David Hodgson

Posted by Rentman on 24/05/2012 23:46:48: Back in the days of 2 channel radio's (27MHz, remember them?) they were all mode 1. Hobsons choice. So I suppose if you were brought up on the old 2 channel stuff you were taught mode 1. Horizon made a 2 channel 27mhz single stick set. It was my first radio (1971) before moving on to 4 channel (or full house as it was known then) Swan set I went mode 2 as was flying full size gliders at the time. Learnt to fly mode 1 as well and also primary controls on left stick but still prefer mode 2. Mode 1 was very popular back when Hanno P dominated the model flying world and many copied him with mode 1.

I'm about to start building a Limbo Dancer from plan followed by a large (90" span) Decathlon which is part plan /part own design. If weather is nice I'll go fly my ARTFs, when is not creating a hosepipe ban I will escape to the workshop. Either way I'm happy. Edited By David Hodgson on 26/04/2012 15:02:45

Posted by Ben B on 26/04/2012 10:32:06: As recently discussed though, fuel is more expensive now. I was reading the Ian Peacock book on airbrushing (1983 vintage) and in that he says a gallon of fuel was expensive at £5 (equivalent now of £13). If only Yes but back then we saw no reason (still dont) to use anything more than 5% nitro castor based fuel which is still not much more expensive in comparison.

Its certainly a lot cheaper than it used to be and compared to other sports. I bought my first 60 size engine back in 1975. Cost me £40 for an HP 61. I had to spend all winter pumping petrol (yep, no self service then) for £5 a day to save up for it. Few weeks ago a bought a new SC 52 for £62. Not going to say what my daily wage is now but its a lot more than £5. Now compared modeling to wife/daughter sport which is horses. Livery bill per month is around £300. Shoes for horses is £136 every 5 weeks. She has a £18,000 horsebox to transport them. Competition fees you can write of £80 minimum every time they go out. The list goes on and on. Then my sons previous sport - kart racing. He would race twice a month and I worked out we were spending around £800 a month just to compete. That doesn't include buying the caravan (all weekend race meets), fuel to get to races etc. Yep, this is a pretty cheap sport. What really brings home tome how much cheaper this is now is when you look back at the amount of equipment we used to have compared to today. Back then you had 1 receiver and 1 set of servos, probably 2 or 3 engines at most (.20, .40. 60).  These got swapped to what ever model you wanted to fly that weekend.  Now pretty much every model in the shed will have its own motor and radio gear. Edited By David Hodgson on 26/04/2012 08:53:54

Posted by Paul Marsh on 08/04/2012 11:33:16: Please remember the golden rule: "Only r/c modeling related items allowed" I don't think teddies are modeling related - unless , as I've done, use them for pilots! But shouldn't everyone have a teddy in their flight box. handy for throwing out when annoyed.

Posted by Tony Read on 04/04/2012 17:22:27: Thanks guys! Just tried it and all is well. Is the on-line manual more useful than the paper one? I find the paper somewhat lacking. No, its the same manual. I just used it as my paper copy was at home and I wanted to be sure I wasn't giving you false info.

Posted by Codename-John on 04/04/2012 14:33:08: Why is that David ? Ive got a 3 year old 46LA that gets started plenty of times with an electric starter and its fine Just my experience of running plain bearing motors and finding they wear faster when started this way. Also found that as the bearing wears the crankshaft can be forced in to the back plate. All that said I start my lads 40LA by hand and can do it faster than than it takes to get hold of the starter.

As frank says, just swap the two leads in to reciever over and you will then be able to get the correct operating sense.

A big fat ZERO. I feel left out. If anyone happens to have a kit of the PFM Cap 21 (large one) I would happily take it off their hands.

If you intend to start your engine using an electric starter then I would avoid the OS LA series. Edited By David Hodgson on 04/04/2012 13:16:12

Just checked manual on line. and yes you do need to select elevon in wing type. Ignore tail type as this would only be used if you had ailerons on the wing and a V tail. Edited By David Hodgson on 04/04/2012 13:05:59 Edited By David Hodgson on 04/04/2012 13:08:27 Edited By David Hodgson on 04/04/2012 13:09:03

IIRC you have to set wing type to elevon. I'll check when I get home if this hasn't been answered already.

I would agree with you in as much that a stall can not be discussed as something as simple as angle of attack. G is very important and as you say, the higher the g the higher the stall speed will be compared to 1 g. That said to pull the increased g you are generally also increasing the angle of attack. A classic case would be a high speed entry to flick manouver. Rapid elevator movement can cause a significant change in angle of attack without a huge increase in g but still stall the wing.

Thanks Adrian, I was a little worried about the quality of build given how cheap (even at full price) the model is compared to others of the same size. Guess i dont need to worry. I have the full setup from my re-kitted EF Yak54 sitting on the bench including 50cc petrol. Actually thats not strictly true, the radio components (servos, receiver and batts) have been installed in the 57" Goldwing MX2 just to make sure they are 100% before fitting in to a big model. Would rather trash the MX than a new new 50cc job. These items desperately need a home and liked the look (and price) of the SS Sbach. I guess my mind is now made up. PS does it have a tunnel for cannister or have the room to make a tunnel?

Anyone had any experience of the Slipstream Sbach 50cc model? Particularly interested in the build quaility.   Edited By David Ashby on 02/04/2012 13:37:44

Thanks for the reply. I've had a look on there but no info for this model. Ah well, will just set CG to 35% with 3 different rates/expo and wing it.

If you have seperate flaps and ailerons the best method is crow brake. Flaps down, ailerons up.

Should have said its the 57" version. Control throw info would also be useful. thanks

Hi, recently got hold of a second hand Goldwing MX2. Anyone got / had one? Looking for info on CofG and also i.c engine size recommendations for 3D style flying   Edited By David Hodgson on 01/04/2012 05:28:28

Hi Rob, When asking if a certain engine will power the plane you really need to define what sort of flying you intend to do. Back in my day (80's) the hot pattern ships were flown with .60 engines. These models weighed between 9lbs and 10lbs with a wing span of around 65 inches. They flew all aerobatic manouvers required. Now fast forward to modern times. In my humble opinion most of the models I see at the flying field are over powered. This is due to the trend of assuming everyone wants to do 3d, prophang then pull away straight up from standstill. So if you really intend to do this sort of 3d flying then the 55 probably wont do the job. However if you want to do the sort of flying (normal aerobatics) that most peeps do then I will go against the grain and say it most likely will be fine on the 55.

Thanks. Not as expensive as I expected.

Any UK suppliers?

Anybody have experience of this plane? Good, bad, indifferent?

200km is an easy flight. Current solo UK record is over 1000km set by Russel Cheetham in an ASW22 about 5 years ago. As far as I know he is still the only person to have flown a 1000km in the UK. Trouble is we run out of island. It took him over 12 hours. BTW it was his ASW 28 I was flying. I used to crew for him at comps and he let me play with it as a thankyou.

Best tip is relax and enjoy. Not sure you would get your CC endorsment as this requires you to have your bonze C before hand. Possible but some serious revising for the exam required. If the club has a motor glider try and get some time in that practicing field landings. Trust me, the first time you have to land out you will be glad you did. What club are you doing your course at?