Erfolg

Last week was the last time I have flown, something approaching Deja Vu passed through my mind as I started the journey home. Firstly the track down to the field, had been churned up by tractor trailer combinations. Although it was an uphill struggle ahead. Traction control seemed to take care of drive, the front however was following the furrows made by the farm machinery. I believe that the club committee, are evaluating what can be done. Th incessant heavy rain that contributes to problem, in conjunction with harvesting and re-seeding. Happens each year, although earlier and more server than previous years. Although between the rain downpours, there are long periods of sunny periods, But the strength of the wind is not conducive to flying. The article by Ricard Lines in the RCM&E about the Sale club, rekindled memories. As a youth, much of the area was urban, backing onto the Green Belt, fields. The Boys Grammar, was on a dirt track leading towards the flying field, then a low level flood plain, being used as a rubbish trip. The school and playing fields now housing, the Green Belt, now an Manchester Overspill, further across, Manchester United and Sale Shark training grounds. A Motorway and spur road and other developments now surround what became Sale flying club. I now fear that the new Moss Road, built where I now live will provide the excuse, to turn farmland into more housing, in conjunction with power lines and so on. I am now waiting in anticipation of once more going flying. I can no longer fly from the beach due to the CAA restrictions.😢

Hmmm, I have seen (as others in the club) what appears to be a Spitfire, in a low level circuit to Blackpool (airport). It does not sound like a Merlin, it has been suggested that it is a Griffon. There is a Spitfire project and visitor exhibits their. I did and have wondered if it is related. As with most things on your door step, have not, nor any other club members as far as I am aware visited it. After all it is Blackpool, as many on the Fylde Coast, I see it as another land, and there be Dragons. Perhaps a coincidence or in some way related?

Karl, where did you get the down load for the Jupiter Coupe?

Payneib (has it a hidden meaning), I would expect that the navy records will have concentrated on a relatively narrow criteria. Mainly coastal data, often being a subjective judgement, such as stiff breeze, until the Beaufort scale, again not totally definitive. Water conditions being another area. We have had CO2 levels double the current in the age of dinosaurs, no ice caps, deferent fauna, also an Ice Age. In the middle ages many vineyards apparently in the UK. With the Global Warming, I have come to see many Deep Thought projects, will the answer be 42? I do know that the wind and rain at present are spoiling my own fun. Although my Tomatoes are now ripening. I had a similar experience with my own Delta, although my experience resulted in a perfectly flat spin. It became apparent what had happened, fiding one prpp assembly missing, no other damage. Ealy morning, we have had prolonged Hailstone, followed by heavy rain. I am being sopped from playing by wind, no, no, not me, real wind, strong breeze to moderate gale.

As this thread appears not to have been updated for some time, I hope I am not taking liberties in seeking help on my attempts with the TN A10. I am having difficulties in understanding how the N3 outriggers to be attached to the N1 &2, there appears to be a sticky out bit on one end, which appears to be let into the ring, the other end appears to be surface mounted? Plus how is, or what is the template for setting up the angle of the rings relative to the body?

Hmm, must be a bad boy, my post now needs moderator approval. Anyway, it could be the weather, it could be just club members, we now have a proliferation of large Tundra type models, you know the type, 19 inch, low profile tyres, tabulators on the wings. I have been sceptical with respect to many of the assertions with respect to UK weather. I remember with clarity a long hot summer in the 70s, massive thunderstorms in some years and so on. Many of the figures used are based on resent times, when records started to be noted centrally, not all figures used the same standardised methodology. Some values taken from tree rings and so on. Not as definitive as presented. I di read a little way back that during the 1800s, a amateur scientist took daily readings, using his standard methodology. His records and diaries have recently been discovered. They suggest that little has obviously changed, by a margin worth noting. Non the less, glaciers seem to be retreat at present. Last week I read that a (world) wide magnetic field has been discovered, that is thought to have a significant impact on the jet stream. To a far greater extent than Sun Spots. Non the less, it feels windier than ever, here on the coast, this year it has rained a lot and has been cool enough to kill my Dahlia rhizomes, Geraniums, that had previously survived 7 winters.

Standing at the French Window I was looking out as the rain came down just like the those olden stair rods. Today was to have been the club RC Scale flying competition. I guessed it was cancelled or club members at the field were huddled under the club house veranda or inside. On Saturday the field was in exceptually fine condition, the grass as short as on all the local bowling greens, the ground as firm as a well prepared cricket pitch. Although I have flown this year less than ever, over the year I had brought my Delta into a good flying condition, although I still rely on others to toss the model into air, I had felt that it was near to me self launching. My RC Nobler was finally flying once again with all the issues that had recently dogged it gone, another model that I once agin edging back to self launching. My own design model was now a predictable flyer. Unexpectedly my Sterling kit Fairchild PT 19 that was playing up, this must have been its first flight post the start of Covid, non the less it landed in one piece on the strip, after a very short potentially underwear soiling flight. Now summer sems to have gone after short duration, has winter arrived, missing out Autumn? At long last the replacement Moss road has been finished, it is good. Driving along it the other day, my wife informed me that controversy had now started over the interconnector to the offshore wind farm under construction, to the local distribution facility that now is visibly across the fields. I had assumed it would be a buried cable, watching a light aircraft making a landing, I am no longer certain, as it was quite high as it descended towards the runway. Thankfully it is at the other end of the town where we live. I can now get to the field much easier again, although the area is plagued with road works, in an essentially rural area. Roll on summer!

Anyone who read Sundays Telegraph will have seen a large photograph of the Red Arrows that were displaying at the Blackpool air show, as they flew over the North Beach of Saint Anne's. The picture looks down on a group of 4 or 5 aircraft, onto the beach, sand dunes, probably a little of the Old Links golf course. We (better half and the dog) were sat on the Sand dunes, probably one of the dots. The weather was perfect, what cloud there was being at a very high altitude. Vapour trails from passenger jets, being clearly seen, as they made there way to North America. At 14:hrs the red Arrows commenced their display. Many of display manoeuvres passed directly over the dunes and beach. A vapour trail heart, hung in the brisk air for what seemed like forever. The Arrows display seem to be especially great from some distance. Having being temporally stationed at Blackpool Airport, the air display seemed to be going on non stop for ever. Next out was a Catalina, which passed over very low, as it climbed out from the airfield. My wife was most impressed with majesty of the all white aircraft. From time to time the Avia Albatross (as seen on TV) passed over, although not unusual, being resident at Blackpool. A low drone was heard, somewhere in the distance, the noise grew louder, then the aircraft was evident head on, reaching us, it banked, the full angled profile was then evident as it passed very low over us. My wife said, was that a Lancaster, I told you it was, you think I know nothing. Not long after a air display team of Van 9s flew along the coast before doing there thing. Then a couple Chipmunks in differing liveries, before a Pitts appeared. The Pitts being so small could not be clearly seen over Blackpool, probably about 5-7 miles away. A dot, a smoke trail showing where it had been. Its schedule was long, ranging from almost sea level to heaven. In the distance out to sea just on the horizon i could see that the drilling platform for Wind Turbines has returned, well to the south. I could not but wonder that where the power cables are scheduled to come ashore is probably 10-15 or more miles from where the platform presently is. I have read that the inland route is mired in controversy, as it appears to pass between the airport and golf links. Could the real contention be in what form and route it then tales to an existing distribution facility some 5-10 miles away. It was then 16:30 or may be 17:oo hrs, time to go home along the South Promenade (lytham St Annes). How many were in Blackpool is anyone's guess, some suggesting some 100,000, there were more than enough in our neck of the woods (or sand dunes). What incredible weather, great air show and away from Blackpool was the place to be enjoy it all. The one fly in the ointment (if that is still acceptable) was that the North Beach Cafe/Restaurant was closed, so no handy place for a beer.😢

Many thanks for all your contributions. Many of the references that you have found, alluded me. I found references that alluded to at least some of the definitive references many of you found, although no links or specific resources were provided. Very well done and many thanks. The story has moved on since then. I managed to get another modeller to have a go with the model( I perhaps should explained it is a second hand model, that belonged to a departed club member). We both accepted what ever happened for the worse, was one of those things. Things did not go as well as I had hoped, but not anywhere as bad as they could. The model took of OK, but continued to climb, no amount of down trim or full down stick input stopped the problem. Luckily due to a strong head wind, with model on low power and or shut off motor, the model landed at the end of the strip. It was found that the grub screw gripping the thin wire, was not. Luck had it, that a kink in the wire limited how far the wire could move. The screw was tightened further, this time on take of the model was not pleasant to fly. At this point the model was taken home. A proper examination indicated that there was a false elevator neutral. further examination indicated that the issue was/is related to the tube and wire. After getting out a "snake", after a lot of consideration, I decided that it was a better bet than as the installed system, yet hmm, not great. A nights sleep, i decided that a rear servo, short push rod would be better still. That is where I am at. The model initially had a problem in that a wind servo mounting had come loose, allowing the servo to move substantially. I installed an additional, thicker Ply mounting face. The model also had elevator issues. Which I thought I had solved using a new Metal Geared servo. I was wrong. I know that the Wot4e flies well, as I see so many, well behaved, models that others commit to the vagaries of all weathers. I will get there.

For the moment I am setting the CG at 70mm, as it appears that this is pretty much the accepted starting point, that the manuals 60mm was a very safe location. I am even thinking that the comment that the model could re-kit itself, was due to a very far forward CG, that made the model difficult to handle, in anything but very favourable conditions. A quick calc indicates that 25% is at 63.5mm, that (my often normal except on scale, often small tail plane areas) of 30%, is at 76.2. Where as on line CG calculator indicates that 55.372 is easy handling and at 81mm a very responsive model. I am particularly nervous due to my short time of ownership has been fraught with incidents. From a aileron servo detaching from the ply plate (the servo was not the original it seems) and the elevator failing to respond. How much is a result of my own actions, after a check out, is another matter.

I have continued my search for a definitive CG position for the Wot4-E foamy. I came across a RCM&E recommendation by the Servo shop which suggested that the CG should be between 80-85mm. Of course I moved on and can no longer find the reference. I am not quite sure that we are talking about the same version, as there are so many Wot4s variants. I have also come across some that (could be many) suggesting that 80mm is correct. One that suggested that any further back than 60mm results in re-kitting. With so many successfully flying, there being so many variants, I do not know where a reasonable, starting position should or could be. I am reluctant to set at 60mm as a very forward position can result in a model that needs a lot of up, more importantly if in a dive, or anything, the model tends to want to keep on doing what it is doing. Then snapping into its new inputted heading (eventually). Please offer your own experiences, as there are so many Wot4s out there.

I am just finishing repairs on my Wot4E foamy after an incident. I am stumped with respect to the CG position. The wing has a number of lines drawn on it presumably indicating where the CG could be. Trying to establish what a viable CG position is, where re-kitting is not the result, I found references to a number of positions, ranging from 60mm, then 70mm and 80-85mm. Can they all be optimal. In short, what are forum members set at?

As so many, I am a granddad, I have been one for some 18 years now. As time has gone by their demands have increased, increasingly with respect to time. Since Covid opportunities to go flying have decreased, more recently due to weather. With rain or high wind. Saturday was one such day, baby sitting two of them, whilst the younger was attending/competing at a hockey tournament over two days. For Sunday I stamped my little feet, went all petulant. I guess this is familiar to others. The new, or reconstructed road, has been opened on the last day of July as promised. The alternative road has now been closed. The new road is really nice, on that basis I arrived at the club site in a good mood. Strangely the car park was unusually pretty full. Approaching the flight line I discover that there is a BMFA Scale event taking place. Hmm, if I get a flight, I will be lucky. Those present were not convinced however much squinting that my trainer type is a very stand off scale Piper Club. I sat down with others, barracking our cub members taking part. I quite enjoyed the process, I am not sure that the recipients felt the same. Makes a change to be the centre of the joking. It was pretty apparent what was not perfect with some of the competitors, although I would not even achieve the standard that they were achieving. There was an adjournment for lunch of 30 minutes. During this time I had my flight. That was before the hooligans, zipped about the sky with their missiles. The comp restarted, as before drizzle set in, I went home, thinking I now go to the field for a chat as much as flying, a social event as much flying these days. Imagine that the RCM&E editors comments this month runs a similar theme. I went home happy, at least I got out, had a flight, shot the breeze with other old, old, grumpy old men. I now await a few days of good weather, although I will be a dog minder for the next 2 weeks (the dog is to sensitive for the kennels, plus I am cheaper). I have a number of models that need flying/testing. OAPs have nowt to do these days, it seems I am being saved from boredom

No pictures, separately, a Catalina, then a DH Vampire/Venom have over flown our house. Must be an air show near by.

I am a little surprised at some of the numbers being banded about. I am left with an impression that the position of some is of anti anything but electricity. Some of the figures I do not recognise as any thing but wishful thinking and very selective cherry picking. There are reasons why electric power costs approx. twice that of gas, per unit. Recognise there are a number of subsidies that green energy already receives. It is not profit gauging, that some instinctively blame, it is the nature of electric power generation. Who remembers that electric power would become so cheap, it would not be worth charging. It is not the consequence of being anti-electric. Much of my life has either been in the Electric industry or close to it. I was trained by a now extinct company, Metro-Vicks (once Westinghouse)/AEI, asset stripped (with the aid of a party that you would not expect). Whilst working in the Transformer division (Heavy Power). They made transformers the size of a detached house (two semis), the best losses were approx. 85%, closer to 80%. This just one in a system containing many in one line. The cooling requirements of the transformer oil reflects the losses. There is a lot of oil to get rid of, at some point. Never mind Aracol in vacing down etc. Working for BICC, they made Sub sea cable, oil and oil filled cables. This division closed when it was no longer viable, as the losses from sub sea cables were so great, that other than making use distant generation, it did not make economic sense, demand was low, and future demand would not recover, it has now 60 years latter. Oil filled and gas filled cables cost a lot to make and the infrastructures of pressuring and cooling are in themselves are losses. With overheads, the noise, or walking past at night with a fluorescent tube (the flickering) represent losses. In the past that is why power stations were close to the point of use. Wind turbines hundred of miles from the user, are not good news, from a loss point of view. Perhaps top of city/town buildings is a better location (other than noise). If we move to switch gear (Switch Gear Division), Oil filled brakers are a source of oil, that does and will require disposal. In the case of SF6 brakers, the is or was question marks surrounding the gas. Air brakers were seen as ant-social due to incredible noise from the compressed air blast (you need to experience them at work). My experience suggest that the 95% efficiency is some what out of touch with the real world. I have just run threw a limited number of issues, there are many more. Yet who would argue that electric lighting is far better and probably safer than the old gas lighting in houses and street lighting etc. Horses for courses.