Alan Gorham_

Kev - it wasn't an RCM&E plan! It was actually published by the BBC in a book that accompanied the TV series "Model Magic". The design was by Vic Smeed.. The book and plan seem to be out of print, but I have found that copies are available from Dericks plan site: **LINK** If you search that PDF list for Sea rider you will find this listing: Sea Rider by Vic Smeed 30” frigate for BBC Model World program PRICE F Hope that helps (and yes I had that plan as a kid!)

It's an Ol' Blue Nose!

Mine has an OS40 Surpass and to me it's ideal. not overpowered, but not underpowered either. I had to fit my Rx battery under the engine to get the CG correct. May need lead with a .30FS....

I know that Ireland is not in the UK, but it's next door, so how about Island Models: **LINK**

I've only looped mine, not sure I'm brave enough to try rolling with only rudder and not much dihedral in a small gym, but it puts a smile on my face and I'm tempted by the Piper Vagabond and the Avro Baby they do. I like the idea of building a good flying model quickly and cheaply and I also liked how complete the kit was. No little nik-naks to buy.

I've got a Liddle Gee which I built last year. I enjoyed the slightly unorthodox, but well thought out construction. Took me a day to build and another to cover using tissue/dope. Flies well and this range deserves wider exposure IMHO...

No, I already fly a 1/4 scale Flair Dr.1, so no need yet.   Edited By Alan Gorham_ on 30/12/2014 22:20:50

I know Denis, I have the plan. It's just that if you want to use a Hannibal cowl then they are freely available.

Denis Ring Flair directly on 01926 499099. I have dealt with them directly in the past to obtain spare parts for their kits and the chap I've spoken to was friendly and helpful.

Because it's name is spelt incorrectly...It's a "Ledfree" and the plan is still available (was never a kit). See here for plan: **LINK**

At least you know why now...And it's made the decision easier for you to cut the parts yourself!

David I think that all of the components in a pack are sent separately from different places and are not held in a "MyHobbyStore" central warehouse. A few years ago I ordered the plans, vacformed parts and CNC cut wooden parts for the Tony Nijhuis Short Sunderland from MHS and I think the plans came direct from the printers, the vacforms came from Sarik Vacform in Bristol and the CNC wood came from SLEC at Watton in Norfolk. Not much scope to combine delivery charges if correct.

Or it stops people in your club from being able to take a test 'cos you're too selfish to put up as an examiner. The original point of the thread was for Andy to find out if people think that area chief examiners should be able to demonstrate the manoeuvres contained in the tests they are eligible to take. Since the BMFA area appoints or re-appoints the ACEs at the area AGM there has to be some process of accountability to all the clubs in the area who may need to call on the services of an ACE at some point (for example to test club examiner candidates that area clubs put forward). I'm totally disillusioned at the lack of engagement some model flyers show....

Well actually some of us find that helping other flyers to be a rewarding part of the hobby. Seeing someone who you have taught to fly master their model and then feel confident enough to tackle a test of their flying and then pass successfully is as rewarding for me as building or flying any of my own models. Hence we feel motivated enough to become examiners and/or instructors. Edited By Alan Gorham_ on 09/12/2014 21:53:10

Thanks Lee and I will expand a little more.... Surely an area that wants to maintain the standard and validity of the Achievement schemes needs to have someone who can perform the flying part of the test to the required standard. Some contributors to this thread have suggested that (at examiners workshop events etc) that their ACE asked some competent pilots present to give demonstrations. I have no problem with that in principle, but I have asked my ACE to come and test me three times and all three times there was no-one else present who could have given a demo of anything. So my point is that it seems that the ACE should be able to fly to the required standard otherwise the Achievement scheme is devalued QED. It is the up to area committees to be proactive in maintaining ACEs who are capable of upholding the standard. By being proactive I mean that perhaps they could get some of the older ACEs to encourage younger club examiners or other competent flyers to come on board with the scheme and pass their knowledge and experience on prior to stepping down. I.E. a managed progression. Otherwise by default you just end up with ACEs who were appointed way back when and it is easier to keep re-nominating them each year to maintain the status quo.

I thought the BBC article was a good one too... Factual, calm in tone and summed up the issues quite nicely. The BMFA view got a bit of an airing and I thought model flying came out of it quite well.

I think there has been some blurring of the lines in this thread between a club examiner and an Area Chief Examiner - they are not the same thing. I for one am glad that we have an extremely capable ACE in the North East area, as when I decided that I wanted to take my A and B certs the club I was in at the time had NO instructors and NO examiners. Therefore both my A and B tests (and my club examiners test) were taken by the ACE. Therefore, when practising for the tests it was down to my interpretation of the test standards. I did, however, take a lot of confidence in the fact that if necessary the ACE would be able to demonstrate what was required for any given manoeuvre. As it happened, on the day of the test, the ACE was very clear in describing what was required, but still in the back of my mind I knew that he could demonstrate if I asked him to. Thus, to me, if my ACE could not fly the test when I asked him to (and none of my clubmates held an A or B so they couldn't demonstrate for me) you could have reached a point where the entire premise of the Achievement scheme fell down. With regards to older ACEs who were appointed when the scheme first started without having to take an examiner's test - I have a lot of conflicting opinions about this. I think the only pragmatic solution is that if an area are truly committed to upholding the value of the A and B cert tests, then they need to ask themselves if the ACEs are still able to do this. As I set out above - it is certainly an asset if the ACE can demonstrate the manoeuvres, if not a requirement.

Usually the tips of 1 finger off each and are enough for me to compress the spring and push down the collet. Then I use another finger to push off the clip. Cheap and quick!

Jack You probably don't need special tooling to sort this out. I've worked on Saito, OS, SC and ASP 4 strokes of various sizes without needing C clip pliers. The C-clips are indeed recessed into collets as you say. You just need to push the collet down the valve stem (and compress the valve spring) and the c-clip will then be totally exposed and in my experience can just be pushed off with finger pressure. All it takes is a bit of manual dexterity and be sure to do it all inside a clear plastic bag (I use freezer bags) so you can see what you are doing but not lose any parts if a tiny clip or collet pings off...

Well, I was all fired up to build the Atom shortly after the Special mag came out with the plan in. Then I saw that the Atom was a likely winner in the mass build vote, so I've hung on and am now counting down to 1 Jan so that I can start building it. It's been hard waiting because I really want to try my hand at gyro flying. That should help keep me keen in January!

Or just take the wheels off when storing and pop them on before heading to the field?

I think the problem might be that there's no easy answer to your question. It's quite common to have to store heavier models with their wheels off the ground to avoid the tyres developing flats due to weight being on the tyres constantly. If this is the problem you are having then there aren't many types of tyre material that will stop this from happening... Can you store the fuselage vertically or horizontally in a rack mounted to a wall?

I'm in! I already bought all the bits for the Atom back in September but have hung back on building it once it became part of the Mass Build. I've got a barely started Cambrian Mustang and a half done Micro Mold Spitfire F22/24 that need finishing too, so that's the funfighters sorted as well. If I get them all done in time I could be tempted to come to Greenacres.

Still looking in Colin...I used to fly a Barnstormer 63" for many years and comparing the aerobatic abilities of the Team Special with a Bi-Stormer there would be no contest. I did purchase the unstarted kit of the PFM Giant Zlin we chatted about up-thread, but can't decide how to power it. Ideally I want a petrol four stroke I think. Since then I've got some other 1980's classics in the form of 5 old Sport 40 pylon racers (Midget Mustang, Polecat, Little Toni and Top Turkey) to keep me going in refurb projects. Keep us posted getting this model back in the air won't you? Nothing like a bit of nostalgia.