Rich Griff

Thanks Simon, and for the heads up on project blogs, very much appreciated. Thanks.

Nice one, thanks Simon. I am sure if you released build notes etc., Many on here and elsewhere would be extremely grateful. May I ask, did you visit a specialised internet site ( an internet *profile magazine* site ) that shows aircraft profile I such as you have shown please ? I am hunting similar info/views etc. For a particular aircraft of interest to me that no one as far as I know has RC modeled, but kits plastic static kits have been made. These kits sadly seem to be no longer available. Any info on profiles greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Hi Simon, That looks wonderfull. Might it be from an outerzone plan please ?

Hi Mike Freeman, Still waiting for April rcme to land in whsmiths... Do "the range" stock the foam board in A1 size ? My closest branch are not good at stock levels. Product numbers...or at least these were the stock numbers in Bangor branch North Wales before the students went back to uni... A1 white foam board 823 571 A2 white foam board 823 578 A3 white foam board 823 576 A2 black foam board 823 580 A3 black foam board 823 579 A4 black foam board 823 581 Sometimes if you phone your local branch, a nice girl will interogate the computer to see if any is in stock for you. Are single A1 sheets needed ?

Naughty boy using an electric starter ! RC is better as engine can be shut down or reduced power. PAW will do a control line Venturi I am sure.

Yeh, the automatic speeding fine revenues from "none natives" is/has grown. Soon be Easter, record breaking car parking revenue expected as well. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

GG, have you considered the toprc small radio stuff, Rx, aileron servo, gearbox, motor, prop and battery etc.. Even tx is inexpensive but basic ( cheap ). Not wieghted the set up yet as only this last week got all the components *in my stock* due to out of stock and shadow stock deliveries with the importer, who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons. I have a cheapo Tesco electronic scales so may weigh the set up this evening after knocking up a test bed to make sure everything works... Micro aces stuff is also good... Stuff on Ali express is bound to be cheaper, so I may as well do what the loyal UK model shop customers do... As a note, the latest sf260 and At6 toprc models Rx has 5 white plastic sockets, motor, aileron, sbus, DSM, and an as yet unknown function socket, 2 pin, marked -S... When I enquired late Nov early Dec last year, they had not up dated the sales pictures, nor had they by Friday of this week. Slec top up order going in before electric/water bill arrives. Only £193 increase in water bill. Thanks Welsh water ! Ps, did you see the latest vmc email, Lancaster's and other stuff...

Thanks leccy Brian, I would have though since you know how to do it, you could help out mode 1 flyers.... When I contacted the main volantex suppliers just before Xmas, I was informed the volantex planes only come as mode 2, and that they are not convertible. I may still have that email. Go on leccy Brian, help us mode 1 ers out, please 👍

Thanks John wagg, great info, thanks May I ask please, why do you use your own tx rather than the toprc tx please ? Could it be that your tx is much more *responsive*, accurate, more proportional than the toprc tx, that seems to have a slight "lag", or *dead band* , where small movements of the sticks result in no control surface movement, more slight stick movement the same happens resulting in none smooth flight and over control etc. ? This seems to happen in beginer and middle mode, being really over controlled in expert mode. A tx mechanical)electrical fault to do with stick movement I feel... I have not *gone into* a tx to have a look yet, maybe it's time to. I would have liked to use the radio link tx ( T8FB ) as mentioned early on and a few times after in later posts, so all the electric models are on the one tx, so I don't have to take 10 tx to the flying site along with 10 models etc.. The toprc models in question use a 1s battery as you quoted, so will the toprc s bus unit run on this please. Many more questions to come, but did you see the David Ashby reply about Mr. Ashby, was has been completely removed without trace ? There is a pm system on here...

Wow thanks leccy Brian, perhaps you could do a thread about converting a mode 2 voluntex tx to mode 1 please, which would be incredibly usefull to us mode 1 ers. Thanks.

Well well well, seems some behind the scenes editing has taken place... Where has the reply from David Ashby, about Mr. Ashby, gone please ? It seems to have completely *disappeared* , completely ! Anyone else notice this ? Anyone ? Did anyone copy and paste it I wonder ?

Thanks John, informative info, thanks.

Waiting for feedback from the mail order shop, and from Perkins. Mail order shop is probably waiting for feedback from Perkins as well, to pass onto me. It's a Perkins problem...not for the first time. Even that is not strictly correct as it's a problem between Perkins and toprc, the toy company in China. Shops use info provided by Perkins it seems. Anyone else noticed this ? As to Mr Ashby I was being as polite and correct as I could. David Ashby writes stuff for rcme, toprc reviews, adverts in effect. Anyways, still waiting for Perkins reply. They have been cooperative in the past, good customers service and all that, which is hoped for from every company.

Do volantex do mode 1 tx's ? Will volantex tx's work with the toprc models ?

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71p6DB+IDfL.pdf is the manual for the radio link R8SM s-bus RX. Thanks for the heads up about this, thanks. Good question Rich. I’ve subsequently bought an aftermarket Fuby SFHSS RX from Ali Express, bound and flown it using a Futaba TX. I’m going to cover that in a future column. But I’ve not tried the Radio Link. Why not give Perkins service dept a call and see what they say? So, presumably, one could use a radio link T8FB set, as supplied by Perkins ?? But how may I ask please ? I am patiently waiting for a proper reply from J Perkins, as are model shops I believe ? Still waiting for an email reply about the "complicated procedure" which apparently can be done over the phone ? Have requested twice now a written full procedure, ,mover a week has pasted, don't think they are at work over the weekend. The way I read the advert suggests any radio link system can be used, nothing in brackets to suggest an s bus extra bit of kit needs adding, like with the Futaba route ? Free different software for the TX/RX is a different matter..... Mr. Ashby, by "fuby" you mean Futaba ? Perhaps, ,sir, if you could contact Perkins, you may have better success in getting the information, and pass it on, please ? From memory, the first versions of these TOPRC mini 450 warbirds had no other means of being control, only via the TX that came in the box. You may remember Mr. Ashby's article in the RCME, the me109 being, lets say, iffy, but the mustang flew as if on rails no problems. The examples I had, mode 1, were returned with a full refund. Lets call them "version 1's". The next ones I purchased, version 2's, spit and tropic 109, have different RX boards with extra sockets, with the manual stating the v761 protocol; down loadable via the info in the models manual; can be used with "your" suitable TX. The current at6 and sf260 have a different again RX board, an extras socket, making 5 sockets all together on those boards. More research needed I fell, but still waiting for a proper reply from PERKINS. If, Mr. Ashby, sir, you can help, as you will have much more sway with Perkins, rather than a mere customer would have , could you help and pass info on, two way, three way even, that would be wonderful and really helpful. The Perkins advertising account with RCME must be huge...happy Perkins customers keep Perkins staff pay days happening, some model shops too.

I read the article in the March edition of RCME about the Top RC Military Trainers, AT-6 and SF. 260 by David Ashby. I also saw the lines " If you prefer to use your own TX with these models, then your in luck as the on board RX is compatible with open TX, so just bind and fly. In addition, the main electronics board has ports for DCM satellites and Futaba S-FHSS S-bus receivers, for which a connection lead is included. ". The shops that stock these two models share the J Perkins advert along with its wording... Key Features Fully assembled and ready to fly. Everything included (nothing more to buy). 450mm wingspan. Switchable gyro stabilisation (even in expert mode). Use your own RadioLink or Futaba (S.Bus) radio system.* and... Product Description Spanning 450mm, with eye-catching detail, an authentic colour scheme and a performance that totally belies its size, this four-channel SF-260 will impress from the moment you lift the lid of the box. Perfect for small fields and impromptu flying sessions, Top RC's switchable, 6-axis gyro stabilisation system turns this attractive model into a capable all-weather flyer that practically laughs in the face of turbulence. Offered at a pocket money price, ready to fly, with everything included in the box, the versatility of this aeroplane for both indoor (large sports hall) and outdoor (small field) flying is almost limitless. Oh, and let's not forget, the duration of the SF-260 is outstanding; expect a minimum 12-minute flight from a full charge. Suitcase-friendly and supplied with a four-channel 2.4GHz transmitter (plus AA batteries), single cell LiPo, USB charger, demountable undercarriage and spare propeller, there really is nothing else to buy. With a full range of tantalising aircraft to choose from, why not get a group of friends together and get flying some of the best looking, best performing little foamies available. *Use any RadioLink system or Futaba S.Bus (FASSTest / S-FHSS) to pair and fly the AT-6 with your regular transmitter. So, presumably, one could use a radio link T8FB set, as supplied by Perkins ?? But how may I ask please ? I am patiently waiting for a proper reply from J Perkins, as are model shops I believe ? Perhaps Mr. Ashby could do a follow up article in the RCMA magazine, or even better, a piece on here, as to how this can be done ( binding to and using a radio link T8FB with either model ) please. note, use any radio link system....

Hi Adam, pm me your email address please..... budget friendly ? a few sheets of foam board and tape, a 4 max economy power pack and battery, and a radio set...and a few bits and bobs... 4 max economy power pack is £24 plus delivery and can be used in another model. A suitable battery plus delivery....... Foam board and some tape, lets say £15 from "the range"...plus transport to and from the shop... Radio link, say a T8FB, plus batteries... A ready to fly just add some AA batteries for the tx, and your away, all for £80 ish...... Ready to fly spare replacement parts situation ? I suppose if the airframe was totalled, written off, the motor, tx and rx could possibly be used in another suitable model ?

I know that some on here use the more modern and up to date reasonably priced petrol engines, GG using a *stinger* make, of unknown type to me. Other than stale fuel and ethanol issues ( ethanol free, ethanol removed by water, Screwfix/toolstation fuel treatments and "mechanic in a bottle" solutions ), as well as physical size and reduced power output compared to glow motors, what are the pitfalls, advantages and disadvantages. Road fuel I can get easily just like you. Experiences please. I am saving for one, probably after pay rising in April, 10 cc ( for the "ministroney" ) or the larger 15cc size/capacity. Thanks.

Thanks Roy, no real rush as Adam has not replied. I can use the plan as is as there are lots of dimension shown on plan. Please let me know if it's ok to pass on the plan to Adam, your name etc. Is on the plan...

As a matter of interest, how is the spare part/replacement parts situation with this model please ?

Thanks for the heads up on those two power cox 049 motors models piers. As you probably know, cox 049's can be rc control these days via "throttle" rather than/as well as exhaust strangulation, so the engines can at least be stopped at will. Adam, I have the dimensional plan of the bmac easy glider 1.6m model as featured in November bmfa news mag ready to go.....if needed.

See pm....over...

Hi jd8, Would that be dale air field by chance ?

Hi Adam, by chance do you work in software and may relate to superdream ? No need for details, just a yes or no...... Bmfa magazine. It's very difficult to read on line, even using lightening fast internet and large screen vdu, what a faff ! November 2024, page 35 onwards, the whole article and pictures... I contacted them and they sent all details and plan etc.. Thanks guys at Basingstoke Mac. Will check phone this evening, I usually save/keep this sort of info.....

Hi adsjking, You have made, trimmed and flown guillows models in the past ( kits are still available, I would love the B17 and larger scale stuka myself to name but 2, vintage model company is a rising star in this field ) and know of outer zone ( see centenial found, Oz3287 which converts to RC very easily, electric and IC ) for the building joy. Oz3287 wing is easy to extend by 2 central panels, and , one outer panel each side. I cobbled a basic glider fuz for the wing. Easy possibility for a low winger if you fancy. You know of George, 4 max and the economy packs. There are designs out there using these economy packs and foam board. You know of bandq, and "The Range" for foam board ? Visit bmfa site for insurance and "teach you to fly" guides and books.....you can start by saying out loud " prop the dipping wing with the stick" at least 100 times a day. Then, when conditioned, say it in your head 100 times a day. You need this mantra to be second nature, an automatic reaction acting at lightening speed, when you start flying your model towards you. You can thank me after your first flight if you like. Whilst on the bmfa site, read bmfa news, November's issue 2024. Research Basingstoke model club very inexpensive foam board glider using 4 max economy pack parts, motor, prop, ESC and servos...if you ask nicely they will send plans etc... They should really do a thread on here or in the magazine about it. I assume you have at least a few up to date rcme magazines ? Complete rtf foamies, but can you get spare/new replacement parts ????? Mode 1, mode 2, or even other modes, research... £1k tx that won't even make the toast ? Start out with a full range basic transmitter ( tx ) with reciever/s ( Rx ) usually easily well under £100, not forgetting stuff like servos, switch harness and battery box. Batteries also... The battery powering the 4 max motor can also power the Rx and servos, do your research.... Lots to research and think about... Do you live near cliffs, sand dunes, hills, escarpments and/or slopes ?? Slope soaring is wonderful needing a dead stick landing every time . Slope soarers can stay aloft for hours but remember battery life, day light, your stamina and the cold... The days of tissue and dope and even balsa wood have *changed* , but are still there if you prefer... These days, balsa wood, foams of all sorts, correx, cardboard, pop bottels etc. , heat shrink coverings, brown paper and paint, doculam, wrapping paper and no doubt other stuff. Fuel proofer not needed on none ic powered models. Tex type none wind proof coverings will need sealing.... Enjoy making your 1/2 a trainer electric powered....a £24 4 max economy pack is well with the money. Talk with George...