Colin Leighfield

I like the photos Myron. How often do yoy fly the chickens? Particularly I like the photo of your Spitfire project with the strategically placed pint of beer. You've definitely got your priorities sorted out!

I got the KK Cadet (large Cub) from Replikit a couple of years ago and built it. It flies a treat and is a good replacement for the one I built in 1957 when I was 11, but my little brother jumped on and smashed before I had the chance to fly it. (I'll get him back one day, I've already sabotaged his Zimmer Frame).

Den. See my earlier post today at 11.37.02, all you need to know about buying Cox .049s and spares for them brand new. You should look at the latest Aeromodeller mag, it tells you all about Cox International and the Snipe is in there too. You don't use a glow starter on these engines. The glow element is an integral part of the head,which can be easily unscrewed and replaced. (Though I've never had to). It works off 1.5 volts, not 2. You use conventional dry batteries. Cox supply a plastic battery holder which carries 4 batteries in parallel which give you a lot of starts. The glow clip is a simple piece of kit which they supply as well.None of it is expensive and their online ordering service is excellent, I'd recommend them.

Chris, I sympathise mate. Doesn't look as if you'll be doing the LDS short kit for the MB5 then!

I had good experience with Replikit, I assume this will be the same. My only comment beyond that is that the prices seem to be higher, but I can't blame them for that. It's a risky business and they have to make a living. At least we can buy these things again.

Well done Reno Racer, problem solved! David, you can get the plan, wood and parts for the Tony Nihaus Hawker Typhoon (62"? from My Hobby Store.

Hi again Den. I think that's wise. The Snipe was designed for the KeilKraft Cobra, which was a crib off the Cox .049 and similarly very light. I don't think that the Snipe needs to be over- powered, but apart from that you'd probably finish up putting weight in the tail to get the cg right. I remember going down that route with a Frog Nimrod and it made it virtually unflyable. Personally, I don't think you can beat the Cox .049 for this, they're dead easy to start and go on for ever.

kc, that rings a bell. It wouldn't be hard to get wings, tailplane and fin made up from foam, they're all straight edged. Fuselage wouldn't be difficult either, it's all straight lines as well, except for the belly air intake. I've got a small electric motor contra-prop set up that would fly something about 40", I was thinking of a Fairey Gannet as a one piece hand launcher to chuck in the back of the car. Maybe I should do an MB5!

Den, an .06 (1cc)? might be a bit poky (and heavy)?for the Snipe, it's fine on a .5 or .75 diesel, or a reed valve Cox .049. Good luck anyway. Another good engine would be the MP Jet 0.6cc diesel, it's a beauty, although I don't know if a throttle is available for it.

Great picture Charles, I can almost smell the grass!

Why don't you have a go at it yourself Chris.? There's loads of information available on it and it's a very straightforward design. I saw your earlier mention of it. It's definitely been done before, more than once.

Cox engines are manufactured and suppiled by Cox International in Canada. www.coxengines.ca. They do the whole range of reed valve .049s, including the Davis Diesel version and with r/c throttles if needed. You can buy the throttle backplate unit separately if you wish to convert an existing engine. Their prices are reasonable and service is excellent. Have a look at their website and buy on line, it will arrive in a very few days. There is an excellent feature in the current edition of the new Aeromodeller about them. My Snipe will definitely have rudder, elevator and throttle control. I have no nostalgic wish to recreate the days of single channel. I don't have those kinds of masochistic tendencies and it's easy to confuse rose tinted spectacles with cataracts!

I've got the Replikit Snipe part kit with a Cox .049(r/c throttle)waiting to go in it. I got it because of nostalgia, I built one in 1965 and fitted it with a new Babe Bee. On the first flight in Sutton Park I made the mistake of launching it with a full tank. About two minutes later it was a dot in the sky heading out of the park towards Four Oaks. I never saw it again and as you may guess, I hadn't put my name and address in it. It certainly flew well! I will build this one the traditional way, covered with tisue and dope. However, it will definitely be fitted with radio this time! It's about number five on the build list, but I will get around to it!

No doubt about the MB5, it's mostly straight lines and with the later larger tail it's got all of the ingredients. It's been done quite often and is a proven flyer, but I'm not aware if anybody has kitted it. A slight variation would be the MB3, it's aerodynamically much the same as the MB5 (same wing) and I've never seen it done. I'm not sure that people go for relatively obscure types in sufficient numbers to make a kit commercially viable though. The Supermarine Spiteful and Seafang are similarly attractive but not familiar to most people. I'm only aware of one commercially available plan. Straightforward wing design and generous tail surfaces, definitely excellent candidates.

Thanks Chris P, it's all good stuff!

Hi Erfolg. Yes, I know that. It's just that in the original posts about Peter's Bootlace design (2009/10 onwards), there was a lot of discussion about the co-incidences with earlier "Bootlace" models and Ian Peacock's creations were mentioned. (We both contributed). My earlier post was triggered by Ian's contribution to the new Aeromodeller, I hadn't realised he was still designing and building. His original "Bootlace" was different to Peter's reasonably accurate and practical design and clearly later on was translated into "Miss Tangerine". I just wondered what his recollections of those days were, although it doesn't look as if he participates in this forum. I trust that all is well with you.

Chris Bacon. That's a demonstration of just how a basic and well proven lay-out can be made attractive, very nice. It's a lot like a Carl Goldberg Skylark, you can't go wrong with something like that. It's interesting as well that Mick Reeves decided to re-introduce the Gangster, although I think that it's the bigger version, not the 52 and he says that it's lighter. Another safe bet.

Harking back to earlier discussions about Ian Peacock's involvement with a version of Bootlace/Miss Tangerine, I was astonished to see him writing in the second edition of the resurrected Aeromodeller, with a new design for a control line stunter for a 2.5cc diesel, based on the Nobler. He must be getting on a bit by now (even older than me). I wonder if he's aware of this discussion, he could probably answer some of our earlier questions!

Thanks Plummet. That's a very pretty plane. The illustrious Alex Henshaw had one, but lost it when he had to bale out because of an engine fire. Later of course he moved on to the famous Mew Gull G-AEXF. There used to be an Arrow Active in the Aeromodeller Plans Service back inmthe 50s, I can't remember the size but it's probably on the small size. Perhaps it's still available.

Hi Percy and Tim. Yes, the Elf is still at Old Warden. I think it's a very pretty aeroplane and a refreshing change from the excellent Moth range. The Warren strut wing bracing is a bit like a Fiat CR42, very rigid and needs no bracing wires. It's all straight rods and I think it wouln't that be that difficult to do. Perhaps even make the left and right side wings in pairs, permanently assembled with the strut bracing in place? That would also make assembly and dismantling on the airfield easier! The previously mentioned Fiat CR42 is another one you hardly ever see that I think would be really good, as is the CR32, although that has been done a bit more often. In fact there is a number of very interesting Italian WW2 subjects just waiting to be done. Breda Ba65, Meridionali Ro51 etc. If only we had the time!

Thanks Percy, I remember the Cranfield, must have been one of the last of Pat's productions and based on a very interesting prototype that most people have never heard of. Like the Zlin, it,would be a good subject today. I remember also his Tiger Moth Monoplanes in two sizes and his Vampire. I agree with your suggestions about the Miles, Percival and Comper designs as good subjects, qthere are also interesting and attractive biplanes, such as the Arrow Active and the Parnall Elf. I could dream all day!

I wish someone could resurrect Pat French's designs, sold under "PFM Models" and "Economy Scale". The Team Special biplane was a brilliant flyer and the Giant Zlin would be great with modern radio and a 120 four stroke. There were several other designs, all easy to build and really good flyers. After Pat decided to buy the Metisse motorcycle rights from the Rickman brothers and develop a very successful business making high quality frames, he sold the model business to Stagg Models in Northampton, but I never heard any more after that. Sadly, Pat died a couple of years ago.

Good summing up Erfolg, well said.

Thanks Martin. It certainly looks the part. I'm impressed with Vortex, they seem to try very hard.

I'm sure you've got all of the detail you need Martin, looks great. Did you make a plug for the canopy and send it to Vortex, or were they able to do it from a drawing?