toto

Thanks for that Cuban8. I'm just back in from the flying field as I type so ...... time for a copy ..... sit back with some popcorn ...... and immerse myself. Many thanks Toto

Thanks for the above. The kit destructions certainly show the construction of the cowl in quite a fancy but easy to build balsa. It looks really good. I'll look at the various options as gratefully received from the above. I'll hunt out some examples from the net on the various techniques where available. When I saw it was balsa, fuel proofing was the first thing that made me " look twice " as I though, mmmmm, that could be an issue. I think in reading the above, the options ( once I'm happy they would fall in with any necessity to fuel proof ) will be either the two tone painted version or some kind of aluminium imitation. I think the timber look has now been put to bed. Many thanks Toto

Thanks KC, It appears that there ie many a way to skin a rabbit. and everyone's input is welcome. It just shows how everyone develops their own successful formula as they progress in the hobby. I have a few posts to try and regurgitate as I read back through them. All helpful stuff. Toto

I'm not too familiar with glass clothing as a technique but maybe it's time to get acquainted with it. Admittedly, after my initial post I thought myself ..... what a prat .... a timber finish in a compartment that potentially houses an engine. There again, I dont suppose the manufacturer would do it if it weren't possible. Thanks for the suggestion, another new term and technique to read up on. Cheers Toto

So ...... you've built your balsa kit, let's say a nice Dancing Wings Sopworth Camel. You have a lovely balsa wood cowl ( which it does have in the kit ) and you are approaching the time to decide how to finish it. Would it look stupid if you decided to stain the balsa and finish with a Matt varnish final coat ? Would the cowl in particular always have been of some kind of formed sheet metal ? Cheers Toto

Nice link above. That looks like a pretty good shout for getting uniformity into the process. I'll have a ponder on that one. Thanks for the link. Toto

These little tips can go a long way. I think it's a good idea not to rush into the task but sit down before, assess what you are trying to achieve and conjure up a bit of a methodology before starting. Maybe some of these tips could be In clued as some kind of check list to see that you are adopting a sound approach procedure and at least giving the nest chance of success. Thanks again Toto

Very good. I like the idea of providing the strengthening blocks for the wing furniture. I'm sure the dancing wings kits will have provided for that but I'll note it down to check. They could always be added from scrap balsa or hard wood section. I have a bit of a stock that I use in other modelling hobbies / tasks. Toto

Admittedly .... you are giving me a little confidence here. Not rocket science but a skill never the less. Good photographs like these always help as if you can see / picture what folks are trying to explain, it helps ten fold. Thank you kind Sir Toto

Neat work. I have the tools .... just require the bottle. Ha ha As you say, measure twice ( or more ) cut once with the correct, sharp tools. What could possibly go wrong. Oh yes ... and a steady hand. toto

Wow ..... a brave move .... quite a bit of cutting through every wing spar. Especially trying to maintain uniformity on every cut. Nice clear reference photo's. I'm getting the picture. Thanks for the images as they give a very clear idea of what's involved. Cheers Toto

Apologies .... the vide is a different one ..... thanks

Ahhhh, pre formed le and te .... now that may be the safer option. However, if you never try ...... you'll ever learn .... and always wonder. I will give it a try. As I said, the size of the section is not huge and it doesn't call for massive amounts of materials to come off. The video in the post above ( I think ) is the one I watched previously ( I recognise the image and will watch again later ). However, the subject matter is a larger scale and I would imagine a slightly harder job as there is more material to come off and .... 2ith the scale being so large, imperfections will be magnified accordingly. Again, many thanks for all the responses suggestions and links etc. I will do a hit of a build thread when I start this to let you see how I get on ....... " warts and all " I do have a more relaxing ARTF carbon cub to kick into shape first which will be coming soon now that my workshop has been significantly cleared for space. Cheers Toto

Yes, I did watch one video on a large scale build where the guy used a small modellers plane and sandpaper blocks to form the leading edge profile. He also used the pencilled centre line technique as mentioned. I'm just questioning my carpentry abilities in terms of accuracy. I'm pretty competent with tools etc but I must admit, there is a bit of an art in the precision of this particular task. I guess I'll just need to give it a go. I'm not sure if the leading edge section could be removed and replaced with a fresh section if I make a mess of it or just how true this needs to be ..... if reasonable is good enough not to effect the flying characteristics of the model. As far as the razor saw goes, I'm assuming we are talking of the removal of the aileron section. The picture I saw when thie was being referred to showed a guy cutting along the balsa wood wing panel using a scalpel blade. I would have thought that the aileron would have been better made as a separate section altogether rather than having to cut it from the main wing section. Maybe there is method in the madness that is a little beyond my experience / understanding at the moment. Oh well ....... in for a penny ...... in for a pound. Thanks gents Toto

I have a couple of dancing wings balsa kits and I've been looking through the instructions , as you do , to see what's involved in building these kits. They look reasonably straight forward ........ until ...... you come to shaping the leading edges and where they show that you have to cut free the aileorons from the main wing. This is a bit scary, to me anyway as there is a real chance the whole kit could be ruined if you get it wrong. I have been scouring utube etc trying to find build videos to see how folks have approached this to see their technique but to no avail. I am lucky in the respect that the actual size of the sections being worked on are relatively small compared with bigger large scale models so there is far less materials to be removed/ shaped but it still intimidates me somewhat. Can anybody guide me to a decent demonstration of this type of task being done ? I have not started the builds yet but would like to do so to give me a project whilst I progress my " flying lessons / training ". Thanks for any assistance Toto

Hi Jock from another newbie. Sounds .ike a similar situation. I have a couple of days training in the bag myself. No consistency really, still rough as a rag mans trumpet but with a good few more sessions, I hope to see a little improvement. I'll enjoy the journey regardless. Hope you enjoy the hobby and the forum. Cheers Toto

Hi, Does the forum ever run any competitions at all. Just something to give folks of all experience levels something to aim for. Cheers Toto

Hi At these early ages , this kind of hobby will fascinate them. Let's face it, it's a very exciting thing, even to us adults. Just keep drip feeding it into them and even tie it into family weekend type experiences. I'm sure they'll love it. As far as clubs being regimented goes, I speak from a different hut similar experience after having been involved in the model railway hobby for the last 10 to 12 years. The issue is the lack of new blood into both these hobbies. Let me qualify that by first adding that due to the potentially dangerous nature of the hobby, rules and best practice must be followed. However the hobby can be seen as being a pit stuffy and cleecky. Most older members, set in their ways and not open to change. They also tend to hold sway which prevents clubs from modernising and rejuvenating. This of course is just my experience of model railways mainly but the similarities in the demographics are very obvious. I think in order to start off in a club, you have to accept the regime and just enjoy the flying, any training and help on offer and immersing yourself in the hobby. After all, the club will have survived many years prior to you having arrived. With a bit of luck you'll find one or two like minded folks who share you're interests and ..... hey presto..... your own splinter group. I think the best chances of success are in joining a club. It could get pretty lonely and boring after a while if you try to go it alone. Cheers Toto

A bit of a let down really though. Dont think I be too impressed if I had to replace or patch the covering on a new model. As for replacing an undercarriage .... just bad bad bad. Imagine someone buying one as a first model, no experience of repairs / replacements etc .... it could ge enough to put them off altogether. They just see the shiny box with the promise of having them airborne in no time. Toto

Fat finger syndrome.

Thanks for the link. Just had a quick fly through it ( forgive the pun ). I will read through again. Seems to have given you your fair share of grief with the wing horn attachment. Good to see it was o ercome though and the end result.t won through. Cheers Toto

The field box is built. I have most of the components I need to kit it out but still await the lead acid 12v battery which has been ordered but not due into the shop until Tuesday. Booooooo. I have sanded the field box down ..... that was a job as the side drawer was way to big and was never made to fit in a hundred years. .... it's fair to say that I had to spend some time reducing both sides down a bit. I may get round to the primer coat tomorrow night with a bit of luck. A couple of light coats followed by a garnish finish. Cheers Toto

Another very nice looking hi- wing. They certainly know how to pull your strings. Is it fair to say we can expect a build thread on this ..... and maybe even a maiden. A slightly smaller 1800mm wingspan but that is still reasonable in my book. My carbon cub is the smallest RTF kit at the moment but going forward I'll be taking care to try and get the larger wingspans where possible .... well .... I'm am getting on a bit and my peepers ain't getting better, that's for sure. Thanks for posting the link up ..... another one book marked. Cheers Toto

Great to hear Paul, You are enjoying it and your expectations have been met to compensate for being departed from your hard earned cash. 203cm is a great size as far as I am concerned as I must admit, I can do with all the assistance possible to keep sight of the beggars when airborne and at a distance. I have a couple of Seagull kits myself for when I get to a suitable level of flying competence but meanwhile keep my eye open for any feedback on Seagull as a manufacturer in general. Happy flying. Toto

Seems a bit sad to break one up without at least looking at it first. There again, I can respect that it was your wife's dad so fair play. I'm new myself so appreciate what you say with regards to finding a club ( which I have done ) and securing a trainer ( which I've also managed ). I think it's all down to the distance you have to travel. I'm lucky, it's about half an hour. Reasonable in anyone's book I think. I can understand the question that looms over the commitment of the youngsters though as they can get bored with things quickly and everything you try to involve them in has one huge competitor ......... the games console ...... which can be drafted into service at the slightest whim. Personally, if it were me trying to engage a youngster in the hobby, it would not be good enough to simply let them fly. I think you would have to make sure that you develop the trust to let them get involved at every stage of the process. ...... the build, test, flight and maintainence to try and ensure they see the wider hobby. That means training them and trusting them with the supervised use of all the sharp, dangerous, potentially explosive ..... or electrifying tools and equipment. ...... and after all that ( including the expense ) ..... nothing is guaranteed. However .... having the majority of the stuff there already .... with maybe just some upgrading of radio gear ..... it could be worth the chance. There are a lot of father and son teams / relationships out there that last the test of time. Good luck to you. Cheers Toto