Graham Davies 3

Enjoying this David, do please continue!

Good luck David. Expecting a full report!

Exactly how I approached this Peter; I built it in situ. Mine fits less well now after the maiden flight mishap!

Chin up old boy. Nothing that is properly satisfying comes easy. I know, I'm a musician! As Kim says, the day when the stars align and you watch your model against an azure sky before it gently kisses the ground are the model flying equivalent of a drive straight down the fairway. Learning IS tough, no matter how you approach it; there is a staggering amount to learn which is just not obvious when you first pick up a model or transmitter. I think you'll find most of us on here that have a few air miles under our wings can still find new and inventive ways to break our toys after all this time. If it was as easy as a computer game, and with the same lack of consequence, our strips would be full of 16 year olds! Oh, and do another bike anyway. A gentleman can't have too many toys... Graham

Sorry to hear of this rather sad outcome Chris. I have been watching your excellent project with great interest, and as you said, it looked like you had got the better of it. Graham

Here's an idea; members of a club put all unwanted airframes in a pile, and everyone donates a fiver. The money then goes to some prize or other with sufficient attractiveness. Then lots are drawn and as your number is called, you select an airframe. This is then used for a 'Coupe des Barons' type contest, where attrition is often high. This often puts people off, but if the outcome is a demolition derby with an unloved piece of bonfire fodder, it might encourage participation. You could even offset losses by ensuring any servos etc left in a model are returned to the donor (or at least offered). Everyone has fun and the herd is thinned...

Aircraft destined for the final bin bag were always used for streamer cutting. That usually sealed the deal!

Hi Allan, I was there, it was rather dramatic, to say the least. After the initial sequence of left knife edge/ right knife edge/ repeat, it 'arrived' upside down. From where we were, lots of bits scattered. It turns out these were rocker covers from the cowl and otherwise there was little damage. Us watchers were of course respectful. We didn't laugh at all... To answer your question above; some minutes and some running repairs! I can tell because I can see the green and yellow electrical tape holding the cowl together in the landing shot! As a good friend of mine once told me; it will be OK in the end. If it's not OK, it's not the end. Graham

A similar activity got me a restraining order!

Sorely tempted Peter. I'm enjoying building the Harmony wing, so I'm already softened up... One question; does your pilot have an older sister? Graham

Good luck David. The videos were thoroughly enjoyable and it's great to see such a healthy turnout to a day of madness. It would be great to get something going over here. If only we could also adopt a similar lunch strategy.... Graham

Hi Peter, good to hear the second (re) maiden went well. I have to say, Destiny is one of the nicest sports models I've ever seen. I'm feeling the urge to plank... Graham

Looking good Peter

Ron, that looks fantastic!

I've been having exactly the same issues. Back in the day, we happily paid £8.99 for S148s that had plastic gears and plain bearings and were totally reliable. I struggle now because I want the advantages of today's pricing (£8.99 in 1992 must be over £25 now! I ain't paying £25 for an S148...), but choice is overwhelming. Most of my models are either 55" span/ 5-6 lbs, or smaller. Small servos in the wings is an easy installation, but getting servos with enough grunt that centre properly is not as straightforward as it should be. I agree that size DOES matter. At least in this instance. A gear train can be more robust and precise with a little more diameter and depth. I also agree that 2 hole mounting has limitations. In my experiments, Mike, I am going to stop trying to save money as the bucket of servos I'm not prepared to use is an expensive reminder of 'you get what you pay for'. This doesn't necessarily get me further forward because choice is still huge, but a known brand device for >£10 is certainly where I will go for wing servos. Probably go full size for rudder and Elevator... Graham

I could be wrong KC, but I think they are a week apart.

Well done!

Thanks Nick, much appreciated.

Cuban, do you know if there are any trade/ swap stands at Duxford? It must be 20 years since I last went to a model show there and can't recall. I live in between Duxford and North Weald, but would need to choose one or the other!

Hi Nick, I've been following your build and finding it totally inspiring. Aspirational even.. Would you mind explaining what the mould is for? I can usually work these things out, but not in this case? I would appreciate the thought process and what this achieves. Thanks Nick Graham

Hand launching is a lost art! Back in the day, my RC flying was largely self taught from a field near my house. I learned by flinging the blighters! Even some reasonably large models. My Cambrian Spitfire focuses the mind though; It needs a fair old heft and there's not a lot of space to grip. What there is is well behind the CofG, so is a bit awkward. And then it takes a while to get up to decent flying speed. You have to have faith that I am 6ft 1, and the model needs 5ft 6 of descent to get up to speed! 7" is plenty, as it were... The checklist is great Steve. Please add: Check dog is tethered so he doesn't 'buy the dummy throw' and disappear into the next county... Graham

Graeme, sanding sealer is pretty much the same. If you want a nice tough surface, that'll work. Graham

Wookman, thanks for that. Yes, on the face of it there are plenty. This is the problem; there are hundreds of options and deciding on a reliable option is the hard bit. It's personal recomendation that carries the real weight. FlyinBrian, totally agree. Got my fingers burned. A mate told me once; "stop saving money, it's costing a fortune"...

Thanks Brian. This is exactly what I was hoping for! when the good folks of the forum have had positive experiences, it creates buying confidence. Graham

I saw the Etronix range on Steve Webb's website and thought they were a viable option; an endorsement is very helpful Graham