Kevin Wilson

Well I hope you have more luck than I have had with my Record branded version. Mine is just a useless lump taking up workshop space.  I spent more time putting the blade back on than actually cutting anything.  Mine was bought new and the side cover is (sort of) retained by little plastic clips (Poo!) I am sure I either got a duff one or the QC went downhill after the buyout. I tried different blades, new wheels and all manner of adjustments. Good Luck! Kevin   

An idea for a new shed build is to sandwich wire mesh (even thin stuff) between ply sheets. Makes it a devil to break through. Nailed onto the framework with annular ring nails (have you ever tried to break up a palet ) and the panels wont be comong off! I have seen this recomended as an outer skin to breeze block walls for security. Still leaves the traditional weak spots, door and windows, though!   It's a 'Rock & a Hard Place' regarding visible security. How far before the deterent becomes an attraction?   I would be surprised if houshold insurance will cover expensive gear in a shed. Well, not at a reasonable price!  

Proxxon have always impressed me with their build quality and they have 240v options which should help if running it for extended periods. But as for budget............No way.   The cost has kept me from buying the quality which I admire. I will stick with the Minicraft drill that has served me well for probably 20 years. Not bad for a refurb unit bought at one of the shows! And it has a standard 43mm collar to fit drill stands etc.   Proxxon for me when the Minicraft dies I think.   Kevin

Proxxon have always impressed me with their build quality and they have 240v options which should help if running it for extended periods. But as for budget............No way.   The cost has kept me from buying the quality which I admire. I will stick with the Minicraft drill that has served me well for probably 20 years. Not bad for a refurb unit bought at one of the shows! And it has a standard 43mm collar to fit drill stands etc.   Proxxon for me when the Minicraft dies I think.   Kevin

I managed a 'one point' (vertical) landing last sunday Reduced the length of my 3S LiPo by a good 10-15mm. Still waiting for it to burst into flames! I am with Tim on this. The constant harping on about LiPo's does nobody any favours. If you are not prepared to read the instructions then do not be suprised when it all goes wrong.

Hi guys,  Background; I built two gliders when I was 10 then nothing till at 16 I bought an Acoms 2ch. Dad built a Hi wing trainer and we flew together for a few years until I found girls! Fast forward 28 years and I have bought an EasyStar. So after 28 years I consider myself an informed novice. I built the Kit Easy* and have found it most unsatisfying to fly. Underpowered, twitchy and the dihedral doesn't work . Fitted LiPo & brushless, so now it is overpowered twitchy & unsatisfying. My brother who continued flying in the intervening 28 years declared "if you can fly that, you can fly anything". Must be just mine, with all the bouquets the EasyStar gets thrown at it. CG is ok surfaces straight and level, so who knows. I am going to get a more pointy foamy with ailerons, something which will handle the wind better and not need a mile long strip to get down in. Yes it's very 'floaty'. As far as Sims go; I have tried Reflex but find it easier to fly the real thing. Conclusion; with a bit of knowledge (reading) or a rtf Easystar you can teach yourself to fly. Sims help if you can get on with them, but you cannot beat stick time. btw. I have had no (damage) crashes just hard landings; but I have had to get the ladders & rope out a few times getting the Bl##dy thing out of trees Kevin

Tim, Surely at some point in the binding process the 'Rx' must form some kind of two way communication with the 'Tx'. I am sure the Spektrum air sets have the datalink, as I cannot see them developing a totaly different technology for us fliers. It may just not be implemented, which may have something to do with data redundancy and utilising the bandwidth for a more secure link for airborn sets. I am imagining the Eagletree type datalogging being passed over the datalink to give that neat mAh consumed figure realtime to show how much battery life we have left. I do wonder though how I can develop chameleon eyes to keep one on my plane and the other on all this wonderfull telemetry Interesting your Eagletree is on backorder, I have a friend that is also waiting for an eLogger. Kevin

Yep, thats the basic idea Erfolg. 2.4GHz works around the handset & the vehicle package talking to each other (you cannot use the term Tx or Rx as each end has both) the car boys are using this data link to piggy back extra info to the handset for volts, revs and temperature. Although there is no reason that altitude cannot be sent, it is not that necessary with a car Take a look at Horizonhobby.co.uk, Spektrum car section and you will see what I mean. It springs to mind that we could have real time fuel gauges as well. The data link is there, it just needs suitable sensors. Exciting times indeed. Kevin

Exactly my point Bladerunner, when I said that I am looking for ward to the market maturing. If you look at where 2.4GHz is with the surface sets; there is  a whole lot more that can be done with the airborn sets. I cannot think of any application that would benefit more from knowing what the Rx battery voltage is than an aircraft, or engine temperature than a Heli. We are at the start of a technology as exciting as the move to proportional control. Kevin

This opens up a question that I have had.  You may be able to answer this Timbo. When on a 'buddy' who is doing the transmiting? I guess that it is the trainee who is transmitting (as he has trimmed up the plane) and the Tutor is just stealing the sticks when he releases his trainer switch. Am I right Tim?  Regards, Kevin

For me it has to be,1 Catalina or Gruman Tigercat Although a Lockheed SR71with twin 400 pushers would be 'interesting' to fly! Kevin

I see the compatibility as the biggest downside of 2.4GHz. For years we have enjoyed the cross compatibility that most receivers work with most transmitters. And any servo works with any receiver. With 2.4 you have to be carefull even within brands. Not all futaba receivers work with all Futaba transmiters; Likewise Spektrum. Guys older than I may confirm this was the same position with the early 27AM sets.  This is an issue with any emerging technology and I for one look forward to the bedding down of 2.4GHz as it is the way forward. Kevin

I race 1/12 cars when I am not on the field. That old Jap company ACOMS are selling a complete dry set on 2.4GHz (albeit 2 chanel and wheel control) for £60. Thats Tx, Rx, 2 servo & wiring harness! No good for me as I like my sticks, but it shows how cheap this gear can be pushed out. As Allan said the cost of receivers was a negative to 2.4, but as Timbo points out the hardware costs are falling and is comparable to a same spec 35 RX. NO good if you are a budget (cheapskate) flyer like me, but it is geting there

Whilst I am very much of the opinion of live and let live. I too find 'Barnstormer' rather imature. The thinly veiled sexual inuendo is what I would expect of one of the weekly 'Lads Mags'. Certainly not what I buy RCME for. Like Mr Harrison I read a couple and no longer bother with the last page of RCME. I fly electric fixed wing but still find interest in the Glow, Glider & Heli articles. If I want Young Miss Gusset I will go and buy Playboy or something apropriate to the subject.