Jon Laughton

I started off trying to use fingers and thumbs as advised by my instructor but as I have small hands with short fingers I found this to be very uncomfortable. I agree with those who say that using more than just thumbs gives more precise control and to be honest when I am checking things out on the ground say before a flight, I do notice the little unintentional elevator and rudder deflections when I move my mode two sticks up and down. I guess that's why I will never enter the Nats! Jon

Great stuff - you only live once (hopefully long) and you cant take it with you! She can't take the shoes with her either..... Hope the frying pan doenst hurt too much!

John - good idea I hadn't thought of that! I was getting frustrated.... Doh! Jon

Thank you John - actually I did read it all when I forst found it before your message here! The email link is no longer valid......I should have pointed that out in my second message Upshot - still no nearer finding a club or shops here in Melaka

Thanks Guys - I had already found the first link but it doesnt have anything for Melaka and the second link is for shops that are about 2.5 hours away by car (unfrotunately)

Hi Anyone know of the location of RC shops and / or model flying clubs in Melaka (Malacca) Malaysia? I'm going to be working out there for a while and wondered if there was some way to indulge myself? Thanks Jon

If you want an non see through (opaque) but good looking canopy, very lightly abraid the inside surface, clean, apply permanent black marker ink (using a new chisel tip marker is best) to the abraded surface then paint over with humbrol silver. As the marker creates striations that are not even in the desity of the black colour applied this 'mixes' in withm the silver enamel to create a slightly 'textured effect' that is quite appealing and also unusual. Viewed from outside it looks professional....kind of composite looking

I have just completed the assembly of a Mpx Dogfighter and as I have fitted the optional servo for the rudder the c of g needs to come forward about 5mm even with the LiPo pushed as far forward as possible (without carving foam). I am thinking of replacing the very dodgy looking Elapor spinner with an alloy one and folding props. This will help with the appearance and the c of g! The motor is the stock one supplied with the ready for radio kit. Does anyone have any recommendations for an alloy spinner / folding prop combination to suit this model please? Details of suppliers would also be useful although I have already emailed the usual suspects...! Pic of model will be uploaded to the pics in my profile if anyone is interested: I used decals from the RAF scheme supplied but without the horrible green camouflage 'bits' - I think it looks good with the dayglo tips and top cowl... Jon

Del   You did not cause any offence; your own experiences are perfectly valid and useful to know! I wanted to try and make sure there was a clearer perspective from my point of view that's all.   Thanks for the info on your models: building a Taylor Spitfire and giving it away seems to have been above and beyond the call of duty though! Happy Building......   Jon @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

John   That is just crazy! The result of meddling by busybody governmental nitwits and incompetent civil servants i suppose.....oh for some ministers who actually have some real world experience other than law or finance or trades union hierarchy.   Good luck with the move - I don't envy you!   Jon @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Hello   On a recent business trip to Singapore I purchased a data logger by EagleTree Electronics to record telemetry in r/c models and I intend to put it into a Sebart Katana 50 (I/C powered) which has two detachable wings   I have yet to read the details that came in PDFs on a CD ROM that came with the gear and will wait to fully understand how to install it properly before I commit to any actual installation particularly (but not exclusively) the pitot tube that is supposed to be incorporated into a wing leading edge..   Does anybody out there have any experience / advice regarding the installation of the various probes / sensors etc?   Many thanks   Jon @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); @import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); Posted by Del Wheatley on 02/02/2012 21:37:37: I 'm a city and guilds qualified mechanic and have never had to show any paperwork purley because my father had a reputation for being the best so just my name opened any door i needed opened and now my own reputation guarantees a job,i've even had companies create positions to fit me in. in my experiences i've seen that the more letters people have after their name the worse they are at the practical side of things and usually end up sacked within a month.It seems theres a huge difference between learning what the book says and converting it into an actual useable skill. Del, Well I have quite a few letters after my name as no doubt do quite a few other contributors to this debate / readers of RCME yet I have managed the practicalities of building and flying safely somethings that are complicated enough to be covered an an Air Navigation Order - oh and I have successfully run some very complicated aerospace design & build manufacturing businesses! On the basis of your comments I should be looking over my shoulder for the dreaded 'tap'!   After 32+ years in industry leadership roles I have both identical and completely contradictory experiences to you. I have come across many 'time served' individuals who's skills were limited if not very poor, yet closed shop mentalities from Unions and closed minds of management did nothing to resolve that and probably still don't. Equally I have known superb practical engineers who were classed as 'semi skilled' or even unskilled and in one particular case a true philosopher whose day job was to sweep the floor...then there are the many managers who were completely clueless irrespective of whether they had qualifications or not - this being due to them being unable to differentiate the need to lead (not manage) people and manage (not lead) processes!   I come back to my original point: it's not what's in the tin it's what's inside that is most important or put another way dont' judge books by their covers nor make sweeping unsupportable generalisations about complex human beings....   By the way just checked your profile - what is the model that you are building in the photos?   Jon @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Tim   Its a personal preference but although I am a Futuaba diehard I have used Spektrum transmitters quite a lot when I was learning to fly and I found the ratchet on the sticks too light and with less feel than all the other transmitters I have flown with? I believe this can modified though?   Jon @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Simple thought, apart from the technical capabilities of the various contenders - get your mate to go and hold / twiddle with the various different t/x s; ergonomics may come into play more than he realises - also the cost of r/x s is something to bear in mind (I am a Futaba man and I know this now - too late!)   Jon @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

I obtained a science degree over thirty years ago because a/ I wanted to experience University, b/ Tuition fees back then were paid for by the LEA and I could get a full grant and c/ I realised it would help me get a job and it did! How much things have changed for the worse as a consequence of a lack of a national industrial strategy and meddlesome social engineering by the perfidious Blair & Co!   Since then I have enjoyed a good career running aerospace businesses and quickly came to realise that those who did a good old proper apprenticeship before studying for a degree on a part time basis were far better qualified than me....! I have also come across truly talented people who have no formal qualifications but whose worth as human beings is immeasurable - this to me is much more important than letters after a name   I (selfishly) did a Masters at a business school in my forties because the subject interested me and I thoroughly enjoyed the rigour of learning at that level. It too has helped me in my career especially since I started my own company....I may even take it a stage further but again that would be for purely selfish reasons!   I was 'recognised' by the RAeS for my career efforts with a Fellowship which looks good on paper but has no real value other than pleasing my very aged mother (& me)!   The upshot of all this is that qualifications are just paper its what one does that counts: as Rudyard Kipling so ably put it: "If you can walk with Kings, nor lose the common touch ....... you will be a Man my son".   Jon @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Good thinking - I will measure up and have a chat with the nice people at Carbon Copy UK!@import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Hi David   I am presently away on business so cannot confirm the picture on the top of the box until I get back but it does sound familiar. I only had a quick look as I smuggled it quickly away from the prying eyes of SWMBO...!   I plan to cover with polyester film or something similar so no painting....not decided on a scheme as yet but I will try for something modern yet useful for confirming orientation when flying.   Thanks for the info re the U/C I will take that on board.   Cheers   Jon

Thanks Chris will do that!@import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Hi David,   Thanks again and yes you can come and fly it when it is built! I am Chairman of the Oldham & District Club so you will have to venture 'oop North'! We always welcome guests and we hope to be moving to a (better) new flying location in the Spring / early summer. Of course I cannot vouch for the weather......   I will be going to the Weston Park show in June - if you go perhaps we could meet up for a chat?   I ought to point out that I work abroad extensively therefore building comes second to the Missus and then flying but I plan to have it ready to go this year, all being well. I will try to remember to post some pics and progress reports here for you to view / comment upon. I also ought to point out that I am clearly not such an esteemed flyer as yourself - flying inverted is something I only do with plenty of height to avoid the obvious tendency to pull back in panic on the elevator and then regret it! But well done on shutting up DB!   Did you build the models that you flew or were they built for you? Also if you have any specific lightening tips feel free to pass them on e.g. lightening holes in the foam wing or other parts etc?   By the way I was hoping to get my hands on a coloured anodised Spinner for this model as I want to make it look as good as my meagre skills will allow but I am struggling to find a source in the UK - do you know of anywhere?   Jon    

@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); @import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css); Thanks David - you seem to be the perfect person to communicate with on this!   I tried to locate a website for the model manufacturer and came up blank - now I understand why....   I have read on another forum that the CAP 21 can have a tendency to snap - is this something you found when flying it?   I appreciate your comments on building light and also the glassing of the internal area around the U/C so thanks again. If there are any other tips you recall then do post them here.   By the way do you have any pics of the model you can (scan & post here?   Jon   PS Don't remember the Sandown runway - I live in the NW. Our flying patch is grass & can get heavy in the wet weather but I expect the model will be able to cope with that?

Well I ticked 'Bit messy' as the hangar doubles as a general workshop and also storage for the lawn mower, garden tools and a miscellany of other stuff for outdoors etc. I am also a magpie when it comes to anything that could be construed as 'useful' - hence the electrical motor I stripped out of a tumble dryer 20 years ago that I was going to turn into a woodworking lathe....!   The hangar was once allegedly a garage but as it was built in the early 1970s you would be hard pressed to get a modern car in and open the door....   It also used to be 35% longer but the commander in chief dictated that an extended kitchen was the order of the day ten years ago and now I have to do more in less...who I am to argue with her?   I have a very large general engineering tool box with roller drawers for all my general DIY tools (except the large electrical saws). The drawers are lined with foam CNC cut-outs for each hand tool; yes even those handed down by my Dad from years ago and the tacky tools I bought as a young man when I had even less money and could only afford cheap! This helps but as I have bought newer tools I need to reorganise and get some foam recut!   I have the same (but smaller) arrangement for my modelling tools - three drawers only and I have run out of space so am looking to increase this arrangement in the near future. The work bench is self made from timber and is very strong with under bench storage for RC equipment / parts / field kit etc.   I could really do with getting rid of all the garden stuff but that's not possible. If there was a suitably secure small workshop unit nearby I would rent that but there isn't so I will just have to keep on trying to keep things tidy....   I suggested to Graham Asby last year that RCME run a series of articles on best workshop design and reading this thread I even more convinced that this would be a good idea.... over to you David to have a word with the great man!   Jon     @import url(http://www.modelflying.co.uk/CuteEditor_Files/Style/SyntaxHighlighter.css);@import url(/CuteEditor_Files/public_forums.css);

Hi   I have bought this kit second hand but unstarted from a good friend; I am not sure of its vintage. Looking in the box all seems great - I plan to power it with an OS 160 two stroke with internal muffler and plan to commence the build in Spring.   If anyone has experience of building and flying this model I would appreciate any advice on offer...   Thanks   Jon