Andrew Belson

Posted by Denis Watkins on 23/09/2018 09:22:40: Andrew, set your VIEW, to Ground in View And switch ZOOM ON This is more life like on the sim Thanks Denis. Perfect!

As a gentle return to building (after over 30 years' absence) I bought this kit off eBay. It has sparse instructions in pigeon english, with little or no detail about some aspects, parts not numbered and others incorrectly numbered (3 with the same number!) I'm getting on ok broadly but I could do with some help and guidance with some elements: Wing servos. I've no experience of these. The pockets are cut out 60x65mm ready for a Sebino part but I've trawled for these ad no luck. Any ideas? Control linkages. I've seen the debate. I fancy carbon fibre but have no experience of specifying diameter for the job. Covering. I'm assuming I'll cover the wings and tailplane before adding the hinges. Is that right? I appreciate that some of this is real back-to-basics stuff but the only way is forwards and I've built 90% of the model now! Regards, Andrew

Posted by Percy Verance on 03/06/2018 18:30:19: Hi Andrew I was interested to note that you may be considering biplane options. Some care may be needed here as not all biplanes are suitable beginner models. One particularly good one, which is very suitable for new builders and flyers is the D B Sport & Scale Tinker. The model is featured in the latest issue of RCM&E as part of Alex Whittaker's regular article. He has gone overboard with the engine though. A Tinker definately doesn't need an OS .25fsr....they'll fly happily on a .15 or a .20. The Tinker has been updated farly recently Andrew, with the new full kit now available. The *old* version still remains as part of the range offered by DB, although this older one isn't a full kit it's a plan-pack. It is vastly cheaper though. Edited By Percy Verance on 03/06/2018 18:31:11 Hi Percy, June seems like such a long time ago... Your post stopped me short and I had a re-think! Still have my bipe plans and due to the path I've taken, they don't seem quite so daunting! I am busy building. What I've done is: - bought a second-hand trainer - bought some s/h radio gear - bought a kit (which I'm busy building) - replenished my tool box, including Permagrit investment £££££ - bought far too many engines...several 2s and an OS91FS - field box and fuel - bought Aerofly 7 sim for my mac - joined the BMFA and made enquiries about my local club (but still not been down to the field or flown) So, having been warned about the difficulties of biplane building, I bought a Sebino Staudacher S300 kit. Complete with sparse Italian instructions and very poor translation into English! I liked the look of it.... I'm coping but theres a lot of head scratching going on! It's so far from what i've done before. I saw an expression: 'stick and tissue' - think that probably sums up my previous building experience. I'll ask my tech queries in the appropriate forum room. What I'm most disappointed with is the flight sim. I can take off and land (with varying degrees of elegance) and control the aeroplane whilst I can see it BUT once its flown for more than a few seconds, I can't see it! I don't see how this replicates our hand/eye experience in the real world, but there we are. All the more reason to get out to the field I guess! Still a newbie Andrew

Do generic USB/TX leads work or do you have to use the Aerofly ones?

Morning all! I've been busy reading and researching. I've just re-read all the posts here and followed all the links. I now have a new workbench, found my local club and they welcome all methods of propulsion! (within walking distance and with the use of a proper runway - so thats a result!), I will build a trainer (or buy s/h), I have my eye on a couple of biplane options, I have a plan for 'Gigi' downloaded from t'internet, I have a new tab in my browser for modelling, bought magazine subscription, poised to join the BMFA, hung my nose over numerous engines on eBay.... Just need to get on with it then!

Well, this has been very enlightening! Thanks to all posters and the links. It’s made me think that maybe I’ll make a glider! Seems quite sad that the glow or Diesel engines are falling out of favour. Nothing finer than the sight of a glider...Watch this space then!   Edited By Andrew Belson on 28/05/2018 18:50:36

Ah! PAW - my first engine. PAW 149 from Carley's on Broadway, Peterborough. Now an estate agents I think! I was 11 and it was £12.50, which I paid for £1'week. Broke 3 needle valves trying to start it.... So, can I go electric for a 60 size motor? I must say, I don't like the sound of it - or at least the lack of sound... Four strokes were something exotic. Now more the norm then? still tempted to stay with IC. Might do a trainer...an interesting idea I'd not thought of! I just hate the way they look.

All very useful - thankyou all. I am starting from scratch. All I have is a scalpel handle!

I will fly....it was a lack of funds when I was a kid and at college. I just remember that I enjoyed the building!

I see Afternoon All! we,, after a 35 year absence, I'm now feeling the need to build again! I built my first model age 9 (Keilcraft Ace) and my last model was an off-plan Fairey Tipsey Junior. Never really flew any of my models - bar the 'Sunshine' towline glider. I see things have moved on. I never made the transition from 27 to 35Mhz so at least I don't have any obsolete gear! What started all this off was the itch I had to scratch over a Gigi biplane that again, I never flew. What really shocks me is that there are no 'real' model shops. And apparently, models that need relatively little building. Horses for courses I guess. But I want to build and I will! Just struggling to find kits and equipment! Best wishes to all, Andrew