Piers Bowlan

It is also interesting that Nigel says that he has had to add weight to the tail to achieve the published C of G (75mm from LE). Quite a few references to this online but not everyone has this problem, indicating some inconsistency in the foam density used during manufacture. Most 3S 2200mAh LiPos don’t differ vastly in weight. In any event, many people fly with a c of g at 65mm with no ill effects, by all accounts. if you do find the fuselage very flexible Nigel it is easy enough to reinforce it with thin carbon strips, as I have done with several of my foam models over the years. Using a steel ruler as a straight edge, carefully cut a slot down the belly of the model, no deeper than 10 mm. Push the strip (8mm x .5mm) into the slot so that it is buried. Now run thin cyano along the slot - job done. If there is excess lateral movement another strip can be inserted into ONE side of the fuselarge. Just ensure the fuselage is completely straight before applying the cyano! Just to confirm the strip is half a millimetre thick, not 5mm!) Good luck?

I am not familiar with this model but reading the instructions it says ‘it has an innovative internal structure adding strength where needed and locking the components together’, to paraphrase. If this internal structure (carbon tubes?) is not properly bonded to the foam (insufficient glue) and/or the model has had a crash, it is likely any stiffness that should be added by the reinforcement will be lost. If you grip the tail boom and try and bend it in pitch it should be quite rigid despite being made from EPO. If it flexes more than a couple of mm the inflight loads will be sufficient to cause the tail plane to adopt a negative A of A and a strong positive pitching moment. = loops! Hence you find a lot of nose down trim is required. Just a theory?.

Thank you for subsidising my use of the road Martin! Actually you are only subsidising about a third, as two thirds of the revenue raised goes into general taxation (£35B revenues vs £11B spent on the roads). Clearly the exchequer will have to make up the shortfall in revenue as more and more people go over to the ‘dark side’ (EVs) and there is certainly a lot of talk about it. However at the moment it is just talk and speculation - nothing is decided. A road pricing strategy using GPS and taking into account not only vehicle weight but also geographical area (rural/urban/inner city) will eventually evolve. However the technology/infrastructure/software will have to be developed and installed in all vehicles. More significantly, acre’s of legislation will be required concerning confidentiality and data protection. How long will all this take, considering the consultation documents, inquiries and parliamentary debate involved? Meanwhile, I am saving £2000+ pa in fuel and road tax ?

Rather that using PVA could you not use epoxy which shouldn’t get lighter as it dries? Oh, and welcome to the forum Barry, from me ?.

‘Saving the planet’ wasn’t the criteria for me choosing to go electric. I don’t have brand loyalty, I chose the Leaf on its merits. When it’s PCP agreement ends in another three years time I may chose another brand, it depends on what is available compared to what I have now. I am pretty certain it will be electric though.

Why pay a ‘£73,000 purchase price’ Steve? A Leaf will set you back £28,000 at todays prices, or £1000 down and £270 month for 4 years (then give it back on a PCP deal). You can then go back to an ICE car if you want but I am confident you won’t, if your motoring requirements are anything like mine.

You can also turn some motors round so that the wires exit at the back. Would mean making a ply bulkhead to bolt it too and glue it within the fuselage. Obviously you wouldn’t utilise the cross mount. I don’t know if one of your 28mm dia. motors would suit in this respect Steve.

… hence the ali conduit to protect the wires, wasn’t a problem in the end. Nice looking kit by the way ?

Steve, some years ago the motor I was fitting to a glider was a very tight fit such that the motor wires inside the fuselage were in danger of rubbing the spinning rotor. My solution was to take the wires outside the fuselage past the motor, then back in to connect to the ESC. I made a small conduit out of Ali sheet to protect the exposed wires and when painted, it didn’t look too bad. It may sound an odd solution but it was the motor I wanted to use and it worked for me. Alternatively buy a geared in-runner if your 2316 1400kv turns out to be not ideal.

OK ?, they have come a long way since then, I am pleased to report! ?

Better not let my wife see the VW IDBuzz or she will want one. ?

I think the basic Leaf has a 40kWh battery but the useable capacity is 37kWh to prolong battery life. I know my Leaf e+ has a 62 kWh battery but I believe it’s useable capacity is 59 kWh, again to prolong battery life. I read recently the 40kWh battery version was discontinued in March 2022. The Leaf battery is guaranteed to provide at least 80% capacity for 8years or 100,000 miles. The Leaf was launched in 2011 and some of them are still in use with high mileage, although they only had a 24kWh battery. The battery chemistry and charging algorithm was tweaked in 2013 because of premature battery failures in hot climates.

Thanks Ron?

Even basic Leafs have 62kW batteries and 160kW motors (213hp) so I don’t know where you get 100hp from?

Sounds like a Top Gear stunt. Ha Ha!

I don’t hate you Tim ❤️, even if you do drive a Tesla ? ?

I bought a Nissan Leaf a year ago. 11,000+ miles later I think it is brilliant. Plug it in my wall charger at night, - 240 mile range in the morning (OK 180 miles on a frosty morning with heated seats, windscreens, et all on!) No road tax, cheap insurance and servicing. Oh, and nearly 500 miles per gallon, equivalent cost. 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds linear acceleration. 217 Bhp equivalent. Yes, the National charging network is woefully inadequate but then I have never needed to charge at a public charging point, despite regularly making 200mile round trips to see my grand children. (I do top up at my daughters house from the garage 13A socket in the wintertime however!). A basic Leaf is now £28k (I bought my range topping model for £32k a year ago (Tesla, eat your heart out). The important bit is that is a joy to drive, clean, quiet, refined, stable and fast. My three Labradors love it too, as there is plenty of room in the boot! EVs are not for everyone, especially if you can’t charge at home but if you can they make a lot of sense, for some people at least.

That is useful to know Pete ?

Doh ?. Better go and stand on the naughty step! Thanks for the correction.

Dirk, a classic shot of your Panther in a banked turn out over the sea, one for the photo album. ❤️ Yes I agree, ‘floppy wings’ best avoided Andy! I used carbon strips let into my EPS Firebrand wings for reinforcement.

Well done, just brilliant guys. Looks like you had the weather on your side too.? Did the Skyvan fly, I would be interested to hear how it performed? I used to fly the Shorts SD330 (full sized) which was a rather similar design with it's short-coupled boxy fuselage, high A/R, and twin rudders. Not a combination 'built in heaven' when it came to handling in challenging conditions! ?

Latest project:- Blackburn Firebrand in build…

Like you say Matt, for a one off probably best to have your cores professionally cut (another vote for Cloud Models). A hot- wire cutter is not too difficult to make but a bit of a faff. You also need to make a cutting guide to chop the foam into blocks.

Tom, so sorry to hear of the demise of your Jodel on it's maiden - unlucky. ?. It seems the choice is to press on with the rebuild or go for the Sarik Hobbies, Duncan Hutson designed, short kit? You could always buy just the plan for now to see what the build entails. At least there is a cowl and canopy available too. https://www.sarikhobbies.com/product/jodel-d112-68/ Pity the DB Sport and Scale kit is out of stock, I guess they are prioritising the more mainstream designs that sell?

Hi Trevor, I thought you were building the Flair EE Lightening until I googled Flair Super Lightening. Doh! Anyhow it looks like a very nice looking model and do post a photo here when you have her finished and good luck with the maiden. ?