the unmagnificent man

Hi David. If it doesn't at least leave the ground in a vague attempt at flight the next time I try, then I will be offering it to yourself mr Nijhuis, or anyone who you can recommend to look at, adjust or do whatever you think necessary in order to get it airborn. I beleive that it will fly but I am just not sure about electric set up. Im pretty sure I will get it off the ground but im just a bit nervous after the other attempts. I have all the drawings for the frames and ribs so if you can pull in a favour from one one of your (im sure) many connected assosiates then you could get a laser kit cut and make one yourself (or get Tony to do it for you)   then you could apply your combined knowledge and experience and correct the thing I messed up. I'm sure it will get off the ground, but if it doesnt and you do take me up on my offer it will be at my cost and I wont hold you responsible for any damage! Hows that?                 (test flight as soon as the weather has subsided)                  Al

Hi michael I just found this on eBay Al

Hi Ian, I was reading Timbos thread when I came across your post . Its been just over a year since I put pencil to paper and designed the Dick Dastardly plane. After completion I assumed that I would just take it down to the club and fly it. So I took some photos sent them to RCM&E with a letter and then set off for the club. Never having built an electric plane before I unfortunately built it a little heavy and had difficulties getting it off the ground. That said, a gust of wind lifted it off the ground on a taxi run and my natural reaction was to try and set it down, which I did causing some undercarraige damage. Attempt two didn't fair to good either when the plane just nosed over after hitting a stone causing yet more damage. By this time I assumed I needed more power and so opted for a larger motor and a larger propellor. This resulted in so much torque that as the aircraft left the ground it just rolled to the left causing yet more damage and by now a very wary of trying again owner. But try I did, this time with a much smaller slow fly prop. This resulted in a plane with a very fast spinning prop but without the power to pull it into the air. Once again it hit a rut at our bumpy tarmac airfield causing another noseover and yet more damage. The plane is, as I write downstairs in my living room with what I believe is now the correct setup. However, having had so many minor mishaps has not filled me with confidence to try again. What i'm really scared of is doing more damage than I can be bothered to repair. Having said that I will try again because the day it does fly will be my best flying day ever.   Alan S

Hi Michael, welcome to the forum. Have a look at http://www.belairkits.com/Productdetail.asp?Id=455  I recently bought a partial kit from belair and have to say that Leon who runs the shop is extremely helpful. Unfortunately I expected to receive slightly more for the money I paid, That said though the quality is fantastic. Does it have to be a Brian Taylor? Tony Nijhuis has just done one for RCM&E and I believe you can buy a plan, plan and wood pack, plan wood pack and cowl/canopy or even a plan wood pack cowl/canopy and extra wood pack to complete the model. Everything you could need really. Its up to you though. Good luck.       Al

All duly noted, thanks Eric. Now all I have to do is wait until the plans arrive.

I've not had much luck with electric flying so maybe this will change things! got to be in to win so they say.

I have to wonder if what Erfolg says has any truth in it. I mean he has a point, if it was me who had to build what you lot voted for I would put a lot more heart into building a model of something I actually liked and therefore I would count the votes all ways, IE 1st vote only and then all 3 no matter even if you said the same plane 3 times and then all 3 unless you said the same plane 3 times. This would give (up to) 3 different results and then at least Mr Nijhuis gets a choice. The other thing is, how many of us that actualy vote are going to build the winner? I voted last year and would have built the Hurricane if it had won but didn't build the Typhoon because it just doesnt appeal to me even though I am an avid warbird fan. If we still have 3 votes each then that means I still have 2 left as I have only mentioned 1 in my last post, and I am sorry to say that it wont be for the whirlwind. Why, well although I agree that it is a much undermodelled plane and I am a fan of twin engined aircraft, and as I already said I am a  warbird fan, its unfortunately let down by the combination of bubble canopy and that horizontal stabilizer set up. It just doesn't look right to me. I lreally ike the mossie but dont think it should win as there are kits plans etc available with ease on the net, even from Tony himself. Although I like the Lysander its way down my build list so even if I voted and it won I probably wouldnt build it. So that leaves me back at the Hurricane, If you look for a hurricane kit they either cost a stupid fortune or they dont look anything like a hurricane should. Even Tony himself wants to build a Hurricane so come on lets give the man what he wants an put a proper Hurricane on the market at last at the right price with all the available wood packs plans etc...........VOTE HURRICANE       Al

Messerschmitt 110  After seeing that the Messerschmitt 110 was not going to make the final choice list in this years pick a plane, and therefore seeing that I was not going to get the chance to campaign for it, I decided that I would have to try and source the plans etc from wherever I could if I wanted one of these great planes.  Campaign argument One of my arguments in favour of this plane would have been the fact that plans, kits and accesories are very difficult to obtain making this a very undermodelled twin IC plane, together with more reasons for building it which I wont go into now as its too late, well for you lot maybe, but me, well...... Bob Holman I then came across a website owned by a Bob Holman who advertises a 110 laser cut kit, plan and also advertises accesories to go with it such as cowls and a cockpit. Now Bob assured me on the phone that he could get me the plan and accesories but even though he advertises the 110, no one had ever ordered one off him and they no longer cut the kit. Belair kits A bit more research on the net and this model forum soon had me heading in the direction of Belair kits. I rang up and spoke to Leon, he confirmed that it was possible for them to cut me a Brian Taylor 71" span 110 partial kit at a cost of £130 plus postage to France. Now Leon at Belair kits was extremely helpful and asked me to confirm that the afore mentioned Bob Holman or anyone for that matter could definately get me the cowls and plans as belair could not supply them. A quick email to Bob confirmed that he could although it may take a few weeks. Possible mistake After a couple of weeks longer than i expected wait for the laser cut kit to arrive from Belair, during which I have to say that Leon bent over backwards to help me find out where the kit had got to, I found out  that the Fedex courrier in the UK handed it over to a French courrier at Calais.......say no more, French fault, that I do understand. Anyway, it arrived, in a box 10cm x 8cm x 80cm. (4"x5" x 30"ish) I opened the box to look at the kit and found 2 recognizable rudder tail units, 2 engine bulkheads, recognizable wing ribs and lots of other little bits. I couldnt recognize the so called wing tips or any of the frames, well not without the plans anyway. I hope the plans arrive soon and shed some light as I have to say I am quite dissapointed. Not with the quality but rather the fact that I was expecting a little more considering it ended up costing me £160 including postage. Twin engined aircraft I am sure that the parts will turn up eventually with the plan and then I can start to get stuck in but in the meantime I will have to make do with flying my 109 and continue on the simulator with single engine failure on a twin setup. Can anyone give me any good tips on setting up twin IC engines? how much can the RPM vary at low medium and high revs for example. What should you do if one engine cuts out? is it best to open or close the second engine? Does one engine power the aircraft up or does it increase the torque effect too much? One engine servo for both or one each? Thats it, moan over, thanks for listening (or not) At least I got to fly my Me 109 today.        Al

 This month I will be mostly trying to win a Cessna!

                                                                                                                                                                            Hurricane

Hi Bruce, go to the search bar and type in "Both Wings" in titles, there are a few more ideas in that thread. The same question was asked by another new to this website member.   Good luck.   Al

Why eie man! Redon is about half an hour away, Ah well next time maybe?  Al

BRUCE, after doing a bit more research on the net I have found a device called water4gas it seems that they have an agent in the uk just up the road from where i live and they sell the parts to install. The main difference is that you only have a small amount of water instead of a large container in the boot. Anyway I have now decided that I wont be making one anyway, for two reasons. Firstly THE AIR CAR is looking more likely to be released here in France before the end of the year and I have my name on the waiting list. (check out the clips on google) And secondly I am starting to build a Messerschmitt 110 so that takes preference over car bits. Check out water4gas on ebay and the advert gives you a link to their homepage.       Al

Where abouts in France are you Myron? If you end up anywhere near St Nazaire you can come and have a flight at our club,      Al

Well they say you learn something everyday and today after a quick google research I learned that Roy Orbison was not actually blind. He had poor eyesight and accidently left his glasses on the plane one day before a gig and only had his sunglasses with him. They went on to become his trademark.

I dont want to miss out so stick me in please   Al

Hi all, I am a fixed wing flyer but have a question about the Twister Skyhook. How easy is this heli to fly? My mate at work is thinking of buying one and he has no experience of flying anything whatsoever. Well unless you count the electric heli that ended up in a tree on its first attempt at flying last year, but that wasnt a contra rotating blade heli. I am unable to offer any help to him but hope some of you can give a few pointers.  Thanks for any help.  Al

Its still 64.99 but this time IT INCLUDES THE POSTAGE. I couldn't drive to my nearest shop and pick up just the sc25 engine for that price (almost) 37 quid for the engine plus petrol about 50 quid To get cheaper than this they will have to pay you to collect it! Oh I give up..........................Just post a question on a different thread asking whats a good deal and see some of the answers you get. here

Hi Graham, hows things with you? I hope things are starting to get better for you. I am sure I speak for a lot of people when I say I would like to see you getting stuck back into that fantastic Dauntless. Although I didnt post a lot I was fascinated by the thread. Dont forget, for everyone that posts there are at least another 10 who are just reading with intrest and were all eagerly waiting your return. Anyway, in your own time with the model, as long as you are well then thats ok. Try and pop a post to let us all know. Take it easy. Al

Look what youve started now Myron

Hi Bruce, This is starting to sound like we may be on to something. I'll go back through the document and print off the sheets with the lists off parts that arent electronic. Then i'll have a more in depth think about if I can make them. Without going back through the papers right now I cant see the problem with the cylinders electrodes and caps, and it seems you can buy a lot of the other parts from a place in the states. It may take a while but I'll give it another look. All I need then is a car with a carburettor instead of fuel injection.     Before we do start (if we do) we will have to make sure that we can complete all the necessary parts between us. Ill post back when I know more.    Al

Myron, Thanks for the document, I have now read it. Heres my personal opinion. Although the structural pieces are easy enough to make and assemble, the electrical side of things are way above my comprehension levels. Had the plan been a step by step guide to assemble the electronics I may well have been tempted to have a go. I.E Solder resistor part no blah blah to the black wire.blah blah etc. I looked at the electical diagrams and unfortunately only understood the 12v part. Perhaps enough of us could get together and each make the bits were good at?           (if only!!) Thanks again but it looks like this one is a none starter for me and I'll just wait until it goes on sale as a final retro fit product. Al

Hi Myron I love all thing like what you found on the net. Have you looked at the compressed air car thread? Unlike the Hydrostar the air car has gone into production and should be available here in France by the end of the year. BUT in the meantime I am very interested in this hydrostar technoligy. I have done some internet searches since reading this thread and although there has no real data been logged I would very much like to read that manual you are offering. As a hobbiest/fiddle in the garage/engineer type person I would like to have a go at making one if I deem it feesable after reading the manual. To add to that, if I did manage to succesfully create and fit one of these devices to a vehicle I would refund any money you forked out in the first place. By that, I mean I am sceptical but that doesnt stop me from wanting to give it a go. If the offer is still on I would like you to email me a copy please. Oh and by the way after reading quite a few of your threads I suggest you dont start messing round with anything electrical like lipos LET ALONE HYDROGEN!!!! I'll email my adress. Thanks   Al

Hi Matt, I sometimes ask questions on this forum and like it when people can be bothered to answer. Heres my answers even though I am not sur what they all mean. 1 Building! whats RTR is it like ARTF 2 Unless its some sort of rowing boat its a stupid question 3 Repair it 4 If its made of Depron then cheap and cheerful 5 Website or flying site? Thought this was a boat? 6 If its depron then the smaller the better. 7 No, but you cant sail boats either 8 Bin it 9 I'm not exactly sure what it looks like. I'd polish a ferrari but not a dustbin if you know what I mean. 10 I've no idea what you mean Hope this helps 

Hi Timbo, Its true, as an aircraft fitter these "gripe sheets" (they have different names) are filled in by the pilots and are eventually passed down to the bottom level I.E. aircraft fitters. The example you received, although true was more likely to have been a forces "gripe sheet" the reason being that all passenger aircraft documents are official and kept on file. The FIA and CAA wouldnt be best pleased with anyone having a sense of humour. They are funny though and I had to laugh myself when I first got that mail.