toto

OK ......... In the shed ....... here is what I have in my armoury for today .... so far. First up ..... the all important dremmel .... a selection of various types of potential stiffeners from cocktail sticks .... upwards .... some glues ... but no Gorilla brown .... some epoxy if favoured ..... some micropore ...... and to give you an idea of the sectional sises of the wooden sticks ..... and the areas that I intend to utilise the micropore for .... and the other side .... I would also like to fill in the slots where the wing hinges previously were ..... and ..... I'd fill these in as using the fresh areas of foam in between, may weaken the entire edge of the foam. so my intention is to cut the fresh slots for the new hinges and fill in between as I go. I'll have to think what I will use to do that. maybe just neat epoxy itself as when it hardens, it will be as good as anything. I will be spending about 10 minutes before starting to think out my plan of action but think I will start with drilling a couple of holes through the plastic former along the wings length to insert the wooden strengthening sticks. So ...... if you want to chip in telling me why this approach is wrong ..... better make it fast. now ..... for a coffee and a ponder. cheers toto

Hi Ron, I have gorilla glue but can't remember if it's the brown variation. I'd need to check. If not ..... it may need to be epoxy. I'll probably post up what I have when I hit the shed in a wee while. Drinking copious amounts of coffee whilst trying to come to and contemplate a shower at the moment. Nothing ever happens fast on a Sunday unless I'm getting ready for a flying session. Cheers Toto

OK... I don't have carbon rod / strip at hand. I did have a bit kindly donated by a club member some time ago but I've stored it " somewhere safe ". So .... I think I'm going to go with this idea....... Bore a couple of holes through the plastic end joiner up through the middle of the wing and insert cocktail sticks impregnated with 2 part epoxy. Put a thin layer of micropore to cover the external ( previously made ) joints and apply a layer of thin foam friendly cyno. Also apply some micropore along the join between the foam and the plastic where it joins and again, apply some Cyno. What do you think ...... Worth a bash ? Toto

I like the idea of using the micropore tape to reinforce the plastic to foam joint as the break is in that region and ... to me... its the most vulnerable point. I may just nip out for some of that. I do have cocktail sticks at hand as well. Heating up epoxy just to get it a bit more viscose and making it easier to place ( hopefully without leaving a goey mess ) also sounds good to get maximum penetration into the joint and the foams honeycombed like nature. I may just at least have a reccy overthe job and see if I can come up with a planned approach to doing a decent fix. Thanks for the ideas grumpy. Toto

Not nice at all today ...... overcast and a bit blowy. Don't feel so bad about not having a flying window. I'll get the Cub packed away into the shed now. I stored the batteries in the shed last night as if they went up in the car for any reason, I'd imagine it would be a case of insurance is void. Which leaves me with the dilemma of how I'm going to entertain myself today. If I'm seen to be at a loose end , SWMBO may well try to resolve that. Hmmmmm I had a bit of carbon rod given to me some time ago that would have let me attempt the repair on the Beavers horizontal Stabilisor but can't for the life of me find where I put it so that's out. Not that my confidence is that high in undertaking the repair anyway but I might have given it a bash. I think I may use the link provided earlier to buy a few lengths for future requirements. I'll visit the site again anyway. So for now, it looks like something to eat and then ...... make myself look busy before SWMBO takes advantage. Hope others are having a more fruitful day of flying. Cheers Toto

Hi chaps, Back from the field a bit earlier than expected. Nice sunny weather but was windy ..... too windy. Around 20 - 25 mph. I got a flight in with relatively calm conditions then the wind picked up. I done a second in the wind and landed early as somehow my rates were not kicking in when I tried to reduce from 100% to 60 %. Somehow the settings must have been upset. Took off again with 60% rates and all was good. Done my third landing of the day and my mentor decided to take his Savage Bobber up. The Bobber took the wind conditions quire well but a dead stick forced a premature landing for him. By this time the wind was picking up further so we decided to call it a day rather than risk the models. Still a good day but just a little shorter than expected. No big deal ...... here's to next weekend. Toto

Yes ...... its looking good. Car packed and ready to go. Just need to pick up a lunch from the shops on the way and I'm all set. Hoping this is the start of a nice spring / summer with loads of regular stick time. Have a great day all Toto

So ..... here we are again ..... Friday .... the weather has been favourable for most of the week with some lovely blue skies .... albeit with a degree of light wind. Battery charging duties are complete with my tranny's being done last night and Lipo's the night before. A quick look over my Supercub and all is good. Wind forward to Saturday morning ..... what are we going to get ? So far all is good. I have a date for eleven o'clock at the East Fortune flying field with my mentor, Cub and no less than eight suitable battery packs ....... the big question is ..... how many will I get to use. Circuits, circles, figure eights, aborted approaches, landings ........ the big question is ....... Will I be able to improve enough to enable a questimate as to how far I am to achieving my first attempt at a solo flight. ..... Its that challenge and mindset that forges me on and provides the target / goal I need to make me try to push myself and improve ..... we all need a goal. Stay tuned in for my field report on my success or failure. Hope you all have a great flying weekend. Toto

I did think of that. Just need some carbon rod. I'll look into it...... still a very weak joint ... given the position. Toto

I decided to go out into the shed and have another look at the Beaver damage. Took the damaged half of the horiontal stabilisor off .... leaving the undamaged half on .... here is where it broke off. Couldn't have been in a more awkward place. right beside the plastic slotty inny bit. and here it is again.... I took the hairy hinges out that I had previously tried to fit in order to start again..... and again .... its a mess ..... i need to bridge that split with something to strengthen the join ..... and once thats done ..... refit some new hinges in the fresh area along both edges avoiding the previous hinge slots. the red tape marks the spot for the new hinges to be slotted into the wing. Thats where I am for now ....... nothing to lose by trying the repair. If its not good then I will await the new part to come toto

Hi grumpy, apologies missed your post there. I may try my mentor and see what he thinks. just a little bit reluctant to hit him with any more really. His time on flying is already a big commitment I feel. toto

I have managed to source a horizontal stabilisor from Hobbyland and they have taken my order based on UK shipping with no issue. lets see if this one makes it through and how long it takes. hopefully not just pouring good money after bad. I just want to have the model airworthy again. fingers crossed. toto

Which is fine if you are confident enough to do the fix. I made a bit of a dogs dinner of trying before and whilst still having the original parts, suspect it's beyond repair. .... at least by me anyway. Cheers Toto

The Beaver is a lovely big model and flys off 6s's. Nice weight so does not get pushed around in the wind so much. I still maintain the horizontal stabilisor was flawed as it gave up a few feet in the air prior to landing. Not much point chasing FMS or the dealer on it though as the spares just aren't available in the UK. I have replacement dubro wheels for it as the stock items are brick hard and the undercarriage is as soft as cheese and always bends no matter how good the landing. The inflatables will help with that but I'm not wasting time fitting them until I am sure that she will be able to fly again. FMS need a good stiff kicking in my opinion...... maybe a Scottish attitude problem though. Toto

Repairs ..... hmmmmm ..... Resist I shall try ..... Still awaiting the release of a horizontal stabilisor for an other wise perfect FMS Beaver ...... that's nearly a year now ..... not impressed with the FMS spares availability at all. .... so far a waste of nearly £ 500.00 I still live and hope. Toto

Fair ..... and probably sensible suggestion. My Otter is in the way at the moment though so maybe just a case of dismantling the wings and placing on an available rack space. Keep the supercub on the stand instead. Can't speak highly enough of the supercub ..... especially for beginners ....... in my opinion. Never gave space enough real though when I was in accumulating mode. Still ..... plenty replacement models when one inevitably bites the dust. They'll all keep. Toto

Hi Nigel, It maybe depends on where you buy it. I dare say they will be getting cloned as well. I usually buy from Axminster tools who are a dealer for Proxxon from memory. I have the table saw, pillar drill and foam cutter. As well as a blow torch and mini hand saw. All have been pretty good. Like most other brands you have to watch the " fences " as they are maybe not 100% stable but in my opinion ...... better than most. Expensive but pretty good. Toto

It's also been about space as well. Just not enough to have several projects on the go at any one time. Maybe a good thing in my case or there would be more models than I am actually ready to fly. Sort of keeps a semi sensible lid on things. Must admit though, I am more than happy to stand by my supercub at the moment whilst I learn. A great model. Toto

So ........ as I concentrate on my flying .... a couple of projects have taken a back seat as there is no realistic opportunity to use them. But ..... they have not been forgotten. first up ...... the Twin Otter built ... initial testing and some settings in the TX ...... will require a full update to test settings and exchange between my NX8 and NX6 for buddying. Not likely to happen until I have attained solo ..... and flew the hell out of my current trainer ...... the PA 18 supercub .... ( great model ). Next up ....... My Tiger 3 from Phoenix models ..... I had issues with this getting the control rods to align without severe stress ( in terms of routing between servo and control surface ) So butchered it ( rightly or wrongly ) in order to improve the lineage. and ..... so I need to revisit this and install the rods etc and get it working smoothly with the stress before recovering it. I have oracover stuff of the correct colours to do that. lately, I have not had the time or inclination to do either ..... but now the lighter nights are coming in I am getting my enthusiasm back to do both. So these projects shall be revived in their respective build ( ahem ) assembly posts. Spring summer is here. toto

And still worth the post. We all seem to experience different situations and I'm glad to hear all. thanks for the post. toto

In the shed ..... Batteries on charge ..... 4 no ... John Smiths in hand ..... 2 no ... Toto ..... 1 no ...

Another for Proxxon ..... Great tools. Toto

I may have to do them tonight as on Friday ( my usual battery maintainable night before flying the Saturday ) I'm already committed to a " wedding speech " night ahead of my daughters June wedding. I don't want to leave it until tomorrow night if it can be avoided because although it's free, things are constantly changing at the moment and I don't want to be caught out. We'll see Toto

Well back from Sellafield today. Was going to charge the four batteries that I depleted at the weekend but maybe a bit early. They will only start dropping their levels again before Saturday so may as well leave them to nearer the time. Can't really be bothered doing anything more strenuous than that even though there are other things I could be doing. Here's to the weekend. Toto

Hi Grumpy, I have the A test downloaded and in my flightfolder, it's just been a while since I've studied it. I'll need to revisit it ..... several times ...... before I book to sit it. Likewise with Article 16 to prepare for any questions asked. I believe that if you take the theory test on line and can demonstrate to the examiner on the day that you have passed it, then any questions are restricted to you site specific safety protocols. I may of course have misunderstood that but I'll make sure that I have done the required swatting before hand anyway. Toto