Keith Sharples

I was in much the same boat and decided to get a Maplin soldering station Link. it was well worth the money and does all that I want it to. Edited By Keith Sharples on 07/11/2017 21:40:19

I use (as do a lot of others) plasterboard, but you must keep it flat! Lots of places to get it (4ft x 3ft approx), it's cheap, it takes pins very well, you can then use the other side when it gets a but uck, then throw it away and start again with another sheet.

Welcome Stephen. I was much like you a little over 12 months ago after approx 30years. I have found the guys on here very very helpful. Don't just use the forum for finding an answer also read some of the older threads as there is a mind of information to absorb for future use. Last time I was IC and 35mhz. With loads of advice and reading on here I'm now 35mhz, 2.4ghz, IC and electric with a hint of glider thrown in! It was the electric side that got my old brain in knots, I'm getting there though. Read, soak up and enjoy. I know I should of come back to it years ago!!!

My thoughts. As others have said the thumbs up/down in the emoticons is enough really if you want to show you are following/support the thread. The thing that annoys me is how the thread can quickly go off piste where others don't read the original post and/or it gets more pages. My suggestion is to keep the original post locked at the top so as it grows in pages the original post is there at the top to remind us what we should be commenting on/helping with keeping the thread focused on the subject in hand.

Hi Kevo. Try this link It takes you to a web site with a list of world models manuals the Zen 50 is there and you can download a PDF (I tried it) the throws and Cg position are on page 10. All the best with it. Keith

I find My Hermes very good, not had any problems receiving or sending. As far as I'm aware they use a network of local agents to deliver door to door, not there own staff and vehicles. I have a good relationship/arrangement with our local one, if I'm out it's left in a secure place and every time there is a note through the door advising. I have had 1 small package go missing, using another service (royal red one). After contacting the supplier and receiving a 2nd package from them (at no additional cost) the first one turned up 2 weeks later! I contacted the supplier and they sent a prepaid packet to send one back!

My home made mobile support thingy with tool/bits tray. It folds down reasonably flat. Its great in the man cave and goes in the car to the field if required. Had enough of bending/kneeling and getting modellers soggy knees! Yet to paint it up................... to many things to do and not enough time!!!! Edited By Keith Sharples on 11/10/2017 13:52:02 Edited By Keith Sharples on 11/10/2017 13:53:09 Edited By Keith Sharples on 11/10/2017 13:55:23

Posted by Paul Marsh on 08/10/2017 16:05:43: For example, price increases, I wanted some of these: Falcon, who I work for had one on the shelf, but I needed 4 more, as I wanted to use the mini rx for mini sevos, using normal leads, as getting eflite molex is next to impossible. The one pictured is the orange type differant polarity. So this pack on the shelf was priced up as £2.99, an old price and no-one ever bought it. So I showed it to Inwood who did a check and they only had one on the shelf. How much?   £9.05p !!! SAY WHAT???# almost 10 quid for a 1 inch converter lead? no way... He was surprised as well (not blaming Inwoods), but I needed 4, so for almost £40 might as get a new receiver!!! Hi Paul.   What about these click the link Dalewood Models, there 2 for £2.05!! They have loads of other leads as well. All the best Keith Edited By Keith Sharples on 08/10/2017 21:05:14 Edited By Keith Sharples on 08/10/2017 21:06:46

Hi Tony. The idea is fine, I use plastic water bottles but be warned that when you heat the plastic up it shrinks. I make a plug the right shape and size that I want out of MDF (not tried balsa) shape and sand it smooth making sure it is tapered from the top of the canopy to the bottom (most are anyway). This allows you to extraxt the plug after you have shrunk the plastic on to it. I put the plub inside a sutable sized clear plastic bottle and apply the heat gun keeping it moving all the time and SLOWLY shrink it tight around the plug. When done cut off just enough so you can extract the plug and then tripp the canopy to fit. Some forumites make a small vac forming box and heat sheet plastic up, quickly put it into the vac box with the plug underneath it and use a household vac to suck the air out from underneath thus sucking the heated plastic over the plug. There are lots of videos of both methods on Utube. Best of luck, Keith.

Hi Christopher. Just about to do the same model. I have to finish off a PA28 first then straight on with it. It looks a fun fly. Happy build Keith

Posted by Stevo on 31/08/2017 21:49:08: Ummmm ..... didn't know TJD did washing machines Keith   Sorry Stevo, forgot to add the quote, it was in responce to Martin Mcintosh's post who was responding to Tom Sharp's post further up. It is a bit off thread granted! Edited By Keith Sharples on 31/08/2017 22:08:50

Another vote for AO (Appliances Online). Washing machine died on a Saturday, it was needed to get stepsons clothes washed ready for Uni on the Monday (as usual he left it to the last few days!!). My wife check on line found AO, great prices for main stream machines, choose one and ordered. It was delivered the morning of the next day Sunday (yep Sunday delivery!) and they took the old machine away! The stepsons washing was done in time for Monday and Uni, sorted!

I have used epoxy resin recently (so far so good), I have also heard on here that Ronseal Polyurethene varnish is very good (not used it yet!).

I have a STD starter (had it 25+ years) and use a 12v 7amp hr gel battery in a recess in my flight box.

I would get what every my wife would like or wants, if she is happy and content then I am. ........................................ Then I would get a field with crossing tarmac runways so it's good which ever the direction of the wind. It would be away from anyone that can complain, a club house alongside the field and start a good club. Also all the models I have dreamed of.

Yesterday the 9th Monmouth, cutting the grass and above the noise of the mower, looking up, the mighty Red Arrows in loose formation about 3.30pm heading south. Edited By Keith Sharples on 10/08/2017 07:35:58

Double excellent news. I've come back into the hobby this year so I'll be needing some plans as I have a list of new models to build and I live half an hour from Welland, way hay!

The thing with ebay (and I use it a lot for purchases) is to do research. If you want an item check the best new price inc postage first. Way up the sellers feed back and sales, is the discription of the item fair to what you see in the pictures and a gut feeling does it sound right!! if yes set your maximun price to purchase it. If it's "buy now" is it a good price based on your research. Also some say "free postage" but after checking out a new item price it's odvious postage is included hence it's sometimes more costly on ebay. Also don't forget ebay charge to put an item up so that cost is included in the sale price. I was looking at a FMS Pilatus £175 on ebay from a high street model shop direct to the same model shop it was £161 inc postage. So always research and check prices! Also be very wary of prices to good to be true, they usually are!

Happy retirement Steve. I don't blame you, Ive just retired from my photography business so more time for modeling!!!

Hi Robby. Invest in some new ones they vary in price from £3.50 - £5.00 each it's worth getting 1 and trying it. If your quad is back to normal throw the old batteries out and get new.

Posted by Peter Miller on 22/07/2017 14:34:18: Posted by AndyD on 22/07/2017 13:43:48: . ps ive got another problem does anyone know how to stop the wind and rain. Volunteer for a tour in Aden.. Not too many days of wind and NO rain. Would be much better as Eden as in a flying planes Eden! Edited By Keith Sharples on 22/07/2017 23:13:13

Posted by Martin Harris on 22/07/2017 22:45:50: Keith, With a high aspect ratio wing (as per gliders) the effects of adverse yaw are very apparent. The downgoing aileron alters the effective angle of attack which produces more lift and the upgoing one reduces it. One of the affects of producing lift is creating induced drag. This means that the upgoing wing's drag and downgoing one's reduced drag act to yaw the glider in the opposite direction to that expected and also pulls the nose up. You've seen this happening yourself! Aileron differential reduces these effects by limiting the drag differential. In full sized gliders, a hefty application of rudder is needed to stop the nose swinging the wrong way and to keep the turn balanced and efficient. The other thing which will complicate things when converting to ailerons is that the model will have more dihedral than required as in order to turn efficiently with rudder only, much more is required. Guess what happens when the nose yaws with that adverse yaw? The wings try to roll against the aileron input! Short term answer is to use rudder in co-ordination with aileron, preferably in conjunction with providing aileron differential and reducing the dihedral. You might like to mix some rudder to aileron in your transmitter to reduce the workload. Thanks Martin, great explanation, looks like I was kind of going down the right path. Yes I will look at adding rudder either seperate or as a mix, more than likely mix. I have reduced the dihedral from 3 ins at each wing tip to 1 inch at each. I have to sort the windmilling prop/motor and try it again. Again Thanks

OG and Chris B is right re joining a club, the best suggestion for learning, these are just my thoughts on it. You have invested money in every thing and time sorting it and on this forum. Most first time flyers can get the model off the ground, next hurdle is turning it without it plummeting to the ground.................. right your through that, now it's understanding how to trim it out properly so it flys true and level with out having to hold it on the sticks to acheive it. The nest big big hurdle is landing it in one piece so you can fly again! To understand how to combine throttle, elevator and aileron in a controlled manner, and all the time it's getting closer and closer and closer to the ground. On top of this your battery will only last for a few short minutes, and they will seem very short minutes. Its a recipe for disaster, not trying to scare you at all. At a club someone will get it up for you, they will trim it out and when it's up high they will give you the controller. They will talk you through doing turns etc but will grab the controller should there be a problem. As battery time approaches they will take the controller and land it for you. A few flights later they will let you take off, and when they see you can turn confidently you will start practicing landing approaches BUT keep the model at first high and then lower on each practice approach. Eventually it will come together and you will land, even this will take a number of flights. After this you will practice more complete flights in full control with someone by your side. When the club decides you can fly alone (meaning without someone by your side) it's a big wow factor!! So which is better learn to fly properly and have a model at the end to enjoy your new found skill OR a very short flight on your own and your pride and joy in a bin bag!! I know as will a lot of forum members which way is best. A bonus, you make new, like minded friends who will offer help and advise where needed, have a great laugh and learn to fly safely. Go to the BMFA (British Model Flying Association) web site they have a "flying club search" facility that will help you find a club hopefully not to far away from you. Also please think seriously about insurance which you can get from the BMFA for £33 a year. Like I said I don't want to frighten you, I just want you to fly safely and enjoy the hobby. Edited By Keith Sharples on 22/07/2017 21:19:19 Edited By Keith Sharples on 22/07/2017 21:21:24