Christopher Wolfe

As for kinetic energy, don't forget that we are on a planet that is rotating at 1000mph and orbiting a star which is moving along with our galaxy. These people got it pretty right Monty Python - The Galaxy Song 🙃 About twenty years ago a fellow aeromodeller had permission to launch some free flight HLG's (chuck gliders) from a hot-air balloon (Canowindra, Australia) to settle a similar debate. The models flew around the balloon basket in perfect circles. A VHS video exists, I shall try to obtain a copy. * Chris *

I suspect that from the pilot's fixed reference point a model flying downwind has a perceived higher airspeed than when flown on a calm day and the opposite is true when flying into the wind. It could be an instinctive reaction to adjust the throttle in an unconscious attempt to counter this. Exactly Martin. Thank you for that practical observation. As for kinetic energy, I have flown models (typically sailplanes) that have struggled to return to the landing spot in a decent breeze and can actually drift backwards. So does the model now have negative kinetic energy? I think not. This mirrors my own observations exactly Pat. One could maybe assign a fixed rate safe turn and throttle setting to a switch on a modern tx and at a safe altitude operate the switch and observe. * Chris *

Ballooning into the wind. I recently read this description being used in another thread and for a radio controlled model this is just not true if piloted correctly. I suspect that this is a result of pilots attempting a turn (Not forgetting the dreaded downwind turn) while forgetting that their feet are firmly planted on terra firma and unconsciously trying to correct the turn by juggling the observed airspeed. One only has to observe a Free Flight model as it drifts downwind as the model has no idea about wind and so does not balloon as it turns. OTOH, a Control Line model actually can balloon into wind as it's reference point is actually fixed to the Earth (by the pilot's feet). So time to put this term to bed people as apart from wind shear when flying very low (maybe on approach on a windy day) Ballooning In The Wind is just a myth. * Chris *

A friend in the U.K. told me about ten years ago "Don't take a Spekky to Robot Wars" (he was a competitor) 🙃

Apparently, some Saito users have reported success by re-directing the expelled crankcase oil into the rocker box or the camshaft area Saito Mods * Chris *

One problem that I have noticed about CA adhesives is that they are brittle and do not penetrate a joint very well. Because of this 'characteristic' then attempts to re-glue a broken joint are usually weaker than the failed joint. This is for well fitted joints. Some people/ARF manufacturers do not have a clue how to cut a decent well fitted joint do this might be why 'Gap Filing' CA was invented. Contrast this with soluble adhesives such as good old balsa cements and also modern aliphatic resins which actually not only wick into balsa wood but actually bond to themself so can result in a decent repair that actually might be stronger than the original joint. * Chris *

True story. My neighbour's 11 year old daughter proudly told me that she was now a Vegan (one of her new schoolteachers is apparently an animal liberation activist) So I just remarked to her "Well that's nice, but you're a long way from home" When she asked me what I meant I told her that Vega is a very bright star about 25 light years from Earth Vega. Young lass disappeared for a few minutes to check out my answer on her phone. Her dad (a retired sheep and cattle farmer) just smiled. Such is life 🙃 * Chris *

A few of these gems applied to me when I was younger

I actually know people like this.

And not long after, during lockdown ......

🤣

Doped tissue over Mylar actually works out lighter than if the same tissue is applied in the traditional way with sufficient coats of dope to seal it. When applied over Mylar, tissue only requires a few coats of well thinned dope as the Mylar has already made the structure airtight. Actually, when covering a sealed structure (such as a wing) it is advisable to include vent holes in the wing ribs otherwise the Mylar covering can expand like a balloon during heat shrinking. * Chris *

I once flew a Raider in r/c combat events. Until one day. When a fellow competitor managed a direct hit on the sliding mixer. Out of control model managed to fly 100m to the car park and rip into the arm of a departing flyer. I was horrified but then the recipient told me that he had been paying insurance for many years and so not to worry about it as it was to be his first claim. Sad but true. * Chris *

I would definitely give it the boot ! * Chris *

Just wipe it away as a bad experience 🙃

Great timing JD8. Here is my Australian weather-vane photo from a friends house🙃

This may be perfectly true but just remember it was OS that spent all the time and $$$ to develop these four stroke engines so any clone is just that, a clone produced in certain countries where copyright is often ignored -pretty sad IMHO * Chris *

If your compression screw has a loose screw thread a strand of Kevlar wrapped around the screw thread tightens things up nicely. * Chris *

A friend invented this cheap and simple device to measure control surface throws and I must say that it works very well Deflection meter * Chris *

I live in a country town in Australia. As I was a long term customer my local newsagent managed to obtain every issue of all my favourite magazines, even during the pandemic. In a small town, the local newsagent employs 1/2 dozen people, some are friends and neighbours, so that's why I shall never subscribe. *Chris *

Here in Oz 1m x 200m rolls of 38µ are available. A friend purchased a roll and sold most of it within 6 months, the biggest pita was locating +2m long cutting tables, cleaning them scrupulously then cutting and folding the film. I used to help with this as two pairs of hands really made things easier and I was paid with 4 x 5m long pieces. I have only used it under tissue or silk (with thinned nitrate dope) but plan to experiment with dying it as I have had great success dyeing Mylar film (without adhesive) using Rit dyes. * Chris *