chris collis

I’m in the process of starting to make a kit and then start the build Andy.Hopefully I’ll have it built before May and see how it goes.

Hi John,IC is internal combustion engine.apologies to Engine Doctor if I have used the wrong forum for my quest for advice and information on electric four engined aircraft.Thought I would have a wider response from both electric and IC flyers as to their experiences and handling of four engined aircraft.

This has been highly informative and of great help with all the recommendations,views and experiences from everyone .It’s helped to point me in the right direction for the time when I finally try it on water.Now I’ve just got the small task of building a Sunderland!You never know,this might lead to building more four engined aircraft in the distant future!possibly a B36?Thanks to everyone for their ideas and suggestions.

Thanks Andy. I was just about to dig out my reference articles to check it out! I was thinking originally of having the two inboards turning one way and the outboards turning the other way.Very informative on seeing everyone’s differing views on the subject so far.Cheers

I’m now researching to see if the full size Sunderland had all the props rotating the same way and if she maybe tried to crab slightly on the takeoff run with torque?Its highly interesting to see what everyone’s views are and their experiences are on the subject,as I will be a total newbie to this branch of the hobby.So used to chucking a 12ft Lancaster or other Pss model off a good hill, I thought I could try something different.

She looks amazing Ray!Thank you for all the information.Do you have flaps on her for takeoff and landing and with your battery setup what flight duration are you getting?Have you re enforced the keel for field landings?As Andy has said,I would probably attempt to use a two position switch for taxing and contra rotating props.I’m going to be using a nine channel Rx so all channels will be used.Only time will tell!

Many thanks Andy,will have a good look at the threads and see what transpires.

Would you know if there is any difference in water handling between two engined Catalina and four engined Sunderland?Getting a little bit stumped as to how to achieve this relatively simply without affecting the flight envelope.Many thanks Andy

Ok,thanks Denis.Will definitely have to keep that in mind and will have to do a lot of reading of the manual!

Hi Frank,So you would have the two starboard ESC’s linked together and the two port ones the same and then mix in on a switch to the rudder and just use the throttle stick for manovering on water?Then when model is lined up for takeoff,flick the switch to power up all motors to equal revs?many thanks.

Cheers Paul,This will be my first foray into four engined flying boats so trying to forestall any water handling problems.

Looking for advice or suggestions for setting up separate transmitter throttle controls to run two inboards independent from the outboards .The reason for this is that I am starting to build a 94in Sunderland to be flown off water but needs directional control when taxiing. The thought being using the inboards only with the airflow over the rudder to give it direction.Sunderland’s had no rudder. The transmitter I’m using is a Hitec Aurora 9x ,so I am thinking of using the two side sliders as throttle control.left side for inboards and right side for outboards.Don’t know if this is a viable method so any thoughts,suggestions or alternatives would be gratefully appreciated. I will also be using the model at our flying field and then stripped down for Pss.

I’m probably being a bit of a dinosaur but can anyone remember using nylon and dope?Very light and strong and fairly easy to use with a good resistance to puncturing.

Hi Geoff,Detailing cockpits can be done fairly cheaply with just some clear acetate sheet,1/32 ply and instruments cut from a photocopy to the right scale for your model.Very easily done and only takes about a day;day and a half to make.cost of my panels on my ov10 bronco and A37 dragonfly was about £2 each.Hope this may be of some help to you.Attached are a couple of photos that may be of help.cheers.Chris.

Thanks John, I didn’t think that the ordinance would make much difference to the flight quality as they are very lightweight,just a few grams each.I’ve still got 2 more hard points to add!also it was flown by Phil Cooke,a highly capable pilot.

Just a little tip.when using Copydex ,drop a few drops of food colourant in especially if you’re veneering foam wings.Helps to see where it’s going and how much is going on.

Have now had the unmodified 54in plans scanned to pdf files.

Hi Mike,great to meet you at the weekend and all the information you gave me on using peel ply.will definitely consider it on my winter project.sorry to hear about your tribulations when you got home on your new purchase!enjoy when you come to start building.chris

Mike,cost of plan copy at Metro was £4 if you want one.

Thanks guys,Was just at Metro repo yesterday!Will give them a buzz and also the one on Team Valley.cheers

Thanks Mike,Will definitely look into this .Would plans from a pdf file be of any use to anybody?It’s just to save anyone postage costs.cheers

Hi guys,Just about to look into how to create a pdf file for the 54in unmodified plan a37 if this may be of any use to anyone wanting a plan.i'm afraid i'm a total numpty when it comes to technology!Also I could make available the plans available for the 36in one piece version if there's any intrest.Just posted 2 copies of the 54in plan,1 to Portugal and 1 to Italy.I am also going to look into the possibility and cost of having canopies blown to see if it's viable.I would love to redraw the plan with my modifications on but do not have a draftsmans board for doing it.Paul got rid of his board.If there are any draftpersons out there that might be able to help, please give me a shout!Cheers Chris

Hi Robert,I think that someone built the strike master variant when the pssa jet provost mass build was done. I know that a couple were built in the 90s.cheers

Mike,are you anywhere near Seaton delaval?cheers

Hi Mike,Just so it doesn’t put you off,cockpit detail only took a day and a half to do.Just some 1/32 ply,a bit of clear acetate sheet and an abrasive cutting cone and some instruments cut out.fairly simple.cheers chris.