Stuart Z

Hi Today I flew the Alpine 1200 with 50g up front and it was much more enjoyable. The day was breezy so still a bit of concentration needed especially to get back down on the flat field, it floats on a ways. I have not tried it on a slope yet. C of G is per instructions S Edited By Stuart Z on 30/04/2019 16:49:20

Gareth, It definitely needs ballast up front. Mine was still a bit of a wild flight even with 40g in the nose. Now upped to 50g but as yet untested. It is a very light model in the breezy conditions I had on it’s maiden - but at least no damage suffered. Differential on the ailerons was fine. S

Posted by Roger Dyke on 03/04/2019 13:28:47: flight1: The settings mentioned are the current ones and with these settings it runs absolutely fine. And no, it doesn't throw the prop when it's running. Only when flick starting it. The cylinder finned part of the engine is not cowled and is open to the airflow. Engine Doctor: I purchased this engine myself brand new so I can confirm that it has never been dismantled. Because of this I would rather not dismantle it just for a look, as it was a real work of art trying to mount it in the space available. I do rather favour the plastic spinner as being the problem. I tighten the prop nut as much as I dare before I predict that the plastic might split. Stuart: I have never used OS No 8 plugs but I believe that they are a good medium heat plug. I usually use Model Technics Firepower 5 plugs which are also medium heat and find them very good. I can fully understand why you have your props set to ten past eight. I think that we all have our own preferences. I no longer use an electric starter and find my prop setting ideal for my chicken stick flicking. I am going to look into a new style spinner. Roger, Of course use what you already have. However when you’re next looking for a plug try the OS no 8. It’s what OS specify and I have had no issues with them in OS engines. Plugs can be a real nightmare. I have an Evo 46 that will not keep running if you don”t use Evolution’s own plug. I think I tried everything out there until I put the Evolution plug in. Now the motor gets compliments for easy starting and good throttling throughout it’s flights, and no more deadsticks or reverse starts ( a symptom of plug issues I believe). S

Hi, I have an OS 40FP and it starts a treat using OS No. 8 plugs and I used 10% Nitro only because I keep one can for all my engines. I use a starter motor on it and the prop is set to 10 past eight, looking from the front, mainly so if the plane lands deadstick, the prop generally stops such that I don’t catch a blade on landing. I use the Irvine style of spinner with the aluminium back plate as it is better and can be set up more accurately. Good luck with it S

Hi Alan It’s also possible that you might be moving the stick on one axis and inadvertently moving across the other axis slightly in so doing. I find it’s quite easy to move ailerons and activate throttle slightly at the same time. Might be worth a check S I use Mode 1

I have the latest copy with some free stickers and annual membership ststickers, excellent, a pity that some of the photos are blurry, a printing problem I guess? s

Hi, I’m also keen to see these return as a Cranfield A1 flyer, way back, I look forward to another and possibly a Zlin. Should both be good aerobats - the Cranfield certainly was. Good luck to PB Models! S

Should be enough for most grass then! s

Looks good, I’d probably opt for larger wheels on the dolly, ingenious release mechanism!! Depends on you strip!

Posted by Denis Watkins on 15/02/2019 06:22:38: If cleaned at the field, at the end of the flying, the lads use a squirty bottle filled with water and a few drops of washing up liquid, as the mess is fresh More stubborn mess can be moved wit £1 Shop Bath Foam, just a few squirts I add a dash of vinegar to soapy water sprayer. Smells a bit like a chip shop but seems to be a bit better on caster based fuel residue. Try an exhaust deflector tube thingy, generally I don’t get much residue on the model at all.

Thanks for the feedback, I’ll have a look at the techniques and see what’s best. S

Hi I’m trying to mask a small Hurricane canopy and finding it tricky. Has anyone experience of liquid masking? I remember using it years ago but can’t remember much more about it. Is it suitable for canopies? Many thanks S Edited By Stuart Z on 01/02/2019 12:07:13

Percy, There were 2 Cranfields, mine was about 55” if I remember. 40 size engine. S

Michael Really enjoyed flying the A1 Cranfield I had way back when. Might be interested if one or similar became available. S

40 years with around 10 taken out for full size gliding. Mainly kit built IC power models now. Some funfighters as they are nice carpentry jobs. Now looking at a couple of plan builds, one being a “truish” scale type. Remember, no hobby is free! This one just costs a bit more than some but not as much as others!

Stopped using swing keepers when I bought a “Z” bender! Only leaves adjustment at the control surface end, but reduces the amount of control loss. S

Posted by Jon - Laser Engines on 19/12/2018 09:18:33: I would throw any manufacturers c/g out the window to be honest. I dont think i have a single model set at the recommended c/g any more and only use the supplied figure for the test flights. After that i usually change it quite a bit. The worst of all was my Hangar 9 pulse. The c/g was so conservative i must have moved it an inch further back and to be honest i think it could stand to go a little more. The info Stuart provided is good but your acrowot is not as 'straight' as a pattern ship so dont get too obsessed with it. If i were to test my warbirds to that schedule they would all be condemned! Getting a good setup on the model is very important, but dont get caught up in the minutia if you are just looking for a bit of sport flying and dont forget the model you are flying. Not everything will respond to that schedule in the same way and you might end up chasing your tail. Remember too that trimming is not a static thing and will vary day to day. Wood expands when damp, metal pushrods contract when cold etc. Its not uncommon for models to be out of trim after a change in weather. However, the info will be useful as it covers a lot of general setup items that are well explained S

A very interesting discussion and one that needs a lot of attention. I’m linking in on trimming guidelines used by the aerobatic folks **LINK** S

I used to collect all balsa dust and use it to mix into a filler but find I am sensitive to the dust and now use a mask (twin canister “ Force 8” ) both when sanding and when cleaning up. I also clean up the bench with every piece I sand and vacuum the entire garage as often as I can. I’ve also found that I can sand with an orbital sander with a dust collection system that cuts down some of the dust that can fly around.  All depends on what needs sanding.   Edited By Stuart Z on 14/12/2018 21:57:16

I think RCME are testing one of these and will report back in the mag according to the last mag I saw. S

Erfolg The roller I am looking for is for consolidation, rather than to act as either a mop or applicator. This sort of thing perhaps? **LINK**

Just to add a supplier I find very useful and helpful when you call, Bucks Composites, with lots of useful guides as well as tools to help you do a good job. **LINK** I have limited experience in the world of resins but find Bucks site very helpful and have helped me progress with jobs I have no experience of. S

Posted by Bob Cotsford on 07/12/2018 14:25:14: I just came back from the Friday shopping to a pile of mail on the doormat, included in which was the new BMFA mag. The curious part is that I got not one, not two but three virginal copies, all addressed to me and alll marked with the correct BMFA membership number. I know it's Christmas, but really? Three copies? Edited By Bob Cotsford on 07/12/2018 14:25:57 And I got two! Like Bob’s with matching data on the envelope. (And are BMFA going to stop using plastic “envelopes” ) S Edited By Stuart Z on 07/12/2018 15:40:11

Hi Has anyone taken out a separate policy, if it can be found ? S

Sounds like money laundering to me. S