponson bars faired in or not? You know, this is my first boating thing. Some way to start! Sorry about the fat post! 

Honestly David, you and your Furies... Anyways, I'd go for: Canberra (EDF) Britten-Norman Trislander (electric) DH Mosquito (I have to say it does look better than the Hornet in my opinion) I have to say I love the Canberra, very rarely moddelled too.

Now, I'm not exactly known for being your stereotypical 15 year old, but I had no idea how few teenagers used this forum! I first started at 9 with a PowerZ 200, then got a Magister, which ended in tears. Started building about 2 or 3 years ago with the Simplex, then got a Junior 60 kit. With any luck, the blood spilled on it will actually lift it off the ground!

Wow, 2000 posts Timbo! Well done! Thanks for the advice, but what's a hub puller? Are they designed simply for the job of removing stubborn adaptors? It's strange that this normal APC prop would have been out of balance - APC's 'E' props always seem to be dead on.

Another problem now. I've still got a compression fit prop adaptor mounted to the shaft. The only way I got it off last time was (accidentally, of course) being a complete idiot and ordering normal APC props, not realizing they weren't the 'e' type! This caused so much vibration that the whole prop assembly flew off the shaft like a ninja star and buried itself firmly in the ground! Anyone got any idea of how to get it off?

Can anyone find any photos or give any advice on the centre section for the Flair Junior 60? I'm trying to figure it out, but the plan or instructions aren't really that clear about it. The notches for the dihedral braces (well, I think they go in there) are to big to take them, but too small for the plan! Can anyone put up a photo here of a naked centre section, or tell me what to do? Cheers

That idea is nothing but pure innovation and genius!!! Honestly, don't you just love it when someone does that?

Thanks - anything longer? I need about 45mm of clearance from the firewall.

Well, about that crafting my own spacers - my building skills are... flawed. Do you know where I could buy them anywhere apart from America?

Thank you both! So, how do I do the spacers, and what are they made of? I thought that with spacers the whole motor assembly would vibrate horribly.