Flying Squirrel

While I'm writing my letter to santa I have a question, - whats the difference in the performance of 2 x 3s 2200 vs 1 x 4s 3300? And ultimately whats better for a reletivly new flyer? A summary of prop and motor for each would also help although I'm sure that info is elswere in the thread. Thanks 🙂

Saw this and thought it may explain things, just swap out sewing machines for plane stuff..

Hi Richard - I did put my name in the hat but you have Flying Squirrel down as Steve above - That's not me! I'm pretty new so don't think you have my details...It's Neil btw I'll PM you It was for a 190 please 🙂

Another relative newbie convinced, put me down for a 190 please 🙂

May only be a semi-colon now if he's been that with the bananas...

Well it arrived, no issues but not good enough for me tbh, I'll try and stick to UK shops. They have after all served me well over the last couple of years.

OK, so main struts, jury struts and some diagonal bracing added and she feels much more robust. However, there's no target weight that I can see and she's coming in at 1500g - do you think the planned Saito 40FA will be enough? PS weight includes 4 cell nicad, empty tank, servos, engine prop but obviously not the covering or some control surfaces/cables

Well, a week later order is still 'Processing'......UK stock my ar$e! At least it firms up my initial thoughts that sticking with UK based hobby shops is the right thing to do.

I had the same email and experience here although the inquisitive side of me took over and I bought it, will let you know if it arrives!!

In all honesty probably not a lot, it looks pretty darn good. I can't see what power train it should have (or the modern equivalent) but maybe if the wings were EPP or something the veneer wouldn't be necessary. Maybe include or make available a 'hints and tips' page that could cover things like finishing? Sorry, not very helpful!

Sure, I am new to this so any info is from this perspective only. Just for context, I'm not young, nearer 50 than 40 but have always had interest in pretty much anything RC, Aeroplanes being the most difficult for me as I never seemed to either have the time or finances to dedicate to it properly, I did dabble a bit with some 'bixler' type models but without a decent site or any training it was pretty futile. Roll on up to a couple years ago, kids were getting older, money a little easier to come by and so I joined a club, learnt to fly using ARTF aircraft and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I still do, but I also got the itch to build something, I'm a pretty practical person and like hands on so I bought a short kit of a cub from Sarik....OK so turns out it wasn't as easy as I expected and I needed a lot of pointers from the forum on THIS thread. I know people will say that's not the right kit for a beginner, and it's not, but I couldn't find any thing else that appealed to me, I wanted.....Something that took some thinking about to build......A scale model as appose to a sport 'fictional' model....... something in the 1500mm span range for storage and transportation.....something that I could put my own 'touch' too and it ticked those boxes. The main issues I had building were the units all being in imperial, not a great deal of detail on the plans and my lack of knowledge of building techniques, I think the latter is the most relevant, in my very average club there are not that many builders so skills just don't get passed on, thank god for youtube and forums like this. Even though I have enjoyed building it and I've learnt a great deal along the way I don't think I'd rush to do another, it just tied up to much time, maybe when I retire I will. Another thing I found difficult was sourcing the various ancillaries, tubes, rods, wheels etc etc...again, I know that's to be expected with a kit like this but it was a pitfall for me. As I've said in a previous post, I've now got a Stan Yeo 'character scale' chipmunk to start on, I think I paid around 130£ and my overwhelming thought opening the box was 'what great value for money' , it has over 200 parts to it that include a vac formed cowl and cockpit, wheels, pre formed undercarriage, laser cut parts, hardware, cut balsa etc and it all feels great quality. The plans are very clear and the build looks much simpler, it also looks like it should be pretty robust. The power train also uses readily available and low cost parts, a 3542 type motor and esc and 3s 2200mah batteries that I already have but are available pretty cheaply. Despite having the Chippy to build next I still have that itch for an 'almost' proper warbird, nothing too fancy or finicky, just something that looks good in ANY finish and not an ARTF foamy. I've looked at the funfighters and although they tick many of the boxes they are simply too fast for what I want, yes I'd like something that can go flat out occasionally but I'd also like something that can cruise around looking pretty, maybe the odd strafing run while going yakkityyakittyyak in my head.... Boxes I'd like ticked? Reasonable scale detail Value for money, doesn't have to be super cheap but would have to include much of whats needed sub £200 would be ideal (exc power train and radio of course. Don't forget, if you can keep the cost nearer birthday or Christmas present range you'll widen the market some more 😉 Simple build with a mix of foam curves and built up balsa, no 'intricate' parts to have to deal with, maybe foam wings/tail sections with balsa/ply fuse. Replacement foam parts available, ie wings. 1500mm ish span 3s power train with option for 4s for the speed freaks. Fairly robust, doesn't need to be bomb proof but not made to punish any less than perfect landings Not the feeling of being frowned upon if it doesn't get finished with scale colour schemes! The option to built another similar model from the same 'series' would be great. Sorry, bit waffly but hope that gives some insight on a newbies experience, maybe I'm not your target audience, or maybe I am? Don't forget, newbies don't have to be youngsters, it's just not a youngsters game IMO.

Hmm, hope I can get this across in the right way.. There's a distinct theme running right through this (very interesting) thread that's alienating many potential buyers and that's that the finished article absolutely must resemble a traditional warbird, that's not what everybody wants in a model like this. look at Trevors? example, it's simply beautiful and no, you couldn't just use 'any old sport plane' for that type of finish, it just wouldn't work. Personally I love warbirds, be that as scale WWII or 'Reno racer style' and indicating that anybody that doesn't do a 'Camo' finish is the scum of the earth rights off about 50% of your sales straight off the bat. And newbie builders aren't a thing of the past, we're right here 🙂 trying to finish a model a that's proved a challenge before moving on to a much simpler (i hope) Stan Yeo chipmunk.. Just my opinion, not meant as a rant

If it's not cheap but builds in to a great looking foamy that you could just buy 'off the shelf' what's the point? Your not going to tempt the hobbyking generation in my view. There are many people out there that would love to 'build' something but don't have the time, space or tools for a full traditional build.

Personally, I feel if it was mainly foam it would need to be VERY cheap to tempt anybody away from either end of the scale, ie those that have a preference for foam ARTFs as well as those that prefer a more traditional build, some 'middle ground required IMO. Foam wings and empennage, balsa/built up fuz and preformed cowl etc would suit me.

Grain direction can also play a part both in cutting/sanding and adding strength to a model

I did use separate sections of tube in the centre as I thought I'd struggle lining things up but I can pass piano wire straight through easily, go figure. It does feel a little 'flimsy' but as I don't have a target weight I've been reluctant to add too much away from the plan. I think once I've progressed a little further I'll put some more detailed pictures up and seek opinions.

Yeah I'm not sure about the riblets, I actually broke a couple during the build but as they were beyond the sheeting I didn't worry too much. I Need to figure out a way to fix the Jury struts to the 18swg wire as it's only balsa clad, perhaps some form of brass 'tab'?

Thanks, that's very helpful as I was imagining a much more complex affair.

Thanks, I'll get the next few bits done and see what it's like. I'm using the ripmax covering on this one.

WR?

The short sections are just temporary and will be replaced, I thought it would help get things lined up. I will fit the jury struts then. I understand your fixing method to the wing but how to fix them to the 18SWG main struts, I guess it needs to be 'rigid' if the top section is push fit? Sorry, still new at this building game.

VQ Cessna 188?

Its a two piece wing, each wing has two 16swg 'dowels' with corresponding brass tube in the centre section (short sections at present). The fixing is a 6mm nylon bolt on to threaded plywood. Pretty sure it's all to plan but I'm not too comfortable with the strength but assume this will improve greatly once the struts are fixed in place?

Just thought I'd update this with a picture......and ask a question! I'm finally getting around to bringing this model together and one part I'm not sure on is the jury struts. On a model this size (1/6 ish) are they necesary? The wings, although not finished, don't fill me with confidence strength wise. Without wishing to upset the purists, I'm not fussed about scale appearance and only want to add them A) if there is a simple way and B) If they add value strength wise. If it helps the main strusts are 18 swg and balsa clad with flattened tube brass ends. Opinions please? Getting there.....

+1 for this, I've just received a rather lovely chipmunk kit from Stan and the value for money is amazing. Stan also called and emailed during the process, nice chap.