David Holland 2

Today has been one of those memorable days of full size aviation, a very acceptable dinner, an even more acceptable bottle of Sauvingnon Blanc and a pleasant hour watching the "Memorable moments of the Six Nations". Featured were, among many heroes, Keith Wood and Brian O'Driscoll who I have always thought would be great company for a night at the pub. Now, I know that this has nothing whatsoever do do with model aircraft, apart from the bit about a great day flying our Robin, but I got to thinking which 12 people I would love to spend an evening with over a pint or two. Haven't included family cos I can do that whenever. Here's my list, who would you chose? Woody, Brian O'Driscoll and Matt Dawson. Passion, skill, commitment on a rugby pitch. Jim Clark and Jenson Button. Sublime car control, Jimmy Clark the best there has ever been and JB an equal to anyone on his day. Neil Diamond, song writer/singer without equal. R J Mitchell, High Dowding, Geoff Wellum, and Jeffreyn Quill, without whom (plus very many others) England would be a very different place, Kylie Minoque cos she is just gorgeous, Margaret Thatcher (oooh, contenteous) and Nelson Mandela. And my mate Trevor who I fly with. Just a proper person. I know that's more than 12 but it's really difficult!! Looking forward to your thoughts. David

Aren't young uns wonderful?

Neil Diamond is the man. And Radio 4 of course David

Some good stuff here, chaps. Been having a bit of a google and it seems that the genuine Spektrum lipo packs have a built in charge/discharge controller at about 30 squids (for a 4000mah) but 4Max have a 2s lipo for the DX8 which has three connectors, a TX plug, a balance connector and charge lead so you use a lipo charger rather than the Spektrum item but don't have to remove the pack each time, just take the battery cover off. Then there is the eneloop option. Decisions, decisions! Thanks for the reminder to change battery type at the TX. I hope when I order the battery the shop does not have a Parkzone Sport Cub in stock cos I feel an urge coming on!! Thanks for all the replies. David

Sorry Paul. I was typing my reply to Pete before I read your post. You have confirmed my decision, thanks. David

Thanks Pete. It seems I have been charging correctly and the battery pack must be four years old by now. A lipo seems the way to go, more capacity and no self-discharge. A no-brainer. Thanks for your help. David

Evening forumites. Can anybody tell me if the purple/blue charge indicator of my DX8 should change colour or extinguish when the batteries (NiMh) are fully charged. It has always stayed purple and I have always charged overnight before going flying without any problems. I haven't charged it for a couple of weeks but today when setting up a new model I got a low voltage alarm after it had been on for just a few minutes. I suspect the battery pack is the issue but never could find if I should have left it on charge until something happens to the charge indicator.Thanks in advance. David

Tony, do not even think of not finishing it. Us mere mortals follow your builds with mouths agape. I have a three year old grandaughter who would just fit in that cockpit nicely if you would like to borrow her for the maiden. I'm sure her mum would not mind!! David (open mouthed with wonder)

My chippie has arrived. Really impressed with the kit, lovely wood and very crisp mouldings. The plans are a thing of beauty and I'm looking forward to a few happy hours gazing at them before I even think about starting to build. Many thank to ZK and Kevin for getting these kits to us. Was thinking of getting the Beaver too but after lurking on the depron threads, especially Electriflier's Spit and AT 6, and having picked up a few sheets of the stuff at the Nats, I am thinking of having a go at a Beaver in depron. Never used it before but it looks like it would be fun to try. Thanks again ZK and Kevin.

I'm eagerly awaiting the delivery of my chippie kit (in transit according to the tracking site so perhaps be here monday) but the Beaver is another of my favourites. Anybody have any details of the Airsail kit (dimensions, basically) cos Kevin says he has a few kits and I might be tempted. Regards, David

I've been (in fact the whole family, wife, two lovely daughters and two great sons-in-law) avid F1 fans for more years than I care to admit to but I haven't taken part in the fantasy f1 competition cos my heart rules my head and I would have had Jenson on pole and winning every race!! Was that a fantastic year? I love the new power units, I like that you can hear the turbos, the gearboxes, the tyres, the brakes. I love the cars getting all squirrelly putting the power down and I think the whole field has driven so cleanly with great moves and few comings together. It would have been a travesty for Lew not to have taken the title, what with three dnf's and 11 wins and I reckon he has matured this season to a really great driver and will be even stronger next year. If JB is not in a McLaren next year Ron will be missing a huge trick, the experience of Jens and Ferdy to develope the new car/power unit package would be a huge benefit. Roll on 2015, bring in on!

I think they represent the shape of the top cowling where the engine cam covers lie underneath. On a (Merlin engined) spit the top of the cowling is almost flat. If you google spitfire images you will see what I mean. Really tricky to get just right but vital to the look of the finished model. Regards David

Thanks Pete. I thought it such an apposite bit of philosophy that it was worth sharing but could not think of another part of the male anatomy that I could replace it with that would evoke the same twinge of comprehension from every gentleman forum member! Won't do it again, promise. David

Hello Terry. Sure does! Have pm'd you back. David

It's not until a mosquito lands on your testicles that you realise that problems can be resolved without violence. Can I use that word without being moderated?

Whoa there, Pete B. If they even thought of replacing Julie Reinger from Look East I would have to consider placing the whole of BBC Norwich under siege.

Saw a sign today and got really hot under the collar! As well as dogs in coats, Bruce Forsyth and aeroplanes with "dashboards", I really hate to see a railway station called a train station. Completely irrational, I know, but I can't help it. Getting crotchety is one of the privileges of getting old!

David, Simon, KK, thank for the response. I tried it on my old battered but much loved e-foam AcroWot and it certainly seems to give an easy clean surface, perhaps a little more ding proof and I put a coat on a bit of depron ( Daz, Electriflyer et al certainly have a lot to answer for!) but I haven't tried painting it or any other treatment yet. Will report in the fullness of time. David

Installed iOS 8 on both phone and iPad last night and everything is working fine.

Thanks Rod, I'm pleased you think something similar. I'll try it on a bit of depron and see what happens.

P S. I tried searching the forum database but got no results.

I have just got back from a holiday in Wales and found a proper hardware shop in Hay-on-Wye, you know the sort, they stock absolutely everything. They had some Pledge multi-surface wax (used to be Johnson's Klear) and I'm sure I have seen on the forum that it is useful as a toughening finish on foam models. Did I just make that up and if I did what else can I use two bottles of the stuff for?!! David

Oh! I've just thought of another one, apart from Bruce Forsyth and dogs in coats. People (some who write for this magazine!!) who call the thing, in front of the driver of an aeroplane with all the knobs,switches and dials, a "dashboard". No, no, no. It's an INSTRUMENT PANEL. And don' t pick me up on "driver", I'm being ironic. How's that for a rant?

People who make dogs wear coats. Bruce Forsyth. Porky girls with bare midriffs. Porky boys in small cars sharing their lack of musical taste with me. Bruce Forsyth. Anyone who does not agree that I know best(!)

Just got back. Did anyone else think the Hunter display at the showline was exceptional? Lovely big, graceful scale like manoeuvres, really accurate take-off, straight down the centreline and a super landing with a fabulous little dip of the nose oleo when braking at the end of the roll-out. Brilliant. Great day and bought a few goodies. Result. David