Piers Bowlan

I nominated three Martyn, but as the rule was only for first and second choice, then no surprise that (Peter Miller's) Alley Cat didn't get a vote from me (or any one else come to that). I am building an Alley Cat in any event.

My 'workshop' was a spare upstairs bedroom a few years ago. I was busy soldering bullet connectors onto some new NiCd battery packs, putting two of the finished packs safely on the other bench behind me, out of harms way. My six year old daughter appeared and happily enquired 'What are you doing Daddy?' I showed her the batteries and the plugs and how they were soldered on. She seemed happy enough with the explanation but soon wandered off, as let's face it, soldering isn't very exciting! I had been aware that she had been quietly engrossed with something behind me before she skipped away down the hall but I was too engrossed in my soldering to bother. Shortly, I was aware of a pungent burning smell - electrical! I scanned my work bench thinking I had inadvertently melted something plastic with the hot iron. I switched the iron off but the smell was definitely getting stronger. There was smoke now. I whipped around on my swivel chair to see the two battery packs were erupting, billowing poisonous smoke from the split casings into the room. I grabbed the pair of pliers on my bench and hurled the red hot packs out of the window onto the gravel drive below. Evidently my little daughter was impressed with how neatly the pretty gold connectors fitted together, before innocently leaving the room, unaware of the mayhem that ensued! The moral of the story is that workshops are full of potentially dangerous things, so make sure that young children are properly supervised and that they don't have access if you are not there. My fault of course, but I learnt from this experience!   Edited By Piers Bowlan on 28/10/2014 07:40:52

You should vote here Gerry, if you haven't done so already and if you have a preference for any of the suggested models nominated. The Funfighter/T Nijhuis Mosquito 46in and the Atom Special Autogiro are way out in front in the voting. I don't know when the voting closes, - end of the month perhaps?

Nice picky Percy (pilot has fallen out!) and thank you for the heads up regarding the weight of the OS52. Perhaps putting the elevator servo near the tail might be a good option to keep the c of g in the right ball park. Nice short elevator pushrod too as a bonus.

Thanks Percy, I will send off for the plan, Traplet MW 2017. I have an OS52 FS which should fit nicely. I used to own a full size Turbulent, G-AWMR but many years ago sadly.

'Stoke'. Yes, common typing error - usually caused by predictive text (unless you are a steam train driver). But why do some people find spelling errors so galling? You see it on so many forums, somebody makes an interesting point or comes up with an original idea perhaps, but makes the odd typo or incorrect spelling. So often there is someone else who, it seems, takes great delight in pointing out the error while ignoring the substance of the original post. If we all understand what someone is trying to say does it matter how a word is spelt?

Percy, do you recall if your 1/4 scale Turbulent was the 57in span Peter Miller design that was published in Radio Modeller many years ago? Very nice looking model by the way.

1). Fun fighter / TN's DH Mosquito 46in 2). Miss Lizzie

Martyn and IanN, I was referring to the Cambrian Funfighter range of kits as I thought that was what was being nominated. Currently in the range there is a Spitfire, Hurricane, Me109, and Mustang, all available in electric and IC versions (hence the eight). Plus, a new out FW190 is now available too. As for the TN DH Mosquito 46in 'not being suitable for a beginner', is any funfighter suitable for a beginner?! Anyway, I agree Martyn, the more that join in the better. It doesn't matter what you build, just build something!

President also produced a 1/3rd scale Druine Turbulent that flew well apparently. Perhaps SLEC bought the copyright to all President's designs?

I can't see your logic Martyn in linking, 'Funfighters' with 'the Tony Nijhuis DH Mosquito 46in' that I nominated. Funfighters is not one model design but eight - I thought we were supposed to be nominating a specific design, I also cannot see any connection Funfighters might have with TN's Mossie, (that was a RCM&E free plan in 2005), either. But then, linking Eager Beaver with the Atom Special was pretty random too!

Peter Miller's Alley Cat. Super simple and light 48in span (Turbulent look alike?). Low wing monoplane for 30 four stroke or electric equivalent. Build article in the Feb 2014 edition of RCMW, back number still available.

I would like to nominate the late Derek Woodward's VSP (Very Short Plane), a 36in span very lightweight aerobatic model for small Brushless motors (or a Cox .049 or similar IC conversion if you are up for it). The model plan (MW 3431- £12) or CNC wood pack is available here at modest cost so it wont break the bank either. Suitable for the novice builder/pilot or as a great quick build fun model for the more experienced. Buy the back number March 2010 Q&EFI magazine with the build article and you get the plan for free! There is a video of it flying here. Enjoy. Edited By Piers Bowlan on 04/10/2014 03:38:22

Simpler than the Bowers Fly Baby is Peter Millers 48in Span ( in old money) Alley Cat. 30 sized 4S IC engine or electric conversion. This was a free plan in Feb 2014 RCMW and the back number is still available with the plan. It is my currant winter build, ( yes. started already!). Alternatively the late Derek Woodward' s VSP would be a good contender for the mass build. This stands for Very Short Plane and is also a very light/quick model to build. The model is mostly air with a few strips of balsa holding it together (as Derek might have said) and it flies a bit like a Lazy Bee with it's very low wing loading. If you google it you can find a uTube video of it flying too. The plan is no. MW3431 but is also available as a back number March 2010 Q&EF. There is also a wood pack available for £23, so it wont break the bank. I think I will nominate it in the nominations thread...

Tony Nijhuis DH Mosquito 46, a free plan in the June 2005 RCM&E. Because:- Very simple and quick to build with an all sheet wing. Plan, canopy and CNC wood pack available from Tony Nijhuis Designs if you don't wish to cut out the parts yourself. Here Recommended BL motor/ESC set available from 4Max if you don't wish to experiment with motor set ups although even cheap bell type motors could be adequate for this little model. Very fast and flies on rails apparently. Been on my build list since ... 2005! IC and electric options available. The mass build 2015 should include a twin!     Edited By Piers Bowlan on 26/09/2014 18:56:05 Edited By Piers Bowlan on 26/09/2014 18:57:23

A very good suggestion BEB. I have been tempted by this one on several occasions since i read the RCM&E article in 2006. Question is, as Mike Keay gave the option of a 58in span or alternatively the 'hooligan' 52in clipped wing version, which one would you go for? Here is the original article. A CNC kit of parts is available; £73 from My Hobby Stores too. Edited By Piers Bowlan on 20/09/2014 19:17:18

The Mamselle would get my vote in a 'Floater class' Danny, it has been on my 'build list' for a long time. I have an MP Jet Super Atom diesel to go in it too.

I think there should be ultimately two model design choices for the mass build this year as one design is unlikely to be universally popular with new builders as well as the more experienced builders/flyers. So perhaps a 'floater class' eg Red Eagle, Jermima, or Derek Woodwards VSP. What these designs have in common is lots of wing area (low wing loading) a simple build coupled with a relaxing flying style. The second class I suggest would be fast and aerobatic so a little more demanding to fly and build but still a relative quick build eg TN DH Mosquito 46 or Peter Miller's Alley Cat/Dragon Dancer 2/Miss Lizzy

Ops, posts crossed BEB .

BEB, Judging by the amount of participation in the mass build during the last three years it is probably a pretty safe bet to say that there will be interest and participation, this. Does it really matter how many take part, how many models get finished and how many make it to Greenacres in June? The build threads will be of value to those new to the hobby and it will be fun for those that do choose to take part. How many will definitely take part will probably depend on what mass build model/s is ultimately chosen. Your suggestion BEB that there are two categories Sport/Aerobatic is OK except that all my models are sport but some are aerobatic and fast too, so perhaps calling the categories 'floater' and 'rocket-ship' may be more descriptive! For example, the 'floater' might cover vintage type models e.g. 'Jermima' as well as powered gliders 'Red Eagle' while the rocket ship; something like the DW 'Little bit' or TN DH Mosquito 46. When people get the chance to make nominations (hopefully soon) I think the models should be simple, cheap and quick to build in order to have broad appeal. My 2p worth. Oh, and I'm in John so that's 30!

If the object of the Mass Build, apart from having fun, is surely to get people building, in which case I think a variety of designs (perhaps 3?) is likely to attract the greatest participation. The mass build model should appeal to both the nubie and experience builder and cater for different building techniques and flying styles which why I think more than one design should be involved. I am a great fan of Peter Miller's designs and have just started one of these. The Alley Cat was a free plan in the February RCMW (back numbers still available). It is a very quick build, flys well apparently and is my reintroduction to oily flying after many years of clean electric. Another suggestion for vintage fanciers is the Mam'selle 52, Ray Wood's enlargement of Vic Smeed's classic old timer which was a free plan in the June 2003 RCM&E. Another model on my 'must build sometime' list! Here Why should the mass build be limited to singles too when an electric twin can be so simple and reliable? As a suggestion what about the Tony Nijhuis 46in De Havilland Mosquito, a free plan in the June 2005 RCM&E? It featured all sheet wing construction and looks very easy to build. Tony has an updated BL/LiPo set up on his web site. Here   Edited By Piers Bowlan on 13/09/2014 10:42:54 Edited By Piers Bowlan on 13/09/2014 10:46:10

I don't know about 'showing off' BEB but the slipping turn was the standard form of approach used by Spitfire pilots to get their steed back on the ground. The very long nose of the aircraft coupled with a low seating position afforded the pilot a very poor view over the nose of the landing strip if the aircraft flew a straight in approach. Hence a slipping turn was flown with the controls crossed until passing the threshold of the landing strip. This was despite the aircraft being fitted with flaps.

So what happened to Peter Miller's 'Jezabel' as promised in 'Next Issue' of the September mag? The free plan will be Project X in the November issue presumably. Still, I will look forward to the RCM&E Special with the TN's 48in span Vulcan and Richard Harris's 'Atom Special' auto giro plans. Edited By Piers Bowlan on 18/08/2014 14:34:21

My father built a (Keil Kraft) Conquest for me when I was five years old, the glider was much bigger then by the way! We lived in Ealing at the time and we flew it in Wormwood Scrubs Park as there were not too many trees there. Free flight gliders have an amazing 'magnetic attraction' for trees! It is one of my earliest recollections, chasing after that simple glider and watching it's slow and graceful glide to earth, - spellbound. I have remained hooked on anything that flies ever since. It is a great idea Jamie. Gliders don't get much simpler than the Conquest. Like David said earlier I would use Litespan in preference to tissue and dope as it is so much stronger and more controllable as far as unwanted warps are concerned!

Simon, I have only just started reading your thread but looking at your model (and the full sized too of course) what strikes me is the side area of the fuz in front of the of the wing is almost as large as side area aft of the wing. I am thinking about directional stability here. When the model is zipping about at high speed, which it does very well, there is plenty of airflow over the fin/rudder. At slow speed however I suggest that the model is not especially directionally stable due to the configuration (small tail moment) and small rudder. If the model yaws at slow speeds I suggest the anhedral will exacerbate the tendency of the model to roll in the direction of the yaw (even more than normal) and you will lose control. Of course I may be barking up the wrong tree entirely but if you do experience this problem again (hopefully not) you might consider a larger rudder and/or longer tail moment and perhaps reduce the anhedral a tad. Just my 2p worth! Interestingly, the full size Harrier also had a similar problem if it was yawed at slow speed (below 80 kts) causing it to roll and depart. Several were lost in the early days until the problem was understood.