John Minchell

Barrie Just the job I thought - that will replace the free 2D CAD that I downloaded last year and started to learn how to use- but then the company decided to charge for it and the software froze on my PC. ( Dassault Systems) So I put my details into the Seimens download page and they say they won't grant me a licence at this time. So it would seem that they are selecive in who they offer it to for free. And yes I did un-install the Dassault CAD programme first. So anyone got any other good but free recommendations? John M Edited By John Minchell on 18/05/2020 17:34:21 Edited By John Minchell on 18/05/2020 17:34:48

No problem Mark - I will continue to monitor your posts as they will encourage me to get on with mine and get it finished for next year's BMFA "light scale" competitions. I still think you are a braver man than I am (or an ex pylon racer) for putting two 40 FS engines in something which the designer said two HB 25's made it ballistic! John M

Mark Mine is going to be set up for twin electric and one 1000kv motor, ESC, 12" prop and a 3s LiPo weigh 400 grammes. Twice that is 800 grammes for the power system. Are your 40FS motors, throttle servo and tanks lighter or heavier? I will also be running 2x 2s LiPos (one for the Rx/servos and one for the retracts) located each side of the nose gear leg to acheive CG balance. I will just vary the pack size and location of the rudder, elevator and flap servos so as not to need lead nose weight. The bare fuselage including tailplane and fin is 802 grames (but without the bottom sheeting). Wing bare structure, without sheeing yet, is 358 grammes. Hope that may be of help. I will hold off posting the nacelle till you let me know you definately want it. John M   Edited By John Minchell on 16/05/2020 00:41:01

Mark I thought the same as Danny - too much wood and that was the reason for making glassfibre nacelles. I gave a balsa built up one to a mate and he made the moulds and laid up two sets of GF nacelles. The GF one is 190 grammes and the 3/8th balsa ones are 430 grammes. Saves 480 grammes on two of them, which is a lot on this size of model. If you want, I am happy to post one to you for you to make up your own mould & finished nacell if you cover the postage. Can't get the original moulds now otherwise that would have been easier. Let me know. John M

Send me a PM with your email address and I will forward some pics of the aircraft I took when I was there. They may be of some use to you. I took them with the intention of building an indoor RC scale model for the nationals, but decided on a Percival Prentice because of its much bigger wing area instead. John M

Full size Balliol, in the same colours as the top post, in the museum at RAF Cosford if you want photos for documentation.

I have read a number of books on aerodynamics including Andy Lennon's. The consensus is that spoilers don't give as rapid a rate of bank as conventional ailerons would. With full span flaps you also create the wash in problem at the tips and alter the lift distribution, such that you are more prone to a tip stall. At least with flaps inboard and reflexed ailerons during crow braking, the wash out effectively prevents a wing dropping. Be interested to hear of your out come when flying the model. John M

All the BMFA Scale competitions are now on the scale website calendar here - https://scale.bmfa.org/calendar There is also a training event on March 15th at Buckminster called Scale Uncovered. This is to show how to get started in scale competitions for those people who want to have a go and are not quite sure how to go about it. There will be discussions about documentation, classes, building, rules and weather permitting, some flying the schedule / demonstrations. Email Graham Kennedy for more information [email protected] There is also a taster session for those people wanting to try indoor RC scale competitions as well, March 21st at High Wycombe. Only a small lightweight foamy "bind and fly" type of model is required. See what it is like to fly with a judge giving you help and pointers after each flight in a friendly, no-pressure way. Try it and see if you like it before entering the indoor Nats at Walsall in mid April (18th for RC, 19th for FF). John M

Tim You can centre hinge the aileron, then the torque rod pivot would be in the cente of the thickness of the section and because you won't need any differential on such a short aerobatic wing there is no issue. You won't be using mega angles of down flap as it'll tip stall even with the washout in the pansls as standard, so a neater all round solution. And just a few degrees of down on both ailerons for a bit of thermalling assist. Well that's what I'm doing anyway. John M

The blue foam wing on the Apache is deep enough to take two std size servos side by side and still using the torque rods be a successful set up - I am doing exactly the same thing with my Apache 20 years after buying it. John M

One sheet of A4 with the ID number repeated as many times as you have models through your PC & printer. 3mm high letters and numbers cut out with scissors and stuck, numbers down, onto 2 inch long strips of sellotape and then stuck to the model outside or inside wherever convenient and accessible without tools. Simples. John M Edited By John Minchell on 21/12/2019 12:40:05

And for that euphoric feeling after your new model has its successful maiden flight - and is safely back on the ground. "Sittin on Top of the World" by the world's first super group, Cream. Followed by "Crossroads" and "NSU" on the drive back home.

Brilliant Thanks Pat and Frank - very helpful and just what I needed. John M

There is indeed a 'Light Scale' class of 5kg max weight. The F4C and stand off scale classes are indeed 15kg max weight. And of course there is a flying only class, which although still has the 15kg limit, most people fly ARTF be it foam or built up wood models at smaller sizes. So there is a place for all sizes, weights and engines / motors including the lamented older class of 10cc model. There is really no barrier to getting into a competition if you are willing to have a go. The judges don't bite and all the other competitors are willing to help and assist newcomers as we all realise that new people are required to keep scale going but also the hobby in general. The scale competition calendar will be up fairly soon and of course if you really want to fly light models the Indoor RC & FF scale nationals are on April 18 &19 next year so get building. John M PRO for the STC

I'm trying to find a couple of engine reviews by Peter Chinn (or an other) on an OS 20FS and a PAW 2.49. Or if anyone can say what size prop they will turn at what revs or power output. Hope someone has an index to the RCM&E or Aeromodeller mags they were in or can post here or email a scan etc. Thanks in advance for any help. John M