Piers Bowlan

I use one of these for desoldering PCBs. Works a treat 👍

Irrespective of the (reckless) decision to transpose the respective fighter/bomber formations from the 500ft/1000ft lines for whatever reason, a planned minimum vertical separation of 500ft between the two formations (at all times) would have avoided a collision. Less spectacular certainly but definitely safer in my view.

Yes, for the larger 170ml size £11.10, so half price per ltr. Looks cheap compared with the Rocket cyano we buy in those little 20g bottles;- £390 kg!

I archive all the old plans and build articles in ring binders. I have rather a lot as I have RCM&E, plus some RCMW, and RM going back about 25 years!

Surely you remove most of the material with a razor plane before you start sanding Phil? Personally I enjoy this process as it is like turning an ugly duckling into a swan!

I bought my diesel heater about three years ago. I didn’t know about running at high power before shutdown and sure enough it sooted up, resulting in a messy strip and clean. 😡 Incidentally my one came with some soft green plastic fuel piping. Problem is the bore is too large and not suitable for the pump. Bubbles in the fuel line damages the pump eventually as the fuel lubricates it. Eventually my pump failed 😞. I replaced the pump and fitted the smaller diameter hard white fuel pipe kit that is available on eBay. Not expensive and no problems since 😊.

If you use old engine oil with diesel most likely it will soot up in no time and be a very messy job to clean. I would rather pay a few extra pennies and take the old oil to the tip. But that is just me!

I thought It might be simpler to build one of these without the ‘flying boat type’ v-hull profile, which in turn would make the undercarriage simpler (and removable). On the other hand this feature does provide the model with character and without it, it might not be ‘The Little Ship’ but instead look just like another high wing trainer?

Good work Peter, looking forward to the plan. 👍 I have just dug out my Jan 2009 RCM&E plan of your enlargement 'The Big Ship'. I thought an electric version would be nice for that too and a good alternative to a Super 60.

I sometimes substitute a carbon fibre rod, in the case of strait joiners (no dihedral), as it doesn’t bend like a wire joiner, lighter too. If the fit is a little loose, I wrap a short length of sellotape or similar around the rod as a shim.

Reminds me of the definition of insanity; doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome! 🤣

The CM Mini Robot has been on my build list since it was published in RCMW June 2013. My grandson would love it (me too) so a build for the Christmas period is planned - shouldant take too long 😊. Nice looking example Nigel with a sharp scheme 😎 👍

Alternatively, do as I did on my Bowman Spatman, add .4 mm narrow strips of ply epoxied to the underside of the tips. Stops it warping or splitting in ‘an arrival’. Little weight and quick/easy to do. Weight it down on a flat surface as the epoxy dries.

I general terms, the size of tailplane is related to the length of tail and how much longitudinal stability required. i.e. long tail moment = small tailplane, short tail moment = large tailplane required. As Robin says, vintage designs with aft c of g and lifting tails tend to have large tail planes. Peter Miller’s book ‘Designing Model Aircraft’ had some guidance on this but I can’t locate my copy. 🥲

Ditto, Turbulent sold to RAM models. Presumably the plans cannot be published as they hold the copyright?

Don’t see why you need an original plan when you have a pdf. file. Any professional print shop will produce a full sized plan for you. The 2008 free plan only showed the fuselage/tailplane and left wing so get the print shop to also print you a 100% ‘mirror image’ (not ‘reverse image’ ) of the wing, Otherwise you will get a black plan with white lines and writing! I pay £4 a sheet so it should cost you about £12 for the three sheets.

Good progress Martin, great subject, following with interest. 👍

Looks like a nice quality kit Martyn, a shame MFA have long gone. Enjoying your excellent build and the all-flying tail-plane modification. I wondered where you will mount it’s servo. A nice flying aeroplane the DR400.

Are you sure Steve, the Basic 3D laser cut parts are £99 from Sarik Hobbies.

I think I now know what I want to build next! Better finish the current project(s) first! To use the immortal words of the late, great, Derek Woodward; 'Simplificate and add more lightness!'

You obviously enjoy a challenge Andy! Did you use a 3 or 4S LiPo for your electric setup?

Re-reading the article again Don, Mike said he used 'hardwood on the elevator l.e and tail plane t.e.' also 'fabric hinges to spread the load and avoid flutter' (to paraphrase). So perhaps the elevator is a weakness with this design, especially with an irvine 52 up front! Fun though 😁

This was the original article in RCM&E.

I am surprised no-one has mentioned Mike Keay's Basic 3D. Available from Sarik Hobbies as a plan, cnc parts only, or complete short kit. Has been on my build list since was printed as a free plan in RCM&E but I haven't got around to it yet. It is for IC but several builders have electrified theirs. Looks a pretty simple build.