Bruce Collinson

I’ve shot at these, there is a commercial supplier to large corporate clay shoots who called them Darts, from memory. Crucially, they carry thunder flashes on the underside and scoring is by the number of visible explosions, not by the destruction of the plane. They are .40 size foam deltas which are launched from a catapult ramp and the entire works are in a steel plated module at the front, engine, tank, Rx and battery. These are made to swap over quickly but I did not observe the control linkages . Probably, they fly on elevons as perfect aerodynamics are scarcely needed. All they need to do is launch cleanly then display their underside as they pass the guns. They need a surprising amount of lead (that’s forward allowance for the antis). I imagine you would find something online with enough effort. Hope this helps. BTC

Not got mine. BTC

Mine went through in about 10 mins. Not that I ought to have to register, really ... gratifying to see bids landing already. Clearly a lot of modellers have registered already. Terrific catalogue (nothing to do with me, just saying). BTC

Which was it?

John, Gentle prod, not criticism of mods. B

There is a very distinct ridge between the olive, black and white so I deduce it is a film stripe on both the fus and the wings. I cannot currently reach the tail but am satisfied that it will be identical. Thoughts. I think it will be very difficult to replicate the factory finish. I deduce that they have applied a single piece of white, then overlaid the black stripes. They must have a “factory” method of applying film in this way which I suspect will be difficult to replicate at home. Is the way forward to paint on the stripes, as it seems from the wiser heads above that it’s perfectly possible to paint over Oralcover? Maybe brushed Oralcolour, 2 pack, brush thinners, put the white on then over paint the black stripes? If I had to do that, accepting as you observe that the curves are a bit compound, I’d try a laser line (has Danny Fenton illustrated this in this month’s mag?), mask with something like Tamiya tape to be able to put a straight line on a curved surface, put ordinary masking tape over the Tamiya tape, paint, repeat exercise? Could be a job for an airbrush, at least to get the outer edges done then block in the centres. At least you’d soon find out if the paint is adhering to the film, when you lift the first lot of masking tape! As you may deduce, I’ve never done this, but you did ask…. BTC

Where are the mods when PdT has been on the Syrah again? V. funny though. BTC

Max no of spins from a 10 second motor run, from standstill, caused a lot of cojones to be exercised at our fun fly last autumn. Only one crash. Already plotting Mayday repeat. We had c. 25 out from memory and with a free bbq in the middle, we were running out of time after Spot the Landing, simulated bomb dropping, aforesaid Spin of Death and the highly competitive limbo. I shall be watching this thread for new courses of fire. BTC

Put the retracts on mine on a toggle locking switch, to prevent accidental retraction. I have throttle cut likewise. Prevents accidental knocking off. BTC

Oops. XT 90s antispark stock item at Modelshop Leeds and I’m reasonably sure they are Amass branded. I haven’t seen Overlander’s items. BTC

Plus a 90 can come with an anti-spark device built in, useful at 6S in my experience. BTC

We’re very fortunate with c. 60 members and slight pressure on the committee to restrict new members for the time being because of possible pressure of numbers at weekends. possibly, there are some determinants. We undoubtedly benefit from being adjacent to a large conurbation, in beautiful countryside and with a very prolific LMS. There is an unwritten rule that if any passer by lingers at our gate, 15 yds from the pits, someone will engage with them and if there’s a whiff of interest they are welcomed in to see the models close up and to have a chat about what we do and why. Once or twice a year, someone sticks and comes back to learn or to fly. We continue to invest in the infrastructure, having added heat, light and charging to our building recently. Charging is already being upgraded to cope with demand. Training is paramount. We have had pressure on trainers latterly, with the same handful of seasoned pilots shouldering most of the burden but it does pay off. Proactive club communication is helpful, nudging members when there’s a fun fly, a bbq, Competency Certificate training or practice, etc. We use Signal and the very efficient secretary fires messages out promptly and regularly. My job takes me to within striking distance of the LMS regularly and I message several members prior to see if anyone needs anything bought or collected. Maybe it makes little odds but if it keeps a clubmate in the air then it’s beneficial. I think of it like this. There are three types of members. Some rarely appear; they subsidise the rest. Some fly regularly and keep themselves to themselves and just get on with it, causing no issues to anyone. The third type jumps up to help out, lend a prop or a spanner, grab an Osama if someone has an arrival to put the remains in, mucks in when the shed needs paint, attends the AGM and so on. This group of a third provides most of the committee and the trainers and in my humble submission, gets more out of our hobby by putting more in. NB this isn’t the same as six people doing the entire job of running the club, even though they occasionally grumble that it feels like it. Food for thought? BTC ps Osama = Bin Liner.

Buy from Taiwan, S. Korea, Czech Republic etc. Loads of our stuff made there. Or, buy the Chinese stuff if you must but from a UK retailer, then you've got recourse and an onshore business is making a living too.

And the classic palindrome, "Madam I'm Adam".

Ironically the Hermes lady is the outstandingly best where we are. BTC

Cheers Andy. Out of stock but there will be others. BTC

Any tips for sources of power supplies for these without using a 12v battery? BTC

4 Max sell kits of parts for these and knowing George, he will include foolproof wiring instructions too. I have some but CBA to fit them to my fleet as unplugging the LiPo is relatively easy. BTC

Tempting. Buckminster is a great asset and if this brings more members out to experience it, that’s a good start. Plenty of notice for a Friday and one of my club mates is already wagging his Stampe, Spit and Jungmeister tails. Might have to be a Wot 4 for me, unless spring weather is kind and the P 47 gets airborne in time. BTC

Same heat pad in Tx box is very useful too, especially with a metal cased Tx. Back in box, back in car between flights. BTC

Every order from the Far East is an order denied to UK retailers. Joni Mitchell. BTC

No need to be sniffy, that sort of thing gets right up my nose. You’re a bogeyman.

It’s hereditary. It runs in the family.

Watt? Ohm M G, wire you telling these? B